mokelly wrote the following post on 4/25/2008 9:37:06 AM
You should consider open source accounting software. It seems to be the next wave of accounting solutions. SourceForge.net has a large number of accounting projects, about 11,000. You should try to pick one that is being managed by people in your industry. If you cannot find one like that, pick one that uses a programming language and/or database that your staff or local consultant is already familiar. If neither of those produce an obvious pick then perhaps you should consider webERP, a web based accounting package that is the best I have ever seen for a small business.
Since it is free, there are no annoying pop up messages like you find in low end accounting packages. There is only one install to do at the server. Client installs for most proprietary accounting software is difficult, there is no client install for webERP. I would debate any other software representative that there is no more portable or scalable accounting software product on the market. The server can be Windows workstation or server, Novell, Mac, or Linux/Unix. The client can be Windows, Mac or Linux or any other with an internet browser. The same software is installed no mater what OS or client you use.
No need to worry about the company going out of business. The software is supported by end users and developers from hundreds of companies. Since you have the source code you can hire modifications done so there is no reason to ever change software again. Open source is now the market share leader in server software, web software and many other software categories. It is only a matter of time until it dominates accounting software too.
There is more information on weberp at rockwall-computer.com and weberp.org. There is an excellent article at http://openwebdeveloper.sys-con.com/read/492701.htm on open source accounting software.
Good Luck! - Mo