Access wins major contract with Engine

Colchester, Essex - 22 September 2009 - Access, the recently rebranded mid-market consultancy and business software developer, has won a major IT contract with Engine, the UK's leading independent communications company. The £99m turnover organisation is implementing Access Dimensions and FocalPoint across its 14 London-based agencies, which offer expertise in disciplines ranging from advertising and branding to PR and public affairs. The system will service around 600 full-time and freelance staff.

Nageen Faruqi, group systems consultant for Engine, said: "A central part of our IT strategy is to have one solution across the whole organisation. We've made six acquisitions within the last 12 months, bringing with them disparate systems. By taking a much more joined up approach we'll be able to gain full visibility of all business activity, whilst still maintaining the level of flexibility that we need to fit the specific requirements of each agency. 

"We chose Access Dimensions and FocalPoint because it had the depth of functionality that we required; it was much broader in scope than other systems we reviewed and adaptable to our individual needs. The consulting team also really understood what we were trying to achieve and were very open to the way we wanted to work."

Alongside extensive accounting functionality, Engine will also be using project management, time sheets and expenses to help track projects, work-in-progress and costs. Web-enabled workflow forms will be used to provide estimates for client projects, such as TV ads. Along with the document management system, this will help to reduce paper wastage, centralise the storage of paperwork and streamline the flow of information. The new system will also tighten purchasing processes across the group and introduce GoldMine CRM, for client and prospect management.

"Access Dimensions and FocalPoint brings all of these elements neatly together under one system. Being able to immediately access the reports we need and review and monitor budgets easily will make a huge difference to everyone."

The solution is being rolled out company by company, including a shared services division. With the first pilot now live, the second agency is in the process of implementation. "As this is such a major project, we decided on a phased approach. It means we can take feedback from each agency and refine the way the solution works for them, whilst still maintaining the general structures and procedures required."

Engine is one of a growing number of larger contracts won by Access over the past year, meeting the demand for organisation-wide solutions. Alex Reeves, marketing director for Access commented: "Our customers are looking for their systems to deliver a return on investment in areas of the business where this previously wasn't cost effective, such as customised electronic forms. With many of our solutions being web-enabled, they're very flexible, and allow staff in professional services organisations to spend more time with customers, not filling in paperwork."

For more information on Access, its consultancy and software solutions contact Gareth Evans on 01582 465 100 or visit www.theaccessgroup.com

About Access

• Access is a business-led consultancy and software developer, serving the mid-market.
• Consulting services are backed by 65 accredited consultants, providing business software expertise. They operate nationally out of nine offices in the UK and Ireland.
• The software portfolio provides solutions to meet the needs of the whole organisation, helping to reduce complexity and increase efficiencies at every level. In addition to accounting and finance, Access also offers manufacturing and distribution, professional services automation, carbon emissions measurement, reporting, payroll, document management, service management and CRM solutions.

• Accreditations and memberships:
  • Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
  • Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA)
  • HM Revenue & Customs: Payroll Standards Scheme
• Awards 2008:
  • Accountancy Age Award for the best 'Mid-tier Software Package'
  • SIFT Media Software Satisfaction Award, for the second year running, in the category of best 'Mid-Range Software'

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