Government of Nova Scotia's seven bookstores found strong, cost-effective Point of Sale solution in Gary Ross, C.A. and Vigilant 

Gary Ross is a Chartered Accountant with a difference. Aside from carrying on an active general accounting practice, he is also a certified reseller of Vigilant. "I've always had a strong interest in IT (Information Technology) matters," asserts Ross. "When I got my first look at Vigilant, I knew it would be ideal for many of my corporate clients. After I'd installed Vigilant on a client's system and realized that there was a market here for a particular kind of service, I went after it."

Ross works closely with another Halifax-based computer store known as Century Computers. The company focuses primarily on corporate clients, offering an ideal combination of skills and service. "Our partnership offers real strength to our clients," Ross declares with conviction. "First of all, Vigilant offers a powerful, cost-effective solution. Then, there are particular skills that Century Computers brings to each contract. Their expertise lies in designing, implementing and servicing networked computer systems," he explains. "Lastly, there's me-when I install Vigilant, I'm doing it from a business and accounting perspective-I know what my clients need and I make sure they get it."

The association of Vigilant, Century Computers and G.W. Ross is one that had no difficulty earning the approval of the Nova Scotia government. Seven Visitor Centres across the province were in need of automation in their retail operations, as well as the Government Bookstores. Both the Nova Scotia Ministry of Tourism and their Government Bookstores have implemented Vigilant since meeting with Ross.

"The Ministry was looking for a strong, cost-effective point-of-sale solution that could be centrally administered," relates Ross. "We entered the tendering process, focusing on Vigilant's record and the advantages of its Multi-Site Polling, and came out the clear winner. Vigilant impressed a lot of theprovince's movers and shakers because of Multi-Site Polling Add-on and its cost-effectiveness."

The Visitors Centres, as well as the Government Bookstores, are running smoothly and Vigilant continues to aid the bookstore not only in selling Government Publications, but renewing licences.

"These are exciting times," the enthusiastic Ross expresses. "CICA (the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants) has recommended that accounting firms develop strategic partnerships with non-accounting firms in order to change with the times. For me, the partnership between Vigilant, Century Computers and G.W. Ross is that kind of progressive partnership."