Lotus 1-2-3 provides a giant electonic worksheet with 256 columns and 2048 rows. As well as the spreadsheet features described in the introduction of spreadsheet, it has graphics routines which are truly easy to master and rapid to produce results. Lotus 1-2-3 can also be used for keeping records through its database facilities. The software is a prime example of a new range of 'integrated' spreadsheet products which typically encompass database and graphics facilities, and may also include word processing and communications.
The main application area has been in financial modelling, that is, in budgetting and planning. The scope for the use of products like Lotus 1-2-3 is much wider than financial modelling such as in sales forecasting, in statistical analysis, in analysing surveys, in handling personnel records as well as to throw new light on the process of building well planned financial models. A user can carry out some spreadsheet modelling, switch to graphics, access a database, produce some text and print a graph with a 'integrated' packages, Lotus 1-2-3.
Belinda Fong
Christopher Sakamoto
February 21, 1996