We have created an automated release which has been issued and will update simPRO overnight.

If you find your simPRO build still experiencing problems tomorrow, please contact the email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Our own Lynelle Hills, Chief Financial and Commercial Officer, talks about three ways to improve electrical contracting businesses by:

• Managing cashflow
• Implementing business systems and procedures
• Understanding and managing direct and indirect costs

Read the Magazine here

Date

Friday 3rd February

Time

8:00am – 5:00pm

Location

Viaduct Events Centre
161 Halsey Street
Viaduct Basin, Auckland

simPRO’s seamless integration with Xero makes it an excellent accounting package for our users. Watch the case study video below to hear what Michael Howes from Espresso Ninja has to say about this powerful software combo.

“The interface between Xero and simPRO is very simple, very easy to use and just makes life so much easier.”

The statement was about a breach of Copywrite, although we aren’t familiar with this term Copywrite, we are making the assumption that the FPA is referring to a breach of Copyright, not the rap artist from Ohio.

At simPRO we take this matter seriously and are currently investigating whether any of our fire forms could potentially be caught up in the alleged breach of Copyright for the FPA’s log books, however our legal advice has told us that we have no issues to be concerned about with our fire forms.

We will have the results of our investigation completed within the next few days and will make the findings available to all our fire clients and prospective clients when available.

Please note our Christmas trading hours are as follows:

• Monday, 26 Dec CLOSED (Public Holiday)
• Tuesday, 27 Dec CLOSED (Public Holiday)
• Wednesday, 28 Dec 09:00 – 17:00
• Thursday, 29 Dec 09:00 – 17:00
• Friday, 30 Dec 09:00 – 17:00
• Monday, 2 Jan CLOSED (Public Holiday)

Update: Following on from our recent advice about the recent release of MYOB AccountRight 2011.

The ODBC* files released by MYOB for us to work with contain numerous bugs and at this stage we are unable to nominate a time when we can release a simPRO Accounting Link update that will work with MYOB AccountRight 2011.

We recommend that you do not upgrade to MYOB AccountRight 2011 at this time. We will post a notification to this site when it is ok to do so.

*Read more about ODBC Drivers.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks 2011/2012 have no issues and there are no known issues with the our ability to link via the simPRO Accounting Link. So you may upgrade your QB at anytime.

NOTE: As for all 3rd party integrations – we recommend that you do not upgrade those applications without getting confirmation from simPRO that we have updated to work with their changes. This is especially relevant with the simPRO Accounting Link.

Sporting the new look V8 Supercar for the Sydney Telstra 500 Fujitsu Series, simPRO Racing regular Chaz Mostert is jumping in the drivers seat for simPRO/Royal Australian Navy Ford Performance Racing team. Racing with the symbolic number 100 representing the centenary of the Royal Australia Navy, we wish Chaz the best of luck for the race in Sydney.

Chaz even promised simPRO CEO Nolan LeSueur this morning that he was going to keep the new paint work in good condition for a podium finish so we can have a few nice photo opportunities.

Chaz Mostert

The 2010 Australian Formula Ford Champion and current leading rookie in the Fujitsu Series, Chaz Mostert is a hot favourite to win the Mike Kable Young Gun Award for best first-year V8 Supercar driver.

Not since Mark Winterbottom’s 2002 debut in the national Formula Ford Championship has Australian motorsport seen such a promising young talent dominating the most respected feeder category in the country.

Chaz has won multiple Australian karting championships, which lead him to become one of the youngest drivers in Australia to make a national Formula Ford debut without progressing through a state championship.

“I am really ecstatic to be working with FPR,” said Chaz.

“I have dreamed about driving for the factory Ford team since I started racing so to be part of it, even for a couple of races, is just amazing.”

It’s been a dream year Chaz, keep it up and best wishes for the weekend!

Our own Darren Leo staking his claim

Read Ford Performance article here

Read Navy backing article here

As cookies are essential for simPRO to work, this basically means that safari can’t be used for simPRO until there is an update from Apple. This is not a simPRO issue and we cannot fix this.

The issue shows that after you log into simPRO anything you click will force a return back to the login page.

If you haven’t upgraded to Safari 5.1.1 and you can currently access simPRO, we recommend that you don’t update.

If you have already upgraded to 5.1.1 we recommend you temporarily switch your browser to either Firefox or Chrome until Apple releases a fix (we have no idea on any release dates for that).

In the practice laps, while still getting used to the car, Chaz performed very well – finishing 6th and 3rd fastest time, impressing his new team with the immediate speed he showed in a car he had never driven before.

On the Saturday Chaz immediately set the 4th fastest time on his 3rd lap out, as the tyres (very slowly) got some heat into them Chaz jumped up to position 2 ahead of Holden Superstar and Bathurst winner Nick Percat and 888 Racing driver Andrew Thompson.

With approx 5 minutes left in the qualifying session Chaz posted a time of 1.20.918 to go to the top of the leader board. Just to put in perspective just how good this lap was from Chaz, he would have qualified 9th for the V8 Supercar main series race later in the day.. (WOW) Due to an accident in turn one behind Chaz the safety car came out and Chaz was moved back into position 2 for the restart behind Jack Perkins. Chaz finished 2nd behind Jack to record his 1st ever top 3 result in a V8 Supercar.

Sunday was full of mishaps in race 1, and on the second race on Sunday Chaz started from position 4. Chaz showed his skills by making an awesome start and moving into position 2 by the 2nd corner. Keeping the pressure on, he took 2nd place for the weekend and his first ever V8SC podium, finishing 3rd behind Andrew Thompson and Jack Perkins.

It was a fantastic performance both by Chaz and the whole FPR team. We’re all looking forward to the final event of the year in Sydney in 2 weeks time.

Keep up the great work Chaz!

“I couldn’t have grown my business without the help of simPRO.” – Russell Bailey.

We interviewed Russell Bailey who heads up the team at Elite Electrical Inspections. Elite service the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand and surrounding areas.

Russel’s needs were simple: a system that keeps all the details of their detailed inspections up to date, allowing the team to concentrate on the job at hand.

The Challenge:

Russell’s approach to Job Management was similar to that of many trade business owners – he kept all his jobs in his head. He used an old paper-based system and found that the business relied on his ability to keep everything on track.

Because he was so busy working in the business, he would lose track of the status of the jobs and sometimes even miss charging them.

The Solution:

simPRO Enterprise software. Russell tells us “simPRO has been brilliant for job management and job scheduling and saves the whole team time.”

The Result:

Because the business is now organised and following a system that works, Russell no longer misses out on charging jobs. What’s more, in 6 months, Elite Electrical has contracted more work, growing the business and allowing them to expand with a new staff member.

“I’m going to be selfish and say the biggest benefit for me is I don’t have to remember all the jobs and what’s happening with them, I’m able to work back on the business rather than be the business.”

Having his whole business online and given Russell the confidence that the company can run without him being physically present; he can still check up on the jobs while not in the office.

“We went live with simPRO 6 months ago and I haven’t looked back.”

Thank you for your time Russell, and may simPRO continue to assist your company growth.