With outstanding productivity enhancements, the new version of Sage 200c is there to improve financial management, making time-consuming tasks even easier to manage. Through integration with Office 365, Sage 200c users can now access data and work securely via the cloud, regardless of their location.

Powered by Office 365, Sage 200c offers greater storage and contract management, removing the need for paper filing. With One Drive capabilities, customers will be able to store and access business data, reports, contracts, documents and key tasks anywhere and at any time.

Sage 200c’s new features allow you to:

Manage on the move

Connected User combines the power of desktop and the freedom of the cloud so you can access, manage and share your data no matter where you are.

Fast track financials

Cutting out the tedious task of re-keying bank payments will allow you to relax as transactions flow seamlessly into your accounts with Sage Bank Feeds.

Boost productivity

Enable you to perform analysis with automatically formatted, neatly presented data with a single click, and in the familiar environment of Excel spreadsheets.

Sage 200c highlights

Being built on direct customer feedback, Sage 200c epitomises that simplifying your business processes is key, and that improving the user experience to help the likes of you become more productive on a daily business is their number one priority.

Some of the highlights include:

Sage Bank Feeds

Secure, rich, high quality and timely bank data flows directly into Sage 200c.

Purchase Requisitions

Quick and easy web requisition entry making the day to day easier – ideal for service industries or those with no dispatch process.

Click Once Installer

Improve the whole install and upgrade process with the introduction of ‘Click Once’ technology.

Top requested ideas from customers

Hide sales/Purchase accounts; rapid purchase invoice entry; additional SOP status; Nominal Analysis and Error Corrections – all based on direct customer feedback.

Other features include:

• Bank Feeds where users can check and authorise transactions.
• Export to Excel which allows users to send data to Excel in a single click.
• Excel Reporting which removes the dependency around selected reports which are only available in Sage 200 services.
• Invoicing which introduces a new, easy way for users to create invoices to send to customers.
• Purchase Requisitions where authorisation rules let users control who can authorise the requisitions.
• Hide Sales and Purchase accounts meaning ledger accounts that are no longer used can be hidden, allowing users to report and analyse the data without these accounts.
• SOP Status allows customers to quickly track the status of the sales order.
• Rapid Purchase Invoice gives the user the ability to enter purchase invoices for multiple lines and trading accounts in grid format as opposed to entering them individually.
• Nominal Analysis allows users to store analysis codes on each nominal record.
• Error Corrections mean the user can now amend trader invoices, credit notes, payments and receipts.
• Improved UI – Remote user means it is now quick and easy to navigate to reports and workspaces.
• Click Once Installer allows computers to connect to the server to run Sage 200c so installing upgrades becomes faster and easier.
• Freezing Assembly Version means that third party development work will continue to link to the latest version without affecting the current version the user has.
• Second Reference on Transaction Enquiry means that the second reference can now be viewed on the transaction enquiry screen.
• Aged Debtors & Creditors – Portrait Reports allows the portrait versions of these report, that customers who migrated from Sage 50 are used to, are now available ‘out of the box’ rather than as an extra downloaded report.
• HMRC – new online gateway which comes into effect in February 2018, meaning EDI is going to be dropped and all electronic returns must be made via a new end point.
• CRM: Adopt latest version of CRM with Sage 200c.

As you can see, Sage 200c addresses some common business challenges, focusing on improving productivity to help your business grow. If you’re considering investing in Sage 200c, contact one of our Business Software Consultants on 0191 500 8150 or email info@monpellier.co.uk.

There is a change looming, and it is probably going to affect you and your business. Earlier this year, HMRC announced an overhaul of VAT 100 submissions.

The Government recognises that businesses will all want to get their tax right, but the latest tax gap figures show that too many otherwise compliant businesses struggle and as a result, over £8 billion a year in tax is lost.

HMRC wants to do more to help businesses get their tax right and these changes are an important step in the right direction. It will help businesses steer clear of avoidable errors.

Businesses will be able to keep records of their income and expenditure digitally, and send summary updates quarterly to HMRC from their accounting software.

Businesses, self-employed people and landlords will be required to start using the new digital service from:

• The start of April 2018 for income tax and National Insurance contribution (NIC) purposes if your turnover is over the VAT threshold
• April 2019 for income tax and NICs purposes if your turnover is below the VAT threshold
• Also, April 2019 for VAT purposes for everyone who is VAT registered
• Finally, April 2020 for Corporation Tax purposes for everyone who pays it

What are the changes?

Making Tax Digital for Business is a Government project that will put all your tax information together in one place. It’s one of the most significant reforms to the tax system, affecting all businesses with a turnover of £10,000.

The biggest change will be the replacement of the annual tax return with quarterly reporting from April 2018 for small businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold of £85,000.

Why is the Government making tax digital?

Accurate Tax Information

Replacing paper-based bookkeeping with digital tax accounts will let you check that the information HMRC holds about you is 100% correct.

Reduced Errors

Making Tax Digital’s new reporting function will allow HMRC to look at accurate tax information almost immediately, reducing human error from data input.

Easier to Understand

HMRC believes taxpayers will better understand how much tax is owed within the digital tax account – similar to online banking.

Easier Contact with HMRC

Making Tax Digital will make it easier for you to contact HMRC online via webchats and secure messages.

These changes will provide the legislative framework so that businesses will:

• Keep track of their tax affairs digitally using accounting software or apps. Regulations will specify what records must be recorded using digital tools.
• Provide summary tax data to HMRC quarterly, using digital tools. The summary tax data will be automatically generated for the business from the electronic records. For VAT, these quarterly updates will effectively replace the VAT return. For Income Tax and Corporation Tax, these updates will cumulatively build an in-year picture of the business’ tax position for them.
• Gain a clearer view of their tax position in-year.
• Provide a finalised end of year position to HMRC of their tax affairs, again, using accounting software and digital tools.

So, what next?

Don’t think of making tax digital as just another obligation. This is your opportunity to regularly check income, expenses and profit in your business which will help you make better decisions. Take these two steps to help make the transition smooth:

1. Figure out when you have to make your tax digital. You can make your tax digital right now, and there’s no reason to wait till the last possible moment to do so. But you do need to know when it will become compulsory for your business.
2. Consider accounting software. You don’t have to use accounting software to comply with making tax digital but it will make things easier. It will also give you access to other powerful tools.

Making tax digital could be really good for your business

Change can often seem daunting, especially when it requires you to adopt new technology. However, quarterly tax filing could actually lessen your workload and by updating your accounts more often, you’ll be able to react faster to opportunities and threats in the business!

We can help you when it comes to the best accounting software for your business, and as outlined above, you can see the benefits of using accounting software when moving towards the new VAT 100 submission changes!

To have a chat with one of our Business Software Consultants, give us a call on 0191 500 8150, or email info@monpellier.co.uk.

There are all sorts of backups that help you get out of various situations. Think of the spare tyre in your boot, or the power bank in your bag for your phone.

There are various reasons for having backups. In some situations, it can save your life, but with data, a backup can save your business.

We’ve recently had a few calls from various clients indicating that they have forgotten to submit their Full Payment Submission (FPS) and have ran the payroll update. They have contacted HMRC & all they’ve had back from them is “you can only submit the FPS electronically”.

Their only option is for us to restore a copy of their data from our end, recreate the FPS file and send it back to them, so they can submit it via their Online Filing Manager.

So, here are a few things to consider:

• We cannot stress enough how important it is for this backup to exist. Without it, you don’t really have any options.
• When do you take your backup? We would suggest taking it before you run the FPS, or certainly before you run the update.
• You cannot have too many backups when it comes to payroll. These are compressed files that are stored in a folder on your server.
• Only take the backup for the company you’re running payroll for.

So, considering this, let’s take a look at the top five reasons why you need to backup your data:

Simple recovery

People are not infallible. They make mistakes, and they make them quite often. Emails containing viruses are accidentally opened each day and important files are often mistakenly deleted.

There’s no reason to fear these issues if you take frequent additional snapshots of your systems. You can simply restore to a snapshot taken before the virus happened. Or you can recover the file from a time before it was deleted. It’s easy to protect from the little things and there’s the added benefit of being ready for big things as well.

Audits, taxes and archives

Many, if not most businesses, are required to keep business records for an extended period. This is either for tax purposes or because of various regulations. You might just need to look at what was going on a few years ago.

It’s easy to assume that your computers have you covered just because they’ve got your last few years’ worth of information on them. But as you might know by now, having one copy is generally a huge mistake. Ensuring you’ve got an offsite backup of critical client information can really save you if something goes wrong locally.

Competitive advantage

In the untimely event of a disaster, the first business to get back up and running will take all the business of those that aren’t back on their feet. As we’ll discuss in a moment, not having a plan can mean your doors are closed for good.

Proper planning means that your doors stay open to those that worked with businesses that couldn’t survive during a disaster.

Deadly downtime

43% of businesses that suffer major data loss never reopen. Many of these companies end up closing their doors for good within two years of a major data loss. Even large data loss scenarios aren’t always the result of a disaster.

Human hands are very capable of destroying a business through silly mistakes or oversights. Don’t think Mother Nature is always responsible. Simply backing up data and having an effective backup recovery plan in place can help mitigate these types of threats. You can be on of the surviving businesses if you think ahead.

Doing work twice

The first rule of doing work is “do it right the first time”. If you suffer a minor failure and don’t have backups, you may be able to recover certain things, but you never know what those “certain things” will be. In almost any case, you’ll have a boat-load of work to redo whether it’s setting up your systems all over again, or recreating spreadsheets you or your employees have been working on for months.

If you’re unsure on any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in contact with one of our Business Software Consultants by either calling 0191 500 8150 or email info@monpellier.co.uk.

Struggles with an accounting system may be a sign that it is time for something new. Growing SMEs may quickly outpace an older accounting software system but only few companies are willing to make the move. All of the other companies are staying things like:

“We’ve always done it like that”

“This is what we’ve been told to do”

Using those canned answers tells us a lot about someone. The number of meetings we have had with different clients who say the above two answers to questions is astronomical!

If you are one of those people that find themselves saying any of the above, it is time to sit back and read through this blog post so you can reassess.

Here are several indications that will justify moving to an accounting system with more features and scalability:

User permissions

Some companies have a need to limit certain functions to certain users. Most systems come with basic functional limitations, such as restricting Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions. It may be helpful to have more granular user permissions such as access to only purchase orders or a certain bank account.

The key is to balance efficiency with security; that is, users need to be able to access areas of the accounting system they need in order to get their job done without having to constantly locate a supervisor. At the same time, there needs to be a balance so they don’t access areas unrelated to their job description.

Multiple companies and consolidated financial systems

Multiple companies that are the “children” of a parent company may need consolidated financial statements. A more robust accounting system makes it possible to open and view information for multiple companies at the same time.

Or, it set up correctly from the beginning, it is entirely possible to track multiple companies within one set of books which makes consolidated financials a snap. Be careful though, tracking multiple subsidiaries can quickly turn into a mess if not done properly and efficiently.

Number of customers and vendors

Keep an eye on the number of customers and vendors. Each system has their own limits and these limits can get complex quickly. Businesses need to be prepared to switch to a new accounting system before data limits impact everyday business operations.

File size and performance

There may be file size limits, especially if the company manages a high volume of transactions or multiple years of history in one file. It may be possible to condense files or set different preferences to speed up accounting system performance. Performance may be an issue if an older accounting system is installed on a newer PC.

Inventory features

Inventory issues are time-killers and create headaches. If a business needs a different method of calculating inventory or more advanced features than those provided in the “off-the-shelf” software, it may be time to upgrade.

Enhanced customisation

Most mid-market accounting systems provide better customisation such as additional custom fields, better reporting and improved form design. The based models offer standard reports with limited customisation options. However, if  the accounting system is designed correctly, using these reports can usually handle most business owners’ needs.

Manual processes

How many ‘touches’ does it take to pay a bill or create an invoice? If there are multiple approvers and/or data entry takes an inordinate amount of time, then it may be a good time to make a change.

Another clue is using manual spreadsheets to manage processes and information when a reporting feature could make the task simpler and more accurate. It’s easy for companies to get in the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality. Look at processes to see if manual processes can be automated.

Number of simultaneous users

The final reason to switch to a larger accounting system is to accommodate more simultaneous users. Most software packages start out at base level for the core package and offer add-ons as well as an additional charge for each user. There is also a substantial investment in conversion and training as well so it’s important to accurately predict the number of users before deciding to make a change.

Monpellier has extensive experience helping clients select the best accounting systems for their situations. If you need help determining what kind of system is best for your business, give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email info@monpellier.co.uk.

If you’re reading this blog, it’s likely that you are starting to consider investing in accounting software, but you’re not sure which is best for you.

This post is going to focus on Pegasus and Sage, comparing the benefits of both, hopefully resulting in you being one step closer to making your decision (something we can also help you with!).

Sage Modules

Financials

The essential financials package to manage your cash flow with the four key ledgers and invoicing.

Commercials

Stock, POP and SOP, price lists, price book and managing your supply chain.

Workspaces and Connected User

For data mining and reporting in the office or on the go. Use simple dashboards and customisable views to find the information you need, specific to your role.

Excel Reporting

Better reporting and more detailed analysis, accessible online.

Sage Payments

Manage and make supplier payments straight from your software.

E-Invoicing with Sage Pay

Integrated invoice payments that work seamlessly from within your software.

Sales, Marketing and Service

For customer management marketing automation, pipeline management and marketing campaigns.

Project Accounting

For managing projects and customer/supplier relationships. View profitability and easily view costs budgets at a glance.

Web Timesheets and Expenses

Enter, print and authorise timesheets and expenses online. Links with Sage Payroll.

Bill of Materials

For simple manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing

For complex manufacturing processes – full manufacturing resource planning solution.

Business Intelligence

Powerful trend analysis and intuitive reporting. Simple to create your own reports and dashboards.

Pegasus Opera 3 Modules

Financials

With Average Debtors day calculation per customer, Opera 3 helps you manage aged debt for a realistic revenue forecast.

Supply Chain Management

In Opera 3, Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, Delivery Notes, Sales Invoices and Statements can be batched created as PDFs and emailed directly from within the system.

Business Intelligence

With the Opera 3 Business Intelligence tools, you get precisely what you need to know without wasting valuable time.

CRM

Opera 3 CRM integrates fully with Financials and Supply Chain applications and can also be accessed by remote workers.

Payroll & HR

Opera 3 Payroll simplifies your key tasks and has HMRC PAYE and RTI recognition so you will always have peace of mind.

Service & Helpdesk Management

Opera 3 streamlines your customer contract management, helpdesk functions and communication with staff on the road.

How we can help

It is not just as easy as picking whether you prefer Sage or Pegasus. When choosing a new accounting software system, it is wise to do your homework and find out everything you can about the potential systems that you are considering. That is where the team at Monpellier come in handy.

Here are some things to consider:

• Is the software built for a particular size of business? For example, a micro business’ needs will usually be different to those of a large company.
• Is the software a good fit for your specific industry or business sector?
• How much does it cost and are there any add-on expenses for maintaining the software?
• What features does the software offer? Can you customise it if the basic components don’t fit your specific needs?
• Will the software help you comply with statutory requirements, such as audit trails, tax returns or annual accounts?
• Is the software accredited as compliant to a standard or code? The HMRC Payroll Accreditation Scheme, for example, shows that the package correctly carries out the PAYE functions.
• What support is available for the setup, staff training and running and maintenance of the system, and at what cost?
• What security measures are in place to back up data and keep business and customer information safe?

You don’t need to answer all of these questions yourself. Our Business Software Consultants are at hand to talk you through what is best for your business.

Here at Monpellier, we find out exactly what you need and want the system for, and then advise based solely on this  fact.

For more information, and to see what we can do for you, please give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email info@monpellier.co.uk.

Pegasus Construction Industry Solution (CIS) lets you see the profitability of the contracts and the calculated costs to completion.

It is a software solution specifically designed for the construction industry. It will not only make you fully compliant with the taxman, it will also bring astonishing efficiencies to your contract management.

Did you know that the average construction project suffers 150% cost overruns? Did you know that the average construction project completes more than 175% late? There is obviously the need for software that can help you deliver projects on time and within budget.

Keeping you on the level

Pegasus CIS provides complete control over all aspects of contract management, from costing and timesheets through to payment applications.

Fully integrated to the Sales, Purchase and Nominal Ledgers, Cashbook and Payroll, it conforms to the requirements and regulations of HMRC’s Construction Industry Scheme.

The software recognises the complex business needs of the construction sector, offering a level of management control over contracts and subcontractors. It also operates with Opera 3, Opera 2, Sage 50 and Sage 200.

Taking control of contracts and cost

It has been estimated that the average construction project suffers 150% cost overruns and completes more than 175% late.

Investing in the right software could help transform this into a more profitable proposition where projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Simplifying admin and improving costs

Controlling the costs of a project can be a daunting task. Not only does a company need to track the costs of the purchases, there may be sub-contractors who need to be paid under HMRC’s Construction Industry Scheme regulations, as well as raising and chasing Payment Applications to clients.

Effective cash management is key to making a profit in a contracting environment. Pegasus CIS has been specifically designed to give instant access to up-to-date information that allows you to manage your contracts.

Knowing what is owed and when it is due and who needs to be paid and when, are critical issues. Pegasus CIS addresses these and many others as part of helping you manage your contracts effectively.

Pegasus CIS features include:

Industry compliance. Pegasus CIS meets the regulatory compliance of HMRC’s Construction Industry Scheme.

Impressive functionality. Covers all the requirements of contract costing, controlling materials, purchase orders and purchase invoices.

Powerful reporting. Integration with award-winning Pegasus XRL to deliver fast and accurate information and enhanced analytical power.

Flexible analysis. The Management Information System (MIS) easily adapts to the analytical requirements of your business, making it easy to analyse key information.

System integration. Seamless integration and data flow between Pegasus CIS and Opera 3 or Opera 2, Sage 50 and Sage 200 accounting systems.

Nominal Ledger Integration. Integration with the accounts system to eliminate double posting of transactions so no manual posting is required.

Stock control. Monitoring stock levels, knowing stock locations and what needs to be ordered and when are all managed within this module.

Site requisition. Provides a powerful and controlled method of allowing stock to be requested from the site office.

For more information about accounting software, call us on 0191 500 8150 or email us on info@monpellier.co.uk.

One of our friendly Business Software Consultants will be able to talk you through what we do and give you a free demo!

Business accounting software scraps human error that is part and parcel of doing everything manually. Instead, it enables you to easily access the vital information without the hassle.

Even better still, there are numerous cloud accounting software options available. Finding the right accounting software can be a difficult decision to make but there are five ways to help you in your search for the right solution.

Choosing the right accounting software

1) What are your accounting software requirements?

It is vital that you take into consideration how much money your business pulls in annually when it comes to choosing the right accounting software. A business that pulls in several million yearly will require a different software solution to a company that invoices thousands. The way your business operates is also something you must take into consideration as there are a large array of different accounting software systems available.

You need to consider software that is designed specifically for your business and what you do; there are plenty of systems that are industry specific and you need to find your niche and theirs. Whether it be manufacturing, hospitality, retail or commercial, there is a suitable system and plan available for you.

The software that you eventually decide on is going to make bookkeeping easier for you, you still need to be financially literate in order to use it effectively. Despite the software sophistication, it  is still only there as a tool to help and guide you, rather than do the work for you. You need to know what to do with the software once it’s in place.

2) Have you considered cloud accounting apps?

Cloud accounting applications come with an entire assortment of beneficial features:

• They can be accessed anywhere
• No software licenses or servers need to be purchased
• Upgrades and patches are done automatically
• You can access them from any device with a web browser
• Your records are kept safe and secure at a data centre rather than a filing cabinet
• Many cloud accounting apps integrate with your other cloud apps, saving you time

3) What is your accounting budget?

Business accounting software is available to you no matter what your budget is. Generally, you can access apps for a low monthly price that scales with your business so the larger your organisation, and the more features you require, the dearer the price.

Accounting software allows you to pay on a monthly or yearly basis. You can choose a subscription that meets your business needs rather than buying the software outright and having to update later. If you decide to purchase a year long subscription, you will also often pay a discounted rate.

4) Have you thought about accounting add-ons?

Add-on features generally allow flexibility, functionality and personalisation. The incorporation of an accounting app add-on may allow you to access the software remotely, accept payments online and link your e-commerce software with your accounting software. Additionally, you can incorporate your tax software as it’s generally compatible.

Before deciding on your accounting app, consider which software you are already using. Does it integrate with any accounting software? Integrations can save you significant amount of time on paperwork: as you avoid handling the same data.

5) Have you sought out expert advice?

Using your accountant when you are making the decision about which software would suit you is not a necessity, but it could help you choose something that is going to be compatible with what they have in place already. Additionally, your accountant is probably in a much better position in terms of knowledge and experience to make an educated decision on what would suit you and your business best.

Alternatively, you can ask us to make a recommendation based on your industry, business and specific requirements.

The team here at Monpellier have years of experience working with accounting software, and are partners of numerous software companies, allowing us to provide you with an agnostic recommendation.

Give us a call on 0191 500 8150, or email info@monpellier.co.uk and one of our Business Software Consultants will be able to book you onto a free demo today!

Leading the way for business software

Pegasus is the leading provider of financial and business software for small and medium sized organisations in the UK.

Pegasus are an aware winning supplier of accounting and payroll software solutions, with over 30 years in the industry who have also just been nominated for two awards this year alone!

Opera 3, Pegasus’ newest, celebrated flagship solution, gives a complete overview of your business. Most noteworthy, unifying finance, payroll, stock and order processing, Opera 3 is the complete business solution.

Trusted, tailored business solutions

Pegasus has always focused on business accounting software. The company has grown to become a market leader and Pegasus software is trusted and used by over 20,000 SMEs in the UK.

Join these Pegasus customers and discover software that is flexible to your needs. Monpellier will get to know your business and tailor a solution specifically for you.

Benefits of Pegasus

1. Improved insight, better focus. Pegasus helps you gain more insight and work more efficiently, so that you can concentrate on your business.
2. Provider of choice, trusted by thousands. With over 30,000 customers, Pegasus is the provider of choice for small to medium size businesses.
3. Delivering excellence, winning awards. In 2014, Pegasus won the ‘Financial Software Vendor for SMEs’ award at FD’s Excellence Awards in association with the ICAEW.

Pegasus Opera 3

It’s for everyone in your business.

Financials are core to any business, no matter what it’s size. You can track your revenue, get reminded who you owe money to and what it has to be paid with Opera 3. This accounting software also allows reports from the Financials to be output directly to Excel.

This accounting software can also take control of the supply chain from end to end, helping you to control inventory costs and improve customer service efficiency. With Supply Chain Management, Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, Delivery Notes, Sales Invoices and Statements can be batch created as PDFs!

You have advance intelligence working for you with Opera 3. With the Business Intelligence tools, you get precisely what you need to know without wasting valuable time! As a result, importing live data into an Excel spreadsheet has never been easier!

Running a business is all about managing opportunities and turning them into sales. The CRM within Opera 3 allows you to generate prospects AND manage your relationship with them throughout the full customer journey.

Any Payroll & HR solution worth having must continually evolve to keep pace. This is where Opera 3 comes in handy, as it simplifies complex procedures and ensures they are performed accurately, automatically and on time.

Once the sales cycle has been completed, it is vital for customer retention to offer exceptional service. This is where Service & Helpdesk Management comes in handy. So, it works hand in hand with other functions to simplify the management of service and maintain contracts with your customers.

If you want to find out more about Pegasus, and how it could assist your company, give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email info@monpellier.co.uk. One of our Business Software Consultants will be on hand to give you a free demo.

The most common KCPOS questions our support team get asked.

KCPOS is a fully integratable EPOS software solution. Although KCPOS support queries are rare, Monpellier have compiled the most common questions our support team get asked. Here are the top four issues:

1. You’ve changed something in administrator but it isn’t showing on the till.

Sometimes, you might change something in KCPOS Administrator, but it doesn’t appear on the till like it should. This is because you need to do a branch data refresh in the KCPOS Link. If you or your colleague have access to the KCPOS Link, go into the branches tab and find the little arrow in the right-hand corner. Click on this, and go to branch operations. At the bottom, you’ll see branch data refresh, and you need to run this. Then restart your till and your changes should show.

2. You’ve created a menu page and it isn’t on the till after a branch data refresh.

This is quite a common one, and I have made the mistake myself. When creating menu pages, you must make sure you are in the Head Office section of KCPOS. If you mistakenly create a page at branch level, it will overwrite the page with head office data as soon as you do a branch refresh.

3. You’ve received a new receipt printer but it isn’t working.

If you are using a receipt printer with a serial/COM port (a trapezoid shaped connector with little holes), then this is set up in KCPOS Administrator at branch level. If you need to get a new printer and install it yourself, you must make sure you are plugging it into the right port. To check this, go into KCPOS Administrator at branch level, and select till configuration. Go to the Hardware tab, and where it says receipt printer it should tell you which port your printer should be plugged into.

4. You’ve changed the name of a menu page and now the button doesn’t work.

If you have a button on your till that opens a new menu page, you must make sure the button can find this page. When you change the name of a page, go back to the page that has this button and link it up. That way it will be able to find the new name of the menu page.

If you are interested in a new EPOS Solution or have any questions regarding KCPOS please contact our expert team on 0191 500 8160 or email us info@monpellier.co.uk.

Software Types and How to Choose

The best type of Manufacturing Software for your business will be heavily determined by what your business needs. Although this may seem like a very obvious statement it is easy to lose your footing when it comes to the vender process. Some businesses find themselves choosing the latest, flashiest software available in a bid to ensure their investment lasts the test of time. However, the newest software is not always the right decision for your business. Monpellier have put together some top tips to help you determine what type of software you should invest in.

Types

Cloud Software – The immediate benefits of cloud software are normally quick implementation, lower total cost of ownership and a more modern interface. A cloud option is normally a good fit for emerging businesses. It gives the user the flexibility to be agile and the space to change and grow as the business does.

On Premise Software – The installation for on premise software is often longer as the system operates from your company’s in house server and computing infrastructure. Having said that this option offers more control in terms of security and boasts faster response times.

Hybrid Cloud Software – As the name suggest this solution sits between the two options, it uses  elements of your own computing resources on-site and pairs them with the cloud to create a ‘private cloud’. The main reason a company may chose a hybrid cloud option is due to data as this option allows you to keep information that you may deem too sensitive for a cloud environment on your local system.

Things To Consider

Out of the Box – This kind of software is often sent straight from the vender and is full of pre-set workflows and tools. This system would suit a business that doesn’t deviate from the ‘norm’ and is happy to amend their existing processes to fit with the software.

Configurable – This option normally allows functionality to be created using add-ons and built in tools. Monpellier find this to be the most common option. It allows you to take a well know product such as Sage 200 or Pegasus Opera and mould it to your business.

Custom – Customisable software can be heavily influenced by the vender but may not be compatible with future versions. This options is perfect for unique processes and businesses with unusual structures, however this is normally the most costly of the three options.

Whatever you choose it is important to ensure it’s the right choice for your business. Don’t be afraid to ask for multiple demos, talk through your important processes and make sure your new solution has the capability to grow with you.
For advice or information regarding the Manufacturing Software Monpellier offer please call us on 0191 500 8150 or email us info@monpellier.co.uk

A recent survey by Strategy Analytics predicted that the total global mobile workforce will rise to a staggering 1.87 billion by 2022, a figure which equates to 42.5% of the total workforce. The spread of good Wi-Fi access and increasing levels of 4G coverage, combined with rapid advances in mobile technology, have resulted in mobile working becoming a reality for more and more businesses out there. In fact, a 2014 survey by Office Angels found that one third of workers think that commuting to work will be unheard of by 2036, suggesting that mobile working is very much the way forward.

With ‘mobile working’ once restricted to email and phone calls, the rise of enterprise applications especially over the last 12 months has led to more businesses embracing mobile working in its true form, changing the way they operate, increasing efficiencies and enabling employees to work remotely without any compromise to performance.

One area where new solutions are doing away with unnecessary complexities is payroll. With the right solution in place, organisations can provide employees with remote access to their payroll-related information such as personal data, pension information, holiday entitlement, payslips and P60s. Not only can employees access this data on the go via a mobile device or web browser, but the capability is there to edit their own information too. This remote, ‘self-service’ access for employees takes the pressure off busy payroll teams by eliminating payslip printing and postage and the extra admin involved, as well as the time it takes to respond to employee enquiries. With employees responsible for their own data entry, there’s also less margin for error as no re-keying of data is required, which is often where mistakes occur. What results is a faster, more efficient service provided to all employees, and a payroll team which has to spend less time on admin, leaving them more time to focus on value-add activities.

A different area of the business that can benefit from mobile solutions is sales. The time lapse that occurs between taking an order while visiting a customer and the actual placement of the order with head office can lead to delays in fulfilment and even cancelled orders if the required items are not in stock. But the capability now exists to place orders instantly via a mobile device while with the customer.

Mobile apps are available with a live link to the back-office order processing system so that sales orders can be placed instantly, including taking the customer’s signature, without the usual delays in orders being submitted to HQ. The sales person can check stock levels and the customer’s account status, including customer-specific pricing; they can also suggest alternatives for out-of-stock items and showcase additional products. This minimises the possibility of orders being cancelled due to stock unavailability and can add extra value to a sale. Working in this way also reduces admin time for sales people, allowing them to spend more time on the road pursuing further orders. The sales cycle is shortened, with order updates readily available every step of the way, increasing efficiencies for the business and improving the overall experience for the customer too.
Another area that can be significantly enhanced by remote access is employee timesheets. Regardless of their location, employees can use an online application that creates a smooth workflow for the completion, submission and authorisation of timesheets and automates their inclusion into the payroll run. This means there’s no need for the payroll team to import numerous spreadsheet-based timesheets for every payroll run, again greatly reducing the time spent on admin and the margin for error.

The business world is playing catch-up to the increasingly powerful, intuitive and useful consumer mobile apps that are part of our everyday lives, developing enterprise solutions which create much-needed business efficiencies. As more and more businesses recognise the many and varied benefits that true mobile working can bring, these enterprise solutions will only improve further still. Exciting times ahead, so watch this space.

https://goo.gl/bDFq46 

The latest Sage 50 offering was launched at the end of last month but what is Sage 50c and as a Sage 50 user why should you upgrade?

Sage 50c Accounts was designed with one key goal, to combine all the powerful elements of desktop Sage 50 with secure online access. Sage 50c gives the user the freedom to control the business from wherever they are without being tied to the office. This flexibility gives Sage 50 users the ability to make smarter, faster decisions as they can access their data on the road using secure cloud data access through the Sage Drive.

In addition to the ‘cloud’ feature Sage 50c also offers a range of value added benefits designed to save you time.

Free Office 365 Seat (12 months)

Office 365 gives you access to all of your essential office tools on the go including; Excel, Word, Sharepoint, Outlook etc.

Sage Capture

Take photographs of your expenses, invoices and other paper work and then use Sage Capture to save them to One Drive and post the transactions on Sage 50c Accounts.

Sage Contact

All of your customer records, contact details, balances and recent transactions will be available in Outlook so there will be no need to jump between Sage and Outlook.

Sage Intelligence Reporting

This means a richer, deeper understanding of your business through powerful Excel reports and Office 365.

Cloud Storage

Connecting to Sage 50c Accounts with Office 365 means you can now store all of your documents in the One Drive. This means your documents can be accessed via mobile, desktop or web browser.
The final reason, and possibly one of the most convincing arguments, is that there will be no further development on Sage 50, all future work and improvements will be carried out on Sage 50c only. If you are interested in seeing how much it would be for your business to upgrade to Sage 50c please give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email us at info@monpellier.co.uk. Due to introductory launch offer we are finding in most cases it is cheaper for customers to move from their existing Sage 50 licence to Sage 50c so please do not miss out on the opportunity to save.

Whether you are investing in a completely new system, expanding your current set up or upgrading your existing solution, choosing the right EPOS system for your business can play a large role in your future success. The key to finding the perfect EPOS solution lies in finding the solution that best suits your business. This means not settling for an off the shelf solution that expects all businesses to follow the same processes.

When it comes to EPOS solutions the word custom does not always mean expensive. With so many EPOS solutions to chose from companies have had to adapt and become mold-able. However, with so many customisable solutions out there, how do you narrow down the system that is right for you?

Monpellier have compiled the 5 steps you need to follow in order to ensure your next EPOS solution fits your business like a glove.

Define Your Needs  

If you have a current system try making a list of all the features that your system lacks. If you are looking at a new system use feature websites to create a list of all the essential and desirable features you require.

Hardware

Think about what hardware you require. This will change depending on your industry and your needs but will also help you when looking at the available systems. You might want a system that can be transportable, or a contactless system. Remember it is all about what is right for you.

Set Up

The last thing you want is to be burdened with a complicated setup process. Make sure you check with the EPOS provider to ensure you will have help on hand. Monpellier provide many different options depending on your individual needs. We can do anything from manually setting up everything for you to a simple web based walk through.

Set Your Budget

EPOS solutions vary greatly in price so make sure you research what’s out there and set a realistic budget based on your individual needs. Traditionally desktop-based software is more expensive than cloud based systems but the systems price will depend greatly on the complexity of your requirements and the size of the solution you need.

See It In Action

If you’re going to invest time in finding, purchasing, implementing and training staff you need to be certain you have chosen the right EPOS solution for your business and you can’t do that by simply looking at it on paper. Get the provider to demo the system for you. Watch out for the speed and be sure to ask the important questions such as, ‘talk me through the transferring of customer data’ and ‘how does it marry with my existing software?’

If you wish to find out more about the systems Monpellier offer please give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email us at info@monpellier.co.uk. We would love the opportunity to help you find the right EPOS solution for your budget.

After working with accounts departments for over 15 years Monpellier know that every second is vital. The workload is often heavy and staff have to juggle multiple tasks at once, especially around month end and the end of the tax year.

Everyone will have their own tips and tricks for managing busy periods and hectic schedules but here are a few techniques that our clients find most useful.

Double or Nothing

A recent survey found that employees can improve their daily output as much 20% a day by investing in a second monitor. Having that extra monitor space also allows you to extend large spreadsheets and ledgers which saves you scrolling and toggling between tabs. If your manager needs a big of convincing in order to make the purchase there are loads of studies into the befits of additional monitor.

The Paper Problem

It’s now 2017 and surprisingly Monpellier still find businesses rely on paper to drive their accounts payable process. These businesses do understand the risks that using a paper based system brings but the thought of moving to an integrated document management system is daunting. But adding a product like Spindle Document Management is easier than ever. You can even add documents using your mobile device!

Turn Off

It may seem trivial but everyone is guilty of glancing down at every new email that comes through. Why not allocate blocks of times throughout the day where your email notifications are turned off allowing you to commit your whole attention to the task at hand. If you use Outlook here is a step by step on how to.

Stay Connected

Automation is the best way to keep on top of all of your daily tasks. It may seem like a mammoth job to start with but once you find the right integration tools for your processes you’ll wonder how you ever managed before hand. The good news is integration does not have to be expensive! Whether it’s a CRM, document management system or EPOS solution find out what tools your accounting software links to and ask your provider or Monpellier what the process would be and more importantly how much it would cost.

For more tips on productivity surrounding accounting software and process please give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email us at info@monpellier.co.uk.

Advantages of Payroll Software

When a small business decides it’s time to move to an on premise payroll system it can often be a very stressful situation. But do the advantages of a payroll system outweigh the negatives?

Small business owners who are proficient in paper based payroll or that use a bureau may argue that their current solution is more cost effective. However, completing paper based payroll requires training, staff time and a high level of accuracy. It is for these reasons that a lot of small businesses turn to payroll software

Benefits

Payroll in a small business can be time consuming. Monpellier have collated a few benefits associated with payroll software to help you decide whether it is right for you.

– Reduce Error: Save money by avoiding human error

– Visibility: Staff can login and view their payslips online

– Up to date: Tax and pension legislation is kept current and correct

– Paperless: Electronic payslips offer better communication

What To Look For

When looking for a payroll system, apart from finding a solution that fits your budget, you need to ensure the new system has the following features.

– HMRC Compliance: HMRC recognised software helps ensure you stay up-to-date and fully compliant with the latest payroll and pension legislation.

– Support: Access to a payroll expert by phone, email or live chat.

– Flexible Payment: If you don’t want to be tied to 12 or 24 month contract look for a solution with a monthly subscription option.

– Speed: Look for a system that will save you the most amount of time. For example a solution that allows you to pay employees straight from the software.

If you wish to find out more about the payroll systems Monpellier offer please give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email us at info@monpellier.co.uk. We would love the opportunity to help you find the right solution for your budget.

Thinking of buying a new EPOS system?

Thinking of buying a new EPOS system for your business but are unsure on costs and which software to go for? Monpellier provide complete EPOS solutions for every need and budget.

While almost every EPOS system is an advantage over no EPOS at all, you need to ensure that the system you have and the software you chose is right for your business. Chose the wrong system and tasks can become elongated, resulting in staff and customers alike becoming frustrated.

Costs associated with a full EPOS System can become confusing with some companies separate all the costs. For example charging individually for each element; software, hardware, shipping, installation, maintenance and support. While you can choose from these elements to build your own bundle, Monpellier have found that the best way for clients benefit from EPOS is to subscribe to a whole package. This allows businesses to continue their everyday tasks with the peace of mind that everything is being looked after and is in control.

For as little as £25* a week you can benefit from a brand new system from Monpellier who can provide the hardware you need along with software from Kamarin to manage all of your point of sale requirements.

KCPOS from Kamarin is powerful EPOS software which seamlessly link with leading account packages such as Sage 50, Sage 200 and Pegasus Opera 3. By choosing a system that integrates with your accounts system you are maximising the benefits that can be gained from having a fully reportable EPOS system. When it comes to a new EPOS system businesses that find a system that can automate their existing processes and link with their existing systems experience the biggest rise in performance and revenue figure.

As well as affordable subscription solutions Monpellier work in partnership with KC Finance, leading independent IT finance specialists, so are able to provide a tailored solution that fits your business.

If you wish to find out more about the systems Monpellier offer please give us a call on 0191 500 8150 or email us at info@monpellier.co.uk. We would love the opportunity to help you find the right EPOS solution for your budget.

*For details of our £25 a week offer valid until January 2017 please ask to speak to a member of our sales team.

Stay Organised – CRM Advice

Customer Relationship Management systems or CRM as they are more commonly known can be game changing when it comes to everyday processes. However, they can also be the cause of great stress and aggravation.

When used regularly and kept up to date CRM transforms businesses by increasing revenue and streamlining processes. But one issue a lot of companies have with CRM systems is bad data. How can you keep your CRM efficient and clean while keeping your team happy?

Follow these tips to get your CRM looking healthy.

• Duplicates – The majority of CRM systems will match based on email address and or full names. But add an alternate email address or shorten John to Jonny and you suddenly have a whole mountain of duplicated or incomplete entries. Try running a report based on company name to spot these duplicates.

• Spreadsheet – A lot of issues come from mass uploads. Prior to uploading large amounts of data take the time to cleanse it. Check for unnecessary fields, duplicates and information which isn’t relevant. This pre check will save you a lot of time down the line and keep your CRM clean.

• Process – The biggest reason for a untidy CRM system is human error and in some cases, laziness. Create a straightforward data entry process that is known and followed by all that have access to the CRM. Check your fields and use drop down fields where possible to reduce multiple entries and error.

• Status – Whatever system you use it is important that the contact’s status is kept up to date to ensure they get the right information at the right time. Whether the contact is a lead, prospect, opportunity, current customer, dormant or ex-customer it is essential they receive the right touch points for the stage of the customer journey they are on.

If these tips aren’t enough to pull your CRM around why not make an appointment with one of our specialists. Monpellier specialise in solving software issues and implementing a solution that works for your business. This includes bespoke options to match your daily processes!

Call us on 0191 500 8160 or drop us an email at info@monpellier.co.uk.