Although many businesses use Microsoft Office to manage their contacts, tasks, documents and basic finances, there’s nothing better than using an integrated system where you can store your contact info, your employees, sales that you’ve made through the business and track how sales relate to your customers.

The advantage of an integrated system is that it will enable you to integrate the various aspects of your business and then generate reports that can be used to improve the way you go about your business. Can you make additional sales to existing customers? Are the majority of sales through new customers? How have sales been performing over the last few months?

As an extension to Microsoft Office, Microsoft has recently released a free version of Accounting, which is called Accounting Express, described as an essential tool for managing your business finances. You only need to enter data once so you can save time managing everyday financial tasks. All of your customer and financial information is stored in one place so that you have a complete view of your business. You also have the tools you need to sell online through eBay and get paid faster.

Note that although Microsoft Office Accounting Express is free, there are a number of additional features in the Professional version.