There are in the region of 50 different software products related to the marketing and administration associated with residential estate and letting agencies in the UK.  This being the case, how do you go about sorting out what is right for you?

You can begin by trying to sort these 50 or so products into different groups.  Dividing them up into groups based on their technical architecture and their scope would give you some clue as to the markets they fit best.

We would suggest a grouping according to whether they:

• Are Windows based
• Are Internet based
• Use a Desktop or Workgroup database engine
• Use an Enterprise database engine

Such a grouping would give a good indication as to how naturally they fit into the use you have in mind.

Finally, the functionality contained within the product is another obvious grouping but this is the subject of a different menu item.  We mean here... Is the software designed for Residential Sales, Residential Lettings, Client Accounting or Property Management?