Hi all, this is my first post here! I am in the process of setting up by myself. I am Sage certified but the cost for getting Sage Client Manager is quite expensive. What software would people recommend or which do you use yourself for, i would say, about 5 different clients? Any help would be appreciated. many thanks Clare
If you're used to double entry and seeing debits and credits don't go for quickbooks as you only ever get them in journals!!!! The customer and supplier ledgers are a nightmare. Having said that the reporting is superb.
I would suggest VT Transaction+, cheap and powerful with no extra subscription for more clients and locally based so you can ensure the safety and security of your data.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
-Data is far more secure in a data centre than some server sitting in the office.
there is climate control, sprinklers, physical barriers in entering the building, high level of encryption and intrusion deduction.
- remove risk of lossing data through spelt coffee on your server, unless you use good practice and backup your data and store at another location.
-Upgrades and support are included in annual subscription for web based software. -VT and Arithmo have different licence models. VT charges per user. Arithmo per client (no extra charge for multi users).
-Best bit of any web based software is the flexibility of logging in anywhere, anytime and on any PC with internet connection.
It's interesting how people dont mind their personal details held in remote places (hotmail, facebook, linkedin, twitter, gmail, etc) but are challanged by business data held offsite.
Dalbir
-- Edited by Dalbir on Thursday 19th of August 2010 05:39:58 PM
For my sins I would have to say I like Sage as I have used it for many years now and find it very good for small and larger sized businesses. Fair enough its not easy to uderstand when you first open it up but after a while of using it you just realise just how much it could do, only downside though is the price.
Thank you all so much for your replies, after much deliberation i think i am going to stick with Sage, i've used it for years plus i'm certified, so may as well use it rather than learn another package. Many thanks
Just a quick reply to your post. I understand that a data centre is more secure than my office, I also understand that it is safer etc. My issue with the cloud type service offered by yourself and others for accounts and bookkeeping is what happens if your membership drops? What happens if you don't have enough subscribers to pay these data centre costs? What if a better service comes along and a large number of your users move?
What is to become of those who are left using your service? Will it continue if your profit drops? or are these peoples accounts just dropped? What if that is mid year? They then need to re input all the data on another system?
I understand this is extreme and wont happen with every service, but it has happened to many, many so far. Personally, I wouldn't take that risk with my accounts nor those of my clients.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
Same as all businesses, If number of customers drops to a certain level.
We are not as vulnerable as many other software companies (either online or traditional systems).Arithmo was an in-house system from a large accountancy firm based in Greater Manchester.They decided to develop the system and sell it as its own product: Arithmo was born.
(2)What happens if you don't have enough subscribers to pay these data centre costs?
Nought, data storage is scalable. a bit like hiring space from a storage company: so I suppose the answer is that we hire less data storage space.
(3)What if a better service comes along and a large number of your users move?
Same as any other business, if a client is unhappy with a bookkeeper, they will move their files to new bookkeeper.In relation to software such as ours or any other systems:data is exported from the system (in excel, csv format) and imported to the new software.
We retain our clients by always having a conversation with them on how we can develop the system (but remember the system is £40 to £50 per client per year- so is built for micro businesses)
(4)I wouldn't take that risk with my accounts nor those of my clients.
look what happened MYOB, which is a traditional system. Support for MYOB will stop in Jan 2011. And I really like what I have seen of MYOB.
Try our 30 day trial period and then give me feedback on whether you wouldnt introduce the system to your micro business customers (headcount 1 to 10).
Thanks for that reply. I don't have a specific issue with your offering but rather with cloud bookkeeping in general. If support for MYOB goes thats not so good, but it wont stop the software from working, it wont make all of my client records disappear. but if a cloud service goes it may, and lets remember this can happen overnight.
I will take up your offer of a trial though, as there will no doubt be some people this system will suit.
Kris
-- Edited by kjmcculloch on Saturday 28th of August 2010 07:23:24 PM
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
Thank you all so much for your replies, after much deliberation i think i am going to stick with Sage, i've used it for years plus i'm certified, so may as well use it rather than learn another package. Many thanks
Clare, have you looked into the Sage Bookkeeprs club. I'm not sure where it sits with you financially, but I think it's a pretty good deal.
