MODULES AVAILABLE/SCALABILITY - 4 Stars The core financial application modules are System Manager, GL, AP, AR, Payroll, Inventory, Order Entry, Purchase Order, Job Cost and Bank Reconciliation, all of which launch from the System Manager. The entire suite is designed as a modular system, so you can purchase only the number of user access licenses and module applications that fit your business need. However, the data is fully integrated so that data is kept up-to-date.
Certiflex Dimension is designed for businesses that have from one to 50 simultaneous users. All versions use Pervasive database files. If you have less than five licensed workstations, you can use a 'peer to peer' configuration that utilizes the Pervasive Workgroup database engine. Systems with more than five licensed workstations require Pervasive.SQL V8 Server or Pervasive.SQL 2000I, which are sold separately. There is no data conversion necessary within this range of users.
EASE OF USE/ TRANSACTION ENTRY - 4 Stars The Certiflex desktop is a dashboard-style screen that contains a Windows drop-down menu; an icon toolbar; and four other panels for navigation, current company information, active session information and user information. Modules are accessed using either the menu system or the vertical menu navigator docked on the left side of the screen. The navigator panel can be used in three modes, depending on user preference: Navigator, Favorites and Browser. With Navigator mode, you get an expandable tree menu of all installed modules and applicable functions and reports. Favorites mode lets the user create items for frequently used functions and reports. Browser mode is an alphabetically organized topical list of activities, much like an index.
A separate window is launched for each function that is selected. Each data-entry screen, then, contains a customized menu system of its own. An interesting feature is the ability to zoom the data-entry screens from 90 to 140 percent to suit your preference. Screens are organized as a series of tabs with related information grouped under each tab. One of the enhancements with version 9 is expanded use of function key usage to reduce keyboard use. You can also deselect fields you don't use, and the cursor skips those data-entry points.
CUSTOMIZATION/SECURITY - 4 Stars Customization is constrained to a set of user preferences, such as data-entry keyboard preferences, session window placement, printing preferences, data location and e-mail settings. There is also the capability to create a favorites list for frequently used module functions. In addition, user-defined memos are available for nearly every module. Users may be restricted or granted access to almost all menu items. Menu access can be controlled by accounting module and menu group. For example, user access can be granted to 'Print Reports' in AR, but restricted from 'Print Reports' in AP. Each user is given a default security setting, but it can be overridden on a company-by-company basis.
INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT - 4 Stars Various import/export utilities are included with Certiflex Dimension. The program supports importing of GL transactions, AP invoices, AR invoices, order entry sales orders, and payroll time clock data. A feature called IntelliTrans helps to set up, translate, and properly import and validate imported data. IntelliTrans can also be used to replace or update existing records where you have a list of items with matching key fields, such as vendor or customer number.
Data export is also supported for much of the information contained in Dimension's data files. A setup screen lets you choose the table and fields to export, and gives you the choice of variable or fixed-length output using tab, comma, quote or a user-defined delimiter.
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2010 Cygnus Business Media
