Dimensions voted Environmental Accounting Software of the Year

 ...but mid-market organisations still not taking carbon emissions reduction seriously, says Access

Chairman Paul Druckman and head of PR Helen Carpenter receiving the award on behalf of Access

Colchester, UK - 26 April 2010 - There was no monkeying around at London Zoo on Thursday for Access, who walked away with the 'Environmental Accounting Software of the Year' in the Green IT Awards.  However, the consulting, software and solutions provider says it is seeing little drive within the mid-market sector to implement carbon reduction measures.

Paul Druckman, chairman for Access, commented, "We're obviously delighted to have been voted best 'Environmental Accounting Software of the Year'; we're certainly being recognised for what we've achieved, but we really want to see more organisations committing to reducing their carbon footprint.

"This issue has to be taken seriously and we don't feel it is at present. It shouldn't be left to legislation to dictate what we do as a business community. Whether a business agrees or disagrees with the climate change argument is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is we're running out of resources, so we all have to manage down our carbon footprint. Previously we had the excuse of recession but now we're moving out of the downturn, we need to regain focus on carbon reduction. Clearly this can only happen if organisations have the means to measure their emissions, which is exactly what we're able to help them do.

Paul continued, "This is a learning process for everyone, including Access; we don't claim to be eco-warriors or to have all the answers, but we do understand the importance of measurement as the first part in the process. It's the foundation upon which the organisation can make solid decisions and build workable carbon-reduction strategies.  Access has been using Dimensions' Accounting for Carbon Emissions (ACE) tool for quite some time and has set a target to reduce carbon emissions per employee by 15% between July 2009 and June 2013, with a further commitment to reduce this by 5% by 2020. As a result we have put various initiatives in place, but we recognise that we still have a long way to go. However, we believe now is the time to start taking real action and we ask other mid-market organisations to join us in setting ambitious expectations for reducing their own carbon footprints."

Incorporated free within Access Dimensions, ACE ensures carbon emission figures are as easily accessible as regular financial reports without the need to change existing workflows.  ACE works alongside an organisation's daily routine, delivering periodic and on-demand information, enabling them to analyse data in any way.  By making this process simple and affordable, ACE helps to make solid sustainability-based decisions with confidence.

Most recently, the ACE functionality has been incorporated within Access' web-enabled professional services solution, FocalPoint, including the iPhone version.  This allows staff to log their expenses and carbon emissions data remotely, whenever they want and wherever they are based.

For more information on the awards visit: http://www.greenitawards.com. For further details on Access visit: www.theaccessgroup.com or contact Matt Newman on 0845 345 3300. Alternatively, keep up-to-date by following Access on twitter, http://www.twitter.com/theaccessgroup.

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About Access 

• Access is a consulting, software and solutions provider, serving the mid-market.
• The consulting services are backed by more than 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 software, professional services automation, and accounting for carbon emissions reporting. Other software solutions include distribution and warehousing, HR and payroll, document management, service and contract management and CRM and sales automation.

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:

• Green IT Awards 2010 for 'Environmental Accounting Software of the Year'
• SIFT Media Software Satisfaction Awards 2009, Green Software Provider of the Year Award
• Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2009 for 'IT in Manufacturing', won by customer Renthal for its use of the Access Supply Chain solution
• Construction Computing Awards 2009, 'Construction Accounting Software of the Year' and shortlisted for 'Environmental Product of the Year'
• Accountancy Age Award 2008 and 2009 for the best 'Mid-tier Software Package'
• SIFT Media Software Satisfaction Award 2008, for the second year running, in the category of best 'Mid-Range Software'

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