As the President of a company that specializes in Microsoft Dynamics GP systems for manufacturing and distribution with a sub-specialty in the medical device sector, I asked two of our Dynamics GP clients in the medical device sector to answer that question, i.e. how does Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) help them handle their top 5 issues.  They actually came up with 6 points each!  Here are their answers:

 Responses from Expert #1

 1.  Strict industry regulations.

The Medical Device industry must adhere to strict regulations.  Most prominent are FDA and ISO.   GP can help handle this issue by giving them an easy solution to tracking all processes and documentation.  For example, they must keep track of any revisions made to an original document whether it is a form to fill out or a documented procedure.  Microsoft Dynamics GP allows them to store all versions directly in the system.  The documentation can even be attached directly to a particular part or item.

 2.  Tracking leads/prospects.

Important to all industries, including Med Device.  The fact that Microsoft Dynamics CRM integrates with MS Outlook, can be accessed remotely, and can also be integrated with Dynamics GP is powerful/compelling from a business growth perspective.

3.  Inventory control.

Med Devices companies must have traceablity/tracking for all products made.  Microsoft Dynamics GP assists them keep in keeping  track of materials from inventory to inprocess to finished goods.

4.  Tracking quarantined items

Out of spec materials must be quarantined in the Med Device world.  The ability to make separate locations and/or bins in Microsoft Dynamics GP is a huge benefit to segregating quarantined materials/products.

5.  Inventory Control/Materials Planning

Microsoft Dynamics GP is an invaluable tool for knowing how much you have on hand and on order. 

6.  Reporting for Business Planning

 Dynamics GP offers management reporting that allows you to budget as well as to see what is selling and what is not.  It assists you in understanding what your cost drivers are by tracking all of the relevant information

Responses from Expert #2

 1.  Regulatory compliance
As far as FDA reporting requirements and the whole regulatory environment, Microsoft Dynamics GP does a good job of tracking the necessary information.

2.  Lot and serial number tracking

This is part of regulatory compliance but bears mentioning because it is one of the key elements of regulatory compliance.  Microsoft Dynamics GP does handle lot and serial number tracking.

3.  Component to parent/inheritance

This is also part of regulatory compliance.  To comply with the FDA requirements, it is critical to track which components are used in which finished products.  In the case of a recall, it is not enough to have data on the finished product only.

4.  FDA approval process for new clinical trials

This is actually handled outside of GP, but because GP is built on a platform that allows for integration with most third party applications, this is also a benefit of Dynamics GP.

5.  Inventory control in Microsoft Dynamics GP

This is not important for regulatory compliance, but for implementing business practices that reduce waste, reduce costly inventory excesses, reduce back orders and ensure that the inventory on hand meets demand. 

6.  Intellectual Property (IP)

Medical Device companies frequently have to track the royalties due to the owner of the IP, i.e. the concepts or inventions that are being used in the products they manufacture.  This is often a doctor, for example.  Dynamics GP handles the tracking of IP royalties.

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

What Are The Top 5 Business Issues Faced By Medical Device Manufacturers and Distributors, and How Does Microsoft Dynamics GP Help to Handle Those Issues? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Formula Manufacturers: Inventory Control Issues A Recipe For Disaster
2. Serial, Lot Tracking and Traceability for Manufacturers
3. More than 90% of Distributors Consider Information Technology a Critical Component of Business Operations

One of the joys of my job at Custom Information Services is the opportunity to interact every week with literally dozens of financial decision makers across just about every industry.  As a Microsoft Dynamics GP  salesman I am in a unique position to see a cross section of the economy and learn first hand what individual companies are doing to overcome the challenges they are facing in the current economic climate.  I would like to share some snippets of these conversations with you in a new blog series I will call investing in a tight econonmy.  Hopefully it can give us not only a sense of optimism about the overall state of the economy, but perhaps it can also give some practical ideas worth duplicating in your own business.

Controller for $50M Wholesale Petroleum Distributor has Invested into the Downturn:

“Business has certainly slowed down for us. We have gone from growing each quarter to having flat sales for the last couple of quarters. As a management team we took advantage of this slowdown to make two needed investments in the business. The first thing that we did was to bring on two additional sales associates. Next we started looking for new software to run the business operations. The current solution was a small niche application that the business was quickly outgrowing. We felt like this was a good time to make this investment. As a more experienced management team we knew that business would eventually pick up. We also knew that this type of project would take a lot of time and energy that we might not have in the busy times.  I am happy to report that we are now live on our new ERP solution.  We anticipate that as a result of these investments that we made we will be in a better position to benefit from the upswing of this economic cycle.”

Ideas to consider:

• Move up the time table on large projects such as ERP implementations to take advantage of downtime
• Rather than cutting headcount, hire more sales associates because your competition is not

 $20M Chemical distributor and Water Treatment Services Company Diversifies Services:

“Business has actually been up for us this last year” according to their Controller.  “We attribute that to an increase in the demand for our products and services from more environmentally conscious consumers and businesses. We also think some of our success has come from increasing the percentage of revenue we derive from services.  We have expanded our service offerings for our oil field customers and have also brought the majority of the local transportation services we offered in house.”

Ideas to consider:

• Unable to raise prices? Increase the number and mix of services offered instead
• Bring a business process in house that you are currently contracting for
• The green spin: Highlight environmental differentiators between you and your competition

More to come next month:

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

By Scott Driggs, Custom Information Services, a Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner in North Texas

Investing In A Tight Economy – Practical Successes From The Company Next Door is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Investing in Dynamics GP ERP Software in a Down Economy
2. Collections Management, Cash Flow Management; Tools for a Tight Economy
3. Microsoft Dynamics GP Can Help to Better Position Your Company as a Leader as the Economy Improves

I recall one of those instances when a local Connecticut distribution company purchasing Microsoft Dynamics GP explained their requirements for EDI.  Uh oh…..ED who?

Good think we have google (oops, I mean Bing)! One of the best explanations I found to describe EDI to non-technical folks like me is from a company called Softcare. They explain “EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is simply the means to communicate between companies from one computer to another. For many years companies have been using computers to send business documents instead of mailing paper documents (i.e. most of our pay checks are directly deposited into our bank accounts). This transfer of funds is accomplished by the use of an electronic file being sent from your company to your bank. The problem was that all the efforts employed proprietary or unique formats. The absence of a standard format led to the condition where computers could no longer “talk” to one another without a great deal of effort by programmers. For example, Supplier X could recognize an electronic Purchase Order from Retailer A but not from Retailer B. In 1979 the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) formed the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 to rectify this situation. This committee was to standardize the format of electronic documents to allow for easy movement of information between computers.”  Thus EDI was born! 

In other words, you want to sell your widget to Walmart. But Walmart only speaks EDI language. So you better use an accounting/distribution software that speaks EDI too!

That makes it sound simple. Except that there are different EDI models that work best for certain scenarios.  A new group called Amp’d (AMP’d is a strategic alliance of distribution software leaders that have united to provide an advanced platform for the Distribution industry partnered with Microsoft Dynamics GP) is offering a white paper for download called: Don’t Pick the Wrong EDI Model.  It promises to help you find out how your business can generate more perfect orders delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right price.  And five key factors to determine which EDI model will meet your business needs.

Fortunately, the Dynamics GP consultants here at CAL helped this distribution company find the right solution for their needs:  Microsoft Dynamics GP + vSync EDI.

If you are a New England distribution company looking for ERP software with EDI functionality, call us at CAL Business Solutions-  860-485-0910.

By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

When Buying ERP Software for your Distribution Business, Don’t Pick the Wrong EDI Model is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. 6 Wrong Ways to Choose an ERP Software Implementation Team
2. How Can Customer Segmentation Help Your Wholesale Distribution Business?
3. 3 Tips to Save Money When Buying Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP Software – Users, Editions and Maintenance Fees

Microsoft Dynamics GP provides significant reporting improvement for distribution companies by providing ease of access to information through common tools such as Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.  Smart Lists and refreshable Excel reports can easily be used by management and other users to provide quick real-time snapshots of sales orders, inventory quantities, and shipment status. More detailed multi-dimensional analysis can be accomplished through integrated Excel pivot tables using Analysis Cubes for Excel.  Tasks which used to take days of analysis or weeks of development can now be quickly accomplished with no need for technical support.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010, to be released later this spring, will add greater ease and simplicity to these capabilities by incorporating role-based key performance indicators directly on the user’s home page.  These metrics include the ability to drill-down into detail, a powerful feature for truly useful analysis.

RSM McGladrey provides business software solutions in Wholesale Distribution which include warehouse management, sales order automation, bar coding, and radio frequency.

By: Michele Juliana, RSM McGladrey Accounting Software Solutions for Wholesale Distribution – New York Metro Microsoft Dynamics partner

Reporting And Analytics Help Distribution Company Become Industry Leader is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Manufacturing and Distribution Survey Reveals Surprise Findings about Technology Coverage
2. More than 90% of Distributors Consider Information Technology a Critical Component of Business Operations
3. Join Distribution Industry Expert Brent Grover For Upcoming Webcast

Microsoft Dynamics GP provides significant operational improvement for distribution companies by fully integrating data throughout the organization, and providing ease of access to information through common tools such as Excel, Outlook, and Sharepoint. 

Distributors and manufacturers of any size can now take advantage of integrated credit card processing, bar coding, and shipping to automate their order taking and fulfillment.  Integrated demand planning and forecasting tools can also be used to plan purchasing and manufacturing.  As companies continue to rely more on outsourced and/or global aspects of their manufacturing and distribution processes, instant and accurate information has become critical in maintaining profitability and managing inventory levels.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010, to be released later this spring, will add greater ease and simplicity to these capabilities by using incorporating email notifications into invoices, packing slips, and vendor payments. Microsoft Word will be used for formatting invoices and other forms to provide customers with the greatest degree of flexibility and control over their systems and customer communications.

This success story explains how RSM McGladrey helped one wine distribution company grew their business by automating their purchasing system and maintaining low administrative staff levels.

By: Michele Juliana, RSM McGladrey Accounting Software Solutions for Wholesale Distribution - New York Metro Microsoft Dynamics partner

More than 90% of Distributors Consider Information Technology a Critical Component of Business Operations is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Manufacturing and Distribution Survey Reveals Surprise Findings about Technology Coverage
2. What Are The Top 5 Business Issues Faced By Medical Device Manufacturers and Distributors, and How Does Microsoft Dynamics GP Help to Handle Those Issues?
3. Reporting And Analytics Help Distribution Company Become Industry Leader

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

Related Posts

1. More than 90% of Distributors Consider Information Technology a Critical Component of Business Operations
2. Manufacturing and Distribution Survey Reports Sectors Are Thriving and Growing
3. Reporting And Analytics Help Distribution Company Become Industry Leader

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

Related Posts

1. Case Study: What Can Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM Dashboards Do For You?
2. Microsoft Dynamics GP Affords Dashboards for Small and Mid-Size Businesses
3. Winning the Last 10 Yards of Implementing ERP/Accounting Software

1.  Cycle Count Program
2.  Inbound Freight Manager
3.  Outbound Freight Manager
4.  Replenishment Lead Time
5.  Inventory Forecasting
6.  Inventory Valuation
7.  Availability of Space
8.  Quality Management (MRB, RTVs etc)
9.  Upcoming Production Requirements (Kitting)
10.  Obsolescence
11.  Inventory Turns – Slow Movers; Overstock
12.  Demand Planning

Now this is someone who has held various positions in technology, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing firms, has been in charge of purchasing, inventory control, materials management, and operations management.  So she knows the importance of planning, quality control, maximizing efficiencies, and minimizing costs. 

 The beauty of Microsoft Dynamics GP is that it is NOT a standalone inventory/materials management system.  It’s a world class accounting system with superior inventory/materials management functionality, all of which sits on a SQL database and has the ability to integrate with most any third party application that needs to be part of the mix in a given company’s overall system.  As the song goes, “Who could ask for anything more?”

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

The Top 12 Reasons Why Inventory Managers/Materials Managers Use Microsoft Dynamics GP as their ERP system of choice is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Inventory Management: Move It Or Lose It! Features You Should Look For In Any ERP System To Manage Your Inventory Investment.
2. Historical Inventory Trial Balance – Obtain a TRUE Inventory Balance in Dynamics GP
3. Microsoft Dynamics GP Manufacturing: Controlling Manufacturing Production with Bill of Materials and Routing – Part 3 of 5 Part Series

The challenge to both our organizations and our clients is to make sure we think “out of the box” so that we can score in the red zone.  Understanding the key wins in the beginning of an ERP project is the first step in the right direction.  Once these key wins are identified, the next step is to ensure the ongoing communication between the client and the implementation partner.  Being flexible and coming up with different alternatives to achieve the client’s goals is essential.  Measuring the effect of a given issue on the organization is also critical.  Avoid focusing on challenges that have a minimal impact and do not occur too frequently.  Once the issues and solutions have been identified, everyone involved needs to understand and compare the cost of the solution to the benefit that will be reaped.  Companies do not have unlimited resources for fixing every problem they face.  As Microsoft partners and technology advisors, our job is to maximize the resources they have and deliver the most value.  We need to work with our clients to pick the right play to make sure we score a touchdown once we get to the 10 yard line.

By Altico Advisors, Dynamics GP Partner for Manufacturing and Distribution serving New Hampshire

Winning the Last 10 Yards of Implementing ERP/Accounting Software is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Add Dashboards To Your ERP/Accounting System For A Winning Combination
2. Ten Lessons Learned from Healthcare Organizations on Selecting and Implementing Financial Management and Accounting Software for Their Needs
3. IFRS Accounting with Microsoft Dynamics® GP: Functional and Strategic Challenges of Implementing the Chosen Methodology