

                              VIVID BUSINESS PLAN

          Vivid Business Plan is the core program in Vivid  Software's
          business  planning software suite.  This program enables you
          to write and format  a  complete  business  plan,  including
          text,  financial tables, and graphs.  Everything you need is
          included -- word processing, spreadsheet tables, graphics --
          and  backed  up  with extensive examples and on-line manual.
          Whether you are an expert, a first-time  planner  or  a  new
          entrepreneur, you'll find your business planning task easier
          and more productive using this software.

          The Business Plan is supported by three other programs  that
          help  to automate the planning process: Automated Financials
          makes financial modeling a breeze.  Staff Budget  helps  you
          plan  the  personnel  requirements  of  a  new  or  existing
          business.   Sales   &   Marketing   Planner   builds   sales
          projections  and an action oriented Sales/Marketing plan and
          budget.  All of these programs automatically  share  numbers
          with  the  Vivid  Business  Plan.  They  may  also  be  used
          individually in mix and match fashion.

          Vivid Business Plan is offered as shareware so you  can  try
          before you buy.  If you use the shareware program for actual
          planning, you need to register it.  By registering you  will
          get  all  three  supporting  components of the suite and the
          latest version of the Business Plan.


                               EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

          The minimum equipment  configuration  needed  to  run  Vivid
          Business Plan and related programs is:

                  IBM Compatible personal computer
                  DOS 3.0 or later
                  640K RAM memory  (480 k available for programs)
                  Hard disk with at least 1.5 megabytes free space
                  VGA color recommended but not necessary
                  Mouse recommended but not necessary



                                  INSTALLATION

          The  shareware  version  of Vivid Business Plan VBPLAN11.ZIP
          must be  installed  properly  on  your  computer.   Improper
          installation   will   prevent   the  software  from  working
          properly.  The program will  not  run  from  a  floppy  disk
          drive.

          The program needs to be run from a sub-directory named VIVID
          in the  root  directory  of  the  installation  drive.   The
          INSTALL batch file will take care of this for you.

          You  will  need  to  have PKUNZIP (ver 2.04 or later) in the
          current PATH for program execution.   Consult  you  DOS  and
          PKZIP manuals if necessary.

          To install the program:

            1. Go to the directory or floppy disk drive where the
               VIVID.ZIP file (which you unpacked from VBPLAN11.ZIP)
               is located.

            2. Install to the drive where you want the Business Plan
                to reside.  Type:

                  INSTALL c:

                ... where "c:", above, is a hard disk drive.  Use
                    the letter of the drive you want to install to.

          The  INSTALL  routine  will show the files as they are being
          unzipped and will build the necessary subdirectories.


                              RUNNING THE PROGRAM

          Once the program is installed, you can  start  it  from  the
          VIVID  subdirectory  of  the drive where you installed it by
          typing VIVID.

          The program contains help and instructions.  We suggest  you
          print  out the instructions by selecting "Instructions" from
          the main menu.  Before printing, press F7 and set "Lines per
          Page"  for your printer.  Use 60 for laser printers or 66 if
          your printer uses fan-fold paper.

          Each section of the plan contains help and examples.  Use F1
          (Help)  for  key  help  and  Ctrl+F10  to access the on-line
          manual for details about how the program works.

          We wish you success in your business planning and  hope  you
          will  register  the  program to enjoy its full, multi-module
          capability.


                                   SHAREWARE

          You have the shareware version of the Vivid  Business  Plan.
          This  is  provided to you for evaluation purposes only.  You
          are granted permission to share this  version  with  friends
          and   colleagues.    Please   distribute   the  zipped  file
          (VBPLAN11.ZIP) only.

          If you use this program for more than 10 days and intend  to
          produce  a business plan, you must register the program.  By
          registering you will receive the latest  registered  version
          of  the  Business  Plan plus supporting programs, currently:
          Automated Financials, Staff Budget  and  Sales  &  Marketing
          Planner. These programs work together with the Business Plan
          to provide you with the most complete and  capable  business
          planning tools available anywhere.

          So  register  today.   You'll be glad you did.  Just use the
          handy registration form at the start of the program.


                                  LEGAL NOTICE

          Vivid Business Plan is a copyrighted work of Vivid  Software
          and   Firing   &  Associates,  1994-1995.   ALL  RIGHTS  ARE
          RESERVED.

          Distribution of this program is prohibited except under  the
          limited  permission  granted  for the shareware file, above.
          Reproduction of this software  for  any  commercial  purpose
          including,  but  not limited to CD-ROMs, catalogs, shareware
          distributors, rack distributors, or promotions is prohibited
          without prior written permission of Vivid Software.




