As is often the case,
accountants gain experience of several systems during their careers
and Nevil Pearce, partner responsible for IT, had previously used
IRIS and had always been happy with its
performance.
The key objective
of Calvert Smith in finding a replacement for its existing Sage
system was to have one supplier who could offer an integrated
system. Partners also liked the concept of a common design
interface where data only need be entered once.
Following a demonstration of IRIS to the partners, the firm
asked for details of a reference site. The details of a practice in
Chester were supplied and Nevil made personal contact with the
partners there to ascertain that they were completely happy with
all aspects of the IRIS system.
Nevil placed the
order with IRIS at the beginning of May 2000 and the system was
installed on the 15th of the month. The conversion process took
just a couple of hours using a specialist program developed by IRIS
to take data held by the Sage system across into the IRIS
software.
This was followed by 3 days of in-house training to
familiarise all of the 25 staff with the new software. The
rationalisation has led to revised office procedures which in turn
have produced big time and cost savings.
Investment was needed in retraining to learn the product but
one of the hidden benefits of retraining has been losing some of
the bad habits that tend to creep into a firm. Calvert Smith is
really reaping the benefits of making the move to IRIS. In-house
support of the software has reduced so significantly that Nevil is
now able to devote his time to working for clients and not to
sorting problems out internally.
If they have a query, Calvert Smith telephones the
IRIS support line which has proved to be excellent. On average, it
takes just 30 seconds to get through to the support lines and in 19
times out of 20, the problem is resolved immediately.
The firm believes that its efficiency has improved
and it is far more confident in the quality of the work it outputs.
The staff are all extremely positive about the software and are
looking forward to exciting new developments planned by IRIS in the
forthcoming year.
Nevil Pearce concluded by saying "With IRIS we feel that we
can grow our business without pain. I am converted – they are a
good company."
