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Champion Business Systems, founded in 1981, has bridged the gap between lower-cost accounting software packages, such as QuickBooks and DacEasy and higher-end products, such as Great Plains Accounting and Solomon. A full-fledged, professional accounting package, Champion's software retails the simplicity of less expensive products, while offering some of the more complex features found in more expensive software.
Champion provides six modules (General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Inventory, Payroll, and Reportwriter) in three basic product lines: Accountant, Controller, and System V. Champion Accountant is a scaled down version that sells for $295. Champion Controller, priced at $795, adds some features, such as the ability to handle recurring transactions and cafeteria plans. The top of the line is the multi-user Champion System V, priced at $1,995 for a one- to five-user network, $2,695 for six to ten users, and $3,395 for an unlimited-user network. Although the software is usually sold as a bundled product, you can purchase it on a per-module basis in both the network and single-user versions.
All the programs are DOS-based, but they can run in a DOS session under Windows 3.11, Windows 95, and Windows NT. If you're on a network, Champion can run under these environments, as well as LANtastic and Novell NetWare (although NetWare Lite is not recommended).
Champion Controller requires 8MB of free hard disk space, and installation takes about 15 minutes. You may need to modify your CONFIG.SYS file, but the program can do this for you automatically. If you run into trouble along the way, the startup manual has a troubleshooting section.
The registration process is somewhat convoluted. Champion automatically print outs two registration pages that you can mail or fax to the vendor. The company then faxes or mails back to you a registration number that enables you to activate each company you have set up on the system. Champion does not have modem or automated call-in registration, although you can call the customer service representatives to assist you.
To help you set up a new company quickly, Champion includes a sample company, with 28 sample charts of accounts that you can copy to your new company setup. Champion's 480-page "Getting Started" manual and 116-page supplemental manual are not easy to read, but they do...