Choosing which accounting software to go for can be a daunting task. You need to take into consideration several factors, the first of which is whether you would be going for a generic accounting program or one that is customized to your specific industry. Your choice would, however, depend on the other factors such as the price, your industry type, your employees’ readiness, and the navigability of the program.

Going for a customized accounting software would usually mean longer implementation timeline and high costs. However,   this would also mean a more efficient accounting system for your company as opposed to having a generic one. Generic accounting program, on the other hand, requires lesser time for set up and is very easy to learn. It is able to provide you with basic accounting reports that you need and is well suited for companies who are just starting up or who are on a tight budget.

Challenging as it may seem, it is actually possible to find an accounting software that offers the best of both worlds. With the rise of open source projects, a number of individuals and companies have started offering integrated accounting software that can be readily used by any company.

Although it is not an open source software, the Sage ACCPAC accounting software is one program that is able to afford its users with seamless accounting system that can be set up and used in a matter of hours instead of days.

What’s more, it does away with the need to maintain several computers or servers to host the software as it comes in a web-based form. It can accommodate common accounting functions such as general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory control, and order entry. The US and Canadian version even allows for payroll processing.

The Sage ACCPAC accounting software comes in three modules depending on the size of your company. Sage ACCPAC 500 ERP, the edition best suited for medium to enterprise-level companies, also supports multiple currency settings as well as intercompany transactions.

For most To-Order manufacturing companies, a flow or process may have been documented outside of an ERP system with no formal way to ensure compliance. In the past, routing paper documents and selective email have provided a partial solution, but with no controls to assure visibility and compliance, the value was limited. VISIBILITY.net Workflow enforces the process and allows To-Order manufactures to improve and standardize daily functions across the company without burdensome manual administration. This streamlines operational execution and provides employees visibility into the status of “in-process” tasks. Workflow in combination with standard ERP transaction flows make execution of business tasks far more effective.

Workflows can be defined with multiple or conditional branch points or event nodes. The VISIBILITY.net workflow engine automatically monitors the execution of each activated workflow to assure timely processing. The workflow task list allows users to quickly determine the exact state of an in-process workflow. The VISIBILITY.net process modeling tool allows To-Order manufacturing companies to establish business processes such as approval routings for purchase requisitions and sales quotes without the need for specialized programming skills.

Visibility Corporation (www.visibility.com ) is a leading developer and supplier of business software solutions designed for the unique needs of project-based, Engineer-to-Order and To-Order manufacturers. Visibility’s Enterprise Application solutions help midsize manufacturers of complex products operate their businesses effectively.

VISIBILITY.net is an in-house integrated ERP solution. It offers comprehensive industry specific functionality, integrated reporting and workflow. This browser-based solution cost effectively delivers the power of .NET-based technology for use with either a Microsoft SQL Server™ or Oracle® database. Conducting business any place, any time, any where is a reality and is deployable with unprecedented adaptability.

About Technology Group International, Ltd.
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Technology Group International is a proven technology leader delivering Tier 1 application software functionality at a price performance level that can be readily accepted by organizations of all sizes. Specializing in software solutions for small and mid-market manufacturing and distribution companies, TGI’s integrated Enterprise Series software suite is a complete business process management solution. The product offering includes Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Warehouse Management System (WMS), Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS), Decision Support System (DSS), Business Intelligence (BI), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and eCommerce. TGI implements, maintains, enhances, and supports its packaged distribution and manufacturing software solutions directly and via its channel partners.

Choosing the right software

Keeping afloat is not the only thing that keeps a company going, but also the annual turnover while reducing the capital investments. Creating new efficiencies and innovating breakthrough technology in accounting are some of the other aspects of starting a business. Formulated to cater to the requirements in two major fields-financial accounting and payroll accounting-the software can smoothen financial dealings in a systematized manner. Some of the major functions of these software include:

Updating the accountant with particular statutory reports

Generating MIS reports

Maintenance of data pertaining to general accounting, portfolio management, export documentation, sales, purchases and more

Payroll reports, return forms, graphical representations, transaction entries, Master entries

General ledger, account payable, account receivable, payroll, inventory, purchase orders, sales orders and billing.

Types of software

Financial accounting software, also known as accounting systems, business software, or enterprise resource planning (ERP), record and take care of various accounting transactions in a business organization. Apart from the usual features including ledger and billing, accounting software takes care of distribution of software as well as manufacturing different software functions. Software that are popularly used among accountants are:

Exact Globe: It has the capability of handling multiple currencies. The sales and PO modules have workflow capabilities that can streamline document management.

Epicor: Responsible for cost-effective expansion, Epicor boasts of rapid optimization, simple operating facilities, easy modifications, and low training costs.

Microsoft Dynamics: Customised for dynamic business needs, this software promises of maximized productivity with state-of-art financial and operational functionality. Intelligent accounting, budgeting, forecasting and reporting are some of the other features of this particular software.

Sage: This software helps in end-to-end business management application.

SAP: It is a user-friendly interface that helps in delivering sales, management, banking, finance related functionalities. Customer relationship management is another aspect of SAP.

Intacct: Highly compatible with other applications, this software cuts down the cost of ownership enabling impressive track records of client success.

Some of the other commonly used accounting software include Made2Manage, QuickBooks, Netsuite, Quicken, and Peachtree. AccountsIQ can advice you on the installation of different software that your business to a different level.

Established 20 years ago, Plan:IT Business Systems is a leading reseller of accounting and ERP systems. Plan:IT Business Systems has supported over 200 companies in software implementation and infrastructure as well as technical consultancy and has built a reputation for integrity, reliability and technical expertise amongst their clients. With a fully accredited support and pre-sales team Plan:IT Business Systems  has a wealth of experience in providing best in breed solutions to their customers. It is for this reason that Plan:IT Business Systems owner Ian Brocklehurst looked to Visibility, “As a specialist manufacturing system. VISIBILITY.net is by far the best we have seen. Not only does it make use of the latest .NET technology giving customers a solid system, but its zero client footprint approach means it has a low cost of ownership and is easy to support. Also because it is fully configurable it is ideal for businesses that engineer-to-order or rely on a project driven approach.”

Michael Eaton, Business Development Manager for Visibility Europe, explains why Plan:IT Business Systems  was an obvious choice for Visibility, “As a true solutions provider it is very important to Visibility that our customers receive not only the best products available but also the best levels of service and support; thereby insuring their investment. Having spoken to many of Plan:IT Business Systems ’s customers and witnessed firsthand the dedication and expertise of the company’s staff, it was an easy decision to sign them up as a reseller. I have every confidence that Ian and his team will add real value to the Visibility offering.”

The Company

Visibility Corporation (www.visibility.com) is a leading developer and supplier of business software solutions designed for the unique needs of project-based, engineer-to-order and mixed mode manufacturers. Visibility’s Enterprise Application solutions help midsize manufacturers of complex products operate their businesses effectively. Visibility has an extensive customer base throughout North America and Europe and has the strongest representation of ERP among manufacturers of complex products.

The Solution

VISIBILITY.net is an integrated, in-house, ERP solution and more. Offering unparalleled functionality and integrated workflow, this browser-based solution cost effectively delivers the power of .NET-based Web services for use with either a Microsoft SQL Server™ or Oracle® database. Conducting business any place and anytime is a reality, deployable with unprecedented flexibility.

Trademarks

Visibility is a registered trademark of Visibility Corporation and its affiliates. The names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

About Technology Group International, Ltd.
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Technology Group International is a proven technology leader delivering Tier 1 application software functionality at a price performance level that can be readily accepted by organizations of all sizes. Specializing in software solutions for small and mid-market manufacturing and distribution companies, TGI’s integrated Enterprise Series software suite is a complete business process management solution. The product offering includes Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Warehouse Management System (WMS), Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS), Decision Support System (DSS), Business Intelligence (BI), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and eCommerce. TGI implements, maintains, enhances, and supports its packaged distribution and manufacturing software solutions directly and via its channel partners.

ERP software packages available in the UK have distinct modules for activities like management of projects, supply chain, warehouse, customer relationship, human resources, sales order and other key business processes. The structure of software packages offering ERP solutions is complex and its implementation requires skill and time. In this regard you can take help of skilled professionals. During implementation of ERP solutions, you can opt for its customization according to your business requirements. Implementation time of ERP solution varies according to the scale of operation. For bigger companies having more than 100 employees it might take up to 14 months.

Implementation of ERP software has a number of advantages. It helps in integration among your organization’s key functional areas. This integration enhances communication, productivity and efficiency. It also enables you to go for three-way tracking (purchase order, inventory and costing). By centralizing data management system of your organization, ERP solutions reduce risk of data loss.

To conclude, Investment on ERP software packages and solutions offer better value for money.

TEC helps organizations evaluate and select software solutions that meet their exact needs by empowering purchasers with the tools, research, and expertise that help them make an informed decision.

Log on to TEC to see Visibility Corporation’s profile @ http://vs.technologyevaluation.com/software/263-19803/Engineer-to-Order-ETO-ERP/Visibility-VISIBILITY-net.html

Visibility Corporation (www.visibility.com) is a leading developer and supplier of business software solutions designed for the unique needs of engineer-to-order, mixed mode and project oriented manufacturers. Visibility’s Enterprise Application solutions help manufacturers of complex products operate their businesses more effectively.

VISIBILITY.net is an in-house integrated ERP solution. It offers comprehensive industry specific functionality, integrated reporting and workflow. This browser-based solution cost effectively delivers the power of .NET-based technology for use with either a Microsoft SQL Server™ or Oracle® database. Conducting business any place, any time, any where is a reality and is deployable with unprecedented adaptability.

TGI’s ERP system, Enterprise 21, is geared for food and beverage manufacturers with one plant center or multiple manufacturing and distribution centers. The data is available to optimize the supply chain to minimize costs and maximize profits. All applications are inherently integrated in the TGI product suite, so enterprise transparency truly exists. Food and beverage executives are frequently too busy to review detailed reports or analysis; exception reporting and alerts can be established to provide interaction only when needed.

About Technology Group International, Ltd.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Technology Group International is a proven technology leader delivering Tier 1 application software functionality at a price performance level that can be readily accepted by organizations of all sizes. Specializing in software solutions for small and mid-market manufacturing and distribution companies, TGI’s integrated Enterprise Series software suite is a complete business process management solution. The product offering includes Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Warehouse Management System (WMS), Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS), Decision Support System (DSS), Business Intelligence (BI), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and eCommerce. TGI implements, maintains, enhances, and supports its packaged distribution and manufacturing software solutions directly and via its channel partners.

The buzz words have changed: global warming, carbon footprints, diversity. But the issues remain as thorny and controversial as ever. In the case of global warming, arguments rage on, with standard bearers on both sides questioning each other’s agendas, and the very validity of the issue itself.

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of belief and philosophy, one thing seems to be clear: “going green” has become a mandate for business. It’s time to take stock and consider how to approach this issue. Your business systems – ERP, Accounting, Human Resources – can help you turn this challenge into an opportunity.

As you use your IT and software technology to track the direction your carbon footprint is taking you, consider these benefits to going green.

• Despite the perception that greening a business is expensive, going green and staying in the black are not actually mutually exclusive. Very basic, easily achieved green practices can help the environment and improve the bottom line: turn off lights and computers when not in use, recycle paper. Look for creative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. Use your accounting systems to track the costs of a lighting retrofit versus the reduction in your utility bill. If you are more ambitious, look into having your staff do more telecommuting. Tools like web-cams, internet chat/instant messaging, and online project management applications, can make telecommuting a more effective solution.

• Being ecologically responsible has become something of a marketing tool. More and more consumers are looking for companies that are known for their green products or practices. Even Wal-Mart has become famous as the world’s largest producer of organic cotton goods, and Nike gets press for grinding up and recycling its old shoes into safer playground materials for children. But beware: eco-savvy consumers can sniff out an overinflated claim. That’s why it’s important to have documented results, and this is where your ERP system can help you. Use it to track the amount of waste reduction in your manufacturing process, or if you are adding more warehouses to cut down on fuel-driven distribution costs, use it to separately track and compare costs. With verifiable results there will be no need to be humble about your green contributions.

• You can enhance your image and reputation by taking a leadership position on this issue. Perhaps you could rank your suppliers based on their eco-sense, or use more green products. Use your Accounts Payable systems to give your vendors a “green” rating and then track purchases according to this rating to later report results. This can give your company a competitive advantage, and make it stand out for all the right reasons.

• This is an ideal opportunity to get your employees involved. Going green is a grass roots operation, so turn to your employees for ideas and suggestions on how to run the business in a more eco-friendly way. In addition to giving them a sense of ownership, it will increase their pride in the company they work for. Not only might you be amazed at the quality of the suggestions, but you will probably get a lot more cooperation in making the necessary changes. Make sure you set up automated systems to allow tracking of suggestions, participation in cost-saving programs, etc. Many human resources packages can track an employee’s input, which can then be used in evaluations or as a basis of additional monetary compensation or non-monetary perks.

We may have new jargon to describe the problem thirty years from now, but chances are we’ll still be grappling with the issue. Certainly for the time being, going green is not going away. It might make sense to use all the tools in our toolbox to tackle this one now.

If you need help adapting your ERP, Accounting, or Human Resources Management systems to track and manage your going-green efforts, email me at solutions@ACIconsulting.com or visit us at www.ACIconsulting.com. I’ll put our team to work on it!