Progressive Information Systems

Progressive Information Systems is a Maltese software business that helps organisations run their finances, tills and hotels on systems that talk to one another. It concentrates on three areas: accounting and ERP software, point of sale for restaurants and shops, and hotel management. Its customers range from small firms to large organisations, and it works from an office in Naxxar, in the centre of the island. It is a young, dynamic organisation committed to world class business software that supports growth.

On VisitMalta.co.uk it appears among the IT companies in Malta. For readers planning a business here, it is one of the companies that supply the everyday software tools: the accounts package, the till and the booking system.

Who they are and how they began

Progressive was established in 2007 and began with a notable piece of technical work: it developed the first Euro conversion routine for Sage 50 in Europe, helping accounting users move onto the new currency. In 2014 it introduced the first cloud-based restaurant application in Malta, which opened the way for the Lightspeed work it does today. Sage named it among its Top 10 International Business Partners in 2015 and again in 2016, Lightspeed recognised it as Best Regional Performer for its Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia region in 2018, and in 2023 it launched its own cloud retail till, XtraPOS Cloud.

The founder and chief executive, Alex, leads a compact team. Two colleagues look after accounts and credit control, and a support group of several people handles installations and technical problems for clients. Its promise is stated in plain terms: solutions that fit any budget, strong support, and software tailored to each client's needs. It also invites applications from people who are passionate about software through its careers page.

Sage accounting and ERP software

Accounting is the longest-standing strand. Progressive is a platinum business partner for Sage in Malta and is the biggest Sage partner on the island. It sells packages matched to the size and complexity of a company. Sage 50 Accounts and the online Sage cloud product suit small and medium businesses, while Sage 200 Evolution is the more robust choice for organisations with heavier requirements. An Xtra suite of Sage add-ons and a PaperLess module extend those systems.

A newer addition is Summa Cloud Accounting, built for both accountants and the businesses they serve so that access can be shared easily while data stays secure. Sage is used by businesses worldwide. If you already work with an adviser such as CLA Malta, ask them which accounting package they prefer to work with before you buy. The software also needs to reflect local obligations, so it helps to read our Malta tax guide for UK nationals and the overview of the Malta corporate tax structure alongside any system demonstration.

Point of sale for restaurants, bars and shops

For the hospitality trade, Progressive installs Lightspeed Restaurant, a cloud till that runs on Apple iPads and iPhones and is used by restaurants, bars and cafes. The system is quick to learn, so new waiting staff can be trained fast. Staff can take orders at the table and send them straight to the kitchen or bar, open tabs, split bills and customise floor plans. Menus can be edited online, access rights can be set for each user, and reports appear in a live dashboard. All you need to get going is a printer, a cash drawer and an iPad or iPhone. The firm is a Platinum Partner and certified installer for Lightspeed in Malta, and also lists a Lightspeed integration with Wolt and Bolt delivery.

Retailers have two options. Lightspeed Retail is a cloud system for stock, customer records, payments and multi-location reporting, available in Malta exclusively through Progressive, with add-ons for analytics, accounting, loyalty and online selling. XtraPOS Cloud is Progressive's own retail system, combining sales, inventory and reporting with real-time stock tracking, multi-store management, eCommerce integration and help with local tax compliance. It supports promotions and loyalty prices, custom credit terms and quick end-of-day reports, and it links two ways with Sage Evolution and Sage 50. Supy also appears in the product menu.

XtraSales is a handheld system for mobile sales representatives. Reps can capture client orders, check balances and stock, apply discounts automatically, take electronic signatures and work offline, with orders appearing in Sage as unprocessed orders. These are the tools behind many of the venues you will pass if you are planning things to do in Malta, from cafes to shops.

Hotel management software

Progressive supplies software for hotels as well as for their back offices. It is a partner of NewHotel, a compact cloud system suited to small and medium properties, and of Brilliant PMS by Amadeus for large establishments with many rooms. NewHotel cloud brings together the front office, points of sale, spa and wellness, events and conventions, stock control and a mobile app, joined to an online booking engine, channel manager and website. Basic operations can be learned in under an hour, and rates, packages and allotments are managed from a daily calendar.

NewHotel cloud also offers reports, statistics and forecasting, with a report manager that finds results by keyword, and two-way booking integration with channel managers. Both hotel systems integrate with Sage in the back office, so room revenue, restaurant sales and the ledgers stay in step. Progressive supplies software to the hotel trade only, and it does not take bookings or run accommodation itself.

Choosing the right package

Progressive offers a search tool built around two questions. The first is business size: small business, medium and large business, or cloud software. The second is business need: Sage accounting, point of sale and handhelds, or hotel management. A free consultation and a demonstration are available for anyone who is unsure which system matches their company, and the contact form lets you ask for more information, a call back or a booked demonstration for a specific product.

As a rule of thumb from the product pages, small and medium companies are comfortable on Sage 50 or the online Sage product, larger or more complex organisations move to Sage 200 Evolution, boutique hotels fit NewHotel and big hotels fit Brilliant PMS. Restaurants look at Lightspeed Restaurant, and retailers choose between Lightspeed Retail and XtraPOS Cloud. A person relocating a company, perhaps after reading our guide to moving to Malta, can use these combinations as a checklist for the first conversation.

Support, social responsibility and location

Progressive aims to follow clients through implementation, not just sell a licence. Systems can run on a local server or in the cloud, and the range is built around ease of use, speed, full control from anywhere and wide integration options. The company also runs a Carbon Free Dining initiative in Malta under which certified restaurants can use the restaurant till at no charge, and each year it visits and donates to local voluntary organisations.

The office stands at La Roca in Naxxar, a village in central Malta not far from Mosta and the old capital described in our Mdina guide. Demonstrations and call-backs can be arranged, and a free consultation is available to help you find the right software. Businesses linked to the island's financial services sector often start with the accounting packages. To begin, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Progressive.