ERP Software Blog » Hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP

What Lesson Can ERP Software Buyers Learn From the Hartford CT Power Outage of 2011?

Anya Ciecierski, CAL Business Solutions — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:09:02 +0000

When the freak Halloween snowstorm hit Connecticut, it left nearly a million residents without power. Suddenly the basic necessities that most people take for granted, heat, electricity, and safety, were gone. With downed power lines and dark streets, children in Hartford were forced to forgo trick-or-treating this year. Now that is scary!

To make matters worse, many residents feel the response from Connecticut Light & Power was too slow, forcing many of them to go more than a week without utilities. According to the Hartford Business Journal, in response to the problems and complaints, Northeast Utilities, the parent company of CL&P has setup a $10 million fund to assist residents who may have suffered losses as a result of the power outages.

When disaster strikes, it is not only residents who are affected. Businesses often take a severe hit as well. When your business is without power, it is quite possible to find yourself in a situation where you cannot get work done, but for businesses that were already thinking outside of the box, there is always a Plan B.

In a power outage, a hosted deployment of Microsoft Dynamics GP is not affected. If you can find a local coffee shop or even fast food restaurant that still has power and Wi-Fi, you can get securely connected to your ERP system and continue business as usual. It is not an ideal situation, but it is certainly better than losing business.

If you are looking for a maintenance-free solution for your ERP system, contact us to learn more about the pros and cons of a hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment at 860-485-0910. Or download the white paper “35 Questions Every CFO Must Ask About ERP Software In the Cloud.”

Even when the lights go out, Microsoft Dynamics GP can still work for you.

By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

What Lesson Can ERP Software Buyers Learn From the Hartford CT Power Outage of 2011? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems Provide Unprecedented Access to Information

Andrew King, WebSan Solutions, Inc. — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:12:29 +0000

Whenever I’m asked by friends and family what I do for a living, I tend to pause and think about how I should answer. If I mention the phrases “ERP” or “enterprise systems” I notice a distinct glazed look in the eyes of those asking. This isn’t surprising, as ERP systems are large, technical, and complex tools. In response to this, I’ve created a little analogy to explain what I do, comparing ERP systems to an everyday piece of technology that most people are familiar with: The personal GPS device. The metaphor is helpful and quite apt.

Consider what a GPS does and how it is used. It provides instantaneous information about one’s exact location, where they are relative to where they need to go, and offers suggestions on how to best reach that destination. One simply has to input two basic pieces of information, such as an address, a postal code, or an intersection. Even without such information at hand, one is able to search locations using a wide range of criteria. Compare how a family would plan a long-distance road trip thirty years ago to how a modern family would plan such a trip. Instead of purchasing multiple road maps and spending hours meticulously scouring them for the best route, the trip can be calculated in seconds.

Reflect now what an ERP system like Microsoft Dynamics GP does and how it is used. It automates and speeds up tasks and processes and provides important decision-making information to those who need it. From an accounting standpoint, it can provide a snapshot of a company’s financial position in an instant. Compare how a business owner would go about asking for a substantial bank loan without an enterprise system versus how one with an ERP system would go about it. Accurate, up-to-date financial reports and statements can be generated in seconds instead of days, pulling information from all areas of the organization: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Manufacturing, Inventory, Human Resources. Planning. How a company is to go about reaching its strategic destination, and viewing its progress along this journey can be done with greater ease and accuracy.

Is your organization looking to gain more insight into its financials and key performance indicators? Is your current accounting system requiring you to spend hours exporting information to Excel before a useful report can be generated? It may be time for you to investigate whether an ERP system like Dynamics GP or Hosted Dynamics GP is right for you.

When you consider the impact a GPS has had on your personal ability to get from your home to your destination, think what instant access to information from your ERP system can do for your business?

By: Tom Ross, Applications Specialist, WebSan Solutions Inc. a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems Provide Unprecedented Access to Information is a post from: ERP Software Blog

“Release Your Data from its Earthly Bounds, and Let it Soar to the Cloud”

Cloudster, RoseASP — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:22:44 +0000

Who writes this junk? Well, I do. It’s certainly not classic prose, and I think it’s too long to fit on a fortune cookie message. But it’s definitely trendy. And guess what, many are still reluctant to maintain their accounting data on a remote server, out there somewhere, easily accessible via the Internet. Here are a few reasons why those who are reluctant might reconsider. These are standard features of a good application hosting environment:

Standard IT system security procedures ensure that user access is dynamically controlled and managed
The transmission of data between the server and the user incorporates 128 bit encryption to protect the data as it moves back and forth
Security related patches and service packs for operating systems and related software are routinely applied in a timely manner
Physical security to the hosted servers is tight and administered by an objective third party
Data backups are performed on a daily basis and become part of a standard disaster recovery plan
Data centers are regularly audited to ensure that they are compliant to SAS-70 standards

Still think it’s safer to have your data in the office next to you? A few years ago we picked up a new client, and their primary reason for making a move to the cloud was that in the prior weeks, someone had broken into their office and stolen their server. End of story.

By RoseASP, a major provider of hosted Dynamics solutions.

“Release Your Data from its Earthly Bounds, and Let it Soar to the Cloud” is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Surprising Momentum from Companies in Bankruptcy

Cloudster, RoseASP — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 23:43:56 +0000

We have seen a surprising increase in business from companies that are operating under the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy code. This seems like a paradox, but what we’re hearing from our new clients is the following:

Subscription pricing allows for a minimal upfront investment in business systems
Hosted business systems require no additional systems management personnel
Subscription pricing and hosting requires no long term commitment
A solid mid-range ERP system can be a good replacement for a huge tier-1 system
Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility

If a big change in your business is causing you to take a fresh look at how you invest in, and use business systems, you should take a good look at a mid-range ERP system offered in a hosted environment with subscription pricing.

By RoseASP, a major provider of hosted Dynamics solutions.

Surprising Momentum from Companies in Bankruptcy is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Top 5 Myths about Microsoft Dynamics ERP in the Cloud

Jeff Pyden, OmniVue — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:44:22 +0000

If your business has researched ERP software options recently, you’ve probably noticed there are many different ways to implement and run the system in your organization. The more traditional on-premise software implementation is now one option among many, with other choices being SaaS and Managed Hosting models. Despite economic shifts toward cloud computing and hosting, there are still some misunderstandings about the benefits of these options.

1. Someone Else Owns Your Data
Let’s clarify this prevalent misconception first. By definition, hosting is not the same as owning. In most cases, your data will be safer with a hosting provider than it is right now. Think of it this way: how many of your employees currently have access to your financial data? Two? Twenty? Who supports the system and runs your backups? The SaaS or Managed Hosting options remove many of these access points, which means your data will be far more secure.

When entering into an ERP hosting contract, both parties need to sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA), which details the service level guarantees and associated penalties if that service level is not met. It should never imply that the hosting provider owns your data, and it should clearly state who is responsible for what. If it doesn’t, you need to find a new partner.

2. Disaster Recovery Concerns
How long would it take your company to get up and running after an unforeseen event, and who is backing up your data right now? SaaS and Managed Hosting platforms with built-in disaster recovery and back-up management ensure that you won’t lose time or data, and all you need is an internet connection to access your system from any geographic location. If your system is only accessed and maintained in-house, even though it may be backed-up to an off-site location, how long will it take to recover your data and be able to use it? By outsourcing disaster recovery services to trusted professionals, it allows your IT resources to focus on higher value business objectives, instead of operating in reactive mode to the unexpected.

3. Higher Total Cost of Ownership
Sure, the SaaS model is cheaper up front and takes less time to implement than an on-premise system, but won’t I end up paying more in the long run? The truth is, the total cost of ownership for Microsoft Dynamics GP on-premise will be greater than a SaaS or Managed Hosting model over a 5-year period for most companies. It is a more cost-effective choice for small, growing businesses because of lower up-front costs and faster implementation. This allows them to take advantage of sophisticated systems that they otherwise might not be able to afford. The result is the ability to compete more quickly in the marketplace and have more capital available to reinvest in the business. It can also delay the need to hire high-cost IT resources, and allows a higher degree of scalability as the organization changes and grows.

4. Less Flexibility
Is a hosted ERP system less flexible than an on-premise system because it is less complicated? The answer to this depends on your business needs. If your goal is to make your organization more agile, it’s important to create a hybrid of on-premise, cloud and outsourced managed hosting solutions. The combination of these will increase flexibility and scalability. Trying to build and maintain one giant application architecture is far less flexible than using a combination of models. Concepts like SaaS and Managed Hosting are by no means designed to make the traditional on-premise solutions obsolete. To further increase your business agility, look for a pure play Dynamics Hosting Partner who can manage your Dynamics ERP system and any interconnected systems, such as CRM or SharePoint. Many large hosting providers do not specialize in Dynamics and may be less flexible when connecting to other cloud services.

5. System Downtime
Hosted systems are not as reliable as on-premise software. Really? How reliable are your company’s current internal systems? Accessing hosted MS Dynamics GP via the internet from a secure data center may actually be more dependable. Most hosted solutions tout a 99.5% network uptime, and can offer cash reimbursement for each minute of downtime. Whereas, if your internal system goes down, all you can do is fire or reprimand your resources, while losing valuable time and money.

Bottom line
When exploring SaaS (On-Demand), hosted and on-premise models, the only right answer is what makes the most sense for your business. Enterprises will always have a need for on-premise technology, but the value of these systems is exponentially greater when used together in the cloud. Don’t limit your organization by not exploring all the options.

By Omnivue, Georgia Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Top 5 Myths about Microsoft Dynamics ERP in the Cloud is a post from: ERP Software Blog

To Host or Not to Host, That is the Question – Learn the Benefits of Hosting and What It Can Bring to Your Organization

RSM McGladrey, Inc. — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:32:10 +0000

RSM McGladrey is a SAS 70 – Level II compliant hosting provider for Microsoft Dynamics Business Solutions (GP & SL), Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft Office SharePoint. With this level of compliance, you can be confident your applications and data are safe.

Our hosting services include a superior backup system, security and file management system. These controls are mandatory in order to meet the certification requirements to maintain Microsoft’s Gold Certified Partnership. Hosting your applications allows you to focus your resources on building your business and not on significant IT investments.

Here are some things you should consider when choosing your application deployment platform:

Small Upfront Investment – Lower the cost of ownership by reducing fixed costs and overall expenditures for hardware, applications and administration. Save thousands in upfront costs and have the ability to utilize applications which may not be otherwise affordable to install and run.
Predictable Monthly Costs – Hosting Services allows a business to better control the total cost of technology ownership.
Faster Time to Market – Hosting Services already has the equipment, applications and expertise in house so applications can be rolled out within weeks instead of months
Focus on Core Competencies – Focus your staff on the core business, not on administering a complex IT network internally. Our certified professionals manage the critical data – helping to ensure business systems run securely and smoothly.
Available Resources – No need to compete for hard-to-find and expensive-to-retain IT personnel. McGladrey’s Hosting Services has certified professionals available.
Growth Potential – You grow – we grow! Hosting Services can easily increase user capacity by adding additional infrastructure on demand. Ability to rapidly implement upgrades or customizations in response to business growth or change.
Reduced Security Risk – Hosting Services meets or exceeds industry standards by taking every precaution, including disaster recovery planning and annual third-party security inspections. RSM McGladrey’s Hosting Services is SAS 70 Type II compliant by a third-party auditor.

RSM McGladrey can host your purchased Microsoft Dynamics solution or rent you a solution in a secure environment.

By Michelle Olson, RSM McGladrey, Inc. - Microsoft Dynamics Hosting Partner, NY Metro Microsoft Dynamics Partner

To Host or Not to Host, That is the Question – Learn the Benefits of Hosting and What It Can Bring to Your Organization is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Run Your Business, Not Your Technology

SMBSuite — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:47:36 +0000

Doesn’t it seem like everywhere you turn there is a new technology to evaluate? These technologies promise new levels of productivity, better communication, new ways to market and sell, or simply to communicate. It is easy to get overwhelmed or accidentally become a ‘manager of technology’ instead of a manager of the business.

Small and medium businesses are faced with a built-in tension that you don’t have in larger businesses. That is, how to do ‘everything’ with limited resources and how to level the playing field and compete with larger, more sophisticated businesses. What is a small business person to do?

Business owners are faced with a choice. Do I focus my efforts and resources on what I do best – taking care of my customer – or do I try to do everything? How the businessperson answers this question will, at some level, determine future success. Allowing your organization to become distracted in the evaluation, implementation, support, upgrade, migration, and recovery of technology takes away from achieving the next breakthrough in growth, customer service/care, and revenue and profit.

Instead, think about how you can identify a ‘technology partner’ that can take on these critical aspects of your business – allowing you to get back to running your business – and, getting access to the very best in technology with a minimum of capital expenditure. Make sure your business is always up and running and never held back by the technology. It’s easier than you think.

Technology outsourcing is not a new concept. To the small and medium business, the advantages are many:

1. Improved Cost Management: Technology costs become more visible and accountable; technology services are utilized as needed, eliminating overbuying; the business can reallocate, reduce, or eliminate technology-focused resources.

2. Improved Technology Service Quality: You can get reports on overall performance and availability of the technology; there are extended support hours – ensuring your business has the support it needs, when it needs it; you benefit through proactive technology planning aligned with your business needs or goals; and, you can establish measurable ‘services level agreements’ to ensure your business technology is always available.

3. Best Equipment, Software, and Tools: Your business is kept on the latest versions, the fastest platforms and network connections without you having to evaluate, test, implement, or support the technology. Your business benefits from increased cost savings, better process automation, and higher productivity, keeping you ahead of the competition.

4. Flexibility/Scalability: As your business grows or changes, you’re never under-or over-invested in technology.

5. Accountability: Like every other asset in your business, you will know the contribution it makes to the business. No fuzzy thinking or assumptions of contribution. The technology becomes accountable to you.

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

Run Your Business, Not Your Technology is a post from: ERP Software Blog

9 Interview Questions to Choose the Right ERP Software Data Center Hosting Provider

Anya Ciecierski, CAL Business Solutions — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:14:33 +0000

The latest buzz in the ERP software world is “cloud computing” (aka “software as a service/SAAS” or “hosting”). Basically this means that a data center, separate from your location, installs and maintains your software on their servers and you access it securely over the Internet. There are a lot of companies out there that are eager to host your Microsoft Dynamics GP software – but who can you really trust with this precious system that is really the backbone of your business? Here are 9 interview questions you can ask a potential data center/hosting partner to separate the good from the not so good:

1. Where is the computer that will be used to serve my application?
2. Is the data center where that computer is located staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week? What staff is on-site?
3. What physical security measures are in the data center?
4. Is there redundant power, such as batteries and generators?
5. What cooling and fire suppression systems are available?
6. How many Internet service providers (ISPs) do you buy connectivity from?
7. Do you have a disaster recovery plan if your data center becomes unavailable?
8. Are servers dedicated to each customer, or do multiple customers share a single server?
9. What do you back up and how often? How long do you keep backups? Do you store backups off-site?
In addition to asking these questions, evaluate how well the vendor has integrated its service operations into its core business. Some vendors are only experimenting with the cloud computing model due to its immense popularity. For many, it is an operational change that is inconsistent with their culture. If this is the case, they will not be able to make customers successful if the processes are not well developed, mature or universally accepted.

I got these questions from the article: Why Companies Must Embrace Cloud Computing by By Curt Finch, and April Boland of Journyx. I think they did a very nice job of evaluating the Cloud Computing option in this article and touched on these topics: What is the Future of Cloud Computing? Can You Really Trust the Cloud? How Cloud Computing Can Save You Cash.

If you are considering hosting Microsoft Dynamics GP, contact CAL Business Solutions for recommendations of data centers we have already interviewed! We can help you evaluate your options for deploying Dynamics GP including on site, hosted and subscription models.

By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut/Massachusetts Microsoft Dynamics GP Accounting Software Experts

9 Interview Questions to Choose the Right ERP Software Data Center Hosting Provider is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Putting SaaS to Work in Your Business

SMBSuite — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:33:06 +0000

Everyone can recall horror stories about mishaps that occur when workers aren’t on the same page, collaborating effectively to keep business running smoothly and productively. But, should collaboration break down the consequences can be serious.

Efficient collaboration is rarely simple and it can take many forms. Some needs are internally focused, for instance, keeping employees current on corporate policies and procedures. Others require collaboration with external constituents, such as partners, suppliers, or customers. Some needs are short term, as when people need to come together to manage a project, while other requirements are ongoing, like when groups need to access, share, and update documents, databases, calendars, and directories. And, businesses may need to collaborate within one physical location, or with others at numerous locations around the world.

Because effective internal and external collaboration is vital to a successful business, larger businesses build or buy collaboration solutions that are managed in-house. While this model may work for some, these solutions rarely meet the needs of smaller businesses that often lack the resources necessary to deploy, manage, and maintain them. The costs involved, for example, from upfront licenses, hardware, and integration expenses, to ongoing expenses for maintenance, upgrades, and support are often prohibitive for most small business owners.

Software-as-a-Service – The Small Business Alternative

SaaS allows businesses to subscribe to software over the Web and pay for it on a monthly basis. The services can be accessed online from anywhere with an Internet connection, so remote and mobile workers can always be connected to the home office. Furthermore, because the solutions are hosted, many of the upgrades and maintenance requirements can be automated – a big benefit for small businesses with limited IT resources.

Compared with a traditional licensed software model, software-as-a-service offers businesses many distinct advantages that are quickly driving adoption:

Rapid Deployment: Rather than taking months to implement, businesses can be using the solution in a matter of minutes.
Less Expensive and More Predictable Costs: Companies pay a set monthly or annual subscription fee, typically based on the number of users. In addition to drastically reducing upfront hardware and software purchases, SaaS also eliminates the need for specialized IT talent, and reduces ongoing costs for maintenance, upgrades, and support.
Faster ROI: By reducing deployment time as well as initial and ongoing capital investments and staffing costs, small business customers can reduce risk and achieve a faster return on investment.
Low or No Risk Trials: Business can test-drive online services over the Internet, enabling a small business to try the application and see if it fits their needs before making a broader commitment.
Ease-of-Use: Web-based applications use familiar Web interfaces that are easy for administrators and users to navigate, resulting in higher user adoption and reduced training costs.
More Responsive Service and Support: Using a “one-to-many” model, SaaS providers can more easily support, manage and upgrade their solutions. They can see how customers use their services in real-time, get live feedback and fix problems once – for all the customers’ benefit.

The benefits of SaaS become even more apparent for applications specific to collaboration. Because users can access the service via any Web browser, access is not dependent on using a specific personal computer or mobile device. All users can access information anytime, from different locations and desktops. And because the solutions are scalable and expandable, businesses can start collaborating right away, and then fine-tune processes and functionality as they learn what works and what doesn’t.

So, where is the hidden opportunity? It is in the ability for your small and medium business to gain the power and functionality of collaborative technologies without the risk and costs normally associated with such solutions.

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

Putting SaaS to Work in Your Business is a post from: ERP Software Blog

5 Benefits of On-Demand ERP Software

ERT Group — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:08:24 +0000

Small and medium size businesses have to be able to efficiently manage their resources in order to be competitive in this challenging market and survive in this economy. Therefore, an ERP solution will help your business to decrease the recurring expenses related to operations by managing all business processes across departments in a single system. Also it will offer convenient access to the data that will aid in the planning, decision making and managerial control of the daily operations.

There is no doubt of the benefits an ERP system will bring to a business of any size; nonetheless, a traditional implementation process can be so expensive and complicated that it is unaffordable for some small/mid size companies nowadays.

To this end, some business solution providers in this highly competitive market now offer the On-Demand ERP Application Software system that will do away with all up-front investment in software licenses, databases, servers, backup equipment, etc.You only have a monthly expense that can be easily managed within the annual budgets of the company.

Besides the benefits of having complete access to an ERP system, the on-Demand Application Software Solutions will also allow businesses to:

Access the company information from anywhere at anytime since is hosted service via the internet
Manage expansion of business’ IT strategies, such as extending corporate e-mail and intranet to remote offices
Automate business processes without impacting any existing work or on-premise IT operations
Provide flexibility to extend up or down based on the growth of the company without any interruption to the existing functionality
Help managers and owners concentrate on the core business without worrying about the health and requirements of the IT environment.

If you’re looking for specific On-Demand ERP software information, check out the resources on the ERT Group website. You can also contact ERT Group for assistance in determining if a technology solution can help your organization better serve your business needs.

By ERT Group a Florida Microsoft Gold Certified Partner– offering Microsoft Dynamics ERP and Microsoft CRM. ERT Group has offices in Boca Raton • Miami • Fort Lauderdale • West Palm Beach and more.

5 Benefits of On-Demand ERP Software is a post from: ERP Software Blog

ERP Software Blog » Hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP

What Lesson Can ERP Software Buyers Learn From the Hartford CT Power Outage of 2011?

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