Reporting Software has graphical design environment.

Management Information Control Systems, Inc. (MICS) Jan 25, 2002

Press Release Summary:

Report Writer allows users to create custom reports from related data in BIS programs, and can modify existing printables within programs such as Accounts Receivable Invoices. It can group report data by transaction, allows users to change all aspects of reports, and can export and share reports with other BIS Report Writer users. BIS offers contractors real-time accounting, import capabilities for QuickBooks data, and BIS Multiple Document Interface.

Original Press Release:

Builder Information System's "Report Writer" Enhances Real-Time Accounting Software.

New Construction Accounting Software Now Allows Simple Import of QuickBooks Data As Well.

(Los Osos, California - January 20, 2002) - Management Information Control Systems, Inc. (MICS), maker of the Builder Information System (BIS) construction accounting and management software, has now launched a unique new module called Report Writer. The BIS Report Writer allows the user to easily create custom reports from any related data in the BIS program. It can also modify existing printables within the program, such as Accounts Receivable Invoices.

"The BIS Report Writer module is full of features that really set it apart from other report writers," says MICS President Cesar Bosio. One of these features provides the ability to group report data by transaction. "The software is smart, in that similar data is not just lumped in together, but can be separated down to the transaction level if you wish," says Bosio.

Beyond the wizard type interface, Report Writer actually has an entire graphical design environment native to Visual FoxPro that allows the user to change all aspects having to do with the look and feel of the report. Once reports have been created, they can be exported and shared with other BIS Report Writer users, fostering an entire user report-sharing community. With the BIS Enterprise version of Report Writer, even greater functionality has been added. One can actually add Visual FoxPro code to any custom report giving the user complete control over their data and how it is presented.

BIS offers contractors "Real-Time" accounting, which means immediate access to all accounting and management information, with no end of the month processing and no posting routines. That also means as soon as new information is entered, the entire set of books is automatically updated. Most systems can only update information in batches and won't produce accurate financials until an entire month's information has been completely entered. With the BIS Real-Time capability, books are constantly up-to-date, including financial statements and job cost reports. The latest release of BIS is now available in three forms: BIS Standard, BIS Professional and BIS Enterprise. (For a full listing of BIS features and capabilities go to: www.bissoftware.com)

One of the most attractive attributes of the BIS system has always been the simplicity of the program -- largely because of its Windows-based design. Its ease of use allows for a shallow learning curve and a reduction in data-entry time. Other benefits:

MICS has also just announced import capabilities for QuickBooks data. This functionality will allow users to import master file information from existing QuickBooks entries. Setup time has been drastically cut by enabling new users to eliminate the tedious process of entering information for vendors, employees, jobs and so on that typically occurs when switching to a new accounting system. New BIS users that convert from QuickBooks enjoy this available quick setup functionality as well as familiar real-time functionality that, in BIS, means job cost reports can be accessed at any given point in time.

* The BIS user interface has been specially designed to minimize use of a mouse, allowing quick data-entry right from the keyboard.
* BIS automatically produces the appropriate reversing entries, including those to the financial statements -- all while keeping an impeccable an audit trail that can be view when requested.
* The BIS Multiple Document Interface allows several forms to be open at once in the main application window - additionally, as many as two consecutive fiscal years (24 months) can be open at any time.