Furness College choose LAKE college solution

Furness College has chosen LAKE to implement a new college finance system based on SunSystems and Proactis software. LAKE were chosen for the quality of their services and product expertise.

Furness College had been using a finance system based on QLx Financials from Unit4 for 12 years. Following an announcement that QLx was to be retired it was decided that a full system review should be undertaken.

One of the key criteria for choosing between potential suppliers related to service. The choice of supplier was possibly more important than the choice of software.

June Fielding, College Accountant, explains:

"The quality of ongoing support was high on my list of criteria. During the first 12 months of any new system you are still learning. You may, for instance, need help with a task you don't do very often or one you are not quite sure of. It is very important to feel that support is there when you need it. And in my experience service levels vary enormously."

Visits to other colleges were arranged by shortlisted suppliers. First-hand accounts of service levels and software performance can be invaluable in any selection process.

"We went on a site visit to another college and they couldn't sing LAKE's praises highly enough. This confirmed our view that LAKE would provide exactly what we were looking for...

.. It was nice to speak to someone who had been using the system a while and would recommend it. Knowing that the software is providing another college the information they need is useful. Learning how easy it is to create and deliver reports was especially helpful."

Now that the system implementation is underway, June adds the following observation based on her experience so far:

"I am impressed with everyone I have spoken to at LAKE. They seem really friendly and approachable. They obviously really know their product. The whole experience has been positive."