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

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

By Sikich, Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner based out of Missouri

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

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Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): With IaaS, you get on-demand computing and storage to host, scale, and manage applications and services. You use servers on a pay-as-you go basis. The benefit of using data centers means you can scale with ease and speed to meet the infrastructure needs of your entire organization or individual departments within it, globally or locally.

Platform as a Service (PaaS):  Internet-based platforms for building and running applications. PaaS enables you to create Web applications quickly without the cost and complexity of buying and managing the software and hardware.

Software as a Service (Saas):  Simply put, it is a way of delivering software applications through the Internet.  With Saas you license software through a subscription or a “pay-as-you-go” model, as opposed to buying, installing and maintaining the software. It runs on a SaaS provider ’s servers and they manage access, security, availability, and performance of the application.

These components form the core of cloud computing.  The cloud is about providing a pool of computing resources that all operate together, effectively as a single computer. There are certainly many benefits of cloud computing namely, outsourcing the maintenance of servers and applications, scaling systems to your needs, accessing data from anywhere with an Internet connection and more effective budgeting of IT resources.  And although there are also risks associated with cloud computing, such as provider stability, international regulatory concerns, security and dependence of proprietary cloud applications, it is a powerful new model for business computing that should be considered.

If you’re interested to learn more about cloud computing or how Microsoft Dynamics ERP fits into the cloud business model, contact Sikich. We are a Chicago IL Microsoft Dynamics Partner headquartered in IL and serving the Midwest. We specialize in the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We are uniquely qualified to handle the complete business solution—ERP and CRM implementations, backed with IT networking and software development expertise. As a member of a CPA firm, we are governed by established professional Standards, strict Code of Ethics, and state licensing laws; making us a trusted advisor to more than 4,000 middle-market businesses. Follow us on Twitter at @Sikich_Tech.

By Sikich, a leading St. Louis, MO Microsoft Dynamics GP partner.

Clearing Up the Cloud is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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• Business Alerts: Alerts that can be set up to automatically notify you and your employees about business changes via e-mail or through Microsoft Dynamics GP.
• SmartLists: A querying tool that allows employees to instantly create sophisticated queries to find detailed information about customers, vendors, inventory items, and employee records, as well as general ledger accounts.
• SmartList Builder: Lets employees build customized SmartLists that quickly link to Microsoft Dynamics GP and other data sources, and retrieve data according to defined criteria.
• Executive Center Dashboard with Charts and KPIs: Displays and monitors key business metrics, in real time, on a single, intuitive screen.
• Microsoft Office Excel Reports: Provides more than 220 built-in, refreshable reports that let business users work in the familiar Microsoft Office user interface.
• Excel Report Builder: Lets employees easily create and customize reports from multiple data sources, using the formatting and presentation capabilities of Microsoft Office Excel.
• SQL Server Reporting Services: Expands report writing flexibility with more than 90 built-in Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services reports and a step-by-step wizard that makes it easy to deploy reports within Microsoft Dynamics GP.
• SQL Server Report Builder: Enables employees to easily create new reports or modify the chart, key performance indicator, and report formats that are included in Microsoft Dynamics GP, without having to go to a developer.
• Analysis Cubes for Microsoft Dynamics GP and Analysis Cubes Library: Enables employees to analyze information from multiple angles and formats with a report creation wizard for easy report creation, including pivot tables.
• SQL Add-Ins for Excel: Enables predictive modeling, without requiring you or your employees to learn complex data mining concepts or techniques.
• PowerPivot: Delivers unmatched computational power by enabling users to analyze extremely large amounts of data within familiar applications.

If you want to learn more about the business intelligence and reporting capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics GP, contact us at Sikich. We are a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner serving Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO and Indianapolis, IN. We specialize in the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We work with over 4000 throughout the Midwest in a variety of industries with a focus on manufacturing and distribution, professional services, education , not-for-profit and multi-site international organizations. Follow Sikich on Twitter at @Sikich_Tech

By Sikich, a leading Microsoft Dynamics GP partner in Missouri

Eleven Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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By moving your on-site systems to a hosted environment, you are typically guaranteed service level agreements of 99.5% system up-time. What does that mean to you? You can rest assured of the security and reliability of your business-critical ERP application. According to a Gartner Group study, two out of five companies that experience a catastrophic event or prolonged system outage never resume operations, of those that do, one out of three goes out of business two years later. Make sure your hosting provider has an up-time guarantee to help avoid the catastrophic losses that can result from system outages.

A typical hosting agreement takes responsibility for support, maintenance, installations, upgrades and security on a 24×7 basis. By moving your on-premise to a hosted environment, you will enjoy:

• Greater security, availability, and control of your data

• Enhanced performance

• Anytime, anywhere, reliable access, ideal for multiple offices and/or remote users

• Simplified implementation of upgrades and installations

• Lower hardware costs

• Always up-to-date with automatic updates with no loss to productivity

• Reduced maintenance costs and increased ROI

• Lessened reliance on and investment in internal IT infrastructure with outsourced technical support

• Predictable monthly maintenance costs

• Built- in disaster recovery/restoration

Sikich provides customers with options of Dedicated or Shared hosting environments so our customers can choose which solution is right from them. Shared hosting has lower costs upfront but is not as flexible, while Dedicated hosting offers enhanced security and is flexible and scalable to your needs.

If you’re interested in learning more about Application hosting for Microsoft Dynamics, contact us here at Sikich. We are a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner serving Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO and Indianapolis, IN. We specialize in the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We work with over 4000 throughout the Midwest in a variety of industries with a focus on manufacturing and distribution, professional services, education , not-for-profit and multi-site international organizations. Follow Sikich on Twitter at @Sikich_Tech

By Jim Drumm with Sikich, a leading Microsoft Dynamics GP partner serving MO and the midwest

Explore the Benefits of Hosting Your Microsoft Dynamics GP Solution is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Here are a few measurements that may help you identify your current spend:

Average time to retrieve one document

Paper: 7 minutes
Digital: 4 seconds

Average time to re-file

Paper: 3 minutes
Digital: 0 minutes

Average total cost of retrieval and re-filing

Paper: $2.00
Digital: $0.20

 Average cost of an unavailable file

Paper: $120.00
Digital: $0.00

Average annual cost of maintaining a file

Paper: $3.44
Digital: $1.81

(Information from the Dartnell Institute and ODDSAR Publication. Dollar amounts based on a US $12.00 per hour wage, includes salary, fringe benefits, overhead and taxes. Includes materials, space and labor.)

Microsoft Dynamics GP users can reduce the costs of paper handling by using document imaging software. One such solution, designed specifically for Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions is KwikTag. Many of our customers have requested our help in researching, recommending, and implementing a solution that will streamline their business and how they manage critical business documents. We feel very confident in recommending KwikTag to our customers and have happily helped them reap the rewards of digital filing.

Attack the Paper Monster in your office! Gain all the benefits of digital filing because KwikTag’s unique patented process leverages your existing office resources and reduces cost up to 80%.

If you feel like exploring document imaging software for Microsoft Dynamics, please contact us here at Sikich. We are a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner specializing in the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We work with over 4000 throughout the Midwest in a variety of industries with a focus on manufacturing and distribution, professional services, education , not-for-profit and multi-site international organizations.

By Sikich – Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Microsoft Inner Circle member serving St. Louis, MO and the Midwest.

Attack the Paper Monster in Your Office is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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•  FRx I: Report Design Fundamentals

•  FRx II: Advanced Report Design

•  SRS I: SQL Reporting Services – Introduction for Microsoft Dynamics GP

•  SRS III: Creating Models for Report Builder

•  Transact-SQL (T-SQL) for Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Users

•  Microsoft Dynamics GP System Admin

•  Microsoft Dynamics GP–Extender & SmartList Builder

•  Microsoft Dynamics GP Essentials I

•  Microsoft Dynamics GP Essentials II – Payables Management

•  Microsoft Dynamics GP Essentials II – Receivables Management

Take a look in your area for some Microsoft Dynamics GP user training classes.  The more you know about your software, the more you can enhance your business productivity.

By Sikich –a Missouri Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Microsoft Inner Circle member serving St. Louis, MO and the Midwest.

Microsoft Dynamics GP Training – The More You Know, The More You Grow is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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• Microsoft Dynamics NAV
• Microsoft Dynamics GP
• Microsoft Dynamics AX
• Microsoft Dynamics SL

The presentations will contrast the features and functions of each application related to Financials, Inventory Management, Manufacturing, Distribution, Customer Relationship Management, Project Accounting, and more.

You will learn how the latest technology in the Microsoft Dynamics solutions can be leveraged to:

• Reduce Operational Expenses
• Increase Efficiency
• Improve Customer Service
• Grow Revenue

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to examine four products in a single session – saving valuable research time - and enjoy a three-course lunch at Maggiano’s!

Encouraged to attend are: CFOs, Controllers, IT Directors, Inventory and Supply Chain Managers and Personnel, Business Consultants, and anyone engaged in ERP Software Selections.

Date & Time:
Friday, April 30, 2010
Presentations: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm EDT
Lunch: Following presentations at 12:30 pm
Welcome time begins at 8:00 AM

Location:
Maggiano’s Little Italy
3550 East 86th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46240

To register: There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Please make your reservation today by replying to this message or by registering online: www.regonline.com/inderp

By Sikich –a Missouri Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Microsoft Inner Circle member serving St. Louis, MO and the Midwest.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP/Accounting Software Comparison Seminar is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Ask yourself these questions:

• How are you determining which products to stock and at which location?
• Are you keeping accurate track of on-hand inventory quantities? 
• Do you have accurate and effective inventory forecasting processes? 
• Are you organizing your warehouse by product line or by product demand?
• Is your technology managing this process effectively or are you just managing to get by? 

The successful management of your inventory is ofte times a challenge. But, as your inventory  is most likely the largest monetary investment your company will make, it is important to keep your  products moving in as efficiently as possible.

Getting a firm grasp of your inventory and managing your investment requires you to put your virtual arms around it. Using an ERP system that has the tools you need to manage your inventory will provide a solid return on your investment.

There are a few must-have functions you should look for in any ERP system you consider for managing your inventory investment:

Bin Locations
This provides the ability to place your inventory in specific locations in the warehouse for use in picking routines, restocking, and inventory counting.

Replenishment Control
Your buying strategy must insure enough of an item is on hand, but without being overstocked.  A replenishment control system will provide you the ability to calculate the optimum quantity to have on hand, including safety stock, on an item by item basis.  It will then provide you information on when to order and from whom.

Cycle Inventory
Counting Physical inventories often requires every able-bodied employee, including the receptionist, to show up bleary-eyed early in the morning and to count every piece of inventory in the warehouse.  The result is not an extremely accurate, or time efficient, valuation of what’s on hand. Cycle inventory counting provides the ability to count parts of the inventory every day, with the fastest moving items being counted more frequently that those items that haven’t sold since 1985.

Reporting
It’s in the system somewhere; you should be able to get it out. You need flexibility to slice and dice your inventory and selling patterns so you can make intelligent business decisions. Sometimes you need it graphically, sometimes in text. It might be easiest if it was automatically emailed to you, or available online. You should look for an ERP system that provides a variety of reporting opportunities as well as a database that doesn’t restrict you to a proprietary report writer.

Depending on a company’s needs and complexity, there are many other elements of an ERP system to consider. The bottom line is to find a system that provides you with the ability to satisfy your customers while managing your inventory sensibly.

By Sikich – Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Microsoft Inner Circle member serving St. Louis, MO and the Midwest

Missouri Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Inventory Management: Move It Or Lose It! Features You Should Look For In Any ERP System To Manage Your Inventory Investment. is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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Twenty years ago when our firm began, custom developed software was the answer to a company’s needs.  Packaged software with the features necessary to meet the standard requirements of a business enterprise was too large, complex, and expensive or it was too small and too simple to provide much value beyond basic accounting.  So the answer was to build what you needed.  Beginning in the early 1990s, publishers began adding functionality to their software and in the last few years we have had access to broadly featured ERP solutions for the middle market players.  However, with our new, connected business ecosystem and with the overwhelming possibilities provided by the internet, we once again found ourselves limited by the software features available. 

Today, with the release of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 we have everything we ever wanted – a broadly featured enterprise financial system with a totally open development environment.  We can build, attach, reference, interface with, display, or engage anything one might imagine.  How about a warehouse heat map that would allow you to view bin activity and make bin transfers with drag and drop?  What if you had a map of your customer’s location visible right on the customer master card and that map also had all of your other customers showing so you could easily combine sales or service visits?  How about connecting to your suppliers or your customers electronically and in real time?  How about a full GPS vehicle tracking system for your fleet?  All of this and more is available with the Client Extensibility tools available with NAV 2009.

To be truthful, I hesitated to type the ideas in the paragraph above because the sky is really the limit.  Any time one presents a short list of ideas those ideas will tend to focus the reader’s attention and potentially eliminate unrelated, yet still powerful possibilities from thought.  We used to consult clients from within the borders of the software tools we had available. The new paradigm we must now absorb will be to leave our tools at the office and truly whiteboard possibilities for our clients without the constraints the tools used to provide. We are free to focus on the processes or issues and imagine the solutions without limitation.  What a brave new world this is!

I, for one, am very excited about this new environment, but not without some trepidation.  My pause comes from knowing my own limitations as a creative thinker.  It scares me just a bit to realize that there are a million possibilities and I will likely only see three.  However, I am just one fellow and in our business, it often takes a team to breed a great solution.  I am comforted by the knowledge that I am surrounded by one of the best teams of ERP implementation experts working today!

Thanks for reading – I look forward to your comments.

By Sikich – Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Microsoft Inner Circle member serving St. Louis,  MO and the Midwest

a Missouri Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft Dynamics NAV – 1.3 Million Users Can’t Be Wrong is a post from: ERP Software Blog

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