Serenic Navigator Software

We manage the entire HR employee data using this application. It is a system of records for a company of 4000+ employees.

Pros

The ability to customize the fields, run meaningful reports to pull all the data fields, quick search to bring employee data, feature to build, schedule and run interfaces with other HR applications.

Cons

Launch of the navigator, server distribution to balance the load, difficulty in finding the data from back end sources of multiple similar looking tables.

We selected Serenic Software in 2006 because it was able to handle usual GL activity, as well as Deposit & Loan Fund transactions, and provided for allocations for foundation tracking of funds. We only wanted to invest time and resources in one application. We have been very happy with the choice and the way Serenic meets our needs.

Serenic Navigator is an excellent software program for most modules.
However, we have had on-going issues with the Deposit and Loan module that would make it hard to recommend to other like organizations. Originally we had hoped to be able to use the Investment module for our investment pool but I doubt this will ever be possible.

Pros

Functionality of all modules that we use except the D&L module. The ability to export to Excel is very useful but a certain amount of formatting is always required.

Cons

The Deposit and Loan module it very difficult to use effectively.
The A/R module could be easier.

We are currently on the Azure server. It is very slow. Our plan is to bring it back in house on our server.

Our company requires a very dynamic and roust GL system to fit our unique needs. Serenic Navigator does the job well and we're very happy with it. The GL dimensions allow us to be very flexible in capturing not just financial data but also statistical information. When we hit a roadblock, Serenic Tech support never fails to quickly offer solutions to our problems.

I have done 2 implementation of the software: in 2007 with Action Against Hunger USA and 2015 with International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
I love the dimensions, the multicurrency features, A/P, Bank, G/L AND AwardVision, as well as the great reporting capabilities (using the Cube).

IAVI wanted an accounting solution that integrated with Awards management, Budget, Purchase Requisition and Purchase Orders. Also we wanted a system that could work with multiple currencies, didn't require customization, very user friendly, and integrated well with Microsoft products. The software had to be supported and maintained by a dynamic company with an excellent reputation and strong experience working in the not-for-profit sector.
The software had to be easy to connect to from anywhere in the world (via Citrix or any other web-based protocol) and offer the possibility of migration to a cloud-based hosting environment. IAVI was looking for a solution that would provide easy consolidation between multiple subsidiaries, strong analytical functionality, and powerful reporting capacity.
Last but not least, excellent support and maintenance services were essential, both from the original manufacturer and from a robust network of third party consultants and vendors.
Coming from a complex system entirely customized that required a dedicated team for maintenance on an on-going basis, we were looking for an off-the-shelf, user-friendly product requiring minimal maintenance.

1. IAVI wanted to find a solution that could be used more widely than just by the accounting team. A real management tool.
2. IAVI wanted to stop working in silos and have the financial information stored in one place for use by all of the various stakeholders (purchasers, budget managers, project managers, grant managers, accounting and payroll staff, senior management,').
3. IAVI wanted to run a powerful financial system without needing a dedicated technical support team.
4. IAVI wanted to report in real time and readily close the books on a monthly and quarterly basis.
5. IAVI wanted a system that could easily manage the authorization and coding of expenses.
6. IAVI wanted a solution that provided a great audit trail.

When you buy the Serenic Navigator, you become part of a big family of fantastic professionals. Serenic maintains a very personalized relationship with all its clients.
Also each Serenic client can learn from other Serenic clients via the NGO usergroup.

Pros

1. IAVI implemented the Awardvision grants management tool as a full component of our financial processes
2. Thanks to Serenic Navigator's very powerful reporting tools (i.e., Jet Reports and Cube), grant managers can now create reports directly from the accounting software, and budget managers can view their actuals vs. budgets in real time.
4. IAVI now seamlessly produces quarterly consolidated financial statements via the Cube.
5. IAVI is using the Navigator workflow management process and a few basic validation rules to streamline the authorization and allocation of expenses to Fund/Award and Project.
6. The drill-down functionality of the software makes it easy to navigate through accounting transactions and provides a great audit trail.
IAVI made an extensive use of Attributes to pool expenses together according to the management requirements.

-IAVI has cut in half the time required to produce quarterly financial statements.
-IAVI virtually eliminated miscoding and the subsequent need to reclassify expenses.
-IAVI has decreased from 4 weeks to 2 weeks the time required after the end of a pay period to upload the allocated payroll into the financial system.
-IAVI has reduced to zero the time required for uploading corporate credit card expenses post-approval.
-IAVI has real-time balances on all authorized POS without relying on external systems (ContractCentral).
-IAVI has received timely and attentive customer support for all issues submitted.

Cons

The Revenue Recognition module is maybe too complex.

Advice to Others

By working with Serenic, IAVI not only acquired a great accounting software package, but forged a solid partnership with great professionals whose mission is to make your work easy and pleasurable.

I've been using Serenic for many years and the product has been very capable to deliver and manage the financial and Grant information. Easy to enter data and many options to extract the info I've clearly been able to do my job. I always missed the guau factor, some of the functionalities are added a posteriori and the work with the client is not as proactive as should be: field connect is delivered after particular requirements instead of perceiving since the begging that was a space in the market. I recommend the development team exploring strategic initiatives that could be consider more medium term investment.

Pros

Robust construction

Cons

Not web based or easy to deploy overseas with limited broadband