The year-end audit may be necessary to gauge financial solvency, ensure proper fiscal controls and protect against fraud, but, understandably, it’s an annual task that few business owners embrace with enthusiasm. Fortunately, the process can be simplified by upgrading to a more sophisticated accounting software product that captures a valuable audit trail like Microsoft Dynamics™ GP (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions–Great Plains).

While this capability is perhaps Dynamics GP’s most notable advantage over products like QuickBooks® and Peachtree®, it is far from the only one. The fact that GP can be customized to fit the needs of each business and has superior integration capabilities with hundreds of industry specific applications explain why a growing number of businesses around the globe are becoming GP converts.

Designed with the needs of small to medium-sized business, the software offers financials, analytics and reporting, project management, manufacturing, human resource management, inventory and order processing, e-commerce, retail management, field service and CRM capabilities.

Since 2001, OPAL Business Solutions has been a licensed Great Plains, and now Dynamics GP, reseller. “We really like this product because of its versatility,” says John McFarland, a Senior Business Systems Consultant for OPAL Business Solutions. “In fact, more than 1,200 third-party modules can be integrated with Dynamics GP, making it an invaluable and incredibly flexible business management tool.”

While numerous companies resell the product, what sets OPAL apart is their expertise at tailoring the acclaimed software to meet the specific and varying needs of their clients and the first-rate technical support that the company is known to offer. Currently, OPAL is working with approximately 40 companies who rely on OPAL’s integration expertise and software support capabilities.

“The reseller market is very competitive but customizing the systems for our clients and supporting them are what we pride ourselves on and what brings our clients the most value. It’s a huge competitive advantage for us,” states John.

Stephanie Kotsenas, Accounting Department Office Manager for the Southwestern Group, agrees. The Pleasant Hills-based company is comprised of a freestanding ambulatory surgery center, a nursing center, as well as assisted living and independent living facilities. The company was founded in 1972.

Three years ago, the 250-employee company found itself in a quandary when the healthcare software company that they contracted with stopped supporting the Great Plains integration software that Southwestern depended on for numerous in-house ERP operations, making it impossible for them to upgrade to newer versions of the product.

Immediately, OPAL Business Solutions began rewriting the necessary integration program for Southwestern. While they were the first, other disgruntled clients of the healthcare software company soon followed and sought OPAL’s technical expertise and support services.

“I really like that they were able to customize our financial statements to meet our needs,” explains Stephanie. “For instance, the nursing home financial information is tracked departmentally and with OPAL’s customized financial statements, we are able to consolidate or keep separate any departmental data we need, while keeping the process user friendly. OPAL created financial statements that are customized to our industry.”

Additionally, at the company’s busy surgical center, the solutions developed by OPAL have been instrumental in managing inventory. “They were able to link our inventory program with Great Plains, which has streamlined the entire process,” she adds.

While companies appreciate the high end programming talents of OPAL consultants, what
they appreciate most is having a company that can help them correct problems or issues that arise.

“For us, the service is most appealing. Knowing that OPAL consultants are a phone call away and capable of solving any problems that arise is very reassuring.”