AccTech Western Cape implement Sage ERP Accpac 100 at Cape Town Film Studios

Issued by Watt Communications: for Sage Enterprise
Johannesburg, 15 Jun 2011

Cape Town Film Studios is the hottest development in the South African filmmaking industry. As a growing concern, Cape Town Film Studios needed an accounting system that could withstand the growing pains of a newly established business, which they found in Sage ERP Accpac 100.

As one of South Africa's first custom-built, Hollywood-style studios in South Africa's history, the 10-year, multi-million rand project is one of the greatest investments in the South African film industry and aims to establish a home for film in South Africa. The fully fledged sound stage complex officially went online in the third quarter of 2010 and is set to serve as a bridge between the South African and the international film industry.

Henri Hattingh, the CEO of AccTech Western Cape says Cape Town Film Studios approached them to re-engineer the company's accounting structure in order to meet client requirements. “The system was implemented and dated back to include opening balances from the start of the business. It greatly improved cost and asset control, especially in light of the company managing a large base of fixed assets that form part of a rental pool to visiting film-makers,” explains Hattingh.

“The change-over process was done professionally and systematically starting with a snapshot of Cape Town Film Studios' current system and a presentation of the suggested new system,” says Hattingh. “We also provided training to the Cape Town Film Studios team that enabled them to utilise the full spectrum of the system to support their accounting needs.”

The system was implemented at the start of April and two months down the line Fadiel Martin, an accountant at Cape Town Film Studios says the Sage ERP Accpac 100 system is easy to use. “We utilise a number of systems at Cape Town Film Studios that Sage ERP Accpac 100 is able to interface with. It has alleviated a lot of manual intervention and offers a host of reports that can be tailor-made to show specific information we need,” says Martin.

Poised for astronomical growth, Cape Town Film Studios needed an accounting package that could grow and adapt as the company grows. “The financial accounting of a motion picture is extremely detailed, complex and vital, which necessitates the need for sound accounting practices that will increase the success of Cape Town Film Studios. Sage ERP Accpac 100 is specifically designed for the growing company. It is a scalable solution that provides the financial management power that Cape Town Film Studios will need at an affordable price. The Sage ERP Accpac 100 solution is built on web-based, multi-tiered technology that will allow an effortless increase in functionality and the capability of the software as the business grows,” concludes Keith Fenner, the Vice President of Sales at Softline Accpac.

AccTech Western Cape

AccTech Western Cape has a proud history of success - its founder and CEO Henri Hattingh opened his first Accpac business, Applico, in Pretoria in 1986, and has since defined the standard for service excellence for Accpac consultants. Applico became best performing Accpac business partner for Transvaal in 1991 and southern Africa in 1993. The business was later bought by QDate and from this evolved AccTech Systems.

Since becoming a business consultant, Henri applied his Accpac and industrial engineering expertise to develop business turnaround skills, utilising Accpac and Sharepoint as the main ingredient for measuring company performance. In 1997 Henri was awarded the Business Person of the Year trophy from the Knysna Plettenberg Chamber of Business for turning around an ailing manufacturer to world-class performer. In 2007, the Cape Town-based manufacturing marketing company, Tradewinds Parasol, co-owned and managed by Henri, was chosen as finalist in the Western Cape Chamber of Business Exporter of the Year competition.

Softline Accpac

Softline Accpac is a provider of business management solutions, including financial, distribution, service management, retail, warehouse management, manufacturing and CRM to the mid-range market. Accpac solutions are delivered to 130 countries exclusively through a global network of solution providers, including over 150 throughout Africa. Softline Accpac's product line includes: Accpac ERP, Accpac CRM, Accpac RMS, Service Manager and Accpac Insight. Softline Accpac also distributes Sage SalesLogix, Sage Geode and Sage ERP X3, a full-service enterprise management software system for mid-to-large businesses. With a choice of languages, currencies, enterprises, locations and legislations, Sage ERP X3 offers an efficient, multi-company solution.

Softline

Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions to small, medium and large sized companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997. Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in South Africa and Australia. Focused on the development of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions, Softline has a 20-year track record as a market leader. The group has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline's leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP. The combination of the group's product offerings provide Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions. In November 2003, Softline was acquired by the Sage Group plc, a FTSE 100 company. The software group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large sized business community. Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.

The Sage Group

The Sage Group is a leading global supplier of business management software and related products and services, principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989. Sage has 6.3 million customers and 13 400 employees worldwide. We operate in over 24 countries covering the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, India and China. For further information, please visit http://www.sage.com.

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