Future of ATX

[Yardley CPA]

I have been using ATX/Saber since the 1990's. Over that time frame, I always felt it was a strong and reliable program (generally speaking, and certainly not including the 2012 version.) I never truly investigated other programs because ATX offered me everything I needed for my practice (a stable, reliable and cost effective program). After the issues that are being faced by most of us this year, I would imagine ATX will have a difficult time maintaining its customer base and we may have no choice but to look for another option for 2013 returns.

I'm curious as to what the future holds for ATX? We've heard about all the changes in the corporate structure at CCH (executives who have "resigned" etc.) Will ATX be around for 2013? Hopefully it is and hopefully they are able to work through the issues and bring back some stability to what was once a great program to work with.

[Randall]

I haven't had the major problems that some have had. Still there are a lot of little things, the genral slowness, especially. I'm slogging thru this season. Like you I haven't had any reason in the past to change. I'm a single person office, single desk top and a lower volume of returns. So going to the bigger high priced programs is really not an option for me.

I suppose the future of ATX depends on how serious CCH is to keep it. If they deem it's not worth putting the resources (more programmers) to get it up to top notch, then they'll cut their costs and drop it. I'll see how they keep updating the program and how it continues to improve. One thing I'll probably do differently is NOT renew early and check out some of the other programs. After April 15, I may get another program and work on my extensions with both programs so I can have a better comparison. See how ATX improves.

[Don in Upstate NY]

I don't understand why ATX still exists. If you recall, CCH bought out ATX and TaxWise the same season, maybe five years ago. Both programs are targeted at the same market - as in "Small Firm Services". It would seem that having two similarly priced products targeting the same market requires a duplication of development and support efforts. One of the two should have been discontinued by now and its customers persuaded to switch to the remaining product.

If I were going to pick a winner between ATX and TaxWise, I would note that TaxWise has a huge installed base and long-term commitments in the IRS/VITA/TCE market.

[rfassett]

I was told at one time that the two products, both under the SFS umbrella, were designed to serve two separate markets. Tax Wise is designed to serve the higher volume early filing office whereas ATX was designed for the lower volume more complex later filing office. I suspect that philosophy is still in play.

[SFA]

I am new to this forum. All of these topics are of great interest. I too have been a loyal user of the ATX/Saber program since 1994. Over the years there have been problems, but we keep renewing. I don't want to reward them with another renewal after having all the problems that everyone has detailed, but there is a part of me that hopes they survive. I like the program. Our clients enjoy watching us prepare their returns on the dual monitors we use during the interview. The screens make sense to them.