SABRE
23 February 2005
Mr Dick Simmons
Director
Anagram Systems
60A Queen Street
HORSHAM
West Sussex
RH13 5AD
Dear Dick
Re: Encore - Our Experience
Thank you for your letter asking if we would write a few paragraphs about our experience with Encore.
Going back to the start, we selected a multi-currency Unix based accounting, sales and purchase processing and manufacturing control system from 1988. I actually looked at the original Anagram system in 1987, so had heard of the company from the beginning of our computer accounting experience. By 1997, it became clear that our Unix based system had a Y2K problem and the incumbent supplier proposed an extremely expensive upgrade (he thought we had no choice). As a result, we decided to investigate other systems in 1998. We looked at Sage and Pegasus Opera as well as Encore and several other packages.
Every package has its strengths (Sage seems very popular with accountants for example), but we knew that, as everybody uses the system to some degree, the overall usability across all functions is more important. The Encore system seemed easier to use and covered almost everything we needed as a specialist electronics equipment manufacturer and distributor. Our auditor was also asked and raised no concerns, so we selected Encore in late 1998. We were operational with Encore in the early months of 1999 (after extracting data from Unix via a package called Monarch for import into Encore).
Since that time, we have been very happy with Encore. It has been as easy to use as expected and integrates much better with other Windows Applications. More importantly, interactions with Encore are easy and quick. In our Unix system, if you wanted to edit an order (Sales, Purchase or Works Order), you had to step through each line to the one you wanted to edit. This was too time consuming and people used to "cut corners" to avoid doing it, with the result that the computer did not have an accurate stock figure. The ease of use of Encore improved accuracy massively (if it is easy, they will do it rigorously). This leads to more confidence with monthly accounts.
Since 1999, Encore has been extended considerably and is even more useful today than it was then. We also find all your staff friendly and helpful with good responsive support when problems arise as they inevitably do, on occasion. However, during 5 years of operation there have been very few hours that the system was not available to us. We would happily recommend Encore to other companies.
Finally, you might like to know that during our ISO 9001 assessment, which looks at all processes involved with delivering goods and services, our Assessor commented favourably about the system. Assessors must see a wide selection of systems, so this reinforces our opinion that we made the right choice.
Keep up the good work!
With kind regards
David Balfour
Director