| I originally reviewed the NewViews NV2
accounting program in 2006,calling it a work-in-progress. After many updates, the program
has matured to the point where it can be seriously considered as a viable off-the-shelf
package.
NV2 is a full-fledged integrated (no modules) accounting
package that can handle large organizations up to the point where the company decides to
buy customized software. The account and report structure is fully-customizable,allowing a
high degree of flexibility. Accounts can be alpha or numeric or a combination of both and
can be totaled to anywhere on the current report or to any other report, with the
hierarchy of reports limited only to the space on your hard drive. Several companies with
their own accounts and reports can beset up on one set of books with inter-company
accounts that update instantly.Divisions or departments can be similarly accommodated.
There now are about six versions of starter books that can help with the setup by
supplying a basic set of books. Data can be viewed for any time period, from the very
first entry to the last.
True to its name, NewViews has a visual windows
explorer-like interface, that is lacking in the graphics department, but lays out the
components on the screen for maximum utility with a default 3-window view. The left side
lists the journals and reports folders with the right side split horizontally in two (if
desired), the top for the report/journal and the bottom for the drill-down information. A
big, wide-screen monitor would maximize the usefulness of the layout.Different pastel
colors are designated for each type of form displayed. Any of the columns shown on the
screen can be resized at will and the font can be increased or decreased.
Rather than taking the guesswork out of making entries in a
form displayed on the screen, which some programs have, entries are strictly debits and
credits. It therefore helps when the data entry clerk has some bookkeeping knowledge above
the basics and you may need a higher grade of personnel for the job. Entering account
numbers or names are assisted by the convergence and completion of the account being
entered, but if the account is not in the system it will pick the next account in line,
resulting in errors if the data entry person is not aware of the substituted account. The
handling of complex entries with many debits or/and credits can take some time to get used
to.
There are many helpful tools and macro-like functions
available from the menu bar that improve the efficiency of the program, but the
terminology used throughout the program tends to be computer-technical, rather than
user-friendly computer or accounting language. Error messages are often indecipherable and
instructions are more likely to be for the computer-savvy, rather than the average user.
Printing is very flexible and the results can be sent to an Excel spreadsheet rather than
directly to the printer, a feature that many products now have. Still, you may want
something different than the options offered and it may be necessary in those
circumstances to design an Excel macro to automate the procedure, without having to
manually change the spreadsheet every time.Several macros may be required to produce the
desired results from the various reports for different users of the printout.
NewViews 1 DOS users may feel a little under siege since
Microsoft is no longer supporting DOS and NV1 may not be useable with the new operating
systems. Printing is also a challenge if there is no parallel port for the printer. But
upgrading to NV2 may be too much of a jump for smaller companies who don’t need or
want the added complexity and may prefer switching to another small accounting package.
An Intel i3 with 2 GB of memory is the minimum in hardware
recommended for this program and an i7 with as many GB as possible is advisable. Microsoft
Excel is a necessity. The package sells for $595. A one-year upgrade plan is $195, as is a
one-year support plan. NV1 users can get the program for $495. The support people are
knowledgeable and helpful.
All in all, it is a powerful, dynamic accounting program
with a lot going for it. It has come a long way since its introduction and no doubt will
continue to add features and extend its functionality in the future.
Copyright© 2011, R.K. Lauria & Associates Inc. |
