AccountMate ' AccountMate 6.5

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AccountMate offers a comprehensive, real-time accounting solution for small and mid-sized businesses that offers ease of use, a scalable database architecture, and modifiable source code written in Visual FoxPro. The recently released version 6.5 features a new user interface, enhanced lookup features, a shortcut pane toolbar, error reports, and electronic documentation.

MODULES AVAILABLE/SCALABILITY - 5 Stars Two versions of AccountMate 6.5 are available. The MSDE version is for small business with up to five users, and the SQL version is designed for mid-sized business with potentially hundreds of users. Both versions offer the same interface and modules and are source-code compatible, which provides a seamless upgrade path within a broad range of users. AccountMate is sold as a modular product. All modules are installed from the same CD and merely need to be activated by entering a different product key. Modules available include System Manager, GL, AP, AR, Bank Reconciliation, Business Intelligence, Consolidated Ledger, Contact Manager, Customer Inventory Manager, Inventory Control, Inventory Specification, Kitting, Lot Control, Manufacturer's Inventory, PR, Price Control, Purchase Order, Return Merchandise Authorization, Return to Vendor Authorization, and Sales Order.

EASE OF USE/ TRANSACTION ENTRY - 4 Stars Version 6.5 introduced an updated user interface. However, the original interface is still available for users accustomed to its navigation. The new interface takes on a modern look with a main menu toolbar and a system bar on the desktop work area. The main menu toolbar is where you select the current module from a hyperlink drop-down menu on the left side. Drop-down menu icons for Transactions, Reports, Maintenance, Housekeeping, and Utilities are then dynamically modified to reflect the activities and reports associated with the selected module. This provides an organized and consistent roadmap that is very intuitive, even for a new user. The system bar provides a number of other general functions, such as one-click access to Windows Explorer, a calculator, Word, Excel and your Internet browser.

Data-entry screens are generally multi-tab windows with lookup icons for key fields and drill-down hyperlinks to related information. The lookup windows present a list of items, such as customers, and let you search on selected fields. You can modify the fields that are displayed on the lookup grids, as well as export to Excel right from the lookup window. A double-click on the selected record brings that information back to the data-entry form. Numerous windows can be open simultaneously, and a toolbar drop-down list allows quick access to any open function. Some fields, such as customer sales, have a Detail Analysis button that lets you instantly see a list of invoices that make up that customer's year-to-date sales.

CUSTOMIZATION/SECURITY - 4 Stars AccountMate's GL is designed to allow flexibility in the way it is set up to reflect the company's operating needs and business cycles. Up to 52 periods can be defined in a fiscal year. The GL account ID can be up to 30 characters in length, with up to nine segments. Other user-level customizations include the ability to choose the user interface style, display a shortcut pane on the desktop, and import your list of Internet browser favorites.

Security is provided at the group and user level. These functions are controlled from the Administrator module, which is a separate program that does not need to be installed to each workstation. Each user-defined group is assigned specific access permissions to specific functions or menu items within each module. You can also set time and weekday logon restrictions. Users are then added to appropriate groups to control access to allowable program functions.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT - 5 Stars AccountMate works with many different third-party partners and developers who offer integrated vertical-market applications. These include add-ons that address the apparel industry, utility billing, sales analysis tools, commissions management, distribution, fixed assets, materials resource planning, shipping, warehouse management, work orders, and others. Thanks to AccountMate's source code availability, experts are available that can customize integrated add-ons for any business need.

Numerous import capabilities are available within several modules. The program allows text import of accounts payable invoices, budget amounts, sales invoices, journal entries, purchase orders, sales orders, and inventory serial numbers. Exports are also available at several places. Throughout the program, wherever a query screen is launched, an export button provides quick export of data to an Excel spreadsheet. Purchase orders can also be exported to allow basic EDI (electronic data interchange) functionality. A Table Browser & Exporter function with user-defined criteria is available for exporting data to one of the several formats supported. Of course, any kind of advanced export capability is available through direct programmatic access to the database.