Pink Software says its open source TurboCASH accounting package has exploded the myth that every country, or even every company, has unique bookkeeping needs.
According to Pink Software MD and founder Philip Copeman, TurboCASH has become the world`s leading open source accounting package for small business as determined by the www.Sourceforge.net open source Web portal.
"The amazing thing is how universal accounting standards are," Copeman says. "We find a need to make small terminology changes, but by and large one package fits all markets. All tax systems are basically very simple, a simple multiple of the transaction value. Because we started as a South African VAT system with multiple rates, we have been able to function in all foreign markets."
In the eight months since TurboCASH moved into the open source licensing model, over 12 000 new users have registered. Registrations have come from over 60 different countries. Translations are under way in more than nine languages.
Copeman puts the success of the open source campaign down to its value proposition. He says the companies that dominate the local accounting industries behave like monopolists by increasing prices and annual licence fees, locking in support contracts and controlling delivery channels.
"We spent R6 million developing TurboCASH and we now offer it as a free download. This is a very compelling offer for a user."
Copeman says users are discovering that TurboCASH is not only as good as the commercial packages, but because it was developed after Y2K, it also has many advantages over the old-fashioned 'closed` packages.
"TurboCASH comes with a sophisticated XML import/export that allows the program to send data massages to and from other packages and programs."
He says the open source model has a completely different motive. "Users can download the software free. Partners can download the source free. They start out in a relationship with us in which they know they can never be trapped in an annual licensing model," he says.
"Partners are free to leave with the source whenever they wish. We make our money from add-ons like documentation and training material. We also offer partners the opportunity to develop third-party plug-ins for TurboCASH."
Users can download a free copy from www.turbocash.co.za
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