ayrmer software :: news :: jump start your business forecasting :: november, 2009
Protelligent Limited
commissioned Ayrmer Software to develop a bespoke software
solution based upon a prototype designed by Mike Cosby. The software aims to help Small to Medium
sized Enterprises (SME) produce cashflow forecasts using their accounting data from Sage Line 50.
During initial discussions Protelligent were unsure of how the software should be developed - Web based (Software As A Service (SAAS)) or as a desktop based solution. Other software houses had suggested a number of alternatives, although Protelligent had been put off using the .Net platform because of installation and deployment issues.
Ayrmer Software recommended using the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) platform that has proved to be highly versatile solution. The "Definition of Requirements" proved invaluable, avoiding a number of potential issues, by ensuring we had a thorough understanding of what the end solution should include. The initial remit was to develop a proof of concept, based upon a cut down version developed using Microsoft Excel. It soon became apparent that we could develop a solution that could be launched far sooner that originally thought.
The system is fully integrated into Sage Line 50 and allows users to import the departments, nominal codes, subledgers and transactions. The imported audit trails are used to produce actual figures for the profit & loss, balance sheet and cashflow reports. Users can then enter forecast figures, allowing a number of scenarios to compare actual forecast and budget figures.
The resulting output can be exported, allowing users to create their own management information reports using a spreadsheet application - like Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice - ready for presentation to directors, stake-holders, investors or bank managers.
The screen shot (shown above) is the "Workbench", where users can breakdown accounting groups by client / supplier. This allows users to forecast predicted income / expenditure against each company. The system automatically creates the accounting trail associated with the transaction, allowing the system to build up the cashflow as well as maintain the profit & loss and balance sheet.
The software is currently under going testing - having released an alpha version last week - and we are looking forward to supporting Protelligent during launch of the software early next year.
"Ayrmer Software have developed a piece
of software which will allow SMEs to produce management information and cash flow forecasts. From
the start they listened carefully and, through the Definition of Requirements process, gained a
clear understanding of what we required. They considered a number of possible technical solutions
and finally recommended that we use an Apache Derby database with Java as the programming language.
They have delivered on their promise of 'making complex tasks simple' and have given us an excellent
application which we will be taking to market early in 2010."
Mike Cosby, Managing Director of Protelligent
If you would like to discuss your bespoke business software requirements please contact us.
