BACS / DD Software

Hi all. 

I'm installing a new accounting system.  The new system will produce BACS payment files for multiple supplier payments, for uploading direct into the banks software.  I also need to be able to collect cash via direct debit in a small(ish) number of cases.

Current bank is Nat West.  Apparently my only options for BACS payments are "Bankline", into which each payment needs to be entered manually and discretely (as in one by one, not surrepticiously...), or "Payaway IP" which costs £1000 upfront for license & installation and £350 a year maintenance. 

I am a little surprised that I'm paying extra to do somethign which I would have thought reduces the bank's administrative burden (along with their fees admittedly), as well as my own.  Additionally, my ERP system consultants have not heard of users paying extra for the ability to upload the files that the system provides into BACS.

Questions are therefore: 1) Does this sound correct?; 2) Is the price for Payaway IP reasonable?; and 3) Can I use Payaway IP for direct debit collections in the same way?

Thanks, as ever, for your considered responses.