Independent Newspapers is streamlining its account management and debt-collecting processes with Sage CS/3 (formerly Tetra CS/3) introducing electronic payment options for direct online payments and integration with the group`s accounting system.
Independent Newspapers is busy with a project linking its CS/3 Cashbook module with Standard Bank`s C.A.T.S. system, saving its clerks up to four hours a day in manual data capture. It`s also loading creditors` details from the CS/3 Accounts Payable module so creditors` accounts can be settled electronically.
Independent Newspapers is the largest newspaper group in South Africa. Its flagship titles include The Star, Cape Argus, Cape Times, Daily News and Mercury, as well six weekend titles, with a combined readership of more than 4,2 million.
Warren Brewis, management accountant for Independent Newspapers Cape, says CS/3 and its former iterations (Tetra CS/3 and Chameleon) were a part of the group long before the incorporation of the Argus Group as Independent Newspapers in 1995. He explains: "Our relationship with CS/3 goes back to 1987 when the decision was made at national level to standardise on Chameleon - as it was then known. Tetra was acquired by Sage to become Sage Tetra and Chameleon was renamed Tetra CS/3 and re-branded last year as Sage CS/3."
CS/3 is supplied by the Sage Tetra division of Q Data Consulting, the largest certified Sage CS/3 implementation partner in Africa.
"Despite the changes in product name and branding, CS/3 has always performed the functions for which it was bought - stability, scalability and a forward growth path for the company`s financial backbone," Brewis adds. "Most importantly it was built from the ground up as a Web-enabled ERP system, giving us the option today of integrating our financial and accounting systems with other electronic systems without further investment.
"Although we regularly consult the CS/3 helpdesk, we do so on a user-to-user basis with little or no onsite support or maintenance calls for the system itself. Its stability has reduced our total cost of ownership, allowing us to spend our money elsewhere and to optimise system functionality for new projects."
Several such projects are under way, including the acceptance of payments from thousands of casual debtors directly into Independent`s bank account via Standard Bank`s M65 system. Information will be downloaded into the CS/3 Cash Management module and a separate accounts receivable system, which will automatically update the debtor`s account database.
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PQ Africa
PQ Africa was formed as a result of the merger of Persetel Holdings and Q Data. Comparex Holdings Ltd has a 50% minus one share interest in PQ Africa. The black empowerment group NITAC (the National IT Acquisition Consortium), led by Real Africa Holdings Limited, holds a controlling interest of 50% plus one share in PQ Africa.
PQ Africa is SA`s leading provider of competitive, innovative and flexible business solutions based on Information and Communications Technology ("ICT"). These comprehensive business solutions include systems integration, consulting, package implementation, software development, outsourcing, hardware, software, peripherals, voice, video and data communication systems, customer relationship management solutions and networking equipment and services. Internet solutions include the development and deployment of electronic commerce and electronic data interchange-based solutions and digital authentication.
Sage Tetra Division
Based in Cape Town with offices throughout South Africa, Q Data Consulting`s Sage Tetra division forms part of the Q Data Consulting Professional Services group. It is the largest certified Sage Tetra CS/3 (formerly Tetra CS/3) ERP implementation partner in Africa, with one of the few dedicated product development teams in the world for Sage Tetra UK. It is also ISO 9001 compliant and hosts the only dedicated call centre for Sage Tetra in South Africa.
The Sage Tetra division services multiple vertical markets in the electronics, telecommunications, agriculture, packaging, printing and leisure industries, among others. Its client portfolio includes the Leisurenet Group, Teljoy, Vodac, Capespan, Independent Newspapers, Bowler Metcalf, Tellumat and BP South Africa.