PROFESSIONAL FIRMS COMPLIANCE NEEDS ARE ILL SERVED BY MANY BUSINESS SYSTEMS, CLAIMS APT

Many professional firms, such as solicitors and accountants are not getting the necessary support from their business systems when it comes to meeting compliance regulations, claims software developers APT Projects.

"The increasing volume of compliance legislation has become a major drain on resource, with senior fee earners often having to spend considerable amounts of time to ensure the regulations are met," says APT Projects MD Tony Rust. Personnel at all levels are affected, often with huge paper trails being generated. Even when a computer system is used, there is often inadequate integration of the various elements of functionality".

"What is needed is a solution that addresses all aspects of compliance - and these vary from profession to profession. For example, the ability to record every event that takes place, from telephone calls, to meetings, general notes, and everything being recorded is precisely timed".

"Also, all activities being recorded in interactive user diaries which can provide instant reports, and at the press of a button - a fully populated timesheet showing actual time spent on individual activities. Also providing adjusted times which round the event time units to preferred chargeable units of time".

"For example, our TCM4000 + Workflow solution combines contact, customer relationship and document management and workflow, with advanced email and electronic filing TCM4000 goes across all departments giving one central database into which all contact details, events, documents and diaries are instantly accessible. Jobs, ranging from dealing with one letter to a complete audit can be allocated to personnel and tracked and all activities can be reported on through the comprehensive reporting features.

For accountants, for example no system would be complete without links to an accounts package. TCM4000 scores highly in the way that data in Sage Line 50 can be accessed in real time and displayed on screen in TCM4000.

TCM 4000 offers a host of interactive features that allow users to work more efficiently, and provides a platform for strong competitive edge.

Aimed not just at sales and marketing, the system is an effective solution for all areas of an organisation, including credit control, administration and general business operations. Key benefits include the introduction of an advanced computer-based business methodology, a central database for all users, efficient organisation and structure of information flow and easy search facilities.

Designed specifically for larger organisations that require more control over user access, TCM 4000 provides a range of extra features. While retaining the intuitive interfaces common to the current latest version of the system, TCM 4000 adds the ability to customise the record structure and to link to various accounting systems.

Major additions have been made to the Customer Service Management module making TCM a top performer against the best of available bespoke systems. TCM 4000 is a highly effective platform for adapting to a wide variety of vertical market needs as well as being the complete system for any organisation.

Developed by APT Projects, TCM 4000 is the result of an eight-year investment programme The system runs under Microsoft Windows 95/98, Millennium, NT Workstation and NT Server and XP. More information on TCM at: www.aptprojects.com . Or by email at: tcm@aptprojects.com .

Press information from: Tony Rust, APT Projects. Tel: 01427 875103. Email: tony@aptprojects.com. Or: John Bradshaw, JBPR. Tel: 01483 838331, Email: john.bradshaw@ntlworld.com