Item: Vertex
Rating: 5
Author: Toni Viafore

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We currently use Vertex for sales and use tax preparation and filing.
I personally use the EDI feature for all returns that allow it. This cuts
down my filing time by more than half for some detailed returns. I do not file
any foreign returns so that wouldn’t be an issue for me.

Pros and Cons

Calculate tax due
create an easy upload file for returns
keeps updated on rate changes

Critical changes! I feel they should be more aware of changes in the states. Sometimes we get these changes from them after we file our returns! I feel they should be up on any changes that are important for returns.
Support is a big issue. Vertex used to be excellent with their support. When I called with a question I felt I was speaking to a professional who knows the product inside and out. Now when I call I get someone who says "That's a realy good question I will have to look into that" Then days go by before I get an answer. Sometimes I don't get an answer at all. This was not the case in prior years.

Return on Investment

Vertex does make it easier to file sales tax returns. As long as the data that is imported is correct I can, for the most part, rely on the return as Vertex has populated it.

Vertex Tax Accuracy

I don't normally second quess the calculations that Vertex has on the returns. For the most part I have always been very happy with the product and in the past the customer service was top notch. The only problem I have with the product is the customer service. I don't feel like I am speaking to a person who knows the product well enough anymore.

Scalability

I don't believe this is a question that I can, at my level, answer. I would not be scaling the company so I won't speculate on this one.

Usability

I think the EDI feacher is a prime example of this. I find it saves me a lot of time with filing returns. The more manual input you have to do the more of a chance you will make a mistake. The only manual thing I have to do for these returns is make sure the data that was imported is correct. The EDI File populates the return in the state's website. Some returns that would take quite a bit of time can now be done in a minute or two.

Alternatives Considered

Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE

For Sales tax many years ago I had used a product called Alternadev. It probably doesn't even exist anymore. It was created in someones kitchen and there wasn't much support. Other than that for sales tax I have only used Vertex.
I have used ONESOURCE but that was for property tax

Key Insights

Do you think Vertex delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with Vertex's feature set?

Yes

Did Vertex live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Vertex go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Vertex again?

Yes

Likelihood to Recommend

Perfect scenario is when I call to ask how I can accomplish a task that should be routine with Vertex and the "specialist" on the phone can answer my question without having to "get back to me"Less appropriate would be not being able to answer my question and having to get back to me. If I have an issue I normally have a limited amount of time to fix the problem in order to get my returns filed on time!

Vertex is a good product but recently the customer support is not as helpful as it used to be.

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with Vertex