The TM Group, a Michigan Microsoft Gold Certified Dynamics ERP and CRM partner, works closely with a strategic partner, AIM Computer Solutions, Inc. when working with automotive manufacturing prospects and clients.  AIM’s manufacturing production solution for automotive suppliers manages the automotive EDI, purchasing, production, and shipping processes so specific to these suppliers.  Microsoft Dynamics GP provides the best-in-class financial management tools that are fully integrated with AIM’s automotive manufacturing solution.  Anything entered into Microsoft Dynamics GP’s financials are then updated automatically in AIM and vice versa.  No duplicate data entry is needed and the databases are kept synchronized, thereby keeping critical business data and management reports accurate and updated in a timely manner.

Most of our AIM manufacturing clients install Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Essentials edition, which offers broad-based financial functionality at an affordable price that allows them to get up and running quickly.  However, one of our newest automotive manufacturing clients also required project accounting to track their internal projects, but project accounting isn’t available on the Business Essentials edition of Microsoft Dynamics GP.  Consequently, they purchased the Advanced Management edition of Microsoft Dynamics GP which, along with a host of additional module functionality, also includes:

• Project Time and Expense: Capture, review, and approve project time sheets and expense reports through the Web, enabling prompt, accurate customer invoicing and efficient reimbursement for out-of-pocket employee expenses.
• Project Accounting: Maintain tight control over project direction, costs, execution, and budget; support resources effectively; and ensure accurate billing and accounting through tight integration with financials, inventory, and accounts receivable.

This client recently went live on Microsoft Dynamics GP and AIM’s automotive manufacturing solution and things are running smoothly for them with easier access to data, customizable reporting, streamlined EDI management, consolidated financial statements and enhanced project management capabilities.  Our client is a prime example of finding a solution that really fit their needs. Even though most manufacturers implement Business Essentials, they required more and are now seeing the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics GP Advanced Management.

By The TM Group, Michigan Microsoft Dynamics Gold Certified Partner for Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and SharePoint

Complete Automotive Manufacturing Solution with Microsoft Dynamics GP Advanced Management is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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The Tax Code Section 179 deduction for qualified equipment has recently been extended and increased to $500,000. This means businesses can write off up to $500,000 of qualified equipment within the 2010 and 2011 tax years. 

The Act includes:

• A 100% bonus depreciation deduction plus the normal accelerated depreciation on the balance of the cost. This benefit applies to qualified new equipment acquired and placed in service after September 8, 2010 and before  January 1, 2012.
• A 50% first year additional bonus depreciation deduction for  investments placed in service after December 31, 2011 and through December 31, 2012.

Qualified equipment under Section 179 includes:

• Computers and computer software (like Dynamics GP, Vicinity, BatchMaster; not custom written solutions)
• Equipment (machines, etc.) purchased for business use
• Tangible personal property used in business
• Business vehicles with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 6,000 lbs
• Property attached to the business building that is not a structural component of the building

Additional details:

• The deduction begins to phase-out dollar for dollar after $2 million of qualified equipment  purchased during 2010.  Equipment acquisitions totaling $2.5 million or more do not result in any Section 179 deduction.
• The maximum amount and phase-out thresholds for taxable years beginning in 2012 will be $125,000 and $500,000 respectively, indexed for inflation.
• $1 buyout leases and EFAs qualify for Section 179 benefits.
• This is not legal, tax,, or financial advice. You should consult with your tax advisor for the specific impact to your business.

If you care to comment on the information above or have any questions please feel free to contact me at 817-640-0016 x 109 or by emailing me at nphillippi@customis.com. 

Custom Information Services (CIS) is a Dynamics reseller in North Texas.

Section 179 Deduction Helps Manufacturers Implement Technology is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Engineering departments initially receive an order or a request for a quote that includes most or all of the information and specs concerning the order. The department must read the order, dissect it and fully understand it in order to provide a realistic quote and/or fill the order. Next, the engineering department must reorganize the specifications so that they can be easily interpreted by all of the departments in the company. The information is kept together and transported with the piece as it moves through the different stages of production. The information is not only used by production, it is also used by purchasing, planning and scheduling departments.

Manufacturing software makes this process easier. Instead of creating a packet made up of various forms, directions, prints and correspondence. The engineering department simply enters the information into the ERP software, which can be accessed by all of the stages of manufacturing, packaging, shipping, etc.

The engineering department enters the information into the manufacturing ERP software in much the same way that they would prepare other forms, but no hard copies are created. Whenever the various departments need to see the specs, all they need to do is access them on the company’s computer network. This process also helps ensure that all revisions are passed along and followed in an efficient manner.

Overall, ERP software streamlines the engineering department by ensuring accuracy, efficiency and communication. If you’re interested in learning more about ERP Software Solutions for Manufacturing, please contact us here at SSi Consulting. We are a Gold-Certified partner serving customers in the Mid-Atlantic area offering hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics SL at very low monthly rates. Whether you need accounting software, job cost accounting, help with your wholesale/distribution supply chain, or business management solutions for non-profits, SSi is your total solution provider.

By:  Karen Riordan, SSi Consulting, Mid Atlantic Microsoft Partner

Streamline Your Engineering Department with Microsoft Dynamics ERP is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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1. Operational and process improvement needs
2. Reporting and data analysis needs
3. Effective systems to communicate with customers and vendors

In its fourth release, this survey asked more than 920 industry executives to provide their perspectives on the current state of their companies and industry and the strategies they are employing to sustain — and in some instances, grow — profitability in the coming year. It’s no surprise that technology is a critical component for Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution companies, but the survey reveals that comprehensive coverage is an issue for most companies.

Often multiple systems, architectures and platforms are in place throughout an organization creating islands of customer, product, performance and profitability data. Companies which grew by acquisition may have multiple Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and each system reflects the processes and data used by the acquired business. Combining data from multiple systems to attain a consolidated view is difficult and time consuming. Companies with comprehensive acquisition integration strategies spend time up front to replace or integrate these systems. 

I will be addressing how Microsoft Dynamics GP handles each of these three areas for manufacturers and distributors in a series of blog posts to follow.

Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution National (MWD) Survey – 2009 Technology Report is a supplement report on IT expansion strategies, planned spending on maintenance and expansion and why MWD IT systems remain vulnerable, even with recovery plans in place.

By: Michele Juliana, RSM McGladrey Accounting Software Solutions for Wholesale Distribution A New Jersey Microsoft Dynamics GP partner

Manufacturing and Distribution Survey Reveals Surprise Findings about Technology Coverage is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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All the information flowing through a company?  This means that the accounting system – the GL, AP and AR – is actually a subset of the ERP system.  What else is included in an ERP system?  Well, it does somewhat depend on the package, but typically there would be modules for manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, inventory management, supply chain management, human resources, payroll and perhaps  more.  Microsoft Dynamics GP, for example, is an ERP solution that covers all of the above-mentioned bases. 

What’s more, since an application like Dynamics GP – for accounting and ERP – can integrate with Microsoft Dynamics CRM – for Sales Force Automation (SFA), marketing automation, and service management – and with SharePoint – for document management and much more – this ultimate,
end-to-end integration of three applications translates into total accessibility of business critical data. 

Add dashboards into the equation and you have the best of all worlds.  By accessing data from Dynamics GP, individualized dashboards can be created to meet the needs of every end user.  Dashboards consolidate KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in dynamically updated graphical format – easy to read and easy to understand.  Reports don’t have to be re-created and re-run every time you want to view a business indicator, say for example, sales by sales rep or by product line or by accounting period.  Just refresh the dashboard and the up-to-the-minute data appears (like magic).  What a concept! 

Here’s a link to view a random sample of executive, sales, and inventory dashboards.

Submitted by Altico Advisors, Microsoft Dynamics Partner serving New Hampshire (NH) and specializing in Manufacturing and Distribution

Add Dashboards To Your ERP/Accounting System For A Winning Combination is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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