2016 Review of Cougar Mountain Denali

Product Strengths:

• Product is scalable, with three versions available
• Excellent payroll module
• Users can add additional modules as needed
• Works well with niche markets such as nonprofit and retail

Potential Weaknesses:

• No mobile access available

Denali Business Accounting, from Cougar Mountain Software is an on-premise product well suited to small to mid-sized businesses looking for an easily navigated, scalable product. Available in three versions, with users able to purchase additional modules as they’re needed, Denali also offers industry specific accounting solutions for retailers and nonprofit organizations.

Basic System Functions: 5 Stars

Denali offers and easily navigated user interface that features color coded icons that represent each of the modules installed in the system. The Controller function, where system setup is completed, offers quick access to set up preferences, user system access, and backup options. Users also prepare electronic transactions from the Controller function. The latest version of Denali offers an abundance of new features and system functionality, including the addition of Third Party Billing, which allows users to set up multiple payers and payees on any customer account. Also added is a Job Cost module that easily integrates with the core Denali accounting system, integration with AvaTax Sales Tax, and the addition of online tax updates.  

Users can toggle between multiple modules, and can create a fully customized user interface to suit their needs. A drop menu at the top of the screen provides access to various system functions, with module icons directly below. The workflow screen is updated once a module is selected, with users able to access system functions either directly from the menu to the left of the screen, or via the workflow screen.

Denali uses a batch system, with users able to process multiple batches at any time. Along with the business accounting version of the product, Denali also offers users a nonprofit version and a retail/POS version of the product, with a separate payroll module as well. Users have the option to choose the modules they need and build their own system, or choose from three versions of the product; Basecamp, Ascent, and Summit, with each version offering additional modules. The most comprehensive of the three options, Denali Summit includes GL, Bank Reconciliation, AR, AP, Inventory, Order Entry, Crystal Reports, Purchase Order, Multi-Location Inventory, iVault Online Backup, and two hours of product training, support, and enrollment in Software Assurance.   A default chart of accounts is included with the product, or users can use a custom chart of accounts if desired. Denali, like all Cougar Mountain Software products is designed for a Windows platform, and will run on Windows 7 or higher.

Core Accounting Capabilities: 4.75 Stars

Denali offers a flexible chart of accounts that users can easily customize. Users can create an individual budget for each account number, as well as for departments. Users can easily setup recurring journal entries, and businesses with multiple locations can easily track each location separately, as well as consolidate information for a comprehensive overview of company performance. The AP module handles all standard AP functionality, and also offers the ability to generate recurring bills, set up and manage electronic bill payment to vendors, as well as accept electronic payment from customers. The Vendor template allows users to quickly set up new vendors, and assign product discounts. The AR module offers solid customer tracking capability, with users able to manage extensive data on customers, including billing and shipping options, contacts, transaction history, as well as an aged analysis. There is also a user defined field available to track additional data as needed. The product easily tracks sales tax, with multiple tax rates supported. Denali’s payroll module can be used as a stand-alone payroll solution, or integrated with the business accounting software. The payroll module supports multi-state payroll, can handle multiple compensation types, supports direct deposit, and can process all standard deductions, as well as user-defined deductions. The product contains excellent audit trail functionality that cannot be turned off, with the system tracking all account activity and batch number

DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS 4.5 Stars

Denali offers an excellent sales/point of sale product, with users accessing the point of sales function through the Sales module. The point of sales interface is completely customizable as well, with users able to display only the features and functionality they need. While there is no direct integration with shipping providers, users can easily manage multiple shipping addresses in each customer record.

Denali offers excellent customer, vendor, and employee management, with the system containing the ability to enter extensive information on customers and vendors. The employee management function allows management to easily track both personal and professional data for all employees, and offers numerous user-defined fields that can be utilized to track additional data. Inventory can be easily managed using Denali’s Inventory module, which offers flexible pricing capability. Users can utilize up to six different pricing levels for each product, including List, Margin, Markup, Level List, Level Margin, and Level Markup. The optional Multi-Inventory module allows businesses with multiple locations to track and manage their inventory levels. The optional Purchase Order module allows users to easily manage multiple orders from initial ordering through receipt and invoicing. Denali easily supports multiple users, and the product allows users to easily pay invoices electronically, as well as accept electronic payments from customers. Remote access is handled by the Single Point Server functionality offered by Cougar Mountain.

Management Features: 4.5 Stars

Sales and Financial At-a-Glance Dashboards offer businesses a real time look at vital data such as company trends, sales activity, cash flow, AP and AR balances, and both department and product performance. Both dashboards are fully customizable, so companies can display only the details relevant to their business. Over 100 standard reports are included in Denali, with reports found in each module. All reports can be customized and saved for future processing, and the Crystal Reports add-on offers even more report customization capability. All reports can be exported to both Excel, and Crystal Reports as needed. Multi-level security is available in Denali, with management able to assign system rights to each employee, or create and assign users to a specific group.

Integration/Import/Export: 4.75 Stars

Denali is a completely modular system, with users able to purchase the modules they wish, and add additional ones at a later date. Some businesses may find it easier to purchase one of the pre-packaged solutions that come with specific modules included, with the ability to add additional modules later. The product offers good import and export functionality, with users able to easily import data from other applications, as well as export data and reports to Excel. Along with the standard modules, Cougar Mountain offers a long list of add-on modules, including Job Cost, Point of Sale, Fixed Assets, Donor Tracking, Aatrix State and Federal forms, Bartender Label Generator, eCommerce Integration, Gift Cards, Merchant Transaction Services, and SinglePoint Cloud Server, which allows remote users and accountants to easily access data from any location.

Help/Support: 5 Stars

Denali Business Accounting offers excellent help functionality throughout the product. Help options in the product also include access to the Cougar Mountain website, the product knowledgebase, any system updates, and standard support options. The Software Assurance Plan provides subscribers with all system updates, training discounts, and the customer support center, which is located at Cougar Mountain’s headquarters in Boise, Idaho. Various training options are also available

Summary & Pricing:

Denali Business Accounting, from Cougar Mountain Software, offers small to mid-sized businesses a highly scalable product that is intuitive, affordable and packed with add on modules. Pricing starts at $1,800 for a single user system, with all add-on modules priced separately.

 

2016 Rating: 4.75 Stars