SAP last week released a new version of its Business One suite that features changes targeted at small-business customers. This version of the business-management application allows for faster installation and has more-intuitive features, the company says. Business One now has a customizable interface that lets users filter information, and tool tips have been added for better navigation. Another new function, Copy Express, lets custom reports, queries, and user and configuration settings be copied. The function is intended to reduce set-up times and deployment errors at customer sites. Also new in the business suite is multilingual support for invoices, quotes and purchase orders. A dictionary can translate remarks and documents. Business One has 37 country-specific versions in 20 languages, soon to be expanded to 23 languages. If users have a maintenance agreement with SAP, there is no charge for an upgrade. The charge per user is $3,750.

Lenovo has unveiled a new series of inexpensive desktops designed to bring some of its ThinkCentre PC management technologies to low-end PCs for small businesses. The ThinkCentre E50 series desktops are Lenovo's first products for the small-business market. Lenovo, and IBM before it, previously marketed these technologies to larger businesses as part of the ThinkPad notebook lineup, but it is now bringing them down to desktops that cost as little as $380. Several configurations with Celeron and Pentium 4 processors from Intel are available on Lenovo's Web site and through authorized dealers.

IBM recently released tools for its server-based Workplace platform designed to help companies track their performance by providing users with analytical data and collaboration features based on their roles within the company. IBM Workplace for Business Strategy Execution can display business data from a variety of sources as "dashboards" and "scorecards" that assess ongoing performance and overall progress toward specific business objectives, such as increasing revenue. For small to midsize businesses, WBSE integrates with Workplace Services Express, which includes instant messaging and document management. The tools also run on WebSphere portal. Both platforms provide access to corporate data housed in back-end systems such as financial applications and supply-chain software. IBM Workplace for Business Strategy Execution is available for small and midsize businesses and departmental deployments for $100 per user. It is bundled with Workplace Services Express portal infrastructure and priced at $196 per user.