Still no sign of Microsoft Accounting Solution

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Small companies in Ireland are facing a significant wait for the arrival of Microsoft’s Small Business Accounting package.

Microsoft describes its Small Business Accounting product, available in the US since September at $179, as “a comprehensive financial management programme designed for companies with up to 25 employees” which has “the familiar look and feel of Microsoft Office 2003”.

Small Business Accounting, which is pitched against Intuit and Sage in the US, includes “accounting, inventory management, sales order and purchase order processing, job tracking, banking and payroll”.

Microsoft Ireland is understood to be among the European subsidiaries which has applied for the product to be developed for their territories. The product is going to be made available in the UK but there is no indication of when, if at all, the product will be released into the Irish market.

Clive Ryan, Microsoft business group manager, confirmed there were no formal plans for the release of Small Business Accounting in Ireland. He added that there was no decision as to whether it might be included with the launch of Microsoft Office 2007 in October or November this year.

One of the benefits of Small Business Accounting 2006 which Microsoft has been promoting in the US is that it can share information with other Microsoft Office programmes, such as Microsoft Office Word 2003 and Excel 2003.

Customers can also perform create quotes, orders and invoices without leaving Outlook if they use the package in conjunction with Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager update.

“Outlook updates information in Small Business Accounting 2006 in real time, making data re-entry unnecessary while saving time and reducing errors,” Microsoft claims.

Financial history from Small Business Accounting 2006 can also be linked to the customer’s account information, combining the latest customer communications with financial data.

The benefits of Small Business Accounting 2006 according to Microsoft

1. Start working right away – Small Business Accounting 2006 does not require technical training to install or accounting training to use.

2. Share data across the business and software programmes – integrated with Microsoft Office 2003 programs

3. Make better-informed business decisions – customisable Company Home page gives owners an up-to-date view of important

4. Break out details in customisable reports – company owners can get detailed views and analyse their business information with more than 60 customisable reports.

5. Get a complete view of the customer – put all customer account information in one place by integrating Small Business Accounting 2006 and Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager Update

6. Share secure, reliable multi-user access – up to five users can use the programme at the same time.

7. Automate bank accounts, customer payments and forms.

8. Keep track of transactions, sales, and billable hours.

9. Scalable – Small Business Accounting can be “seamlessly upgraded” to a more sophisticated programme from Microsoft Business Solutions.

www.microsoft.com/office/accounting/prodinfo/default.mspx

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