Spb Software House Unleashes a Horde of Financial Wonders

[Darius Wey]

<i>"Inspired by the success of the previously released editions of Spb Finance, Spb is now targeting the needs of those whose favorite desktop financial program is Microsoft Money by offering Spb Finance Money Edition. In this version of Spb Finance you can synchronize your finance data between Spb Finance and Microsoft Money. If you have Money installed on your desktop, it will remain your main financial program. At the same time you will always have a powerful program on your Pocket PC that provides quick and easy data input. You can go shopping with the assurance that you will not miss a single transaction, because Spb Finance will carefully collect and store your data. Afterwards, when you get access to your desktop PC, just dock your device and all the changes will be synchronized with Money automatically."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20041222-SpbFinance.jpg" /><br /><br />Spb Software House have just released a string of updates to their Spb Finance package. There are now three versions of the product: "Standard Edition", a stand-alone finance manager, which has just been updated to Version 1.60; "Quick Edition", a finance manager with support for Quicken; and the new "Money Edition", with full support for synchronisation with Microsoft Money. There are a host of new and improved features included in these updates - among the favourites are importing/exporting functions, the ability to display budgets and graphs, and data encryption. Having beta-tested these before the release, I was happy with the features they delivered, and I think you will too. You can download a trial version or purchase the full version of each of these products for $19.95 from Handango (<a href="http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=84585&productType=2">Standard Edition</a> and <a href="http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=146676&productType=2">Money Edition</a>) and PocketGear (<a href="http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=6208&associateid=204">Quick Edition</a>). [Affiliate]

[epaalx]

Given that MS' Money client is such a PoS, I'd gladly try a replacement that allows me to enter more data about the transaction item... However, it seems that Spb Finance "Money edition" synchronises via a file not transaction records. Would this mean that only one file is "right" and the synchronisation is one-directional, or can the Sync import and export transactions?

[Darius Wey]

Good question. As you may or may not know, Microsoft Money stores its user data in the form of a MNY file on your PC. Spb Finance Money Edition installs an ActiveSync component which can be configured to link to this MNY file. So all you need to do is install the software, link the MNY file to the ActiveSync component, and from then on, subsequent synchronisations work in much the same way as how your PIM data synchronises. That is, it's effortless and requires no user intervention. It's not uni-directional so any changes to one side will be imposed on the other. The financial databases on both the PC and Pocket PC are kept in sync. It works well. Give it a go and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[dma1965]

I had high hopes for this, but could not get the first sync to complete without errors. 4 unresolved items, and no way to find out what they are.

[humayunl]

I just downloaded the trial for Spb Finance for Money, installed it on my Imate and successfully synchronized with my Desktop MS Money. I like all the features in this app and am still wondering if microsoft is sleeping or something...

Anyway. my experience was not without issues either.

After the sync, I could see all the information was downloaded correctly to my device and was showing up correctly.

I went to reports and selected "spending by category" and the report showed up (pie chart) correctly.

After that whenever i have tried to run the report, (the spending by category report), it says "there is no data to display this report".

I havent made any changes or resynchronized, i.e. done nothing to it for it to suddenly stop finding data for the report. I am selecting all the filters correctly (categories/sub categories, time period, accounts to use etc.)

The data is there so its not like the data is gone. There is data for the selected accounts, categories, time period so I have no idea why this is happening especially because it worked once (but just that once).

Any ideas?

[Darius Wey]

The data is there so its not like the data is gone. There is data for the selected accounts, categories, time period so I have no idea why this is happening especially because it worked once (but just that once). Any ideas?

Odd... I've never seen that happen before. Have you tried deactivating and reactivating the ActiveSync component, and resynchronising everything again? If the problem cannot be resolved, it may be a good idea to advise Spb in case it's a bug specific to your device. Here's (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/finance/support.html?en) the support contact form if you wish to get in contact with them.

[humayunl]

I figured out what the problem was.

In the "Customize" option for reports, there's a tab caled "Classes". "NONE" has to be explicitly checked EVERYTIME I run a report.

I am a MS Money user and i dont even know what classes are. So thats why my classes selection is empty with only one option, namely "none". And everytime i want to run the report (i ahve only experimented with the spending by category report so far) i have to customize the report and go to the Classes tab and check NONE or else my data wont show up.

I guess the part about the application not remembering the setting for this option is probably a bug. But its too obvious to have been missed.

I dont know why and how the reports worked the first time without me changing anything.

Thanks for the info Darius.

[dommasters]

"Inspired by the success of the previously released editions of Spb Finance ..."
I thought it had sunk without trace ... was it a success ?

[Darius Wey]

"Inspired by the success of the previously released editions of Spb Finance ..."
I thought it had sunk without trace ... was it a success ?

It may not have been the biggest and best, but it was still a good quality application. Many people out there used it and thoroughly enjoyed the features it offered. These new updates only add to this.

[tzirbel]

I've been beta testing the software as well. It's come a long way. There are still some issues to work out but I think it's ready for 1.0. As a money user who could never get the pocket version of Money to sync correctly and consistently with the desktop version this is a great application. Even though it is file based it does sync on a transaction basis.
There are still some issues to be resolved:
The class of none needs to be checked for reports.
If you uninstall Finance and reinstall it, rename the money.mny file or transactions will get removed.
No option to force one platform to overwrite the other after initial sync.

On the plus side it does sync and does it consistently which is more than I can say for pocket version of money.
The changes that have not been synced are bold which is a useful feature. The backup, import/export feature offers convenience and peace of mind knowing that the data is fully recoverable.

I view Finance as a great companion to Ms Money. Not a replacement. It gives me most of the features I want while on the run while keeping data entry simple and quick.

One feature Money for Pocketpc had that I miss is the running balance after each transaction.

[Jon Westfall]

I've been beta testing the software as well. It's come a long way. There are still some issues to work out but I think it's ready for 1.0.

I don't mean to be rude to Spb (They make a lot of quality software that I use daily) but I think "ready for 1.0" should be defined as not having some issues to work out. When I saw this posted on the homepage, I was excited, now I"m going to be very cautious jumping into this product (Which I'll try later).

[T-Will]

I've been beta testing the software as well. It's come a long way. There are still some issues to work out but I think it's ready for 1.0.

I don't mean to be rude to Spb (They make a lot of quality software that I use daily) but I think "ready for 1.0" should be defined as not having some issues to work out. When I saw this posted on the homepage, I was excited, now I"m going to be very cautious jumping into this product (Which I'll try later).

That's the same thing I'm thinking...when 1.1 is released then I'll try it. I am very excited about this product, but I don't like messing around with years worth of financial data (I do have backups).

[markan]

Has anyone compared it to Inesoft's Cash Organiser with MoneySync yet. I know it doesn't seem to do any of the things that CO is missing such as Budget and Bill synchronisation and it is half the price; but are there any significant differences?

[miterb]

I was looking forward to this release as I recently installed Quicken 2005 and the old spb version could not handle it. However, the new version syncs OK but huge delays in loading the app on my Toshiba e740 and transaction lists and reports have just some small squiggly lines on the left of the screen. I have notified SPB and received back a reply that they will do some more testing on 2002 devices to see if they can duplicate the problems.

Please let me know if any others have problems with Quicken version.

Brad

[chefz]

Has anyone compared the Quicken version to PocketQuicken? I've tried the demo of PQ a few times, and found the sync-capabilities a little cumbersome - you have to make sure Quicken on the desktop is closed, then dock the PPC, sync any new transactions or items, then open desktop Quicken back up and approve these new transactions. 8O Just seemed a little clunky - is Pocket Finance better? It's certainly cheaper, the price is something that has up until now prevented me from buying PQ. :roll:

[tzirbel]

I've been writing software since the days of cpm. Nowdays I just do dba work. In all that time I've never happened upon software that didn't have issues. Initial versions always have issues. And an issue for some isn't always an issue for others. If all known issues and enhancements where to be added and resolved before release there would very little released. Software matures over time. Functionality is added and changed with each release.
With that said, I have not found any problems in the software which would prohibit my intended use. There is other software packages to manage financial information for the pocketpc on the market. Some with just basic features and some with damned near every thing. Spb Financial offers something in between and does it well. That's why I bought it.

[David Loendorf]

I've been beta testing the software as well. It's come a long way. There are still some issues to work out but I think it's ready for 1.0.

"ready for 1.0" should be defined as not having some issues to work out.

I agree. :)

[bbarker]

Does this work with both Money 2004 and Money 2005?

I've been beta testing the software as well. It's come a long way. There are still some issues to work out but I think it's ready for 1.0...
If you uninstall Finance and reinstall it, rename the money.mny file or transactions will get removed...
Anything that can delete financial data seems like a huge bug.

One feature Money for Pocketpc had that I miss is the running balance after each transaction.
That would be an important omission.

I wonder how this compares with Cash Organizer -- isn't that the other third-party program that syncs directly with Money?

[Darius Wey]

Does this work with both Money 2004 and Money 2005?

Yup, works fine with both versions.

[btorbik]

MS Money client may not do much, but at least I can update and track the value of my portfolio over a WiFi connection. None of the other programs I've looked at - Pocket Quicken, Cash Organizer, SPB Finance, Mastersoft Money - have this feature. I'd gladly pay a premium to get this feature incorporated into the other - and what are essentially - checkbook organizers. When someone releases a true PPC companion to desktop Money or Quicken, it will be worth having.

[amnon]

What is the correct coarse of action with uninstalling and reinstalling?

Should the .mny file be renamed as in backed up? I think clarification is required as it is sensitive data we are talking about.

Thanks,
Amnon

[T-Will]

I haven't tried out the software yet, but I'd recommend everyone make a backup of their Money file before trying it, just to be on the safe side. :)

[humayunl]

After a little more time with the trial, here are my observations:

- Its a decent piece of software with a richer feature set than the PPC money client which was basically an entry program and thats it.

- seems to be stable. however even on the Imate there is considerable delay in loading screens (reports, transaction screens etc.) money never had this.

- What I miss in Money is that based on my payee, it used to automatically default the last entered amount and category. This reduced the amount it took me to enter my transaction by 500% (really it does if your transactions to the same payee have mostly the same values0. This was a huge plus and i'd love to see this ni SPBFinance.

Is it ready to be called 1.0? Based on my experience so far, yes. however i havent had all my data erased so maybe my opinion is biased based on my +ive migration experience and suddenly being able to run reports on my financial data.

:) Good work spb, but it wouldve been nice if these minor were in the app. already.

[kwong26]

i'm ghetto and haven't upgraded my money on my desktop.....anyone know if this will work with older money programs like money 2000???

and does this sync with all versions of money cause i know that there are standard US, Canadian, German, etc. versions available.

[Darius Wey]

What is the correct coarse of action with uninstalling and reinstalling? Should the .mny file be renamed as in backed up? I think clarification is required as it is sensitive data we are talking about.

By default, Money makes a backup of your MNY file. So if you want to make a backup of that backup, you can just copy it to a folder for safekeeping. Uninstalling and reinstalling Spb Finance will not affect Money per se. I've done this a countless number of times whilst beta testing it.

[Darius Wey]

Good work spb, but it wouldve been nice if these minor were in the app. already.


A lot of feature enhancements developed during the beta stages. Suggestions were forwarded, they were implemented where appropriate, and then the cycle continued. I think the current Spb Finance ME 1.0 release is a solid one. Of course, feature enhancements will continue to be added as time goes by. Spb have put in a lot of work in Spb Finance, and I can only see this being amplified in the near future.

[Darius Wey]

i'm ghetto and haven't upgraded my money on my desktop.....anyone know if this will work with older money programs like money 2000??? and does this sync with all versions of money cause i know that there are standard US, Canadian, German, etc. versions available.

Money 2000? I'm not 100% sure on that one. I can confirm compatibility with Money 2002 and up, but I can't quite recall if Money 2000 is supported. I'll find out for you and get back to you on that one.

[Darius Wey]

Okay. For those of you worried about data loss and what not, you'll be happy to know that the developers are working toward improving the product and ironing out any bugs that may be present. As with all software, bugs almost certainly reside and updates are released to patch this. Spb Finance is no different. If you stumble upon a problem, the best thing to do is to advise Spb support here (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/finance/support.html?en). Every bit of user input helps improve the program.

Anyway, enough blabbering on. What I wanted to say was: expect an update within a week or two. ;)

[tzirbel]

They told me a new update within a week as well. Included is a more a robust sync and a few minor enhancements. Since 1.0 came out I dumped Money for pocket pc which I've been using for the past 4 years.

[humayunl]

I've also dumped Money for PPC since this version of spb Finance.
But the issue I'd like to see addressed is the delay... I've mailed spb support about this.

[Mexico]

One feature Money for Pocketpc had that I miss is the running balance after each transaction.
This is a very important aspect for me too, and it shouldn't be too hard to implement.

I installed the trial version yesterday, and ActiveSync said it was synchronizing close to 2000 transactions. Once it got done, I checked my Pocket PC and all the account balances were wrong. I went to the register and there were no transactions recorded, even though ActiveSync said almost 2000 had been processed. I then went to the Account details, and the number of transactions was ZERO. Also, Current Balance, Ending Balance and Opening Balance were all the same. I tried synchronizing again but the problem didn't get fixed.

I reported this problem to Spb. Has anybody else experienced something similar?

Thanks.

Mexico

[miterb]

I had a problem where no transactions or accounts were being displayed although the application windows were fine. Go to Tools>Options>Fonts. In the distributed application they do not seem to be set. As I was upgrading from Rel. 1 it did not occur to me to check them at first. After setting the Font to "Tahoma" and the Size to "Medium", everything runs fine.

Brad

[Mexico]

Got an answer from Spb:

"We have recently found a couple of synchronization bugs when desktop Money version is 2003. This problem may behave right like your case of wrong balances. The problem is fixed and updated version of Spb Finance will be available on January 17, 2005. Besides it will include a number of minor bug fixes and small features.

"I hope this update will fix your problems."

[tzirbel]

Using spb finance daily now for a couple of weeks I noticed that the sync would hang on a transaction or two. I also noticed that a money.lrd file still exists after syncing. the lrd file is used by money for file locking purposes among other things. If I delete that file and resync all becomes well. Just one more possible place to look.
Sbp is aware of it and I was told it will be fixed in the next release as well.

[jojo]

WOW :D
This is the best news I heard all day. Just upgraded from my ipaq 3600 to Loox720 and been thinking that my only path to upgrade is to ditch desktop money 2002 and pocket money and upgrade to money 2005 for both desktop and PPC. Now I've got an alternative in keeping my money2002 and just use SPB Finance. Since I heard Money 2005 is much worse than 2004, being able to stick to Money 2002 for desktop is great news :)
It's too late for me to try out now, will give it a try tomorrow :)

[bbarker]

In what way is Money 2005 supposed to be much worse than 2004? I haven't heard that and I was just getting ready to upgrade.

The only bad thing I've heard is that MS changed its billpay system, so billpay users from previous versions were having problems with the switch. I haven't used billpay so that won't be a problem.

Is there something else that's supposed to be bad?

[miterb]

Does the Money version include Investments in the Net Worth? In the Quicken it does not, making the Net Worth figures rather worthless.

Brad

[nosmohtac]

I've tried the previous version of SPB Finance, as well as the latest version of Cash Organizer. Here's my thoughts:

Cash Organizer;
Pros:
1. You can balance your transactions from the main screen by clicking on the left side of each transaction (marking it as either cleared or reconciled)

2. The sync with money has worked flawlessly

Cons:

1. The data file is stored in main memory in the same way that your PIM data is stored. (I'm not worried about losing it because I backup the file often enough, but with several years of transactions the file could eat up a lot of RAM.

2. If I turn off my PPC with CO open, it hangs when I turn it back on

3. Price.

SPB Finance
Pros:

1. You can choose where the data file is stored, including on a storage card.

2 It seemed rather snappy when opening, compared with Cash Organizer

3. Price
Cons:

1. When balancing your transactions, I had to open each transaction individually, to mark it as cleared or reconciled (I don't know if this is still the case with the latest version).

2. At the time I was using it, it didn't have the ability to sync with Money.

[Darius Wey]

In what way is Money 2005 supposed to be much worse than 2004? I haven't heard that and I was just getting ready to upgrade.

I wouldn't say it's "worse" than 2004, but there aren't any major improvements over it that make it a compelling upgrade. The UI is the same, features are all almost the same. In short, it's just a "basic" money tabulator, and nothing else. If you were after more advanced functions, then you'd have to opt for third-party finance packages. Spb Finance Money Edition is great if you're after such a thing, and want support for Money synchronisation too.

[Darius Wey]

Does the Money version include Investments in the Net Worth? In the Quicken it does not, making the Net Worth figures rather worthless.

Spb Finance includes a Net Worth function which allows you to monitor your investments using a separate account. So basically, Net Worth works with "accounts" per se, so having your investments in a separate account (e.g. assets) will allow you to link the Net Worth function to your investments. If in doubt, there's a trial version you can check out. :)

[bbarker]

I should have been more clear. I was responding to a posting that said Money 2005 for the desktop was ''much worse" than the 2004 version.

[jojo]

In what way is Money 2005 supposed to be much worse than 2004? I haven't heard that and I was just getting ready to upgrade.

The only bad thing I've heard is that MS changed its billpay system, so billpay users from previous versions were having problems with the switch. I haven't used billpay so that won't be a problem.

Is there something else that's supposed to be bad?

I can't remember the specific, I was reading up on the tech support forum on the offical MS Money forum a few months ago and the general feedback had been very negative. Correct me if I'm wrong, one thing I do remember is that there is some kind of automated process for budgetting or something that you can no longer customise. A lot of people were complaining that they can't get Money to do what they want it to do because the can't customise it. Or maybe that's the billing system you were refering to.

What I read on that forum was enough to spooke me from upgrading. Not to mention being annoyed by the fact that I need to upgrade my desktop Money simple because I upgraded my PPC.

[miterb]

[/quote]Spb Finance includes a Net Worth function which allows you to monitor your investments using a separate account. So basically, Net Worth works with "accounts" per se, so having your investments in a separate account (e.g. assets) will allow you to link the Net Worth function to your investments. If in doubt, there's a trial version you can check out. :)[/quote]

Darius,
I finally got around to looking at the options in the new version and see that the investment accounts are now there. :( Unfortunately, the values transferred are way out of wack. My Net Worth is up about $2,000,000 over what it should be. Darn - wish it were true!

Brad

[Darius Wey]

Darius,
I finally got around to looking at the options in the new version and see that the investment accounts are now there. :( Unfortunately, the values transferred are way out of wack. My Net Worth is up about $2,000,000 over what it should be. Darn - wish it were true!

Very interesting. If it's not working up to scratch, you can always submit a feedback report to Spb and if it is indeed a bug, they'll most likely have it resolved in the next update. :D