Laboratory Software in Qatar

In this blog, I would like to write about Argus Laboratory Management Software. The software is implemented successfully in Teyseer Laboratories with several test reports. Creating test reports is a major concern for all laboratories. This software provide a great solution for this major concern by providing a very user friendly and rich user interface for recording the various test results and there by generating the reports out of it. The software also provides a report designer which gives the user the ability to design various templates and use according to the needs.

The starting point for recording the tests is Job Registration. There are two types of Jobs in the system: Soil and Concrete. Both Job registration forms collect basic information on the test material provided by the clients and support registering more than one report (tests) against each sample. Once a job is registered the Job order is ready to accept result entry under relevant tests. Reporting options also are made available once the results are entered.

The system uses the concept of registering a job for the tests to be conducted. When a user brings a material for testing a new job order is created defining the various tests to be done on the material. The software provides the option for registering multiple tests in a single job order. 

Sample UI-Job Order Registration

 Sample UI- Report

Sample UI- Report Designer

Advantages of the system

·         Keeps track of all the tests conducted.

·         Reduces data entry for Customers, contractors and a lot of prefilled information related with tests.

·         Accurate reports as per industry standards.

·         Custom report designer with template feature.

·         User Access control and Audit features.

·         Database backup restore option.

·         Extendible architecture to support more Tests and reports.

Audit Related Features

·         Detailed logging of all the actions in the system

·         Report locking to prevent reprinting of reports

Tests Available in Lab Software

1.       Aggregate Crushing Value

2.       Asphalt Core             

3.       Atterberg Limits      

4.       Binder Content And Particle Size Distribution

5.       California Bearing Ratio (C.B.R)

6.       Concrete Core Compressive Strength

7.       Concrete Cube Compressive Strength

8.       Compressive Strength of Hollow Block

9.       Compressive Strength of Paving Block

10.   Dry Density / Moisture Content Relationship

11.   Elongation Index     

12.   Flakiness Index        

13.   In-situ Dry Density By Nuclear Gauge

14.   Particle Size Distribution for Soil

15.   Particle Size Distribution for aggregate

16.   Particle Size Distribution

o   Type A         

o   Type B         

o   Type C         

17.   Ten Percent Fines Value

18.   The Los Angeles Abrasion

19.   The Particle Density And Water Absorption

20.   The Particle Densities of Filler

21.   The Soundness

Share Point Vs DMS

SharePoint is a Portal solution which will provide a unified view to a customer. It will need OmniScan to scan the documents in batches as per the requirement of the customer and will put them in a desired table format from where the documents can be picked by SharePoint. At the same time SharePoint can store and retrieve the documents in a Document Management system like OmniDocs. 

Apart from having a DMS in the backend one can have many other applications also running in the backend to provide necessary information to the visitor at SharePoint Portal. A Portal and a Document Management system are two different solutions having different functionalities, even though it might seems to be overlapping in some of the cases. One can even have a ERP solution running in the backend from where the Portal can fetch the information and provide to the user of Portal. This does not mean that one can replace a ERP solution by buying a Portal solution like SharePoint, even though some of the functionalities can be common here.

To help you understand more on this let me explain the concept of Portal and Document Management system separately. Kindly note all the features mentioned in a Portal solution or in a DMS solution as mentioned in this document may not be always available through one software product, for eg. For emails Microsoft uses a different software product and does not provide it under SharePoint.

What is a Portal Solution ?

A web portal or links page is a web site that functions as a point of access to information in the World Wide Web. A portal presents information from diverse sources in a unified way. Apart from the standard search engine feature, web portals offer other services such as e-mail, news, stock prices, information, databases and entertainment. Portals provide a way for enterprises to provide a consistent look and feel with access control and procedures for multiple applications and databases, which otherwise would have been different entities altogether. A Portal typically provides personalized capabilities to its visitors, providing a pathway to other content. It is designed to use distributed applications, different numbers and types of middleware and hardware to provide services from a number of different sources. In addition, business portals are designed for sharing and collaboration in workplaces. A further business-driven requirement of portals is that the content be able to work on multiple platforms such as personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cell phones/mobile phones.

SharePoint is a portal solution which can have a Document Management System in the backend. A user can use the SharePoint user interface to access these documents instead of using the OmniDocs user interface if they wish.

What is a Document Management System ?

A document management system (DMS) is a computer program used to track and store electronic documents and/or images of paper documents. It is usually also capable of keeping track of the different versions created by different users (history tracking). The term has some overlap with the concepts of content management systems. It is often viewed as a component of enterprise content management (ECM) systems and related to digital asset management, document imaging, workflow systems and records management systems. Document management systems commonly provide storage, versioning, metadata, security, as well as indexing and retrieval capabilities.

Refer the below link for more details about DMS http://www.newgensoft.com/products/document_management_omnidocs  

Argus provides the Document Management Solution in Qatar market, tie-up with Newgen Software Technologies

POS solutions and Accounting Software in Qatar

Are you looking POS (Point of Sales) with strong inventory and financial accounting modules in Qatar? I will try to give you some guide lines to select a good one for your business success in future.

Finding a POS for you is not simple, you can find several ready available POS software, but you are not sure whether which one is good one for you and whether can incorporate your own specified requirements. So how can you choose the best one? It should be based on lot factors, try to find the important questions you should ask your self to find the answers. In every POS you may be find lot of features, some of that one you required, some not required, and some you need to customise as per your requirements.

Why I am suggesting you to think well before selecting a POS, from our earlier experience with customers, most of them not happy with ready available POS, as they can’t customise as per change to the business requirements. It is possible to find a good one as per your requirements which is less expensive as well as increase the profits of your business. Become the leader in your business by choosing perfect software for your point of sales with inventory management and financial accounting integration.

Major 3 objectives of POS solutions are

1) Save time

2) Provide improved control over sales

3) Provide improved service to customers

However most of these solutions available in market, may involve high cost of ownership, complex setup, and rigorous training requirements. So you have to make sure whether your selection removes these barriers with an easy to use, customisable and affordable solution. 

Selecting Accounting Software for your business in Qatar

Present business age, nobody can think of doing business with out using computers. Not only computers, you should have a proper business accounting software to manage your business efficiently. Especially Qatar market is growing rapidly and people looking latest technologies to compete others by improving the business performance in all areas. One of the main concern is to automate your business transactions, say, using a good accounting software. You can see lot of offering from various companies with different look and feel.

Accounting software can not only help you reduce human errors in your calculations, but it can help you gain insights into your business that you couldn't see in paper form such as generating sales forecasts for the next quarter, determining which items are overstocked, and pinpointing your least profitable service.

Finding the best accounting software program for your business can be a challenge, with an explosion of shrink-wrapped software products and online application offerings. In order to choose a business accounting software program, you need to understand some business accounting basics, take a good look at your business and its accounting needs, and assess the products available today. Finding a good one is not easy task, you have to check some factors relate to it and take a decision. Understand your business needs and choose a business accounting software that best suits your business. 

You have to study your primary requirements first. What modules and features you need in the system. Decide first whether basic needs enough or you require in detailed. The major another thing, you should have budget. Budget should balance with your requirement as you can’t expect a full feature one with very less budget.

Before selecting a vendor for your software product, you should consider the following matters to have a right decision based on that: 

1.    The size of your business

2.    Modules and features that you required

3.    Financial resources like budget for software & hardware

4.    Company environment and staffs to adapt the changes with software

5.    Ease of use

6.    Vendor availability and reputation

7.    Post implementation support

All above factors are equal important, other wise, the software may not 100% success in any enterprise. So study first to select a right vendor for a right implementation plan and get continuous guidance whenever required. 

Happy New Year from Argus Technologies Qatar

How to Promote or Improve your business using IT Soutions

When Qatar won the World cup 2022, every business owners may delighted with high confidence. Qatar promised to spend $50 billion on infrastructure upgrades and $4 billion to build nine stadiums and renovate three others. So construction activity in Qatar is expected to witness a significant surge. This will catalyse a lot of a lot of infrastructure projects and hope for business owners to do further investments. 

So what you think in relate with technology, no doubt, that is must for any business. Surely, business owners might be looking competitive advantage over others. My suggestion is to ask the following questions to self and find answers. How can you catch this opportunity to grow your business? How can you improve your business? How can you promote your business? Want a surefire way to increase your business this year? You should think of technologies that can help you to do business right way by competing others/ improving your performance.

Website

Your business simply has to have a website. These days, that's not a very expensive endeavor. A Web site has become nearly as essential as a telephone or fax machine or printed brochure. Increasingly, people search the Web rather than the Yellow Pages when looking for a service or product. Providing information to your customers takes time, whether it’s on the phone, face-to-face, in a brochure, or in emails. With an online catalogue you can provide lots of information about your products and services. Once your website is up and running, it is available to your customers indefinitely, saving you time.

Make use of email & online marketing

Email is one of the best methods of online marketing and it doesn't cost you much to use it. Marketing having to do with email includes:

·         Make use of the automatic signature. It should include your name, contact information and website. You can also highlight promotions that you're running or specific services in your signature.

·         Contact lists. Email is a terrific way of staying in touch with clients and potential clients. Make sure to include all new contacts in your email address book.

·         E-newsletters. You can create a brief newsletter which you email to everyone in your address book. This keeps your name on people's minds and gives them a reason to learn about what you're doing

Luckily, the Internet offers numerous methods of online marketing (SEO and SEM) that don't cost a lot of money.  You can find the methods helpful for gaining website traffic and increasing customer flow to the business.

Automation of business (ERP Software)

The business solution helps you to run your business smoothly and to promote growth in business. Look for software that can integrate all the key business operations, synchronizing all those, gives new planning and optimizing the resources available for the business. The automation of your business help significantly improve your business metrics by process optimization, better inventory control, better reporting to take decisions, integration across functionality and increasing transparency across the company. Purchase department can see the sales department data, Sales department can see inventory data, and top management can see any data on a click of single button.

How ERP system benefits your business ?

Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP in short, is the business solution, which helps an organization to run its business smoothly and to promote growth in business. ERP has been designed and developed in such a way that it can integrate all the key business operations, synchronizing all those, gives new planning and optimizing the resources available for the business. 

ERP is not just software it is a combination of software, processes and procedures used to reduce redundancy, create  efficiency and provide a platform for growth. So the solution can be accomplished through 3 major areas: 

1. Software

2. Implementation/training/ process

3. Guidance

The software provides that foundation, it is basically the tool to process the information. The best software system is the one that does what your organization needs it to do. Keep in mind that even the best system doesn't work if you don’t set it up and use it properly. Don’t get me wrong the software is important but not everything.

The main difficulties that an organization feels in order to run a business are the need of quick information. For making any crucial decision for running business one has to have all information with them and also the information which they require at any point of time should reach to them immediately. ERP improves coordination between all operations; it can simultaneously streamline the workflows and processes them according to the priority level, and hence giving benefits to the user. After installation of a proper ERP system the organization becomes more active in terms of time management. Another vital importance of ERP is of better marketing opportunities. ERP investigate every segment properly and thus gives solution to many debacles existing in an enterprise. 

The implementation of ERP system has helped small and mid sized companies, significantly improve their business metrics by process optimization, improving the entire business process, better inventory control, better reporting to take decisions, integration across functionality and increasing transparency across the company. Purchase department can see the sales department data, Sales department can see inventory data, and top management can see any data on a click of single button.

The introduction of ERP in any company has also helped it move up the value chain in term of market credibility and building the confidence of its customer, stakeholders and vendors. Most of the small and mid sized companies were living with in-house developed applications which are non-integrated and on disparate technology architectures. This has resulted in running with redundant technology, loss of support, non availability or less availability of critical information at the right time resulting in overall business loss.

Choosing the right Inventory Management Software

Why to have Inventory control software for you business?

Inventory control software systems have become inevitable in almost all of the business today. Inventory control software is a constitutional part of keeping the business moving fluently, whether it is an intense production unit or some service-oriented industry. The usage of software tools specifically designed for inventory control and management run deep into a company’s long way in keeping a company’s wheels running smoothly.

Inventory control software helps in inventory tracking and controlling the levels of stock, both real-time as well as batch stocks. The software usually has interfaces that can determine when stock needs to be reordered or needs to be scaled down because of less demand, which gives user the complete control over the inventory life cycle. This helps to keep the inventory always stocked up so that the user would never ever lose an order because of insufficient stock. The software can also spot potentially unwanted and old dying stock. It can track sales by drawing out intelligent trends and fact sheets over a period of time and report on orders that are expected to follow.

Argus Inventory Management solution in Qatar offers the most of the features, which is affordable to any small to medium business organizations. 

Choosing Accounting Software for your business

The accounting software systems provide major advantages such as speed and accuracy of operation, and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to see the real-time state of the company’s financial position.  When using a computerized accounting system the on computer, input screens have been designed for ease of use. The computerized ledger system is fully integrated.  This means that when a business transaction input on the computer, it is recorded in a number of different accounting records at the same time.

If you are just getting started in a business and want to make keeping the accounts yourself a bit easier, you can do this with accounting software. There are all sorts of different types of software you can get for accounting purposes, so it can be difficult to decide just which software is right for you. You will need to think carefully about your accounting needs to make it easier to narrow down the options that are available.

First of all, you want to figure out what features you need from your accounting software, since this will determine whether you will be able to start with a basic program or whether you will need something that is a bit more advanced. Especially if you don't have any employees and are just getting started you will probably be able to manage with a basic software package.

When you are choosing your software program you will want to look into the reviews for the various programs in order to learn more about the pros and cons of each type of software so you can make a more informed decision on which one to use for your business.

Of course if your financial transactions are complicated and you have a lot of them, you might want to get an accounting program that can be customized to suit your needs. These types of programs are likely to be more expensive, but they will make things easier for you overall so the added expense is probably worth it.

You will probably want to choose a program that is relatively easy to learn and to use in order to set up your accounts, so you won't have to spend a lot of time doing this. Once you get set up a program like this should save you time.

Argus Qatar Software Solutions for your business -100% customizable

Argus Reminder                  

Alert Management System for various document expiries with Reminder reviews

The major features include the following:

v  Employee Documents – Medical, Finger Print, Visa, RP, Health Card, Insurance Card, Driving License, Passport, etc

v  Vehicle Documents – Road Permit, Insurance, Service Date, etc

v  Company Documents – Computer Card, Trade License, Chamber of Commerce Certificate, Tenancy Contract, etc.

v  PRO Documents – Labour Computer Card, Immigration Card, e-Card, etc

v  Office Equipment Documents – Warranty expiry, AMC expiry, etc

Argus Accounting (Simple)    

Financial Accounting System for small companies

Single Company and Single User

The major features include the following:

v  Financial Accounting module – Multi-categorised Chart of Account, Bank, Customers, Suppliers, Journal Voucher, Customer Invoices, Supplier Invoices, Receipt Voucher, Payment Voucher, Petty Cash Voucher, Cheque Handling, Day Book, Cash Book, Bank Book, Cheque List, General Ledger, Sub Ledger, Statement of A/C, Account Receivables, Account Payables, Trial Balance, Income Statement & Balance Sheet.

Argus Accounting (Easy)     

Integrated Financial Accounting System for small to medium companies with Purchase, Sales, Inventory and Payroll

Multi Company, Multi Sites and Multi User

The major features include the following:

v  Financial Accounting, Inventory, and Payroll modules – Multi-categorised Chart of Account, Multi-categorised Stock Items, Allowances, Bank, Customers, Suppliers, Employees, Vehicles, Goods Receive Note, Purchase Invoice, Purchase Returns, Quotation, Price List, Delivery Note, Sales Invoice, Sales Returns, Stock Adjustment, Stock Transfers, Physical Stock Counting, Receipt Voucher, Payment Voucher, Petty Cash Voucher, Cheque Handling, Journal Voucher, Debit Note, Credit Note, Bank Reconciliation, Employee Allowances/ Deductions, Attendance, Monthly Salary, Leave Settlement, Item List, Item Stock, Purchase & Sales Analysis reports, Item Stock Movements, Excess Stock, Under Stock, Fast Moving / Slow Moving Items, Account Receivables & account Payables, Day Book, Cash Book, Bank Book, General Ledger, Subsidiary Summary, Sub ledger, Statement of A/C, Trial Balance, Income Statement & Balance Sheet, Various Reports.

Argus HR     

HR and Payroll Management System for small to medium companies

The major features include the following:

v  HR and Payroll modules  - Companies, Divisions, Departments, Designations, Employees, Vehicles, Employee Photo/ Document Attachments, Allowances, Deductions, Employee Dependents, Employee Assets, Employee Accommodations, Employee Internal Transfers, Employee Status Change, Allowance Revisions, Attendance, Leave Plan, Leave Assign, Salary Advances, Employee Deductions, Overtime Entry, Monthly Salary, Payslip, Salary Bank Transfers, Leave Applications/ Approvals, Leave Settlement, Employee Easy Search Engine, Employee various Details Reports, Salary Reports, Workmen Compensation, Reminder Management, Document User Privileges, Employee reports with photos, Drill down reports, Leave History, Allowance History etc.   

Argus Job Costing

Project/ Job Costing System for small to medium companies

The major features include the following:

Job Costing Module – Job Levels, Job Cost Codes, Jobs, Job Checklist, Contractors & Suppliers, Material Stock Categories / Inventory Items, Job Budgeting, Budget Revisions, Material Request, Material Receipt, Material Consumables, Job Expense Document, Job Status, Job Sub Contracts, Sub Contract Status, Job Transaction Report, Inventory Stock, Job Variance Report/ Budget Variance, Job Ledger, Job Analysis, Job Budget List, Material Movements, and Various Reports.

Job Costing Integrated with Accounts Package

Argus Realty     

Real Estate Management System for small to medium companies

Multi Company and Multi User

The major features include the following:

v  Real Estate modules  - Companies, Bank, Properties, Rental Units, Tenants, Agents, Customers, Suppliers, Investors, Property Expense Master, Agent Commission Setup, Tenancy Contract (New/ Renew/ Vacate), Tenant Invoices, Monthly Rent Posting, Property Expenses, Penalty Posting, Breaking Of Contracts, Property/ Unit Picture, Furniture Details, Property Purchase, Property Sale, Post Dated Cheque Management, Receipts (Rent/ Security Deposits/ Maintenance Charges/ Penalty/ Others),  Reminders (Tenancy Contract/ Delayed Rent/ Vacant Units/ PDC, etc.), Rent Center, Security Center, Contract Listing, Cheque List, Easy Search Engines, Collection Reports, Agent Payables, Tenant Receivables, Security Payables, Property Income Statement, Property/ Unit Ledgers, Tenant/ Agent/ Customer/ Supplier Statements, Blocking of Tenants, Blocking of Cheques etc.

Real Estate Integrated with Accounts Package

Argus Shares     

Share/ Equity Management System for small to medium companies

Multi Company and Multi User

The major features include the following:

v  Equity Management/ Share module – Share Groups (Long term, Short term, and Current), Sectors (Bank, Insurances, Industries, Services), Shares, Market Rate, Share Average Cost, Share Opening, Share Purchase, Share Sale, Share Right Issues, Share Dividends, Bonus of Shares, Merging of Shares, Share Transfers, Share Fall in Value Change, Share Fair Value Change, Share Adjustments, Share Stock Transactions, Share Daily Trade Report, Share Value / Share Profit Analysis, Share Graphs, Share Summary, Share Security Market Receivables/ Payables, Broker’s Statements,

Shares Integrated with Accounts Package