Sage ERP X3 enables Bold Context’s hosted solution and allows for detailed reporting

Bold Context was in need of a hosted solution that could also support detailed financial reporting to their customers.  Sage ERP X3 presented itself as the perfect solution to address the company’s needs.

Bold Context simplifies financial management for small and medium-sized businesses through the provision of skilled advisory personnel and robust, scalable and cost-efficient back-office services in a shared service centre format, (referred to as a hosted solution). The hosted services include accounting, debtors, creditors, sales, purchasing, stock, manufacturing, reporting and business intelligence. In essence, SMEs have access to large company systems at small company prices.

Sage ERP X3 enables Bold Context to provide the hosted solution to companies with limited internal IT skills and capabilities. The solution is affordable and manageable. “The Sage ERP X3 application is hosted in a professional environment with full backup procedures and database administration which is taken care of on behalf of our clients.  There is no large capital outlay and businesses can now enjoy the benefits of large enterprise systems without breaking the bank”, says Graham McGregor, CEO for Bold Context.

“The cloud-based ERP offers many advantages, especially for start-up businesses,” says Keith Fenner, senior vice president for sales at Sage ERP Africa. “Businesses are able to benefit from lower infrastructure costs, easy software deployment and seamless scalability.”

Accounting and business management software solutions specialist Lorge was contracted by Bold Context to implement, service, support and maintain the Sage ERP X3 software. The hosted ERP X3 solution offers Bold Context and its customers a full suite of modules to fully support its needs and drive the business. Developments per customer are made easy with the SAFE (Sage Application Framework for the Enterprise) architecture, and data is securely housed in the respective customer’s folder,” says Jonty Katz, Operations Manager of Lorge’s Sage ERP X3 division.

In the past the clients of Bold Context also experienced difficulties with the level of detail available in the reports delivered from their various systems and they had to start to purchase and develop 3rd party applications to fill the gaps their current systems could not cover. This created a complicated IT environment which increased the costs of servicing.  Businesses started to become reliant on certain key individuals and were exposed to large amounts of risk should this individual depart the business,” says McGregor.

However, with the hosted Sage ERP X3 solution Bold Context can simplify the creation of reports dramatically.  Once the customer has transferred key financial accounting information, Bold Context starts a systematic system improvement & development process. This can be broken into phases to support rapid initial system setup and then focused development thereafter to achieve high levels of ROI for the ERP take on.

The companies utilizing Bold Context hosted Sage ERP X3 solution now have access to more detailed financial information supporting business analytics through the extension of multiple dimensions.  The customers can also map a long term system development strategy knowing full well that they will not outgrow the system.

One of Bold Context’s hosted clients is CSS Tactical, a professional security services company, providing mainly armed response and dedicated proactive patrols as well as the installation of burglar alarms and CCTV cameras.

“Sage ERP X3 has allowed us to manage our key customer billing information and customer master file data in a controlled and efficient manner. We have also managed to improve our business profitability analytics through the dimension levels supported in Sage. We have also been able to map a long term ERP strategy involving all the benefits of Sage including CRM & EDM module utilization,” says Ricky Croock, CEO of CSS Tactical.

Small business advice: Talk to the right people about what your business needs

Deciding to spend money on a software solution to tighten financial control is a useful and prudent decision for small businesses.  Owners and managers must choose wisely to ensure the solution matches the overall business requirements and that they are not purchasing a solution favoured only by the accountant or IT manager.

Many small business owners often turn to their accountant with the question of what software to use.  In larger companies, the IT department recommends a solution that matches their preferred technical platform and not software that might be incorrect for their financial requirements. This is where issues often arise.

It is vital to find the right software solution that not only details where you have been, but more importantly, helps you to navigate where you are going. By providing both an overview, and then delving deeper into the details, owners are better equipped to evaluate the business environment.

So, how should a SME owner or manager go about choosing accounting software, and who should be involved?  Here are a few tips:

1. Define your scope and understand your functional requirements
2. Determine who might be involved in the process and how much you’re able to spend
3. Match points 1 and 2 to the solutions available in the market.

Since the evaluation process can be fairly lengthy and require time from your team, it is worth narrowing the field as soon as possible and considering in detail those products that are likely options.

Remember, you might not need hefty solutions with a plethora of features. The right vendor will assist you in finding a solution with sufficient functionality to support your company well into the future, assuring far greater fiscal discipline and laying a firm foundation for financial success.