Anyone know about Cloud-Based Practice Management Software?

Anyone know about Cloud-Based Practice...

Didn't find your answer?

Hello everyone,

It seems to me that there isn't any good cloud-based practice management software out there, at all!

I use a mac for various reasons and don't want to run windows on it (seems a backward step), nor use a hosted desktop (too expensive, may as well buy a PC).

I run a small firm (about 30 clients) but we're growing quickly and I need something browser-based to help me manage our clients, deadlines, customer relationships etc.

Is it just me or is there a huge gap in the market??!

Any ideas/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Replies (8)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

John Stokdyk, AccountingWEB head of insight
By John Stokdyk
11th Mar 2014 11:23

Been investigating this area...

I agree with you - I looked into this area in the autumn and found there is a big gap and I've been waiting to see if any of the established (desktop) providers are willing to target it before plucky start-ups beat them to it.

PracticeNet is a well established developer. Its Rapport document management system is accompanied by a number of practice-focused tools including time & fees, payroll, accounts production etc. I think their approach is based on hosted software rather than "pure" cloud and my impression is they cater for medium and larger firms - - but things may have changed since I last looked. Well worth checking yourself.

Adrian Pearson's founded Ledgerscope to develop this market, but for the moment he has found a more lucrative market specialising in migrating client data to cloud bookkeeping applications such as Xero (which has a Workflow add-on called Workflow Max that covers a lot of practice management territory). But if anyone knows what's around, he will - if you search AccountingWEB you can find him here, or contact him via the company's website.

In the meantime, don't discount the big boys. Both IRIS and Sage have committed to developing cloud-based practice tools. They're working hard on tax and accounts production - which are more prevalent within the profession - but I would expect to see something coming from them within the next year or so to handle basic practice management tasks.

But the one that has caught my eye recently is a system called Capium, which appears to promise a full set of tax and practice tools "tailored specifically for accounting practices with the benefit of unlimited user and client licenses". It sounds just what you might want - though pricing isn't clear from its website.

There's an entire discussion devoted to this topic dating back to 2012 in our Cloud discussion group too. You should find some interesting leads and ideas there.

Also check our "tag page" for practice software for more articles and debates on the subject.

Thanks (2)
Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
11th Mar 2014 11:55

Workflow Max

Hi 

I have started using workflow max and I have to say I really like it as it works the way I think . It is the first package I really do like for this as I am not the most organised person in the world.   It has already improved work productivity greatly. 

I am still fairly new using it.  So there is much more it can do then I have learnt yet.   

You do not need to use Xero to use this.  I notice recent marketing linking the two as XERO have taken it over.   Don,t get me wrong if you use Xero then it works even better.   

I have been trying for a long time time to find something for me. 

 My clients love Dropbox .  What I love about Workflow max is it works with my dropbox perfectly and everything is linked and it works really well with my ICAL and Iphone.  It puts my job documents into my dropbox as well and I can link my emails to each client.  

All my staff have mobiles so they all just enter their time in on the mobile on the move and put any notes and documents they want to upload on the move or new jobs requested from the client.  It works for us.

There is 25g a month storage space. 

It also links with other storage providers very well like 365 Suite , Box and Google Drive 

 

Thanks (1)
Replying to tom123:
Tamsin Mustafa
By Tasnim Mustafa
11th Mar 2014 14:39

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for your comment. I've had a look at workflowmax but it seems to do lots of things I don't need it to (e.g. time based billing, invoicing etc) and not what I need it to do (e.g. deadline reminders, client management reminder emails etc). I'll sign up for the free trial to find out more...

Thanks! 

Thanks (0)
avatar
By exceljockey
11th Mar 2014 15:13

I used Basecamp (https://basecamp.com/) for while. Its a project management tool and I set each clients yearly financial cycle as a "project" - and it has all the features you need - reminders, document storage, inviting clients to join, allocating staff etc etc. I highly recommend it.

I only reluctantly left it as Xero gave me free WFM when I became a silver partner. Considered staying on it but couldn't justify the monthly fee when I had WFM for free.

p.s their books (Rework and Remote) are two of the best business books I have read.

 

Thanks (1)
Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
11th Mar 2014 15:22

The free trial is worth it

Hi 

I set up all my clients details and deadlines as Jobs.  Everytime  I go to my diary or look at my diary the reminder comes up and stops once job is complete .   I use my Iphone quite a lot and I was getting practiced at pushing reminder emails to one side,  

It may have been my imagination but there seemed to be more available when I signed up but that might of been because I was just learning.

As I say I am only new to it and learning.   There are seminars and the web chat and support seem good and in your free trial I sure there may be some answers to some of your questions .

They seem to have good videos for everything. 

 

Thanks (1)
By Howard Marks
11th Mar 2014 15:52

Capium

First i've heard of them - the site looks solid enough but it really annoys me when no prices are displayed.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By 2shpatel
11th Mar 2014 19:34

Capium

Hi Platform,

Many thanks for the feedback. By way of background I am one of the directors at Capium. We are set to launch as of next month (April), with our intention of offering the whole suite (including practice management) to our target audience. We have been working over the last few months to ensure that we have listened to as many as poss from our client base, ensuring that we provide a desirable package via feedback.

Regarding pricing - our primary aim is to work with each of you to ensure you get the best price. I'm happy to discuss our pricing strategy further if you wish to get in contact. On the whole we will be looking to determine it on size of the practice (no of clients based, not staff based) thereby dictating your approx usage. 

Feel free to get in touch for more information and a free trial of the product.

Tasnim675 - As discussed earlier, we will keep you posted this month to ensure you have a trial of Capium. I'm confident it covers the issues that you have raised in this post when we launch. 

Thanks all.

 

Thanks (1)
avatar
By Jai
20th Jun 2014 13:07

PracticePA - Online practice management softwar for accountants.
Practice PA is online practice management software which helps to manage your critical dates and deadlines, jobs and client information. It is exclusively for professional accountants in the UK. It is offered as completely hosted solution, so you don’t need to worry about installation. No payment details required for free 30-day trial!!!  Detailed job tracking Automatic alerts [Deadlines warning system]Service Monitoring [Track services and products offered to clients]Auto due-date calculation [Saves your time to calculate due dates]Manage contacts [Manage client related contacts]Employee management [Details can be stored and maintained]No Software [Hosted on cloud, automatic software updates]Safe & Secure [Hosted in highly secure UK-based Data Centers, 24x7 monitoring, automatic regular backups to keep date safe and secured For any queries, reach us at [email protected]   |   www.practicepa.com

Thanks (0)