joelgilb

Oh and I guess I didn't really list the alternatives to ATX, so here is the list of the programs I tested (alphabetically):

Drake

Intuit ProSeries

Intuit Lacerte

QRTaxPro

TaxAct

TaxExact

TaxSlayer Pro

TaxWise (CCH) (also Ultimate Tax is a reseller of Taxwise at a substantially reduced price) CCH even gave me this one for free and I hated it so much after testing it decided to buy Drake

Taxworks, by RedGear (gone now with its recent sale to Thompson)

UltraTax CS by Thomson Reuter (high end but too high priced for me)

In a previous year I had also tested ProSystem FX (CCH high end but too high priced for me)

Note I bolded those that I remember I liked, and Italicized those I remember I didn't like, and left thos in normal text that I just don't remember well enough to comment on.

TaxCPANY, it does sound like you'll need one of the high end programs. By high end, I mean top price but also supposedly with that price, the capability to do a lot more than ATX offered or even Drake. For me, that high price is out of the question for my needs. I've had the top price full package from ATX so Drake's price seems to be in that range. From JohnH's comments, Drake seems to be the one but I'll wait awhile for now. Some have commented on Drake's data base or interface or being DOS, so I'm not sure if they'll need some major overhaul. I don't know much about those specific program characteristics. I just have to rely on what I see in the program and how it functions.

First, let me say that Drake is not DOS based anymore, but a Windows product that is input/data screen based. It also has a Forms based input screen, simply to help you find Drakes input screens. I highly doubt that Drake will do a major overhaul to add Forms Based, as its current user base prefers the input based method. With a user base around the same size as the old ATX, and probably more now with all the new users from ATX, TRX, TaxWorks and even TaxWise, it would not be in the best interests of Drake to do what these other software companies have done.

Drake has a fast and fully functional product, with little need to do more than upgrade and enhance it. Drake has been around 34 years and I believe understands how to progress its product into the future with enhancements not a major rewrite. Further, the input/data based method, is where Drake gets its speed from. Its current base of users consistently indicate thhat they do not want upgrades and enhancements that destroy the speed of Drake. So, I don't see Drake moving from the input/data based method at any time in the future.

What ATX has that is missing from Drake is missing from virtually every other tax software program - the massive forms that ATX offers. This though is available from several other venders, like SuperForms, Greatland, Laser Librarian, Intuit and CFS (I think CFS actually licenses one of the others though).

ATX was never a high end package, but a package that was unique prior to 2012. With prior version of ATX we had the ability to almost create our own custom tax software, changing calcs, adding our own forms, creating custom spreadsheets, etc. Not any more though. Now ATX is just like every other player out there (except for the extra forms), but slower than almost all it's competition.

Now that said, I am not venting or re-re-venting ATX's shortcomings. What I am pointing out is that your choices for new software are wide open. Almost every software vendor will provide a copy or demo of its 2012 package for you to try out. Get them and test them.

Like JohnH, and JKLCPA and Ari, (and a few others here) I chose to switch to Drake mid-season (02-15-13 to be exact) and had a SHORT learning curve. My experience this year was similar to theirs, with blazing fast software, incredible technical support, and a an incredible forum that also went the extra mile to help me.

I have friends that use Intuit's ProSeries and are thrilled with it. Currently ProSeries with give you a discounted price for 5 years, which is similar to ATX's full MAX package price.

I also want to add that in season this year I found the time to test 8 different software products till I settled on Drake. Yes I rushed the tests, but I still got through them in Season! You should have plenty of time to test various software, file extensions etc and I would strongly recommend you do so, as all software represent some compromise to how we prepare returns.

I've had the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 for a few years now and cannot imagine being without it. It is so fast and scans both sides. It has a sleeve into which you can put small or multiple pieces to scan. I also have 2 mfc for flat scanning. One has a document feeder and is laser (Brother 7820N), the second also doc feeder but color inkjet (Brother 5460CN). Both Brothers came with ScanSoft software and the Fujitsu with something that, for me, works great. I am virtually paperless with my fax coming to a dedicated basic refurbished computer. I 'print' from there to Adobe and save in my client files. Love it and my dual monitors.

Although I like Fujitsu, I suggest that you stay away from the ScanSnaps. These are not Twain compatible and other software will not drive them reliably.

There only real advantage is that they are cheap, but you will pay later when you can't do what you want since you are missing the twain drivers.

quote by Clay

Personally I recommend a software called FileCenter, a reasonably priced and Full Featured Document Manager and Full PDF software, by Lucion software here:

http://www.lucion.com/?gclid=CP-2wMWc1bYCFYNxQgodRVEA5w

I wrote a review of Version 7.0 here:

http://gilassc.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/document-management-what-is-it-and-why-do-i-need-it/

and was a Beta Tester of the just released version 8.

Great software and helped me become paperless and build a complete workflow using its Advanced cabinets

By the way mention the review in my website and they should give you a discount. Shame but they won't give me anything. lol

Anyway, I had been looking for a good DM for several years and reviewed a ton of different software programs. Form low end packages costing as little as $39.95 to software for as much a 9995.00.

Expensive software was always way more than I wanted to pay and the low end guys were useless! This software has the perfect level of features and compromises for the small office.

Excellent point. I found that to be very helpful. The only major issue with Drake is that many fields and calcs can NOT be overriden (or I have not figured out how to do it).

Is there a way to override the fields?

While it is not exactly an override, Drake has "=" fields where you can override and "+/-" fields where you can adjust the calcs from other input. They also have Itemized worksheets for most line. All of these can essentially override Drake's calculations.

BUT, like John said, Drake more often that not gets you to make the entry properly and you tend to have a more complete and accurate return because of this.

I routinely overrode ATX, only overrode Drake a couple of times in the beginning.

Oh and one other thing Joan.

Drake has an unwritten Nine Second Rule (not a guarantee btw) where they try and are almost always successful in getting you to a Live Tech in 9 Seconds. And in my experience, they actually do this, even after all the new customers they picked up from ATX. TaxWorks, TaxWise and TRX.

UNBELIEVABLE SUPPORT that I am still wondering how they did that.

And never ever did they have to take me to a 2nd tier support because they couldn't answer my question or solve my problem.

I can honestly say, I have never seen better tech support, since I started using In-House tax software back in 1983.

Before I renew, and at a sizable discount, I want to see the 2012 software fully functional similar to the 2011 software. ...

Guess you will be using a different software then!

Drake's forthrightness is fascinating and to be admired. From a legal standpoint, are they not putting it in writing, hey we messed up, and if you get penalties b/c of our deficiency, contact us; which to me implies that maybe they;'ve put themself on the line for exposure (or their insurance company)

What if someone owed 1 million dollars and the extension didn't go thru on 4/15 b/c of Drake, now someone might have to pay 50k penalty.

Did they not just put in writing that Drake is liable for this.

However, Phil Drake said "We have been communicating with the IRS and have requested"

He didn't say he got word from the IRS that would be granted an extra day.

Maybe he was informed unofficially by the IRS that Drake would be granted an extra day.

Didn't turbotax or Proseries have this situation a few years ago?

How was that resolved?

I just find Drake a good honest company.

IRS gave them a few extra days!. Just like they did for Drake!

BTW, if you really don't want conflicting points of view, let me know now and I will remember not to respond to these types of threads and polls in the future.

Sorry, Joel, but I think we occasionally need the mental break that coming across an NT post provides. If we segregated them, we'd seldom get around to reading them when we most need them, in the heat of the busiest times. At least, that is my view of it. It's easy to skip them, after all, if you are not in the mood for them.

So confused. I never said you or anyone else for that matter shouldn't have the right to post them, I said that I thought a forum for them might make more sense. This keeps technical issues separate from software issues separate from ATX vs Drake issues or TRX issues and helps organize and structure a board. This is what you asked us to comment on in the first place, when you started this thread and asked our opinions in your poll. If you didn't want other points of view why did you ask for them then, or were you only requesting opinions that agree with yours?

So, why is my opinion not acceptable then?

Also, I said that I don't care about others political opinions, but I did not say that others should not be allowed to post or state theirs. I just don't care about them and choose to ignore them.Don't I have that right? My opinion here is not stopping or even suggesting others stop posting what they choose to.

So if you have the right to post them, why can't I ignore them?

I think NT posts should be allowed but in a separate forum.

Oh, and I try to never talk politics with anyone. Just a good way IMHO to get into a fight... but that is just me.

I also ignore other peoples politics, regardless if they agree with mine or disagree. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just don't honestly care about their opinion.

I currently have 2 scanners models in my office the Kodak I65 which I am soon going to replace and the Kodak Scanmate I1120 (20/40ppm/ipm).

The I1120 I bought for some of my staff as I didn't think they needed the speed I require and they have been good cheap workhorses.

The kodak is now too slow for me and I am looking at 2 different ones:

Kodak I2800 with external flatbed (flatbed fits in a desk drawer) (70/140 ppm/ipm)

Fujitsu FI6140z (no flatbed) (60/120 ppm/ipm)

Even though I am a big fan of the Kodak scanners, I am leaning towards the slower Fujitsu due to Kodak's recent bankruptcy.

I also like this online vendor, because of the support I have received and the suggestions when I call them and the Scanner Comparison Table they provide here:

http://www.scantastik.com/high-speed-scanners.htm

I suggest calling them and talking to them. They have always been great to me and have pretty good pricing as well.

Drake went down intermittently all during the 15th and their customers couldn't even transmit TO them. From what I hear their vaunted phone lines went dark too. Nobody's perfect. I wonder why all the drake people aren't in here bitching?

Joan:

Good question and here is why no complaints.

For me I am not complaining about Drake's one and only burp this season for a few reasons:

1. Drake staff and Phil Drake himself took full responsibility and sincerely apologized for the problem, and

2. Drake staff kept us informed all along the way

3. I personally never had a problem getting through the phone lines, although due overloaded circuits I sometimes had to use a different phone company (cell, or other business line with a diff company)

4. Drake is the ONLY tax software company that negotiated an extra day to file returns and extensions (until 04/16/2013) with IRS., due to Drake's server problems.

and the final reason, is that Drake indicated if for some reason IRS does have a problem with IRS treating a return or extension as late, to contact them and they will stand up and do the right thing.

It maybe true that this is open forum and that anybody including Kimmie and Bobbie could come here. Not likely that Kimmie has had the time or desire to.

That bum BOBBIE did not come here. If he had he would have joined this forum, congratulated himself on finding it, and posted the same nauseating self serving self congratulating crap he posts on the other board. And he would have used this stuff at the time of writing, not now today.

Somebody on here copied it and is providing a lot to him since it was deleted HERE. So I can't check what he is saying in black and white but only go by my memory of the circumstances.

Nevertheless, he has stated on at least 6 different threads that I called Kimmie a monkey hoping to piss her off enough for revenge banning.

The fact that WONDER BOY even admits he had help from people on here is evidence in itself, as he hates to give credit to anyone else but himself.

SO BOBBIE HAS SPIES AMONG THIS BOARD.

FTM

You don't have to login to read this board. I am betting he and Kimmie both come here and read it to see what is going on. CCH has routinely reviewed comments on this board in the past.

I too come here sometimes and just read and forget to login.

I received all Federal acks from Drake yesterday and States today.

How long does it take for you to click the icon to get ATX to open; for me it's less than 20 seconds.

Whcih seems very fast...and the reason i think for that is my solid state drive.

Early in season on the server it was almost 7-10 minutes12.13 reduced that 2.5 minutes and about the same times to load clients. Had to reboot software after opening and closing 2-5 clients

Workstations were 2 to 3 times that

ATX post

"Re: Broken Trust

Reply Quote Favorites

I received the following email from Drake early this morning. Note that Drake, too, was having issues last evening. However, note also the entire tone of the email, the lack of pointing the blame elsewhere, the sincere apology, and the proactive willingness to deal with the problem. This is in contrast to ATX which has been in damage control mode all of tax season, pointing the blame elsewhere.:


In response to this quote from Phil Drake:

"

Transmission Issue
On April 15, 2013, around 5 PM EST, we started experiencing intermittent connectivity issues on our e-file servers due to higher-than-expected volume which caused problems with your ability to transmit returns and extensions to Drake. The issue was mostly resolved by 11 PM EST, although high volume continued to cause intermittent success with transmissions. While the IRS was also experiencing some delays, this specific issue was on our side.
We have been communicating with the IRS, and have requested that it allow returns and extensions e-filed or paper filed by Drake preparers on April 16, 2013 to be considered timely filed. We advise that you file any extensions and returns (that you were unable to file on the evening of April 15) on April 16. If you choose to paper file, include a printout of this email with the return or extension. If you choose to e-file, there is no action to take other than to transmit the file on April 16 (the earlier the better). The electronic record will indicate Drake Software as the software provider.
We believe that the returns and extensions you file on April 16 will be considered timely filed; however, please contact us if any of your affected returns that are filed by April 16 are assessed a late-filing penalty.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. We will be analyzing the cause of this issue thoroughly and meticulously. It is our utmost priority to ensure the stability of our systems.
Sincerely,
Phil Drake "

Kimmie Manuel said:

"Actually no software vendor has negotiated an extra day with the IRS regardless of what they distributed to their customers. We are confident that the returns will be considered timely filed. The IRS themselves would never endorse additional time or publically state that they allowed a vendor to have additional time.
Kim Manuel
VP - Customer Relations "

Funny why don't I believe her?

For my write-up work I use Howell Client Write Up - www.howellsoftware.com - easy to use, reasonably priced.

They have a demo version, I believe.

Lynn Jacobs, EA

Kenner, LA

Got the demo, and will try it. THx!

I have used EasyACCT since the TAASC days and have continued to use it after the takeover by Intuit. Personally, I don't see much difference between the windows version from TAASC and the Intuit version. Head down writeup is easy, and so is live payroll. Joel, you might want to give EasyACCT another try after tax season. I haven't had time to try Drake writeup or payroll, but I will be evaluating it after tax season. If it works well enough, then I might drop EasyACCT and save a few bucks.

What is the renewal price on EasyAcct?

And will also look a Xero.

Thx both of you

Man, I must have gotten a different product than you four. WTH did I buy? It worked well. No stuff!!!

It is not that we got a different product. It is that ATX ran differently on different systems, especially those that are networked. I personally know a couple of users that didn't have many of the problems others of us had. Although they did experience slower than normal operation.

This was written by The Bar and Gill Singers, practicing attorneys in Austin Texas (web at http://www.barandgrillsingers.com/). They have a number of other songs on a total of 3 albums, several of which I have listened to, but none that compare to the one posted here.

Here are some other YouTube Videos with their songs

Jet Plane = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86DiQZ7z8A

Appointed Forever = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEkuORtuOlY

you can also get a taste of some of their other songs at amazon here = http://www.amazon.com/The-Bar-and-Grill-Singers/e/B001LI227E

and the billable hour company here http://thebillablehour.com/timetogrill.php

I too have found Drake's technical support team has far superior knowledge to the ATX team. With ATX they routinely had to send my questions to the next level of support, but this never happened with Drake. Also, almost every call was answered by the 3rd ring with live support, and only 3 or 4 times did I have to wait 2 to 3 minutes tops.

I know that not everyone had issues with speed, crashing etc, BUT I do not understand why you still don't have concerns with the new ATX, and are still not seeing things that need fixing. ATX removed a ton of important features that were part of the previous years software. These at a minimum should be on your list.

To name just a few:

1. Spreadsheets

2. Ability to Unprotect forms

3. Ability to Customize calculations

4. In Cell calculations

5. Import of Quickbooks

6. Import of W-2's

7. Full Featured FAM with complete history past and future (here I may be at a loss, since I now buy the Stand Alone FAM, I get that inside ATX also, so don't know what those of you that did not buy that see.)

8. Ability to make custom Modules and full featured Templates by integrating forms and customizing the links and formulas simultaneously. (I had personally built a custom incorporation package using several of the above features)

9. Ability to Export Forms to Excel (I used to find this feature invaluable now I have to download a PDF and laboriously create the form, and without the ability to link across to other forms)

10. Ability to see the Calc Sheet to determine both why something is happening and FIX programing mistakes quickly, before ATX can do the same (Multiple times I found I could manipulate the calc sheet to fix or add a feature - GONE NOW)

atx's spreadsheet for keeping track of e-files is 100x better than Drake's though

Ari:

While I won't disagree that ATX's Return Manager is slightly better that Drakes, it is pretty easy to customize Drakes to be about 98% of ATX's return manager. I know you use Drake and you need to look at how to do this after season. Suggest you post on the Drake forum and ask how others are doing it.

Me this is how I am handling it:

Drake essentially has 2 Return managers and has several fields that can be added (with drop down boxes that we create) both to its Personal Client Manager (PSM) and Client Status Manager (CSM), plus numerous and customizable reports to help here. Everything we need can be shown on ONE SCREEN, not 3. So you can see client status, ef status, payment status all in one place. You can also filter out returns by type and status quickly and easily, albeit by a different method.

I currently use the PSM for active returns and the CSM for Complete, but there are so many more ways to structure this. So, honestly to me it is just learning a new way to handle it. I also added the MISC fields to the PSM and customized the 1st 2 with drop down lists that I used to use in ATX. I find that once in a while I have to add to the drop down list, but this is easy to do in Setup.

ATX will probably look at consolidating with TaxWise, putting both on one engine (it was CCH's plan all along) and consolidating its costs. I doubt they will sell it, even the remaining customer base is just worth too much, especially when you consider the side sales opportunities.

So, then it is just a matter of how they handle the different interfaces and the additional forms modules available in ATX. Biggest problem they will have is TaxWise's higher pricing structure, which I feel is where ATX was moving in the first place.

CCH have been consistently been trying to get more money from us by debundling the software to increase revenues and sell side products. The market share is limited, so this is probably CCH's best plan to increase its bottom line, and that is all that CCH is really concerned with. This years fiasco may just have slowed that plan down, but I can't believe that plan still doesn't exist.

And yes ATX is in Atlanta GA.

As for Drake:

34 years in business. Met Drake at the accounting show the year he introduced his software and now his kids work for the company, so I expect they will still be here in the future. Received a demo of his product at that time and didn't like it and have demo'ed the Drake software several times over the years. Wasn't till the latest version that I really felt I could switch to it. Thanks to Drake and the high level of support, I am where I should be at this time and will have a VERY EASY last few days of season.

They are located at: