Sage Accpac Project Job Cost for Construction & Engineering

CareWare Systems Takes Lead in Job Costing Solutions for Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing in Malaysia
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Sage reseller in Malaysia prepares for 20th implementation of Sage Accpac ERP’s project and job costing solution for global engineering firm KTA Tenaga.


Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (PRWEB) August 4, 2010

CareWare Systems Sdn Bhd (http://www.careware.com.my/), a Sage business software reseller based in Malaysia, is preparing to implement its 20th Sage Accpac ERP project and job costing solution for KTA Tenaga, a global engineering firm with offices in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi. The latest sale of Sage Accpac makes CareWare one of the largest resellers of project and job costing solutions in all of Asia.

The number of Malaysian firms competing for construction and engineering projects across Asia has increased in recent years. According to Robert Tan, managing partner of CareWare Systems, one of the best ways Malaysian companies can gain a true competitive edge is by implementing world-class ERP software (enterprise resource planning) with integrated project and job costing functionality. “An uncertain economy and greater global competition has many engineering and construction firms looking for the most accurate and timely business information possible,” says Tan. “An ERP package with a fully integrated project and job costing module provides the insight many firms need to control costs, manage subcontractors and create competitive bid proposals for future work,” says Tan.

KTA Tenaga wanted customizable ERP software that could also seamlessly manage its future international growth and internal reporting needs, which is why the firm selected Sage Accpac from among several other well-known ERP applications. “The strength of Sage Accpac is in its ability to integrate data from across the organization so that decision-makers have the information they need real-time,” says Tan. “Sage Accpac synchronizes and shares data across all departments and parties such as procurement, accounts payable, invoicing, operations, and management.”

One of the reasons why CareWare has developed a leadership position in selling ERP for construction and engineering firms is the deep industry expertise of its consultants and add-on applications it has developed to help its customers gain additional operational efficiency. “What separates us from many software resellers is the completeness of our project and job costing software solution,” Tan notes. “We developed additional functionality to AP in order to help our customers manage subcontractors. We also built a more robust offering around intercompany and project purchasing consolidation as well as business intelligence and CRM integration.”

CareWare has experienced a double digit increase in sales compared to this time last year. According to Tan, not only has growth come from project and job costing consulting but also from manufacturing and business intelligence deployments. “We’re looking at the possibility of having to hire additional consultants to help with the growth,” Tan says. “With the world economic recovery looking brighter, many Malaysian companies are looking to Sage Accpac and CareWare for the competitive edge they need. We are pleased to be part of the formula for long-term success of so many growing companies.”

About CareWare Systems

Through its partnership with Sage, CareWare Systems helps small and mid-size companies in Malaysia reach productivity levels at the top of their respective industries. CareWare represents a variety of business management software including Sage Accpac ERP, SageCRM, and MISys Manufacturing Software. For companies interested in growth, profitability and superior software support, CareWare is the Sage business partner for you. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.careware.com.my/.

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/08/prweb4345434.htm
 

The Father’s Day Balance Sheet

I had wanted just to post the link to this article but then I decided to put it full on my blog just in case post was archive and remove. It is worth keeping it permanently. Please read it for all its worth…. God Bless!
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The meaning of Father’s Day has changed for me over the years. My father has been gone a couple of years now, and my kids are almost out of the house. I’ve been a father for 28 years, an entrepreneur for 32. As with any demanding job, balancing the responsibilities of parenthood with the responsibilities of the business has been a challenge. My perspective has changed, and I write today’s post for the benefit (I hope) of younger parents, fathers and mothers, who are dealing with this struggle.

People used to tell me, “There is no old man lying in his death bed wishing he would have spent more time at work.” When I used to hear that, I understood and felt confident that I wasn’t one of those guys who were out of whack. I didn’t travel too much, I was usually home before the kids went to bed, and we took some vacations. The words I would use to describe my 32 years in business include drive, excitement, disappointment, resolve, adventure, fear, satisfaction and progress. I have a new word to add to my list: regret.

I avoid using it in business because I have learned that while torturing yourself can be useful in learning a lesson, it can also be a waste of time and bad for the psyche. I have made hundreds of mistakes over the years and would like to think I have learned from them. I have learned not to look down and not to look back. That is why I love business. You usually have an opportunity to improve things and make them better, using your new-found wisdom from your latest mistake. The end of each year is an opportunity to start with a clean slate.

But your kids’ childhoods don’t work like that. Whether it is that gut-wrenching day when you drop them off at college, if you should be so lucky, or the day they move out, there is an end to their childhoods. There is no going back. And there is plenty of opportunity for regret.

While you are at battle every day to build the business, or even just to stay in business, it is easy to justify skipping the vacation, coming home late, or working on the weekend. The harsh reality is that it is sometimes necessary. And sometimes it is not. That is where the regret comes in. I was home, but was I really there? Or was I thinking about the bank loan? Or the problem employee? Or the end of my lease? And then there is the pushing for fast growth. Instead of enjoying a few years of sanity when you finally get things under control, you seize the opportunity to expand and get in more trouble! It is hard to control ambition, but like many things in life you can have too much of a good thing.

I went to dinner years ago with a neighbor who had taken over his family’s business. He casually commented, “I’m sure you have your kids’ college educations taken care of.” I said no, not a dime. It was all in the business. I was not surprised that he had money put away. He was running a very successful business that, to his credit, had grown considerably after he took it over from his father. What surprised me was that it apparently had never occurred to him that not everyone in business was in the same financial position he was. He took more vacations than we did, played golf regularly and belonged to a country club. He didn’t work weekends. I don’t think he lost a lot of sleep over paying bills. It didn’t really bother me; I just knew that I was in a different situation.

Which gets me to my Father’s Day (and belated Mother’s Day) wish for all of you who are raising a family while trying to raise a business. Add one more thing to your list of goals, along with more sales, increased profit, improved products or service, lower debt and whatever else. Call it an investment in your kids’ childhood equity: time spent going to the zoo, taking vacations, helping with homework, playing catch, baking cupcakes, doing whatever your kids want to do. And doing them even when you are tired, frustrated, distracted and broke.

They really will be on their own before you know it, and you will be running (we hope) a successful business. Here is the million-dollar question: Would it be better to be worth 20 percent less and know that you went out of your way to spend as much time as you could with your family? At the end of each year we look at the income statement to evaluate our company’s performance. Maybe we should do the same for our personal life. We could call it the outcome statement. It might give a whole new meaning to the term “balance sheet.”

Happy Father’s Day.

By : Jay Goltz
http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/the-fathers-day-balance-sheet/

SageCRM 7 officially Launch in Malaysia

CareWare Systems and Sage Are Set to Transform the Business Software Experience for Malaysian Companies with June 2010 Launch of SageCRM

CareWare Systems Sdn Bhd to offer comprehensive software demonstration webpage showing Malaysian companies how SageCRM 7.0 will streamline business processes and improve productivity.

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (PRWEB) June 13, 2010 -- CareWare Systems Sdn Bhd is taking an active role in the June upgrade launch of SageCRM 7.0, which is customer relationship management software from Sage for small and mid-size companies. CareWare Systems, a Sage business partner in Malaysia for the last 20 years, has developed a comprehensive webpage it believes will demonstrate how SageCRM will help Malaysian companies of all sizes operate more efficiently and with greater visibility across the entire business.

According to Robert Tan, managing partner of CareWare Systems, SageCRM has the potential of transforming the way a company runs the front and back office. “SageCRM 7.0 used as a stand-alone CRM system offers many ways to automate sales, marketing and customer service functions,” explains Tan. “Combining SageCRM with Sage Accpac ERP, Sage’s flagship ERP software, takes that productivity gain to a much higher level through system-wide integration between the two applications.”

SageCRM features out-of-the-box integration with Sage Accpac, which means that a company running Accpac has to do no actual work beyond a simple set up of SageCRM to begin enjoying the benefits of integration. Tan says: “Much of the work a Malaysian company does in accounting ERP systems can be done in SageCRM. Businesses can utilize SageCRM’s easy-to-use online interface to create quotes, place orders, view and order inventory, send invoices, handle cash collections and much more. Plus, having it all online means employees can work from virtually anywhere while easily accomplishing key business tasks,” he adds.

According to Tan, CareWare Systems prides itself on offering cutting edge technology to give companies in Malaysia an advantage over the competition. One way he plans to demonstrate the extent to which SageCRM will save Malaysian businesses time and money is to invite them to a webpage created especially for the CRM launch. “We want Malaysian business customers to get the complete SageCRM experience, which is why we have links to online software demonstrations,” Tan says. “To stay competitive in today’s market, businesses have to work smarter, anticipate customer needs better and eliminate process redundancy. SageCRM with integration to Sage Accpac does just that,” he adds.

For more information on how SageCRM and CareWare Systems can turn your business into a productivity leader, visit :http://www.careware.com.my/index.php?mid=1740  to watch a CRM software demo today.

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CareWare Systems and Sage Are Set to Transform the Business Software Experience for Malaysian Companies with June Launch of SageCRM , was successfully distributed via PRWeb on June 13, 2010 and is now available online at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/06/prweb4128604.htm

SAGE Accpac CRM for Insurance

SageCRM is part of the Sage Accpac Extended Enterprise Suites give you a 360 degree views of your business.

Whether your business is in the Service, Financial or Insurance industry, CAREWARE has the solution for you with the award winning selection of Accpac ERP modules in conjunction with our Customer Relationship Management product – SAGE CRM.

SAGE Accpac CRM for Insurance

SAGE Accpac CRMfor the Insurance Industry allows you to Consolidate claims management, policy management and application management with OCR and document management capabilities. This in turn allows your employees, agents and CSRs (customer service representatives) with a holistic view of your customer’s

portfolio. This level of information at your fingertips will result in better service, up sell and cross sell opportunities as well as targeted marketing campaigns and activities through key attribute profiling.

SAGE Accpac CRM for Insurance provides the following key benefits

• Complete suite of modules that enables insurance companies to manage and integrate all customer communications embracing all channels of communication through one view. This increases productivity and efficiency throughout the sales force.

• SAGE Accpac CRM embraces all sale channels including brokers, agents, call centres as well as direct employees.

• Manage Claims with integration to external claims/billing systems.

• Quote Management and Policy Management tracking with automated workflows.

• Claims Management with integration to web self service.

• Complete document management and OCR capabilities for storing

all documents such as insurance certificates, ID certificates etc.

• Risk assessment is improved through managing and storing all information and having access to live data from all business unit Self service allows a web based integration platform to manage relationships with insurance brokers, agents as well as customers.

• Customer service costs should reduce as self service is introduced to reduce call burden.

• By integrating with billing systems, this assists with automating the billing process and matching payments.

Service Manager 5.6A Released Today!

Technisoft is proud to announce the release today of Service Manager 5.6A for Sage Accpac ERP 100/200/500 5.6

Service Manager 5.6A

Service Manager 5.6A is a full major upgrade release with significant internal changes to accommodate the new features of Sage Accpac 5.6A. Service Manager 5.6A is fully compliant with all core Sage Accpac ERP 5.6A modules.

Enhancements and new features include:

• Fully accommodated the new Serialized Inventory and Lot Tracking features of IC 5.6A including the new SN and LT costing methods.

• A new usage Agreement Type has been added allowing a ($) Dollar Financial performance usage tracking function including automatic re billing when a "Threshold" level as specified is reached.

• New Budget Editor displays Budget consolidated by Phase. Compare Original Budget, Current Budget, Actual and Variance. Includes Mark-up on Cost by % options.

• New Equipment Task Listing Report

• All views have been upgraded to the 5.6A Template so they adopt current Sage Accpac ERP performance and enhancements, improved memory management, and new single stream Data Activation methods.

• Significant performance enhancements in the Multi Post and Posting Schedules programs.

• It is now possible to add multiple Internal Equipment to a job at once without the necessity of using Transfer function

• Auto Create Equipment has been significantly enhanced to minimize user intervention.

• Equipment may now be marked as Site or Internal.

• Internal Equipment and Subcontractor resources may now be assigned and managed as Job resources.

• Merged the Service Manager Day End Processing into the IC Day End Processing so the same Sequence is used.

• Comments can now be entered for each Task Activity in Document Entry.

• Added the ability to bulk update Job information after posting of Maintenance Worksheets.

• Added the test results to Maintenance Loading to show the values tested and their results.

• Meter readings are now present in the Maintenance Loading transactions.

• Enhancements to Meter Warning settings and predicted Reading options.

As many of you are aware a completely new Job Manager Scheduling and Planning tool is in development.

For more information please visit : http://www.careware.com.my/index.php?mid=1769
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Received in my mail today

Sage Accpac ERP for Engineering and Project Consulting companies

 Engineering Services and Project Consulting companies can keep their projects ‘on track’ with Sage Accpac ERP

What business challenges made it necessary for the project engineering vertical to adopt Sage Accpac ERP solution?

Our customers faced typical challenges related project and material management. For every project that is won, post analysis and requirement scoping, a detailed design and component selection is undertaken. A Bill of materials is then created which goes to the purchase department wherein it has to be logged in against the specific project. In such a complex scenario there is a major challenge in material management, tracking and planning. Also since there are various costs to be incorporated into the project billing, such as material cost, time cost of man-hours spent by personnel from multiple departments, you require a system that could ensure accurate time and materials costing. The billing process is also quite complex as invoices need to be raised at any phase of the project. To summarize accurate project cost visibility across all phases is a major challenge

Apart from needing a project job costing solution, there is also a requirement for robust accounting software tightly integrated with the project job costing module to ensure accurate financial visibility.

What are the modules of Sage Accpac ERP used in this vertical?

Purchase Order, Inventory Control, Project and Job Costing, General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Optional Fields are the modules which the Sage Accpac ERP system for this vertical.

How has the process improved and what are the benefits accrued with the implementation of Sage Accpac ERP?

• Project Engineering companies require strong material management. The Project Job Costing module of Sage Accpac ERP enables companies to do efficient material management, keep inventory costs under control and streamline material procurement process. The benefit- timely delivery to customers

• Sage Accpac ERP with its project cost tracking capabilities ensures accurate tracking of various cost elements relating to people, material and travel. Since it automatically tracks the project cost throughout its life cycle, it allows the managers to keep track of project profitability at all times.

• Tight integration of the Project and Job Costing system with finance and purchase functions benefit to evade duplication of entries and ensures accuracy of data. Also the automated billing features in the job cost accounting software streamlines customer invoicing this makes certain there are no leakages in the billing and it takes place on time.

SAGE CRM for Financial

SageCRM is part of the Sage Accpac Extended Enterprise Suites give you a 360 degree views of your business.

Whether your business is in the Service, Financial or Insurance industry, CAREWARE has the solution for you with the award winning selection of Accpac ERP modules in conjunction with our Customer Relationship Management product – SAGE CRM.

SAGE CRM for Financial

SAGE Accpac ERP provides a complete solution for sales, marketing, and customer service. The markets that SAGE Accpac serve include banking, institutional finance, wealth management, capital and brokerage. As commission revenues reduce, financial institutions are faced with huge demands to better manage customers’ portfolios to deliver a service that warrants solid return.

SAGE Accpac’s suite of solutions include the following core

Deliver proactive targeted marketing on wealth management and tailored plans and proactive.

• Focus on improving customer care through workflowed and SLA managed tasks.

• Remove islands of information caused by disparate systems.

• Deliver a holistic view to solve specific issues – company wide.

• Integrate to Sage Accpac operational system of your customer.

• Allow cross selling and up selling and better co-ordination of products and resources.

• Deliver better service and improved productivity.

• The integrated modules look to assist organisations to attain and retain customers as well as extend services into existing customer relationships for increased profitability and improved productivity. Naturally, by retaining all interactions, it is possible to analyse data for cross selling and up selling capabilities.