In today’s technology driven world, it is no longer necessary to incur the expense and inefficiency of booking days for an external Accountant or Auditor to visit to ‘check your books’ or provide Management or Year End accounts.

With Lakeview’s LV ERP system we provide a very quick, simple and cost effective solution to enable your Accountant or Auditor to connect remotely.

Using any device with a web browser your Accountant or Auditor can visit a specific URL to gain direct access to your system via a secure login.

This comes without the need to buy any additional software (although they will count as an additional user on the system). There is no need for expensive Terminal Server or Citrix licenses or any additional software to be purchased by your Accountant.

The LV Web Browser provides access to your system regardless of whether it resides on your premises or in The Cloud.

Your Accountant simply signs in to our LV system with a user-id and password that restricts access to other areas of the system, and as directed by yourself.

Your Accountant can use any web browser, e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and are not restricted to Internet Explorer as is often the way these days!

The data accessed is viewed in real-time as the connection is to the live database.

This low cost, at any time access to your systems would undoubtedly be of benefit to both you and your Accountants.

The best way to see how ‘LV’ ERP‘ can help your business is to a talk with a Lakeview consultant on 0208 303 3329.

About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years.

To find out more

Visit: www.lakeview.co.uk.

Or contact Lakeview at: info@lakeview.co.uk or call on us on 0208 303 3329.

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: cloud erp, erp on premise, LV ERP, mobile ERP

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing is an on demand access to shared servers, software and data using the Internet. The user accesses the cloud using any type of device (PC, Laptop, Smart Phone, iPad) that runs a web browser.

The Cloud is meant to represent the concept that the user does not need to know anything of the computing infrastructure he or she is using and that it just sits within a cloud somewhere out there. It is often depicted, as a drawing of a cloud inside which is a network of linked servers much like drawings of telephone networks or electricity grids.

The Cloud can also be seen to represent an alleged infinite capacity of computing resources available for all to use. The cloud can even be a private Cloud (at a cost.)

There are many types of applications for cloud computing from backups, data storage and email systems through to full-blown ERP systems such as Lakeview’s LV product. In theory all business and personal systems could be delivered to you via the cloud.

In reality there are of course still companies that you contract with for these delivered services via the Cloud as the latter is after all a different route to market for the products and services already on offer pre Cloud.

The way these Cloud application services known as SaaS (Software as a Service) or ‘Software on Demand’ are delivered via a subscription from the service provider.

So, what are the pros and cons for your business potentially moving to a Cloud Computing model?

Pros

Cost reduction

This is the key benefit in that there may no longer any need for in house IT hardware or technical expertise or these resources can be redeployed to other business functions.

Scalable

It will grow with your business (although you will pay more.)

Green

Companies sharing global data centres within the cloud should reduce green footprints.

Cons

Risk

Single point of failure with one supplier for all IT needs with limited negotiating power, control and costly to revert back in-house.

Access

This may well be a showstopper as you will need a telecom (Broadband or Lease) line into your business that provides reliable and responsive access to the Internet.

Privacy

Handing confidential business data over to a third party.

Performance

Many software applications are slower and less reliable as they weren’t designed for cloud deployment.

Summary

If your business is an early adopter, and prepared to take a considered risk for a cost saving, then the Cloud is certainly worthy of consideration.

For the remaining majority of pragmatic, conservative and technology laggard businesses then best to maintain status quo and keep your server and data sat safely within your four business walls (five counting your firewall!)

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About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years.

To find out more

Please contact at info@lakeview.co.uk or call us on 0208 303 3329.

Visit our YouTube demo: UKERP

Or visit our LV ERP product page here: www.lakeview.co.uk/lv

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview Computers Ltd

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Technorati Tags: cloud computing, cloud erp, erp cloud, LV ERP, mobile ERP

Lakeview are pleased to announce a rental model for its latest ERP product ‘LV ERP‘.

Renting software or Software as a Service (SaaS) is often bundled and confused with Cloud Computing. Whilst the two naturally fit together, we believe many businesses may prefer to rent their software whilst keeping the systems on-premise within the business domain and control.

Flexibility of determining usage, on a month by month basis

Lakeview offers a fixed price on a per user per month basis, with the right to use ‘LV ERP’ with maintenance, support and upgrades included.

This gives you the flexibility to increase or decrease the number of users easily and aligned against business changes.

This can also include any add on Lakeview modules and potentially third party applications supplied by ourselves.

The option to rent, either on premise or via The Cloud provides a low cost entry point rather than having to pre purchase licenses, and an option we are seeing increased demand for in these uncertain economic conditions.

The benefits of renting your next ERP solution with Lakeview include:

1. Low cost of entry and ownership
2. No need for an in house IT team
3. Flexibility of determining usage
4. Anytime, anywhere access
5. Industry specific solutions

About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years.

To find out more

Please contact us by email: info@lakeview.co.uk or call on 0208 303 3329.

Or visit our LV ERP product page here: www.lakeview.co.uk/lv

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: cloud erp, erp on rent, mobile ERP, rent erp, saas erp

Many sales teams still operate paper-based processes with an order pad that requires re-keying in data when back at the office. This is clearly a very inefficient use of time, and can lead to lost business and customer service issues when data is not entered correctly or in time.

In today’s business world it’s imperative that the sales person has all the latest information to hand when with a customer or prospect and be able to close business there and then. Lakeview’s ‘LV’ ERP system can be operated via any mobile device whether it is a smart phone, tablet, laptop or an inexpensive net book and provides online access to your business data.

Using LV ERP your sales team can enter quotes or orders directly into the system, print documents onsite or email them to whoever needs them. They can check accounts, prices and the latest stock levels, and can access any menu options that are available to them in the Office.

Mobile App

If your sales team uses iPhones, iPads or Android devices then there is a dedicated LV App for each of these platforms.

For Apple users

Click here to download a functioning version of LV free of charge using demo data.   http://t.co/B66gW4Zx

There is no need to purchase any Terminal Server or Citrix type software, and no help needed from expensive external IT consultants.

———————–

Alternatively, request to talk with a Lakeview Consultant to see how LV ERP can help your business.

Contact Lakeview at: info@lakeview.co.uk or call on 0208 303 3329.

About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years.

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: apple erp, erp app, LV, LV ERP, mobile ERP

In today’s high technology world it is now common place to find employees working from home.

From an IT perspective this can be an expensive and often frustrating experience for the home worker. Terminal Server licenses have to be procured and the connection itself can be unstable or slow with the laptop operating system, and the network software adding a burden at both ends.

Lakeview’s ‘LV’ ERP solution makes it easier than ever for companies to offer a ‘working from home’ option. Any laptop or indeed low cost net book can be connected to the full functionality ERP system via any web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox etc.)

There is no need to purchase any Terminal Server or Citrix type software, and no help needed from expensive external IT consultants.

Any new transactions or updates are automatically made to the LV system wherever it resides in the world, or in The Cloud, ensuring all data is viewed in real-time.

This is how home offices should be functioning in the 21st Century in order to provide competitive edge, manage costs and provide excellent service.

The best way to see how ‘LV’ ERP‘ can help your business is to a talk with a Lakeview consultant.

Contact Lakeview at: info@lakeview.co.uk or call on 0208 303 3329.

About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years. To find out more visit: www.lakeview.co.uk.

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO of Lakeview Computers

Technorati Tags: business software, erp, LV, mobile ERP, remote, remote working, web erp

CEO’s, Ops Directors and MD’s are constantly on the move to meet the demands of today’s global marketplace and supply chains.

The advent of mobile devices and tablets connecting us to the Internet are now commonplace; and as business leaders, we need access to business information in real-time, at low cost and remotely.

Lakeview’s LV software allows you full access to the information in your ERP system via any device that can access the Internet, irrespective of which operating system, device or web browser you use.

You can check: Key account details, your daily order book, P&L report, retrieve a proposal, run a KPI report and email it, or even enter an order and print it for signature there and then.

Whatever you want from your Lakeview ERP system it’s there available on your iPhone, Blackberry, iPad, Android phone or laptop, basically any device or phone that connects to the Internet.

There is no need for expensive Terminal Server licenses, just access to the Internet and you are connected.

About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions, providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years.

To find out more

Please phone us on 0208 303 3329 or email info@lakeview.co.uk.

Or visit: www.lakeview.co.uk

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO of Lakeview Computers

Technorati Tags: lakeview erp, LV, mobile ERP, remote erp

Given the extended period of economic uncertainty UK business leaders have come to a typically stoic British conclusion – we must press on and restart investment for growth.

UK business leaders and entrepreneurs cannot wait for the European Union to resolve its issues but instead have to show leadership. What is clear is that there needs to be financial options readily available for investment in business. With the banks still reluctant to offer support to SME’s it’s down to savvy suppliers to offer financial options.

Here at Lakeview we offer our market leading ‘LV ERP’ software and services through a number of finance options:

1. Buy the right to use ‘LV ERP’ for as long as you choose
2. Take advantage of attractive leasing options tailored specifically for your needs
3. Rent ‘LV ERP’ on a per user per month basis, as a lower cost entry point for your investment

These financial options are available regardless of whether you want your ERP solution to:

1. Reside on your IT infrastructure on your premises
2. Be hosted on ‘The Cloud

Either way we are able to evaluate, advise and implement the best solution for your business.

So, the choice is yours to make the investment in your next generation ERP system in a way that best suits your business finance, and delivers the business growth and cost savings to meet the business case.

About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years.

Find out more

To find out more please phone us on 0208 303 3329 or email info@lakeview.co.uk.

Or visit: www.lakeview.co.uk

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO of Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: cloud erp, finance ERP, lease ERP, LV ERP, pricing ERP, rental ERP

There is much excitement and coverage of Cloud Computing, Software as a Service (SaaS) and Multi-tenancy architecture in the IT marketplace.

Cloud Computing means using multiple server computers via a digital network, as though they were one computer. Often, the services available are considered part of Cloud Computing.

Cloud Computing differs from the classic client-server model by providing applications from a server that are executed and managed by a client’s web browser, with no installed client version of an application required.
The term “software as a service” (SaaS) is sometimes used to describe application programs offered through cloud computing. A common shorthand for a provided cloud computing service (or even an aggregation of all existing cloud services) is “The Cloud”.
Any computer or web-friendly device connected to the Internet may access the same pool of computing power, applications, and files in a cloud-computing environment on a remote server.

Multi-tenancy refers to a principle in software architecture where a single instance of the software runs on a server, serving multiple client organizations (tenants). Multi-tenancy is contrasted with a multi-instance architecture where separate software instances (or hardware systems) are set up for different client organizations. With a multi-tenant architecture, a software application is designed to virtually partition its data and configuration, and each client organization works with a customized virtual application instance.

The costs of re-designing applications for Multi-tenancy can be significant, especially for software vendors who continue to offer an on-premises single tenant version of their product. They end up being forced to support two distinct products with all the resulting costs.

The vast majority of SaaS solutions are based on a multi-tenant architecture. With this model, a single version of the application, with a single configuration (hardware, network, operating system), is used for all customers (“tenants”).

To support scalability, the application is installed on multiple machines (called horizontal scaling). In some cases, a second version of the application is set up to offer a select group of customers with access to pre-release versions of the applications (e.g., a beta version) for testing purposes. This is contrasted with traditional software, where multiple physical copies of the software—each potentially of a different version, with a potentially different configuration, and oftentimes customized—are installed across various customer sites.

While an exception rather the norm, some SaaS solutions do not use multi-tenancy, or use other mechanisms—such as virtualization—to cost-effectively manage a large number of customers in place of multi-tenancy. Whether multi-tenancy is a necessary component for software-as-a-service is a topic of controversy.

Lakeview provides ERP solutions that can be deployed on premise, or in The Cloud, as a service and fully supports multi-tenancy.

TO FIND OUT MORE

Email us at info@lakeview.co.uk or call on 0208 303 3329.

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO of Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: cloud computing, cloud erp, saas

You maybe aware that Sage has announced termination of support for Sage Line 100 on September 30th 2012. This means no further development of the product beyond that date, no new releases and no changes for any taxation or legal requirements. This effectively renders the product unusable the next time there is a legal or fiscal change.

We have heard instances of Sage resellers not informing their customers and other resellers claiming they can support and develop Line 100 past this date (they can’t.)

Here at Lakeview our approach to product life cycles is very different to Sage and just about every other ERP author. Put simply we do not end life products and we do not force customers into buying an upgrade. Line 200 is sold as a natural evolution from Line 100 but in fact is a new piece of software. This is the opportunity for you to consider alternates.

Our Lakeview LM product has been providing customer with accounting and ERP functionality for over 25 years (longer than Line 100 has been in existence!) LM is still supported and developed with many of our customers still happily running their business very effectively on LM.

Two years ago we launched our LV product range which offers the rich functionality within LM plus all the latest Microsoft, Internet, Apple and mobile technologies. An increasing number of LM customers have taken the smooth upgrade path to LV based on their own decision and business benefits. Equally many Sage customers have migrated to Lakeview as the cost and disruption of moving to us is comparable or indeed less than moving to Line 200 but with much more benefits.

Lakeview LV also offers a fully functional mobile version that can work on any smart phone, tablet, iPad, iPhone, netbook, in fact any device that can connect to the Internet! This enables remote sales teams, executives and remote employees to access the system anytime anywhere.

As a UK author we also offer a completely unique proposition known as ‘Bespoke As Standard’. This means that we will modify the software to meet any needs that are specific to your business and we will guarantee that it will be included in the standard product. This enables a very smooth and painless upgrade to future releases – to our knowledge; nobody else in the UK offers this!

To find out more

Please email us on info@lakeview.co.uk or call us on 0845 388 3329.

Alternatively

Visit our website, download our LV App from iTunes or our LV brochure here.

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO of Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: alternative to sage, good alternative to sage, sage erp, sage line 100, sage line 100 end, sage replacement

OVERVIEW

Established in 1979, Esher-based baked products manufacturer The Cookie Man supplies supermarkets such as Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrison and Waitrose. It‟s a highly competitive industry, driven by a continual need to improve productivity, cut costs, and reduce wastage.

In late 2010, The Cookie Man responded by launching an initiative to drive manufacturing efficiency, greater visibility, control and lean processes on the manufacturing shop floor. To achieve this, the company decided that it would augment its Lakeview ERP system—with which it was otherwise delighted—with a specialist „add on‟ package focused upon providing detailed management and visibility for factory-centric operations.

“As an ERP system, Lakeview did everything we wanted,” says The Cookie Man‟s general manager Jayson Scheib. “But we needed to monitor manufacturing operations at a more granular level of detail in order to drive manufacturing performance higher.”

Download the full story about Cookie Man’s Manufacturing success working in partnership with Lakeview ERP and Mestec

CHALLENGE

And to try to get the desired level of visibility, the business had become reliant on a number of spreadsheets and paper-based systems, he explains. By 2010, Cookie Man had outgrown these dated methods which were onerous to manage, not to mention the frequent re-keying of data.

“We would spend hours entering data into paper forms, and then copying the information into the ERP system, checking records and trying to resolve conflicts and errors,” says Charles McIntosh, The Cookie Man‟s supply chain manager.

The business needed visibility of real-time shop-floor data to support lean activities to continue to drive cost out of the manufacturing process.

To read this case study in full

Visit: www.mestec.net/Download/TheCookieManCaseStudy.pdf

About Mestec’s Smart Box solution

A touch screen and barcode based factory focused solution, Mestec’s Manufacturing Smart Box system is designed to track, trace and report on key aspects of the entire production process … from goods receipt to despatch.

What’s more, the Mestec Manufacturing Smart Box has been designed from the ground up to complement existing ERP systems, and not to replace ERP functionality.

The Manufacturing Smart Box interface is a simple touch screen configured for a specific set of factory activities. Its simplicity means that minimal training is needed. Typically, the Mestec Manufacturing Smart Box system is specified, chosen and implemented by manufacturing management, and not the IT department.

The Manufacturing Smart Box is flexible and can be rapidly deployed into even complex and changing environments. This makes it ideal as an ERP companion, capturing key production information in real time whilst seamlessly interfacing to the corresponding company information systems.

With a typical payback of two months to one year, Mestec’s Manufacturing Smart Box systems are affordably-priced, and available on either a low-cost monthly subscription, or through one-time perpetual licences. And a typical initial improvement project delivers results in days or weeks, not months or years.

Visit: Mestec

Case study written by: Mestec

Technorati Tags: barcode solution, cookie man, manufacturing erp, manufacturing smart box system, mestec, smart box