Pressured medium sized enterprises invest in new accounting systems to improve productivity

The pressure on medium sized enterprises to create efficiencies and to manage growth without adding to head count is driving an increase in the sales of accounting software according to IRIS, the largest privately owned business software house in the UK.

Through a combination of acquisition and organic growth the IRIS Accounting and Business Solutions Division (www.iris.co.uk/exchequer) has grown its customer base by 36% in the past 12 months despite the challenging economic climate.

The IRIS reputation for developing industry specific accounting software that returns fast ROI is helping to secure new customers, especially in the Wholesale and Distribution sector. Stuart Dawson, Managing Director commented: “There is huge pressure to improve productivity and to keep costs down and mature software just cannot deliver the efficiencies needed to survive these tough times. Rather than delay investment, we are seeing a move to implement new systems sooner rather than later.”

IRIS’ secure financial footing is seen as a major contributory factor to the growth of the customer base. Stuart continued: “Businesses are increasingly looking at the financial stability of their chosen suppliers before committing. They know that IRIS is in a strong financial position and able to fund the future development of its products and to field a highly talented team to support the business.”

In the past financial year, the Division has acquired two of its resellers, 5 Star and ATW, to strengthen its focus on providing exemplary support and service; a factor highlighted by success in the ‘Customer Kings’ competition to find 2009’s best customer focused companies.

With a secure long-term financial platform, IRIS is investing in the future with a commitment to invest £20m in Research and Development across the group during 2009. This forms part of an ongoing strategy to strive for continual improvements in performance and quality and to deliver major upgrades to existing products as well as new solutions.

IRIS Accounting & Business Solutions’ portfolio includes the accounting systems, Exchequer, Chorus and Accounts Office and the project solutions: SharpOWL and PROJECTminder. Major new order wins for the year ended April 2009 include: Jemma Kidd Make Up, Alex Reid, Future Systems, Stride Treglown, Hackney Council for Voluntary Services and the Wildlife Trust.