If you're looking for auction management software that handles your auctions from creation to posting, then you might want to check out Invenna. If you're looking for software that is more robust, you just might want to check out Invenna too. Invenna offers two different levels of auction management software. The first, AuctionAmigo Lister, is free.

AuctionAmigo Lister allows you to create nice looking auction templates and post auctions with a click of the button. You walk through a series of tabs filling out the necessary information. If you can fill out a form, you can create an auction. It contains seven basic templates and allows you to change font, background color, etc.

AuctionAmigo Lister fully interfaces with eBay, allowing you to create your auction listings offline, then load them all at once. It also allows you to use Ruby Lane counters and insert your choice of Pay Pal logos. If you only post a few auctions a week, AuctionAmigo Lister is probably all you will ever need.

AuctionAmigo Pro takes the Lister basics and adds auction management functionality. It features a comprehensive inventory manager, results tracking (both sales and bidding) that includes graphs, and a task manager. There is a great deal of flexibility with this package. You can customize email templates, create packing lists and generate email reminders to ask buyers to leave feedback. You can reuse a template or post directly from inventory. The help menu is fairly short, but well written and easy to understand.

The Auction Analysis feature calculates your total sales over time, the average price of your sale, sell-through rate, fees and your fees as a percentage of sales. These features are very useful in keeping track of your auctions for tax purposes and give you a great idea of what kind of profit margin you maintain. And AuctionAmigo Pro allows you to export your data into Excel. (You can also import databases created from the previous version of AuctionAmigo Pro).

I spoke with Matt Cannard, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Invenna, who said the program would increase your sales by allowing you to create professional-looking auctions and by helping you be more efficient. The software can create nice looking auctions, but be cautious if you stray too far from the templates. I strongly suggest you use the preview feature before sending one of your experiments online. Once you are happy with a template design that is "yours," use that template each time you post an auction. Not only will you be saved from reinventing the wheel each time you post, but also you'll develop a look for yourself that will go a long way toward establishing your eBay presence.

I appreciated the orderly way in which the software is organized. The interface is intuitive enough for anyone who has posted a few auctions. The task manager lets you know just where you are in the auction process and allows you to easily create professional touches. However, I would add another field called "where purchased" in the inventory tracker. I think it would be quite handy to have quantitative data on where my most lucrative shopping grounds really are.

If you post more than a few auctions a week, you'd probably be wise to invest in auction management software. AuctionAmigo Pro costs $39.95, and you can get a free 30-day trial. It works with Microsoft Windows-there is no Mac version. For more information go to http://www.invenna.com.