Success stories:
Thomas GLC
Thomas GLC makes the switch to Access Handisoft.
Background
Established in 2007, Thomas GLC is a two-partner accounting firm that delivers a range of accounting, taxation, superannuation, auditing, and business services. Based in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby, Thomas GLC is an amalgamation of two firms with a long history in the area. The firm consists of a team of sixteen and services a range of clients, some of whom have been with Thomas GLC for over thirty years.
Challenges
- Find a cost-effective alternative solution to existing general ledger software.
- Working to a budget with an expected level of support required.
Approach
- Evaluate different packages and the benefits they provide to the practice.
- Minimise downtime associated with a software change.
Results
- A complete integrated solution enabling client management, time and billing and document management.gration capabilities across our practice
What were the challenges?
Thomas GLC had for ten years been using MYOB’s accounting practice management software, however the firm was no longer satisfied with the solution. Lucas Quinlan, Principal Partner at Thomas GLC, says price, perceptions of outdated functionality, and MYOB’s lack of commitment to developing aspects of what might be considered its core software contributed to the firm’s decision to seek a new solution.
“MYOB’s general ledger accounting program had not been progressed in a very long time, nor had the report writing program.”
“The platform they wanted us to move to wasn’t where we wanted to go. Moving to this software would come at a cost. There were a lot of add-ons and a very underdeveloped, quite skinny reporting function.”
Another key concern for Thomas GLC was the lack of responsive customer support, which meant the firm had to frequently follow up with MYOB to resolve issues and that ultimately impacted productivity. And when Thomas GLC inquired about purchasing MYOB’s document management solution, the way that the product and installation were charged meant that the solution was cost prohibitive to adopt.
“The way MYOB wanted to perform the installation and charge us was quite expensive, especially since we’d been with them for so long and had most of their other software products,” says Lucas.
Making the switch to HandiSoft
Unsatisfied with MYOB, Thomas GLC made the switch to HandiSoft practice management software. “We knew HandiSoft was the leading solution for practices of any size. We really needed a software provider who’s keen on developing their products and can provide the support we need to service our clients.”
Key to the firm’s decision to purchase HandiSoft was its integrated suite of solutions, price, dedicated support, and their commitment to software development.
"It was easy to contact HandiSoft and get someone to do a presentation and start looking at how we could get a suite of HandiSoft products to replace our MYOB products, with full integration across the board. There was an enthusiasm to do that and the price was quite reasonable.”
“Adopting HandiSoft’s Document Management module has been a great benefit. The way HandiSoft licenses allowed us to bring that on board was great. We paid a license fee, we’ve got a suite of products, and everything is included in our license costs.”
Business as usual during the migration
While downtime is often a key concern for those considering switching practice management solutions, Lucas says this was not the case when migrating from MYOB to HandiSoft.
“We didn’t lose out for migrating the data across. There wasn’t really any downtime, I think it went reasonably well. We didn’t expect that it would be seamless, but most of it was in the background so it really didn’t affect us.”
Highly responsive support
Of the technical support and account management provided by Access HandiSoft, Lucas says:
“What’s been good is we’ve been able to contact Access regularly to try and get through the nuances of their programs and strengthen our ability to use them. There’s a pretty quick turnaround on our requests for support and getting a response back.”
Enabling a fully integrated practice
Having used HandiSoft for over a year now, would Lucas recommend the solution to other firms?
"If you’re looking for a client management, time and billing, and document management system in a completely integrated process, then you need to consider HandiSoft,” he says.