Peachtree vs ACCPAC

[Paul]

I'm currently using Peachtree version 4 and am thinking of upgrading to
version 7 or possibly ACCPAC Simply Accounting or Small Business.
Quickbooks would also be considered. Any advice or suggestions
appreciated.

We're a small biz needing GL, AP, AR, and payroll apps. Importing /
exporting to Excel would also be nice.

Thanks,
Paul

[Vernon Paige]

Most users consider Simply, QB, and Peachtree to be roughly equal.
Yes, going from Peachtree 4 to version 7 would be an upgrade but your
other choices are probably "switches" rather than upgrades.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages relative to the others.
Users prefer one over the others on the basis of either suitability to
their needs (good basis for preference) or familiarity (not such a
good basis).

QB suits me and the majority of my clients better than the other 2.
QB and Simply are both weak with respect to inventory. QB is weak
with respect to order processing, though there are work-arounds that
satisfy many users; I'm not sure about Simply and Peachtree on this
issue.

If you're seriously considering "upgrade", your choices increase -
MYOB for example, and at least a half-dozen more at comparable prices.

All can export to Excel, though there are differences in ease and
efficiency. All can import from Excel - at least some data; QB
readily imports lists (customer data, vendors, items, etc.), but
transactions are difficult. Third-party utilities are also available
to enhance all these software products in various ways - see
http://www.blocktax.com for information on most QB-compatible
products, for example.

Paul <pblomquist@_removethis_mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:<38005619...@news.mia.bellsouth.net>...

.

[Dee Dee Heyne]

Paul - If you are going to take the time and money to change software
packages, maybe you should look at purchasing something better than what
you have. In my opinion, the 3 packages are on the same level and offer
very similar features. Of course, there are differences or there would
not be 3 but basically they are all the same. If you are currently
using PT then I might consider upgrading to a more current version of
same.
DeeDee Heyne

[Mikeh]

If you are a small business that is growing, I would agree with Dee Dee
Heyne. You may want to move upscale. The best way to determine a direction
is to sit down with your back office managers (Controller, Owner, CEO, CFO,
AR and AP Managers) and try to identify any deficiencies in what you
currently have. Then use that as a starting point for your search. I know
it can seem a little silly, but you may want to think about locating a
consultant that could help you in your search. It can help to have some
outside views on your business when looking for new software.

If you feel that everything is fine with what you have, then I would just
upgrade. You and your people are familiar with Peachtree so why rock the
boat without some material gain?

Dee Dee Heyne <dbh...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:380faced...@news.mia.bellsouth.net...

[Les Clemens]

Accounting software package to stay away from.

I'll tell you one not to buy. UA Corporate Accounting. I made the mistake of
purchasing this package from the developers, Advanced Software Development
Corp. On there web site http://www.advancedsoftware.com/html/why_ua.html
they say:

"UA Corporate Accounting is built entirely with Microsoft Office programs,
such as Excel, Word, and Access. This means that your financial data is
accessible from many different programs, each designed to do a different
thing. For example, you can instantly create Mail Merge letters for
customers with Word, or start a very complicated company project with
Microsoft Team Manager. This gives UA Corporate Accounting a distinct
advantage...the Microsoft Development Team daily adding to the product.
Each new release of Office places U.A. Corporate Accounting further ahead of
other systems."

They state "Each new release of Office places U.A. Corporate Accounting
further ahead of other systems." I find this statement to be false. I am
running MS Office 2000 Premium (the newest release of Office) on my system
and their software does not operate with this newer version of MS Office. On
the same web page, they further state:

"Built entirely with Microsoft tools
· Built entirely with Microsoft Office
· Extremely easy to customize features and reports
· Benefit from new releases of Office directly from Microsoft

I fail to see how I have benefited from this new release "of Office
directly from Microsoft". UA version 6.0 does not run under MS Office 2000.

Only after uninstalling Office 2000 and reinstalling Office 97 was I able to
get this unfinished so-called software to run. After spending hours of web
time downloading numerous patches from there secure web site was I able to
start the set up procedure. I think there is a name for this, (BATA
TESTING).The so-called User's Guide consisted of a user's guide for the
previous version (5.5) and a loose leaf binder of over 150 pages of
corrections. Upon total frustration I call the Louisiana based company
begging for relief and was told by Charles Gaiennie that there is nothing he
could do for me.

There promises that it will run on upgrades of MS Office is an out and out
lie. I reinstalled MS Office 2000 and shit caned there over priced software
that refuses to run on this new platform. Buyers beware.

Les Clemens
President
System One Software
l...@system1soft.com

Mikeh <miketon...@mn.mediaone.net> wrote in message
news:3811cbf3...@news.mia.bellsouth.net...

[Dana Persells]

Les,
I appreciate your anger with a product. It appears there is some
justification particularly since there are some work-arounds available. I am
surprised that UA didn't explain at time of purchase about MS Office
versions and file formats, we do. I don't have any relation with or to UA
nor have I ever used their product. I sell a competing product that also
uses Access. However, we are aware of the problems with newer versions of
MS Office and warn potential users. I don't know if that makes us smart,
alert, paranoid, or just careful.
However, the thread to which this is attached does not mention that
product and this post is identical to your other ones including typos.
Luck,
Dana
To reply, please remove NOSPAM from the address
or click on this one: da...@tailored-computing.com
Visit our web site at
http://www.tailored-computing.com

[Todd Boyle]

On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 11:27:04 GMT, "Dana Persells"
<danaN...@tailored-computing.com> wrote:

>surprised that UA didn't explain at time of purchase about MS Office
>versions and file formats, we do. I don't have any relation with or to UA
>nor have I ever used their product. I sell a competing product that also
>uses Access. However, we are aware of the problems with newer versions of
>MS Office and warn potential users.

The Microsoft platform is a treadmill. It creates continual
system-breaking changes.

But keep plugging, guys, all those changes are worthwhile because
they are necessary to keep making Microsoft products better and
better.

Besides, those changes are good because they weed out the 3rd party
products that keep popping up in the Windows platforms....

TB