Having the ability to purchase a source code version of an accounting software program, which allows the package to be modified to meet the unique needs of the user, can become a significant competitive advantage to the business. "A source code option allows considerable added value in the form of complete customisable solutions that are increasingly becoming a major factor in the buying decision for accounting software at major companies," says Stephen Corrigan, managing director of AccountMate Africa, a Softline company.
"At enterprise level there is no reason why users should be limited to the inherent power of the software purchased. If they require additional features and are willing to pay for it, there should be no barrier to obtaining a source code version, especially when the customisation could actually revolutionise the business."
California-based Visual AccountMate International offers users of their software the option to purchase the source code of each individual module, keeping the customisation costs to minimum. As Visual AccountMate is also a Softline company, AccountMate Africa holds the sole rights to market, sell and support the software in sub-Saharan Africa.
"We realised the uniqueness of this source code purchase option and entered into an agreement with the South African Visual Foxpro user group (FUSA) as a means of extending added value to users of the software," adds Corrigan.
Visual FoxPro is a fourth generation programming language used by Visual AccountMate and the Visual Foxpro user community worldwide has 250 000 registered programmers of which about 70 are based in SA. The user group provides access to a wealth of experience in the customisation of accounting software to meet the special requirements of companies across a broad spread of industrial and commercial activities.
"The agreement brings us into contact with third party software developers that already have products which can now be seamlessly integrated with AccountMate. Any of our customers who require customised add-ons specific to their type of business or activity, will be able to tap into a pool of experienced developers countrywide," says Corrigan.
The South African Visual Foxpro group is encouraging its members to take up Microsoft MCP certification and, according to local user group chairman Evert van Breemen, the establishment of a dedicated company to sell and install Visual AccountMate software in SA holds great potential for development.
"The agreement with AccountMate Africa will allow us to provide added value services that will benefit the user group, Visual AccountMate users and AccountMate Africa," says Van Breemen. "This value is likely to be realised in programs written for vertical or niche markets and in the ability of our membership to create individual end-user customised Foxpro-based programs for specific AccountMate end-user sites."
With AccountMate Africa able to sell a source code option with each module of the software, Corrigan says users can then tap into the Foxpro user group for any customisation requirements. "There are members of the group who have extensive experience in writing specific programs to meet the special requirements of most industrial and commercial operations."
The AccountMate software runs on the Microsoft SQL platform and Corrigan adds that it is also strategic for AccountMate Africa to be able to offer South African users of accounting software packages provided by Softline Group companies, a natural upgrade path at a highly competitive price. "Our aim is to incorporate the best features of these products into AccountMate, making it the most flexible and accommodating package available anywhere."
Share
Editorial contacts