ERP is all about productivity improvement

According to a recent research report, most small and mid-size businesses undertake an ERP implementation to replace manual systems that are holding back employee productivity. With a cloud ERP solution, no time is wasted on the hardware and support technology.

Business process review to match requirements with functionality and apply best practices to improve performance comes first.  Employees can log onto software immediately to get familiar with the feel and functionality. The time between choosing the new system and reaping the productivity rewards is measured in days, not months.

Productivity gains through familiar tools

When you choose a Microsoft-based cloud financial management system, like Microsoft Dynamics GP or Acumatica, your employees continue to use familiar tools.  With the familiar user interface and integration with Microsoft’s Office helps employees feel comfortable working with the new software. 

With your financial management solution in the cloud, employees and managers can access the information they need when they need it. Regional office managers can view GL sub-accounts for their regions. Investors can stay informed through dashboards. Temporary workers can be granted secure access for a few hours or days. All employees can submit expense reports.

Keeps workers productive in the field

With conventional ERP implementations, training for workers in remote locations is often difficult and slow.  Remote workers feel isolated from the implementation efforts unless they travel to the main office. With cloud ERP, remote workers have the tools they need from the start to feel connected and productive.

If you have been holding back on an ERP solution because of concerns about the productivity interruption to your business, think about cloud.   Let’s talk about how you can build for the future without compromising the present.  Call Gary gfrancart@ktlsolutions.com  or 866-960-0001.

by KTL Solutions

Why Investment in Process Improvement Means Faster ROI on ERP Software in the Cloud is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

No related posts.

Cloud past: An ethereal presence

Rising up out of the mist of the Internet, virtualization, offsite data centers and even ancient concepts like computer time sharing and grid computing, the Internet Gods have smiled on us. The Wise Men (and women) that control our modern-day ethers have taken technology to the next level, but where did it come from? Clouds past brought up images of chain-rattling slowness, surrounded by thieves ready to take advantage of its weak state and pounce unrelentingly. Would we, ten years ago, have used the cloud to run mission-critical, transaction-based apps and deliver them to trusted users around the world? Not likely. It was unproven, the security was not in place, and valid concerns over latency and data reliability and recoverability prevented all but minor apps to move over the cloud. It was a spectral curiosity. To paraphrase Dickens, “‘You don’t believe in me,’ observed the Cloud.”

There was no way to know in those early days, what that shaky little abstract concept would bring. Because by nature, the cloud is mostly hidden, we thought it to be nonexistent, and it was largely misunderstood to be some single giant mythical beast perhaps, which some ghostly group of Internet geeks conjured out of duct tape and Cat-5 cable for their own amusement.

Cloud present: “Rise and walk with me.”

Once we started to understand that the cloud wasn’t a cloud at all, but rather, a set of very concrete pieces of equipment located at individual data centers staffed by smart people, which delivered software and infrastructure services over a secure Internet connection, we slowly started to realize the enormous power that it held. Nothing has been the same since.

And like a fat Christmas goose, the cloud has enough capacity for everyone, and even more. It is infinitely scalable. Those who sell the cloud now have the knowledge to do it effectively, and the assurance that what they are selling really is worthwhile and capable.  When people say, “I don’t believe,” point resolutely to state-of-the-art data centers with 24×7 staffing, two-factor authentication, virtualization and built-in redundancies with disaster recovery capability.  And to paraphrase still another old Christmas passage, “Yes, Virginia, there is a cloud.” And now that we know what it is, businesspeople everywhere are rushing to embrace it, and it’s no longer just a curiosity—it’s a competitive necessity.

Cloud yet to come: “No fog, no mist . . .”

We are today on the verge of something even greater. Perhaps the only mistake those early conjurers made when they came up with the concept of the cloud, was to name it so. The very name “cloud” created an environment of distrust, creating an illusion of something that couldn’t be seen or touched.

What is incredibly remarkable about the time in which we now find ourselves is that we are seeing the beginning of a Renaissance of sorts. Remember the dotcom boom of the ’90s? The dotcloud boom of the current decade will make that heady time seem like a flash in the pan. Because the mist has cleared and the cloud is today better understood—and the underlying technology mature enough to handle just about anything—new opportunities are being created. Yes, it has created a new and disruptive business model, but when Mr. Scrooge himself finally embraced a new business model for himself, he found a better life. So it is with the cloud. Instead of a start-up requiring millions of dollars to launch, it can do so with only a few thousand. Capital expenditures that would have gone to building on-premise data centers in the past, can now be diverted to innovation.  Take that to your counting-house!

NetStandard, Inc., established in 1996, is a leading information technology business and SSAE 16 compliant data center headquartered at 2000 Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kansas. We deliver IT managed services, scalable secure data center service and hosted/cloud computing services under the name Myappsanywhere through a nationwide reseller network to small and mid-size businesses.

Technology Review of Cloud Past, Present and Future: No Ghostly Visitations Necessary is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Results of Harvard Business Review Cloud Computing Survey of 1500 Business and Technology Leaders
2. Future Cloud Innovations for Microsoft Dynamics ERP
3. Summer 2011 in Review: Tax Updates and Further Adoption of the Cloud with Office 365 Launch

 I’m sure you’ve often wished it was possible to try this type of software before you buy. Good news, Microsoft has released a series of Dynamics GP demo videos that allow you to do just that. These demonstrations walk you through several steps while you click on the screen as if you were actually using the software. For example, the demo entitled “Manage your business” covers a few sample scenarios that many executives encounter including:

• Observing trends in key metrics
• Delegating tasks
• Preparing for a meeting

You’ll notice that thanks to the company overview dashboard and the ease with which Dynamics GP 2010 integrates with other Microsoft products, many common tasks are made much simpler with this system.

 If you are interested in learning how Microsoft Dynamics GP can help improve the way your business manages its financial data, contact us today. We’re happy to help!

Intelligent Technologies, Inc. is a North Carolina Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Want to Try Financial Management Software Before You Buy? With Microsoft Dynamics GP Demo Videos You Can! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Three Reasons Why ERP Software is a Must for Financial Management
2. Ten Lessons Learned from Healthcare Organizations on Selecting and Implementing Financial Management and Accounting Software for Their Needs
3. Making the Most of Your Financial Management Software

Practically speaking, cloud computing is important to consider because it can free up capital and control IT costs while giving you access to enterprise level applications.  Consider the four questions below and you will be well on your way to finding out how Cloud computing applies to your business.

• Do you want to reduce IT costs?
  • Lower total cost of ownership
  • Reduce IT hardware, software, and/or service costs
  • Reduce data center facility costs
• Do you need to improve your organization’s agility and IT reliability?
  • Enable faster time to market
  • Improve availability and scalability
  • Improve disaster recovery and data backup
• Are the business applications you use supported in the cloud?
  • Productivity tools
    • Email, Instant messaging and videoconferencing
    • Team collaboration and websites
    • Content creation applications, including documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.
  • Line of Business (LOB) Applications
  • IT Virtualization, data management and storage
• What is your management team’s comfort level with housing data off premises?
  • Control
    • Physical control
    • Data sovereignty
    • Day-to-day management
    • Financial – support for existing investments and migration/integration costs
  • Security
    • Data integrity
    • Data privacy
    • Data access
    • Regulatory compliance

If the cloud may be in your future, your next step will be to find business management applications that make the best use of the cloud now and into the future. At KTL Solutions, we believe that Microsoft Dynamics GP is the best accounting and financial management solution for the cloud.  To find out why, contact Gary at gfrancart@ktlsolutions.com or 866-960-0001.

by KTL Solutions, DC area Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Four Easy Questions to Determine Whether Cloud Computing is Right for You is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Comparing Cloud Computing to your Electricity Bill: Access to ERP Software is that Easy
2. Is Cloud Computing Right for My Business?
3. Cloud Computing with Microsoft Dynamics Gives you MORE

Imagine a world where Microsoft Dynamics GP and mobile applications merged. No, this idea isn’t just in the ‘clouds’, it’s actually coming sooner than you think.

Launching as a Blackberry App for Blackberry devices, the application works with the familiar Dynamics GP platform and gives its clients the power of accessing their Dynamics accounting system while on-the-go.

The highlights of Dynamics Insight develop upon the Microsoft Dynamics GP solution with on-the-go features.

These features include:

• Ability to check for upcoming reminders
• Monitor and access your KPI’s
• View company metrics at any time.

Business has evolved since the introduction of the Internet – business is indeed faster, stronger and more efficient. Information needs to be communicated faster but most importantly, to the right people. WebSan Solutions Inc. makes it easier to do so by simplifying the solution and ‘unlocking your systems potential’.

For more information on Dynamics Insight, contact us at WebSan Solutions, a British Columbia, Canada Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Mobile Business Insight for Dynamics GP Coming Soon! is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 R2 Takes Business Insight to a New Level
2. How Business Intelligence (BI) Turns Data into Insight
3. GP 2010 – Coming To A City Near You!

Sounds pretty far-fetched, doesn’t it?

Well this book and movie aren’t too far from reality given today’s strategies for Microsoft Dynamics ERP in The Cloud and Microsoft Dynamics CRM in The Cloud.  Companies are moving their critical systems to The Cloud at record speeds because the benefits are obvious and abundant.

Lower Costs:  The biggest reason that clients look at Cloud Services for ERP and CRM is that it can save them a lot of money over time compared to keeping a data center in house.  If you eliminate the cost of the equipment, facilities, staff, maintenance, and myriad associated costs, you can save a substantial amount of money.

Flexibility & Scalability: Cloud Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM provide tremendous flexibility. Deploying your software in The Cloud means that your infrastructure can now match the pace of growth at your company, giving you what you need when you need it.  As your business grows, so can your infrastructure, but you only pay for what you need when you need it. 

Quicker Deployments:  Once you’ve obtained the go ahead for an ERP or CRM project, you often have to wait for the purchase and installation of the necessary infrastructure and operating equipment.  Cloud Services provide all the necessary capacity and equipment to meet your needs.  Deployment is nearly instantaneous and since time is money, reducing your wait time and speeding up the whole process is cost effective and it saves you money.

Mobile Usage:  Many if not most businesses today offer remote access. But remote access to on-premises servers is not trouble free.  Sometimes, remote access can only be granted to certain programs and only in certain locations. And printing out documents when and where you need them can be problematic.  Since a Cloud Solution is Internet-based, as long as you have Internet access (which these days is virtually anywhere) you can access all of your computing and printing needs without the problems often associated with on-premises, server-based systems.

Predictable Costs:  One of the major benefits that CEOs and CFOs alike enjoy is the predictable and consistent expense of cloud-based solutions. IT departments require capital expenditures for new and replacement equipment. Depreciating capital equipment can become an accounting hassle. When capital resources are used for IT, this can create variances in monthly profitability reports or available funds, depending on how these purchases are treated. With cloud solutions you establish an annual budget based on a fixed subscription price, thereby eliminating unforeseen expenses and budget fluctuations.

Simplification of IT:  The second biggest reason that clients are attracted to cloud solutions is that they want to simplify their IT department. If you’re not in the IT business, you’re probably better off letting the experts handle your IT so you can focus on your core business. 

Security:  If you compare ERP and CRM deployment options, you’ll find that storing your software and data in The Cloud is actually more secure than storing it on-premises. Few mid-sized companies have the wherewithal to provide the physical security that cloud providers offer, such as disaster recovery and fail over systems. Given the level of coding and encryption at the server level and through Internet portals, your data and software are more secure than ever.

Much like Flint, the hero in “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” you too can put your company’s most prized possessions in the cloud so you can focus on what you do best, which is growing and managing your own business, not managing IT systems!

By Joel Hatin, Client Partner, Altico Advisors, Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner for Manufacturing and Distribution serving New Hampshire (NH)

Microsoft Dynamics in The Cloud – “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?” is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Data Security in ERP – Are Products Like Microsoft Dynamics NAV Safer On-Premise or in the Cloud?
2. Can I Run My Business In 1 Cloud? And By The Way, What Is “the cloud?”
3. Days Stuck at Your Desk May Be Over: Cloud Computing Increases Mobility

First, let’s clarify what these different deployment platforms are.

On-Premise:

Tried and True. This has been the standard implementation since the inception of Dynamics ERP. On-premise provides full-bodied functionality and customizations to companies with their own internal IT resources.  On-premise solutions require adequate infrastructure, and a commitment to on-going maintenance and security.  This doesn’t mean you have to be a Fortune 500 Company.  Simply, it is advantageous to have suitable IT on staff.  The total cost of ownership is higher than the other options, but can be reduced over time.

Payment: Owned License with up-front software purchase.  Yearly licensing fees. (Reasons why to stay on top of your licensing fees)

On premise might be a good fit if your organization:

• Has more than 10-15 users.
• Has the need for increased customizations and integration with other applications to maximize your efficiencies. (yes please!)
• Prefers to have complete control over the maintenance windows, issue resolution, security, data, and service pack updates etc.
• Is interested in greater long-term value and ideal when you’ve already invested in an IT environment and staff.

Hosted:

Hosting offers a convenient, cost effective solution for companies with limited or no internal IT resources.  DFC’s clients have the option to purchase their Microsoft Dynamics solution and host it in a secure data center for enhanced security, improved performance and peace of mind with no down time.  The application is accessible via the internet for greater flexibility.  These applications can be moved on-premise at any time, and on-premise solutions can be moved to a hosted environment.   

Payment: Owned Licenses with upfront software fees.  Monthly fees and yearly licensing fees.

Hosting might be a good fit if your organization:

• Prefers to outsource.
• Wants a convenient, cost effective solution and has limited internal IT resources.
• Has the need for increased customizations and integration with other applications to maximize your efficiencies.
• Wants to add users and customizations and integrations as your business grows.

On-Demand:

Aka – cloud computing

Aka – Saas (software as a service)

You’ve heard the buzz by now.  On-demand offers similar capabilities of an enterprise-level business management application, with off balance sheet costing.  An application provider hosts and manages the software solution, and you pay a monthly subscriber fee.  On-Demand. Cloud. Saas. However you want to say it, these applications are accessible via the internet. 

For example, one of the largest hosting providers RoseASP has developed a “cloud” offering for Microsoft Dynamics GP called, myGPcloud.  This service starts at $139 per month.  The myGPcloud service includes all of the rich accounting, business-intelligence and  financial-management features of Microsoft Dynamics GP, as well as automated on-line provisioning, training videos and guides, template setup and technical support, and available integration to business portal, SharePoint, and customer relationship management systems. To learn more go to myGPcloud.

Payment:  Monthly subscription.

On-demand might be a good fit if your organization:

• Prefers to outsource.
• Has less than 15 users.
• Has no IT.
• Desires fast time to benefit, with minimal commitment.

Suggestion:  Before you commit to subscribing, make sure your provider will make available a backup of your data including all reports and customizations and deliver it to you.

Bottom line, whatever direction you go, you should be in position to migrate to whatever deployment makes the most sense to your business.   If you start out with On-premise by hosting and maintaining your own SQL server,   you can stack on CRM on-line, which is another hosted solution Microsoft offers.  Down the road if your organization experiences changes where IT is downsized restructured, you easily can migrate to a hosting company.  No data is lost, and no additional licenses will be required.  You just have to pay hosting fees (in addition to your licensing fees.)

So what’s the best solution for your organization?  Let us help.  DFC Consultants has over 20 years of experience and can help you determine where to start and get you pricing on these different options today. 

Since 1989, DFC has worked with clients in a variety of industries, with specialized focus on manufacturing, Tribal, non-profit, social services, distribution, and professional services. If you are looking for the most experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP partner 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 review. 

DFC Consultants specialize in Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft CRM and Native American Housing solutions.

by DFC Consultants, North Dakota Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft Dynamics GP On-Demand, Hosted, or On-Premise – Which Deployment is Best for Me? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Deployment Options: On-Premise, Cloud or Hosted
2. Top 10 Reasons to Consider Cloud Computing Technologies vs. Traditional On-Premise Deployment
3. 5 Reasons Choosing Hosted vs On Premise ERP Software is Like Choosing Between a Condo or a House

1. How easy and intuitive is the user interface? Solutions based on portal technology are the best way to go. A portal offers users the ability to tailor the way they interact with the application and functionality, much like they would customize a Yahoo site to fit their specific interests.

2. How quickly and easily can the solution be implemented? Does the solution offer an accelerated implementation approach to minimize demands on your resources? Rapid implementation techniques can reduce costs by more than 50 percent.

3. How easily can the solution integrate with your supply chain, product development, and business processes? Remember, no system operates in a vacuum, and it delivers the most value when embedded in the business!

4. Can the solution easily scale as your business grows? Take into account not only number of users, but also specific roles and functions and the need to support end-to-end business processes, which are constantly changing.

5. Is the business solution available as a subscription? You can’t always anticipate the future. Keeping cash is important. On-demand business solutions must be available on a subscription basis, virtually eliminating the traditional upfront investments. The solution should offer you flexible 12, 24, or 36 month subscription options – allowing you to keep your cash working while you get the benefits of the newest business technology solutions.

6. Does the solution offer you company-wide visibility into your business processes? The right solution can help you gain a competitive advantage through increased visibility into critical business functions, superior reporting, integrated processes, and even increased customer loyalty/retention, more in-depth customer insights, and an accelerated product time to market.

7. Are there ample resources to assist you with your implementation and ongoing support? Look for business partners with both long-term business experience and support services, as well as expertise with cross functional, strategic technology and software solutions.

8. Is industry-specific expertise built into the product? The best business solutions are not plain vanilla. Each solution needs to address industry-specific needs, and support roles and functions unique to vertical markets.

9. Does it provide you with any analytics? That is, does it provide the means to analyze collected data and generate reports that help your analysts and management to better understand your customers and then turn that knowledge into action? You should be able to measure performance, predict trends, plan for business success, and make the most of customer relationships.

10. Can it operate on the Web? On-demand systems need to work across the company as well as with your business partners. Look for a business solution that has the flexibility and open access to accommodate future change in business and technology.

By NextCorp, Ltd., Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner for Texas

10 Criteria Every SMB Should Use to Evaluate an “On Demand” Business Solution is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Solutions Not Systems — Why Buyers Need to Put Business Challenges before Software Requirements
2. Microsoft Dynamics GP On-Demand, Hosted, or On-Premise – Which Deployment is Best for Me?
3. Run Your Business, Not Your Technology

Consider the costs of planning. Right out of the box, there is an implicit level of failure. Why? Because of risks. Risks can be known, unknown or unknowable; they are firm and they are soft.  Quantifying them may mitigate failure, but does it mitigate the time value of decision making?  And, is it always the case that everything must be decided up front? How can you make the right decisions if you don’t know what you don’t know?

Obviously, these issues should be overseen by skilled Project Managers who have the right tools. One way that Microsoft Dynamics GP addresses this is through the implementation methodology model known as Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step.  Sure Step helps manage risk through a proven process that is specific to MS Dynamics GP and other ERP projects.  The combination of methodology, project management, and proven best practices provides more control over your implementation, migration, or upgrade. 

Without proper estimation and decision making, risks can dramatically impact the delta between the value you receive as a client and the cost of the relationship.  Less control, a greater cost, a larger delta. In the end, a succesful deployment is a matter of satisfaction and value.  It’s critical to choose an ERP software provider with access to the right resources and a clear understanding of what a successful implementation means.

by OmniVue Business Solutions – Georgia Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Planning For A Successful ERP System Implementation is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. 5 Steps to a Successful Implementation of Your New Accounting System
2. Five Ingredients for a Successful ERP Implementation
3. Walk Before You Run: Tips to a Successful Microsoft Dynamics GP Implementation

Consider some of the many reasons to switch from a tier-one ERP system to Microsoft Dynamics GP:

• Your customers aren’t buying as quickly or as frequently as they used to, and your business needs to preserve cash flow. Your margins are shrinking, and your costly ERP system is eating away at your profits instead of helping you sustain and grow your business.
• A Microsoft Dynamics GP solution from OmniVue can quickly and easily transform your business, in many cases reducing your yearly maintenance costs by 70-80%. That means you spend less of your operating budget on maintaining your ERP system, and can focus more resources on improving your bottom line.
• With your current ERP system you may have far more functionality than you need on a daily basis adding up to a less than agile solution.  Robust and feature rich, Microsoft Dynamics GP meets the needs of your business. And unlike many ERP systems, GP does it all without a significant investment in infrastructure.  Eliminate costly mainframe or AS/400 systems, reduce the need for full-time database administrators dedicated to supporting your system, and all but eliminate the need for outside consultants to assist you with customized reporting.
• Microsoft Dynamics GP licensing is designed to be cost-effective, allowing you to operate with concurrent users, with no imposed minimums or maximums, so you can scale your system along with your business.

An analyst report from Nucleus Research on the ROI of Microsoft Dynamics GP for Enterprise found that 71% of Microsoft Dynamics GP enterprise customers had already achieved a positive ROI from their solution with an average payback of less than 2 years.  A Microsoft Dynamics GP solution from OmniVue can put the control back in your hands, and let you dictate what features and functionalities your team needs in order to maximize cost savings.   Check out OmniVue’s special deals for businesses who want to ditch their costly ERP systems (Oracle, SAP, JD Edwards Etc…) and save with Microsoft Dynamics.

By OmniVue – Georgia Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

What if you could replace your Enterprise ERP system—Oracle, JD Edwards , SAP, etc— with Microsoft Dynamics, for less than your current ERP’s yearly maintenance? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Advantages of Staying Current on ERP Maintenance
2. Planning For A Successful ERP System Implementation
3. Will My Current Investment in Microsoft Technology Work With a New ERP System?