This is an extract of "Software Showcase" by Steven Glover, Douglas Prawitt, and Marshal Romney in the August 1999 issue of Internal Auditor. This specific extract addresses ADM PLUS Software.

Risk Assessment
and Analysis

David McNamee
President
Management Control Concepts
dmcnamee@aol.com
    ADM PLUS is an audit department management software package with risk assessment integrated as part of the programs' "Long Range Planning" function. The risk assessment module is not a stand-alone product.
    ADM PLUS provides many tools for managing internal audit functions. The program, by Pleier and Associates, is very flexible and adapts to all types of organizations, as well as virtually any type of audit management structure and process. The risk management module is configurable for multiple business units, each with separate risk models. This is a definite plus for the increasing number of conglomerates formed from mergers and acquisitions. As the manufacturer states, however, the user must perform the risk analysis to determine the appropriate risk factors and weights for each business unit. So far, no software is capable of computing this step for the user.
    Although the program has a rich functionality, the one drawback is the user interface. Pull-down menus are favored instead of buttons, tabs or other more interesting graphic devices, and the home screen is daunting blank upon opening the program. The lack of a more intuitive interface makes the software manual essential to start - a minor annoyance. In addition, although installation of the software, which runs under any current version of Windows platforms, went smoothly, several preparatory steps were required before use.
    To obtain the best results from the software, an investment of time for planning and implementation is required. Numerous case studied are available from the Pleier and Associates Web site. Additional cases are available on the installation CD-ROM and are also featured in the company's periodic newsletter, Audit Productivity Trends.
    The main program engine is based on an XBASE database with full import and export capabilities to Microsoft Office products. A conversion program is also available that enables users to convert the databases information to Microsoft Access for use with their own Microsoft Access scripts. The XBASE format limits some fields. For example, fields like "Name of Project" and "Description" are limited to 50 and 60 characters respectively, which may inhibit the more creative auditor. Records and file sizes are virtually unlimited. Pleier and Associates has been offering this software for 14 years, so there is a large installed user base, and the company helps users network with each other for benchmarking purposes.
    The single-computer version cost $5,000. An optional service contract, which provides for free product upgrades among other type of support, is an additional $750. A LAN/WAN version of the package cost $15,000, with an optional annual service contract selling for an additional $2,250. For more information, visit Pleier and Associates' Web site, www.pleier.com.
 

The Program is very flexible and adapts to all types of organizations, as well as virtually any type of audit management structure and process.

This article was reprinted with permission from the August 1999 issue of Internal Auditor, published by The Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc.