Britannia comes out top again on price, easy of use and flexibility

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), founded in the 17th Century and considered to be one of the top five botanic gardens in the world, has selected Britannia's best-of-breed Fixed Asset Management solution to meet its statutory accounting requirements.

RBGE is primarily a scientific research institute and, together with its regional gardens Benmore, Logan and Dawyck, nurtures over 16,000 species of living plants which represent 6% of all plants in cultivation. Famed for its exquisite horticultural displays, RBGE also has over 2½ million preserved specimens from around the world, the oldest dating back to 1697.

As a Non-Departmental Public Body, RBGE needs to meet stringent government accounting requirements, particularly in terms of indexation of assets. Until recently, it had been using spreadsheets to manage this, resulting in complex and time-consuming calculations.

"We knew that there were a number of specialist systems available," said Jane Neville, RBGE's Chief Accountant. "We looked at four separate software products in some detail during the evaluation process. Britannia was selected because it offered excellent value for money, came highly recommended by colleagues in other public organisations and satisfied all of the technical accounting requirements."

Britannia's solution, which was implemented earlier this year, is being used to manage RBGE'S land and buildings, computer equipment, garden machinery, scientific equipment and motor vehicles. "Calculating the indexation is quicker and providing the necessary reports is easier using the Britannia system," said Neville. "Unlike before, the assets are being depreciated individually to provide a much more accurate set of figures.

"My colleagues in the Facilities Management Department will be using Britannia's Asset Tracking system to further enhance our centralised pool of asset information," added Neville. "They plan to utilise specially designed bar-code labels and hand-held data capture units to monitor asset location, usage and condition on a regular basis."

"The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh joins one of the leading software forums in the public finance sector," said Mark Johnson, Britannia's marketing manager. "Britannia's investment in research and development, coupled with its experience gained across of hundreds of government implementations, ensures that customers stay at the forefront of technology and always comply with current government reporting requirements."

Britannia's recent public sector clients include, National Assembly of Wales, PPARC, Driving Standards Agency, NI Fire Authority and The Department of National Heritage.

ENDS

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For further press information, photography, or sales enquiries please contact:
Mark Johnson
Britannia Software
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 694 9494 Fax: + 44 (0) 208 691 4581
Email: mjohnson@britsoft.co.uk Web site: http://www.britannia-software.com

NOTES TO EDITORS
Britannia Software is the UK fixed asset management solutions specialist, founded in 1981. It is the market leader, with a turnover in the region of 3 million. Its customers include half The Times top 100 companies, government departments, NHS trusts and large educational institutions.

Britannia offers a range of products and consultancy services which allow organisations to effectively monitor and report on their assets. The suite of modules includes Fixed Asset Accounting, Current Cost Accounting, Capital Project Control, Asset Budgeting, Asset Tracking, Facilities Management and Help Desk.

Britannia is a member of the Real Software Group.

Real Software was established in 1986. In 1999, the company recorded consolidated operating revenues of 248.4 million EUR and an operating profit of 34.9 million EUR. The group currently employs over 1800 staff.

Real Software offers a comprehensive range of software services ranging from the development and implementation of its own products to providing customers with tailor-made solutions and consultancy of third-party products. The company exports its technology to countries such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, the United States, UK and the Far East.

Real Software customers include companies such as Du Pont de Nemours, GIB, Océ, Johnson & Johnson, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Biogem, Renault, the Paris Metro, TF1, EDF - Electricité de France, SNCF, the Dutch Post Office, Nedcar, Philips, Shopi, Goodyear, KBC Bank and Fortis Bank.

Web site: http://www.realsoftware.be