Entered CNET Catalog:
11/06/2001
SKU: MPURW11
Manufacturer: MYOB
Manufacturer description
You'll find that MYOB Plus is an extremely capable accountant, a great executive assistant, a terrific customer relations manager, a helpful time management consultant, an inventory control expert, a highly competent payroll processor, and an indispensable aide for just about every other hat a small business owner needs to wear at one time or another.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on:
09/25/2001
Most desktop-based small-business accounting software is accelerating its inevitable move to the Web, making financial data available on the Internet and facilitating e-commerce. MYOB is not. Still, the latest version ranks as the most powerful and customizable desktop accounting program available for small businesses. The most significant enhancements include bank-statement downloads, an interface cleanup, a QuickBooks conversion utility, and retooled help. None of these features break new ground, however, so users of very recent versions may not need to upgrade.
Most desktop-based small-business accounting software is accelerating its inevitable move to the Web, making financial data available on the Internet and facilitating e-commerce. MYOB is not. Still, the latest version ranks as the most powerful and customizable desktop accounting program available for small businesses. The most significant enhancements include bank-statement downloads, an interface cleanup, a QuickBooks conversion utility, and retooled help. None of these features break new ground, however, so users of very recent versions may not need to upgrade.
Tools and a wizard
The program comprises General Ledger and Accounts Payable and Receivable, Payroll, Inventory, Time Billing, and Contact Management sections. Simplicity has always been an MYOB attribute. It excels right off the bat, with a step-by-step setup wizard. Well-organized and complete, it prepares your data file for immediate use with little setup backtracking. The company simplified the main screen a bit for this version, although it was hardly necessary. Click any icon representing a major program area (such as Sales and Payroll), and a flowchart displays the available processes. Drop-down lists open critical organizational and analytical tools such as a to-do list and management reports.
MYOB already had a very solid reporting function, so this version's new report-access layout doesn't add much. But reports are critical to an accounting program's value, and the ability to customize both data selection and layout, combined with the sheer variety of boilerplate reports, represent key elements of MYOB's success. Distribution options are quite generous and include Excel export, e-mail, and HTML.
Top-notch forms
You could say the same of MYOB's record formats and transaction forms. These building blocks of daily accounting activity leave little room for improvement. Besides incorporating plenty of prefab and custom fields, you get quick access to related data and processes. Sales invoices, for example, contain links to related journals, layout and design, and registers. You can quickly dispatch transaction forms via e-mail and fax. And MYOB, unlike its competitors, supports multiple currencies.
Nothing much new
But the latest release is surprisingly slim on new features, especially in terms of Web integration. Nonetheless, it's as powerful as Peachtree Complete, and it surpasses QuickBooks for features and overall interface design. And MYOB simply feels more solid than its competitors. Despite its dearth of Web-connectivity tools, MYOB is the best choice for both service- and product-based small businesses that still prefer desktop accounting over more difficult Web-based accounting.
MYOB divides item records into several content areas, making it easy to find your data.
User opinions
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User Rating: 
7/10
Works great for small officesby - January 23, 2003
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I recommend it over QuickBooks for my clients needing an accounting program.
User Rating: 
10/10
The more i use it, the more I like itby - October 16, 2002
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I tried AccPacc and QuickBook, MYOB is the software that will not frustrate the professionnal accountant.
User Rating: 
8/10
Works For Meby - September 17, 2002
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Have used this product since 1998. Recent upgrades have moved this program into superstar status for small business. I tried Quickbooks Pro and returned it and upgraded MYOB. Does all of the standard accounting procedures without problems. If you need to produce order acknowledgements, that can be invoiced when they ship, and returned under a Return Authorization when their is a problem, each on a custom form with a number to allow you to keep track of the order progress and changes, MYOB is for you. Credit memos are no problem either and can be assigned to a returned item against a open return authorization. Try that with QBPro. I process payroll weekly for 6-15 persons in less than 20 mins. including printing paychecks and calculating Federal witholding tax deposits. It's not perfect and has room for improvements but I am very glad I didn't switch. Tech support is poor but what can you expect at this price.
User Rating: 7/10
Easy and stableby - September 15, 2002
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Started using this product with my startup company having had no previous experience off accounts. The basic features I picked up very easily, and a few other complications were sorted via my accountant. Succesfull package.
User Rating: 
9/10
Forget Quickbooksby - August 31, 2002
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Beats QB for multi-currency support, flexibility, and reporting. MYOB requires a bit more basic bookkeeping knowledge but nothing your accountant couldn't explain in a couple of minutes over the phone.
User Rating: 9/10
Better than QuickBooksby - May 9, 2002
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As an accounting manager for many years using both MYOB and QuickBooks, MYOB is my favorite. I highly recommend it over QB.
User Rating: 
6/10
Bad support for a shrinkwrapped productby - March 5, 2002
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I've been an MYOB user for 7 years. The product works, but the big feature in this release is that accounts can display in alpha order instead of just by number. Duh! I wish it were more like today's Quicken instead of ten years ago Quicken. Customer support is the worst. You must pay to have access - no reporting bugs or asking about known problems without being charged. Especially since the help text is worthless and some of the functions are really badly documented - such as crediting a customer's purchase. And I've found the lack of history when closing a fiscal year to be inexcusable - I can't run a list of who has bought a product earlier than the beginning of the current year. MYOB is a passable product, but the callous nature of the company in its support policies would lead me to convert to Quickbooks if that conversion weren't a purely manual process. I guess it's as good as what's out there, but that's more of a commentary on the state of the market than the excellence of MYOB.
User Rating: 
5/10
Only Fairby - February 10, 2002
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I've used the product for years and I still find the product "not user friendly". Poor keyboard commands, no use of the right mouse button at all, and a general poor attitude toward the user. Might be great if you are an accountant, but I find it slow and confusing even after 5 years of use. There has to be something better out there!
User Rating: 8/10
After looking at all the rest, MYOB is the best!by - November 29, 2001
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Easy to use interface, detailed reports, powerful, logical for a change, some what flexible, make running your own business much easier than other software available.
User Rating: 9/10
The most bang for your buck.by - August 1, 2001
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Stability and ease of use are our number one priorities and no other SOHO product comes close on these two fronts.
User Rating: 8/10
Surprisingly good.by - July 20, 2001
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The included time-billing module is a *big plus* -- it's not available in most other accounting packages. I recommend this MYOB package to anyone else who does consulting work where invoicing for time is essential. The screens are clear and easy to understand. Customizing the forms takes a bit of work but I had working, professional looking invoices and statements without buying any pre-printed forms. I'm surprised that MYOB hasn't gotten as much attention. Despite the competition in this product category, MYOB ranks at the top. Very happy with it.
Tips on Accounting Plus 11.0
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Accounting Plus 11.0 specifications
- General
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Category
Productivity application
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Subcategory
Productivity - time management
, Productivity - accounting
, Productivity - contact management
, Productivity - commercial finance
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License pricing
Standard
- Software
-
License Type
License
-
License Qty
1 user
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License Pricing
Standard
-
Licensing Program
Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP)
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Min Supported Color Depth
16-bit (64K colors)
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Distribution Media
CD-ROM
- System Requirements
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OS Required
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6 or later
, Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP
, Microsoft Windows 98/ME
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Min Processor Type
Intel Pentium - 200.0 MHz
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Min RAM Size
32.0 MB
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Min Hard Drive Space
40.0 MB
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Peripheral / Interface Devices
CD-ROM
, Mouse or compatible device
, SVGA monitor
