Newcomer last year, top prize this year: FreeAgent scoops surprise victory at software awards

Last year's best newcomer FreeAgent Central was the surprise winner in the small business accounting category at this year's Software Satisfaction Awards (SSAs). 

The Edinburgh-based company was one of 16 winners at the UK business software industry's biggest award scheme. Organised by Sift Media, prizes were based on a survey of almost 7,000 business professionals including members of BusinessZone.co.uk. 

Named as best newcomer at the 2009 ceremony, FreeAgent Central triumphed over serial SSAs victor KashFlow. As in previous years, the small business accounting shortlist was notable for the presence of mainly web-based applications such as Xero and Arithmo, with Benchmark and Accountz holding up the banner for on-premise options.

"It's now the time of web-based systems," said Ed Molyneux, founder and CEO of FreeAgent Central. "That's the expectation small businesses now have."

FreeAgent's Roan Lavery added: "We've put in place feedback mechanisms in the software. Winning best newcomer last year was great. This year we've been trying to help people to communicate better with us."

In another small business category, Sage overturned a long-standing tradition in the awards by claiming the best payroll title. The other nominees in the group were 12Pay Payroll, Keytime Payroll, MyPAYE Online Payroll and last year's winner, Pegasus Opera II Payroll.

Sage UK product manager Guy Clack commented: "It is fantastic that Sage's work with small businesses has been recognised with this award for Sage 50 Payroll software. What makes it really special is that it is voted for by business software users.

"At Sage, we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and working in partnership with them to develop software and services that meet the real challenges of today's business environment. This award is testimony to that relationship, and to the features in the product that are enabling businesses up and down the country to run an effective and compliant payroll."

The SME human resources category was won by SelectHR from Access UK. 

More than 350 people gathered at the Connaught Rooms in London for the Software Satisfaction Awards. As well as the prize giving, attendees were entertained by guest speaker Brian Blessed, the larger-than-life actor and adventurer. Here's a short clip from his rousing speech:

For more information about the Software Satisfaction Awards and to see a full list of 2010 winners, click here. Our live blog from ceremony can be replayed here.