How to Select The Right Accounting Solution for your Business

© Provided by Profax International Ltd
We are grateful for their permission to use this.

STEP ONE - REVIEW YOUR CURRENT SYSTEM

1. Make a list of what is right with your current system - even if it is a manual system.

2. Make a list of all the frustrations you have with your current system.

3. Make a list of all the additional features you would like to see in your new system.

4. Involve all of your staff in this process. They are the ones who use the system the most. What would save them time? What features would they like to have?

5. Take stock of your current hardware - this is information you will need.

6. Review your current network and operating system.

STEP TWO - PRIORITISE THE LISTS

7. What features must you keep?

8. What problems or frustrations must you solve?

9. What features would be nice to have, but if you didn't get them, they would not make or break your accounts process?

Again involve your staff in this process.

STEP THREE - WORK OUT A REALISTIC BUDGET

When working out what you want to spend on your system, remember to allow for:

10. Installation and set-up

11. Staff training

12. Data conversion from your old system (or the time required to enter your records from scratch)

13. Hardware upgrades if needed, new or additional workstations? A server?

14. Networking and network upgrades if needed. How many users do you require, if you will have more than four, consider getting a dedicated server for reliability.

15. Operating system upgrades if required.

16. Back-up hardware / software / media, maybe an uninterrupted power supply (UPS), and a disaster recovery plan.

17. On-going costs of ownership, upgrades to the software, training for new staff.

18. Support / help costs.

19. Any customisation costs, including customised documents, reports, links to other systems, etc.

Go To Parts 4, 5 and 6....