Pastel takes customers` requirements beyond accounting with new 2007 upgrade

The recently launched Pastel Accounting 2007 software range has a strong focus on making accounting processes as simple as possible for the customer.

Steven Cohen, MD of Softline Pastel, says the main business benefits for customers are increased automation of accounting tasks and the ability to analyse information in a far more detailed manner.

"It is our in-depth knowledge and experience which has enabled us to understand our customers and their needs. This has facilitated the development of long-term partnerships with our customers, which assists us in enhancing our software to meet their growing needs as their businesses evolve," he says.

Pastel`s large and established user base enables Pastel to leverage its infrastructure and expertise to provide powerful accounting software at an affordable price, while taking into consideration the cash flow challenges faced by SMEs, Cohen adds.

The biggest addition in the 2007 range is the new Explorer, which allows customers to access all areas of their software from one screen. Previously customers had to jump across menus to access different information, but the new Explorer revolutionises navigation, allowing customers to simply right-click on a client and select a task from the pop-up menu, making it simple and easy for the user. The Explorer also includes a "To Do List" that allows customers to view information such as overdue customers, expiry on quotations, and overdue payments.

Another key addition to the range is the "View Open Batches" screen, which enables customers to jump straight to a user`s specific batch. Customers are now also able to print the Open Batches list. Customers also have the ability to drill down to source documents that make up a balance to see exactly where an error is occurring and make the necessary corrections.

These are just some of the new features available in the Pastel Accounting 2007 range, which aim to increase the efficiency of our customers` businesses, Cohen says.

Cohen says the significant investment in the research and development process is based on Pastel`s philosophy of letting business drive technology by being cognisant of customers` changing needs and requirements, as well as the evolving technology landscape.

"These needs are communicated to Pastel through the call centre which handles around 65 000 support calls a month from over 100 000 customers. Support staff feed back information regularly to the research and development team, giving them a breakdown of what requests have been made and the statistics of how often each request is made," he says.

This feedback process accounts for more than 80% of our new software features, Cohen adds.

Trek to the summit

00Days

:

00Hrs

:

00Min

:

00Sec

Cohen says even the process of installing the software has been made easier. We understand our target market and realise that many businesses don`t have in-house IT expertise. We have therefore simplified the installation process by introducing a computer-based installation tutorial.

"When the customer inserts the CD to install Pastel Xpress Start-Up, Xpress or Partner, the tutorial launches automatically, assisting the customer with the installation and provides them with more information on the new features within the range and how to use them," he says.

The tutorial`s "What`s New" section contains a table of the new features. Clicking on a feature takes the customer to a simulation, Cohen says. In addition, a step-by-step installation guide identifies whether the customer is installing the software for the first time or upgrading from a previous version. In the case of the latter, the guide shows the customer how to convert the data from a previous version to Pastel Accounting 2007.

Customers will be able to find out more information about the Pastel Accounting 2007 range and the other new features by visiting http://www.pastel.co.za.