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) VBS Reduces Back-Office Pain with VAR-specific ERP
Not so with a solution from VBS Software. The company�s ERP software, aptly titled VBS version 5, was designed specifically for solution providers to address what could be called an upside-down sales process�at least by traditional ERP standards. �The whole notion of selling something before you buy it (and have it in inventory) is beyond most ERP systems,� said Eileen Gibson, vice president of marketing at VBS. �Plus, most ERP systems don�t give VARs visibility into the profit drivers in their business. They have lack of information to make good strategic decisions.� The latest version of VBS incorporates a Web-based interface, allowing for better access to information on any transaction at any stage of the process, from quote to invoice. More>> - (
) Larry Langford: The Year in Review
Sayler explains that when the city began installing the new accounting software it did not keep parallel accounting systems. Because the new system isn't fully installed, the city would not be able to produce the financial statements, possibly until April 2009. This is almost precisely what happened at Jefferson County, where the failure to keep parallel systems has left the finance department there unable to produce audited financial statements for the last two years. October 2008• Mayor Langford proposes the city partner with the county to buy the Century Plaza mall. Under Langford's plan, the city and county would turn the mall into a regional senior center. Meanwhile, Jefferson County struggles to cut tens of millions of dollars from its budget to stave off default on its bond debts and avoid bankruptcy. More>>
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) How to choose large business software - spaghetti function
All the major accounting firms still have IT change consultants. There are also specialist independent groups of consultants – like Knowledge Peers - http://www.knowledgepeers.com/ who provide online bespoke consultancy in most complex areas. There are the big traditional (and expensive) international consultancies like Gartner (gartner.com) and Forrester (forrester.com). For more specialist help try the Hackett Group (thehackettgroup.com) they have done a lot of work on redesigning business processes.Time is of the essence. It’s no good instigating a 3 year project to rationalise business processes – the company may be dead by then. What is needed is a quick focused action plan that can be implemented within 6 months to highlight the areas of maximum impact. More>>
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) Sage Profit Rises; Sees Higher Client Support Demand (Update1)
Sage, which sells accounting and business software to small and medium-sized companies, reported lower full-year sales in North America and higher revenue at its businesses in the U.K., mainland Europe and the rest of world. The company, which competes with the U.S.'s Oracle Corp. and Microsoft Corp., predicted the economic climate will remain ``uncertain'' in the near future.Sage shares dropped 4.8 pence, or 3 percent, to 153 pence as of 8:31 a.m. in London. Before today, the stock had dropped 31 percent this year.
Walker told reporters on a conference call that Sage is examining a ``number of acquisition opportunities'' in both new and existing markets. Prices of most potential targets ``have not yet adjusted to current market conditions,'' he said. The company made three acquisitions in the fiscal year. More>>