Chapter 1. Welcome!
The HandiSoft programs share common databases, allowing them to interwork seamlessly.
Many of the functions in the individual programs are similar, making it easy to move from one to another. This manual covers those areas that are common to all the HandiSoft programs.
The functions that are specific to the individual HandiSoft programs are covered in their respective manuals.
The HandiSoft product suite
Established in 1988, Sage HandiSoft has more than 25 years’ experience developing, marketing, and supplying business solutions to Australian accounting and taxation practices.
Today, with more than 6,900 accounting practices using our software, we are the leading supplier of practice management and taxation solutions to small and medium sized practices throughout Australia. One of our largest achievements is that in excess of 3,000 of our clients have been using our software for more than 15 years.
The HandiSoft programs are listed below.
HandiTax 2015
HandiTax is Australia's most widely used ELS taxation package. According to ATO statistics, HandiTax lodges more than 40% of all Individual tax returns.
SuperFund 2015
SuperFund 2015 is a practice-level program for preparing compliance accounts for nonreporting self-managed superannuation funds. It has been designed specifically for integration with HandiTax 2015 and HandiLedger 2015.
HandiLedger 2015
HandiLedger offers general ledger accounting for Sole Traders, Companies, Funds, Trusts and Partnerships. It provides compliance reporting, debtors, creditors, stock control and the transfer of accounting data (including BAS) into HandiTax.
Bankfeeds 2015
HandiSoft BankFeeds is a subscription service that automates the process of entering your clients' bank transactions into HandiLedger by importing data directly from their financial institutions.
Workpapers 2015
The optional HandiLedger Workpapers facility enables you to attach workpaper forms and other supporting documents to specific entities, and link them to relevant account codes.
Time+Billing 2015
Time+Billing is a fully integrated time tracking and invoicing system that includes an extensive range of managerial reports. You can prepare detailed timesheets rapidly by importing information from the Practice Manager diary, and Jobflow Manager jobs.
Practice Manager 2015
Practice Manager contains a number of powerful tools for easy management of team diaries, client and contact information and relationships, jobflow and system security.
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Chapter 1. Welcome! Advanced Features 2015
Practice Manager encompasses two components: Contact Manager, and Jobflow
Manager.
Practice Intelligence 2015
Based on the award winning Sage Alchemex technology, the optional Practice Intelligence module integrates with Time+Billing and Microsoft Excel to generate KPI reports.
Practice Manager – Security 2015
Security 2015 runs in conjunction with your HandiSoft programs. It enables you to control access to the programs and to your client data. It maintains a log of any actions that your staff perform with the HandiSoft programs. It also monitors the Sage HandiSoft website for available program updates, and facilitates their download and installation.
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Figure 1: The Practice Manager suite
Document Manager 2015
Document Manager 2015 is an optional module that allows you to handle your electronic documentation in the same way as you would paper documents. It enables you to create an on-line filing system, complete with filing cabinets, drawers, folders and sub-folders. In conjunction with the Practice Manager – Security program, it enables you to control access to certain cabinets, drawers, folders, sub-folders and documents. You are also able to attach relevant documents to clients and to events such as appointments, phone calls etc.
Client Portal 2015
You can upload documents from the Document Manager to the Client Portal for your clients to access remotely via a Web Browser. This enables you to transfer documents securely for viewing and signing.
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Advanced Features 2015 The HandiSoft product suite
HandiRegister 2015
HandiRegister makes it easy to prepare and electronically lodge the most common ASIC forms. It includes a comprehensive database of minutes and resolutions that can be customised for each client.
HandiTrust 2015
HandiTrust manages trust bank accounts, optionally enforcing compliance with CPA or
ICAA requirements. Its features include import of ATO refunds from HandiTax, audit trails and management of authority letters.
HandiAsset 2015
HandiAsset manages and tracks assets, including serial numbers, location, photo ID, service history and reminders. Asset purchase, sale and depreciation journals automatically transfer into HandiLedger.
HandiBiz 2015
HandiBiz provides small business client bookkeeping and accounting to Trial Balance, including BAS preparation, debtors, creditors and stock control. It is easy to use and its data imports seamlessly into HandiLedger.
HandiSoft Notify
HandiSoft Notify is an optional module that enables you to send SMS messages to your clients and receive their replies to them from your HandiSoft programs.
HandiSoft Connect
The optional HandiSoft Connect application enables designated users of your HandiSoft products to access client and other information remotely via a Web browser on a desktop or laptop computer, a mobile phone or tablet.
The high level of integration between these products delivers important advantages for practices of all sizes and types.
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Chapter 1. Welcome! Advanced Features 2015
About the user manuals
While every effort has been made to ensure that the HandiSoft user manuals are correct, there may be some inaccuracies due to the continuous improvements made to the programs.
Assumed knowledge
The user manuals assume that you have a working knowledge of the Windows operating system and its conventions, including how to use the following:
A mouse;
Standard menus;
Standard commands; and
Open, save, and close file commands.
For help with these techniques, please see your Microsoft Windows documentation.
Conventions used
You will see the following items within the user manuals:
Tips
A tip will provide useful information on achieving a task. For example:
Tip: Press F1 to access the Online Help.
Cautions
We use a caution to advise you that failure to take or avoid a specified action could result in loss of data. For example:
Caution: To avoid damaging files…
Notes
Notes provide you with information that emphasises or supplements the text. For example:
Note: More detailed information on the preceding topic…
Knowledge Base
The Sage HandiSoft web site has a Knowledge Base, which contains suggestions and tips on how to get the best usage out of the HandiSoft programs.
If your computer has access to the Internet, you can view Knowledge Base articles that are relevant to the program that you are running by doing the following:
1. Click F1 to open the Online Help.
2. Click the Knowledge Base icon on the top right side of the Help window.
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Printable versions
If your computer has access to the Internet, you can download printable versions of the manuals as PDF files.
1. Click F1 to open the Online Help.
2. Click the Printable (PDF) version icon on the top right side of the Help window.
3. On the page that opens, click on the manual to download.
Software support
If you require assistance to operate a HandiSoft program, you can contact the Sage HandiSoft
Support Department via telephone, fax or email.
Please follow the instructions contained in this section when you contact Sage HandiSoft for software support.
Tip: As a client of Sage HandiSoft, you will have received an 8 character Client
Reference Code and a 5 digit Practice Identification Number (PIN). Keep a record of both these codes in a safe place and always use them when contacting us.
Contacting our Support Department
To directly contact Sage HandiSoft Support:
Telephone:
08 9245 0666
Fax:
Email:
08 9245 1949 [email protected]
Note: You can contact HandiSoft Support from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in your time zone.
Before contacting us
Before contacting Sage HandiSoft for support, please check the following:
1. Verify that you have eliminated other potential causes of the unexpected behaviour. For example, there might be no paper in the printer.
2. Refer to the Online Help or User Manual to ensure that you are following the correct steps for the action you are trying to perform.
3. Check that you have installed the latest version of the program.
From the HandiSoft program Help menu, click About.
On the “About” window, check the version number of the program.
Access the Sage HandiSoft Internet site ( www.sagehandisoft.com.au
), and click
Downloads.
Read the currently available version of your program.
Tip: If you have the Practice Manager – Security program installed, you can use the
Download Manager to ensure you have the latest version installed.
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Chapter 1. Welcome! Advanced Features 2015
4. Access the HandiSoft Internet site ( www.sagehandisoft.com.au
) and click Support to check the Knowledge Base and HandiHints for possible help.
Note: Support questions must relate directly to a Sage HandiSoft product.
Self-help
Many common problems and their solutions are documented in the HandiSoft Internet site
Frequently Asked Questions and Knowledge Base. You may find the answers you need there in just a few seconds.
From your HandiSoft program Help menu, point to Online Support and then click
Knowledge Base or Frequently Asked Questions.
Alternatively, go to www.sagehandisoft.com.au
, click Support and then click Knowledge Base.
Tip: You can also view Knowledge Base articles relevant to the program you are running by clicking the Knowledge Base icon on the Online Help (F1) window.
Ongoing support
Support cases occasionally require more than one phone call. If your Support Officer believes this will be necessary, you will be given a Job Number. Please make a note of this number.
The next time you call regarding the outstanding support problem, quote the Job Number.
Where possible, you will be transferred to the Support Officer who opened your case.
Contacting us by telephone
When you contact our Software Support department by telephone, our telephone system will ask you to enter your 5 digit Customer Identification Number. Using this number you can fast track through the telephone system directly to our Support Department.
Note: For security purposes the support agent may require you to confirm your identity by asking for your Client Reference Code, your firm's name or the location of your office.
When our Software Support department answers your call, you will be asked to supply details of the HandiSoft program and version to which your enquiry relates.
To contact by telephone:
1. Dial the Sage HandiSoft Support Department directly on (08) 9245 0666.
2. When prompted, enter your Customer Identification Number.
If you are unable to enter your Customer Identification Number, you can speak to an operator who will ask you for your Customer Identification Number and your Client
Reference Code.
Contacting us by email, fax or mail
The best way to email HandiSoft Support is via your HandiSoft program Help menu.
1. From your HandiSoft program Help menu, point to Online Support and then click Email
Support.
2. Use the instructions on the email message window as a guide to submitting the required information.
When you contact Sage HandiSoft by email, fax or mail, be sure to state the following:
The name of the practice that your HandiSoft software is licensed to.
Your Client Reference Code.
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Advanced Features 2015 Software upgrades
Your Client Identification Number.
The name and version of the HandiSoft product.
Where the issue is ongoing, state the Job Number (if one has been allocated).
Provide a detailed description of the problem. State any error messages word-for-word.
This information is important to ensure that your problem is dealt with in a timely manner.
Software upgrades
HandiSoft updates all programs regularly to comply with changing legislation and provide new and improved facilities. All upgrades are available at no cost from the HandiSoft Internet site at www.sagehandisoft.com.au
. You are able to download these upgrades whenever and as often as you wish.
Note: There is no charge for this service and no code or password is required to access our
Internet site.
Tip: The HandiSoft Practice Manager - Security 2015 program provides you with a quick and easy way of checking for and downloading software updates.
Instructions on how to download and install software upgrades are available on the Sage
HandiSoft Internet site.
Release notes
Each software update is accompanied by Release notes, which outline any changes that have been made. You can view these Release notes at any time while running the program.
From the
Help menu, click View Release Notes.
Monthly CD Service
For practices that are unable or prefer not to download upgrades from our Internet site, for a small fee you can subscribe to our Monthly CD Service. Subscribers to this service receive the latest HandiSoft CD-ROM on a monthly basis. For additional details of this service please contact our Administration department at 08 9245 0611.
Training and consulting
We understand how important it is for your staff members to quickly become proficient in the use of our products. In recognition of your needs, the Sage HandiSoft Professional Services
Department offers:
Training courses, seminars and online webinars; and
Onsite consulting.
For detailed information on the training and consulting services available in your area, from your
HandiSoft program Help menu, point to Online Education and click Webinars, Training or
Services.
Alternatively, see our Internet site www.sagehandisoft.com.au
.
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Chapter 1. Welcome! Advanced Features 2015
The Sage HandiSoft Internet site
A large amount of information is accessible from our Internet site at www.sagehandisoft.com.au
.
Specific items of interest are:
News and events at HandiSoft.
Online and classroom based training courses available.
Sales information to help you evaluate our products.
Software support information, including a comprehensive knowledge base and hints from our Support Department.
Software upgrades for the 2015 products.
Up-to-date User Manuals.
Details of any career opportunities with HandiSoft.
Tip: You can access the HandiSoft Support and Education Services web site areas directly from your HandiSoft programs.
From the Help menu, point to Online Support or Online Education and then click the desired area.
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