Access News November 09
Since the last newsletter Access has launched its new website complete with revamped logo. This completes the final stage in its brand elevation project, which saw five companies come together under the Access name.
As mentioned in our previous newsletter Access have released Dimensions 2.50a. We have now had a chance to review this latest release and briefly outline the new features:
Advanced Nominal Ledger
For new data files: within the nominal ledger you can choose to use category codes as the basis of your nominal structure, and use category selection on transaction entry screens. It is now possible to design your nominal structure using the new chart of accounts builder and the nominal summary allows up to 8 levels of drilldown.
Purchase Invoice Register
The Purchase Invoice Register has been updated in accordance with requests from customers and the channel. The entry and approval screens have been combined, to improve the processing of invoices. Transaction options have been added to improve workflow through the module as well as a number of smaller improvements such as editing of Purchase Order details.
Auto Bank Reconciliation
Access have integrated the Auto Bank Reconciliation Module which used to be an external product.
BACS
Access have introduced the ability to prepare currency BACS remittances and with this the ability to have multiple BACS outputs per database.
If you would like to upgrade to the latest version of Dimensions to take advantage of these new features then please contact us.
The following is a summary of the forthcoming changes to VAT and the actions you may need to consider with regards to updating your Access Software.
In summary the changes are:
Reversion of the standard VAT rate to 17.5%
Access software, in its current form, can address this requirement by simply changing the VAT rate, within the software, on 1st January. If this is your only requirement, and you are happy to edit any outstanding orders at the date of the changeover – then you will not need any changes to your software.
However, you may want to benefit from software enhancements that enable the automatic conversion of part-processed orders sitting in the batch. If this is a facility that you need, (rather than manually editing the orders), then you may want to consider a software upgrade.
Change in the format of the EC Sales List
Any company that submits an EC Sales List electronically using Access software will need to have their software upgraded. This is because the format of the electronic return will change from 1st January.
However, if you only provide goods to the EC and either manually complete an HMRC printed form, or you transpose your EC Sales List data onto an HMRC on-line form, then you will not need to have your Access software upgraded.
New Reverse Charge VAT on services traded with the EU
If you buy or sell services with other business, in other EU countries, then the whole process for charging, accounting and reporting on VAT has been changed. Your company will need an upgrade or a service pack and will have to implement a new process using a new VAT rate.
We will be sending a further email out in the next couple of weeks which explains the VAT changes in more detail.
However if you would like to discuss the action you will need to take then please contact us.
Our records indicate that several of our sites are still using SQL 2000.
This is another reminder that since 1st January 2009 Access have been testing and supporting all new software releases against SQL2005 and SQL2008 only.
The latest releases of Access software are not compatible with SQL 2000.
This is following Microsoft’s own support policy which is withdrawing support for SQL2000 with effect from 15th April 2008.
We recently attended the Access 'partner day' in Milton Keynes - an event that Access use to keep us up to date regarding their plans for the next few months.
We were able to see a sneak preview of some new modules and Access released a brand new product - Dashboard.
Dashboard is an innovative web based product which enables users to view a whole range of management information via graphs, charts and ‘speedo dials’. It can even be extended to gain information from a number of different databases going beyond the finance system.
We will be fully equipped to demonstrate and install this software in a couple of weeks once we have received our training on this new product.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in and you would like to organise a demonstration then please contact us.
