Sage and Navision challenged by upstart

A new financial software company has issued a challenge to accountancy software big guns such as Sage and Navision by launching a product it claimed will "fill the holes in the accountancy software marketplace".

A new financial software company has issued a challenge to accountancy software big guns such as Sage and Navision by launching a product it claimed will "fill the holes in the accountancy software marketplace".

Peterborough-based Advena Software launched its Advena and Advena Small Business Edition software last month aimed at SMEs. The 32bit accounting and business software operates under Microsoft's client operating system and Microsoft and Novell server technologies.

"There is basically a space in the marketplace for our product," said Alric Blake, managing director of Advena. "Our software is modular, multi-currency and euro-compliant and can be run on a number of operating systems, including NT and Novell."

By talking and listening to its resellers, Blake added, Advena has developed a product which is "scalable and flexible" and can cover the market from "Sage Line 50 right up to Navisio".

"Our aim is to provide a quality solution to customers," Blake said. The company has already been approached by Sage and Pegasus resellers, he added.

The Advena products are to be sold by resellers spread throughout the UK using a selected group of distributors. "Each partner has to go through a selection process to ensure that they can provide a capable and suitable service to customers," said Blake.

To be accredited for Advena, resellers will have to complete an intensive annual training course, and a special developer's course, he added.

But Sage claimed it was not unduly concerned about the new competition. "We will be following Advena's progress with interest," said a Sage representative.