Source Code Availability Can Determine Flexibility
For Your Company and Your Business

The Technology Shift for Business Software

In the past, technology has changed the way people around the world work, play, conduct business and communicate with each other. In technology terms, there’s even a difference between customized and modified software via the use of source code. Non-source software enables users to choose among several options. Customizable source code software enables the software to be tailored to the company’s exact requirements.

Source code serves the needs of companies who have procedures in place that they want to retain regardless of the software installed. Some companies consider source code as a way to guarantee that the software changes as their company’s needs change in the future.

Software companies that license their products with source code are allowing customers the rights to view and customize the actual product code. Allowing users to do this enables flexibility for customers to make changes to the product to adapt to the processes or rules to their own way of conducting their business. The person working within this source code must be knowledgeable about the workings of the original product code as well as the unique requirements of the customer before attempting to alter the software program.

Specifically, source code is made up of the numerous lines of instructions that software programmers write to create all software applications. These instructions tell a computer what to do and how to do it. Once the source code is written, it is compiled into a machine-readable program which is installed on your computer as an accounting, word processing or other application.

If software companies choose to release this source code is another matter. Software products can be delivered as compiled code without source code or can provide compiled with source code. Usually the differentiators are how important it is for the user to have the software customized to conform to their procedures and processes versus forcing the company to change procedures to conform to the software.

Most compiled application programs are generic enough that they can be operated without the need for source, such as word processing and spreadsheets.

Accounting or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programs normally involve the entire company’s business practices and are more likely to require modifications through source code changes. Without source code, the typical options are limited to reports and screen changes.

The differences between compiled and source code-available offerings should be carefully examined and understood by a company before they ultimately decide which option best suits the needs of their particular business.

Responds Rapidly to Changing Business Needs

To support the benefits of harmoniously integrating technology and internal business systems, accounting system manufacturers have developed software that unifies performance and productivity right out-of-the-box. This is the compiled option. Added flexibility comes as a result of manufacturers making their source code available. As processes, people, systems and strategies change, this customizable source code option can provide the resource for companies to rapidly adapt and evolve depending on changing business and technology needs.

Examples of instances where source code modifiability has been crucial to seamlessly meeting customer requirements are:

• Created work orders that assign work stations by employee based upon experience, client preference or artistic background. This automated process reduced the production timeline from 5 hours to 20 minutes, dramatically increasing manufacturing and shipping efficiencies, resulting in greater customer satisfaction.
  
  
• Created an instant Bill of Materials (BOM), using item number or style configurations, which allows inventory tracking at the component level. As a result, the steps and time required to select, build and track BOMS were eliminated.

With the acquisition of accounting software with source code, a business remains in control; instead of allowing the software to control business processes and rules.

Worldwide Authorized Solution Providers

Usually source code accounting system manufacturers distribute their products through professional Authorized Solution Providers who are consultative in nature and trained in the specific functionality available in the their products. These Solution Providers provide local, personalized service which ranges from system planning and implementation, to customization, to ongoing support and education.

Maximizes Development Resources

When system customization and data integration are needed, the manufacturer usually is in a position to offer its Solution Providers with business enhancement tools and resources. This type of partnering leverages the skill and expertise of both the client’s Solution Provider as well as the software manufacturer in areas of providing security, stability, custom adaptation and product upgrading.

Industry Specific 3rd-Party Applications

Independent software developers provide industry specific vertical solutions. Access to source code allows the independent software developers to create deeply integrated solutions. These software packages are paramount to adding supported product solutions that complement the functionality of accounting software. There are vertical solution products that can be used across most industries as well as those products that are produced to be industry-specific. Some examples of these offerings are Job Cost, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Business Alerts, web-enabled order entry integration and electronic interchange data (EDI).

Source code availability can increase a company’s competitive advantage

By making its source code available, an accounting system manufacturer embraces the idea of creating flexibility and adaptability. These solutions provide businesses with business technology to serve the needs of the people that use it, not the other way around. The additional customization capability can allow for programming that provides an efficiency or time-saving element to give companies a unique competitive edge.

About AccountMate Software Corporation

Founded in 1984, AccountMate develops and markets fully modifiable source code business accounting software. Systems range from single user versions to those that support over hundreds of users simultaneously. AccountMate software is distributed exclusively through a worldwide channel of authorized solution providers. AccountMate can be reached at (800) 877-8896 or at www.accountmate.com.