Integrated business solutions for SETAs developed by Microsoft Great Plains, Praxis Computing

Microsoft Great Plains and Praxis Computing have developed an integrated software solution equipping government-developed Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to manage the full range of their financial and non-financial business functions, including stakeholder interaction, online and integrated for the first time.

The SETA solution is a comprehensive, integrated software system allowing SETAs to manage core business processes such as Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA), learners, unit standards, levies, grants and operational accounts.

The solution is customised using the world-class, easy-to-use Microsoft Great Plains financial accounting platform, which extends far beyond standard functionality with specialised Windows-based software developed to meet key SETA requirements.

This Web-enabled solution was developed by Praxis Computing and is powered by Microsoft`s Windows 2000 and SQL Server 2000, in conjunction with Praxis` own DataNet, a database system allowing Internet accessibility to stakeholders, SGB-Central, the only Internet database to draft, discuss and edit unit standards, and Microsoft Great Plains accounting packages.

Praxis Computing, founded in 1993, has combined its solid IT infrastructure and high quality consulting, implementation and support services with its extensive experience in the design and development of systems for education and development organisations, to form an-across-the board solution for its SETA clients.

Praxis Computing, a Microsoft Certified Partner, saw Microsoft Great Plains as the most viable option to assist with building financial systems into complete solutions for clients. "For us to deliver successful integrated solutions for our customers, we look for partners offering rock-solid software suited to seamless integration, with the rich and familiar usability of Windows," says Mish Middelmann, chief executive at Praxis Computing. "The partnership of Microsoft`s tried and tested server solutions together with Great Plains financial software offers a perfect fit."

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"The combined assets of Microsoft and Praxis have accelerated business efficiency and agility within each SETA by offering integrated Internet-enabled business solutions needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected economy", adds Gordon Frazer, enterprise group director at Microsoft South Africa.

Twenty-five SETAs were established by the Department of Labour in April 2000, covering all areas of economic activity, and they are funded by means of the Skills Development Levy, a payroll-based levy payable by all employers in South Africa. The governing body of each SETA is typically composed of representatives from both business and labour.

The first organisation to benefit from this technology solution is MERSETA, the SETA for the manufacturing, engineering and related services sector which currently is one of the largest and most advanced SETAs in operation. MERSETA outsources the administration of its financial systems to Andersen, which is available via the Andersen Shared Service Centre, powered by the Praxis-Microsoft Great Plains software. High-level input from Andersen experts ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP) and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

"Our major challenge was to integrate numerous training board databases into one to create a common database which could allow us to co-ordinate all business processes within our respective regions. The technology solution created by Praxis and Microsoft Great Plains has ensured a successful result," says Brendan Pearce, CEO of MERSETA.

Other SETA clients deploying this successful solution include ISETT (Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies), CHIETA (Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority) and MQA (Mining Qualifications Authority).