Softline Accpac, Synergy Accounting to step up processes at Clearline

Issued by Watt Communications: for Synergy Accounting
Johannesburg, 28 May 2009

Clearline, a local manufacturer of lightning and surge protection devices, is set to upgrade to Accpac ERP 500 5.5, by Softline Accpac, with the expertise of Accpac business partner Synergy Accounting (a division of Synergy Group).

Eaghan Lai-Thom (Financial Manager, Clearline) explains that Clearline products are distributed across South Africa and through agents in Africa, Spain, the UK, Denmark and Canada. The head office is situated in Midrand, where all development and manufacturing takes place. “Our strength lies in our capability to develop products to customers' requirements quickly, and the message that permeates through the company from the management team down to the shop floor is 'customers first'. We are confident that Accpac ERP 5.5 will provide us with the freedom of choice, ease of integration, high performance, and reliability we need to increase profitability and sharpen our competitive-edge.”

Accpac ERP 5.5 is part of Softline Accpac's Extended Enterprise Suite and includes integrated CRM and BI. Ashley Regenass (Managing Director, Synergy Accounting (a division of Synergy Group) explains that the suite combines the benefits of ERP and CRM to support integrated front- and back-office business processes and workflow. “This, together with the embedded BI, will improve Clearline's decision-making abilities by providing insight into what is happening within the business, enhancing collaboration between departments, and facilitating improved customer relationships by providing employees with a complete and consistent view of the customer.”

Clearline will also benefit from an upgrade to MISys Manufacturing 5.5 for Accpac ERP, which, Regenass says, is designed and widely accepted as a sensible alternative to cumbersome and expensive manufacturing management systems. Clearline has been using the basic functionality of this system but determined that the time had come to incorporate additional MISys modules, including serial/lot tracking, bin tracking, manufacturing orders, master production scheduling, material requirements planning, shop-floor control, capacity planning, and more.

Keith Fenner (Sales Director, Softline Accpac) says Accpac ERP is an advanced application built on a multi-tiered, object-oriented architecture. ”Accpac ERP lets you choose the solutions and configurations that work best for you - the applications, the database, the deployment options and languages, the network environment or operating system, and the add-on software developed by Accpac or one of our network of independent industry experts. The functionality in Accpac ERP 5.5 will undoubtedly help Clearline operate more efficiently and allow the company to focus on growing its business the right way.”

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 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 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 Enterprise, 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 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 plc 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 5.8 million customers and more than 14 500 employees worldwide. We operate in over 26 countries covering the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, India and China. For further information please visit http://www.sage.com.

Synergy Group

From its humble beginnings in 1993, Synergy Group has grown from strength to strength and has become one of Africa's leading ACCPAC Business Partners. This growth can be attributed to dedicated service, quality customer care and a strong “we deliver” ethos.

Within the Synergy Group are five individual operating divisions: Synergy Accounting, Synergy Networking, Synergy Development, Synergy Business Intelligence and Synergy Staff Development. Each division provides a specific service that is, ultimately, beneficial and adds value to your business.

Our fundamental philosophy is to tailor Information System Solutions to increase the “competitive edge” that our clients have over the rest of their industry. Although this can be achieved by increasing the productivity and, ultimately, the profitability of our clients - this is not always enough! For this reason we have thoroughly investigated all the newest technologies and products available to assist our clients by offering services not available from our competitors.

We are committed to assisting our clients in the development of their accounting systems into business tools that assist with the competitive edge. To achieve this we develop an understanding of our clients' critical information needs and work flows, identify the areas that would benefit from any business-process improvements and utilise a number of powerful and flexible development tools to fine tune the recommended accounting system, not only to address our clients' management information needs, but also to directly assist them in increasing their competitive position and profitability.

Coupling our status as a Microsoft Gold Certified Business Partner with our in-house development resources allows us to offer our clients customised solutions as well as assistance with the integration and operation of their accounting system with Microsoft products and Microsoft network platforms such as Windows XP, Windows 2000/ 2003 and Terminal Server.

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