INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Software for Business
Why automated accounting software
is the key to growth
Safaricom introduces 4G+,
progressing most advanced
network in Africa
Bruce van Wyk, Director
at PaySpace explains why
automated software is key to
keeping your clients satisfied
and your practice competitive.
Accounting systems that rely on outdated business tools
such as Excel spreadsheets and Post-it notes are inefficient.
The modern workplace is driven by the need to increase
profits and productivity and automated solutions can give
businesses a significant boost – especially for companies
pursuing multinational expansion, says Bruce van Wyk,
Director at PaySpace.
Accountancy practices have much to gain from mobile,
cloud-based technologies. As companies across various
industries adopt new technologies in pursuit of business
growth, they require smarter, faster accounting services. If
you want to grow your practice, consider the following:
Spend less time on admin
Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom
Safaricom has announced that it has
rolled out 4G+ services in major towns
on its network, advancing its LTE
Advanced (4G) proposition.
The development follows sustained
investments by Safaricom in building a
robust digital network that can enable
customers to browse faster as well as
enjoy improved voice services.
“These faster speeds not only benefit
the customer, they also empower
small businesses who can now use the
Internet for more commercial activities
– democratising data access,” said Bob
Collymore, CEO, Safaricom.
The new technology builds on the
growing footprint of Safaricom’s 4G
network, which has been activated on
over 1,100 sites across Kenya. Already,
Safaricom has activated 100 4G+
sites in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, as
well as parts of Kisii, Naivasha, Kitui,
Machakos, Kakamega and Kericho,
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with more territories scheduled to be
switched on in coming months.
Technically, 4G+ technology allows
peak download speeds of 150Mbps,
while 4G enables top speeds of
between 60-100Mbps. In practical
terms, this means that a 30-minute
HD video should take a little over two
minutes to download on 4G+, while the
same video would take around eight
minutes to download on standard 4G,
such as that being trialled on other
networks in the country.
The technology also enables
‘Carrier Aggregation’, which allows
Safaricom customers to benefit from
increased bandwidth accessible
through the aggregation of different
LTE spectrum bands.
“These investments lay the foundation
for a more digitally enabled, platform
economy. We expect that our network
will empower more small enterprises
to participate in commerce as well
as drive more data use by critical
sectors in the education, health and
agricultural sectors,” said Collymore.
The 4G+ stations will supplement the
existing 4,677 2G sites, 3,517 3G sites
and 1,103 4G sites on Safaricom’s
network and will complement its
proactive fibre rollout strategy that
has seen over 50,000 homes and
1,500 commercial buildings passed
by its high-speed fibre links.
Safaricom was the first operator in
Kenya to rollout mobile data in 2003
on the 2G platform and later the
company was the first to launch its
3G platform in 2007.
Safaricom was also first to the
market with 4G services when it
launched trials in December 2014.
In December 2016, Safaricom
paid the industry regulator, the
Communications Authority, Sh2.5
billion for its 4G licence.
www.intelligentcio.com
Admin plays a prominent part in an accountant’s daily job.
Repetitive tasks are part of the role – but they take up a lot
of valuable time. Of course, it’s crucial that clients’ deadlines
are met and all legislation is adhered to, but this doesn’t
need to happen at the expense of more strategic projects.
Accountancy software can automate critical functions such
as tax equalisation and salary gross-ups. You no longer
have to manually process these time-consuming, iterative
calculations – this will give you more time to focus on
business growth. It also means your clients’ needs are met
on time, unaffected by human error or oversight.
Automated technology with cloud analytics that integrates
with your accounting software can even generate reports at
the click of a button. Employee salary information, including
all perks and benefits, can be crunched automatically as well
as sent directly to the relevant tax authorities, saving you
tremendous amounts of time.
Go global
Some of your clients may be multinationals with offices
around the world. Not all regions, or even countries, are
alike. The legislative requirements of, say, Nigeria versus
Kenya, are vastly different, and companies are all too easily
tripped up by unfamiliar rules and regulations. Automated
accountancy software with a robust cross-border solution
can help your clients stay up to date with all local legislation
and regulatory requirements.
www.intelligentcio.com
Bruce van Wyk, Director at PaySpace
This means you can position your practice as an expert
service provider to businesses looking to expand into
lucrative international markets.
Focus on strategy
When routine administrative tasks are automated, you and
your team can spend more time on your client’s finances
and provide support in line with their business strategies.
With more time available to gain greater insight into the
challenges and opportunities your clients are facing, you can
offer them better business advice and support.
This is a crucial distinction – to shift your role from
accounting administrator to trusted advisor. Thanks to
automated reporting and trends analysis, you can adopt
a far more strategic role and generate real business
solutions to potential cash flow problems before they arise,
or even identify investment opportunities that could help
improve profits.
Automated software is key to keeping your clients satisfied
and your practice competitive. The right technology can
help you manage all your clients’ payroll administrative
needs quickly and efficiently, and thus help improve their
businesses. This will, in turn, help you outsmart your rivals
and grow your practice successfully.
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