EUGENE, Ore. – (Business Wire) The American Geophysical Union (AGU), a worldwide scientific organization advancing Earth and space science research, has chosen Palo Alto Software’s (PAS) Email Center Pro (ECP) software to create a highly innovative media relations platform for journalists during the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Participating scientists will log in to ECP and answer questions emailed from journalists all over the world.

“After much research, we found that ECP was the best software solution for connecting journalists and scientists in this experimental web-based initiative,” stated Robert Van Hook, Interim Executive Director of the American Geophysical Union. “We are delighted to work with Palo Alto Software in this effort to support journalists in communicating accurate climate science information to the public.”

ECP allows for journalists and scientists to easily communicate and participate in the global conversation promoted by the UN conference. Journalists can ask questions via email, which are then routed through the ECP system to a qualified AGU scientist who is available at that time to answer them. Because journalists around the world will be asking questions, specific time slots will be filled by participating scientists 24 hours a day during the conference. ECP will also allow the scientists to collaborate on responses.

ECP is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering that uses logic and analytics to better manage email across organizations. The system boasts features such as shared mailboxes, the ability to insert notes into emails that can only be viewed internally and, importantly for the AGU implementation, the ability to assign emails as tasks to specific people within the organization. The service also provides a wide range of analytical widgets and a platform for live chat integration.

“We could not be more honored that ECP can provide climate scientists with a platform to globally voice the important details of their research,” stated Palo Alto Software CEO Sabrina Parsons. “We are thrilled that AGU invited us to participate in this initiative and know that ECP will provide an exciting new platform to facilitate real time communication and collaboration between climate scientists, and the media.”

About Palo Alto Software, Inc.

Palo Alto Software, Inc. helps people succeed in business. It develops, publishes and markets software products for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Its suite of products includes BUSINESS PLAN PRO, the best-selling business-planning software in the U.S., MARKETING PLAN PRO powered by Duct Tape Marketing, EMAIL CENTER PRO, and their newest product START, RUN & GROW YOUR BUSINESS (www.start-run-grow.com). Email Center Pro is Palo Alto Software’s first SaaS product, an online email management tool for small businesses.

Palo Alto Software also runs a web site network which includes www.bplans.com, one of the highest trafficked business planning content sites in the world. Its web site network receives approximately 1 million unique visitors per month and offers users unique, valuable content and free business planning tools.

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

AGU is a not-for-profit scientific society with 56,000 members worldwide. AGU’s mission is to advance, through unselfish cooperation in research, an understanding of Earth and space that is used for the benefit of humanity. For more information visit www.agu.org.

Dan Brown/Jessica Gomez
Mulberry Marketing Communications
+1.415.439.8357 or +1.415.420.7880 (mobile)
dbrown@mulberrymc.com or jgomez@mulberrymc.com
Twitter: @dbrownusc / @jgomez13

Tags: AGU, American Geophysical Union, palo alto software, press release, United Nations Climate Change Conference
Posted on December 8th, 2009 | No Comments »

3BL Media reports on Corporate Social Responsible News, including Palo Alto Software’s Award for the Emerald Awards.

Watch the video here

Tags: award, palo alto software, video
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »

Eugene, OR (PRWEB) September 30, 2009 — Palo Alto Software is thrilled to be the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award recipient. The Business of the Year award is given annually to a Eugene-based business that excels across four categories: community caring, environmental values, growth and innovation.

“Palo Alto Software was named 2009 Business of the Year because of its focus on the triple bottom line of sustainability-financial, social and the environment,” says Dave Houser, chamber president. “Palo Alto Software truly demonstrates an outstanding contribution to the community in each of these ways.”

Palo Alto Software creates, develops and manufactures tools to help start-ups and small businesses succeed. Earlier this year Palo Alto Software launched the Oregon Small Business Boost program, providing $3.2 million of free business planning software to Oregon entrepreneurs. In addition, Palo Alto Software supports a host of community causes ranging from SCORE to the Nature Conservancy.

“With the current state of the national economy, entrepreneurs and small businesses are vital cornerstones in securing the financial futures of all of our families and communities,” stated Palo Alto Software CEO Sabrina Parsons. “We are delighted to be recognized by our home Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce for our passion to support these leaders.”

Palo Alto Software will receive the award at the Chamber’s 6th Annual Emerald Award presentation on October 6th at 5pm at the Hult Center in Eugene. Those interested in attending can reserve seats at http://www.theemeraldawards.org/.

About Palo Alto Software, Inc.
Palo Alto Software, Inc. develops, publishes, and markets software products for use with personal computers. Business Plan Pro is the best selling business-planning software in the U.S. retail market, according to NPD Intelect. Palo Alto Software’s marketing-planning product is Marketing Plan Pro powered by Duct Tape Marketing. This combined product line offers “know-how” solutions that have made Palo Alto Software the market leader in its category.

Palo Alto Software was founded in 1988 and is a privately-owned corporation based in Eugene, Oregon. For more information about Palo Alto Software products, visit, www.paloalto.com.

Tags: award, Oregon Small Business Boost, palo alto software, press release
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »

Eugene, OR (PRWEB) August 25, 2009 — Palo Alto Software is proud to announce the release of Business Plan Pro’s 15th Anniversary Edition. Business Plan Pro is the world’s most popular business planning software with countless repeat customers. In fact, over the past 15 years, over a million businesses have taken advantage of this industry leading business planning tool.

The release of Business Plan Pro’s 15th Anniversary Edition celebrates the program’s accomplishments in assisting businesses in planning for success. This has included everyone from first-time business owners to serial entrepreneurs to business unit leaders at more than half of the Fortune 500 companies.

“When Business Plan Pro was created, our goal was to provide software that would help businesses succeed through better strategy and planning,” stated Palo Alto Software founder and Business Plan Pro creator Tim Berry. “An entrepreneur’s most powerful tool is a detailed blueprint of when, why, and how to do things that make or break any business; not just when the business is starting, but as a continuous process. We believe that in business, if you plan for rain you will never get wet.”

Along with the release of the 15th Anniversary Edition, Business Plan Pro celebrates its crystal anniversary with the launch of an online ‘Customer Gallery’ to pay tribute to the many relationships that continue to inspire them to do what they do. The ‘Customer Gallery‘ invites everyone to hear the stories of some truly remarkable entrepreneurs. Visit www.paloalto.com/business_plan_software/customer_gallery.

About Palo Alto Software, Inc.
Palo Alto Software, Inc. develops, publishes, and markets software products for use with personal computers. Business Plan Pro is the best selling business-planning software in the U.S. retail market, according to NPD Intelect. Palo Alto Software’s marketing-planning product is Marketing Plan Pro powered by Duct Tape Marketing. This combined product line offers “know-how” solutions that have made Palo Alto Software the market leader in its category.

Palo Alto Software was founded in 1988 and is a privately-owned corporation based in Eugene, Oregon. For more information about Palo Alto Software products, visit, www.paloalto.com.

Tags: business plan pro, palo alto software, press release
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »

~Click-to-Chat + Email Management = A Powerful Combination~

Baltimore, MD and Eugene, OR (PRWeb) – June 15th 2009 — Velaro and Palo Alto Software announced today an integration between Velaro’s award-winning click-to-chat Software as a Service (SaaS), and Palo Alto Software’s Email Center Pro, a Web 2.0 SaaS email management tool.

“This partnership helps bring incredible value to online businesses allowing them to streamline their vital sales and support information.  Velaro and Palo Alto Software are both best-of-breed providers, in click-to-chat and email management respectively,” said Alex Bloom, President of Velaro.  “We’ve seen other click-to-chat providers attempt to build their own email solution and it’s never pretty.  Rather than go outside our area of expertise we choose to establish out of the box integrations with leading vendors who specialize in their field.  With the Email Center Pro integration, customers are now able to seamlessly manage their email from within the Velaro Desktop Agent.”

“We teamed up with Velaro because we’ve seen over the years that having live operators on our website is a critical component to a great customer experience. Velaro fits seamlessly into Email Center Pro’s mission of exceptional customer service.” says Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software.

Velaro and Palo Alto Software will be attending the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition in Boston, Massachusetts at the Boston Exhibition & Convention Center from the 15th to the 17th of June showcasing their integrated solution.  You can visit them at booth #701.

# # #

About Velaro
Founded in 2000, Velaro is an established leader in click-to-chat conversions. Velaro won independently rated live chat awards in ‘05, ‘06, ‘08, and ‘09. With 99.98% uptime guaranteed, Velaro is the solution of choice for leading companies such as LG, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MarketStar, Experian, Herbalife, Toro, Improvements Direct, Skillsoft, and Epicor. For more information about Velaro’s products, visit http://www.velaro.com/.

About Palo Alto Software, Inc.
Palo Alto Software, Inc. develops, publishes, and markets software products for use with personal computers. Business Plan Pro is the best selling business-planning software in the U.S. retail market, according to NPD Intelect. Palo Alto Software’s marketing-planning product is Marketing Plan Pro powered by Duct Tape Marketing. This combined product line offers “know-how” solutions that have made Palo Alto Software the market leader in its category.

Palo Alto Software was founded in 1988 and is a privately-owned corporation based in Eugene, Oregon. For more information about Palo Alto Software products, visit, www.paloalto.com.

Tags: business email, customer service email, email center pro, email management, palo alto software, Press Releases
Posted on June 15th, 2009 | No Comments »

Business Plan Pro Standard Edition and Business Plan Pro Social Enterprise Edition Available as Donation for Non-Profits

EUGENE, OREGON – May 13, 2009 – Palo Alto Software (www.paloalto.com), creators of a product line that offers “know-how” solutions to help small businesses grow, and TechSoup Global, a nonprofit organization devoted to making technology and technology education available and affordable to other non-profits and libraries all over the world, today announced that donations of Palo Alto Software’s Business Plan Pro Standard Edition and Business Plan Pro Social Enterprise Edition will be available to non-profits that are registered with TechSoup Global.

Organizations can use Business Plan Pro Standard Edition to create business plans or funding plans for their own organizations or use Business Plan Pro Social Enterprise Edition to create a plan for earned income ventures or social enterprises to provide financial support for their main missions.

“At TechSoup Global, it’s our goal to bring essential technology solutions to the non-profits and libraries we serve,” said Roger Abraham, Vice President of Products at TechSoup Global. “Thanks to our partnerships with leading technology companies, nonprofit organizations in the US and NGOs in more than 20 countries can take advantage of these tools even during times like the present when budgets are shrinking. Business Plan Pro makes it easier for organizations to follow best practices and create a solid plan on which they can build their important work.”

“It is with great personal pride that we are able to continually help non-profits,” said Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software. “Business Plan Pro has been an award winning tool for over a million for-profit and non-profit companies over the last 20 years and we believe that our donations and discounts through TechSoup Global will greatly help advance our efforts in the non-profit sector.”

Donated Business Plan Pro software is available to smaller organizations whereas larger nonprofits are eligible for substantial discounts. For details on the program, including eligibility requirements, go to TechSoup Stock, TechSoup Global’s product donation service.

Palo Alto Software’s Web site, bplans.com, offers many sample business plans plus a wealth of articles and tools related to starting up a business.

About Palo Alto Software, Inc.
Palo Alto Software, Inc. develops, publishes and markets software products for use with personal computers. BUSINESS PLAN PRO is the best selling business-planning software in the U.S. retail market, according to NPD Intelect. Palo Alto Software’s marketing-planning product is MARKETING PLAN PRO powered by Duct Tape Marketing. This combined product line offers “know-how” solutions that have made Palo Alto Software the market leader in its category.

With its most recent product, EMAIL CENTER PRO, Palo Alto Software has created a Web 2.0 “Software as a service” (Saas) email management tool.
Palo Alto Software’s award-winning site, www.bplans.com, continues to be one of the highest visited sites in the small-business arena, offering numerous business-planning resources.

Palo Alto Software was founded in 1988 and is a privately-owned corporation based in Eugene, Oregon. More information about Palo Alto Software products is available on the company website, www.paloalto.com.To access high-resolution images or further information, go to http://news.paloalto.com/

About TechSoup Global
San Francisco-based TechSoup Global (www.techsoupglobal.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides technology information to individuals and organizations in more than 190 countries, has provided consulting services in more than fifty countries and, through its global network of capacity building NGOs, manages product donations to more than 80,000 organizations in 22 countries. The product donations program has enabled organizations to save over $1.2 billion in expenses as of September 2008. TechSoup Global continues to innovate with a goal of bringing increased resources and capacity to organizations working diligently on their social missions. In addition to Palo Alto Software, TechSoup Global has a network of more than 35 corporate donor partners including Microsoft, Cisco and Symantec. For more information about technology donations and resources, visit www.techsoup.org.

Tags: palo alto software, partner, press release, techsoup
Posted on May 13th, 2009 | No Comments »

Palo Alto Software Ranks 15th on a Long List of Reputable Companies

EUGENE, OREGON – March 25, 2009 – Palo Alto Software, (www.paloalto.com) creators of a product line that offers “know-how” solutions to help small businesses grow, today announced that Oregon Business Magazine, the premier magazine for business and community leaders across the state of Oregon, honored the best-selling software company as one of the 100 best companies – with under 50 employees – to work for in Oregon.

“Thank you to both Oregon Business for running this survey, and thank you to all of our employees who diligently filled it out! We are recognized because all of our employees think this is a great place to work,” said Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software. “I am beyond thrilled to have the company acknowledged in this way. There is nothing more important to me than the team of people who make Palo Alto Software what it is. Without them we would be nowhere.”

According to Oregon Business Magazine, “with the economy crashing and burning all around us, this was a record-breaking year for the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon project: 372 organizations and nearly 30,000 employees took part in the16th annual ranking of the 100 Best.” Sectors prominent among the 100 Best this year include professional services (with a strong showing from law and staffing firms), finance, construction, technology and marketing/communications.

“Because our people are so critically important to our success, we do our best to make sure that we provide the best working environment, with the best benefits we can possibly afford,” adds Parsons. “Skimping on your people is just not smart. Before you know it, you are also skimping on your customers. I truly believe that being a healthy and profitable company goes hand in hand with providing a happy, healthy, productive work environment.”

About Palo Alto Software, Inc.
Palo Alto Software, Inc. develops, publishes and markets software products for use with personal computers. BUSINESS PLAN PRO is the best-selling business-planning software in the U.S. retail market, according to NPD Intelect. Palo Alto Software’s marketing-planning product is MARKETING PLAN PRO powered by Duct Tape Marketing. This combined product line offers “know-how” solutions that have made Palo Alto Software the market leader in its category.

With its most recent product, EMAIL CENTER PRO, Palo Alto Software has created a Web 2.0 “Software as a service” (Saas) email management tool.

Palo Alto Software’s award-winning site, www.bplans.com, continues to be one of the highest visited sites in the small-business arena, offering numerous business-planning resources.

Palo Alto Software was founded in 1988 and is a privately-owned corporation based in Eugene, Oregon. More information about Palo Alto Software products is available on the company website, www.paloalto.com. To access high-resolution images or further information, go to http://news.paloalto.com/

Tags: palo alto software, Press Releases
Posted on March 25th, 2009 | No Comments »

Business Plan Pro remains the industry’s top-selling off-the-shelf application for planning and analysis. Accountants will want to focus on the Premier Edition for its additional capabilities – particularly the information on critical insights into payback periods and exit strategies and its integration with Microsoft Excel.

(Read More…)

Tags: business plan pro, palo alto software, review
Posted on February 26th, 2009 | No Comments »

Palo Alto Software’s Business Plan Pro has pretty much built a monopoly in the business planning software category. It’s earned that status and has never rested on its laurels. Version 11 allows you to quickly switch between financial tables and underlying spreadsheets. And a new progress-tracking feature makes it easier to see where you are in the overall planning process and how much further you have to go.

2009 Awards: Readers Pick the Best Small Business Tech Tools
By SmallBusinessComputing.com Staff
February 2, 2009

(Read More…)

Tags: Best of, Best Small Business Tech Tools, business plan pro, palo alto software, SmallBusinessComputing.com
Posted on February 26th, 2009 | No Comments »

At Palo Alto Software, we’re used to talking with entrepreneurs about their businesses. Most are enthusiastic about what they do, but you can hear it in their voices when they truly love it. Carol Graham, a relatively new user of Business Plan Pro, is one of those people. As founder of Bulldog Communications, LLC, in Tallahassee, Florida, Carol has forged a career based on this passion for her work, and we’re happy to spotlight her experiences here.

Give us a quick snapshot of what your business is all about.

Bulldog Communication is a communication consulting firm. Our slogan is “Innovative Solutions to Launching Ideas.” The type of communication services we provide does not focus on mass media or technology. We focus instead on internal and external business and personal communication strategies that are essential to successful and thriving business cultures.

Our corporate culture is simple: Do What You Love. Anything less makes for a “venture” instead of an “adventure.” At Bulldog we are committed to only accepting projects that excite and stimulate our team of experts.

Bulldog Communication was named for the tenacity associated with the logo and is comprised of three major program areas — Judson, Legacy and J.A.N.E.

First is our Judson program. Judson programming is aimed towards assisting businesses in achieving their goals through communication excellence, including full communications audits, communication seminars, part of a full array of services to assist in the launch of a not-for-profit organization or small business.

Next is our Legacy services, which focus on the needs of nonprofit organizations and short term “crisis” projects, to assist organizations who are in immediate danger of losing their status or funding.

And finally we have our J.A.N.E. program, which stands for “Just Actions, New Expectations,” the philanthropic program of Bulldog Communication which provides pro bono assistance.

What are the most important lessons you learned during your business planning process?

Although I began as an experienced grant writer with a PhD in Communication, I found quickly that there was much to the planning process that I had not considered. My writing skills were an asset, but I still greatly benefited from the step-by-step process that Business Plan Pro applied to my planning. I too often jump from point A to point Z without clearly articulating to my audience how I made the leap. Business Plan Pro helped me to bridge that communication gap.

Did you write your business plan for funding or investment purposes?

I did not write my plan for funding, because I already knew how to write grant proposals. I was looking for something different. I wanted to articulate my business dreams and goals so that I could clearly identify the steps needed to achieve my goals. While grant writing is a wonderful skill, it is rare to find a grant that will allow you the academic and ethical freedoms that your own dreams can conjure!

As your business continues to grow, do you find yourself going back into the plan to update and adjust?

My business plan is a continual work in progress. The planning software allows me to analyze my progress and current status, and then adjust as needed. My weakest area was cash forecasting and accounting. Left to my own devices, I will market my services and in short time, find myself unable to take on the projects I love because I have become involved in the wrong projects for the sake of profit.

Business Plan Pro helps me to prioritize my projects, recruit the appropriate associates, and decline projects that are not a good fit for Bulldog.

What, in your opinion, is the most exciting part of being an entrepreneur? What are the biggest challenges?

The most exciting part of entrepreneurship for me is simply “doing what I love.” If I don’t love a project, I don’t take it on. Having said that, however, it may be that I have an associate with great passion for that same project, and if that is a good fit, then it is appropriate and exciting for Bulldog to take on the project.

The biggest challenges, ironically enough, are in pacing ourselves. This is a most exciting undertaking. It is not a “get rich quick scheme” (those only make you poorer faster in my humble opinion). Fortunately, Business Plan Pro provided the tools I needed to launch my business in a strategic and well-thought-out manner. I had 4 four projects before I launched a website or produced a brochure. That is heady stuff; it is important to proceed carefully, making absolutely sure that you can deliver a product that greatly benefits your client, and at the same time also leaves you with a great sense of satisfaction and desire to do another just like it!

Any final thoughts? Do you have a piece of advice for someone who might just be starting out in their own business or planning process?

Owning your own business is simply not for everyone. Take a serious personal inventory and make sure this is your passion and pleasure. If you do not love what you are doing, you will not continue to do it, or at least not well. Take the time you need to write a full business plan. It might impress others, but much more importantly it will help you analyze your readiness to take off on this adventure.

—–

Carol Graham is an ordained chaplain, a novice horsewoman, an avid racquetball player and the “Momma Bulldog” CEO of Bulldog Communications, LLC. Carol and the entire Bulldog Communications team are dedicated to the motto of only doing what you love.

1400 Village Square Blvd., Suite 3-121 Tallahassee, FL 32312 TEL: 850.933.4074

If you or your company would like to be considered for a Customer Spotlight by Palo Alto Software, please contact ‘Chelle Parmele at chelleparmele@paloalto.com

Tags: business plan pro, customer spotlight, palo alto software
Posted on January 8th, 2009 | No Comments »