Review of Cougar Mountain Software — Denali - 2011

Cougar Mountain Software - Denali
800-388-3038
www.cougarmtn.com

From the April/May 2011 Review of On-Premise Installed Accounting Systems for Small Business

Denali from Cougar Mountain Software is a modular product well suited for small to mid-sized businesses that want a flexible, easily navigated product. With solid accounting functionality as well as specialty products available for retailers, and a Fund accounting module to be released at the end of April, Denali definitely moves Cougar Mountain Software into the big leagues.

 Best Fit:
Recently rewritten modular application provides mid-range flexibility and sophistication at a reasonable price. Well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses.

Basic System Functions:
While I accessed Denali via the SinglePoint by Applianz technology that CMS offers, the product installed without issue. CMS is also making support personnel available to their existing clientele who wish to migrate from CMS Professional to the more robust Denali product.

The updated Denali interface has a level of polish more commonly associated with higher end mid-range systems. The navigational screens are color-coded for easy recognition, and the main part of the screen contains a navigational flowchart that makes it easy to get to where you want to go. Along with the typical drop-down menu at the top of the screen, Denali offers a menu bar that displays all of the available system modules. All display screens are accessible, with system functions on any screen. Cougar Dtails, A Financial Dashboard offers customizable profit & loss and cash flow information with user-defined date ranges and data size options. Cougar Dtails, A Sales Dashboard offers a multitude of information such as Top Sales by Product, Sales Comparisons and Top Sales by Location. The Sales Dashboard, like the Financial Dashboard is fully customizable.

Denali currently offers both retail/point-of-sale modules and industry-specific features, as well as strong general accounting functionality suitable for both product and service businesses. According to the vendor, a Fund accounting module will also be available at the end of April this year. Denali runs optimally on Windows XP Professional, Vista Business or Windows 7 Professional.

Core Accounting Capabilities:
Denali utilizes a strong batch system when processing system transactions. It also offers the option to adjust account segments to better reflect business structure. Users can enter up to six different segments, and the account number can be up to 50 characters in length. Recurring JEs can be saved and posted on the assigned date, and GL information can be imported, as well. In the AP module, vendor activity is entered into a vendor template, which can be customized as needed. Checks can be printed immediately or through the regular AP process. Recurring AP invoices can be easily entered and processed when scheduled. The AR module tracks detailed customer information as well as information such as billing/shipping history, transaction history and EFT information, if applicable. Denali modules are fully integrated so duplicate entry is a thing of the past. The AR Customer Statements window quickly processes customer statements, with specific printing criteria selected when statements are printed.