Addsum Business Software, Inc. — Advanced Accounting

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From the Nov. 2006 Review of Point-of-Sale Systems

Advanced Accounting is a completely integrated accounting and POS product. Addsum has introduced several new features since Advanced Accounting (POS) was last reviewed, and the vendor expects to have its latest version (7) available in the early fall.

EASE OF USE -- 4.5 Stars
The main screen of Advanced Accounting is easily navigated. A drop-down menu at the top provides access to all system modules, tools, system information and Help files. All installed modules are also accessible by clicking on the module buttons that are displayed directly beneath the menu bar, which, when selected, will display the functions available for the selected module.

You will have to set up your GL accounts, customers, terms, etc., prior to using Advanced Accounting. POS information such as clerks, registers and payment types are entered in the POS control file maintenance screen. Users/clerks who are authorized to enter new customer information in the system setup can enter new customers on the fly. New product codes can be entered by clicking back on the menu if the user/clerk has been provided with that inventory maintenance access. Data-entry screens are easily navigated, with areas to add, edit or delete information. When entering data, you can click on the “F2 Disp” button at the bottom of the screen to look up account numbers, vendors, etc. The POS screen is also easily navigated, with the option to choose a products or payments screen. A demo company is included with the product to assist users in becoming familiar with various functions prior to using the software in a live environment.

MODULES/SCALABILITY -- 5 Stars
Advanced Accounting is a complete front/back office product and includes the following modules: POS, GL, AP, AR, Sales Order, Quotes and Contacts, Purchase Orders, Inventory Control, Job Cost, Bill of Materials, Payroll, System Maintenance, and Utilities. All modules integrate with the POS module, which is designed to work with the other modules, but will also work as a standalone product. The program is extremely scalable and is suitable for single-user environments as well as multi-user networked systems with over 100 users and over 1,300 companies at no additional cost.

FEATURES/FUNCTIONALITY -- 4 Stars
New features in the latest version of Advanced Accounting include the ability to support credit card authorization from both the sales order and point-of-sale modules, updated quote creation and processing capability, the addition of several bar code printing options, additional financial reports, and increased payment recording options.

When using the POS module, you can choose to enter transactions as a cash or customer transaction. You can also click on the corresponding code that best describes the transaction and add a description if desired. Quantities and prices can be edited, and discounts can be entered here, as well. Once all items have been entered, you simply click on the payments tab below to process the payment. Unlimited payment types can be set up. If using a credit card, you enter the amount being paid and hit Enter. You can also click on the Swipe option. The only problem I ran into was that when I tried to back out of the account screen, it wouldn’t let me. I had to enter a number before the function would close. (The vendor noted that it agrees that the user/clerk should be allowed to cancel out of that screen and has since added that functionality to the software.)

INTEGRATION -- 4.5 Stars
Advanced Accounting has flexible output functionality, which allows you to convert any report to a *.PDF file. You can output to numerous other formats, including *.RTF, HTML, Excel, Lotus, and various report writing programs. Advanced Accounting is also easily modified to provide you with the level of integration you need. The program supports multi-location inventory tracking and works easily with bar coding equipment. Advanced Accounting will also work with pole displays, cash drawers, receipt printers, and swipe (credit card) readers.