We have recently purchased Lucion File Centre version 7 (website address www.lucion.com) as a first step towards our move to paperless office solutions. We were particularly attracted to the product as it had integrated scanning + pdf converter plus the various ways the files could be managed, searched and displayed. We are testing the software at the moment and reviewing the various features of the product before implementing into the network. However, we wanted to hear from other users of the product about their experiences on the following points-
- The most useful features as well as the downsides you have experienced and how they have got around the problems.
- How long have you been using and how you have found the product?
- Is the built-in pdf converter better or worse than Adobe Acrobat?
- The way the interface is organised between Cabinets, Files and Folders-have you found this useful?
- This is a US product and does not seem to have UK staff or support centre. Have they found this to be an issue?
Replies (6)
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It is excellent
I found FC to be excellent. We have been using it for about 6 months now. Prior to this we used Practice Net and Logical Office. Both these products just were not for us. Answering your points:
The most useful features as well as the downsides you have experienced and how they have got around the problems. Ease of use, files still in your explorer. No learning curve to speak off. No problems at all. How long have you been using and how you have found the product? 6 months. Some great person mentioned it on AWIs the built-in pdf converter better or worse than Adobe Acrobat? Better, to sort pages and delete pages. The way the interface is organised between Cabinets, Files and Folders-have you found this useful?This for us is a huge plus. It is so easy to save and find files. Far better than explorer view. This is a US product and does not seem to have UK staff or support centre. Have they found this to be an issue? - Not an issue. Queries we raised have been responded to within 24 hours.
To us the only downside appears to be that it seems to be a small company and they appear to be incrementing the versions too frequently. In the 6 months there has only been one update. This was free. This is not a downside.
We have gone for the top version. I wish we had found this earlier. It is far better than other more expensive systems we have used. On value for money, ease of use and usefulness I give it maximum stars.
I've been using it for about 3 months
I would pretty much echo the first post. Contact with Lucion has been without issue and the update was indeed free as Fasttab said.
I love the file structure and the ability to set up a template 'drawer' which I can replicate at the press of a button for new clients is great.
My scanner intergrates with File center really easily.
I like the pdf editor as I can send draft accounts to clients with little arrows and comments scribbled over the accounts to enable them to follow the numbers. If this saves a few client visits then the software is paid for.
The ability to save emails and attachments to the client drawer (rather than in Outlook) is great. I do seem to struggle to get Outlook to recognise the previous path for that client (which it should do after the first contact) but this may be me!
Downsides ... there are a few glitches. The system can get confused when trying to change a file name. It sometimes does funny things to file names when saving ... I often end up with ...accounts31.03.11.10!
All in all ... very good product for the money.
Alternative
Tech hit (google it) do two products message save and quick jump that offer simililar functionality. $120 less than the Lucion Pro product.
Just offering a cheaper alternative. I downloaded a lucion trial and it looked good so I'm not knocking it.
@ quick tab
I note that you used practice net and logical office before. We use practice net. Have you found anything better at generating standard letters, managing your client database and keeping a track off jobs/deadlines?
Actually practice net is very good at standard letters and the client database is good but sometimes not very intuative. It's mainly job tracking/workflow that I would like to improve on.
thacca
@the acca I am waiting for the release of Tax Calc Hub. This will integrate, standard letters, client database and workflow.
At the moment this is what I do:
Standard letters - I have word templates saved file centre.
Managing client database - I use google contacts. This is good.
keeping a track off jobs/deadlines? I use toodledo -this is excellent.
Thanks