In an industry of fast paced technology intensive business, payroll software is virtually a must have. It enables a business to run more streamlined payroll with a less labor intensive payroll department. The amount of time and energy saved through payroll software programs is invaluable even after taking into account the training required for properly using the software and keeping employees up to date and informed on all the latest tax rules and other applicable laws. There are countless strategies, ‘how-to’s and other various articles on what to look for and how to compare payroll software programs. This article will give specific examples of a few payroll software programs and a brief overview of their usability in terms for easy comparison. Here are a few software payroll programs:
WinFiler
Both WinFiler and Winfiler Plus are offered by GreatLand Corporation which has been around since the mid 70s. WinFiler supports up to 24 different federal forms with WinFiler Plus adding 9 to that number. Both can be installed for single PC usage or through a network.
The setup for Winfiler programs is entirely built around the Microsoft Windows format. Though the program comes with a PDF file as a manual there are no hyperlinks, which is unfortunate. However there is an online guide which can help much more effectively.
WinFiler is at its best when printing out reports and forms and as such does not have any export capability. The WinFiler program and its brother, WinFiler Plus, are both simple to install and easy to use programs for quick entry and form printing.
PayCycle
PayCycle’s Accountant Wholesale Service is a great easy to use online self service payroll software program. It charges a set monthly fee of $14.99 for the first five clients and $9.99 for each additional client. There are virtually no additional fees involved and this program is fairly extensive in what it is able to cover. Tax payments and filings in all 50 states (including the District of Columbia), electronic tax payments in 19 states with just one click, and even customized marketing materials.
Throughout the program everything is hyperlinked for easy access to every other part. Customer support is very on point with phone response claimed within 3 rings and email response just as quickly.
This is certainly not the cheapest program available. It does however offer all the resources you will need for payroll in a very user friendly interface and no additional fees for such things as mid pay cycle check issuing.
Payroll
Red Wing Payroll is a standalone product based on Microsoft Windows designed with the small to mid-size businesses in mind. With other available Red Wing accounting goods Payroll can integrate very seamlessly.
Payroll is a very flexible program including the ability to copy certain groups of information which can make quick work of certain repetitive tasks. This software program also comes with a physical Payroll User Guide in the form of a thick spiral bound notebook along with a thinner Supplement. There are a decent amount of predefined reports available through this program though there are a few missing that should not be such as a vacation report (though this can be accessed through employee setup).
Reports with this program can be exported through HTML, MS-DOS, Excel, and RTF formats. This is a fairly easy to use program that is well-documented and best suited for the needs of small and mid-sized companies.
The next generation
TNG is from the Universal Business Computing Company (UBCC). This is a very portable and interface-able program as it is compatible with over 600 available platforms such as Unix, Linux, Microsoft Windows and a considerable variety of mainframes and minicomputers.
TNG has a special data file structure known as “indexed sequential access method” or ISAM unlike Oracle or Access which allows for instantaneous accessing of files regardless of the file size. It also does not use batch processing which translates to data being online instantly. TNG is fast. There are 3 separate modes: Graphical Expert Mode, a Windows-like mode, and a DOS style mode. Though the CD that comes with the program and containing all the help files is not organized in an easy to use manual, there are help files in the program itself via drop down menus.
There is definitely going to be a learning curve as this is a very comprehensive program, but this is a program that certainly will be valuable not only in flexibility but also in the fact that it integrates very effectively with other accounting functions.
This comparison review should give you a little further insight into how some of the payroll software programs work in contrast to one another. Whether you specifically are interested in one of these programs or are using this information when you are shopping for others, this information will put you closer to the knowledge of the industry that can prove invaluable.
Payroll software programs enable a business to run smoother and with less labor and therefore choosing the right one is essential.