12 December 2008
With the recent reduction of UK VAT to 15%, and with the Chancellor not offering a great deal of notice before the change took effect, Qube Global Software has had to react quickly to ensure that their customers can continue to manage their property effectively.
The new VAT rate is expected to be in place for the next 13 months from the 1st December 2008. Therefore it was essential that any changes made to Qube Global Software’s products could be easily reversed when the standard rate comes back into force.
The solutions and how the teams reacted fast
Horizon is a web developed property, accounting and asset management solution for investors and occupiers. Horizon has the standard functionality to deal with changes in the VAT rate and customers were easily able to update the system to reflect these changes. How to do this was communicated to customers within a few days of the announcement with the Horizon support team on hand to assist customers should they require it.
Qube is a comprehensive and powerful property database, rental management and accounting tool. Software Director for the Qube product, John Barrow, had a system update ready and waiting for the Chancellor to make his announcement. All customers were notified of the routine the following day and they were quick to take up the offer of help.
A satisfied customer base
Qube Global Software customers were pleased with the way that the reduction in VAT was handled as highlighted by the comments below:
“Threadneedle required Qube Global Software to produce scripts to update regular charges for its 4,500 leases on Horizon. They produced these scripts promptly and they were successfully passed through Threadneedle’s change control environments within a week” Simon Peacey, Systems & Oversight Manager, Threadneedle
“Right now we are working through VAT – I was really impressed to see that Qube was geared up so quickly – not the case in a lot of other places I am sure.” Janet Whiting, Central Accounting Services Manager, Grosvenor
“Could I just send all the Qube support staff and programmers a big thank you for making the changeover in VAT rates such a straightforward operation. Everything went without a problem and took very little time.” Steve Davis, Financial Controller, Duchy of Lancaster
“As Qube Global Software looked into the impact of the Chancellor’s ‘VAT Announcement’, it was clear that this was not the simple change he had no doubt envisaged. In tandem with our customers we had to look at the detailed implications of the reduction in VAT in Horizon within a very short timeframe. We would like to thank a number of our customers for their very useful input in deciphering the HMRC guidelines and for reviewing our recommendations, notably Craig Martin (Scottish Widows), Graeme Lambert (Canada Life), Simon Peacey (Threadneedle) and Ray Wright (South Kensington Estates). Within a few days instructions of how to deal with the change in VAT were issued to all Horizon customers and where necessary we provided further assistance to help customers implement this change” Jane Addey, Operations Director, Qube Global Software
“There had been rumours of a rate change circulating in the media for some days and we knew that, if true, there would be a dramatic impact for the property industry. Qube Global Software customers expect the highest standards from us and it is swift action like this from Qube that helps them stay one step ahead of their competition.” John Barrow, Software Director, Qube Global Software
If you would like to find out more about any of Qube Global Software’s products and the benefits they could bring to your business, we are running a series of webinars over the coming months on various aspects of our property and facilities management software. Click here to find out more and register.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Qube Global Software at Corenet Orlando
02 December 2008
The American team of Qube Global Software made a huge impression on the attendees of the CoreNet Global Summit in Orlando, FL. From November 9-11, CEO John Cuppello joined Matthew Sheldrick, Simon Dibble, Philip Chesterman and Sharon G. Miller, participating in 2 days of education, networking, and exhibiting of Qube’s leading property and asset management software solution Horizon.
During the event, the Qube team met with over 250 corporate real estate professionals. Significant interest was shown at our booth where we showcased some of our most recent advancements, including the Horizon Vision Business Intelligence module and the latest Horizon software release. Qube also hosted an educational breakout session focusing on “software that works like you do” and the implications this has on our immediate future in the real estate industry. CEO John Cuppello, along with Horizon users Troy Dowling of American Airlines and Adam Burstow of Telereal, gave an informative and entertaining presentation and slide show.
The team was hugely successful with its pre conference marketing campaign, enticing CoreNet attendees to stop by the booth to “fill their mind with information” and maybe fill their tank with free gasoline. More than 200 end users stopped by our booth to learn about Horizon software. Everyone had fun swiping the card they had received prior to the show to find out if they had a winning card. 29 lucky winners left the booth with a free gasoline credit card after a quick photograph with the Qube team!
Winners of free gasoline at the CoreNet Orlando show included; Cristy Handsaker of CH2M in Englewood CO; Debra Haufler of AstraZeneca in Wilmington DE; Duane Goslin of Dow Corning in Midland MI; Gene Vaughn of CBRE in Orlando FL; Christine Husk of Synopsys in Mountain View CA; Robert Kraiss of Adaptec Inc. in Milpitas CA; and Ed Eichler Jr. from Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids IA.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Network Rail implement Lease Load module
27 November 2008
Network Rail, one of the country’s largest providers of commercial property to small and medium sized businesses, continues to work very closely with Qube Global Software to maximise the benefits of using Horizon as their property management system.
Horizon is used by Network Rail’s Commercial Property team to support the management of considerable retail space and the generation of significant income through billing for lease payments for commercial properties.
As a lead supplier to Network Rail we are pleased to be working closely with them on a number of key projects, supporting their strategic plans and turning business ideas into reality.Recently this has included the implementation of the Lease Load module.
At one of the regularly held Horizon User Group meetings, Richard Osborn and Phil Troth of Network Rail gave a presentation covering the key drivers for this project, how it had been implemented and some of the benefits they were now seeing.
The primary objective of the lease load development project was to reduce the amount of manual input required in relation to creating new leases and thereby improving data quality.
The Commercial Property department identified the need to improve the business processes, lease accuracy and system functionality relating to the creation of new lettings and the drafting of legal documentation relating to leases.
The benefits of using the Lease Load module can not be underestimated as it ensures the provision of standard and accurate lease documents along with a reduction in manual effort and time. Network Rail has also been able to simplify the number of lease templates they use by 85%.
One of the major benefits resulting from the implementation of the Lease Load module is the ability for end users to electronically authorise leases; leading to a reduction in lease turnaround time.
Once authorised the lease document can be printed and sent directly to the tenant or customer for signature.
The effort required by the Commercial Property team is minimal as the lease information is automatically loaded into Horizon via the Lease Wizard.
The use of the combined technology of Adobe and Horizon has proved so successful that the design is being considered for other uses within Network Rail.
In addition Qube Global Software is working together with Network Rail to implement a major upgrade project taking Horizon to Version 5.6. This will incorporate the new enhanced Rental Forecasting module which will provide significant retail forecasting information to support key business decisions. The upgrade will improve the business processes used within the Service Charge function and the implementation of the Transaction Management module will enhance the monitoring and control of business processes.
“Network Rail are excellent to work with in the challenging way they push the boundaries of the software, always looking to maximise the benefits and value for their organisation”Jane Addey, Qube Operations Director
The latest version of Horizon hosts a number of new features and benefits. For more information about Horizon and Qube Global Software please contact Martin Betts on + 44 (0) 20 7977 9300 or email
About Network Rail
Network Rail run, maintain and develop Britain’s tracks, signalling system, rail bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 18 key stations. Network Rail represents a new beginning, a new vision and a new way of delivering Britain’s railway. They are investing in their workforce and introducing new technologies. There are 32,000 employees at Network Rail who are working hard to improve every aspect of the railway. Network Rail have made enormous progress in just four years. Under their stewardship, the railway is already safer, more reliable and more efficient. Network Rail are ambitious for the future of the railway and wish to grow the railway, meeting the demands and aspirations of rail users. Network Rail's task now is to build on the progress they have made so that they can transform Britain’s railway into a world-class infrastructure.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Open Doors – So successful we’re doing it again
11 November 2008
Qube Global Software hosted its first Open Doors exhibition last week. Running over two days, 4 and 5 November, the focus was on filling the void left by the closure of the PCS exhibition. Open Doors offers property owners, investors, managing agents, occupiers as well as block and facilities managers the opportunity to view some of the leading software solutions currently available.
Registrations and attendance surpassed expectations and feedback has been positive from both Qube Global Software staff and Open Doors attendees.
Attendees were greeted by Qube Global Software staff and offered the opportunity to attend group seminars focusing on particular market sectors and how the software solutions on offer can add value to property and facilities management. The option to drop in at any time throughout either day was encouraged and one-to-one demonstrations were available to those who preferred this option.
Qube Global Software’s well known tagline ‘Software that works lik
e you do’ was the subject of a panel discussion held during each day. David Spratt (The Crown Estate) and David Goldberg (Crabtree Property Management), two well established customers of Qube Global Software, were on hand to offer their opinions on what this statement means to them and also offered valuable advice on implementing property and facilities management solutions to panel discussion attendees.
John Cuppello, CEO Qube Global Software, commented: “We decided that the marketplace lacked an exhibition focused purely on Property and Facilities Management Software Solutions. With our global presence and product range we are in a position to fill this gap. We are extremely pleased with the response to the first Open Doors and hope that it will continue to be successful as
a regular event in the industry calendar.”
Don’t worry if you missed this year’s Open Doors event, others will be scheduled throughout 2009 at Qube Global Software’s King Street offices in Central London.
About Qube Global Software
Qube Global Software is one of the most significant suppliers of property and facilities management software in today’s marketplace.
The company was created from the merger of Fraser Williams Commercial Systems, FDS Advanced Systems and Estate Computer Systems. Their portfolio of products includes the Horizon, Planet and Qube software systems.
Over the last 30 years they’ve helped thousands of clients, from small investors through to global corporations, manage every aspect of their property portfolio. Their solutions can bring increased revenue and efficiency, reduced costs and full access to vital information for each and every sector of the property industry.
Qube Global Software has offices throughout the United Kingdom, United States, Middle East and Australia. To learn more go to http://www.qubeglobal.com.
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