| Knowledge Software Spotlight |
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nFold regularly profiles software in the nFold Software Quarterly newsletter. Here is a quick reference for your convenience.
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| CURRENT | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 Please note that prices may be based on prevailing exchange rates and should be taken as ballpark estimates only. For updated pricing, contact the relevant supplier. Appearance in this table does not constitute an endorsement. nFold does not take responsibility for the accuracy of this information and will not be held liable for any losses arising from the use of this information.
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| OCT 2006 |
Pastelizer This is a world-class utility that was built locally to synchronize the Maximizer CRM system with Pastel Accounting. Client details are transferred from Maximizer to Pastel, while a wealth of financial information can be brought back from Pastel to Maximizer. You can get started with a base model from about R4,500. Visit www.softwareafrica.co.za. |
Key Survey Sign up for the 30 day trial of this online survey system. A range of survey templates get you started quickly. And you can request email responses. The online analysis and reporting features seem comprehensive, but you can also export your data. About R6,000 buys you 2,000 completed surveys. Visit www.keysurvey.com. |
Trend Micro If you're annoyed with your anti-virus software and want to consider a credible alternative, look at Trend Micro's suite of security products. Updates are frequent and apparently not too invasive. It costs about R345 per user, so you will save about R40 or $5 per user. Visit www.trendmicro.com. |
| JUL 2006 |
AssetManager.NET helps you audit and manage fixed assets (including computers, furniture, machinery and equipment) with the aid of mobile handheld devices such as handheld scanners. The supplier assists you in defining simple yet effective asset management processes for your organisation and with installation and setup of AssetManager.NET product suite, so that the software starts working for you immediately. One set of core modules costs R15,000 excluding setup. A free trial version is available on request. Visit www.synapsesa.co.za. |
R-Mail is a new concept for relationship marketing to your high value customers, prospects and employees. It enables you to pre-allocate your budget and easily outsource the task of printing, mailing and delivery of your personalized communications and gifts. R-mail costs from R1,499 per user for sign up and R500 per user per year after that. Then, there is a monthly debit that depends on the amount of cards you send out and the value of the gifts you send. Visit www.rmail.co.za. |
EconoScorecard helps you to produce a BEE Rating for your company and forms the basis of your BEE plan. It asks for all the necessary data and calculates the final score instantly. Each item in the scorecard has been allocated a weighting in the codes of good practice. The software costs R1,500 or you can attend a half day workshop for R2,150 and get the software for free. Visit www.econoscorecard.co.za. |
| APR 2006 |
ReasonAble is argument mapping software developed in Australia. Argument mapping is a way to visualize reasoning and argument. Typically, argument maps are "box and arrow" diagrams displaying the various claims being made and their relationships. Humans may not be naturally good at complex reasoning, but they do have stupendously powerful visual abilities. The Professional version currently sells for about R1,000. Visit www.goreason.com. |
EService is a cell phone based wireless job dispatch application for field service teams. EService allows for scheduling and instant dispatch of work orders from a web based control panel directly to cell phones. Features include mapping, invoicing, time tracking, reporting and a QuickBooks interface all for under R120 per field worker per month. Visit www.eservice.econz.com. |
AutoCAD is computer aided design software. Typically used by engineers and architects, this software enables the design of three dimensional objects using vector graphics. From conceptual design through drafting and detailing, AutoCAD helps you to create, visualize, document, and share your ideas. AutoCAD costs about R20,000 per user. Visit www.autodesk.com. |
| JAN 2006 |
sql-ledger is an open source double-entry accounting system. When items are bought or sold, the accounts are automatically updated. It has templates you can customise for financial statements and other documents (such as invoices). It also supports multiple languages. Download from www.sql-ledger.com. |
vtiger is an open source CRM system. It can synchronize contacts, tasks and meetings with Outlook. It has features for contact management, sales and marketing management and helpdesk. A customer portal is also available. The system is accessed via a browser and can be customised. Download from www.vtiger.com. |
OpenOffice is widely used on the Linux platform as an open source alternative to MS Office. It runs on Windows too. Components include word processing, presentation, vector drawing, spreadsheet, database and function creator. It supports open document formats. Download from www.openoffice.org. |
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2005
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| OCT 2005 |
Oracle E-Business Suite Special Edition is an ERP solution for small to mid-size businesses. A typical deployment takes only 20 days. Apparently it has all the features of the high end solution, so it can easily scale as your business grows. And rumour has it that the software can be deployed for less than R1m. Visit www.oracle.com |
Travelsoft has a system for the corporate customers of travel agents. It works with Galileo and allows customers to submit travel booking requests via the web. Their Service Fees product
reduces Agency Debit Memos from the airlines and costs roughly R1,200 per month for the full version. Visit the travelsoft web page or contact travelsoft@mweb.co.za |
nuQ HR/Payroll is a locally developed payroll system with some HR functionality.
Ron Warren, a local payroll guru, was involved in the implementation. Starting at R60 per employee, it's quite affordable.
Its fully web-based, supports any pay period at any time and seems generally flexible and customisable. Visit www.nuq.co.za |
| JUL 2005 |
The SAP Business One
suite of management products for small and medium enterprises
covers all the core operations necessary to run your business successfully, including:
business administration, customer relationship management and manufacturing. At less than R1 million for a 50 user license, the solution is quite comparable to other mid-market ERP solutions. Visit www.businessone.co.za |
Maximizer contact management software now has more than 1 million users worldwide.
The software helps you manage your contacts, track every sale from lead to close and maintain long-lasting relationships after the initial sale has been made.
It has come a long way since the early days, with a bunch of handy features. A single user license cost less than $200. Visit www.maximizer.com |
Flowcentric is a business process management tool that allows
allows end users to build and deploy collaborative business processes that integrate applications, data and content, process rules and people in a single web-based application.
The software has been developed in South Africa and is marketed globally. It costs less than R75,000 for a 20 user license. Visit www.flowcentric.net |
| APR 2005 |
Esperant is an ad-hoc query and reporting tool crafted from a business perspective to deliver quick, easy and accurate answers to complex business questions by seamlessly integrating live data from multiple sources and delivering updated reports on schedule or on demand. Prices start at about £400 per user. The latest version provides a Query expert from within Microsoft Excel.
Client and Web versions are also available. Visit www.speedware.com |
Accpac CRM integrates with Accpac accounting software to provide enterprise-wide access to customer, partner and prospect information. Starting at about $16 / $50 per month per user the software includes all typical Marketing, Customer and Service features. The web version seems highly configurable and user friendly. Integration to Accpac accounting functionality is an advantage for existing Accpac users. Visit www.accpaccrm.com |
Lotus Notes is a widely used productivity, workflow and collaboration tool. It has long been a good choice for distributed text databases, such as document management applications. In recent years it has become more affordable. At a few hundred Rand per user it may now be even cheaper than MS Outlook. Its ability to publish web applications and its close relationship to Websphere, Domino and IBM Workplace are important for the extended enterprise. Visit www.ibm.com |
| JAN 2005 |
VATRAX automates VAT compliance processes and controls for exporters, to reduce VAT risks. The software collects data from financial systems and notifies users by email of work and data outstanding. The solution costs between R10,000 and R80,000 depending on the number of entities and transactions. For more information, call 0800283888 or contact vatrax@deloitte.co.za | Concurrence captures, collates and delivers electronic media in a coherent, attractive and easy to navigate format. Built to deliver professionally branded media via CD-ROM, it requires no formal training or technical ability beyond browse, point and click.
The solution saves bid teams time and money in helping to present tender material. The core tool is roughly £8,500.
Visit www.qnd-ltd.com |
VIP Classic provides an integrated solution for Payroll, HR, Employment Equity, Skills Development, Leave Administration and Personnel History.
VIP's products are kept up to date with changing local legislation. For a company who needs to process 100 salaries, the once off cost is roughly R5388 (excluding annual, training & implementation fees). Visit www.vippayroll.co.za |
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2004
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| OCT 2004 |
Softtruck is load planning software for manufacturers and shipping agents. It helps you to optimise the space in a truck, container or warehouse. Costing about $500, it allows you to import data and remembers the sizes of your containers and items. It enables you to print a graphic download plan in 2D or 3D or to send the plan to someone via email. For more information, visit www.softtruck.com | Pastel is a locally developed accounting system used by small and medium-sized companies world-wide. There are 3 versions: 'Accounting Xpress', 'Accounting Partner' and 'Evolution'. Accounting Partner costs R5,800. Pastel also offers a contact management module called Resolve. This software allows you to capture business activities in addition to traditional accounting details. For more information, visit www.pastel.com
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Pervasive is an affordable entry level database platform. A 6 user Pervasive.SQL V8 system costs $845. Pervasive provides service level operations and a full suite of graphical server console management utilities. It can be embedded into applications, such as Pastel. It supports Linux, Netware and Windows operating systems and behaves consistently across these platforms. For more information, visit www.pervasive.com
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| JUL 2004 |
DB/TextWorks is an affordable choice for managing content such as documents, images, knowledgebases, and multi-media objects. At approximately R30,000 for 5 concurrent users, the software enables information professionals to index, manage and retrieve text, images and multimedia objects. With its fielded search engine, DB/TextWorks deliver a precise results with lightening speed. For more information, visit www.inmagic.com | Presentation Express enables users to generate customized Microsoft PowerPoint presentations that include only the most relevant slides and contain audience-specific content. Based on Pragmatech's cutting-edge document assembly Technology the software automatically generates a form from a slide library. Author licenses are about £1,000 while client licenses are about £250. For more information, visit www.pragmatech.com |
Project Scheduler (PS8) is a project management system for managing many projects or large and complex projects. Licenses start at $1,000 per user, but become cheaper as you buy more. PS8 claims to be the best tool for managing Critical Chain projects. The software is deal for the project office due to cross-project scheduling, resource analysis, portfolio management, web updating and flexible reporting. For more information, visit www.sciforma.com |
| APR 2004 |
Fourthshift is an ERP system for mid-sized manufacturers. One customer implemented the entire solution for less than R500,000.
With thousands of customer sites ranging from medium-sized fast growing manufacturers to independent subsidiaries of multinational corporations, Fourth Shift is focused on core manufacturing markets.
The system can typically be implemented within 3 - 6 months, providing a rapid return on investment and fast time to market. For more information, visit www.fs.com | HEAT is traditionally seen as a call centre solution. It is a sister product to Goldmine, a very popular CRM system supplied by Frontrange Solutions. It cost one customer approximately R30,000 per seat.
Built on more than a decade of service management experience, HEAT integrates core service and support components into one complete solution to reduce costs and increase operational effectiveness.
Frontrange Solutions employs approximately 500 people and has more than one million users worldwide. For more information, visit www.frontrange.com |
EtQ Solutions is a modular and highly flexible quality management system.
The price for a 5 user web system is roughly R30,000. While EtQ Solutions can automate most business processes, the software is ready-to-use for compliance with ISO/QS-9000 and ISO 14000 standards. Its web interface, integration with MS Office and ease of customisation without programming are some of the product's core strengths.
EtQ has more than 200 customers and 125,000 licensed users. For more information, visit www.etq.com |
| JAN 2004 |
Media is an affordable business intelligence solution that helps managers make better decisions with less effort. At about R3,000 per user, the system enables managers to see at a glance the key performance criteria for the business, such as financial performance, customer satisfaction and production levels. The system combines and summarises information contained in enterprise databases.
The software was developed by Speedware, listed on the Toronto stock exchange in Canada . With more than 3,000 customers, Speedware has a network of about 40 distributors in 35 countries. For more information, visit www.speedware.com | Solutional has developed a highly customisable Web based CRM system, called Radical.
Local is lekker at about R5,000 per user. The software is sold in South Africa , Namibia and Botswana . With customers such as FNB (Card Division), Debswana, Wimpy and Boart Longyear, Solutional is well on its way to having an established user base.
The software is suitable for a range of sales, marketing and support functions. It is based on a SQL database, uses Crystal Reports for reporting and integrates easily to your enterprise systems. For more information, visit www.solutional.net |
SolidWorks is a well established CAD package used for three dimensional mechanical designs.
At an upgrade price of about R9,000 per Solidworks user, PDMWorks helps SolidWorks users to manage the designs, parts and drawings created in the system. PDMWorks includes revision control and product life-cycle features.
The system is useful in a multi-user environment where parts can be shared across several products, or where many products are changed frequently. It takes the hassle out of manual revision control, where errors can be costly. For more information, visit www.solidworks.com |
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2003
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| OCT 2003 |
Livelink is a web-based Document Management, Collaboration and Workflow application. Created by OpenText, who employ 1,200 people in 6 global offices, there are more than 10,000 customers using the software, supported by 77 distributors world-wide.
Entry level enterprise solutions start at roughly R500,000. For more information visit www.opentext.com
| Pragmatech Software has a suite of document assembly tools that work with Microsoft Office.
More than 2,000 customers use the tool to improve sales productivity. A single user license of RFP Machine, their flagship product, costs about R15,000.
For more information, visit www.pragmatech.com |
EMSys Pro enables is a cost recovery system. Usage from devices such as copiers, and phone systems can be automatically tracked, allocated to an account and posted to a time & billing system.
Ideal for professional services firms, this product pays for itself within a matter of months. For more information visit www.emsyspro.com |
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