PlanMaker for Pocket PCs Released

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.softmaker.de/pmp_en.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.softmaker.de/pmp_en.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"PlanMaker 2004, the new Microsoft Excel-compatible spreadsheet for four popular operating systems, has been released and is shipping. PlanMaker offers the feature set and ease-of-use of a modern high-end spreadsheet application and is closely modeled after market-leading Microsoft Excel -- and this for a price of less than US$50 (50 Euro)! What sets it apart from Microsoft Excel is not only its much lower price tag, but also PlanMaker's support for multiple operating systems: If you are in search for a spreadsheet that works not only under Windows, but also Linux, Pocket PCs, Windows CE-based Handheld PCs, and CE.NET devices, PlanMaker is the only way to go."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040610-PlanMaker.gif" /><br /><br />They've been beta testing the product for some time, so it's good to see there's now another top-notch Excel-like spreadsheet product available on Pocket PCs. There isn't a trial available yet, but Martin over at SoftMaker said that they'd work on releasing the trial in a few days -- they've been swamped with pushing the release out the door. :)

[Skoobouy]

This is great! Although I have no need for it personally. I hope they work on updating Textmaker soon--those tables just need to be fixed, as does the page-numbering in reflow mode.

[andykemp]

Jason,

Any chance you can organise another one of your very nice 50% discounts for this one??

I would really like to get this for my Ipaq, but can't really stretch to 50 Euro...

Andy

[yankeejeep]

They're giving a promotional price to TextMaker owners. If you own TextMaker, check the web site again and you can access the lower price.

[buckyg]

Yes, the TextMaker owner discount did help me get it. Both programs are well worth the cash, if you have the need and can swing it. SoftMaker sure earned this money.

[Snail]

Yes!!! :D

[skjelnes]

If I by this product in Norway I have to pay € 50 = NOK 410.
In the US I have to pay $ 50 = NOK 335. That is more than € 9 cheaper?!

Does not the German SoftMaker like Europeans? :wink:

[SoftMaker]

If I by this product in Norway I have to pay € 50 = NOK 410.
In the US I have to pay $ 50 = NOK 335. That is more than € 9 cheaper?!

Does not the German SoftMaker like Europeans? :wink:
As always, we have to deduct VAT for European customers. We can ship to customers outside of Europe sans VAT, that's why it's cheaper. Blame Brussels... :D

Martin Kotulla
SoftMaker Software GmbH

[Oleander]

Does not the German SoftMaker like Europeans?

Well they really don't have a choice.

It is because the € 50 is with VAT and the $ 50 is not.
I'm pretty sure that you living in Norway, can get your local customs office to reimburse you the German/EU VAT. Of course you might have to pay the Norwegian VAT instead, wich btw i suspect is higher.....

Back to PlanMaker - It really is a great piece of software! I'm using some rather large xls-files at work that are nice to have with me when I'm working away from my office. And having to keep 2 different versions of them just to keeping PocketExcel from mutilating my original, was a laborious task.
But with PlanMaker i can just set it to sync if I have made alterations.

One of the files is password protected (lame way to protect data) and that is no problem fo PlanMaker either. :werenotworthy:

[phmurphy]

HI all,
I used the beta version for a while. What I really need is the ability to do a pivot table and print via bluetooth and that still isn't available. There sure are a lot of other nice features though.

I'll just have to keep waiting.

Pat

[yankeejeep]

I can't give any substitute for the pivot table need, but I have found a way to handle the printing issue. If the PlanMaker files are saved in Excel format, open them in the ClearVue Excel viewer and then you can print them using either Westtek's JetCet or HP's free Mobile Printing package. Both let you connect to a bluetooth printer. Not as elegant as printing directly out of PlanMaker, but it works. Given what PlanMaker has made available to all of us who have been dreaming of handling more complex analysis on our PocketPC's, I am willing to cope with a little inconvience in printing.

[skjelnes]

Well they really don't have a choice.

It is because the € 50 is with VAT and the $ 50 is not.
I'm pretty sure that you living in Norway, can get your local customs office to reimburse you the German/EU VAT. Of course you might have to pay the Norwegian VAT instead, wich btw i suspect is higher.....


Thanx for clearing that up. In Norway we have 24% VAT so I believe that is higher yes.