Things You'll Need:
- Computer Magazines
- Personal Information Managers Software
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Step 1
Check reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to help you narrow your choices.
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Step 2
Download demo versions from manufacturers' Web sites to try specific programs.
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Step 3
Try the information manager included in your office suite program if you already have Corel WordPerfect Suite, Lotus SmartSuite or Microsoft Office.
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Step 4
Look for compatibility with your organizer or Palm device if you have one.
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Step 5
Choose Lotus Notes if you know or plan to learn Lotus Notes programming.
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Step 6
Try templates or modules in a general database program, if you already have one, or already know how to use one.
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Step 7
See if your e-mail program contains all the PIM features you need.
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Step 8
Choose the program you use at work if it is commercially available and you want compatibility, or you want to save the time required to learn a different program.
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Step 1
Make sure the program has network features if you need them.
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Step 2
Compare people-tracking features such as phone and address book, appointment book and contact management.
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Step 3
Compare time- and date-tracking capabilities, such as calendar or planner features, as well as sharing and managing schedules across a network, to do lists, and schedule tracking and display.
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Step 4
Compare record-keeping capabilities for information management, expense reports and project management.
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Step 5
Determine integration possibilities with other applications.
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Step 6
Consider mail management tools, such as e-mail features and mail merge.
