February 4th, 2010
It seems with every release of new accounting software, developers attempt to one-up each other with more and more features. While more features can certainly be good in some aspects of financial software (summaries and reports, for instance), there is a law of diminishing returns. There is a tipping point at which point more features does not mean a better program, but a more cumbersome.
Why is ‘less is more’ valid when it comes to some aspects of accounting software? There should be as little interruption, when working with accounting software, as possible. The more bells and whistles there are, the more interruptions.
The most successful and usable financial software is that which strikes the perfect balance between many useful features and a sleek, easy-to-use interface.
PAYROLL AS AN EXAMPLE
It can be tempting to look to payroll as an aspect of accounting software in which more is better. “If we have as many features as possible in the payroll section of the accounting program,” the argument goes, “then we will be able to be more efficient!”
This is far from the case. Generally, there are a few features that are necessary when it comes to payroll. Accounting software which deals with payroll should be able to print checks, automatically pay employees, do direct deposit, and take care of income tax withholding.
Software with more than those features tends to be past the point at which more features become useful. Beyond that point, though, the payroll section simply becomes confusing, difficult to navigate, and cumbersome.
If there are too many features in your accounting program, then it means that the developer likely spent more time focusing on nifty add-ons than on the actual structure and fundamentals of the accounting software. It is far better to have software that does a few things, but does them very well, than it is to have a jack-of-all-trades program that does many things in a mediocre manner.
Financial programs should not create more problems than they solve. Programs that are too complex tend to invent problems that were not even problems to begin with. When problems are created simply with the goal of solving them, then efficiency goes down the drain.
When shopping for accounting programs, keep in mind what you actually need in the program. Look for software that does an excellent job at what you need, and don’t be impressed by features you didn’t even know you needed in the first place. The bells-and-whistles approach of selling software is an excellent sales tactic, but it often does not benefit the consumer.
When you know what aspects and features on which to focus your energies when shopping for financial programs, you will pick a program that benefits you and your business. Treat the shopping process like you would treat the hiring process. If you want an employee with some predefined traits, it does not matter if he is classically trained in opera (unless, of course, you are looking for an opera singer).
Filed under: Financial Software | Comments Off
February 4th, 2010
What is VMWare Fusion?
VMWare Fusion is a Mac software that will let you run multiple operating systems on your Mac computer such as Windows, Solaris, and Linux. With VMWare Fusion, you can run other operating systems along side the Mac OS X even without rebooting your computer or laptop. It allows you to share information quickly and smoothly between two different OS environments.
NOTE: The VMWare Fusion Mac software usually comes free when you buy a new Mac from the Apple store.
Windows in a Mac Body
When you use the VMWare Fusion software, it’s like working on a familiar environment using a non-familiar platform. The drag and drop function of Windows still applies, but it is the Mac keyboard shortcuts that you have to use. It might require some getting used to, but at least you’re already done with the first half, especially if you’ve been working on Windows for too long now.
To launch the Windows application, use the VMWare Fusion Launch Palette or Spotlight. To switch to another operating system, use the Expose. Finally, to keep applications you like, use the Dock.
Freeze and Turn Back Time
The VMWARE Fusion software has an innovative feature called the Snapshot that lets you capture and save the exact condition of your application. Just in case your Windows system becomes unresponsive, you can use the software’s Snapshot feature to go back to the last known stable condition of the application.
Mac Hardware to Boost Your Windows OS
Because Mac computers are often equipped with hardware of the best performance and highest quality, they can boost the performance and flexibility of your Windows OS. You can take advantage of the 64-bit multi-core processor of your Mac computer to improve the action of other operating systems. With VMWare Fusion, running 64-bit OS such as the Windows Vista Ultimate Edition will be as easy as a piece of cake!
Not Just One, Not Just Two, But Multiple!
VMWare Fusion lets you run not just one or two operating systems but as many as you like or need. Even if you are already running Windows side by side Mac OS X, you can still Linux or Solaris alongside the two – with ease and comfort. Plus, with this powerful Mac software, you can easily copy and paste texts or drag and drop items between OS.
Bring Back the Familiar Face
While you have finally decided to move on and move forward by using a Mac computer or laptop, do not forget to bring back what you first learned and experienced. Get the VMWare Fusion software from Apple store now and bring back the old familiar faces of Windows and Linux on you’re your modern Mac computer!
Filed under: Mac software | Comments Off
February 4th, 2010
The aim of this advantageous merger is to join technical and marketing expertise to offer extended services spectrum, more elegant and intelligent software solutions and products.
Enterra Inc. will be able to provide its customers’ projects with powerful and reliable software components for reporting, data analysis and visualization; it will dramatically reduce cost and timeline of customers’ projects and increase their ROI.
“Thanks to a large number of ready-to-use software components provided by Perpetuum Software we can cut down both the cost and the timeline for our clients’ projects”, stated Enterra’s CEO, Dmitry Starostenkov.
Perpetuum Software will intensify development of existing products; new releases will be announced oftener and will feature more new abilities. As usual all new and promising technologies will be delivered to the customers.
“Enlarged programmers staff will join experience and skills to work hard on new versions of the reporting and data visualization products we offer. I believe our customers will enjoy enhanced quality of our products and services”, said Eugene Akinshin, CTO at Perpetuum Software LLC.
So, customers of the combined company will benefit from this merger as they will get advanced software products, solutions and services of higher level. It will allow us to reach and address new market segments, as well as strengthen our position on the established markets.
Both organizations will go to the next stage of success, innovate and make breakthroughs in the IT industry.
About Perpetuum Software LLC (http://www.perpetuumsoft.com)
The company was founded in 2002. It offers .Net software components designed for reporting, data analysis and visualization. Company headquarter is based in Russia (Barnaul) with offices in Europe (Netherlands) and Latin America (Brazil). It stands as Microsoft Certified Partner. 3500 clients in more than 70 countries have been using Perpetuum Software products for 6 years.
About Enterra (http://www.enterra-inc.com)
The company was founded in 2001. This is a multi-national company with offices based in Tampa (USA), Walldorf (Germany), Barnaul, Moscow (Russia). Enterra specializes in custom software development, business systems integration, software products licensing. It stands as Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, IBM Business Partner, and Sun Partner. Its staff consists of over 50 highly professional specialists. For 7 years it has successfully accomplished over 300 projects.
Filed under: Integrated Software | Comments Off
