BT Business has launched a new web-based accounting application, to
replace the complex software blighting smaller firms, forcing their
employees to work longer hours.

The launch of Xero, a new online
tool designed for firms and their advisors, is supported by new
research by BT Business which finds that almost 50 per cent of smaller
business staff work extra hours to clear their current workloads, with
41 per cent admitting that they actually waste work time because of
poor technology and systems.

Accessible from any internet or
mobile connection, Xero is aimed at helping businesses access, update,
review and control their finances in the downturn anywhere, from any
device. The simple, software-as-a-service (SaaS) package will provide
customers with 24/7 secure online access to bank transactions,
invoices, reports, VAT returns and management reporting.

Chris
Lindsay, general manager at BT Business applications, said: \"Customer
feedback is that traditional accounting packages are complicated to
use, and can only be accessed while in the office. As a result,
managers put book keeping off and spend too many late evenings or
weekends in the office. Owner managers tend not to be finance experts,
and dread having to file their accounts with these systems. The
research shows that employees are working harder and longer during the
downturn anyway, so we hope that Xero users will instantly be more
productive and redress an often dire work/life balance\"

Xero is
available as a free 30 day BT Business trial. Features include a real
time dashboard of a firm’s transactions, online accrual to keep
book-keeping up to date, daily bank reconciliation function, web-based
accounting from anywhere with an internet connection, expense claim
processing and reporting for financial advisors.

Andrew
Sandiford, head of Business Advisory and Assurance at Target feels that
Xero eliminates all the problems of not feeling ’part of the client’s
business’ for his accountants: \"With Xero, you can access a client’s
accounts at any time. More importantly, you know you are looking at the
same ’version’ of the accounts as the client because there is only one
ledger. Xero is fantastic for us, as it means we can offer ’real-time’
advice, basing our recommendations on the up-to-date financial data we
can see\"

Delivered as SaaS, Xero can also be implemented
quickly without the upfront licence fees, maintenance or upgrade costs
associated with on-premise software. Cloud computing applications like
Xero reside online and are accessed by a simple web browser. Businesses
only pay for the resources they use.

BT Business provides
everything from handsets to applications to help smaller firms work,
share and manage common operational processes including Ribbit for
Salesforce which is designed to improve sales team productivity,
eSignature and CRM systems salesforce.com, Netsuite and SugarCRM.

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About BT
BT
is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and
services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include
the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and
international telecommunications services to our customers for use at
home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and
services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists
principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach,
BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2009, BT Group’s revenue was £21,390 million.

British
Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group
plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT
Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.