Wednesday, January 30, 2008

R.T.D.M. !

A few questions to ponder:

• Are you aware of any new features in the latest version of your financial software? 

• When a new release of the software is installed, how are you informed of new functions, changes, or what “bugs” were fixed? 

• Have you ever read the developer’s documentation on what is new and different about this new release? 

• Does your software provider even offer such a document?

If you are the controller or manager of a financial department, you should know the answers to the above questions!  Even if you use a consulting firm or a Value Added Reseller (VAR), this information should be available to you.  If not, you should raise Havoc!  Without this information, how can you effectively use the software?  Once you have the information, train your staff.  I do mean TRAIN your staff, just don’t throw a piece a paper on their desk.

If you are an accounting clerk, and if you don’t receive either documentation and/or special training covering new features or revised procedures in the use of the software, talk to your manager.  If you receive only documentation, study it very thoroughly.  If you have any questions make sure you get clarification!

There are some software developers that don’t provide hard copy documentation on new releases and rely on their VAR’s to bring their clients up to date.  This is usually not very effective.  Thankfully, there are developers out there that do offer new release documentation and even training classes covering the features of the new release. 

The bottom line?  R.T.D.M. (read the dang manual) !