Evolution upgrade - coming soon!

Better functionality, new vertical markets, general ledger-linked project-based budgeting, forced tags and better inventory journals. These are just some of the exciting new features in Pastel Evolution 6.

Even the mature stalwarts in Softline Pastel’s portfolio can be improved on. Version 6, the large-business version of the Pastel accounting package, will be fortified with scores of new features to make the current package, 5.01, even better. The many tweaks made to its overall functionality will also improve the user’s experience with the product. This upgrade will be available during the first quarter of 2009.

According to Divisional Director Mohammed Mosam, Pastel Evolution is seen as a mature product. “So it may seem contradictory to say that the new release takes Evolution even further, but it does!”

Mosam said the current release, Evolution Version 5.01 is already packed with new functionality – most of it requested by Evolution’s growing user base. “I’m proud to say that this new functionality, like for example the MS-Outlook integration and procurement, not only relates to the usability of the product, but increases efficiency and employee productivity within the work environments,” he said.

Mosam considers one of the highlights of Evolution 5.01 the new procurement module which extends into new vertical markets. This module was designed for government, mining, manufacturing and other industries that typically procure supplies against strict budgets and need to exercise careful administrative control in the manner in which their purchases are authorised.

Following the successful release of 5.01, Version 6 now caters for deeper functionality allowing for more control. Join us for a tour of some of the latest new features and enhancements to Pastel Evolution Version 6.

Budgets per project

Budgets were traditionally managed per General Ledger account. Many businesses that work with projects face the challenging task to ensure that not only are they profitable within their broad budgets but also that they manage the profitability down to project level. This new feature lets you budget per project. This is then linked to General Ledger accounts. Yearly budgets can also be increased based on actual or budget values and reporting lets you distinguish between actual and budget values as well.

Forcing the code

Businesses often want to allocate project codes and sales reps to transactions but forget to tag this additional information to transactions and this can frustrate the reporting process. Evolution now lets you force users to input this information at the point of processing their transactions. So this systematic control will ensure that you get the information reported to your managers in the way they need it. In addition, Evolution will also allow a default project or sales rep code to be set-up per user, with a security permission to override when applicable.

Inventory Journals

The Inventory Journal feature lets you capture stock adjustments within a batch where either the quantity and/or the item cost price can be adjusted simultaneously. The option to specify adjustments against a Job Card or Project Code is also available.

Printing of source transactions

Transactions captured via the standard transactions feature in the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable modules can now be printed at the time of completing the transaction update. The same applies to Journal Transfers and Stock Adjustment transaction processing.

Quotes history

Pastel Evolution Version 6 lets you store processed quotes for future reference. Once a quote is processed it will save the original quote, with the quote number linked to the final invoice for reference purposes.

Getting cash for COD

Have you ever invoiced a COD client when his previous payment was still outstanding? This feature lets you prevent that mistake. It assists in managing cash on delivery clients by preventing any further invoicing against those customers with COD terms until a payment for the last invoice has been received.

E-mailing documents

E-mailing of invoices is convenient but often problematic. A typical problem is when invoices are printed on pre-printed stationery. Upon printing the invoice, there is obviously no need to duplicate what’s on the pre-printed form. However, when e-mailing that same invoice, much of the information is lost. Typical casualties are logos, telephone numbers and other fixed detail. This feature prevents that from happening.

The accounting and payroll split

Our customers told us via one of our feedback surveys that due to security concerns, they prefer to install the payroll module separately from accounting modules. In companies where the payroll and accounting modules are already integrated, there is a conversion that will automate the split. Backup and restore for payroll can now also be more effectively managed since the data relating to each module is now maintained separately.

Job costing

The Job Costing module has been improved. Businesses that deal with contracts where partial (or progress) invoicing is required will find this makes their lives easier. You can now specify the exact quantity ready to be invoiced and Evolution will then display the items already invoiced and those items waiting to be invoiced. Evolution will automatically take into account the relevant accounting entries between Work-in-Progress, Income and Expense accounts in the General Ledger.

Inventory now a work-in-progress

A new account selection within Inventory Groups allows for the work-in-progress account to be selected and will update the relevant account accordingly.

Worker rates

This new feature creates hourly rates per worker. When capturing Job Card data, worker hourly rates together with their hours worked can then be incorporated into the costing of the overall job and detailed on the Job Card.

Contact us:

Tel: 0860 PASTEL / 011 304 3530
E-mail: evolutionsupport@pastel.co.za
Website: www.pastel.co.za