You may be aware that Microsoft has made changes in Windows Millenium and the new Windows XP, for MS-DOS. The Millenium edition has a number of MS-DOS commands changed and removed. The current version of ACCPAC Plus will run, with changes to the install procedures, especially in peer-to-peer environments. Windows XP also has MS-DOS changes: additional functionality, changes, and deletions. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition deletes additional MS-DOS commands.

Chuck Emery, TDI’s Senior Technical Consultant, has reviewed the details of these MS-DOS changes on the Microsoft website, and summarizes "I would expect ACCPAC to run under XP professional, although multi-user might have issues such as caching."

I spoke with ACCPAC International’s Technical Support team in early November 2001 for an update. ACCPAC Plus has been tested, in a cursory way, under Windows XP, but in stand alone only. No testing has been done, or is currently scheduled, for multi-user.

This picture, I realize, is not a clear one. There is not a definite answer to the question – "Does Windows continue to support ACCPAC Plus?" In order to continue running your ACCPAC Plus, the operating environments you may need to remain with are: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, or Windows 2000.

ACCPAC International has clearly stated that they will continue to support their ACCPAC Plus products and customers, but will release no new versions, except for such things as Payroll Tax Tables.

So, the end result is both good and bad. It is entirely possible to continue with your ACCPAC Plus system for the next while, but not indefinitely (the bad news). And so, the title of this letter – Is It Time to Upgrade?

TDI firmly believes that it is time to plan your upgrade. It is our sense that you should complete an upgrade within 1½ to 2 years. I know this sounds like a lot of time, but it is not. Some time ideas, from our own experience:

• it will take anywhere from 2 to 6 months to make a decision on your upgrade path
• it will take another month to complete the upgrade design and plan
• it will take about 2 to 4 weeks per module (for example Accounts Receivable) to train staff and implement the new software
• it will take weeks to months to fine tune your new Windows system, for such things as reports and forms
• time to budget and set financing in place for an upgrade

But of course, you must do all of this without disruption to your business. This means regular day-to-day customer service and business, month ends, year end, and holidays. In addition, TDI has many ACCPAC Plus customers, and we would like the opportunity to ensure each and every upgrade is done well.

There are many factors that have kept you with ACCPAC Plus – it is a great system, and has delivered feature after feature. The ACCPAC Advantage Series, along with ACCPAC Options, and third party products, can replace all of your ACCPAC Plus, and then some!

If you need to expand your system’s capability it is also best to determine if you should do so within your DOS based ACCPAC Plus. It is certainly possible, and still cost effective, but it might be best to first move to a windows platform. Some very exciting, completely integrated modules include: the Warehouse Management System, Human Resources Management, eCommerce, eCRM (Contact Resource Management), Manufacturing Inventory Systems, Job/Project Costing, Serialized and Lot Tracking Inventory, to name only a few.

Lastly of course, the cost. I will not make light of the fact that there will be a significant cost in any upgrade. Some things that can greatly reduce, and spread these out:

• the cost of an upgrade module with ACCPAC is about 50% of new module cost
• there are specials running to reduce the cost of multi user licences
• both software and services may be leased
• the 5.0 System Manager, or Terminal Services, will probably mean you do not need to upgrade station hardware, and perhaps even servers
• TDI has a software rebate program, to reduce the cost of our services

But most importantly, the better you plan for an upgrade, the more time you allow for your staff and TDI to do a good job, the less you will spend. The best way to reduce the cost of an upgrade is to be well prepared, and to start early.