Pastel drives new business management solution into African market

Softline Pastel is undertaking an extensive distributor and end-user road show throughout Africa to drive education and awareness of its new business software product, Pastel Evolution. A first of its kind business management solution for medium-size businesses, Pastel Evolution, breaks the traditional paradigm of accounting software by integrating CRM/helpdesk functionality into the core accounting system.

"Pastel has been active in Africa for approximately 10 years. The objective of the road show is to ensure that our distributors in Africa remain well informed of the latest product developments at Pastel, as well as understand the benefits that Evolution can deliver to their customers` business," says Jeff Lewis, Director of Pastel International. "Pastel Evolution is set to take the market head-on, as it is a unique ERP package for businesses of varying size - from small and medium through to larger organisations."

Evolution was developed in response to market demand and the need for a technology solution that could address relevant and practical business pressures regarding accounting data and business processes management. "Pastel Evolution takes accounting to the next level, by allowing a company to not only capture numbers, but all aspects of their business activities. The data is then integrated to give a holistic view of an organisation instead of a numbers only view. Furthermore, the entire organisation is able to access the same database with the appropriate security restrictions per department and employee," adds Lewis.

"The requirements of small and medium-sized businesses have in many instances expanded beyond the need for just an accounting system. Many companies now require a sophisticated solution that can manage their business requirements, that is competitively priced and well-supported - Pastel can offer this."

To date, road shows have been held in Botswana and Zimbabwe with over 450 businesses having attended the presentations. "The response to Pastel Evolution has been incredible, and we believe that this solution is likely to capture up to 10% of the mid-range African market within the next 15 months," adds Lewis. "Pastel Evolution has filled a much needed gap in the accounting market for companies unable to undertake large-scale implementations."

The remaining Softline Pastel reseller and end-user road shows will take place as follows:

* Zambia, 7 November 2003

* Namibia, 13/14 November 2003

* Nigeria, 19 November 2003

* Kenya, 27 November 2003

* Malawi, 3 December 2003