ASYST International SA today announced that its Kenyan subsidiary had won a contract for the purchase and installation of the Access Accounts `Dimensions Lite` product at Ogilvy & Mather in Kenya.
Francesca Albon Kairo came to the Kenya offices of O&M as financial director in May last year and immediately conducted a re-evaluation of the agency`s financial systems. It was evident the company needed inter-relational databases and a comprehensive job management system, and thus began to investigate the market. Access Accounts was one of the four systems that were evaluated.
"Access Accounts met all our stated requirements, had high functionality, was easy to use and was within budget," commented Kairo. "Even after only a few months, we were already realising some of the efficiencies that were being delivered by the new system.
"The separate ledgers that O&M operated required manual entries to be made to the general ledger, but Access immediately eliminated the need for these duplicate tasks. The computerised system provided more accurate information, a clear audit trail and eliminated the need to refer to hard files. This enables the finance team to carry out the same amount of work in less time," continued Kairo.
"Additionally, we have been able to fully customise all stationery to include our own logo and preferred layouts for signatures and address details, thus, all the documents being produced by the accounts system reinforce the Ogilvy brand.
"Our aim is to develop Access Accounts into the centre point for all of our operations," concluded Kairo, "in practice, the place where everyone can enter and receive the relevant information that they need to do their job most effectively. We are already seeing how it is enhancing communications throughout the company."
"We are very pleased with the early successes of our young Kenyan operation," added Paul Marketos, MD of ASYST International SA. "Ogilvy & Mather are worldwide leaders in the advertising industry, and an eminent client to have on board. ASYST Kenya is bearing out the opportunities for growth that can be experienced in Africa."
At the present time, O&M is learning how best to use the Access system to manage its jobs. It is also in the process of exacting the reports it requires, including its `traffic report`, which will help the traffic manager to stay on top of the job workflow situation. All of this is in addition to the benefits that are being reaped with the standard financial reporting capabilities. Similarly, the system is being developed for use by the client services team to monitor and view the status of all jobs in the agency, including the status of clients` outstanding balances.
For further information, please contact Justine Morgan, Marketing manager, ASYST International SA (Pty) Ltd: telephone (011) 622 0112, fax (011) 622 0124, e-mail jmm@asyst.co.za.
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Ogilvy & Mather is one of the largest marketing communications networks in the world. Over the past 50 years, Ogilvy has helped to build some of the most recognisable brands including American Express, Barbie, Dove, Ford, Pond`s and Shell, and more recently, Castle Lager, IBM and Kodak.
ASYST International SA
ASYST International SA is a South African company providing experienced consultancy and specialising in the provision and improvement of business information systems. ASYST International is an established expert in financial, business intelligence customised software systems, providing solutions to improve business efficiency, reduce operating costs and increase profits. Asyst believes in a hands-on approach, from a tailored proposal, through to the best software design and systems configuration, to providing on-going training and support. It is also the sole distributor of Access Accounts in southern Africa.
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