Softline Pastel, South Africa’s leading provider of SME accounting and business solutions, is launching GoToAssist, an application that allows support staff to remotely take control of customers’ computers, to resolve any complicated support queries they may have while using the accounting software.

Pastel is the first South African accounting software firm to offer a remote support service like this.

GoToAssist is a product from Citrix Systems Inc. – world leaders in application delivery infrastructure – that allows a contact centre agent to see what’s happening on a customer’s screen, and remotely resolve the problem.

Customers are emailed a hyperlink from which they can download the GoToAssist utility in a matter of seconds. Once the utility has been installed, the call centre agent will have access to their computer. A pop-up warning reminds customers to close any confidential documents.

“The beauty of the product is that it takes the guesswork out of resolving a customer’s query,” says Steven Cohen, managing director of Softline Pastel. “Because our support staff can see everything that’s happening on the screen, they are able to resolve the call in a much shorter timeframe – allowing the customer to get back to their work sooner.”

The GoToAssist utility is completely secure, and once the session has been closed, the agent cannot regain control of the customer’s computer. The Pastel call centre also saves a video for review and for coaching agents.

GoToAssist is available to Cover customers – subscribers to Pastel’s support service. It has been bundled with the 2009 Pastel Upgrade at no extra charge to Cover customers. There are no specific hardware requirements, although the Utility will only work on ADSL – it will not work on dial-up.

Pastel Cover is a voluntary support plan that offers unlimited telephonic and email support, free software upgrades, magazines and regular newsletters focusing on support, tips and tricks for the Pastel customer. Support is delivered from an award-winning call centre, where 145 agents take over 50 000 calls a month.

‘In a recession cash is king’. It is an old saying and not without some wisdom. For when a recession strikes then asset prices fall – shares, real estate, just about everything you can buy – and the person with cash in hand can take the advantage

1. Set a budget at least six months ahead (Budget & Plan)
   

Monitor actual results against the budget and keep revising it – things change very fast these days and you need to be ready. Make sure you know your taxes, emergencies, insurance which you have to pay to avoid any last minute surprises. Avoid any defaults during these times as could risk your credit rating in longer term.

1. Regular management accounts to monitor your cash flow (Manage & Monitor)
   

Be on the Top of your accounts rather than it being on top of you. Manage and Monitor on a regular basis, even if it requires having a part time book keeper if required. Monthly is essential, weekly is better, daily is best

1. Check bank statements regularly and reconcile them. (Check & Validate)
   

Banks are managed by humans and they do make mistakes so keep an eye on the bank statements regularly to avoid any charges on your bank and control over the bank over draft. Overdraft is a critical and useful tool in such days.

1. Negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers (Negotiate)
   

Even 7 days increases in your credit terms could affect you but be justified don’t put your suppliers out of business, and don’t jeopardize your own credit rating. Take all cash discounts if you have cash and for annual payments go in for monthly Installments instead of one time payments. .

1. Make sensible use of credit cards (Credit Card Sensibility)
   

Credit card could be a good tool to get some extended credit for purchases but use them sensibly and ensure you plan in your cash flows so you do not have the burden of excessive interest. Never get in the cycle of Credit card finance as they are very costly.

1. Stock is not cash, it’s only potential cash. (Manage Inventory)
   

Stock is not cash it is only cash when it is sold and you do not earn if you have it on your shelf or your warehouse. Manage and control Stock levels as it could be the biggest portion of your asset which you could control and reduce. Never stock if you get it cheap as the markets are well informed and networked now a days so everyone could have the information at the right time.

1. Small Retail Sales should be in cash not Credit. (Cash Sales)
   

Small retails sales keep it always in cash no credit as there is a very cost for collection. So keep all small sales in cash to avoid any collection costs.

1. Do not refuse sales to small customers. (Small Customers)
   

Small customer might just give you the ready cash and clear up your dead inventory. Never ignore the small customer could be ready cash for you as well as clearing of old inventory.

We have software / services and simple tools which will help you analyze your data and point you in the right direction.

From 1st December 2008, the standard rate of VAT will decrease from 17.5% to 15%. Winjit Technologies helps users to make this changes in Sage Line 50. Download the file from the below link and follow the instructions for making the changes in Sage Line 50 and be prepared for 1st December 2008

Download Document on Changing VAT in Sage Line 50

I found this intresting article and a Tool while investigating issues with VAT rate change on Sage line 50.

The Problem

After detailed investigation we have concluded that Sage 50 has various issues (dependent on your version) with the recent changes in Vat. It generally calculates the Vat amount due per item line at time of entry or amendment.

This means that even after changing the Vat rate within Sage any outstanding orders (some versions only) and invoices including any memorised invoices (all versions other than 2009), it shows the new rate but the wrong (old) Vat amount. (It does this as it does not recalculate the Vat amount). On all versions there are issues with the Vat on carriage, which we also fix.

The Solution is The Bluestone Vat Correction Tool Just before you print and post your invoices, simply run the Bluestone Vat correction tool to ensure compliance. It checks all invoices within the defined date range and will recalculate the invoice. It does this by taking the item price (including any discounts given and applies Vat at the defined rate)

Check the entire article on Click here

This isa simple video tutorial to migrate to new VAT rate of 15 % from 17.5 % in sage Line 50. I have been reading some posts on problems with recurring invoices in Sage. We are trying to investigate  on a solution for simpler migration for the process.

Meanwhile the attached process will atleast solve the problem for your new invoices.

With the advent of change in UK VAT rate from 17.5% to 15%, people are worried about the implications in the accounting softwares installed.  There is a solution for this.  Read the above link if you want to change the VAT Rate in Sage Pastel Partner and Sage Pastel Evolution

Click here for more details

From 1 December 2008, the standard rate of VAT will decrease from 17.5% to15%. This article explains how this change affects Sage Accounts and what you need to do. There are many Sage users would need help to migrate from 17.5 % to 15 %

This article explains on steps to do the same

To change the VAT rate in Sage Accounts

To change the standard rate of VAT in Sage Accounts, you should edit the standard rated tax code, T1 by default.

Note: You should make this change on 1 December 2008.

1. Open the Settings menu, choose Configuration then click the Tax Codes tab.

Sage Accounts v9 and below – Open the Settings menu then choose Tax Codes.

The tax code information appears as below

2. Select T1 then click Edit.

Note: If you use a different tax code for your standard rate of VAT, select the relevant tax code then click Edit. The Edit Tax Code window appears.

3. Enter 15 in the Rate box then click OK. The Edit Tax Codes window closes.

4. To apply the change, and return to the Sage Accounts desktop, click Apply then click Close.

Note: The following are not affected by the change in VAT rate:

 Zero rated goods, for example, basic foodstuffs, children’s clothing and children’s footwear.

 Goods and services subject to VAT at the reduced rate of 5%.

We have software / services and develop bespoke applications on Sage line 50 as per your requirements.

I was just going through various sites and when I actually tried to search and download some information on Sage Line 50 and guess what, the most asked about question which cameWhere can I download Tally 9 Crack

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I was surprised by the sheer number of people actually taking efforts and also quoting their official email ids to look for such cracks. I am not sure if there is something actually available and if available how reliable it is. Also how can you risk your accounting software the core of the organization on a pirated copy of a software which is available for less which is peanuts, I believe.

Software is one of the most valuable technologies of the Information Age, running everything from PCs to the Internet. Unfortunately, because software is so valuable, and because computers make it easy to create an exact copy of a program in seconds, software piracy is widespread. From individual computer users to professionals who deal wholesale in stolen software, piracy exists in homes, schools and businesses.

Software pirates not only steal from the companies that make the software, but with less money for research and development of new software, all users are hurt. That’s why all software piracy — even one copy you make for a friend — is illegal.