Old friends

Issued by Watt Communications: for Sage Enterprise
Johannesburg, 16 Feb 2010

Dinamark, a specialist wholesaler supplying lawnmower spares, accessories and equipment to dealers that repair and sell outdoor power equipment, has found a winning formula. Since its inception in 1986, the company has grown and expanded, and today supplies an extensive range of fast-moving spares, accessories and equipment for all makes of popular branded lawnmowers and outdoor equipment.

The company's growth is in part the result of its longstanding partnership with Softline Accpac - an effective accounting system allowed Dinamark to focus on its business knowing its stock and accounts were taken care of. Dinamark adopted the DOS version of Accpac 20 years ago, and migrated to the newer versions when they were made available.

“We needed good control of our stock, debtors and creditors,” explains Dinamark manager Babette Visser. “In looking for something that would provide the information we needed at our fingertips, we decided on Accpac as the best solution to control stock and accounts via invoicing.”

As the company's needs have changed, the Accpac system kept pace with them. One of the reasons Dinamark chose Accpac - and a primary reason the company has continued to use the system for two decades - was its user-friendliness and ease of customisation. “We use all the modules, and Accpac's software has allowed us to improve on the thin client version and offer all of the advantages available on the bigger version without necessitating that we purchase the bigger system, which has features we don't need,” says Visser.

“I was very against going onto a computer program 20 years ago - they had to drag me into the 20th century - and then I was so hooked on the DOS version of Accpac that they had to drag me again to the 21st century!” she adds. “I actually bought a magnet the time we had our first Accpac loaded 20 years ago that said: 'Computers were invented to humiliate me'. I will be honest, Windows is still alien to me - but we are slowly becoming friends. And Accpac has made my learning experience much easier.”

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 provides Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions. In November 2003, Softline was acquired by the Sage Group, 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 solutions 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 6.1 million customers and more than 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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