Five times shortlist success for Access in leading awards

Colchester, Essex - 16 September 2009 - Access, the recently rebranded mid-market consultancy and business software developer, has reached the shortlist for the 2009 Accountancy Age Awards for Mid-tier Software Package. The announcement is the icing on the cake in the run-up to a packed awards season that also includes a place in the Sift Media Software Satisfaction Awards and the finals of the BASDA-sponsored Green Software Provider of the Year Award. Access is also a finalist in the Construction Computing Awards for Construction Accounting Software of the Year and Environmental Product of the Year.

The Accountancy Age Awards mark outstanding work in business, practice and technology with a judging panel that includes some of the most respected people in the accountancy profession. Past panels have included Sir Digby Jones, Sir Mike Rake, chairman of BT, Sam DiPiazza, outgoing CEO of PwC International and Ian Dyson, FD at Marks & Spencer.  Access hopes to repeat its 2008 winning status when the results are announced on 18th November at Battersea Park Arena in London.

The company will find out on 8th October whether it has once again been voted the customer's choice at the Software Satisfaction Awards. As current holder of two consecutive award wins, these accolades celebrate excellence across the business software industry. Now in its fourth year, more than 8,100 end-users and purchasers of business software applications voted in this year's survey, making it the largest yet. Shortlisted companies were rated for ease of use, functionality, reliability and value for money.

The winner of the BASDA-sponsored Green Software Provider of the Year Award will also be announced at the Software Satisfaction Awards. It will be presented to the company judged to have developed and launched innovative green software solutions, enabling customers to meet environmental challenges and responsibilities. The focus of Access' award entry is its Accounting for Carbon Emissions solution. Launched in 2008, this was the first practical software tool to incorporate carbon emissions in the finance function.

Access' nomination for two categories in this year's Construction Computing Awards could mean success for the fourth year running. Customer voting is now underway and finishes on November 10th, with the awards being held on November 19th at the Tower Hotel London.

Alistair O'Reilly, group managing director for Access, commented, "It's very satisfying to have been shortlisted for five prestigious awards in what is a tough time for both our customers and the industry in general - I believe this is testament to the success of our new consulting, software and solutions business model.  It's also heartening to see respected industry bodies such as BASDA get fully behind the green agenda and for us to be recognised as playing a part in its development. And of course, we're delighted to once again receive such great support from our customers for Access Dimensions and FocalPoint. We've worked closely with them over the years to develop solutions to help them achieve business success. Our continued investment in our portfolio is extending its reach into every area of the business, providing industry-leading solutions that address real business challenges."

Recent innovations introduced by Access include stock forecasting, cash flow, dashboard and process automation in areas such as HR. Alistair continued: "Being shortlisted in these awards is also thanks to our product development teams. They continue to work hard to come up with new and innovative solutions for the growing number of industries where we have specialist expertise such as professional services, manufacturing and the not-for-profit sectors."

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

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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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