ACCPAC Africa used Computer Faire 2002 to unveil the latest version of ACCPAC Advantage Series, version 5.0, the first business accounting product to support thin-client technology and allow users access from a standard Web browser.
This includes the latest ACCPAC eCRM version 5.0 - a product that offers sales force, marketing, call centre and customer care automation via a Web browser interface or through a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-enabled device and is fully integrated with the ACCPAC Advantage Series back office.
Discussing ACCPAC Advantage Series 5.0, ACCPAC Africa MD, Jeremy Waterman, says the new product delivers significant cost of ownership reductions for mid-market organisations by allowing them to fully exploit Web technologies. "The advanced architecture of Advanced Series 5.0 provides intuitive, browser-based access to business information, whenever and wherever necessary," he says.
"By employing the inherent power and flexibility of the Internet for distributing applications all over the world, it simplifies integration and enables more flexible configuration than was previously possible with this type of product."
Compared with traditional client-server or 'fat-client' applications, the new design has a direct impact on the bottom line by dramatically reducing the cost of deployment, maintenance and training. In addition, it offers the platform for a workable application service provider (ASP) model, as was recently seen with the introduction of ACCPAC Online.
"In a sense, it's a return to centralised computing with Advantage Series 5.0 being installed on a single server, regardless of the number of users or remote sites. This allows companies to gain all the advantages of centralised deployment: reduced installation expense and sharply lower maintenance and support costs over time - these last by virtue of the fact that no code is needed on the client workstation," explains Waterman.
The new version is also the first mid-market accounting solution to embrace the Microsoft .Net vision of Web deployment, providing secure browser-based access to entire systems. It is also the first to be fully SOAP-enabled (Simple Object Access Protocol) - simplifying the task of seamlessly integrating Web-based mission-critical business management applications with one another, using XML as a universal language.
International reaction to ACCPAC Advantage Series 5.0 has been positive and this was reflected by the effusive reception given by delegates to ACCPAC Africa's Partner Conference in the Drakensberg last month when introduced to the new product by ACCPAC International President and CEO, David M Hood.
"It offers 'anytime anywhere' Internet-based access to mid-size companies' accounting systems while accommodating a wide range of installed databases," he said.
It also offers features previously unheard of in business accounting solutions, such as the ability to customise most any screen or modify components to fit a company's specific operational processes - without altering the program's internal business logic.
The Web-ready Advantage Series System Manager includes integrated Web-based data processing and reporting functions, through Crystal Enterprise, for General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Purchase Orders, Order Entry and Inventory Control.
Elaborating on ACCPAC eCRM, he notes that Internet and wireless communications are continuing to shape the ways in which mid-market enterprises compete. "ACCPAC clients are increasingly looking for innovative and cost-efficient ways to connect all of their vital business functions.
"ACCPAC eCRM coupled with ACCPAC eTransact - a Web store solution - and advanced accounting and warehouse management solutions, places end-to-end e-business within the reach of mid-market companies. It enables customer, partner and prospect interactions to be managed anywhere and at anytime via phone, e-mail, the Web, fax or WAP-enabled handheld devices," says Waterman.
In addition to its thin-client architecture and multi-device accessibility, ACCPAC eCRM also includes an integrated workflow engine allowing "rules based" information processing and dissemination to be implemented throughout an organisation.
ACCPAC Africa, in conjunction with a host of business partners, will be demonstrating the products on its stand at Computer Faire. "As far as possible we will endeavour to illustrate the advanced functionality and support for the leading commercial database systems, including IBM DB2 Universal Database, Oracle 8i and 9i, Microsoft SQL Server, Computer Associates Ingres II and Pervasive.SQL 2000," he adds.
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ACCPAC Advantage Series, in use by tens of thousands of businesses worldwide, includes a complete set of accounting and operations modules to suit any business, regardless of size, industry or functional requirements, and is available in four distinct editions: Discovery, Small Business, Corporate and Enterprise. All Advantage Series editions are built on a single, open, multi-tiered architecture providing complete investment protection by allowing businesses to expand their operations, upgrading from one edition to the next, with minimal additional training and complete preservation of all existing data, as well as any customised screens or reports.
ACCPAC Advantage Series is an integral component of ACCPAC's complete line of end-to-end e-business solutions that address all aspects of modern business.
ACCPAC
ACCPAC International, Inc, a subsidiary of Computer Associates, empowers medium-sized enterprises through a broad range of end-to-end e-business solutions designed to enhance competitive advantage and increase profitability. Award-winning product lines include ACCPAC Advantage Series (Enterprise Edition, Corporate Edition, Small Business Edition and Discovery Edition), ACCPAC Executive Series, ACCPAC Pro Series, ACCPAC eTransact, ACCPAC eCRM, ACCPAC Warehouse Management System, Simply Accounting, FAXserve and Simply BitWare. Based in Pleasanton, California, USA, with offices in Asia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East, SA, and the UK, ACCPAC has more than 500 000 registered clients and 5 000 business partners in more than 100 countries worldwide. Visit ACCPAC at www.accpac.com
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