Acclivity AccountEdge

 

Powerful new solution for PC users

 

SAL is aware that some UK MYOB users on the PC have decided to import the Canadian version of AccountEdge for the PC.  We've taken a look and like what we see. 

The software costs US$399 (about £250 - no VAT is payable) for a single user licence.  Multiuser versions are available.  For example a further five licences are available for US$499 (about £300).  There are no compulsory rental / support fees.

PC users with complex stock control requirements may find it particularly appropriate.  This is the option that we have ourselves chosen in this accounting office.  Were it not for the licencing issues (see below) we would wholeheartedly recommend this software as being the most suitable solution for the more complex PC environments.

While the interface is gorgeous, it does operate slightly differently.  The location of the lists function is different and takes some getting used to.  Most of the other functions that you know and love about MYOB are available within this Canadian software but are sometimes in an unexpected place.  The key exception is Payroll.  There are other small differences to learn. With a bit of wit and support you will find this software at least as straightforward as your current option.  

SAL is making the testdrive software available for a simple reason.  We would like readers of this site to test the software.  If you like it we would like you to then ask the new owners Mamut if they wouldn't mind importing the alternative into the UK.  You can reach the new CEO Oystein Moan at Oystein.Moan@visma.com

Key Points:

  • You will have to buy the software yourself before you register. Acclivity may try to make this difficult for you.  The licence will have to be bought online by UK users. The simplest way to register is to buy with a credit card.
  • You can test the PC software using the download from the evaluation site we offer.  (We obtained this freely from the Acclivity site in late July).
  • You will have to create a new datafile. The datafile can be based upon exports from a current MYOB version 13 - 19 datafile, or other software that you may be using.
  • The software is subject to the licence not the datafile.   Therefore you will have to register it on all the computers that you expect to be using this software on.  You therefore will potentially need more licences than previously.
  • Simple Accounting Ltd cannot guarantee that registration will be possible later on.  Acclivity have a no compete agreement with Mamut asa. This leads them to try to avoid selling their software to UK users if they can.  You may have to buy the software elsewhere in order to then be able to use it in the UK.
  • You are buying Canadian software. It will never upgrade to an MYOB variant in the UK.  There are differences in the VAT reporting in particular which will need to be planned around.

Advantages

  • It allows masses of multi users on PC.
  • VAT, Intrastat, EC sales list can all be supported.   
  • Stock control is very straightforward and has the full functionality developed since v11 (including locations and stock reconciliation).
  • If you buy Acclivity AccountEdge its serial number will last forever. The serial number is applied against the computer number, not the computer's IP address. That computer can be used in any location after it has been registered.
  • Software in Canada is supported by an army of users and professional consultants. This software is not going to be allowed to die.
  • There is no reconfirmation process.  You are not mortgaged to any particular support arrangements. If you take support from Mamut it will be because you need it rather than because they are forcing you to accept the renewal .
  • It will be familiar for those used to using MYOB in the past.
  • The software appears to link to an iPhone based AccountEdge mobile system which allows remote access.  The iPhone can be useful for (for example) the posting of sales invoices.  This allows salesmen on the road to link in with client data. 
  • There is a possibility of using other Canadian addons.  One of these will allow people to track online their time for particular jobs. Another is a CRM.  Another is a hotel reservation and booking system.
  • There is a possibility of the remote credit card payments routine and the checkout point of sale and webstore.
  • It has ODBC compliance built in (read only)
  • When you register your software you will automatically be enrolled in the MYOB community forum of Australia at http://community.myob.com/. This allows online discussion of any problems you have and developments that you hope to see.
  • The serial number is bought from Acclivity, the US management buyout of MYOB. It is bought once only. It is then available to use for registration and reregistration of software on PCs indefinitely. It does not age or expire. It is not subject to any reconfirmations. A block of five further workstation licences can be bought for $499 (some £300). All the software is downloaded - no CDs are available with this route.

Disadvantages

  • The authors (Acclivity USA) seem to claim that using the software in the UK represents some sort of breach of copyright. They are making it difficult for people to register.  Many PC users may find that this Canadian software is a good option despite this. 
  • They have put an IP filter on their website.  It is possible to get around it.  However they clearly do not like UK small business people using it.
  • At the moment we are unsure if a UK style payroll can be operated within the software -we  suspect the answer is no.
  • There is an anticompetitive agreement between Acclivity and the UK distributor of MYOB products, Mamut, on the import of PC versions of MYOB and Acclivity. The Mamut asa has an exclusive distribution rights agreement with MYOB Pty of Australia.  It is unclear what either firm will do if many businesses opt for the Canadian software.
  • There may be an upgrade path to future versions of this software.  It is unclear if these upgrades will be made available to UK users.

Licencing Issues

Mamut, the UK distributor, will not distribute a PC variant of the software as it would be a rival to their Mamut Enterprise range.  Acclivity USA are unhappy to sell their Canadian software into the UK. This would be in breach of a no compete agreement they have signed.  However, we anticipate that some PC users will find the US software so good that they will decide to circumvent this.  They will buy the Acclivity software in the USA and import it to get around this ban.

The licence is for the software, not the data.  This will be a change for those who are used to MYOB's old licencing system. 

Each licence grants you use of the software for as many datafiles as you need. The licence is based on the network card of the PC you register.  Therefore you should deregister the program if you need to change your PC's network card, and reregister it afterwards.

Support from Simple Accounting

We here at Simple Accounting cannot sell or distribute this software itself. Acclivity USA  might potentially claim that we are breaching some copyright regulation. If your business has decided to import the software we will provide whatever support we can.

Unfortunately we cannot offer any guarantee for this Canadian software.  Evaluation versions can be obtained from us just to test drive. They will only work for thirty days... after which businesses will need to buy a serial number and register.

The huge advantage of the Acclivity software is that there is no Digital Rights Management. There are no file reconfirmations at all.
You will have to create a new datafile. If your affairs are basic and straightforward you will not need any support creating a new datafile.  Alternatively we can create one from your old MYOB data. We are willing to offer people phone advice to anyone who has imported this software.

To find out more

We have Test Drives for Acclivity products available for you to try out. Until the summer these testdrives were easily and publicly available from the Acclivity website to UK registered businesses. 

  • Acclivity AccountEdge (for PC) - Canada 
  • Acclivity Business Basics (for PC) - USA (only suitable for businesses that are not VAT reg'd).

Links

Please note that for many of these webpages, Acclivity have put on an IP checker.  This will create an Acclivity redirection to take you to Mamut's web pages. Therefore we have created links with an IP masker to allow you to view the original Acclivity site. 

You can see Acclivity software online at:
http://tinyurl.com/3qoh66b
  • You can also see a profile of an international version of the Acclivity Software for the Mac computer.
  • You can go through the links there to see the Acclivity AccountEdge Windows Features list.

 
Details of Acclivity AccountEdge Mobile:
http://tinyurl.com/3ujxqfo
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/accountedge-mobile/id409842610?mt=8#

Details of the linked Acclivity Webstore:
http://tinyurl.com/6xwxnxu

Other add-on software that will link to Acclivity:
http://tinyurl.com/4x6udbl

US PC Business basics (suitable for non VAT businesses only):
http://tinyurl.com/3d5m9t4


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