If it looks like a two-tiered ERP solution may be the best solution for your organization, what benefits do you stand to gain?

1) Significant cost savings – While adding multiple systems sounds like a cost increase, the whole solution needs to be considered. When implementation, ongoing maintenance fees, upgrades, and modifications are taken into account, a two-tiered system can offer quantifiable financial savings. Often a Tier 2 system will be purchased for a specific purpose so minimal modifications will be needed. Modifying a legacy system can be very time and cost intensive. Often a Tier 2 system has a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) because there is a reduced time to implement. Gartner Research has found that companies are seeing a 33% reduction in implementation costs and a 50% decrease in total time to full implementation¹ when a two-tiered system is executed.

2) Increased flexibility=increased effectiveness – With the right tools to do the job, the business unit with the Tier 2 system has more flexibility to make changes to run the business better. Employees will have the information they need to make better decisions and make changes when necessary.

3) Compliance made easy– Compliance for a specific product or for a different country can be better addressed with a system that is put into place to meet that need.

 Finally, some cautionary notes.  Whether this is new to you are or you are actively considering a two-tiered ERP approach, there are some pitfalls you will want to avoid.

• Less is still more. You don’t want several Tier 2 vendors because you’ll lose many of the efficiencies you were hoping to gain. Efficiencies are lost through continual upgrade, integration, and training challenges as well as complexities related to ongoing vendor management requirements.

• Integration still has to happen. You also need to keep in mind that it is very important that the data from the Tier 2 system can seamlessly and continuously roll up into your legacy or main Tier 1 system. Be sure you are working with a vendor that can do this type of work and ask to speak with reference clients.

 1. ERP Strategies: Choosing Between Single Instance or a Two-Tier Approach. Retrieved December 28, 2011 from CompareERPsoftware.com: http://www.compareerpsoftware.com/offer/erp-strategies-choosing-between-single-instance-or-a-two-tier-approach/

 By Encore Business Solutions, a Microsoft Dynamics GP and AX reseller servicing Western Canada.

Benefits of a Two-Tier ERP Solution is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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We will now take a look at the best practices we have gleaned over the years from work with our customers as they implement accounting automation technology (like MetaViewer) that integrates with Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions:

• Encourage vendors to move away from paper and toward an electronic format by creating purchasing documents in a digital form from the start. Electronic invoices can be saved in PDF format so that they can’t be altered, and then emailed to the company.
• Review the company’s processes to ensure that they are truly efficient. Automating a bad process simply makes a bad process faster.
• Centralize accounts payable processes. All vendors should send their invoices to a central office so that individual branches don’t need to manage the documents.
• Standardize the company’s review and approval process so that everyone can follow the same procedures and new employees will have workable guidelines.
• Automate what can be automated and streamline the rest. In cases where purchasing or receiving does not have strict rules on a process, such as three-way matching, automating may be difficult and the process should instead be simplified and standardized to the extent possible.
• Don’t try to make the initial implementation too large. Consider streamlining certain processes in phase 1, automating in phase 2, and streamlining and automating another area in phase 3. Once staff members have seen what the technology can do in its early stages, they will envision other areas where it can be used, and future phases likely will be easier to implement.
• Plan to expand the Paperless ERP solution to other parts of the organization that currently maintain paper-based processes. This will help to more easily gain management approval and will maximize the company’s investment in its state-of-the-art document management system.

Last and most importantly, get executive leadership involved and show them how they can gain visibility and business intelligence with the solution. They should be able to see ways that processes have improved, discounts gained, and productivity increased for invoice processing and other data.

-Nick Sprau, Metafile Information Systems

Best Practices in Using Accounting Automation Technology that Integrates with ERP Solutions. is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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1. Compliancy: It’s not a great feeling having the IRS look over your shoulder, threatening the life of your business. No body wants to cut corners or fudge numbers when it comes to your finances, but sometimes you just don’t have access to the information you need. Microsoft Dynamics ERP software ensures you have tracking capabilities and audit trails so you’re never put in a bad situation. You can trust the numbers and have confidence that the IRS won’t find discrepancies.
2. Accurate Financial Positioning: Not knowing where you stand financially can put numerous halts on business. This makes it difficult to make informed business decisions that affect the sustainability of your company. Microsoft Dynamics ERP software helps you see where you stand with easy-to-read and easy-to-analyze dashboards and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports. You’ll no longer be making “Best Guesses” about your business, thus putting you ahead of the competition.
3. Reducing Accounting Overhead: Most companies don’t realize the overhead they acquire within their accounting department because of manual procedures. They figure that’s how it’s always been done and it seems to be working. Many companies are realizing that Microsoft Dynamics ERP cuts down unnecessary overhead because it automates daily accounting tasks and integrates with third party software. It would be wise to run a “what if” scenario of how ERP software can actually save you money, just by cutting back resources.

Every business needs a tool to help manage their finances. This can vary from Excel Spreadsheets to an advanced ERP system such as Microsoft Dynamics ERP, but whatever your situation, make sure you have your financial management in check. If you have questions on how Microsoft Dynamics ERP can help you, contact us at Sikich.

By Sikich, Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner based out of Missouri

Three Reasons Why ERP Software is a Must for Financial Management is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Improving processes means automation. Learn why these companies chose to automate their sales tax process to improve quality and reduce risk as well as costs.

Automation for sales tax with Microsoft Dynamics means Avalara’s AvaTax. We already integrate seamlessly with the Microsoft Dynamics applications that you use. Contact your Microsoft Dynamics partner or Avalara today. Visit www.avalara.com or call 1.877.780.4848 to learn more!

Why Automation for Microsoft Dynamics is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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InterDyn Artis has the Microsoft Dynamics GP expertise needed to help their lumber clients meet these challenges.  One of our Microsoft Dynamics GP clients, Edwards Wood Products (Edwards), founded in 1969 and headquartered in Marshville, North Carolina has grown into a premier lumber business operation with 5 locations throughout South Central North Carolina. Their business operations consist of procurement of forest properties, transportation to/from the mill, complete mill operations, pallet manufacturing, kiln drying/grading, and distribution of high grade hardwood lumber for domestic and overseas markets.

As a smaller business Edwards found RealWorld to be a satisfactory system but as their business grew the RealWorld system just did not cut it.  Because of this growth and complexity, Edwards began an evaluation of its business solution and decided it wanted a more powerful, higher-end solution. After a review of multiple industry specific solutions, Edwards decided that a foundation built around industry leading Microsoft Dynamics was the right choice.

Before Microsoft Dynamics GP, month-end closings were difficult to complete and very time consuming. One of the main reasons Edwards looked to a new solution was for financial reporting needs. With RealWorld, financial reports weren’t being completed thoroughly or in a timely manner, causing considerable concern for Edwards’ executive management who needed to make critical decisions based on the company’s finances.

Financial statements for all business operations as completed by location, division, and work center were prerequisites of a new software package.  Microsoft Dynamics GP met and exceeded expectations from a reporting standpoint.

With Microsoft Dynamics GP, Edwards has established a core business system foundation that has dramatically increased the efficiency of the operations by automating data flow and reducing manual labor.  Other benefits include:

• Financial Reports: Management Reporter has significantly lessened the time spent waiting for financial reports. Critical business information is retreived in minutes—these reports were unobtainable with RealWorld and had to be completed as a separate process within Excel.  Edwards saved aproximately 2 days each month by automating the preparation of its financial statements.
• Intuitiveness: As a user-friendly system, employees quickly adapted to Microsoft Dynamics GP after the implementation with virtually no downtime.  In fact, employees were able to generate much better reports in considerably less time. 
• Daily Processing: Microsoft Dynamics GP has provided a vast improvement in the day-to-day processing of accounts receivable, accounts payable, and collections. What previously had been a multi-step process is now a very simple process, saving both time and effort. Edwards saved an estimated 40 hours per month by automating accounts receivable.
• Labor Rededication: Employees who were dedicated to running RealWorld and generating reports in Excel are now focused on profit generating opportunities within Edwards.

Watch a short video of Edwards Wood Products and learn how Microsoft Dynamics GP gave them the edge to remain competitive in today’s lumber market.

Today’s software must be designed and deployed with industry-specific needs and functionality. InterDyn Artis, a Microsoft Dynamics partner located in Charlotte North Carolina, provides the lumber industry with tailored Microsoft business solutions that extend far beyond the robust accounting functionality found in Microsoft Dynamics GP. By integrating logging, lumber inventory, time clocks, equipment maintenance, and other systems, InterDyn Artis has knitted a best of breed technology. Contact InterDyn Artis today and let us help you become competitive in today’s lumber market with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

by InterDyn Artis, North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Microsoft Dynamics GP Meets the Challenges of the Lumber Industry is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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I work in their offices, their server rooms, their shop floors, their clean rooms.

Altico Advisors has implemented Microsoft Dynamics GP for more than 40 manufacturers throughout New England and upstate New York.  They manufacture sausages, aircraft parts, heavy machinery, circuit boards, computer chips, adhesives, abrasives, trade show displays, industrial lubricants, centrifuges…you get the picture.  Everything from soup to nuts!  Literally!!

If you haven’t looked at Microsoft Dynamics GP lately you’ve missed the transformation of the product from a widely used and respected accounting system to an end-to-end business management solution with broad, very broad, manufacturing capabilities.  Dynamics GP is a solution that can be configured to mirror your plant, incorporate your best practices, assign serial or lot numbers to finished items, create purchase orders and manufacturing orders from an MRP analysis, handle Manufacturing Order partial receipts, your BOM and routers and WIP… and so much more.  I know, I’m skipping all over the place in an effort to show you the scope of functionality available in Microsoft Dynamics GP for manufacturing.

So enough said.  Here are a couple of documents that provide a concise and orderly overview:

Manufacturing with Microsoft Dynamics GP
Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Module Guide – See pages 5-6 and the module guide at the very beginning

You can also visit the manufacturing page on our Web site and read a manufacturer’s case study about a company that implemented Microsoft Dynamics GP for the end-to-end integration of their accounting, inventory and manufacturing systems.

If you’re a manufacturer in New England looking for a better way, call Altico Advisors at 508-485-5588.

 By Karen Jernstrom, Manufacturing Specialist, Altico Advisors  Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner for Manufacturing and Distribution serving New Hampshire (NH)

Microsoft Dynamics GP for Manufacturing – The Features You Need is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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 There are a wide variety of different types of Microsoft Partners that exist in order to meet the different types of needs and requirements for different End-Users. I have put together a list of some questions to ask yourself to ensure you have a Partner that best fits your organization:

 1.       Do the competencies of your Partner align with your business requirements?

Microsoft has a wide range of competencies that a Partner must attain, look at which certifications your Partner has in order to have a better idea of their strengths and fit to your organization’s specific requirements. Be aware of which vertical industries the Partner specializes in, in order to have a clear comprehension of their experience in your industry and if they are considered experts in your field. With your Partner’s expertise, you will be able to work together to align your solution in order to incorporate your industry’s best practices by understanding your needs and offering solutions tailored to your specific industry.

 2.       Does your Partner have the breadth of services that your organization is looking for?

Do your homework and check their customer references. When you speak to references, don’t only ask about the implementation process; ask how proactive they were during and after go-live with your system. Also discuss the frequency of communications, number of training sessions, frequency of User Group activities and informational updates as these are the long term activities that create a mature stable solution.

 3.       Can your Partner suggest different solutions to meet your different organizational challenges?

With the flexibility of the Dynamics product line and integration to Dynamics ISV solutions, there is usually more than one solution that could meet your organization’s requirements. Your partner must take into account the software and services you require and ensure that the proposed solution is fully integrated in line with your goals. The solution should enable you to streamline business processes and increase performance to make the most of your investment.

 4.       What level of involvement are you expecting from your Partner?

Some companies will try to delegate projects in their entirety to the firm implementing the solution. Others will do the exact opposite and actively participate and learn the product in order to try and reduce costs. You need to ask yourself: What type of customer am I? Do I really have the resources to do all the work myself or am I better off to have a Partner involved, helping with training and researching new solutions and updates?

 5.       Why choose one type of Microsoft Certified partner over another?

With a Certified Partner you are guaranteed that they have made a commitment to have several employees that are trained on the Microsoft solutions. These Partners have been tested and validated on their level of professionalism, the quality of their work, and their knowledge as well as implementation of Microsoft Dynamics or the development of add-on solutions.

Once you have decided on a solution that best meets your needs, you also need to be assured that you have found a Partner who will meet your expectations moving forward with regard to your needs for training and providing information on new technologies and product updates. These are all key success factors to protect your investment. By effectively using your system to its full potential and by asking yourself these questions you will be better able to guage your expectations and requirements.

 I strongly suggest that you be open with your Partner from the beginning and ask these questions so that the Partner is aware of your expectations so they will be well informed and able to meet them. This will reduce your chance of being disappointed with the level of service later on. Also, don’t be afraid to make your concerns heard if you feel that your expectations  are not being met. It could happen that your organization’s original needs have changed and so you should make your Partner aware of these changes in order for you to remain informed and up-to-date on your Microsoft solution and to continue to take full advantage of your system.

By JOVACO Solutions, your Quebec-based Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

How to Choose the Right Microsoft Partner for Your Organization is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Synergy has put together a Resource Kit that shows how Microsoft Dynamics SL can relieve the stress of managing projects and maintaining compliance—all out of the box!

RESOURCE KIT: How Dynamics SL Solves Government Compliance and Project Accounting Issues

Download this kit to access videos and documents focused on two audiences:

(1) Primarily for project-focused organizations NOT doing government contracting:

• How Dynamics SL Helps with Budgeting, Project Management, Project Accounting, Tracking Profitability, and Real-time Financial Reporting
• How a MTO/ETO Manufacturer Became More Efficient and Productive Through Project/Cost Accounting Software
• 3 Fundamental Reasons to Switch from Deltek to Dynamics SL
• And much more!

(2) For project-focused organizations exploring or performing on government contracts:

• How a Government Contractor Improved Reporting and Efficiency While Ensuring Contract Compliance
• How a Scientific Firm Grew their Government Business More Than 100 Percent with Dynamics SL
• Why DCAA Compliance Requires Better Processes and Flexible Tools and How to Develop Them.
• Defense Contractor Helps Save Lives and Sees 100 Percent ROI with Dynamics SL
• And much more!

by Synergy Business Solutions, Oregon Microsoft Dynamics SL Partner

Relief for Government Contractors and Project-centric Companies is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Mobile commerce takes e-commerce to a new level of convenience and allows shoppers the ability to browse and buy through their phones or tablets. In a study by Forrester Research in 2011, U.S. mobile commerce is expected to reach $31 billion by 2016. Here are a couple ways in which mobile commerce can help your businesses:

Processing Mobile Online Sales Transactions from Your E-Commerce Site Directly Into Your ERP System

Combined with the right e-commerce software and ERP system like Microsoft Dynamics GP, mobile commerce can work seamlessly with your e-commerce website to process online sales transactions. In addition, any changes to price or inventory made in Microsoft Dynamics GP will automatically be changed on your mobile site simplifying maintenance and saving time. This can also empower your salespeople allowing them to make sales at anytime from anywhere and process the orders directly into Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Capturing the Mobile Audience and Optimizing the Browsing Experience for Shoppers

Making sure your website is “mobile-friendly” with easy navigation is key to building a positive mobile shopping experience and increasing mobile browsing viewer traffic. Sites that are not optimized properly for mobile phone environments will ultimately capture fewer sales because it will more difficult to checkout. Mobile sites that are properly set up to display on a browser are typically scaled down in comparison so the site can load faster and information is easier to navigate.

A comparison of a regular e-commerce site vs. a mobile version.

For more information on mobile e-commerce for Microsoft Dynamics GP view our PDF.

By Azox Inc., – E-Commerce for Microsoft Dynamics GP

Processing Mobile Online Sales Transactions from Your E-Commerce Site Directly Into Your ERP System is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Watkins relies on the Microsoft Dynamics ERP system to provide a solid foundation for efficient operations. “Automation is one of the biggest things Microsoft Dynamics GP provides for us,” says Watkins. “If we were on a paper-based system, we literally couldn’t keep up with the people we have.”

Watkins and his staff of 13 enjoy the time-saving benefits of Microsoft Dynamics GP’s role-based interface. “We have everybody set up on the roles-based system and we all use our customized home pages to help save time and streamline processes.”

Another critical process for Community Mental Health is managing their cash flow. “We use the Cash Flow Management module to understand where we are from a cash-flow standpoint on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis,” says Watkins. “I appreciate the solid framework Microsoft Dynamics GP provides for internal controls. Obviously, you can choose not to take advantage of those, but we certainly do.”

Ensuring the financial health of his organization is a top priority for Watkins. “I’m most proud of the good we do for the community,” says Watkins, “especially the underprivileged people we reach out to who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford our services.”

Being driven to provide excellent service is a quality Watkins appreciates in business partners. “Arctic Information Technology is truly a partner to us,” says Watkins. “I’ve worked with many IT consultancies around the country throughout my career. I find Arctic IT to be one of the most responsive I’ve ever worked with.”

Anchorage Community Mental Health Services (http://www.acmhs.com/) has helped people in Anchorage, Alaska, and surrounding communities discover new beginnings in their lives for over 30 years. A client of Arctic Information Technology, they have used Microsoft Dynamics GP for several years.

 By: Arctic Information Technology, Inc., Alaska Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Anchorage, Alaska  - Your Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Customizable Grant Reports Help Anchorage Non-Profit Run Smoothly is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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