Frequently
Asked Questions & Answers
about CMS-PC 4.0 Software
- How
does the ICMS software (CMS-PC 4.0) differ from other software products?
CMS-PC (Cost Management System for a Personal Computer) was initially programmed as a DOS-based product and introduced to the marketplace in 1989. The current Windows-based 4.0 version is used by hundreds of organizations worldwide.
There are several excellent ABM/ABC software products in the marketplace, including CMS-PC 4.0. There are three major differences that set the ICMS software apart from our competition:
FORMAT… While CMS-PC uses a powerful Microsoft FoxPro database engine, most of the software input screens look like Excel spreadsheets. As a result, they are intuitive to most users, requiring no training. Our competition uses more elaborate menu-driven, decision-tree screens.
PRICE… A CMS-PC 4.0 PC-license is $3,995.00. Most other ABM/ABC software products are priced at $15,000 or higher. ICMS is able to offer a lower price because we have not added complex, costly features that most people never use. And ICMS keeps its own overhead cost low by practicing ABM.
SCOPE… CMS-PC will meet the size and scope of most organizations wanting to implement and sustain ABM cost improvement and ABC cost allocation. Typical ICMS software customers have less than 100 departments per data set, about 15 cost pools & cost drivers and less than 200 cost objects (product lines, products, customer types, services). Should I purchase a PC or Network license of the CMS-PC 4.0 software?
If everyone on your ABC/ABM implementation team is going to enter activity data into the software or if you need every manager to have access to their own ABM data, then a Network license ($9,995.00 for 5-nodes) is your best option. You may install a PC-licensed copy ($3,995.00) of CMS-PC 4.0 on a network or shared drive, but only one person at a time can access the data. You can upgrade from a PC-license to Network-license at any time.Will I need software training?
Over 90% of CMS-PC 4.0 customers have NOT requested software training. Our software's spreadsheet-style screens and step-by-step modular format make the software intuitive. Any technical support questions that may arise will be quickly answered by our staff. That does not mean that we don't enjoy providing training. We are available to provide software training either in our offices in Arlington, Texas or at your U.S. site. If you are outside the United States, ICMS has a network of software affiliates that can often meet your training needs. The most common types of training ICMS provides to customers focuses on (a) activity analysis techniques, (b) ABC cost modeling and (c) how to read, interpret and use the ABC software reports for cost reduction.- What
benefits can I expect from implementing ABC/ABM and using ICMS products and services?
Every ICMS customer that implements ABC/ABM discovers opportunities to improve cost and decision-making. ICMS guarantees your satisfaction. Click here for more information about the ICMS guarantee. - What
makes ICMS training and coaching uniquely better?
The mission of ICMS is to make new things familiar and familiar things new. Tom Pryor, president of ICMS, has developed a unique portfolio of books, software and workshops that make ABC/ABM understandable to both financial and non-financial people, thereby making benefits greater and sustainable. Tom's unique ability to make familiar things new is best exhibited in his bi-weekly articles. Click here for a sample. - Will
ICMS products and services work for my organization? Will ABC/ABM make my organization
more successful?
ICMS has customers of every size and type. For example, one of ICMS' smaller customers, a home healthcare provider, has twenty-five employees and uses CMS-PC 4.0 software quarterly. One of our largest customers, an automotive parts manufacturer, uses ABC/ABM for product costing and process improvement across multiple product lines and sites.
ICMS manufacturing, service and government customers come from every sector of the economy. Several universities use our books to teach ABM. For a sample of ICMS clients, click here.
Your existing cost system is perfectly designed to produce the financial results you are experiencing today. If you are dissatisfied with those results, however, then change the system. The best practice system in the world today is Activity Based Cost Management.
Send your questions to Christine Nola:
For more information on ICMS products and services, call 817-475-2945.