The result? They compromise the efficiency of many processes by letting the software dictate their procedures through limited setup options and configuration. *big sigh from me*

When I ask about the 5 year plan and how they see the company growing, I can see the disappointment when it’s realized QuickBooks won’t meet their future growth and simply will not cut it much longer. *big sigh from client*

Today I’m telling you, perhaps asking you, not to feel pressured to use other accounting software just because ”it’s cheap”. You can afford a long term solution that will scale with your business and give you room to grow.

Here. It Is.

Pay $3,000 and get 5 Microsoft Dynamics GP Licenses. Microsoft is offering the same pricing as QuickBooks . Yes, I found it on QB’s website. To be 100% clear, the only difference is, they include the first year of support/upgrades in that price. DFC provides support and we have support plans.

Why throw away time and money implementing a solution that is forcing you to compromise from the very beginning? Start planning now for the future of your business and acquire a solution that fits around you. We can guide you through the process from sales to implementation to training and support.

DFC is a Microsoft partner, with over 22 years of experience implementing, selling, and supporting Microsoft Dynamics GP. Please call DFC Consultants, at 800-277-5561 or find us at www.dfcconsultants.com.

One more thing. DFC Consultants specializes in the training for Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft CRM. We are the only Microsoft Certified Training Center in North Dakota and one of the largest in the Midwest teaching over 20 classes in the past 12 months. We have five Microsoft Certified Trainers that provide classroom training in a structured, hands-on, question-and-answer environment. View our training schedule to plan for your future today.

By Sarah Mueller, Business Development, DFC Consultants, North Dakota Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft Dynamics GP Competes with QuickBooks Pricing is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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BroadPoint and NextCorp/SMB Suite are presenting a discussion on the business case for moving Dynamics GP to the Cloud, and why some organizations think this is THE new way of doing business.  Speakers Steven Kane (BroadPoint) and Joanna Luttjohann (NextCorp/SMB Suite) will discuss the many benefits of moving Dynamics GP to the cloud including greatly reduced IT budgets, drastically improved Return on Investment (ROI), and elimination of technology management burdens.

The discussion will show how organizations can:

• Improve their financial model with reduced upfront investment and monthly pricing
• Grow their business by reducing IT costs and minimizing support infrastructure
• Experience lower costs per user and faster deployments through a Managed Service Model

In addition, our speakers will detail the specific steps organizations can take to bring Dynamics GP to the Cloud.  Contact Steven Kane at 301-634-2404 or skane@broadpoint.net to find out how BroadPoint Technologies, the mid-Atlantic’s largest Dynamics GP partner, can help you take Dynamics GP to the Cloud at your organization.

by BroadPoint Technologies, Virginia Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Taking Microsoft Dynamics GP to the Cloud is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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• Define critical product requirements

• Narrow your search to a focused-list of solutions

• Analyze the pros and cons of the software and partner

• Determine which is the right solution for you

• Negotiate a fair deal

Below are some tips on the selection process:

• Focus on the Critical Functionality

It’s easy to get caught up in the “wish list” features of a product. In fact, looking at the bells and whistles of a technology plays right into the hands of some vendors, who have the latest “bleeding edge” glitz but lack some of your core requirements.  Initially, you should focus on the vital functionality requirements and processes that the vendor’s system must be able to handle. Once a comprehensive list of these scenarios has been developed, utilize them to keep your organization on track and focused during the selection process, and as an evaluation tool for comparison.

• Checking References…with a Twist

Simply asking for references from the vendor and checking to make sure the references are satisfied is not doing enough.  You must dig deeper.  Ask the reference if they know another of the vendor’s clients (one degree of separation) and then talk to that client.  This will give you a clearer picture of the software and partner and how they are with “average” clients.

• Don’t Psyche Yourself Out

Choosing an ERP Solution is one of the most critical decisions a business will make. However, too much back-and-forth will cause your information to become outdated, and the selection process can come to a standstill.  

• It’s a Business Decision

An ERP Selection project is not an IT decision; it is a business decision.  When working with clients, we often see the purchasing decision primarily made by the IT department. As a result, the technology selected will be architecturally sound, yet it will be missing critical business components.  All parts of the business must be represented.  It is also important to establish defined roles for each member of the team.  Additionally, a team manager should be chosen who understands or interacts with various parts of the business and has the authority to enforce timelines.

• Negotiations

Prior to beginning the negotiation process, your organization has to outline the desired goals of the negotiation.  You want your new partner, whomever you may choose, to be an asset to your organization.  This is the time to develop that relationship.  Think of the negotiation process as the “first date” of a long term relationship.

Selecting business software is one of the most critical and expensive decisions your organization will have to make. Your company will face numerous challenges on its path to the optimal selection. Regardless of whether you’re in the early initial stage, or at the very end of the selection process and are negotiating with the vendor (now partner), the tips described above will help you avoid mistakes made by other companies. 

Contact Steve Kane at 301-634-2404 or skane@broadpoint.net to find out how BroadPoint Technologies, with extensive experience implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP, can get evaluate your requirements and find the right solution for your organization.

by BroadPoint Technologies, Virginia Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Got Search Overload? 5 Tips on Navigating the ERP Selection Process is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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This offer on such a great product is hard to pass up.  Even if you defer installing the software for a couple of months, purchasing now can save you big bucks. 

Reach out to your local partner to take advantage of this exceptional pricing.

Business Essentials includes accounting, tons of reporting and data mining tools and even distribution modules.   Advanced Management includes the list below PLUS additional financial and manufacturing modules.  Contact your reseller to determine which suite is best for your business.

Here is a complete list of Business Essentials Modules:

GENERAL LEDGER: Manage the heart of your business with intelligent accounting and analysis capabilities that sharply reduce time and effort for key tasks and deliver flexible, fast ways to track and analyze financial information.

ANALYTICAL ACCOUNTING: Classify, report, and analyze financial transactions based upon your specific business needs with wizard driven inquiries that integrate with Microsoft® Office Excel® and Microsoft Dynamics® GP SmartLists. Analyze transactions across your entire organization with smooth integration across modules in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

BANK RECONCILIATION: Manage all bank-related transactions through a single, automated process and ensure fast access and tight control for mission-critical financial information.

PAYABLES MANAGEMENT: Improve your control over expenses with up-to-the-minute payables information, comprehensive vendor management, and payment scheduling and tracking while automating routine and complex tasks.

RECEIVABLES MANAGEMENT: Maintain tight control over accounts receivable, manage sales made on accounts, and drive down overhead costs with integrated capabilities for tracking invoices, processing receipts, and analyzing customer activity.

FIXED ASSET MANAGEMENT: Improve financial control and put company assets to the best possible use with tools for tracking, analyzing, and manipulating fixed assets.

INTERCOMPANY: Efficiently set up, enter, and maintain relationships between companies so that revenues or expenses incurred in one company can be tracked as “due to” or “due from” amounts in other companies.

MULTICURRENCY MANAGEMENT: Take control of multinational operations and manage currency transactions smoothly and efficiently with flexible, powerful multicurrency capabilities.

ENCUMBRANCE MANAGEMENT: Not-for-profit, public sector or other organizations managing encumbrances can easily locate and track budget information, query current or historical encumbrances, and streamline period-end and year-end reporting processes.

SAFE PAY: Easily add Positive Pay functionality, including daily exporting of checks for comparison by the bank when checks are presented for payment.

REPORT WRITER: Modify existing or create new Microsoft Dynamics GP reports with an easy to use drag and drop design interface.

MICROSOFT MANAGEMENT REPORTER DESKTOP USER: Master your financial reporting process with comprehensive, highly customizable financial and management reports that are easy to create, distribute, and use

INVOICING: Improve invoicing efficiency with capabilities that include single-window entry for all vital information, batch processing, and easy return transaction processing.

SALES ORDER PROCESSING WITH ADVANCED INVOICING: Streamline and automate the entire sales ordering process to serve top customers more effectively, maintain tight control over fulfillment and invoicing, and minimize shipping and labor costs.

INVENTORY CONTROL: By controlling inventory effectively and setting prices on a customer-by-customer basis, you can reduce operating costs and achieve the fast, efficient fulfillment that keeps them coming back.

PURCHASE ORDER PROCESSING/RECEIVINGS: Manage vital commitments and build lasting vendor relationships with deep functionality that includes automated purchasing and approval processes, flexible extended pricing, and blanket purchase orders.

LANDED COST: Ensure start-to-finish accuracy with the ability to track and update the total cost associated with an inventory item—including freight, insurance, and duties—and then automatically assign or modify these costs on a purchase order as items are received.

CUSTOMIZATION SITE LICENSE: Deploy Modifier with Visual Basic for Applications solutions developed by a third party if you are not licensed for the Modifier module.

INTEGRATION MANAGER-CONVERSIONS: Migrate data from most common database formats or desktop applications into Microsoft Dynamics GP— a time-sensitive conversion tool to assist in a smooth transition from previous financial systems.

SECURITY MANAGEMENT: Manage roles-based user security quickly and effectively with powerful, easy-to-use tools that simplify configuration and management processes, yet provide high levels of protection for your system.

Description of a La Carte Modules Available for Additional Cost:

SMARTLIST BUILDER: Create customized SmartLists that enable you to quickly link Microsoft Dynamics GP, easily add new fields to SmartList windows, and analyze data according to the criteria you define.

CRYSTAL REPORTS PROFESSIONAL: Transform Microsoft Dynamics GP data into presentation-quality information with tools for building compelling, graphical views of business data. (Initial purchase includes 1 named user.)

MANAGEMENT REPORTER DRILLDOWN VIEWER: Review detailed reports while working online or offline, including the ability to drill down to transaction-level detail without accessing the general ledger or company network.

MANAGEMENT REPORTER REPORT DESIGNER USERS: Create, generate, and maintain boardroom-quality financial reports from your desktop, without the need to call on help from IT staff or a database professional.

MANAGEMENT REPORTER REPORT LAUNCHER: Select pre-existing reports, specify output options, and generate the reports you need, all on an on-demand basis, with the ability to drill down to transaction detail level while maintaining the original report design.

ENTERPRISE REPORTING: Automate reporting procedures unique to complex, distributed environments for complete control over consolidations, financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis.

MICROSOFT DYNAMICS CRM CONNECTOR FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS GP: Increase consistency and accuracy in billing and forecasting, streamline operational costs and processes by eliminating redundancies, and promote increased organizational efficiencies that deliver strategic business impact by synchronizing and integrating data within Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics GP.

PAYROLL: Automate payroll processing, equip staff to handle complex and changing payroll requirements, and offer better service to your employees while reducing necessary overhead costs.

ADVANCED PAYROLL: Extend Payroll capabilities with Pay Policy Manager, Labor Accrual Manager, Advanced Labor Reporting, and Payroll Hours to General Ledger functionality.

FEDERAL MAGNETIC MEDIA: Help maintain full compliance with government reporting requirements by generating Federal Magnetic Media files.

PAYROLL CONNECT: Automate data transfer from ADP/PC Payroll for Windows® into General Ledger, using a turnkey solution that eliminates the need to re-enter data.

PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSIT: Add payroll funds to employees’ bank, savings and loan, or credit union accounts through an automated clearing house (ACH) file, with no limit on the number of accounts or financial institutions for any employee’s payroll.

HUMAN RESOURCES: Make fast, strategic decisions for attracting and retaining top talent, process payroll more efficiently, and offer employees better services and programs with customizable hiring processes, scheduling, pay rates, and performance evaluation tools.

ADVANCED HUMAN RESOURCES: Extend Payroll and Human Resources capabilities with Benefit Lifecycle Manager, Certification, License and Training Manager, and Employee Health and Wellness functionality.

BUSINESS PORTAL NAMED EMPLOYEE USER/CUSTOMER USERS: Streamline full user access by providing secure browser-based access to Microsoft Dynamics GP data to employees and customers.

INTEGRATION MANAGER-DISTRIBUTION (POP, SOP, INV): Integrate data from other systems on a onetime or continuous basis into Microsoft Dynamics GP Purchase Order Processing, Sales Order Processing, and Inventory modules—strong security and data integrity checks, as well as scheduling and customized data processing, provide a dependable, efficient, and easy to use data integration experience.

INTEGRATION MANAGER-FINANCIALS (GL, RM, PM, FA, BR, PAYROLL, PROJECT): Integrate data from other systems on a onetime or continuous basis into Microsoft Dynamics GP Financial, Payroll, and Project modules—strong security and data integrity checks, as well as scheduling and customized data processing, provide a dependable, efficient, and easy to use integration experience.

EXTENDER: Personalize your data collection by linking additional windows that are easily created by non-developers, expand notes and macros, and launch ad hoc queries that are based on the new business information you are able to collect.

By Nancy Phillippi with Custom Information Services (CIS), Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner based out of North Texas.  Your feedback and comments are welcome.  Contact Nancy at nphillippi@customis.com or by phone at 817-640-0016 x 109.

Microsoft Dynamics 67% Discount Offer Ends June 24th is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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If making the change to a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system has been weighing you down for a while, now is the time to check it off your list of things to do.  We are proud to offer “Buy 1, Get 3” on Microsoft Dynamics GP.  This means you buy 1 license (or concurrent user) and get 2 free.

Operating your business in a system you’ve outgrown not only takes away from your bottom line, it takes away from potential growth and puts you in a reactive state.  Feel the freedom of knowing you are moving to a sustainable, scalable solution for less with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Here are a few game changing efficiencies we’ve helped our clients accomplish with Microsoft Dynamics GP:

-          cut time processing payroll by 67% and concentrate on more productive tasks and less repetitive busy work

-          reduce the time spent on month-end closings by 50%

-          email or share reports that mean something to you and your employees in minutes without the help of a developer

-          save thousands within the first year of implementing with tighter inventory management, eliminating rush orders, “dead” stock and excess  inventory

Even more good news. It’s not too late to get started.  Your first step (if you haven’t already worked with a Microsoft partner before) is what we call a Business Process Meeting.  

Since 1989, DFC has focused their expertise in distribution, tribal, non-profit, and professional service industries. If you are looking for one of the most experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP partners in the Midwest for sales, implementation, integration, customization, training, and customer support, contact DFC Consultants at 800-277-5561. Email us or call if you’d like to set up free business process review.

DFC Consultants specialize in Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft CRM and Tribal and Public Housing solutions.

by Sarah Mueller, DFC Consultants, North Dakota Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Buy 1 Get 3. Now is the Time to SAVE MONEY and Move to a Comprehensive Business Solution – Microsoft Dynamics GP is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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We have found that, just as in life, there is not just one road that will take you to your goal.  However, there are some sound strategies that you can use to make sure your implementation is headed in the right direction.

Take Ownership

Own the product (Dynamics GP) and the implementation.  Approach this like it is “your” project, not the vendor’s or the partner’s.  Take the time to select and organize your project team.  Assign them clear responsibilities and make sure they have adequate time allocated to the project.  Get trained on ALL the features of each module you are implementing, not just the features you think you will implement and use.  Rather than trying to make customizations to the system, try adopting best practices or work-arounds to get what you need.

Trust Your Partner

Your Dynamics GP partner is not just another vendor; they should truly be your partner in success.  It will take time to build trust and develop the relationship, but it is well worth the effort.  A good partner will also help you plan well beyond the “Go Live” date.  Going Live should not be viewed as the end of the implementation but rather the beginning of the next phase of your partner relationship.

There are many crucial elements to a successful implementation.  Dynamics GP is an outstanding product that will help your business immensely.  Your organization deserves to have the system set up the best way possible.  Finding a good GP partner and taking internal ownership of the project are two key ways you can get yourself on the path to a successful implementation.

Contact Steve Kane at 301-634-2404 or skane@broadpoint.net to find out how BroadPoint Technologies, with extensive experience implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP, can get you on the fast track to a great implementation.

by BroadPoint Technologies, a Virginia Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Keys to Success with Dynamics GP Implementations is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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The promotion allows new customers to purchase 1 user license at full price, and get up to 2 additional users free. It applies to either Dynamics Advanced Management (AM) or Business Essentials (BE) editions of Dynamics GP (Great Plains) as well as Dynamics NAV (Navision) and Dynamics SL (Solomon). This is an excellent offer since it could mean savings of up to $7,960! (side by side comparison of Dynamics GP Business Essentials vs Advanced Management)

But when you read the fine print, is the “Dynamics Buy 1 Get 3” offer too good to be true?  Honestly, no!  There are very few eligibility requirements, and the exclusions seem pretty clear and practical.  But every buyer should know the full cost of their accounting software purchase, so I will attempt to give details on the fine print of this promotion. Note, the fine print is taken directly from Microsoft’s “Buy 1 Get 3″ webpage but the explanation is my own unofficial interpretation:

Microsoft Dynamics “Buy 1 Get 3” Eligibility and Exclusions:

1)  This offer is NOT available in Russia. 
This might not seem to matter for anyone except the slighted Russians, but the fact that Russia is the only country that is specifically excluded makes me wonder if this promotion might soon be released to other countries. Last year, after the Dynamics GP “3 for $1” promotion was launched in the US, it went global a few months later.  A benefit of the “Buy 1, Get 3” going global  would be that companies who have offices or subsidiaries in multiple countries could all standardize on the same system for the same low price. We’ll just have to wait and see.  Right now this promotion is only available in the USA and Canada.

2)  This offer applies to new customers making their initial purchase of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP or Microsoft Dynamics SL only. 
Of the four Dynamics ERP products, the only product NOT included in this promotion is Dynamics AX (Axapta).  This is good news for NAV and SL buyers, who may have been feeling slighted with last year’s “Get 3 for $1” promotion that only applied to Dynamics GP.
“New Customers” are companies not already registered with Microsoft and in possession of a Microsoft authorization number (this used to be your phone number but now is an authorized number given by Microsoft).  So if you purchased a Dynamics system years ago, are no longer active with your maintenance plan, and now realize it would be cheaper to buy a new system than upgrade your old one, unfortunately, technically you would not be eligible for this promotion.  

3)  Customers located in the United States purchasing GP or SL must purchase one year of the Business Ready Advantage Plan when they purchase their license.  Customers located in the United States purchasing NAV must purchase one year of the Business Ready Enhancement Plan when they purchase their license.  Enhancement/Support Plan fees will be calculated based on the System list Price (“SLP”) of all users (including the two (2) additional users) and components, based on the regular Dynamics Price list.
No matter what it is called, customers must agree to purchase a one year maintenance plan on the software.  This is nothing alarming as the maintenance plan is always required for the first year and in fact some other current Dynamics promotions require multiple-year commitments.  But what you should be aware of is that the maintenance plan is calculated as 18% of the FULL System List Price, NOT the discounted price.  (see chart below). So the maintenance plan is still full price, not discounted by the promotion, you only save money on the actual license cost.  Nothing hidden here, but something a buyer does need to calculate correctly. (What is included in the Dynamics GP maintenance plan?)

4)  Eligible customer may accept 1 or 2 additional users, as they deem appropriate. 
When you buy 1 license, although you CAN get 2 more at no cost, you may choose to only take 1 additional free license. Why would you do this? Because you may not want to pay the maintenance fee on that 3^rd free user. For Dynamics GP 1 year of maintenance for 1 user is $405 (BE) or $716 (AM). 

5)   Additional users and Functionality modules will be sold per regular Dynamics Price List.
You only get a maximum of 2 users free. So if you want more than 3 users, you are welcome to buy them, but for users 4, 5, 6 and up, you will pay the full license price.

Here is a chart to illustrate some pricing scenarios with the promotion:

6)  Customers who take advantage of this offer will not be allowed to transition to another Microsoft Dynamics ERP product using their transition credit for two years from the date they purchase their first Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP or Microsoft Dynamics SL licenses.
Typically, Dynamics gives customers the power of choice, allowing them to transition/move to another Dynamics ERP edition or product and get a full investment credit on the original system list price.  For example, a customer using Dynamics SL could transition to Dynamics GP, and get a credit for the price originally paid for SL.  But you can’t do that for 2 years if you use this promotion!  Sorry, you cannot get free users of Dynamics GP and then use the full price credit to move to Dynamics AX the next day.  Makes sense to me, but I secretly hope that someone did this in the past and was pretty pleased with himself at finding such a cool loophole.   

7)  This promotion/offer does NOT apply to:

• Microsoft Dynamics Light UsersLight Users cost $195 for each named user (+enhancement/maintenance fees).   Each user includes Human Resources Management (HRM) Self-Service Suite, Requisition Management, 1 Management Reporter Viewer (you must purchase a Light User in order to get the Viewer), 1 Business Portal Employee, 1 Business Portal Customer, Analysis Cubes.
• Microsoft Dynamics Employee Self-Service UsersThe additional cost for 1-49 users is $100.00 per named user.  This includes HRM Self Service Suite, Requisition Management & 1 Business Portal Employee.
• Limited Point of Sale (POS) Device CALs.Cost of this is $299.
• External Connector. The cost of the External Connector is $5,000. This license will allow any 3rd party individual or device to access the system database, provided that the individual or device user is not employed by the customer organization. Only one External Connector license is required for each system database.
• SQL Runtime Edition and Database licenses. SQL Server 2008 Standard $190 // SQL Server 2008 Enterprise $350
• SharePoint Runtime Edition.   Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise CAL (Named User) Server is included with first user – $200 plus requires Light User ($195)  (Get more info on Microsoft SharePoint)
• A la carte functionality modules. Each edition of Dynamics ERP products includes specific modules in the user price.  There are other modules, such as Payroll, that are not included in the per user price but can be purchased separately (a la carte).  These a la carte modules are not included in the promotion.  What are the a la carte modules for Dynamics GP editions?
• Third Party (ISV) software and functionality. At our company, we include some ISV products, such as Mekorma MICR checks, on all our sales proposals and feel they are an important part of a complete Dynamics GP implementation.  But this, and all other add on/ISV, have their own price lists are not included in the promotion.
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM and CRM related Services or Components. Dynamics CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a different product and is not eligible for the promotion. However, Dynamics CRM has some pretty nice promotions of their own right now including $34 per user for Dynamics CRM 2011 online.  So you could use both the ERP and CRM promotions and get a fully integrated system for a very reasonable cost.  How does Dynamics ERP integrate with Dynamics CRM?
• Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail, Microsoft Dynamics C5, Microsoft Dynamics XAL, Microsoft Apertum or Microsoft Small Business Financial (SBF). These are all separate ERP/Accounting systems and are not included in this promotion. I have never heard of C5 and Apertum and SBF is no longer being sold, so you are not missing much.

And a few other exclusions that are self-explanatory:

• Offer cannot be combined with other offers and promotions.
• This offer cannot be converted into cash.
• All licenses need to be purchased for real customers and not for stocking purposes.
• Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
• This offer is non-transferable.   
• Offer available only through participating resellers. Reseller prices, terms and conditions may vary.
• Public Sector customers are excluded from this ‘Buy 1, get 3’ offer. Learn about an alternate offer for Public Sector customers.

And of course the most important line in the fine print:
This promotion expires at the “end of business day” on Friday June 24, 2011.
(I would assume this is 5pm in Fargo, ND so anyone not in the Central time zone should calculate accordingly if you are the type to wait until the very last hour).  This is a locked in date, if your reseller (VAR) has to place your order on June 25^th you will be paying full price, and no amount of, “the dog ate my deposit check” will change that deadline.

So if you are a prospective Dynamics ERP buyer that has been thinking, “sounds good, but what’s the catch?” I hope that this information clears up any speculation on the real value of the Dynamics ERP “Buy 1 Get 3” promotion.   There is no dangerous fine print.  You really do get 2 full users free. This promotion is just Microsoft’s way of making it more affordable for more people to buy Dynamics ERP products and thus grow their own market share.  You might as well take advantage of it while it lasts to get a strong, stable, full featured ERP software system, at a great price.

Next Steps:
Set up a Dynamics GP Discovery Call with CAL Business Solutions. 860-485-0910 x3002
Get more details on the Dynamics GP “Buy 1 Get 3” promotion at www.calszone.com/buy1get3
Request a Dynamics GP Quick Quote

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

Eligibility & Exclusions for the Microsoft Dynamics ERP “Buy 1, Get 3″ Sales Offer: Understanding the Fine Print is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Every year, more than 10% of the market is looking for a new system to implement that solves a problem or challenge they are facing. From Accounting to Association Management, companies are flooding the market with Requests for Proposals (RFP) on various technologies and software solutions.

But the current RFP process is taxing on both buyers and sellers, and usually leaves companies disappointed with their selected solution. Why? The answer lies in the process itself: Buyers are requesting for solutions that meet requirements without defining their challenges first. 

The RFP Process: A Long-drawn-out Dance between Buyers & Sellers

In the RFP process, buyers have the daunting task of researching systems, which includes attending all-day presentations, watching countless demos, comparing an unending list of vendors, and assembling all this information into one huge document — a list of requirements that spell out the need for something called a “Financial Management System” or an “Enterprise Reporting System” (ERP) such as Microsoft Dynamics GP.

And most sellers aren’t too fond of the RFP process either — just responding is considered a victory. Sellers want to do more that respond to a request list, they want to help the real people, to understand the buyer’s challenges.

Why is the RFP Process like this?

So why do buyers go through this time-consuming process just to end up saying, “I don’t remember which vendor showed me which system!”

Common responses to this question include:

• “We want an even playing field.”
• “We want multiple offers.”
• “We want a comprehensive view of the market.”

These sound like logical reasons for the way the RFP process is, but they all miss the point and rarely help buyers find the best vendor with the right solutions.

Focus on the Challenge, not the Software

For companies, the RFP process always disappoints in the end. Expectations aren’t met and goals aren’t achieved because they were never set in the first place.

Buyers are looking for the solution, but they haven’t identified their business challenges or problems to vendors.

How to Change the RFP Process for Buyers

Buyers need to start asking hard questions that address real problems or challenges in the company.

Instead of requesting for a proposal, buyers need to request solutions to specific problems like reducing corporate risk or operational overhead.

What if a buyer requested…

• Increasing ROI by 20%, OR…
• SOX Compliance

Buyers just might get real solutions and skip the long-drawn-out process altogether.

I stand by my statement: Nobody needs a new system!  What every company needs is a solution to a problem. Yes, these systems were designed to solve such business problems, but buyers often choose the wrong one, resulting in a waste of time/money and an implementation that never lives up to buyer expectations.

The next time your company submits a RFP for a new system, break the cycle! Don’t settle for a process that turns out a system you don’t need. Only settle for technology solutions that actually solve your problems.

Find out how your organization can leverage BroadPoint’s industry knowledge, strategic direction and technology expertise.  Contact Steve Kane at BroadPoint Technologies (301-634-2404 or skane@broadpoint.net), Virginia’s most experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner.

by Broad Poi

Solutions Not Systems — Why Buyers Need to Put Business Challenges before Software Requirements is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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1.      Increases your company’s efficiency:

• Frees your people to focus on what matters most by automating routine tasks such as timesheets, expense reporting, sales orders, and more.
• Takes advantage of Web-based requisition management capabilities, where employees can submit requisitions online, automatically routing them through an approval process across your organization.

2.      Reduces your costs:

• Personalization tools help you to extend the system without expensive customizations to give users an experience tailored to their unique needs.
• Integrates with non-Microsoft applications using Microsoft Dynamics GP connectivity tools and easily connects with external data sources using Web Services.
• Provides a deployment model that works for you. Whether its on-premise or partner hosted, Microsoft Dynamics GP delivers a solution that you can count on now and into the future.

3.      Strengthens and grows your business:

• Allows fast, strategic decisions for attracting and retaining top talent and offers employees better services and programs with customizable hiring processes, scheduling, and performance evaluation tools.
• Maximizes profitability through visibility into project budgets and actual expenses. Automate project-related time and expense review and approval processes to maintain controls on project accounting as the size and number of projects increases.
• Allows creation of company-wide intranets with security that allows employees to access only what is appropriate for their roles. Employees have access to relevant and timely information, which in turn helps increase productivity.

It isn’t an easy business climate these days, but there are things you can do to improve your company’s situation and implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP may just be the most important. Contact us today to learn more about how Microsoft Dynamics GP can save you money. Blue Moon Industries is a leading ERP solution provider of Microsoft Dynamics GP software in Rhode Island. Blue Moon Industries is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with competencies in Microsoft Business Solutions and ISV Software Solutions.

By Blue Moon Industries – Rhode Island Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

How Microsoft Dynamics GP Can Save You Money is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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If you’re still thinking of making the upgrade, consider the following list of top features we’ve found in GP 2010.

Our Top 4 Feature picks from Dynamics GP 2010:

1. More In-Depth Analysis with Dashboards: What does 100+ new charts, plus new KPI’s and the ability to drill-back detailed reports mean for your dashboard? More customization. All of these things come standard in GP 2010, so you can get a better, more detailed analysis of the GP data that matters to you.
2. Better Integration with Excel: You never have to go through the exhausting process of printing reports and reentering data into Excel spreadsheets ever again. GP 2010 includes 11 new Excel Reports (in addition to the hundreds of Excel Reports already available) that make predictive modeling and analysis easier than ever.
3. Attractive MS Word Forms: Boring, bland text reports are a thing of the past with GP 2010’s 22 new Microsoft Word Forms. Each form is better looking and more professional than any of the previous Word Forms we’ve seen in GP.

        Added bonuses? The Forms are easy to customize, and it’s a snap to email them through GP 2010.

    4.  Easy-to-Create Mini-Apps: Even “non-developer” users can create and manage their own applications with the GP 2010 Extender module. With Extender, you have the ability to create a simple window or a more advanced set of windows for measuring additional data. Gives users greater power and functionality in GP without having to go through a developer.

These are just a few of the new exciting features in GP 2010 that will enhance the way you process data and collaborate within your organization. We hope this list of top features helps you feel confident in your decision to upgrade to GP 2010.  And since support for GP Version 9 will end come January, choosing to upgrade to Dynamics GP 2010 is a decision you’ll want to make sooner rather than later.

To find out what GP 2010 can do for your organization, contact Steve Kane (301-634-2404 and skane@broadpoint.net) at BroadPoint Technologies, Virginia’s most experienced Dynamics GP Microsoft Partner.

Top 4 Features to Shout About in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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