Accounts Software

end of !

http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/does-vt-do-everything

This thread says it all!

I have to say that I can echo the thoughts of the other posters on here.  I have recently started the free 60 day trial of VT and within 3 days of finding my way round it I had made my mind up to buy the full licence.  So much easier to use than others and fantastic value, especially if the number of clients you expecting to have is steadily increasing.  £200 for unlimited number of clients.  Marvellous.

Bye bye Keytime.

VT what more can I say.

as others have said. You can download a fully functioning trial.

We (Eureka Software) do offer Accounts Production Software for year end accounts for various types of entity. Whichever you choose always check support is up to scratch.

We use Digita, and are very happy with it.

And we moved there from Sage Accounts Production 20 months ago.

VT better than sliced bread

So much choice - why not request demo's or downloads demo versions of a few and compare them? Best way to try these things....

Dan

www.Hostedaccountants.co.uk

For me I don't like VT having been 'brought up' on Iris.  I love VT Transaction + but I just can't work with Accounts Production.  I find it slow and awkward.

For this reason since being in practice I have used PTP and now Digita.

I recently reviewed a few when Digita were having some efficiency issues with iXBRL and Sage was considerably more expensive.  I was quoted in the region of £7k when I currently pay around £2k.

There are many out there but I would suggest looking at:-

VT

PTP

Digita

Iris

Can you get a free trial of the more expensive software such as Iris? I thought they just offered a demo!

Another one for VT - I should have listened to AWeb and swapped sooner....

digita will give you a test drive - I had the software for a month before being asked what I thought of it. (on the whole quite good I would say - but overall iris is probably better)

I believe this is the best accounts production software on the market today.

I would also say Iris/PTP is pretty good.

ShirleyM,

Very good point. I used to work at Digita and it was always a balance between sending out lots of discs and people actually trying the software.

I think things are changing and most providers will let you try software but I appreciate some may want to show you it first. With something more in-depth like IRIS or DIGITA it does make sense to have a "walkthrough" first.

Digita for example will be happy to let you try it - we are able to let you play with it on a demo server for example as we host firms using DIGITA in the "cloud".

CAVEAT - I don't recommend, supply, or get paid by any software vendors - we merely host these systems remotely so that accountants can use these products from anywhere, securely.

Thanks

Dan

The more expensive software does create a dilemma for new purchasers, as it can be complex to install, and therefore a trial period is not easy to achieve. This is where cloud computing could be so helpful, in that potential buyers could be linked up to a test system in the cloud and allowed to 'play' to their hearts content until they were satisfied that it suits their purpose and that it meets the promises made regarding reliability, etc..

I have used CCH, and Sage, integrated systems in the past, both of which looked excellent in the demos, but the reality was very different. On the other hand, most of the cheaper end of the software which is suitable for sole practitioners give a free trial. This, to me, shows they have full confidence in their software and are willing to let you see it in actual use, and in it's entirety, warts and all!

So this seems a bit backwards to me, where the lower cost software can be bought with full confidence, but the more expensive software is bought mostly on trust. Given the dirty dealings of some sales people, buying accounting software on trust needs a very large leap of faith. A bad decision has costs far greater than the cost of the software, ie. time lost transferring data, the time & cost of re-training, and the rather distasteful (bordering on dishonest) method some suppliers have of making it extremely difficult for you to get out of a contract once you are in!

Hi

You have covered quite a few points - I will try and be concise...

Yes the more expensive software can be more complicated to install but they do so much more, and as a result can look daunting to a new user. This is why software vendors are keen to show you a demo and all the features.

I agree completely with your second point and we (as a cloud provider) are happy to host test systems for the software vendors (for free)  - we do this for some already. This is better than you installing/licencing/uninstalling on your network just to try it for a couple of hours!

If a provider is not happy to let you have a "play" either via a disc or a hosted system then I completely agree that your purchase is more on trust.

Having said that if you are really unhappy after buying a system it would be rare for a supplier not to refund you. I have seen some really bad exceptions to this, and yes you will nearly always be tied into a 12 month contact or more. Also check the notice period and when this runs to - some are sneakier than others.

Dan

... I believe have a bank of users who are happy to let potential users come and see it working in a real environment, at least they used to!