Softline Pastel launches Black Economic Empowerment Portal
Feb 2012
Pastel Evolution announces best business partners
Nov 2011
Pastel Evolution is Aligned to SARS’ Requirements for E-Documentation
Oct 2011
Pastel Wins Microsoft Independent Software Vendor of the Year
Oct 2011
by Microsoft… | more
Softline Pastel’s latest release will improve accountability in non-profit sector
Oct 2011
Pastel accounting still on top, according to newest survey
Oct 2011
Awards recognise small businesses
Aug 2011
The annual Small Business Awards on Talk Radio 702 with Softline Pastel launched this week with the aim of rewarding small businesses that are doing great things... | more
Contact centre world awards – results announced
July 2011
Softline Pastel, South Africa’s leading developer of accounting and business software scooped nine awards at the Contact Centre World Awards in London this past weekend... | more
Pastel LegalWrite now compliant with the new Consumer Protection & Companies Acts
July 2011
LegalWrite, Softline Pastel’s “lawyer in a box” has been updated to include and comply with both the Consumer Protection Act and the new Companies Act... | more
Softline Pastel dominates international contact centre awards
June 2011
For the first time ever, individuals from Softline Pastel have been named as finalists in the Contact Centre World Awards next month in London. These awards are considered to be the Olympics in the Contact Center industry... | more
Shining star wins National SAICA Pastel Accounting Olympiad
June 2011
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), in partnership with Pastel Accounting has announced that Sanelisiwe Nhlumayo, a grade 12 learner from Velabahleke High School in Umlazi Kwazulu-Natal, is the 2011 National SAICA Pastel Accounting Olympiad winner. Nhlumayo did an outstanding job by getting full marks for her paper and walks away with a well deserved laptop computer and R2 000 in prize money... | more
Labour provides the greatest hindrance to SME growth says survey
May 2011
Almost a third (28%) of local SMEs reported labour related issues as the main hindrance to business growth in the past year. While small business owners acknowledge that they need more staff in order to grow their business, they report that they either can’t find the right people or are too nervous to employ because of the country’s rigorous labour laws... | more
SMEs: monthly management makes for an easy Year End
February 2011
As we approach the end of the financial year, the calls to our support centre are starting to increase and the atmosphere of mass-panic in trying to close this year’s books can be clearly felt. It’s at this time every year that I wonder why business owners and managers often overlook the day-to-day administrative requirements that result in this major managerial load at the end of February... | more
It's tough out there: Small businesses still under pressure
January 2011
Softline Pastel recently received coverage in Financial Mail on the findings of the Pastel SME Survey.... | more
Pastel SME Survey
January 2011
Pastel Accounting recently conducted the inaugural Pastel SME Business Survey. Some of the topics covered in the survey were the global recession and the effect on profitability, turnover and staffing. We also asked questions around the exchange rate, family businesses, succession planning and how these things impact SMEs in South Africa. Over 2 000 respondents completed the survey.
The following online coverage was received:
- Fin24.com - click here to read the article.
- Citizen.co.za - click here to read the article.
- Iol.co.za & Business Report – click here to read the article.
- Jacarandafm.com – click here to read the article.
- Supermarket.co.za – click here to read the article.
- Iafrica.com – click here to read the article.
SA small business faced mixed fortunes in 2010 – Pastel SME Survey
January 2011
Almost half (49%) of small business owners in South Africa reported an increase in turnover in 2010 while the remaining businesses reported stagnated or decreased revenue. But, despite the seemingly good news, profit margins were squeezed with just more than a third of SMEs (32%) reporting an increase and an almost equal amount (29%) facing a decrease in profitability – the real indicator of a business’s ability to make money.... | more
It may be small but SME owners must keep their house in order - by Steven Cohen
January 2011
Without fail, SMEs around the globe have one common plea to their respective governments; they want real resolutions to ease the administrative and financial burden they face.... | more
SMEs hold the key
Steven Cohen
December 2010
Softline Pastel received coverage in the Financial Mail, in the form of an article written by Steven Cohen. The article was placed in the “On My Mind” section of the magazine and allows business leaders an opportunity to share their views with the readers of Financial Mail. Steven’s article is a response to the minister of economic development, Ebrahim Patel, and his new plan for economic growth. Particular focus is paid to the important role SMEs play in creating economic growth in South Africa.... | more
SA developed Pastel business software now for Mac at iStore
December 2010Pastel My Business Online, South Africa’s only online accounting program, is now available for Apple Macs and can be found at iStores nationwide. This is the first step by both Pastel Accounting and iStores to actively change the public perception that business software is not compatible with Mac.... | more
Consumer Protection Act demands a lot of homework for most companies
November 2010The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) which is due to come into effect on 31 March next year (2011) is complex legislation that will have an impact on everybody, holding serious ramifications for all individuals, companies and organisations that sell products or provide services.... | more
Easy online accounting for student entrepreneurs
November 2010Softline Pastel received coverage in the 3rd quarter issue of XL Magazine on how My Business Online is the perfect tool for student entrepreneurs wanting to start their own businesses... | more
Future of the business must inform buying of software
November 2010Sage Pastel received editorial coverage on 2 November 2010 in the Enterprise section of the Business Daily newspaper in Kenya. This article speaks about how accounting software purchases must be made in the same way as other business decisions; strategically and with the success of the business at the core... | more
Big isn't always better, especially in BI
October 2010Softline Pastel received positive coverage on ITWeb. Steven Cohen shares his thoughts on the importance and power of business intelligence... | more
Small Business with Big Ideas
September 2010The 702 Small Business Awards with Softline Pastel are based on outstanding service and call for listeners to nominate small businesses they have dealt with that go the extra mile. On Tuesday night, 7 September 2010, Molobi Enterprises was named this year's winner in an awards ceremony held at Primedia Place in Sandton, Johannesburg... | more
Sage Pastel signs Sh11m deal for the Top 100 SMEs survey
August 2010Sage Pastel received coverage on the 23 August in the Business Daily for their Sh11 million sponsorship for the Top 100 mid-sized companies competition which... | more
Softline Pastel Scoops 3 Awards at the Contact Centre World Awards
August 2010Softline Pastel received coverage on the East Africa Top 100 website www.eatop100.com in August 2010. The article recognises the awards Softline Pastel scooped at the Contact Centre World Awards. Among the awards... | more
702 Small Business Competition Opens
August 2010Softline Pastel received coverage in the Citizen and Bizcommunity around the launch of the 2010 Small Business Awards with Softline Pastel. Steve Cohen was quoted in Bizcommunity on how he anticipates that we are going to hear a lot of incredible stories about how good ideas, creativity and exceptional service have kept SMEs going... | more
Manage Your Money Online
August 2010Pastel InCheck, Softline Pastel’s free personal finance offering, and Pastel My Business Online, both received positive coverage in the Mail & Guardian Online... | more
Home-grown Pastel Evolution takes on imported ERPs with new version
August 2010Softline Pastel’s latest release of its mid-market Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, Pastel Evolution, includes some major enhancements. Evolution 6.5 is billed as the most significant release since its launch in 2003 and presents a real challenge to its ‘imported’ competitors... | more
Pastel call centre scoops international awards
June 2010Softline Pastel, South Africa’s leading developer of accounting and business software has received international recognition by winning three awards at the Contact Centre World Awards run by ContactCentreWorld.com, the online magazine for the global contact centre industry... | more
Pastel Evolution solution leads to clean bill of health
June 2010Pastel Evolution received positive coverage in the June issue of Government Digest. The article is a case study which looks at the successful implementation of Pastel Evolution within the uMgungundlovu District Municipality. In the two years since the implementation of Pastel Evolution the municipality has received two consecutive clean audits... | more
Pastel Evolution gives you even more bang for your buck
June 2010Softline Pastel received editorial coverage in the June 2010 issue of Brainstorm magazine. The article speaks about the new version of Pastel Evolution which will be available in the 3rd quarter of 2010... | more
Softline Pastel's latest accounting release is aligned to SARS' requirements for e-documentation
May 2010Softline Pastel received coverage in the May/June issue of Soweto Business Guide around the release of Pastel Accounting Version 11 and how it is aligned to SARS’ requirements for e-documentation... | more
Steven Cohen in Destiny Magazine
April 2010Steven Cohen was recently interviewed by Destiny Man for their Powerhouse feature. Some of the things Steven speaks about are self awareness, personal challenges, leadership style and advice for upcoming executives... | more
International recognition for Pastel call centre
March 2010Softline Pastel received coverage on the Contact Centre Industry website www.contactindustryhub.co.za on 16 March 2010. The article mentions Softline Pastel’s nomination as a finalist in the Contact Centre World Awards, which will take place in London in June this year. Pastel Accounting’s Support Team have been nominated as finalists in the categories of ‘Best Customer Service’, ‘Best Help Desk’ and ‘Best Community Spirit’... | more
Will 2010 be a good year for ERP?
March 2010Softline Pastel received coverage in the March issue of Brainstorm magazine. The article was written as a result of an ERP roundtable which was attended by Ashley Pillay, divisional director of Pastel Evolution and addresses some of the challenges ERP vendors face... | more
Successful Staff Recruitment and Retention needs a Scientific Approach
March 2010Recruitment and retention of the right employees is one of the most difficult and critical aspects of the HR function in companies and organisations both large and small. Fortunately there are new ways for agencies and companies to select the right employees and retain them.... | more
Pravin Gordhan’s 2010 budget doesn’t offer small businesses much, but it’s better than
nothing at all
March 2010
Softline Pastel received positive coverage in the Sunday Times It’s My Business supplement on Sunday 7 March 2010 . The article was around the Budget and how it impacts SMEs. Steven Cohen was quoted extensively in the second half of the article and successfully positioned Pastel as the mouthpiece for South African SMEs. ... | more
Bright future for online application processing
March 2010Softline Pastel received coverage in Business Day on 1 March 2010. Steven Cohen was quoted on his thoughts around the future of online accounting... | more
Small firms in need of real tax breaks
February 2010Softline Pastel received coverage in Business Report on 16 February 2010. Steve Cohen was quoted on his thoughts of how the Budget and Turnover Tax impacts SMEs... | more
Personal money management a no-brainer with launch of free online tool
January 2010InCheck, an online personal finance management tool is now available to everyone with web access for free. InCheck is powered by Pastel, South Africa’s leading developer of accounting, payroll and business management software and promises to make personal money management a breeze. It’s secure, reliable and 100% free. Additional features include: Monitoring all accounts centrally, access to historical information, rich in tracking & analysis tools and empowerment to take control of your finances... | more
Radio Coverage
Softline Pastel representatives are interviewed on a variety of subjects related to Softline Pastel products and industry trends.
Click here to listen to the podcasts.
TV Coverage
Softline Pastel representatives are interviewed on a variety of subjects related to Softline Pastel products and industry trends.
Click here to view these vodcasts and other Pastel related videos.
Media Campaigns
Click here to view Pastel's Media Campaigns.
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