Products and Services
Detailed Description
Accounting Management Systems will provide consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses that wish to implement or upgrade microcomputer-based accounting systems using off-the-shelf programs. These systems will vary from a single computer and program to small computer networks to several sites linked via telecommunications equipment. The systems will be chosen to meet the specific sites linked via telecommunications equipment. The systems will be chosen to meet the specific client needs, primarily to provide greater management reporting and control for the client businesses along with improved operating efficiency.
Specific services will typically be combined during a single engagement. However, each of these services can be offered individually, depending on the client's needs. The services will include:
- A thorough needs analysis.
- An objective assessment of the wide variety of accounting software available, and how each one meets the needs determined, with a recommendation and alternatives.
- Assistance in sourcing and obtaining the selected programs and equipment.
- Accurate documentation of existing procedures and application of these procedures to the selected new system with documentation of new procedures.
- Installation and configuration of the selected programs and required hardware.
- Conversion of existing data from paper records or previous systems to the new system.
- Training of staff in the use of the new systems.
- Ongoing support for the new programs.
The range of computer programs supported include:
- Accounting programs: General Ledger, A/P, A/R, cheque writing, bank reconciliation.
- Operations programs: Order Entry, retail Point of Sale, Inventory and Purchasing.
- Management support programs: Property Management and Contact Management.
- Fully integrated electronic data interchange (EDI).
- Integration with other basic office programs such as local area networks, electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
Specific Benefits of Services
Businesses may already use computer equipment to conduct and manage their operations. Increasingly, smaller and medium-sized businesses are taking advantage of newer computer technology to increase their efficiency and competitiveness.
The new systems often require changes to existing procedures and can impact many related areas of a business operations. If the effects are anticipated and carefully considered, efficiency might be improved in these areas as well. If these effects are ignored there may well be unnecessary frustration and delay in the implementation. A consultant experienced in implementing new systems and anticipating the required changes will return the investment in his wages by increasing the benefits and decreasing the frustrations.
Wherever possible, the new systems will be integrated with existing computer systems and business operations. In some cases the new accounting systems will be required because of changes to business operations. In other cases the new systems will act as a catalyst for changes to their procedures and computer systems. In both cases there is an opportunity to provide greater efficiency; in the operations of the client businesses.
Legal Agreements That Could Affect Ams
A consulting and sales agreement is being negotiated with Management Systems Inc. (MSI) of Georgia and Manitoba. This agreement will provide for referrals to Accounting Management Systems from MSI marketing and support activities. The sales aspect of the agreement is required because MSI does not sell its products through retail channels. The range of products available run from small business accounting software to management systems for medium-sized businesses and carry list prices from $225 to $15,000.
A similar agreement is being sought with International Computer of Alberta and New York. This agreement would involve only the consulting and support services for their line of Accounting Plus accounting programs.
Discussions have been held with Imagine Corporation of Oregon with respect to their Clear Account 1 and 2 products. Although they do not have any formal consulting programs they have provided evaluation copies of all of their software.
Imagine and the other firms above provide an electronic forum where customers from all over North America who are using the products can request assistance and services.
Marketing and Sales Activities
