Telesure Rolls Out ACCPAC Across 26 Group Companies

Ashley Regenass, Synergy Group CEO

Telesure Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd recently upgraded its financial system to Sage Accpac 500 ERP integrating all 26 of its group companies onto Accpac. Telesure, which has been an Accpac user for more than five years, is part of an international financial services group and houses leading insurance brands in South Africa such as Auto & General, Dial Direct, First for Women, Budget Insurance Brokers, and Hippo.co.za within its portfolio.  Balan Naicker, Financial Director of Telesure, says the diversity of the group demanded a flexible system with impressive integration abilities.  “Sage Accpac ERP 500 has tremendous integration abilities, which is a basic necessity for us.  Our group of companies range from underwriters, brokers and marketing companies to hotels and administrators, so we also needed a system that could manage our diverse needs.”

Naicker says the company worked with Softline Accpac business partner, Synergy Group (Pty) Ltd, to upgrade its system as well as develop three customised solutions for the group.   The first solution addressed Telesure’s Advance Remittance requirements.  Naicker says the previous process, routed through Citibank, was a logistical challenge and could take several weeks for the necessary approvals.  “The new system, developed by Synergy Group, enables us to authorise and submit payments directly through Accpac.  It now takes days, as opposed to weeks, and is so much more efficient.”

There are 73 people within the Telesure Group’s finance department and Naicker says consolidation of the general ledger was fast becoming an issue.  “We needed a standard set of accounts developed which each of the 26 companies could utilise.  This would provide the necessary consolidation and assist us to draw reports in a standardised manner for each company.  The solution provided by Synergy Group has greatly assisted in enabling us to generate finance and management accounts with ease.”

To further improve efficiencies, Synergy Group also customised Telesure’s segment codes.  Naicker’s team is now able to draw reports, extracting the specific information required from within each group company.  “This has made a significant difference to our reporting capabilities and has enabled us to interpret information in a useful manner.”

Ashley Regenass, Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Group says Naicker is very pleased with the Accpac standardisation across the Telesure group.  “The real power of this implementation is in the long term partnership we have with Telesure. We understand their needs, have consistently met expectations and they, in turn, understand how we work as a partner and the value we provide.”

Keith Fenner, Vice President – Sales at Softline Accpac says Telesure will remain a satisfied customer using Sage Accpac 500 ERP.  “It is a comprehensive, multi-tiered, web-based business management system that provides access to Telesure’s group accounting system via a standard web browser or the traditional Accpac desktop interface.”  Fenner says Sage Accpac 500 ERP is also designed for medium-to-large-sized businesses, typically those with multiple locations operating in the global marketplace.

“With powerful analysis, reporting and customisation options, it is ideal for companies requiring a highly scalable system that supports global business infrastructures and unlimited users such as Telesure,” he concludes.