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

Many Sales Managers or Directors create sales forecast information by collating spreadsheets received from their sales team. Not only is this a slow and labour intensive process, but it is also immediately out of date, open to re-keying errors and is owned locally.

Within Lakeview’s LV ERP system your sales team will manage their prospects, leads and opportunities (within the CRM module).  As MD, you will require easy access to sales information plus any analytic reports from anywhere and undoubtedly from within a web browser / Web Client.

With LV ERP you have the ability to:

1. Review your sales pipeline and forecasts in real-time and from anywhere.
2. Drive more effective sales meetings as you no longer require physical team meet ups.
3. Review your sales analytic reports with the team on-the-fly and remotely.

Lakeview’s LV Web Client allows anyone authorised to view the system on any device via any web browser. This allows you and your sales team to update, query or review sales data from anywhere in the world and at any time‚ keeping you in control.

LV CRM module facilitates proactive sales & prospect meetings

Use your sales team meetings to update the CRM system there and then (on-the-fly) and remove the need to make  individual forecast updates after the meeting.

With LV CRM your sales team will update both leads and opportunities once they’ve finished meeting a prospect or customer.

Using an iPad, smart phone or laptop your sales team can access LV ERP and update the system with:

• Meeting notes
• Deal values
• Convert leads to opportunities
• Convert opportunities to orders
• Convert prospects to customers

LV CRM supports electronic document management

Once satisfied with your sales forecast you can email a PDF of the report to whoever needs it, or save it for your next Board meeting pack.

LV ERP facilitates remote working at no extra cost

There is no need to purchase any Terminal Server or Citrix type software to be able to remote connect to LV ERP and no help needed from expensive external IT consultants.

Any new transactions or updates are automatically made to the LV ERP system wherever it resides in the world, or in The Cloud, so there is no rekeying and all data is viewed in real-time.

This is how sales teams and leaders should be functioning in the 21^st Century in order to provide a competitive edge, win more business, 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 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.

——————————

Visit iTunes to download LV ERP to your mobile device

Or download our LV brochure to read more on LV ERP for mobile

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: CRM, ERP CRM, LV ERP

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.

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

> Visit iTunes to download and trial ‘LV ERP’ on your mobile

> Or download our LV brochure to read more on LV ERP for mobile

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!)

——————————————–

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

LV ERP product page: www.lakeview.co.uk/lv

iTunes business App: Visit iTunes to trial ‘LV ERP’

PDF download: LV ERP Brochure

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview Computers Ltd

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

———————–

To find out more

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

Visit iTunes to download LV ERP to your mobile device

Or download our LV brochure to read more on LV ERP for mobile

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

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

Lakeview is a leading UK software company, providing effective ERP and accounting solutions to wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors.

LV Mobile ERP puts the power and flexibility of Lakeview LV in your hands. Place orders, check stock, print and email order acknowledgments, and action almost any business transaction remotely.

Download LV and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Visit iTunes to download this App or call our Sales team on: 0845 388 3329 

Mobile Solutions Across The Web

Lakeview’s LV system provides you with a more mobile ERP solution; by exploiting the latest technologies to your business advantage. LV can be deployed real time, via a web connection, onto desktops, notebooks, laptops, iPad, iPhone or any tablet or smart phone that supports Android or Windows Mobile software.

This enables employees and executives on the move to have access to systems and key information wherever they are in the world. It also enables sales people and service engineers to capture orders, raise quotes, order parts, capture signatures, check accounts, progress orders whilst  with the customer and without paperwork, duplication or needless trips to the office.

As authors of the software we provide a ‘Bespoke as Standard’ commitment that is unique to us. We commit to providing an outstanding level of service underpinned by ensuring that the software fits to your business rather than you having to fit your processes to how the software works.

——————————

Visit iTunes to download this App

Call our Sales team on: 0845 388 3329 to find out more

Or download our LV brochure to read more on LV ERP for mobile

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing Manager, Lakeview

Technorati Tags: enterprise resource planning for iphone, erp for ipad, erp for iphone, ERP LV iphone app, lakeview offers erp iPhone app, LV app, LV for ipad, LV iphone, LV mobile app

Founded in 2005, Natural Balance Foods is already establishing a strong franchise in the UK for its range of healthy cereal bars and flavour-infused raisin snacks in national grocery and healthfood chains.  Today, its major Nakd and Trek brands can be found in the wholefoods and fast-expanding ‘free from’ sections of Tesco, Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury’s, for example, as well as Boots, Holland & Barrett and independent specialist health food outlets.

Yet in successfully meeting this growing demand for healthier products, Natural Balance Foods has had to meet the challenge of managing rapid growth.  “As a start-up we initially piggy-backed a custom-built ERP system built for a sister company operating in a very different Internet environment, together with spreadsheets and a financial accounting software solution,” says co-founder, Greg Combs.

However, this came under increasing strain as the business rapidly expanded and it became clear that the company needed an integrated solution which would manage the end-to-end process, from receipt of orders through to delivery and invoicing with minimum manual intervention.  Additionally, the replacement system had to enable product full traceability and multiple warehouse inventory reporting..

“In selecting a Lakeview system, we recognised it had the essential flexibility and scalability to meet the current and future demands of our business and our customers,” he confirms.  “This has proved without doubt to be the right decision, as we now have the perfect springboard for taking the business on to the next phase of its exciting growth.”

Technorati Tags: case study, food & beverage erp, food erp, natural balance, organic food erp

You’re probably all too familiar with Salesforce and its success story, but imagine buying your next ERP solution the same way you buy apps for your smartphone (iPhone, iPad or Android device).

As we await approval from Apple for our own ERP App (LV for Mobile) we are watching a small number of business focused app stores appear as other suppliers follow Lakeview’s lead in taking ERP mobile. The benefit to business owners is that ‘app stores’ will offer IT departments the opportunity to trial a number of enterprise apps and add-ons without having to make a large upfront purchase or engage in a lengthy scoping exercise, and with the ability to map it against their business processes for themselves.

Forrester Research excerpt

Written by China Martens  with Paul D. Hamerman, Andrew Magarie

Executive Summary

Business process professionals are starting to see more choices in how they and their organizations can investigate and buy enterprise resource planning (ERP) apps, add-ons, and complementary software. Dedicated websites, dubbed “app stores” or “app marketplaces,” are emerging as an additional ERP app showcase and/or purchase channel option. Business-focused app stores are also set to serve as new kinds of internal and external engagement hubs between end user and vendor communities. Business process pros should use ERP vendor app stores as a model for internal app distribution as they look to better administer their employees’ consumption of apps.

Forrester Research Source:
www.forrester.com/rb/Research/app_stores_new_way_to_try_and/q/id/60196/t/2

Screenshot shows: I-Tunes Business App store

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing for Lakeview

Technorati Tags: apple, business app, erp app, erp for ipad, erp for iphone, ERP for mobile, erp saas, forrester research, hosted erp