by: Matt - 29-10-09 09:54
Sorry for doing another Software thread but I really want to make the right decision after losing money having to leave our previous supplier.
I have narrowed our search down 2 First Steps & Parenta Abacus both who are similar price, I just wondered if anyone had experience of both systems and if so could let me know your thoughts either on here or if you prefer by email or telephone.
Matt
by: red sun
Matt please see my reply in the last thread ref this; my advice is don't touch Parenta, though others have said they have had no problems with it. Main problems we have encountered are;
speed - incredibly slow
support staff promis the earth but very rarely deliver
completely unreliable
has a mind of its own; i.e will move children from room to room (even to the point of splitting twins up) and displaying a 0 balance one day and then showing the parent to be in debt the next.
I know this last point sounds unfeasible but I have seen this happen on numerous occasions!!!!
No doubt someone will come along and tell you how wonderful it it..........................
by: KelliePriestly
Matt, I've been told-off already for naming software suppliers so at the risk of getting myself even further into trouble, i must stress that i completely disagree with Janny. My system has never been any trouble. The help desk seems to always be open and they really help. Dont get me wrong, my system has seemed to go crazy at times moving children around and charing problems but when i've called up, they've actually showed me that it was me screwing it up pressing the wrong buttons! Its not a difficult system to use so now i know, it never goes wrong. As for the speed, mine is fine, i use it on a laptop mostly so that i can take it home with me and its never been a problem. --I think a lot of the software suppliers is much of a muchness but when you think about what it is that is important to you, i.e getting updates for free or if you prefer having a disk to install on one of your computers etc. you'll know who you'll want to be with. Good Luck Matt - I hope you make the right decision!
by: red sun
Its always best to get a balanced argument Matt, though I dont suppose that between us Kellie and I have helped!! Good luck!!
by: newsetting
I agree with Janny. The only reason I still use the abacus system is because I can't afford to move. But maybe better the devil u know? First steps maybe just as crap I guess!
by: Maestro
I feel left out, I use a pen and paper, and invoice using a word processing program.
by: Maestro
Whats worse my pens are running out! Now I have to invite some sales people in or agencies to leave me free pens!!
by: Tish501
free pens usually means they also get an order though....
by: Maestro
Nah, i've never had to make an order to get free pens. Agencies give you mugs as well!
by: tilly
Hi Maestro, why do you feel you need a system? maybe you are better sticking to what you do now. I use Parenta and have some glitches but generally good and support staff are goo too. Like someone else said problems generally created by my own error
by: Maestro
I don't need a system, just felt left out as everyone else did :) I find the method I use works well and with only human error to go wrong is easy to correct.
by: tilly
I would stick with your own system then and save your money. I only wanted one as my second setting was bigger and I thought the system would take care of everything at the touch of a button. We can dream.... I find I have to do a lot of manual adjustments or there are things I want that the system just can't produce
by: Humphrey Boyd
We bought First Steps, and it could never get bills right and had lots of limitations. Every time we needed help it cost more money and never fixed the problems. In the end we gave up and used a common Database program that we could set up ourselves.
by: HELENA STRACHAN
I bought the Abacus system from Parenta in May 2010. We have had no end of problems. The system can be slow; but the number of clicks it takes to enter a customer payment is just a joke! It is not easy to use, it is not logical. The technical support do their best to help us and sometimes manage it, but we have logged many complaints about the system but yet we have no response from the Company and certainly no update to the system have been forthcoming. I am desperate to move to First Steps - it's just the time and the costs involved that has prevented us from doing it yet!
RE: RE: FIRST STEPS v PARENTA ABACUS - 27-01-12 08:46by: Carol Cooper
We use First Steps in both our nurseries and have been very pleased with it, the data base is easy to input, the booking lines produce accurate registers and invoices, it makes all the 3-5yr funding easy to administer and there are loads of different reports you can run off. The support is also good but at a cost.