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From: xxajtxx@hou2d.UUCP (A.THANGARAJ)
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: Re: Database / Inventory Control
Message-ID: <787@hou2d.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Oct-85 12:06:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: hou2d.787
Posted: Mon Oct 21 12:06:21 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 22-Oct-85 05:53:39 EDT
References: <1169@rayssd.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 48

<<<<<<<%%%%%%%######|||||$$$$!!!&&(line^eater)&&!!!$$$$|||||######%%%%%%%>>>>>>>
>From: msf@rayssd.UUCP (Michael S. Frank)
>My grandparents own a small gift-type store and are interested in computerizing
>their inventory, and would like to do it as inexpensively as possible.  I
>realize that using an IBM or Apple, I could find plenty of software, but I'm
>looking for some s/w for the 64 to do the same job, even if slightly slower.
>Does anyone have any experience with s/w in this field?  It should be able
>to sort on multiple fields; add and multiply fields (like quantity * cost, i.e.
>a value of totale inventory); and have some type pf printer interface.
>Graphics are nice, but not necessary; not even a deciding factor.

There is a whole lot of business-oriented software for the Commodore 64. Please
spend a couple of days in legwork before making up your mind. For a start check
with specialty computer stores (not KMART or TOYS 'R US, but the small stores
dealing only with Personal Computers) and get the names of the programs that do
the things you want on the Commodore 64. There are quite a few such stores that
carry inexpensive computers like Commodores and Ataris along with Apples or 
Kaypros. Also, get a price on a Commodore computer system (including monitor,
printer and disk drive) from them. Then visit KMART, TOYS 'R US, Crazy Eddie,
Sounds Great, etc., and see how much less you can get the same system for.
TOYS 'R US, for example, has a whole aisle devoted to Commodore 64 software.
Finally, get hold of the catalog from PROTECTO enterprises (1-800-421-3443),
or call 47th St. Photo (1-800-221-7774) or Executive Computer (1-212-226-4010) 
or any other mail-order places you can find, and get the system price from
them. Add up the cost of the entire system (hardware and software) before 
deciding on one. Considering that it would be a business expense, and that it
could be capitalized and depreciated over several years (and might even 
qualify for investment credit), your folks might want to avoid the hassle of
the C64's slow disk drive and 40 column display, and go for an easy-to-use,
slightly more expensive system that comes with bundled software (eg. the 
bottom-of-the-line Kaypro, the Panasonic Sr. Partner or the Apple IIe),
or even get a fast IBM-Compatible like the AT&T PC 6300.  Once again, add
up the cost of the hardware and software, calculate the depreciation and 
tax savings and figure out the true net cost of the whole works before 
deciding.
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