APS United Kingdom

Launching the Advance® software in the UK at the beginning of February 1999, APS is now able to offer a complete solution to help practices move forward into the new millennium.

Advanced Professional Solutions will be meeting the strong demand in the UK for Windows-based Practice Management solutions that set new standards in performance and functionality. The company aims to deliver strong competitive advantages to multi-partner accounting firms by applying an innovative business approach that has proven to be highly effective in international markets.

Included in the Advance® range is an advanced client database, for accessing client data and marketing purposes. It offers full practice management facilities for measuring and controlling productivity, such as for billing and reporting. There is a professional accounting program for financial reporting and full integration with Microsoft Word and Excel . The product Advance employs Microsoft Analysis Services.

The Advance® range has been developed by Advanced Professional Solutions ('APS'), New Zealand. It is already the market leader in that country amongst medium and large sized firms, being used by KPMG, Grant Thornton, Pannell Kerr Forster and Deloitte amongst others. In July 1998 the products were launched in Australia and have already made significant in-roads into the practice management market there.

" It has become apparent from our clients that there is a real gap in the market to offer more than the typical disjointed set of products, even those which are employing the latest technologies, that do not properly interconnect data and processes. We want to make the technology enhance the whole business process."

One of Advanced Professional Solutions' chief strengths will lie in the experience and expertise of its management which adds two former executives of Solution 6's Australian and UK operations, Brian Coventry and Brian Armstrong. Mr Coventry and Mr Armstrong between them have 40 years of international experience in meeting the Practice Management and business needs of the accounting profession

Brian Coventry, Managing Director of the UK division of APS, said:

" For some time multi-partner accounting firms have been crying out for Practice Management systems that properly address their needs. To date, the traditional Practice Management and Accounting solution providers simply have not kept pace with the accounting profession. As a result, firms have been forced to cope with out-dated technology that limits their opportunities for growth and improved productivity."

" APS will provide a Windows-based, industry-standard relational database which can assist in reducing costs, improving productivity and efficiency. This will allow firms to expand their services and gain a competitive advantage. Years of experience have shown us what firms need in this area and we believe the new Advance V8.5 range in the UK can deliver real benefits."

" APS will be filling this gap by working with practices to improve their effectiveness using business processes and by implementing Practice Management systems that are proven, Windows-based and use industry-standard database technology. APS's solutions are aimed at reducing costs, improving productivity and efficiency, and enabling firms to expand their services and gain a real competitive advantage."