DexGroup streamlines systems with Great Plains from Software Futures

IT solution provider DexGroup has bought Microsoft Great Plains, incorporating all the Dynamics financial modules and Project Accounting, from Software Futures, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSE Securities Exchange-listed MGX. The new solution replaces an ageing ACCPAC system and will run on Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

The software is currently being implemented in a phased approach with training being completed each step of the way for all 17 users.

"We are still running on ACCPAC for DOS so we needed to upgrade to a more current, easily supportable and integrated environment," says Paul Hiemstra, group financial manager at DexGroup. "Before we chose the Software Futures solution we had a look at a few packages but they did not offer us the right functionality at the right price."

DexGroup has two primary areas of focus: developing solutions and supporting the short-term insurance industry, and also developing and delivering biometric security systems. The company develops and supplies mission-critical systems running on the AS 400 platform to the short-term insurance industry to assist brokers with policy and claims administration. The biometric security division develops thumbprint and barcode readers used for access control. It has already won a project - sub-contracting through Dimension Data - to supply the United Cricket Board (UCB), with a stadium administration system. Ticket-holders will be issued with a single ticket for multiple venues and barcode readers at all stadiums will validate their entry.

To expedite delivery on this contract and for others that use its biometric security products, DexGroup has established a development and packaging production line. The Software Futures solution, specifically Project Accounting, will be used to facilitate this.

Project Accounting is a Great Plains module that focuses on tracking costs in relation to specific projects. A number of activities can be tracked according to agreed billing values and Project Accounting ensures these are never exceeded, thereby ensuring maximum profit and reduced costs.

"The other packages we looked at could give us similar functionality to track production costs but they came at greater expense," says Hiemstra.

DexGroup will soon have this functionality at its fingertips. Following the mapping of features to needs, implementation of the stock system began and went live on 1 May, following which the remainder of the system will be deployed as phase two; training is already underway. Software Futures consultants will remain onsite for a further two weeks to deliver support.

Employees are a key component of the solution and DexGroup will use it to empower them by placing control in their hands, giving them the associated responsibility this implies.

"Great Plains provides DexGroup with a real-time flow of information that makes staff more efficient," says Kevin Laing, sales executive at Software Futures. Microsoft Great Plains is a business solution targeted at the mid-market. It offers a suite of business analytics and reporting tools for Dynamics and eEnterprise that give businesses virtually unlimited flexibility in developing reporting and analysis tools to further business goals. Business analytics applications include FRX Financial Reporter, FRX Forecaster, Seagate Crystal Reports, Knosys Proclarity and Enterprise Reporting.

Laing adds that DexGroup, as a technology company, will be looking at other ways to exploit the solution in the future, using the technology to make the company more efficient.

"It's exciting to work with a company which understands technology and uses it effectively to enhance the business. It shows that companies don't need to stay locked into old technologies because new technology is an enabler, and as we drive forward into the new millennium it will change the way that companies like DexGroup interact with their staff, customers and partners," concludes Laing.