Accounting and ERP systems have traditionally been used as transactional systems that can only report on past performance. Microsoft Dynamics GP is changing the role of ERP to improve efficiencies that allow employees to spend more time working proactively. Embedded business intelligence  provides insight not only into current activities, but also into trends to predict the future.

For example, a distributor who can monitor the sales pipeline and backorders in one system can spot a new fashion trend before the competition. In the headquarters of the retail business with a unified view of both web and brick and mortar commerce, they will get their orders in ahead of the retailers who have to wait for weekly sales reports.

As more and more data becomes available, Microsoft Dynamics is evolving to filter and apply the information to help businesses find innovative ways to build sales. Imagine combining transaction history with information about key factors like weather, traffic, local event calendars, and demographics. A retailer can identify unexpected correlations and offer creative promotions.

Microsoft Dynamics GP also makes it easier for workers across departments to share information that can unlock new opportunities. Silos of information keep departments from realizing the potential of their combined knowledge and hinder the creativity of organizations.

Microsoft has just released a white paper entitled “Dynamic Business: From Aspiration to Reality” sharing the vision of how business can adapt to the new social realities. Download the white paper and let’s talk about how KTL Solutions can help your business get creative with Microsoft Dynamics GP. Contact Gary at gfrancart@ktlsolutions.com or 866-960-0001.

by KTL Solutions, Washington DC Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft Dynamics Supports Innovation to Build Competitive Advantage is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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 Although I would be cautious when they speak about the requirements list, you need to be realistic when you are creating your list as I feel this is where project accounting software gets a bad reputation for being expensive and lengthy to implement. I think it’s important to look at everything you may need, but you need to ask yourself: do I need all of this right now or can I do this implementation in phases? Then ask yourself the following: which of these is a must have, a nice-to-have, or just a fun feature? Ideally, what is important is that your organization finds a solution that could grow with you and has a long-term vision of where you will need your project accounting solution to eventually be; but you are able to just start with the basics.

 I thought this article was very honest in expectations that “there is no magic fix”; unfortunately this is very true. I don’t think that this solely applies to project accounting software; this can be said about any solution where you will be revising internal company processes. This is an important step and you should not cut corners. If others in the organization can see a benefit from this new process, you have a better chance that it will be adopted. Personally, I think this is even more of a reality for smaller organizations where employees may not see the benefits as quickly as in a larger organization.

 One of the major advantages to having a timesheet in a smaller organization is that you can empower your resources by making them responsible for the work they do within the organization. Employees are now able to stay on top of their different aspects within their projects as well as their deliverables. In addition, you limit the amount of data entry required within your financial and operational tools to ensure that your projects stay on-time by closely following their progress.

 I feel that timesheet and project accounting software should be considered for organizations both large and small and not just those who just require the input of time in order to invoice customers. A project accounting solution offers you a more concise way to follow your costs by product and department to have a better pulse on your overall organization, regardless of your size.

 By JOVACO Solutions, a Quebec project accounting specialist

How Small Business Can Benefit from Time Tracking and Dynamics GP is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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  Solution

Struggling to satisfy the specific billing requirements of their largest client, Western found themselves spending two days every month compiling details in order to prepare invoices. Recognizing how cumbersome the process was they were easily convinced to take a look at Recurring Contract Billing as an option to rid themselves of their Access database and other disparate programs that contributed to the problem. Under the guidance of their Dynamics GP Partner Western installed a trial version of Recurring Contract Billing in a test company. “Initially I was unsure if Recurring Contract Billing was going to work for us but thought, let’s give it a try”, states Puff Niegos, Treasurer, Western. “Once we got to play with it for a bit we saw quickly how well it was going to work for our end use. Recurring Contract Billing just sold itself so we purchased the product right away.”

 Benefits

Initially purchased for their leasing company, Recurring Contract Billing has been instrumental in helping Western address a growing trend in the industry. Their major clients who leased their high pressure gas cylinder units to transport high pressure gasses like Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Carbon Monoxide, and Carbon Dioxide were pressuring them to provide units faster and at a cheaper price. Valuing their client’s opinions and wanting to keep them satisfied Western knew that to effectively meet this demand they were going to have to strive to increase their own efficiencies.

 Prior to using Recurring Contract Billing, Western’s internal systems and client requirements forced them monthly into a two day long invoicing process that was highly disliked by their employees. Upon implementation Western realized just how quickly Recurring Contract Billing increased invoice accuracy and reduced their costs by enabling them to become more efficient. Western’s monthly invoicing time was drastically reduced and they benefited from an immediate shift in the value they were getting out of their personnel. “What used to take us 2 days before now takes maybe an hour!” recalls Niegos. The 93% increase in efficiency received from Recurring Contract Billing enabled them to pass on the savings to their clients.

 In addition to successfully delivering upon the number one request of lowering their costs, Western realized some unexpected reaction from clients as well. Clients were happy to receive 1 consolidated monthly invoice rather than the prior 150! Internally Western reaped the benefits as well. In addition to the immediate value add received from the shift in efficiency Western benefited from a reduction in the office supply costs, an improved cash flow and from the boost in employee morale that resulted from basically eliminating their painfully repetitive 2 day long monthly billing process. “Everyone hated the first of the month knowing we had to do billing. Automating the invoicing process really did make everyone happy even those who didn’t work directly with the product”, claims Niegos.

 The versatility of Recurring Contract Billing has helped Western meet certain industry requirements as well. Since their units are situated around the world they have to meet the international shipping credentials so they can be shipped in any country and by any mode of transportation. Western has found great value in having the ability to put detail in the description and/or comment lines available in Recurring Contract Billing, like the region or what gas service the unit is in.  Additionally, the flexibility of Recurring Contract Billing has been very helpful in easily addressing common business occurrences, like the ease of applying a credit onto the invoice of a customer who has prepaid for the month but returns a unit early.

 Since its initial purchase of Recurring Contract Billing in 2007 Western has successfully been able to leverage the solution in their other operations further exemplifying their return on investment. The flexible nature of Recurring Contract Billing allowed Western to easily adapt the product to meet the recurring needs of all their companies. “The ROI has been tenfold. That was the best money we have spent on any software, period!” states Niegos.

 Learn more about Recurring Contract Billing for Microsoft Dynamics GP now:

• Register for a 45 minute Recurring Contract Billing Webinar
• Recurring Contract Billing Brochure
• Recurring Contract Billing Demo Movie
• Request free 30 day trial keys for Recurring Contract Billing

By Encore Business Solutions, a Microsoft Dynamics Award Winning ISV with 20 years of experience in developing quality GP add on products.

Leasing Company Realizes a 93% Increase in Efficiency with Recurring Contract Billing, a Third Party Add On for Microsoft Dynamics GP is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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As an SL user, I’m thrilled about several new features, including:

1. Hard Close by Module (no longer stuck hard-closing everything).
2. Suppress batch control reports by module (same thing here — they realized we want choices)!
3. Project Flex Time Enhancements – Support for multiple invoice comment entry
4. Business Analyzer (BA)
   1. Dashboard for Business decision makers
   2. Views Microsoft SQL Server^® Reports
   3. Report collaboration through Microsoft Lync^®
   4. Deploys independent of the Microsoft Dynamics SL rich client
   5. Quick Query Enhancements including Report generation wizard that you can use to create SSRS reports directly from Quick Query!

If you are already using SL and would like to become a beta site for SL 2011 FP1, let us know!  Opportunities are limited, and beta will begin in July.

Crestwood will be conducting a free What’s New in Dynamics SL 2011 webinar on July 25, 2012 at 11:00.  Sign up or learn more here.

Thanks, and have a great holiday weekend.

Donna Krizik, MCP
Crestwood Associates LLC – an Illinois Dynamics SL partner

Dynamics SL 2011 Feature Pack 1: Why Should You Care? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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1. Improve productivity- ERP software makes everyone at your company more accountable for their actions. It does this by accurately tracking everything that pertains to your business, including financial audit trails and enhanced project management controls. Keeping closer tabs on your staff improves productivity and allows them to accomplish more because they have the information they need at any given time.
2. Cut operating costs and add higher profitability- A deep level of insight into your business will allow you to make appropriate business decisions, cutting costs and increasing profitability. With ERP software, you can take a proactive approach to managing your business, instead of reacting to situations that just come out of the blue. More control equals higher profitability.
3. Improve customer service- With everything aligned in-house, your customers will see the difference. ERP software streamlines internal operations so you can focus on the satisfaction level of your customers and work to improve that every step of the way. With historic customer information and access to accurate information, you can answer their questions quickly and attend to their needs more effectively.

We here at Socius have experience with big league players, including 4 NFL teams, 2 MLB teams, and 1 MLS team that have implemented ERP and are seeing the above benefits. We also have experience with the smaller leagues who are achieving just as much. Whatever your situation, contact us at Socius to learn how ERP software such as Microsoft Dynamics ERP can help level the playing field for you.

By Socius, Ohio Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner

Level the Playing Field So You Can Compete in the Big Leagues is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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To see a brief description of each Dynamics GP A la carte module read our full blog post: “15% off our Favorite Microsoft Dynamics GP A La Carte Modules: SmartList Builder, Extender, Payroll, HR and More”.

 But here a few of our clients’ favorite a la carte modules for Microsoft Dynamics GP:

SmartList Builder – Dynamics GP gives you a set number of SmartLists. (A SmartList is an easy flexible way to find and sort  information in the accounting system then use that info in Word or Excel). But SmartList Builder lets you create your own, across multiple databases. For example, create a SmartList to connect the vendor list and item list to show items purchased from specific vendors and all related details. Regular list price: $1,950. (Video: Using Smartlists to Find Data Fast)

Extender – This tool allows you to add additional user defined fields to Dynamics GP windows. This way you can track additional data related to that screen and those fields can be used in reporting and SmartList. Out of the box Dynamics GP gives very few user defined fields (2 on customer record, 0 on inventory master, 2 on vendor master etc…) and they are only text fields. With Extender you can add new fields in new formats, without being a developer. Regular List Price: $2,450.

Payroll – With easy automated tax filing for Dynamics GP, now is a great time to consider bringing payroll in house. Read our related post Cost Comparison of Using Microsoft Dynamics GP for Internal Payroll vs. ADP Outsourced Payroll Regular List Price: $3,000 for up to 100 employees.

Human Resources – this department is often overlooked but Dynamics GP has great tools to help you attract and retain top talent plus employee self service tools to make everyone’s life easier. Regular List Price: $3,000 for up to 100 employees.

Other Dynamics GP A La Carte Modules include:

 Download the Dynamics GP Product Guide for a description of each of the modules available within Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 (standard and a la carte) grouped by the functional areas they address to help you see the impact on your business.

Not sure of the difference between Business Essentials and Advanced Management editions? See our previous post: Compare Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Essentials versus Advanced Management: When Is The Advanced Management Edition Worth the Higher Price?

If you are a Southern New England company evaluating Microsoft Dynamics GP, contact CAL Business Solutions 860-485-0910 to review the standard and a la carte functionality available with the system.

By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut/Massachusetts Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Popular A La Carte Modules for Microsoft Dynamics GP is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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2. New Booklet Explains Editions, Functional Areas, and Modules Available with Microsoft Dynamics GP
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Our customers ask us this all the time but recognizing the signs isn’t always as straightforward as you think. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Do you have difficulty generating the reports you need to make vital business decisions quickly and easily?
• Are you experiencing significant slowdowns and performance issues with your current accounting solution?
• Do you have trouble integrating your existing systems with other software applications?
• Are you concerned about the ability of your existing financial/accounting system to fit future business needs?
• Are you concerned that your existing technology investments may not be supported by a vendor who has a clear roadmap for the future?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions, then you may be ready to move to new ERP software that can handle your business needs now and into the future. Now for a limited time, you can purchase 5 Microsoft Dynamics ERP users licenses for just $3,000. Check out the details here or contact the ERP experts at  Borek Business Solutions to see what a new ERP solution can do for you.

By Roger Borek, Borek Business Solutions, an Oregon-based Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner.

Top Signs You May Need a New ERP Solution is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Columbia Basin Onion (CBO) is a brand new onion packing shed in Hermiston, Oregon. Keep an eye out, buyers: they’re launching next month! Before they started their business they knew they would need business software. CBO was looking for ERP for Fresh Sheds that would give them a competitive advantage by helping them manage their financials, inventory control, day-to-day operations, PTI tracking (traceability) by lot and pallet, sales and streamline the grower accounting process. The software needed to support their entire operation and provide up-to-the-minute (real-time) information.

The Fresh Shed operation:
The CBO Fresh Shed receives reds, white, yellow onions, as well as red and yellow organic onions from their own fields as well as other onion growers. They receive the onions in bulk, weigh in at the scale, log the gross weight, sort and pack the onions into multiple sized totes and storage bins, then into multiple sized consumer packages. The pallets are tagged and entered into inventory. Then, the pallet is moved to the inventory floor and is ready to ship.

Sales needs an up-to-the-minute “Sales Board” with all items including all different package size and organic/conventional options only listing items with available weight for sale. Sales Orders are entered, and a sales confirmation is sent to the customer. Orders typically are shipped or picked up the same day.

Trucks check in for shipping and loaders print pick tickets on the dock. Each pallet has a unique tag for traceability which stays with the pallet. Duplicate pallet tags are pulled off the pallets, scanned, matched to the order, and a bill of lading is printed. The bill of lading is sent to the customer, triggering invoicing which is automatically tied to that grower’s contract using Grower Accounting functionality.

Phew! Get some sleep and let’s do it again tomorrow. It really makes me appreciate the lovely red, white, and sweet yellow onions I love to keep in my pantry!

Fresh Shed operations are a perfect example of an industry that can benefit from an ERP solution to automate and streamline operations, giving real-time information to a fast moving, dynamic operation with changes day-to-day and hour-by-hour.

Find out more about how eFood-ERP for Fresh Sheds and other food processors helps them keep up with the minute-by-minute changes in their operations.

by eSoftware Professionals, Montana Microsoft Dynamics  Partner

ERP for Fresh Sheds is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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• Do you prefer to pay for what you use? Hosted Dynamics GP uses a subscription based licensing model, where you pay for the number of user licenses.
• Trying to keep your cost low? Licensing fees are very predictable and can be known in advanced.
• Looking to get a quick start on things? Hosted Dynamic GP guarantees faster deployment and implementation than does on premise.
• Do you want to save energy costs?  You don’t have to have a server; you just need an internet connection.
• Still want to be in control of your data and business? Don’t worry, you also have 24/7 access to your data. You have the options of adding and removing users if you choose.

Are you still undecided? If you want to learn more information about Hosted Dynamics GP, visit our website www.websan.com At WebSan Solutions Inc. we help you unlock your system’s potential.

By: Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner

How to Solve Your Online Accounting Problems with a Hosted ERP System is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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3. Quickbooks Online vs Hosted/Cloud Dynamics GP in Canada

We don’t mean to point out the obvious, but, what else could be ”off” – and how much are you willing to live with?  When you own a profitable business that you pour your heart and soul into, doesn’t it make sense to have controls in place to:

• Prevent ‘Out of Balance’ situations,
• Provide Auditable Transactions,
• Offer Additional Functionality you need for your Industry.

Read this YMCA of the Foothills Case Study to find out what their team did to replace an antiquated ERP/Financial system while providing the benefits of security, visibility into their data, and integrations to their other systems.

To get your company on the right track to having confidence in the numbers, improving daily processing efficiency, and then allowing your staff to make profitable decisions, take these steps today:

• Watch a short video to introduce you to Microsoft Dynamics GP or go to our website to find out more about Microsoft Dynamics GP and arrange for a customized demonstration for your specific business needs.
• Familiarize yourself with the options for Cloud Computing and get your questions answered.
• Contact Collins Computing so we can guide you through the process of improving your accuracy, efficiency, and confidence in your choice of Financial, ERP, or CRM systems.

By Abra Lynne Gilman, Senior Consultant, Collins Computing – Count on Collins, Count on Success

If Your Trial Balance is Off, What Else is Wrong? Take These Steps to Solve Your Problems! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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