Softline Accpac, Tactec to fuel up processes at ComutaNet

Issued by Watt Communications & G Watt Design for Sage Enterprise
Johannesburg, 06 Apr 2009

Softline Accpac and Western Cape business partner Tactec Business Solutions will implement Accpac CRM and Accpac ERP with Service Manager at leading commuter media solutions provider ComutaNet.

David Bryant, MD of Tactec Business Solutions, says Softline Accpac's solutions comprise an integrated sales and processing system for the diverse product range that ComutaNet has, using Accpac CRM for the sales and contractual requirements, and ERP with Service Manager for the processing and accounting requirements. The ability to display and report on the customer through CRM is vital to the company.

With over 20 years' experience, ComutaNet has the exclusive rights to the top commuter hubs nationally, is the only national bus advertising company in South Africa, and has an exclusive deal with government and Metro Rail. Various businesses within the company provide advertisers with a 360-degree advertising solution through options, which include interior and exterior bus and taxi advertising and promotions, as well as television and radio advertising.

Explains Kevin Kirby GM: Marketing and Strategy, ComutaNet: “The business units have been operating off different software systems and this has led to the formation of disparate silos of information and, consequently, process inefficiencies. This also impacted negatively on the reliability of reported results, as well as the speed of information delivery. We recognised the need for a single process system, which would enable reliable, streamlined information flows between our back office accounting system and our sales and operations processes, as well as improved customer service. We are confident that the Accpac solutions will give us the necessary insight into the business by meeting our integration and workflow requirements.”

Keith Fenner, Vice-President: Strategic Sales, Softline Accpac, says evaluating, choosing, acquiring, implementing and supporting an ERP system has become vital to the success of midsize to large companies.

“The process is complex and requires a comprehensive layered level of support, which we are here able to offer with the expertise of Tactec Business Solutions. Integrating sales, contract processing and reporting activities at ComutaNet, will reduce - or, in fact, eliminate - duplication, make processes more efficient, and provide a single source of information for reporting and management purposes.”

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 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 Enterprise, 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 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.

Tactec Business Solutions

Since inception, Tactec has recognised and acknowledged that a winning business model and strategy requires a highly trusted organisation, and that the two are mutually reinforcing. The company is staffed and managed by key professionals in their respective field, offering a fine blend of youthful IT intellect and experienced business knowledge. Each of these individuals has the same driving ambition to maintain a flexible business, which is easy to work with and whose personnel are empowered to operate independently within their own areas of expertise. Being committed to empowerment in accordance with national government strategy, Tactec has established the Tactec Empowerment Trust, where all employees of previously disadvantaged groups have the opportunity to participate in the success of the organisation. The trust currently owns 20.9% of the company's issued share capital and will be extended to acquire the further 5.1% of the shares currently held by a dormant BEE group by the end of the current financial year, thereby securing a 26% BEE component. In an effort to comply with the national government's empowerment strategy and the ICT Charter, which Tactec wholeheartedly supports, Tactec is spearheading an aggressive campaign to employ and empower members of the previously disadvantaged groups, particularly black women. This campaign encompasses the employment and skills transfer from members of the organisation that were privileged enough to obtain the education and experience in the previous regime to those who were not. Tactec's focus is customer relationship management, business solutions, process and performance management, training and software development.

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