Pastel adds new modules, features to Pastel Partner Version 12

Pastel Software Zimbabwe has announced new features and modules that have been added to the latest version of Pastel Partner, Version 12, which was introduced earlier this year.

The new enhancements include multiple company conversions, copy master files and frictionless updates, and a new module, Debtors Manager.  

Explaining and demonstrating the new Debtors Manager module, at a recent seminar in Harare, Pastel Software Zimbabwe senior Sage Pastel consultant Hubert Bvepfepfe said it helped analyse debtors and print out reports.

The new module, he said, made it possible to update such information as when a customer had promised to pay or if and when the customer requested an invoice.

Debtors Manager has an SMS and email setup that allows the sending of text messages and emails to debtors. It also allows information to be imported to Excel. A dashboard feature on this module, which can be emailed to accountants, gives an overview of amounts owed.

The multiple company conversion feature makes it possible to convert several companies at the same time from a lower version of Pastel Partner to a higher version. Multiple sets of data can now be converted at the same time.

"In the past one used to convert each company one at a time but now it is possible to add a company as the upgrade to Version 12 is done.

"This feature allows you to select the companies you wish to convert and it converts all of them at the same time," said Mr Bvepfepfe.

Copy master files, another new feature, allows one to copy an existing inventory item in order to create a new one.

Giving the example of bond paper, Mr Bvepfepfe said it was possible to copy the inventory entry in order to create a new one. The new entry could be altered to reflect any differences in size or price. The new entry could then be given a new code.

Mr Bvepfepfe said that a warning was issued when the same reference number was used for the same customer under the duplicate reference numbers on customer documents feature. This additional feature, he said, helped avoid processing duplicate orders.

Managing VAT periods and reporting using the new Pastel Tax Manager is another new feature that he mentioned. This feature makes it possible to close VAT periods and reopen them when making adjustments.

Allocating projects in the point of sale module is yet another new feature. This is helpful for those with two or more companies who want a consolidated trial balance.

"Say you have two different companies in different locations, like in Harare and Bulawayo, and you want a separate trial balance but at the same time you want a consolidated trial balance. This is the feature for you," he said.

Another new features that he said had been added to version 12 was one that allowed the purging of three years old data. Others included Bank Manager and frictionless updates.

There was no need, he said, for a consultant to come to do updates. The company's software would automatically connect to the Pastel server and update.

Mr Bvepfepfe said Pastel Partner Version 12 now had On Hold Assistant, Tax Manager Assistant and Pastel Point of Sale.

As regards On Hold Assistant, he said that in the past most users forgot how to remove 'invoice on hold' after selecting the option. As a result they ended up processing another invoice since on hold invoices don't update.

On Hold Assistant helps users to identify invoices that have been placed on hold. If any documents have been put on hold a flag to that effect is enabled and those documents are shown. The on hold option can be removed when the user wishes.

Tax Manager Assistant allows the user to view the tax type or tax box reports for current and previous tax periods, as well as close the current tax periods. It is only possible to view the tax type report for closed periods.

The reports only show total input and output tax for the specific month selected. However, if there are any transactions that are backdated to a closed period, for example, a tax invoice processed in the month of April but updated in May, these automatically form part of the next tax period.