September 2004 ...

eTEK's Millennium+ Accounting

eTEK International offers Microsoft Access-based modules to mid-market and enterprise-level businesses in the construction, durable and non-durable goods distribution, property management, consulting, commercial services, and other key industries. Version 9.1 brings numerous enhancements to the cash management, AP and payroll modules, as well as support for the latest Microsoft Office 2003 products

MODULES AVAILABLE/SCALABILITY - 5 Stars

The base system includes GL, Budgeting, Financial Reports, Cash Management, Supplier, Customer and Employee Databases, and System Utilities. Add-on modules include AP, AR, Payroll, Job Cost, Report Wizards, A.I.A. Billing and Supply Chain Management. Beyond that, several auxiliary modules provide specialized functionality, such as a wireless PDA interface, project management and job scheduling, and blank-stock check printing.

eTEK Accounting modules are available in three editions: eTEK XPress, MTX Accounting and Millennium+ Accounting. All editions share a common user interface, but are designed to provide a highly scalable solution for a wide range of business sizes. For single-user organizations, eTEK XPress provides an economical starting point, which can be easily upgraded to the MTX Accounting edition for small to mid-size multi-user single-location companies. Millennium+ Accounting (reviewed here) addresses enterprise-level needs with the SQL Server database engine that can support many users in multiple locations.

EASE OF USE/ TRANSACTION ENTRY - 5 Stars

Simplicity and ease of use are hallmarks of the entire line of eTEK Accounting products. The main menu is a window with a drop-down list of available modules. A box is also available with tabs for Data Entry, Inquiry, Reports and Actions. As you select a module from the drop-down list, the items in the tabs change to reflect the choices for that module. Double-clicking any of the items in the tabbed box launches the data-entry form, query, report or process that you select.

Data-entry screens are similarly simple and well-designed to make the most productive use of the Microsoft Access user interface capabilities. Key fields utilize drop-down lists that can also be used to quickly launch a find window for things like customer, vendor and so forth. Toolbars are also dynamically updated to reflect available form functions like opening detailed information screens. Most screens feature multi-tab dialog boxes that keep information segregated into various categories to keep data-entry windows from becoming cluttered. For screens such as entering invoices, customers can be added on the fly just by double-clicking on the customer field.

eTEK Accounting modules use a flexible batch-posting system that can either be used to post transactions one at a time as they�re entered, or they can be accumulated for quicker data entry and posted together as a separate process. The advantage of immediate posting is that transactions are available in real-time for reports and other queries.

CUSTOMIZATION/SECURITY - 5 Stars

Since all modules can be fully integrated with divisional accounting and job-costing features, the entire system allows a lot of customization with regard to the chart of accounts, segmentation and divisional accounting. The user-defined account structure allows for up to nine digits for the account number, the division number, the department number or the product number sections. In addition, the system allows a four-level structure (projects, jobs, phases and tasks) for job and project tracking.

The system menu is also fully customizable. Each menu item is a �step� that can be added, deleted, renamed or re-ordered. For example, if you want to add a custom report to the payroll menu, you simply add a line into the menu table that specifies the details about the menu item, its location and the report details.

Beyond all these built-in customization capabilities, the program offers fully available source code and an open database format. For an experienced Microsoft Access programmer, this offers the ultimate flexibility to extend and enhance any conceivable program feature. eTEK also offers custom programming services to meet specific requirements. If modifications are made by the vendor, they become fully supported program extensions.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT - 5 Stars

Microsoft Access natively provides extensive integration and data exchange capabilities with other Microsoft Office products. All reports have an Office Links button available that lets you export data to Word or Excel. Fully customizable exports are provided through the open database architecture. No built-in imports or conversions from other packages are available. However, these could be achieved through custom import programs.

REPORTING - 5 Stars

Over 200 built-in reports contain numerous selections for record filtering, sorting and detail levels. Each report is created with the Microsoft Access report builder, so they can be previewed, printed or easily exported to Word or Excel using Office Links. In addition, you are free to use separately purchased third-party utilities such as Crystal Reports to create any number of custom reports.

SUPPORT/TRAINING/HELP SYSTEM - 5 Stars

eTEK stresses its commitment to the highest quality customer support available in the industry. Toll-free support is available to customers with a current maintenance agreement. A well-written manual and online help system should be sufficient to address everyday usage questions and procedures. The online help is not context sensitive, but is organized by module and can be searched by keyword. Links to related topics are also provided. Training can be arranged with the company. Nearly all user training is now conducted interactively on the web, with one-on-one sessions available

RELATIVE VALUE - 5 Stars

A complete 25-concurrent user system, including all of the base set of modules, first year support and training, would cost $19,114. Licenses to tie-in two other physical locations, including support and training, would cost $5,040. The average cost of additional modules is $2,995. Support costs $3,794 per year after the first year and includes renewals and updates. Purchase of a complete system includes 20 hours of prepaid web-based training; otherwise, training is billed at $90 per hour plus travel.

eTEK provides a strong product that is highly competitive and offers a strong feature set. The company is quick to admit that it is not intended for the �shoe string� budget, but rather focuses on a high service and functionality level that provides solid value.

2004 OVERALL RATING: FIVE STARS  

Right to reproduce an electronic document reprint

of the above review from The CPA Technology Advisor magazine is pending.