Ether NDE chose Lakeview’s Cloud based ERP product ‘LV’ to bring all their business data into the one place and produce management reports easily and in real-time.  By opting for the Lakeview SAAS model it has allowed Ether NDE to have a fully integrated system at a fixed monthly cost without the need for investment in new hardware.

Ether NDE were experiencing difficulties with business data being held in spreadsheets. The implementation of Lakeview’s LV will bring all their business data together, and provide management reporting tools in real-time, which will promote better decision making.  By having a fully integrated system with financials it has also reduced the external costs associated with bookkeepers and accountants.

About Ether NDE
Ether NDE design and repair electrical probes and meters at its factory and office premises based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire with an international client base. Ether NDE in addition to their own products also represents selected international manufacturers of electromagnetic test equipment and accessories.

VISIT: www.ethernde.com

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing

Technorati Tags: cloud erp, ether NDE, saas

For our customers and prospects alike we promote and support a ‘Bespoke as standard’ ethos. This is our guarantee that all modifications to the software are included into the core product ‘as standard’.

How do we do this?

This is managed by having a single set of source code, by designing solutions as generic as possible and by switching features on by means of control flags.

The ‘Bespoke as standard’ commitment enables easy upgrades to the latest version of your Lakeview (LV or LM) software and to take advantage of new features as they are released.

To find out more

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

Or visit: www.lakeview.co.uk

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing, Lakeview

Technorati Tags: lakeview erp

Power Travellers is the latest new business win for Lakeview, boasting a unique market presence within the travel goods industry with products that allow you to charge mobile devices using solar energy.

About Power Travellers

Powertraveller Ltd is dedicated to designing, developing and manufacturing award-winning portable chargers for all your mobile devices.

Because we’re passionate about the products we sell, here at Powertraveller™ we design, develop and test to destruction our products to ensure that you get the best deal on the market and for the right price.

Visit: https://powertraveller.com

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing

Technorati Tags: LV ERP

We believe our business proposition is absolutely unique amongst suppliers of ERP software.

We are one of a few independent software authors directly supplying ERP systems to UK based SME businesses.

Lakeview has been providing business software solutions to UK SME’s for over 25 years, and understands the needs of both customers and the demands of trading from within the UK.

Our passion is to deliver excellent business software with an outstanding level of service. When customers contact us with a ‘how do I do this?’ or ‘what am I doing wrong?’ question, we don’t turn them away, or suggest spending on training or consulting. We take the time to find a solution and our customers constantly comment favourably on our service and often recommend us to others.

Introducing LV: Lakeview’s latest ERP product

Built using the latest, proven Microsoft technologies LV is proving to be the feature rich business software solution that Lakeview is renowned for.

LV ERP can be deployed

• On premise
• In The Cloud
• Or on any mobile device or tablet

LV also boasts

1. An App that allows you to create and update transactions as well as enquire across the system.
2. A full set of API’s for business and database interfaces enabling web shops and third party products to be easily integrated in real time.

In summary

Lakeview provide end-to-end software solutions to UK SME’s: Delivering solutions that are second to none in terms of features, support and technology and offered with an unwavering level of service.

Our largest source of customer acquisition comes from existing customer recommendations, together with previous Lakeview users moving company and introducing us. This speaks volumes…

Visit and download

More about LV: www.lakeview.co.uk/lv

Download LV to your mobile: iTunes App Store

LV on YouTube: http://youtu.be/daVj_SLYdtM

To find out more

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

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview

Technorati Tags: ERP on your mobile, LV ERP, mobile ERP

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

Harris and Russell is a distributor of domestic electrical equipment to 3,500 independent electrical retailers all over the UK. It supplies TVs, HiFi systems, DVDR and notebook computers etc. from suppliers such as Panasonic, Toshiba, Sony, Samsung, Sanyo and LG. The company has been a Lakeview user since 1998, when Lakeview’s fully integrated system replaced what had been a completely manual system. The Lakeview system handles every aspect of the company’s business, from stock control to accounts.

Challenge

Harris and Russell wanted to increase sales by enabling customers to buy via a new e-commerce website and enable that website to be integrated into its mainstream business model. It also wanted to cut down the amount of time the telesales team spent answering basic factual questions from customers and spend more time selling proactively.
Solution

Lakeview provided an e-commerce module that was modified specifically for Harris and Russell’s requirements. This enables the content management software to use the Lakeview for Distributors (LM4) data directly without the need for any further input or additional administration of another layer.

Carol Bridge, operations controller at Harris and Russell, commented:

“We now only have to input data about products once into LM4 and the system can store multiple images. The data automatically surfaces on the website and our dealers can access everything they need to know and use the website to place their orders. When prices change, again we only have to input the change to LM and the website changes instantly. The whole Lakeview system is incredibly robust and every part of it fits together seamlessly.”

Result

According to Bridge: “The website has created a huge efficiency saving for us. Now dealers can see that a TV is black and what the dimensions and weight are without having to call us for the information. It cuts drastically the number of phone calls our telesales team receives and means that they can use their time to increase outgoing calls and thus sales.

“From a standing start 18 months ago, the web now accounts for around 15 per cent of our total business and we have seen much increased activity and sales direct from the website as well as considerable cost savings.”

In summary the benefits and results which Harris and Russell have achieved include:

• E-commerce system fully integrated with rest of Lakeview system
• Huge efficiency saving in sales process
• Huge efficiency saving from single input of data integrated with content management software
• E-commerce system written into company’s precise specification.

Visit: Russell & Harris

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: electrical distributor, russell & harris

Established in 1990, Eurodata is a privately owned independent IT company turning over around £20 million, employing around 120 people across four locations (three in London and one in Wales). Eurodata’s area of excellence focuses on the desktop, server and network space covering storage and archiving, network and end point security.

Eurodata provide their customers with tailored IT services and solutions, which in the past had only been available to large enterprise organisations. Eurodata looks after companies’ hardware infrastructure – the robustness and effectiveness of the servers, switches and routers, the PCs and their connectivity and their security. Being based in the City of London, Eurodata’s clients tend to be in banking, insurance and finance, the legal profession and local government.

Previously, Eurodata had a Sage invoicing system, a bespoke general ledger programme and a manual paperbased order and stock control system with manual cash books.

Highlights – customer benefits and results:

• Seamless interface between integrated modules
• Customer service very good with highly knowledgeable and effective support staff
• 100% reliable software produces accounts within 2 days
• System very cost-effective with very inexpensive cost of ownership
• Software constantly developing but easy to implement changes

Challenge

What Eurodata needed was an up to date system that had ease of input, a system that once you put things in, was easy to get the information out of the other side and a system that linked with other systems in the business. They wanted a system where everything would be integrated but that would not need to be heavily customised because that would make it harder to support.

Solution

Simon Gold is Finance Director at Eurodata and is responsible for the finances of the company and all the accounting functions.

“Once you’ve won a customer and you have turned a quote into an order, you’ve then got to put it into your accounting system and your accounting system has then got to deal with stock, order entry, purchases and general information, which is what the Lakeview system does.”

Gold continued,

“With the Lakeview system all the modules are integrated, you do have a nice seamless interface, when you put an order on the system you have a few key strokes, you have an invoice and you’ve got entries in the nominal ledger. We are able to retrieve data simply and quickly. It’s a jolly good product generally. Lakeview knows its own software, how to deal with it and manipulate it; and I am very happy with the support whenever I need it. They are a fine supplier.”

We find the lakeview system very cost-effective and the long-term cost of ownership is really very cheap.

“We manage to produce the accounts inside two days at the end of the month. People aren’t running around, ripping their hair out, because the system isn’t falling over all the time.”

“We find the Lakeview system very cost effective and the long term cost of ownership is really very cheap. The software is always developing but the upgrade path is easy to implement and learn and installation of new versions is always seamless. Lakeview are now much more engaged with their clients and encouraging feedback but their customer service has always been very good, with highly knowledgeable and effective staff.”

Visit: Eurodata

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: previous sage user

For more than 20 years, DMS Technologies has supplied batteries and other bespoke power systems to a broad range of industries, including aviation, defence, transportation and telecommunications. Seven years ago, following a period of consistent growth, the company realised the need for a more flexible financial and manufacturing control system if it was to sustain its strong sales performance.

Since implementing a Lakeview solution DMS Technologies has doubled its turnover, yet now manages the enlarged business with a smaller accounts team than previously. At the same time, Lakeview has provided a level of service support which, believes managing director, Malcolm Winter, “is as good as you’ll get.”
Challenge

In looking to overcome the drawbacks of the previous Pegasus accounting system, DMS Technologies wanted a management system which would provide better manufacturing control.

“We recognised that a full-blown MRP system would be inappropriate for our size,” confirms Winter, “and, after researching the market, selected Lakeview as offering the ideally scalable software solution for our accounting and manufacturing needs.”

Since implementing a Lakeview solution DMS Technologies has doubled its turnover, yet now manages the enlarged business with a smaller accounts team than previously.

DMS Technologies typically manufactures around 300 different products from more than 2,000 parts. In managing this process, Lakeview enables manufacturing to maintain tight control over bills of materials and all other aspects of the procurement and assembly process.

Solution

The standard solution offered most of the functionality required, with little customisation needed. For example, the Lakeview tool’s inherent ability to drill down and ensure complete records of materials was particularly important, as DMS Technologies required full traceability to meet both customer requirements and its ISO9001 quality standard.

“When we implemented the LM system, there was great emphasis on Lakeview training our staff to get the most from the enhanced management capabilities offered,” he recalls.

“Changing over from our previous solution was the most complex task the business had undertaken. Yet the combination of Lakeview’s flexible, easy to use software development approach and comprehensive training and support meant that the two-month period of parallel running went smoothly and staff were able to derive real benefit from our Lakeview investment almost from day one.”

At the outset, some modifications were made to Lakeview’s reporting and documentation tools, to meet specific works order requirements including detailed picking list and quality information, together with inspection status card data.

Once established, DMS Technologies added additional functionality such as Lakeview’s fixed asset register. “However, in extending our Lakeview investment, our goal has remained the same,” says Winter, “namely to put in place a cost-effective accounting system with extended manufacturing capability which meets the needs of a company the size and type of DMS Technologies.”

“the combination of Lakeview’s flexible, easy to use software development approach and comprehensive training and support meant that staff were able to derive real benefit from our Lakeview investment almost from day one”.

Results

Since implementation the now 40-strong company has doubled in size, to nearly £6 million annual turnover, yet the Lakeview system allows DMS Technologies to continue to manage and grow without a similar increase in staffing.

The initial software purchase was DOS-based, with the subsequent transition to a Windows-based system smooth and seamless. Similarly with hardware, DMS Technologies have purchased two replacement servers and associated support from Lakeview, which Winter describes as “first class”.

Overall, he believes that, “the support provided by Lakeview has been consistently excellent and, in my experience, provides an object lesson to other, much larger, IT suppliers.”

“If any issues arise, we are able to talk directly to Lakeview’s engineers and programmers who are both willing and able to address any problems promptly and efficiently. In short, in terms of both its software solution and support, Lakeview gives us exactly what we want.”

Visit: DMS Technologies

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Staytite is a manufacturer and supplier of high quality industrial fasteners. Established in 1978, Staytite is a family-owned fastener distributor to major assemblers in the white goods, electronics and motor industries.  As the business continued to grow, Staytite’s existing business management system was increasingly under strain in providing the level of support required.

Following implementation of a Lakeview solution, Staytite has continued to grow successfully, increasing turnover by between 15-20 per cent year-on-year – and without a significant increase in associated staffing.  Overall, the company estimates that its Lakeview investment has helped achieve a major reduction in management time, by around one third.

Challenge

The initial requirement for a replacement solution was to provide a scalable and transparent sales order processing system which would cope with daily and forward orders and stock level maintenance. “In replacing the previously manual and essentially paper-based system, our goal was to improve both operating efficiencies and accuracy,” says technical support and development manager, Eric Plummer.

“In particular, we needed to bring together sales information dispersed across the business and impose centralised control in managing a larger volume throughput.”

Solution

Following a review of what the market offered, Staytite selected the Lakeview solution as providing the most responsive and cost-effective solution for its needs.  Though the chosen solution offered valuable broader functionality, Staytite was especially impressed with the fact that, as Lakeview authored its own software, any changes required to meet future evolving requirements could be done rapidly and at reasonable cost.

“Implementation was remarkably smooth,” recalls Plummer, “and the following three-month trial which ran in parallel with the existing system was trouble-free.”  Subsequently, Staytite has also taken full advantage of the solution’s advanced purchase order and broader stock control functionality: as a result, Staytite has improved its stock turnover by around 10 per cent annually.
“This has become increasingly critical to our business, as we import more than 90% of the products we distribute,” he confirms.  “Further, the Lakeview system has successfully underpinned the subsequent establishment of a thriving export business for us.”

Results

Staytite’s initial Lakeview purchase met the company’s targeted investment criteria: over time, the tailored system has scaled with the business and now supports five times the number of users since the initial implementation.At the same time, Lakeview has continued to provide on-going software enhancements, a proactive approach which Plummer finds “unusually refreshing”.  The latest has been the addition of drawings to the back of stock codes, especially valuable for a business in which product drawings form a key part of its sales operation.

“This not only helps the order process for less knowledgeable customers,” he says, “but also allows us to respond to any technical enquiries by putting all the information we need at our fingertips.”

For Staytite, the seven-year relationship with Lakeview has been consistently excellent: “the company’s highly responsive support has meant that meant that there has been no issue to which it has been unable to provide a satisfactory solution,” confirms Plummer.

“With Lakeview we are ideally placed both to continue expanding our existing customer base and, looking ahead, to diversify into new markets.  In short, we are more than happy with the return we have achieved on our Lakeview investment.”

Visit: Staytite

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing, Lakeview