24th November 2004 - Microsoft, Intel & Relate Software Seminar for Accountants in Practice

The accountancy profession has changed over the last 15 years and as such the role of the accountant as trusted advisor is under threat. Accountants need to stay in touch with their clients like never before, but with so many compliance and legislative deadlines it is increasingly difficult to achieve.

The purpose of this seminar is to demonstrate how technology can be used to add value to accountancy firms by generating real gains in efficiency and reducing administrative time. The right technology can increase your available billable time, improve your recovery rates, enhance client satisfaction and obtain a greater control over your own business. All presenters will focus on business value and business opportunities for accountants. The central theme will be making the right technology decisions. From Microsoft talking about getting the most out of their software (much of which you could already own), to Intel providing understanding about what is a Server and how wireless technology can add value to a practice. The Independent Association of Accountants and IT Consultants (IAAITC) will focus on what Practices can do to replace lost audit revenue, new ways to increase billable hours per client and an IT strategy to increase a firm’s prestige.

Relate Software, with distributor Keytime Systems, is bringing together Microsoft and Intel and will present the first truly integrated software and hardware solution for accountants to better run their own firms. The solution includes everything a firm needs to run an efficient and technology-driven business. DRIVE is the only practice management solution for accountants that is entirely written for Microsoft’s .Net Framework. It is also the only Microsoft Client, Windows Server and SQL Server application of its type accredited by Microsoft’s European Test Centre.

22nd November 2004 - Microsoft Office - DRIVE accredited

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that our clients have access to the best quality software, we have submitted DRIVE for Microsoft Office Platform Competency testing. We are delighted to announce that DRIVE has passed this test.

For our clients, this means that they can have confidence in the way DRIVE interacts with the Microsoft Office range of products, and confidence that product integration will be seamless.

As Richie McMahon, R&D director of Relate Software said, "We felt it was important from our users' perspective that the product was put through the full rigours of platform tests, especially with respect to the Microsoft Office suite which is so widely used."

21st September 2004 - Important information for early filing of B1 Annual returns

Please note that the CRO will not accept early filing of 2005 annual returns in the calendar year 2004.

There must be a return made up to a date within each calendar year. The effect of this is that each return must be made up to a date in the same year as the Annual Return Date.

As Theresa Fitzpatrick, Assistant Registrar at the Companies Registration Office, explained Relate Software:

Section 125 of the 1963 Act as amended by Section 59 of the 2001 Act states that every company shall, once at least in every year, make a return to the registrar of companies being its annual return.

While we use the term file it states "make a return". This means that a company must file a return made up to a date in every year.

We have discussed the issue at length among management and with the Legal Advisor. While it is complicated we see no other way to ensure that we do not invite companies to breach Section 125.

If we were not to take this position it would be possible, for example, for a company with an ARD of 31 January 04 to file an annual return made up to 31 January 2004 with April 03 accounts. They could then file an annual return made up to May 04 with the April 04 accounts and retain their ARD. If we allowed it the ARD would then become 31 January 06. The company could then avoid filing from May 04 to 31 January 06, i.e. a 20 month gap. In the public interest, this length of a gap without any dislosure by a company would be unacceptable as well as allowing a breach of Section 125.

Please see the explanatory page at the front of the form B1 at http://www.cro.ie/_uploads/downloads/B1v3.pdf. The paragraph after the asterisks attempts to explain it as well as we can.

I hope this clarifies the matter.

18th September 2004 - Relate Software becomes Microsoft Certified Partner

Relate Software has become a Microsoft Certified Partner and are one of a small group of accredited Independent Software Vendors under the Microsoft Partner Program. Recently approved by Microsoft Relate Software are delighted that they join the Microsoft community and that they can gain great competitive advantage with a closer working relationship with the largest software manufacturer in the world.

7th September 2004 - DRIVE passes Microsoft Tests

Relate Software has received good news from Microsoft Veritest Labs that DRIVE has passed their Windows Server, Client Server & Microsoft SQL Platform tests.

"We are delighted that DRIVE has attained these product accreditations as it displays our ability to produce applications to the highest software industry standards. Relate are conscious of the strength of Microsoft and it'suite of products within its client base and we wanted to ensure that we can sit alongside these products in an integrated and managed way". said Ray Rogers Relate Software Managing Director

2nd August 2004 - Free Extra User or 25 Companies

For the month of August Relate are offering new users the chance to get an extra user or 25 companies free of charge. This offer is available until the end of the August.

14th June 2004 - Relate Product Uptake

Approximately five firms a week are acquiring one of Relates applications. Relate is on target to become the largest supplier of solutions to professional firms in Ireland.

17th May 2004 - New B1 Released

The Version 3 of the B1, which allows for early filing goes live today. The CRO are now accepting version 3 of the B1, however they have not gone live with the E-Filing version of the return. Relate Users need to ensure that they have installed Version 2 to take advantage of the new return.

5th May 2004 - Version 2 Released

Relate began shipping Version 2 of Relate Company Secretary in time for the new version of the Annual Return. Along with the new version users will receive a host of new functionality as well as a comprehensive set of instructions.

31st March 2004 - A & L Goodbody Implement Relate Company Secretary

Relate Software have completed one of the largest installations of its Company Secretarial Compliance software. A & L Goodbody the largest solicitors firm in the country have chosen Relate for its secretarial compliance arm. The licence involves the whole department and large multi-user licence has been rolled out across the network.

21st February 2004 - Companies Registration Office Seminars

Relate Software will attend the current round of CRO Seminars, which they are running around the country. Relate will be demonstrating Relate Company Secretary which is the most widely used package in practice for Corporate Compliance work.