After two years of development, the MAS diary system is finally at the stage where we are able to offer all our clients access to their own diaries via the web. Initial feedback from clients eagerly awaiting this facility has been very encouraging and we are happy to say that at the time of writing this article we have a small team of clients thoroughly testing the system. Once we have received and processed their feedback on the system’s ease of use and the accompanying user manual we will be able to open it up to any MAS clients who are interested. It may even be possible that by the time this newsletter reaches you we are ready to give you your access codes and passwords to try it for yourselves! If you are interested in being given the facility to see your diary as we see it, update it and collect your messages via the internet, then ask to speak to Abbie, Tania or Richard next time you call and we will be happy to talk to you about this new service and what it could mean for you.

What Does Web Access Offer? - Security: Exclusive access to your own diary, no-one else apart from MAS will be able to see it. - Choice: You choose how much access you’d like to your diary. You may just wish to see your diary and read your own messages, or you may prefer to be able to collect and reply to messages, update your own diary and amend your personal details online. - Worldwide Access: A way to collect and reply to your messages whenever you wish, no matter where you are in the world! - Support: In the form of an accompanying manual, advice from the MAS office and online training sessions with Richard Smith (if required and when possible).

Business as Usual! Web Access is purely a value added service that clients may take advantage of if they wish.

We would like to reassure those of you who are not interested in this new service that MAS continues to work for you in the same way it always has.

Let’s face it; half the trouble with doing your accounts is that you feel you are doing someone else’s work for them. Most people use spreadsheets, which are fine as far as they go, but they don’t do much more than arrange your figures into neat rows and columns. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to make those figures do some work for you? Well there is. It’s a simple to use computer programme called MusAc that enables you to search, explore and analyse your figures in ways useful to you, as well as your accountant. It can give you instant answers to questions like these: Exactly how much am I owed at the moment, and by whom? That cheque stub I forgot to fill in, what was it for? Did I get a receipt for that meal in Manchester? Wasn't there some more to come on that payment from Harry Green? MusAc differs radically from the usual over complex, ‘one size fits all’ accounts programme, in that it is

designed and written just for musicians. It works by 'remembering' who you work for and what your own particular expenses are as you enter them. You start with a ‘blank canvas’, and as you make more and more entries the programme moulds itself to you, your requirements, your instrument, and your sources of income. In other words the programme fits itself to YOUR needs, not the other way round. MusAc automatically does all the sorting and the maths for you as you go along, and will produce Web pages and Spreadsheets reporting on your figures. If your accountant wants a breakdown of (say) your Porterage from last summer MusAc will produce it for you in seconds. Why not try it FREE? – Ask for a free CD or download it from the website. Purchase price at the moment £65.00, normally £85.00. For more information and screen shots look at: http://www.musacsoftware.co.uk Email rooke@blueyonder.co.uk Telephone John Rooke - 0207 2410053

Bulletin Board

If there is anything that you would like to see included in the next edition of the newsletter (including a change of address) please let us know, either by phone, e-mail or fax.

We're on the web: www.maslink.co.uk

The MAS clients listed below have recently changed address and/or telephone numbers; please check with MAS for details.

Bruce Martin (Flute)

Lisa Evans (Harp) and

Neville Graham (Clarinet)

Caroline Holloway (Violin) and

Joe Cooper (Percussion)

Rachel Threlfall (Cello)

Diana Carrington (Viola)

Jo Archard (Violin)

Jill Crowther (Oboe)

Deian Rowlands (Harp)

WE ARE NOW ABLE TO PUT MP3’S ON OUR WEBSITE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ASK TO SPEAK TO ABBIE, TANIA OR OLIVER NEXT TIME YOU CALL

If you are not already included in our CV BROCHURE, please submit your CV by the end of February for inclusion in the March update

Martin Gibson (Timps and Percussion) has re-joined The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and moved back to Scotland. Due to this he is leaving MAS on 29th February and has asked that people call his mobile from this point on.

Please note that as of the 1st March 2004, MAS fees will be £125 +VAT per quarter.

This is the first increase for two years representing just 2% per annum.

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Current Staffing :

Managers:

Abbie & Tania

Co-ordinators:

Amy

Angela

James

Kirsten

Mary

Oliver

Rebecca

Simon