www.netsuite.com
We've used NetSuite since 2001. It is very powerful software, and has been from the beginning. When it comes time for renewal, though, be ready for the hassle of the year. They must have training courses in irritation and negotiation. My recommendation to anyone signing up would be to request a written contract that no features would be de-bundled, and some kind of cost lock for a period of time. Anything you can do to avoid their renewal sales staff, the better. I think that most businesses that use the product, after determining the right package for their operation, will like it. Their support is not as good as it used to be. It seems to be fairly rare that we've needed it, though.
I think their achille's heel was their choice to focus on mid-market in ~2002. Identity crisis and hunger for faster profits. I don't think it served them well, and they lost a lot of customers (probably at renewal time). Packages and terminology changed every so often.
It is sure fascinating to see some of the upstarts that seek to eat NetSuite's lunch. Below...
www.netbooks.com
These people seem to have a very solid base. Their software thinks differently than the others I've tried, and I think it may be totally worth it to get your mind around it. I bet they will hit their stride during 2008 and be a big contender. I like that they have so much focus on true small businesses. The manufacturing (production), inventory and other features we tried were well done. As of this writing, I think they have a couple of broad strokes to add yet, but they say it won't be long. I was not a big fan of the e-commerce software they chose to connect to: CRE Loaded. I prefer www.avactis.com, head and shoulders above as it is far more intuitive. www.sql-ledger.org
Impressive for open source. Host it on your own Linux or XP/2000 box for LAN or WAN. Very affordable. It would leave any buyer enough budget to bring in a specialist to make it their own. I'm keeping my eye close on this one.
www.cougarmtn.com
Their Pro package consists of a server that they install onsite. It is preconfigured and accessible over WAN and LAN. Sounds very cool. However, their salesperson never delivered the quote. It sounded to be between $7k - $10k.
www.interprisesuite.com
As discussed on this thread already. One to watch, I'm sure. I bet they'll do a pretty good job with some refinement.
www.mainstreetcommerce.com
No impressions either way, yet.
www.saasu.com (www.netaccounts.com)
I liked their trial. It is internationally oriented, and in time, I think they'll have a good system.
www.bizautomation.com
Another new one. Looks like it would be worth a try.
www.intaact.com
If you call for a quote, expect to be interrogated for an hour. Then make sure you're sitting down when they quote you. $10k for the license, and another $20k for integration, setup, fees, destination charge, etc. They claim to be a competitor to NetSuite, but I don't see that. Their website is very attractive, yet cryptic and unsubstantial. I suspect they are trying to hide the price and lack of features.
www.efinancials.com
Very new. Still in beta. Looks like they have the model right.
www.epeachtree.com
Ho, hum. Moving along.
www.nolapro.com
Very intruiging. I'm watching them closely, too.
www.objacct.com
This almost seems like a kit for developers. Looks loaded. No idea on price.
www.intuit.com
Intuit's Quickbooks Enterprise looks quite powerful, but it networks over the WAN with thin-client technology, which is frankly cheesy. $3k-$6k.
www.microsoft.com/dynamics
I only took the presentation tour, which was expectedly professional. I kind of got turned off when I heard of all the integration with MS Office. Great. Buy more expensive Office licenses for multiple users. We were successfully weaned from that to OpenOffice. Can't go back. But, hey. Anyone want to look into it further?
www.plexus.com
Manufacturing oriented. No experience with it yet.
www.distone.com
I couldn't get past their web design. Look away. It's hideous. Maybe I'm a little touchy, but spend several days researching accounting software, and you'll start disqualifying them for anything.
www.ronpaul2008.com
Best site on economics, markets and policy I've seen yet. Don't know how well they'll do. This one depends on the electorate.
I wish all researchers grand success in their businesses. I think I'd rather get a tooth pulled than go through another bout of researching accounting software. I hope this post will help someone speed through their own search.