A September 2011 Research Report tabled by the Aberdeen Group (USA) into the success of ERP systems within SME’s concludes that “Best in Class Performances” were being achieved.

ERP    Enterprise Resource Planning (fully integrated business software packages – like InterAcct Software)
SME    Small to Medium Sized Businesses

For the fourth year in a row, Aberdeen turns its eye towards the tangible performance enhancements that SME’s are achieving through ERP systems deployment.

It was discovered that 77% of companies had already implemented an ERP solution in the USA.

The Best in Class Performances resulted in –

• Average of just 2.69 days to close a month (including Financial Statements)
• Average of 33.11 days sales outstanding (Debtors aging)
• 96% complete and on-time delivery of products and services
• 21% growth in operating profits over the last two years

The survey results showed that the Best in Class firms shared several common characteristics –

• 96% more likely than all others to provide Decision Makers with automatic alerts when certain defined conditions occur
• 2.61 times as likely to provide a fully integrated view of all customer information to sales and marketing employees

When you select the InterAcct Software start up icon, the next screen you will see is the Sign-On screen.

Essentially, input of the “User-Code” and “Password” controls two things –

1. Security Access rights for that InterAcct User, and
2. Which Main Menu screen for InterAcct will be shown.

The ‘normal’ Sign-On screen display shows the InterAcct logo, however this can now be easily changed in order to show your own Corporate Logo.  See example below.

In addition, you can also change the Menu Button icons with different graphic images and colours to suit your own purposes.

Some InterAcct Software customers have multiple companies (Legal Entities) in their Group, and so it is not uncommon to end up having multiple InterAcct Software start-up icons on their Windows Desktop.

This slightly untidy look can now be replaced with a single InterAcct icon.  When you click on that, a list of different companies (systems) using InterAcct appears.  This might only show two – being your “Live” and “Training” versions of InterAcct.

If you have several companies, you can further identify them with their Corporate Logos.

There is also a simple system maintenance option to add/remove new companies to the selection listing, as well as update annual software licence details.

Clive Rainbow is the Founder of InterAcct Software.

“I founded the company that is now called InterAcct Software way back in 1981.  However, back in the early 1970’s, as part of my B.Com degree, I had exposure to Fortran programming using punch cards on a mainframe computer.

What changes there have been since then !  This week I saw advertised on the TV a $120 two Terabyte external hard disk drive.  That is 2,000,000,000,000 characters.

I remember back in 1980, when I was selling mini computers, that we used to sell a whopping 20MB (0.001% on the size of the 2 TB disk) removable hard disk cartridge for $22,650  - a lot of money back then.”

InterAcct is developed in the ClearView relational database, which is a Fourth Generation Programming Language (4GL).  Both are proudly developed in Australia.

“I might be described as a Database Design Expert now.  Luckily my sons, who manage the InterAcct Software business these days, have those extra technical skills needed in today’s market.  A lot has happened since 1983 when Personal Computers were just launched with Bill Gate’s MS-DOS Operating system.  So many companies have come and gone in the IT Industry, but we remain.”

“InterAcct relies on no other company as both the integrated business/accounting system and the ClearView database are developed In-House.  It is amazing that we continue to be at the leading edge of software development.  Being essentially a business person who happens to develop business software has given us the edge in terms of having a system that is practical and easy to use.”

InterAcct Software today is still essentially a small family run ‘boutique style’ Software House.  They personalise their standard InterAcct package each time to the requirements of each customer.  InterAcct is designed to be changed easily, without the normal high cost and problems normally associated with modifications.

“Winning the Australian Small Business Award is still one of my highlights.  It recognised that what we were doing was very special in the marketplace.”

How is InterAcct different?

1. Australian – designed and owned
2. Flexible – you can even make your own database design changes
3. No Limits – based on a relational database – no practical limits
4. Personal – InterAcct only does around 30 installation projects a year
5. Search – fast, easy and flexible method to access to information stored
6. Simple – on-screen help automatically displayed – plus videos, manuals
7. Reporting – numerous existing reports, plus Report Configurators and Generators
8. Reliable – a thoroughly tested system  – a very complete system design
9. Responsible – a “One Stop Shop” for expert design, training, and ongoing support
10. Interface – can selectively export and import data from/to InterAcct