The Access Group
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Software consultancy and developer |
| Founded | UK (1991) |
| Headquarters | Colchester, UK |
Key people | Chris Bayne, CEO[1] |
| Products | Access Dimensions, FocalPoint, Dimensions Lite, SupplyChain (ERP), Access Insight, thankQ, GoldMine (CRM), Dashboard, Service Manager, SelectHR, SelectPay (HR & payroll), Access Delta, TeamSeer, PeoplePlanner. |
| Revenue | £53.5m (December 2014) |
Number of employees | 700 (July 2014) |
| Website | www.theaccessgroup.com |
The Access Group is a software consultancy and developer, selling primarily to UK mid-market businesses [2] with 14 offices across the UK and France[3] The organisation was founded in 1991 with its current structure formed in June 2009 following the absorption of five companies[4] into a single operation. Since 2011 Access has been mostly owned by Private Equity companies, first Lyceum Capital and from 2014 TA Associates.
History
1991-1995: Early development
This period saw founding company Access Accounting focus on building its business and accounting software. Early products included entry-level accounting systems such as Access Horizons and Access Foundations.
1996 - 2007
In 1996, Access Accounting developed Access Dimensions. This was joined by middleware application Transaction Broker (1998) to facilitate integration at mid-market level. Integration with Microsoft Office (2002) and Outlook Today (2005) saw the company’s initial entry into Business Intelligence software.
Other software releases include integrated CRM, Dimensions Manufacturing/BoM (Bill of Materials) and Access Analytics ‘data cube’ technology (2006), followed by a reverse change VAT upgrade in 2007 to combat carousel fraud.
2008 - 2011
In 2008, Access Accounting released Accounting for Carbon Emissions (ACE) to help businesses calculate and understand the amount of CO2 they produce.
In 2009, the company released its web-based solution FocalPoint.
The company re-branded in June 2009,[5] absorbing Access Accounting and its four subsidiaries to become Access Group. Recent additions include Stock Forecasting functionality (2009) and a Dashboard business intelligence product (2010). The company added HR to its portfolio in 2010 via the acquisition of Canterbury-based Select Software.[6] The company was rebranded Access Select.
In 2011, the group launched its web services API Application Programming Interface, allowing its financial software to be integrated with third-party, on-premises software. In the same year, Access Mobile was released, making functionality such as timesheets and expenses available on the iPhone [7] and BlackBerry.
2011 - Present
In March 2011 there was an MBO of Access led by its existing directors and private equity firm Lyceum Capital.
Since then Access has grown both through continued double-digit organic growth and acquisition. It has acquired the following companies/technologies:
- DeltaWMS - warehouse management software
- Prelytis - SaaS-based business intelligence software
- thankQ - fundraising and CRM software for the not-for-profit sector
- Sazneo -SaaS-based communication technology
- TeamSeer - SaaS-based absence management solution
- PeoplePlanner - SaaS-based workforce management software
Products
- Access Dimensions is a modular accounting and financial management suite including financials, job costing, stock control, document management, reporting and payroll.
- FocalPoint is a web-served portal that integrates with Dimensions-format databases for viewing, approval, and more of various resources including purchase orders, invoices, expenses, timesheets, and other items online
- SelectPay is a HM Revenue and Customs-approved payroll.
- SelectHR is a .NET based solution including functionality such as recruitment, training, self-service and payroll integration.
- Access SupplyChain is an ERP solution, with functionality for manufacturing, distribution and warehousing organisations.
- Access Service Manager offers service management functions such as call centre management, job scheduling, PPM, contract management and meter billing.
- Access Mobile extends functionality offered by Access FocalPoint such as expenses management and timesheets to mobile devices.
- Access Dashboard offers a high-level view of the business, presenting key performance indicators (KPIs) through graphical charts and graphs.
- Access Horizons and Access Foundations are entry-level accounting systems providing core financial functionality and a range of commercial tools for small to mid-sized businesses.
- GoldMine CRM is provided on a reseller basis as Enterprise or Premium edition
- Hosting is provided as a VMware and OpenStack managed cloud hosting solution with optional Disaster Recovery as a Service and Backup as a Service solutions.
Accreditations
Access Group is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and is a member of the Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA).[8] Individual Access solutions are accredited by industry authorities, including HM Revenue and Customs and the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.theaccessgroup.com/about-us/meet-the-team.aspx
- ↑ "FSN Business Systems News and Analysis".
- ↑ Stratford St Mary near Colchester, Harpenden, Sheffield, Canterbury, London City, Edinburgh, Canterbury, Hastings, Bangor, Manchester, Loughborough, Nuneaton, Dublin, and Paris. -"The Access Group office locations".
- ↑ Access Accounting, Armstrong Consultants, Access Accounting Ireland, Asyst Solutions and Access Supply Chain
- ↑ Access completes rebrand project with launch of new website
- ↑ Access acquires mid-market HR solutions provider Select Software
- ↑ iPhone expense management software released by Access | Access UK
- ↑ Members