ACCPAC Advantage Series

ACCPAC Advantage Series is a n enterprise-level financial accounting package that is aimed at middle to large size enterprises in India. It runs on various databases including Oracle, IBM DB2, MSSQLServer, Pervasive SQL and CA Ingres II. The database can reside on Unix/Linux while the applications can run on Windows. The software is highly modular, in that, it first installs a core module, called the System Manager. Thereafter you need to set up the licensing, which is handled by the LanPak Manager. These licenses have to be installed based on your database choice. Once the core components are installed, you get a shell, which includes the common services, and administrative services, which include things like user setup and security setup. You can install various modules on top of this base system. These include the General Ledger, subledgers, Bank Services, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Tax Services and Inventory Control. Each of these modules is very comprehensive in what it handles. Security can be defined for each function of every module in a very detailed manner. The software also provides database dumps and database loading from its interface. Its error handling and controls are quite good.

The software follows a batch-processing method of processing transactions under which the data entry operator/accountant creates batches of voucher entries, etc which are then required to be checked by a functional head before being posted to the General Ledger, hence making sure errors in the main system are minimized.

The company provides support for one year, which is renewable. Training is provided on the Financial Module which costs Rs 16,500 for 21 manhours handled by Certified Product Trainers working with ACCPAC’s Recognized Training Centers.

The pricing of the software depends mainly on three components viz. database, number of users and modules. The price of an installation can range from Rs 1—10 lakh depending on these factors.

The Bottom Line ACCPAC has been around from a long time and has evolved into a well-designed, very comprehensive accounting and financial management solution. The company, which is a subsidiary of Computer Associates also offers various other enterprise-level solutions like ACCPAC Pro Series, ACCPAC HR Series, ACCPAC eTransact, ACCPAC CRM and others. The Pro Series of their product even comes with the source code. However, in the Advantage series version we reviewed, we could not find features that would take care of Excise, Sales Tax, Statutory Registers, tracking of outstanding forms, reconciliation of forms and such details. These can be bought as separate modules. We recommend that you make sure

details like these are included and well integrated so you can get value for money from this

well known software.

S N A P S H O T
Price	:	Rs 1—15 lakh depending on database, number of users, modules
Meant for	:	Enterprises
Key specs	:	Modular Financial Accounting with support for multiple databases
Pros	:	Well-integrated controls, comprehensive and exhaustive in its features
Contact	:	ACCPAC India, Bangalore.
Tel	:	2384900-03.
E-mail	:	rajesh.ghosh@accpacindia.com

Shruti Pareek

with inputs from Gautam Mukherjee