Can anyone tell me what the support is like with Bright Pay? When I spoke to someone from Bright Pay a while back they said email any queries and someone will get to you within a day or so which I don't fancy to be honest especially if I am half way through processing payroll and need help asap!
(By the way my first client stages end of this month and I can't wait until it's over and I come out the other end, client paid for the software and wouldn't use it for my own clients as way too expensive)!
We switched over to Brightpay from 12Pay mainly as the support from Brightpay was so good. Usually I just phone and the call is answered quickly and so far they have answered every query straight away. Think I've called around 4/5 times so far. When I was testing out Brightpay I ran it alongside 12pay for a few weeks and nearing our year end there was a problem with the director going on the payroll. I called 12pay who said pretty much "computer's always right" even though I'd explained when I worked it out manually there was a difference. I called Brightpay while on my trial period and they solved the issue (it was the date). Support for payroll is a huge factor for me when choosing software as quite often any problems that arise need sorted right away so I like my call to be answered without hanging on for half an hour. We also stage next month and I'm dreading it, think it's fear of the unknown!
Yes I just downloaded the free trial and ran it along with the usual payroll to ensure all figures were the same. There quite a few support video's and the help feature explains the functions quite well. It was actually simpler than I thought to use, very straight forward and first few runs I was sure I was missing something as it seemed too easy. I suppose it's just getting used to something new but the support I'd received in the trial period swung it for me.
two years ago I think that everyone here, myself included, would have sworn by 12pay. Any question Tom was always around to help people but since he sold 12pay to Iris its no longer his baby so things have changed from the product it was with the fantastic support that we had.
I was thinking of moving over to Moneysoft Payroll due to the level of AE and CIS built in without buying add ons but on your recomendation I think that I may give brightpay a trial first.
Many thanks for the info,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I used to recommended 12Pay to anyone who would listen! Once it was sold to Iris the support went straight downhill for me, I recall a few occasions where I could not get through on the phone, emails were ignored and I was on the verge of pulling out my hair. With the introduction of AE I had a look at other packages, hoping to find something integrated, easy to use and with clear information on how AE would work. I would definitely recommend a trial of Brightpay - I'm sure I just entered the information as normal and skipped filling RTI. Just had a look and as long as the payslips are finalized it will let you move onto the next period. As I say I've not had the chance to run a payroll with AE yet - next month that fun begins and I may change my mind on how easy it is to use!
Thanks, I will take another look at my free version I downloaded. I did one of their webinars yesterday and the AE function looked quite easy (although it's always does... Till you try it yourself.) What appealed to me was the communication bit as it sends the letters about AE straight from the software so no looking on the pensions website second guessing which letter to send!
Yes, that's what appealed to me too - something to make life a bit easier. A one stop payroll software which works with the pension administration side of things. Well........fingers crossed!
Thanks for the estra info Donna, sounds as though we're drawing the same conclusions over 12pay. I'll give Brightpay a trial.
thanks again,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Hi All Just thought I would share some extracts from a thread I was involved in with Brightpay and others (Ive not added the link because it starts about something else and you could miss this easily):-
OP - Here are the limitations of BP - No RTI batch filing / No P11Ds / No CIS / No emailing within BP of P30s, P45. You can email payslips with BP. I understand they are working on all the above.
Brightpay response - Yes the above are all in development alright
Me - ''in development'' - how long will this take? I only ask because CIS and P11Ds have been around for ever! RTI has been around a good long while now although batch filing might be a less obvious one (well to the small business perhaps!). I really dont get not being able to email anything!!
Brightpay response - The P11D functionality will be available for the 15/16 year end. In the meantime, it should be noted that our CIS Assistant software is available FOC to all BrightPay customers. Furthermore, full CIS Integration will be available in our 16/17 version. I hope this clarifies.
OP - Following a chat with Brightpay a few weeks ago they admitted the current CIS add-on lacks functionality which is in Moneysoft.
Just thought you should see. Agreed 12Pay started to go downhill once Tom sold it to Iris. By the way - Re AE and Moneysoft - it crept out with no fanfare, but Moneysoft now produces the letters too. Its on teh site in the May or June update.
There is a Brightpay lady on here - Karen - she might come on and advise further about the 'new' functionality taking so long.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Oh god I feel like screaming....just trying to import payroll data from another software provider in to my free version of Bright Pay bloody well can't do it! This is why I am so reluctant to change software providers. It reminds me of when I was trying to learn VT .....(where's that hammer)
Joanne: Where are the documents in Moneysoft as I can't find them ?
Hi Georgie
I might just join you. Mine is for a different reason - a bunch of builders next door who have been there for weeks and all they do is chat s**t and the sound carries my way so I can hear every word. Despite the classic 'who needs a six pack, when you can have a barrel' comment they made yesterday I am so close to screaming out of my window at them to shut .....up.
Try - pensions tab, docs, AE/Non AE. Not used yet. Understand they may be standard and not editable but have been told this might be the same with BP too. There is an AE 'howw to' guide on Moneysoft.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
I had that all summer beginning end of March. Neighbour built an extension to their kitchen with bi folding doors. We had the builders all day every day from 8 till 5 , couldn't hear them talking as the music was so loud. When they eventually finished it the neighbour decided to have a bbq staring at 9.30 on a Sunday morning and as the day wore on the music got louder and louder by 21.30 Sunday evening we were listening to a fine rendition of "Monday, Tuesday , Wednesday , Thursday ,Friday , Saturday, Sunday , Ready for the Weekend....
I'll go check out Monetsoft when I've calmed down. Just having a cuppa in the garden. Thanks Joanne!
Oh god I feel like screaming....just trying to import payroll data from another software provider in to my free version of Bright Pay bloody well can't do it! This is why I am so reluctant to change software providers. It reminds me of when I was trying to learn VT .....(where's that hammer)
Joanne: Where are the documents in Moneysoft as I can't find them ?
Ah, but once you had moved over to VT don't you love it more than whatever you moved from?
Interesting comments re brightpay Joanne... Back to my original plan of moving to moneysoft methinks.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks Joanne for letting us know about the letters. I can't see any incentive now to switch to Brightpay as I am already perfectly happy with Moneysoft. I was going to trial Brightpay in February but I don't think theres any need now.
Shaun, I would heartily recommend you give Moneysoft a shot, it's as easy to use as VT in my opinion.
Georgie and Donna, let us all know how you get on with your staging dates. Mine aren't until May 2017 at the moment but from January next year will be gearing up and trying to attract new payroll clients, as many small employers will not have a clue what to do.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
I had that all summer beginning end of March. Neighbour built an extension to their kitchen with bi folding doors. We had the builders all day every day from 8 till 5 , couldn't hear them talking as the music was so loud. When they eventually finished it the neighbour decided to have a bbq staring at 9.30 on a Sunday morning and as the day wore on the music got louder and louder by 21.30 Sunday evening we were listening to a fine rendition of "Monday, Tuesday , Wednesday , Thursday ,Friday , Saturday, Sunday , Ready for the Weekend....
I'll go check out Monetsoft when I've calmed down. Just having a cuppa in the garden. Thanks Joanne!
Georgie
lol. I told this lot to turn their music down or change to a decent radio station. They protested very loudly that Smooth FM is THE best, but did oblige by turning it down. Although two weeks in I found my feet tapping to some of the better stuff they played from the 80s and was almost asking them to turn it up. What is a cuppa in the garden?? Ive not done that all year!!
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Thanks Joanne for letting us know about the letters. I can't see any incentive now to switch to Brightpay as I am already perfectly happy with Moneysoft. I was going to trial Brightpay in February but I don't think theres any need now.
Shaun, I would heartily recommend you give Moneysoft a shot, it's as easy to use as VT in my opinion.
Georgie and Donna, let us all know how you get on with your staging dates. Mine aren't until May 2017 at the moment but from January next year will be gearing up and trying to attract new payroll clients, as many small employers will not have a clue what to do.
No probs John - glad to help where I can!
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
@Georgia, sorry you are having trouble importing into BrightPay. Ill email you directly to help you with the import. In relation to the thread question, we did conduct a customer survey and the results are posted here if you wanted to see what the feedback for customer support was like.
@Cheshire, our development team are continuing to work on new features. The P11D functionality will be available for the 15/16 year end. We have taken on board requests to integrate CIS into BrightPay and this will be available in our 16/17 licence. As you mention above, until we do, we are offering BrightPay customers our CIS application free of charge until we have full integration.
Amongst other things we also have a few things in development such as employee self service, a native mac version and direct integration with AE pension providers. I can assure you we are doing our utmost to make these features available as soon as we can. I will update this thread once these updates are released.
