A new accounting software program, PastelAccounting Xpress, the first local package designed specifically for the small business or home office user to have a Windows XP interface, is being launched this month (January) by accounting and business software solutions specialist, Pastel Software SA.
Easy to use, flexible and powerful with a host of features geared to assisting users to effectively manage the financial processes critical to the success of a small business, Pastel Xpress is being sold through major retail outlets at a cost of R1 999 for the launch period of two weeks and at R2 399 thereafter.
"As the product is developed locally, users will not be disadvantaged by the weakness of the rand, unlike other international products localised for use in SA," says Terry Kier, managing director of Pastel Software, a Softline company.
"Pastel Xpress will replace Pastel Accounting SOHO 2 as our entry-level accounting package. However, SOHO 2 users will continue to be supported for the duration of their existing contracts."
Kier adds that Pastel Accounting Xpress uses the same source code as the company`s flagship SME package, Pastel Accounting V6. "It is therefore a stable and robust product that offers users a simple upgrade path. It sets new standards in user-friendliness and user interfaces and is compatible with Microsoft Windows 95, 98 and 2000, as well as Microsoft`s new operating system, Windows XP."
A Pastel Payroll package is bundled with Pastel Accounting Xpress and the purchase includes a year`s free telephone and e-mail technical support. Single and three-user versions are offered, giving entry-level business users powerful new functionality and features with a wide range of interface enhancements.
"Our goal with Pastel Accounting Xpress was to produce a program that is easy to set up and use, helping small business people to effectively manage their accounts and money with minimum time and effort, leaving them free to get on with running the operational side of the business," says Kier.
The Setup Assistant feature allows a fully working company to be created in the software within minutes - merely by providing answers to some simple questions, selecting appropriate templates from the standard range and tailoring them to suit the business type.
"The program is highly graphical and this, combined with the System Navigator, Toolbar, Keyboard Shortcuts and Standard Menus features, makes it very easy for new users to quickly obtain proficiency in the features and functionality."
A data remote feature allows data to be moved quickly and easily. With the intuitive screen layouts, entering data is made simple on screens that look like their paper equivalents. Invoicing detail, for example, is entered on a screen that fully replicates a physical invoice.
A range of Assistant features help to simplify complex issues for the user. Adjusting the selling prices of inventory is usually quite a complex task but the Pastel Xpress Inventory Assistant enables this to be executed quickly, with the minimum of fuss.
Another useful feature is the Age Analysis that allows the user to view who owes the company what and for how long - essential information for effective credit control and debtor management.
Although simple, Pastel Accounting Xpress is powerful, to the extent that it can create individual terms for each customer regarding pricing, credit and discounts and automatically e-mail and/or print invoices and statements.
The integration with Microsoft Office 2000 and XP applies to general ledger, customer and supplier data so that mail or e-mail merge capabilities can be implemented for the personalisation of customer/supplier communications. Reports can also be opened in Excel and Word and information exported to Outlook.
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