Since 1985, PCMars has been a trusted name in farm accounting software, serving farmers and agricultural professionals across the United States. Designed originally for Windows-based systems, PCMars became a staple for thousands of users in the ag industry due to its reliability, simplicity, and bookkeeping accuracy. But as technology evolved, users increasingly expected flexibility—access from Mac, Linux, tablets, and mobile devices became a necessity rather than a luxury.
Despite its decades-long success, PCMars faced a critical crossroads: evolve or risk obsolescence. A complete rebuild of the software would have been costly, time-consuming, and potentially disruptive to long-time users. That’s where Saltech Systems came in. We partnered with PCMars to provide a forward-thinking solution that preserved the integrity of their core system while introducing modern accessibility and performance enhancements.
Through strategic cloud software development, our team enabled PCMars to become device-agnostic, allowing users to access the platform from virtually anywhere. In tandem with the software transformation, we revitalized the company’s brand with a new logo, redesigned business materials, and launched a modern, user-friendly WordPress website complete with tutorials, feature highlights, and a free trial to attract new users.
This case study outlines how Saltech Systems helped bring PCMars into the modern era, bridging the gap between legacy software and future-ready cloud technology.
While PCMars had built a loyal customer base over the past several decades, the software’s legacy architecture presented growing limitations in a modern digital environment. Originally developed exclusively for Windows, PCMars was inaccessible to users on macOS, Linux, Chromebooks, tablets, and mobile devices. This platform’s exclusivity significantly restricted potential growth and created barriers for both existing and prospective users who required more flexible access to their accounting.
Additionally, the software’s infrastructure made it difficult to share or transfer data between organizations, which is increasingly important for farms managing multiple entities or collaborating across teams. Without cloud capabilities, users were forced to rely on desktop installations, local backups, and manual data movement, increasing the risk of data loss and slowing down productivity.
A major concern for PCMars was preserving what already worked. The original system was highly stable and trusted by farmers who had been using it for years. Rebuilding the software from the ground up could introduce bugs, disrupt workflows, and alienate users accustomed to the existing interface and processes.
The challenge was clear: modernize the platform through cloud software development without sacrificing the performance and reliability that made PCMars’ farm accounting software so successful in the first place. The solution needed to be seamless, scalable, and built with both legacy users and future growth in mind.
PCMars wasn’t looking to reinvent the wheel—they were looking to future-proof it. With over 30 years of reliability behind them, their goal wasn’t to start over but to evolve. The vision was to expand access, improve usability, and modernize the platform without alienating long-time users who depended on the software’s consistency.
Together, Saltecch Systems and PCMars defined a plan focused on a strategic, incremental modernization—leveraging cloud software development to enhance access and flexibility without rewriting the core. Instead of investing years into a complete rebuild, we chose to work with the trusted foundation already in place, minimizing disruption and maximizing value.
Beyond the software itself, PCMars sought to refresh its public presence. The company’s existing branding, marketing materials, and website no longer reflected its growth or professionalism. A new brand identity and modern web redesign would help communicate trust, innovation, and usability to both existing and prospective customers, especially those discovering PCMars for the first time.
Our approach needed to balance three key goals:
This vision laid the foundation for a solution that respected PCMars’s past while preparing it for long-term success in an increasingly cloud-connected future.
To solve the platform limitation problem and meet the growing demand for flexibility. Saltech Systems developed a cloud-hosted version of PCMars. Rather than completely rebuilding the software, we virtualized the existing form accounting software on a dedicated cloud environment, making it accessible from any device, on any operating system, with just a browser.
This cloud software development approach preserved the trusted, time-tested functionality users relied on while eliminating the constraints of local installation. Users can now log in to PCMars from a Mac, Linux computer, tablet, or even a mobile device—without compromising performance or data integrity.
Key benefits of this approach included:
The cloud platform was carefully configured to mimic the desktop experience users were familiar with, ensuring a seamless transition. This allowed PCMars to modernize without overwhelming its user base, keeping support costs low while greatly expanding the software’s reach.
By embracing cloud software development, PCMars bridged the gap between traditional desktop functionality and modern user expectations.
Rather than rewriting PCMars from scratch, we applied strategic custom software development practices to enhance the existing system, ensuring that users would continue to benefit from the stable, trusted performance they’d come to rely on over the decades.
Working within the legacy codebase, our team added new features and modern functionality, including the ability to transfer data between organizations—a key upgrade for users managing multiple farm entities or partnerships. These enhancements streamlined bookkeeping processes while maintaining data accuracy and reducing redundant work.
Because the original software was already robust, we took a “don’t fix what isn’t broken” approach. By building on top of the existing architecture, we:
This method ensured a smooth experience for existing users while introducing meaningful upgrades. Every improvement was tested thoroughly to align with PCMars’s quality standards and user expectations.
By investing in custom software development instead of total replacement, PCMars saved time, minimized risk, and ensured continuity while evolving to meet the needs of today’s farms.
While the PCMars software was receiving a major technical upgrade, its public-facing image also needed a transformation. The existing brand identity—logo, business materials, and website—had not evolved in years and no longer reflected the professionalism or innovation of the product. Our goal was to create a fresh, modern look that aligned with the improved user experience made possible through cloud access and software enhancements.
We started with a complete brand refresh, including:
Next, we executed a full web redesign using WordPress. The new site is clean, responsive, and built to serve both current and prospective users. Key features include:
The new WordPress website not only modernized the brand’s look and feel but also enhanced functionality, user engagement, and credibility. Every design choice supported the goal of helping users trust and adopt PCMars, whether they were lifelong customers or first-time visitors.
Modernizing the platform wasn’t just about functionality—it was also about making it easier for users to learn, explore, and adopt the software. To support both new and existing customers, we built a comprehensive suite of user onboarding resources and made PCMars’s full functionality available through a downloadable free trial software package.
We designed the onboarding experience to answer real user questions, reduce friction during setup, and provide long-term value. Key features included:
Step-by-step video tutorials covering installation, setup, and advanced features
Written guides and FAQ sections for common troubleshooting
Easy access to support contacts for direct assistance
A prominently placed free trial link with clear calls to action
This content was integrated into the new WordPress website, ensuring that help was always one click away. Whether users were trying PCMars for the first time or transitioning from an older desktop version, the resources made it simple to get started and stay productive.
These materials weren’t just helpful—they were strategic. They reduced the support burden on PCMars’s internal team, improved conversion rates from visitors to customers, and built user confidence in the newly updated platform.
By prioritizing user onboarding and accessible customer support resources, Saltech Systems helped PCMars transform not only its technology but also its entire user experience.
