Comments on: Evolution of Software as a Service (SaaS)

By: Naseer

Naseer — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:55:20 +0000

Which one is the best Accounting software for SMEs…

By: SMB / SME Have Become Obsolete Acronyms| Zoli’s Blog

SMB / SME Have Become Obsolete Acronyms| Zoli’s Blog — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:22:30 +0000

[...] of running a business. This category needs more help than just technology, and vendors like WinWeb are experimenting with a unique combination of hosted software as well as “Live” [...]

By: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG

THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG — Thu, 11 May 2006 12:45:48 +0000

SME / SMB Have Become Obsolete Acronyms

SAP, Oracle may consider a $100-200M million business small, but it really is midsized, the “M” in SME, with a few hundred employees and a dedicated IT department that will likely need help with software implementation, but will cope with t…

By: Stefan Töpfer

Stefan Töpfer — Thu, 11 May 2006 11:20:44 +0000

Emily,

Great point. Not only no upgrade hassle for the client, always on the latest version, no “we do not support this version anymore” syndrome and the updates are free.

What else could we do for your clients?

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By: Emily Coltman

Emily Coltman — Thu, 11 May 2006 11:02:04 +0000

I’ve just been to visit a client who’s on Sage version 12 and needed a service pack installed to make the bank rec work properly. We have clients on about 6 different versions of Sage and unless we do the bookkeeping in house, keeping track of who’s using what version, and who’s got what service packs loaded, can be a real pain.

Whereas if they had been on Winweb, I would know exactly what version everyone’s on, because they’re all on the same!!

By: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG » Blog Archive » Accountant type - bookkeeper accountant or business advisor accountant?

Wed, 10 May 2006 10:09:36 +0000

[...] In response to my recent post “Evolution of Software as a Service (SaaS)”, Jason Holden made a comment that caught my attention: …. The interesting thing about that is, most other accountants who say ‘oh no my client is used to Sage etc.’, well how do you explain that we are moving clients off a static version of Sage on their PC and onto winweb with all the benefits of our real-time support without any complaints, after all they are guided by their accountants advice not the other way round– so lets be honest the barrier is not the clients, it is the accountants who feel safe with Sage etc., clients don’t care! …… [...]

By: Stefan Töpfer

Stefan Töpfer — Tue, 09 May 2006 17:05:54 +0000

I am pleased that you like the help system, we always believed that a live help system would be best. From our own experience we know that manuals are not often used, and can also be frustrating for clients to use.

Thank you for your input.

By: Emily Coltman

Emily Coltman — Tue, 09 May 2006 15:07:06 +0000

I’m under 30, do I count?!

Seriously I think Jason is right – we’re about to put our first client on to Winweb. I’ve always kept his books, but he’ll now get the chance to look at them over the internet and particularly see which customers haven’t paid him.

Also, if a client can use Sage, he/she can use Winweb! I taught myself to use Winweb with help from the on-line chat system (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think that help system is brilliant). OK I’m an ACA. But if a client already knew his/her way round Sage, then with a bit of coaching from the accountant and making use of Winweb’s help system, they shouldn’t have any problems using Winweb.

Something else I’ve noticed is that clients love free software. Offer them something free and watch their eyes light up!

By: Jason Holden

Jason Holden — Tue, 09 May 2006 09:32:35 +0000

We (Holden Associates) are as Stefan knows in the process of rolling out winweb to all existing clients, and, now this is the easy part, we are also making it a condition of new clients that they use winweb and in return we help support their business in real time.

The interesting thing about that is, most other accountants who say ‘oh no my client is used to Sage etc.’, well how do you explain that we are moving clients off a static version of Sage on their PC and onto winweb with all the benefits of our real-time support without any complaints, after all they are guided by their accountants advice not the other way round– so lets be honest the barrier is not the clients, it is the accountants who feel safe with Sage etc., clients don’t care!

But hey, they longer other accountants stick with Sage etc., the better for my practice.

The article in Entrepreneurship Gap is very interesting and actually supports what we are seeing, of the recent new clients intake in the last few months so far all have been under the age of 30; of those in the last 12 months only a few have been over the age of 40; it would appear people are starting their own businesses early, and why not, there is no reason to remain employed on low year increments with your job security at the hands of the man at the top, if you have an idea and want to take it forward go for it, find a good accountants/business advisor and use the infrastructure of winweb and enjoy the ride!