Exchequer

[Zeno]

Has anyone here much experience with Iris Exchequer?

 

[Dove]

Hi Zeno

I used to sell accountancy software (a specialist package for the distribution industry) I used to compete with Exchequer all the time. Companies that use it were always very happy and it had a good reputation. As with any accountancy software the product is only as good as the support and help you get from your local re-seller in making it do what you require. You don't say what size of company this is for or if you have any specific requirements.

 

[Zeno]

It's actually a current client that is using it and I am trying to understand the system specifically the reporting functions.

I see it has won a software award from ICAEW but I am having a hard time believing they are talking about the same product.

 

[Tom McClelland]

It's actually a current client that is using it and I am trying to understand the system specifically the reporting functions.

I see it has won a software award from ICAEW but I am having a hard time believing they are talking about the same product.

It does have an good reputation, and my understanding from past conversations with industry colleagues is that its reputation is deserved.

It also came second in its category in this year's Software Satisfaction Awards which are decided by user vote. It only came a cigarette paper (0.02 marks) behind Access Accounts.

 

[Dove]

It's actually a current client that is using it and I am trying to understand the system specifically the reporting functions.

I see it has won a software award from ICAEW but I am having a hard time believing they are talking about the same product.

Have you asked your reseller to if they can provide training on this - and are you prepared to pay for training?? If you want to get the benefits of account packages like this you must invest in the training to use them.

 

[David Griffiths]

It's actually a current client that is using it and I am trying to understand the system specifically the reporting functions.

I see it has won a software award from ICAEW but I am having a hard time believing they are talking about the same product.

It's won an award, or it's been accredited.

To be accredited you give the ICAEW a cheque, they tick a few boxes and hey presto you are accredited. No cheque, no accreditation.

 

[Tom McClelland]

It's won an award, or it's been accredited.

To be accredited you give the ICAEW a cheque, they tick a few boxes and hey presto you are accredited. No cheque, no accreditation.

http://www.iris.co.uk/about_iris/awards__accolades.aspx

Plenty of awards and honorable mentions, It looks as if it won the ICAEW award in 2006.

Have you asked your reseller to if they can provide training on this - and are you prepared to pay for training?? If you want to get the benefits of account packages like this you must invest in the training to use them.

Agreed. This is not an entry level package. It is a serious SME piece of software that would typically be sold with quite a lot of implementation and training.

 

[Deleted member 87560]

Zeno, I see that your question was from some time ago, but I wondered if you ever did get the help that you required.
Exchequer deserved its accolades and really is an excellent accounting system, but as one of the other readers said, all software is as good as the support and training that you get.
The reporting facilities are very powerful and come in different forms - one is the Visual Report Writer - a drag and drop in-house reporting facility - and Excel OLE reporting where all the might and functionality of Excel is combined with Exchequer information giving you real time reporting.
If you still need help, I'd be very happy to chat to you. I work as a freelance consultant and trainer on Exchequer.

 

[Olof]

I am afraid to say that Iris Exchequer is full of deficiencies and Iris themselves one of the most infuriating companies we have ever worked with.

The whole organisation appears to be full of jobsworths.

 

[Deleted member 87560]

Hi Olof
You don't mention where you are having problems, and why you think the product is full of deficiencies. If you care to detail some of the problems, I am happy to comment or try to help.

 

[Olof]

I wouldn't want to burden you with our issues..

It's just enrages me that companies can be so disinterested in keeping their customers happy.

Every time a bug is identified they tell us they will put it on the "feature request list". Never any sort of apology or discussion of a work around - no one here has ever interacted with a company like them.

Last year Martin Leuw sent our MD an email asking for feedback. Our MD took time to provide constructive and detailed feedback but he didn't even have the courtesy to reply.

 

[Olof]

Double post.

 

[Deleted member 87560]

It's a shame that Iris don't rename the list of bugs. Calling it a [FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']“feature request list” implies a "wish list"! They could do with calling it a bugs list and identifying when the bugs will be repaired! [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Sometimes there can be "work arounds" that do help in the meantime. Overall it is a good product. I have provided training on it now for in excess of 11 years so have seen most of the problems at some stage! [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Shame about the lack of communication with your MD, none-the-less. [/FONT]

 

[sstamp]

Came across this thread and felt I just had to insert my two pen'w'th. I purchased Enterprise Exchequer, as it was then, back in '98. I received a CD and a library of ring-binder manuals which were actually written for the DOS version (does anyone else remember DOS?), and also contained lots of useful accounting pointers as well!

I received no training at all - no not even one hour - loaded the system onto computer and taught myself. We've had no upgrades nor annual maintenance and I have had to use the helpdesk once in that time (they used to operate £100 per month) so you could pay just if you had a problem.

They keep trying to sell me the latest upgrade but they want me to pay for all the previous upgrades as well which obviously I can't justify.

As you'll realise from the above, I can't comment on the latest version but certainly the one I have has always been reliable and have found it simple to use and new staff have not had a problem picking up the basics very quickly.

I think the important thing to remember, and this applies to any accounts system you may install, is to plan plan plan!! Try to think where you are going as a company and organise stock codes logically, devise easily recognisable customer and supplier account numbers. It may be easy for you to understand having been with the company for years, but think how it will appear to the apprentice or agency staff member and plan accordingly - the faster a new member of staff grasps the basics, the faster they become useful, releasing more experienced (and likely higher paid) staff.

Rambled on too long sorry - my short answer - excellent package well worthy of consideration however large or small your company.