Most home inventory software provides a free trial, so use it to find out how the software performs before you buy it. Some home inventory software can slow down significantly as you enter more items, and you want to know if the interface makes both data entry and generating reports easy.
Back to Back Ups
Select home inventory software that is easy to back up (the back up command may be accomplished by clicking on File, Backup in the software). If you use automated back up software, you need to know where your home inventory data file resides on your hard drive to configure the back up software. If you do not know where the data file is, contact Support as listed under the Help menu at the top of the screen. No help menu? That's not a good sign!
How Much Detail?
The amount of information you want to store about each item in your home inventory software is an important consideration. Be sure the home inventory software lets you record all the information you want to, and if you want to record items in more than one home or want to designate items in storage, choose software that lets you use those designations. Using software that supports creating your own categories or other data fields is the most flexible, allowing you to set up your home inventory in a way that is most meaningful to you.
Photo Finish
If home inventory software does not store scanned digital images of items like insurance policies, wills and photos of inventoried items, try another software package.
Next: Remember to Update!
