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"Don't take our word for it," AccountMate says -
Experts rank AccountMate #1 Open-Source Software in the Mid-Market
ACCOUNTMATE IS THE HIGHEST-RATED open source code
accounting software offered to the mid-market, according to
AccountMate's president, David Dierke. "But don't take our word
for this," he said. "Ask the experts."
For mid-market companies, perhaps the most vital attribute of
business and accounting software is the flexibility that only comes
from open-source code.
"Big companies take customization for granted," according to
Geni Whitehouse, CPA, chief operating officer for Accounting
Software Advisor (ASA), an industry consulting
group founded by accounting software
analyst Carlton Collins. "However,
few mid-market companies realize they
need this feature to remain
Competitive. But if you're stuck with an
application you can't modify, you can't
maintain the system long-term."
In evaluating business accounting
systems, ASA determined that
AccountMate was the premiere open-source code system in the
mid-market. It ranked second in overall performance, right behind
Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics, which lacks open-source
flexibility.
"We took 350 key features," Whitehouse explained, "and ranked
them for importance. Then we compared these features across 62
products ranging from QuickBooks to SAP. In this highly
competitive ranking, AccountMate came in first among opensource
systems and second in the mid-range overall."
Accounting Software Advisor gave high marks to AccountMate's
built-in flexibility, with 20 existing modules that include - as
standard - many features only available from competitors as
after-market add-ons. AccountMate's depth of features is unique in
the mid-market, Whitehouse said. She also singled out
AccountMate's vertical industry versions created by industry
experts. AccountMate runs on an MS SQL database, which has
become the industry standard for the mid-market. "This is a big
advantage for AccountMate," she pointed out, "giving end-users
added flexibility."
Perhaps the most important feature is AccountMate's advanced
inventory capabilities, she said. Most mid-market clients need an
effective inventory module, and AccountMate has some deep
functionality available in its core accounting software. Features
include multi-bin, lot control and multi-location inventory
management capabilities, as well as kitting and light manufacturing.
"AccountMate also features Multi-Dimension inventory
management capabilities, which are critical for retail end-users,"
she explained. "It is difficult to add this to a system if it's not
there. With this feature, a company can keep track of colors, sizes
and shapes in addition to quantity."
ASA also found AccountMate software had a good fit in a variety
of different vertical industries, as well as great multi-currency and
multi-level pricing control features. The software's distinctive labor
resource tracking module, which is non-standard in competing
software, adds important functionality.
ASA evaluates the total system - from the end-user's experience
to the software publisher and their sales network. AccountMate is
sold through experienced Value Added Resellers (VARs), who
Whitehouse says are an absolute requirement for an end-user to
successfully deploy middle market accounting software. End-users
need local experts who understand their market niche - VARs
experienced with open-source code - who can modify software for
end-users' special requirements. "Resellers are mission-critical in
customizing mid-market business' accounting packages," she said.
AccountMate software prices out very well with competitors.
"For functionality and price, the 10-user segment for LAN and MS
SQL Server - is a great value," Whitehouse said. "The SQL version
for 25 to 100 users is also a great price/functionality value."
In addition, AccountMate prices its software by module, making
it very competitive. Customers can purchase as much functionality
as they need, with the option to add modules as business needs
change.
One final factor went into the high ranking for AccountMate,
Whitehouse pointed out. "There have been some great changes in
the company over the past few months. Company strength is
important in our rankings, and these changes have significantly
improved this company in the areas of executives, marketing and
marketplace visibility. "David Dierke, AccountMate's president and
CEO, is a great addition to an already strong management team -
he's got the right skill set to take AccountMate and its product lines
to new levels of customer satisfaction and market dominance."
For more information, contact www.accountmate.com.
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