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GAZETTE
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
1994
Manual Accounting Systems
Manual Accounting System
Legend
•
Kalamazoo
•
Safeguard
•
Other
Computerised Accounting Systems
C omp u t e r i z ed Ac c oun t i ng S y s t ems
Legend
l
Theca
1
f lj Solomon
•
Italax
1
•
Star
•
Other
package, which has been approved by
the Conveyancing Committee, has
been available for a number of years.
Reasonably priced off the shelf
database software is widely available.
Almost all of the other items which
appeared on the wish list have been
widely available for a number of years
at a fairly reasonable cost.
Many practitioners appear unable to
chose an accounts package which they
believe will be appropriate to the
needs of their practice. The survey
shows that there is an overwhelming
demand that the Law Society do this
for them. This is of course a wholly
inappropriate function for the Law
Society to assume, as the survey
clearly demonstrated that while
one package may fulfill all the
needs of one practice, it may be a
disaster in another.
Many packages in use in solicitors
offices are completely out of date.
There appeared to be an illusion that
once the practice "computerised" that
the task was then complete. Because
of this many practices have lost out on
the very significant advantages which
are offered by current software. Many
of the "computerised" practices
should urgently look at the state of
their systems and try to implement an
upgrade program which takes
account of the current needs of
the practice.
Some of the respondents expressed
doubts as to the benefits of
computerisation in respect of their
particular practice. If this is a
rationally held view based on a
realistic assessment of the practice
and its needs, then so be it. However,
where it is an excuse to do nothing
either because of laziness or self
imposed ignorance the practice will
find itself at an ever increasing
disadvantage against its competitors.
It is beyond dispute that the use of a
computer in a solicitors office offers
some advantage to practices which
range from the sole practitioner to the
largest commercial firms. The extent
to which the firm exploits
computerisation is largely up to the
practice itself.
The suppliers of equipment to the
profession have done little to educate
their clients about the benefits which
use of software will bring to the
practice. The majority of practices are
very happy with the level of service
which they receive from their
suppliers. However, there are
incidents of computerisation usually
involving accounts in almost every
county where the supplier effectively
abandoned the solicitor once the
software was installed. This led to
complete breakdown in relations
between the parties. This colours the
attitude of the user of the software,
with the result that the software is
rarely used to its full potential. If
possible, this situation should be
avoided. Where a recommended
supplier of the Law Society is
involved the Technology
Committee will appoint an
independent arbitrator to resolve the
matter. The costs of this arbitration
will usually be borne by the party
at fault.
It was hoped that the survey would
produce data concerning the
recommendation of particular
packages and suppliers.
Unfortunately, the data the survey
produced was incomplete in this
regard and therefore the data could not
be analysed. However the satisfaction
ratings which were given to
suppliers were more than sufficient to
assess the position on a county by
county basis.
(Continued on page 378)
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