Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft Dynamics NAV’

Take Your Business to the Cloud—On Your Terms

Insist on a business management solution that offers deployment flexibility and choice

Choosing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution can be challenging, and deciding how to take advantage of the cloud adds another layer of complexity. Your decisions will have important consequences for your organization’s long-term growth and profitability, so it’s essential to choose wisely. To help you navigate the decision making process, we’ve created a 11-point ERP Evaluation checklist to identify some of the top factors to weigh when evaluating options for your business. In case you missed last week’s introductory post, here’s checklist item 1 : Take Your Business Systems Beyone ERP.

ERP Evaluation: Goes beyond traditional ERP

This week we’re looking at checklist item 2, the importance of choosing a business solution that lets you take advantage of the cloud in the way that best fits your specific situation.

Deployment Flexibility and Choice           

Running some or all of your IT operation in the cloud—a form of “outsourcing”—gets plenty of attention these days because of its significant potential advantages:

• Low start-up costs and short time to benefit.
• Low initial hardware requirements, particularly interesting when capital is tight.
• Simple software management and system administration, which can help trim the IT budget.
• The ability to quickly scale IT capacity to fit sales swings or rapid growth, so that fixed expenses move to the variable column.

But running your ERP and other systems on-premises offers its own potential advantages, including greater flexibility for customization if needed; the ability to keep physical control of your data; and easier integration with other business software you’re already running.

Any new business solution you consider should help you take advantage of cloud computing, but in a way that supports the needs of your business. In your individual case, it may be appropriate to run some mission-critical applications on-premises, possibly for security or compliance reasons, while other applications are well-suited for the cloud. Even if you want to take your entire IT operation to the cloud, you may want to phase this in over time. So focus on a business solution that can accommodate your unique deployment requirements: on-premises, in the cloud, or a hybrid approach.

Let the Cloud Help Transform Your Business

With a business solution from Microsoft you have the flexibility to choose between on-premises deployment, a variety of cloud deployment offerings delivered through the Microsoft Dynamics partner channel, or a blend of both. Our commitment to supporting ERP on your terms enables you to choose the deployment strategy that’s right for your business today, and then move between those options as the future unfolds. Microsoft believes that the combined strength of our proven product capabilities and flexible deployment models deliver the capabilities you need to take your business forward.

Customer Success Story

SMBs around the world count on Microsoft Dynamics to help them achieve profitable growth through greater operational control, improved employee productivity, and deeper insight. Check out these highlights below from a performing arts organization running business solutions from Microsoft in the cloud, and giving their approach rave reviews.

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

“By using cloud-based Microsoft technologies … we generate substantial savings and efficiencies; practice transparent, sound financial management; and bring outstanding performing-arts events to growing numbers of patrons.” Connie Silverman, Controller

Next week we’ll look at the importance of selecting a vendor with strong customer relationships, low “churn rate,” and a reputation for post-sale service.

Take our Free Business Value Assessment by clicking here. It is a no obligation assesment and TMC’s experts will gladly analyze your companies business processes for free, letting you know what the best “next steps” are for you when looking for a new ERP system.

Take Your Business Systems Beyond ERP

A business solution from Microsoft delivers the control, forward-looking insight, and bottom line impact you need to grow your business

If you’re like a lot of small and midsize businesses (SMBs) today, your current systems are nudging you further and further out of your comfort zone. They get the basic job done, as long as nothing out of the ordinary happens. But what will happen when you want to open a new store or warehouse, expand to new markets, or add an additional line of business? Do you find it harder to connect with suppliers and customers, comply with new tax laws or environmental regulations, or keep customers loyal with the new competition you face in a global economy? These scenarios aren’t business as usual, but they’re part of the new normal. And if it’s getting harder for your existing systems to keep your business moving forward, now’s the time to take action. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly put together a checklist for your ERP evaluation before you purchase a new system. TMC will walk you through those steps in the next few weeks with this new 11 part blog series: “ERP Evaluation Checklist for SMB’s”.

As you consider and weigh the alternatives, you’ll find products and vendors that sound a lot alike, and you may find it hard to differentiate between them. So we’ve created a 11-point checklist to help you test their claims and reduce the risk of making a decision you might regret down the road. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly put together your own checklist for your ERP evaluation before you purchase a new system. TMC will walk you through those steps in the next few weeks with this new 11 part blog series: “ERP Evaluation Checklist for SMB’s”. So when we finish you’ll have a comprehensive list of key factors you should consider before deciding on a new option for your business. This week we start the process by urging you to look at whether a solution delivers more than entry-level accounting software or stand-alone business management systems.

ERP Evaluation: Going Beyond Traditional ERP

You’re sure to find several vendors that offer improved financial reporting, inventory management, budgeting capabilities, and so forth. But do they offer a unified solution that goes beyond business process automation and basic ERP (enterprise resource planning) functionality to deliver a complete and unified vision for your business? A comprehensive and modern solution delivers capabilities that are out of scope for many product offerings, such as:

• Integrated business intelligence, collaboration, and communication tools that span your core business processes.
• A user experience that blends personal and work computing and inspires your people and your customers.
• Anytime, anywhere access to make your people more productive.
• Flexible cloud or on-premises deployment options that won’t hold your data hostage.
• Affordable pricing models to reduce or eliminate up-front capital expenditures.

Why Choose a Business Solution from Microsoft?

Microsoft delivers a comprehensive vision for SMBs that goes beyond traditional ERP and stand-alone accounting software. For example, business intelligence, collaboration, and communication capabilities are embedded across your business processes, so your people can quickly and easily find and analyze information, collaborate with each other to generate the best ideas and decisions, and communicate regardless of their locations or the devices they’re using. A consistent user experience supports rapid adoption, ease of use, and end-user productivity. Consumer-driven technologies such as chat, presence, and action panes have been incorporated into Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, Like Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics NAV, setting the standard for great user experiences. Flexible deployment models—on-premises or in the cloud—let you make the decision on what’s best for your business, and rapid implementation tools help you get up and running quickly. And finally, Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions offer online or traditional desktop access, enabling anytime, anywhere productivity.

So here’s your first ERP Evaluation checklist take-away: Make sure you can mark the box indicating that the solution you choose can take you beyond business as usual.

Customer Success Story

SMBs around the world, in a wide variety of industries, rely on Microsoft Dynamics to help them achieve profitable growth through greater operational control, improved employee productivity, and deeper business insight. Here’s a snapshot of how one high tech manufacturing customer implemented Microsoft Dynamics ERP in just six weeks.

Amalfi Semiconductor

“We can grow our sales and operations based on real insights into the actual needs of customers. If we had to do it all over again, we’d make the same choice.” Joe Whitty, Controller

Next week, in our ERP Evaluation checklist for SMB’s we’ll take a deeper look at the second item on the checklist, deployment flexibility—the ability of your new solution to take advantage of the cloud and to support the deployment model that makes the most sense for your business.

Take our Free Business Value Assessment by clicking here. It is a no obligation assesment and TMC’s experts will gladly analyze your companies business processes for free, letting you know what the best “next steps” are for you when looking for a new ERP system.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 Easy Start Offer – Terms

Effective February 1, 2013, and until close of business day on June 15, 2013, all new customers meeting the eligibility criteria can take advantage of this special offer.

Under the terms of this offer, new customers can obtain a 40% discount on the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 Starter Pack. For example, the Starter Pack can be licensed for USD 3,000 in the United States and EUR 2,250 in the EU/EFTA*.

Eligibility

• Offer is valid only for purchases of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 using the Perpetual Licensing model.
• Offer only applies to new Microsoft Dynamics ERP customers. A new ERP customer is defined as a customer that has not previously licensed any version of Microsoft Dynamics GP or Microsoft Dynamics NAV
• This offer will be entered in Order Central as a 40% discount off the Starter Pack license list price. Please refer to the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 price list and the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 price list to determine the discounted price in each country.
• First year required maintenance is not included in this offer and must be purchased separately. Enhancement/support plan fees will be calculated from the system list price of all users and components, based on the regular Microsoft Dynamics price list.

Exclusions

• Offer is valid worldwide except for the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Guam, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea – South, Laos, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nauru, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and Wallis and Futuna.

Offer does not apply to:

• Any other Microsoft software.
• Purchases using the Services Provider License Agreement or any volume licensing program
• Purchases using the Business Ready Licensing model, the Module Based Licensing model or the Subscription model.

- Offer cannot be combined with other offers (with the exclusion of the FY13 Grow ERP SMB Adds – Partner Incentive), promotions or discounts. All components besides the Starter Pack must be licensed at list prices.

- Purchases made prior to the effective date of the offer are not eligible.

- This offer is available to partners on an ISV Embed Addendum.
- This offer cannot be converted into cash.
- Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
- This offer is non-transferable.
- Offer available only through authorized Microsoft Dynamics resellers. End user prices, terms and conditions are independently set by resellers.
- Offer only available once per customer.

*If you have any questions about the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and NAV 2013 Easy Start Offer please contact Pat Quimby at pquimby@tmc-la.com or call 310-559-3982.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV has emerged as a major player in the playing field of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Dynamics NAV can resolve different issues of SMB’s through a set of built-in programs. There are different solutions available for different departments of the company.

The technique is useful in helping make quick strategic decisions when real time data about sales, marketing and finance are available. This also enables owners and top level employees to make crucial marketing decisions for the company. Those employees can also take advantage of the emerging market opportunities. Dynamics NAV is sensible for supply chain management too. This suite contains manufacturing applications that takes into account the different aspects of manufacturing process like order, supply, planning and execution, as well as helping manage inventory by reducing distribution costs. Through Dynamics NAV Warehouse Management module, Order Planning and Order Processing is achievable too.

Quality control is significant in the manufacturing process to obtain best results. It starts right from the time raw materials are sent to inventory and ends with testing the finished materials before shipments. Dynamics NAV is used as a set of modules. Creating test specification of individual items -> performing the test -> recording the test results -> transferring the item to respective departments for usage or shipment; that’s how the software works. Test results which fail to conform to the specifications are termed as exceptions and removed at once.

It is impossible to think about a company’s survival without customers. Goods are manufactured for the customers who in turn help in the generation of revenue. Thus, the need for a well-organized customer relations management system arises. Dynamics NAV succeeds in maintaining customer records, tracking activities, sales history and sales campaign requirements. It directly links to the Dynamics CRM system embedded in it. It as well has the same look and feel of all other Microsoft items such as Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word. Giving employees a seamless transition while using any of the Microsoft products with minimal learning curves.

When profit levels show a fall and costs show a rise, companies often resort to expert advice to understand where things went wrong. Under such circumstances, it is best to implement a proper cost accounting module. This module covers all the major components of cost structure namely, labor, material and subcontractors. Dynamics NAV provides the tools to sort and arrange cost data on a daily basis. As a result, it is possible to check costs incurred on activities which are not essential for the company. Due to the fruitful use of this system, the company can take interest in using control measures to curb wastage.

Dynamics NAV is a smart and uncomplicated business management solution, which helps reorganize the entire business processing system. It ensures efficiency and healthy performance in each process. It is acceptable and usable in several organizations all over the world. The ease to adapt to changes in the business environment accompanied by effective implementation has made it popular everywhere. In short, it’s an innovative, smart, cost-saving effort to enhance company productivity by organizing various business processes.

To get a Free Business Value Assessment click here, to request a quote click here, or you can call our office and speak to one of our representatives at 310-559-3982

NAV 2013 Now Available Fully IN THE CLOUD!

TMC is thrilled to now offer their clients the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 Web Client. TMC has already performed implementations and upgrades for NAV 2013, so get your company up to date and online!

The Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web client gives users access to Microsoft Dynamics NAV data over a network, such as the Internet. From a web browser, users can view and modify data from a user-friendly interface that resembles the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client, where the starting point is the Role Center. The Role Center can be customized to users individual needs based on their role, company, and daily tasks. The Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 Web client does not replace the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client but complements it by enabling scenarios that are not possible with the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client. For a visual overview of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web client, see Touring the RoleTailored Client for Developers.

Deploying the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web Client

Developing for the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web Client

Administering Users of Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web Client

Technology Management Concepts presented at the FEI Summit 2012 in Orlando, FL from May 20-22nd at the Disney Contemporary Resort on behalf of Microsoft earlier this week. TMC was selected to represent Microsoft and its Dynamics product lines since it has been a top VAR and reseller of Microsoft Dynamics GP, NAV and CRM for the past 15 years. Jennifer Harris, President of TMC, also is a member of the Financial Executives International Los Angeles chapter, so TMC fit right in with all the attendees.

This year’sFEI Summit, which will be held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando, FL, will offer financial executives insight into the strategies required to meet new and challenging demands placed on them by key stakeholders, employees and the general public, all while operating in an shifting economic environment. With an innovative, timely agenda and new venue yearly, the Summit boasts content-rich presentations, multiple networking opportunities, respected speakers and an exciting exhibit hall. The Summit will also be heavily focused on the movement to “The Cloud”. There will speakers, tracks, and presenters at the Expo like Technology Management Concepts who will share business ideas and information into gaining advantages by moving to “The Cloud” through “Cloud Computing“.

TMC wants to thank FEI and Disney for a great experience and look forward to seeing everyone at FEI Summit 2013 in Las Vegas, NV next year! To see the full press release about TMC presenting at FEI Summit 2012, click here.

Have you been stuck in a bad situation that only by a miracle of a small loophole you managed to get out of? Loopholes are wonderful if they work in your favor, otherwise they can be a real pain. When you’re stuck, a loophole most often is a blessing in disguise. Yet the term loophole wasn’t originally a quick legal out from a contract but a type of contractual fortification.

In Medieval times, castles were built for the main purpose of keeping those inside safe. Architecture of the time incorporated different ways to protect the castle. One of those architectural additions was narrow windows that widened inwards with vertical slits on the outside. Archers defending the castle had wonderful amounts of elbow room to maneuver while those shooting at the castle only had small slits to shoot at. These archer windows were called loopholes from the old word loop which means “a narrow window”.

Loopholes went out of style around the time gun powder was invented, but so did castles really. One didn’t need to hide behind the thick walls of a castle if it was going to be blown up anyway by gun powder. Now, loopholes signify a narrow way out and today we associate the word with a clever or tricky way out of a situation, especially when pertaining to legal issues that may otherwise make one a little loopy… frazzled.

With software, you may wish sometimes that there was an easy way to handle a hard situation. Maybe an application that looks complex, but really is simple. Take for instance, you have a difficult client who has ordered multiple items from you, but wants each of those items delivered on a different date. With Microsoft Dynamics NAV you can define an “Agent Service”.

With Microsoft Dynamics NAV Agent Service feature you can define how and when to ship your products.  This feature includes calendar scheduling and shipping time. The purchase screen doesn’t have these options but the agent service screen does.

By simply finding and utilizing the right loophole in your Microsoft Dynamics software you can increase your productivity even more than it already has. You’d be amazed at how much more business you can gain from your business software.

I’m sure you’ve probably heard the term: a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. The phrase defined means that it’s better to have a lesser certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing. Yet if you’re not careful even the certain choice may leave you with nothing but a hand full of feathers.

Birds are associated with more than a handful of superstitions throughout the world. Feathers are also rumored to contain a certain amount of magical influence and potential. Osiris, an ancient Egyptian god, wore a cloak of feathers as a protective armor against evil. To pass by a black feather in the British Isles was thought to bring bad luck, but to stick the feather upright in the soil was to bring good luck. Wren feathers were a must on any sailing. Sailors would bring wren feathers with them to protect them from shipwrecks.

Feather beds were a subject of several taboos and superstitions. To turn a feather mattress on Sunday would guarantee that anyone sleeping in the bed would have horrible nightmares for a week and possibly death to someone in the household. The type of feathers used to feather the bed were an issue as well. To use dove or pigeon feathers would cause the sleeper in the bed to die a painful death instead of slipping away peacefully in slumber.

When it comes to business, you need a sound business plan, good employees, and a lot of  good luck.  Microsoft Dynamics NAV is just the good luck you need to make your business a success. Microsoft Dynamics NAV allows business’ to trade internationally and has multi-currency capabilities. This allows your ledger to differentiate different between currencies and decide how amounts are rounded and posted for an unlimited number of currencies. This allows you to manage customer and vendor accounts in the right currency all of the time.

           Multiple birds flying away from the nest? Your mobile workers need direct access to your business resource planning information. Microsoft Dynamics NAV gives them over the Internet access using a rich Role Tailored interface. It’s the best way to keep them up-to-date and flying straight.

Need to get your ducks in a row? With flexible options, you can choose the business solution that works best for you. Keep your business from flying off course. Migrate to Microsoft Dynamics NAV today and see all the great ways you can improve your business software. Click here to contact TMC and request a free quote.

TMC’s one hour webinars include content designed to ensure you have full exposure into how you can maximize and extend your current ERP investment.  They review specific functionality within all of TMC’s product range:  Dynamics GP, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics CRM and NetSuite.

Please visit our Webinars Page for a full list of upcoming live webinars.

If you have missed one of these information sessions, they are recorded and available for viewing.  Please contact John Hoyt at jhoyt@tmc-la.com, along with the details of which webinar you are interested in viewing and we will send you a link to view at your leisure.

Below is a list of available recorded webinars.

Dynamics GP:  Light Users

Microsoft Dynamics GP Light User is a cost-effective solution that makes it possible for users to access business management solutions in a familiar Microsoft Office interface.

By using the Microsoft Dynamics GP Light User license, employees can interact with Microsoft Dynamics financial, human resources, and operational information within the Microsoft Office software they use daily. Using Microsoft Office desktop productivity tools, such as Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Outlook, and Microsoft Office Word, helps reduce the time required for training and gives your employees time to focus on what matters most. Microsoft Dynamics GP Light User provides users direct access to the business-critical information they need.

TMC’s webinar focuses on how to use Dynamics GP Light Users in Business Portal, Employee Self Service, Requisitions and Order Entry.

Below is a full list of where your Microsoft Dynamics GP Light User License will work.

• Business Portal Employee and Customer User capabilities
• Analysis Cubes
• Analysis Cubes Library
• Management Reporter Viewer (formerly FRx Drill-down Viewer)
• BI Components
• Executive Centers & New Dynamics GP 2010 Dashboards
• Out of the box Excel Reports
• Excel Report Builder Reports
• SSRS Reports (out of the box or newly created)
• KPIs
• Order Management
• PO Requisition Management
• Project Time and Expense
• Human Resources Management Self Service Suite
• Workflow Approval and Actions

Dynamics GP:  Excel-based Budgets

The Excel-based Budgeting tool in Microsoft Dynamics GP allows you to export a range of accounts – for example, all the accounts in a department – to Excel, along with historical years and the current year’s actual amounts so that each department manager can develop his or her budget.

Dynamics GP:  Management Reporter in GP 2010

Management 

Management Reporter extends the proven functionality of Microsoft FRx and enables people to quickly and easily create, generate, help secure and publish professional-looking financial statements, such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports, and will allow them to take advantage of the following:

• Custom reports without IT assistance. These reports reduce the burden on the IT department by empowering the finance team to create its own financial statements.
• Deep cross-functional analysis. Management Reporter provides easy and accurate financial reporting, intercompany reconciliations and eliminations.
• Reduced training time and increased productivity. A familiar user interface and reporting tools minimize training time since users will easily be able to transition from Microsoft Office applications to the similar navigation pane and toolbars in Management Reporter.
• Strong data integrity and report accuracy. Management Reporter supports regulatory requirements, such as generally accepted accounting practices and international financial reporting standards.

Dynamics GP: 2011 Year-end Closing

This webinars takes you through how to prepare for your year end close in Dynamics GP, to make the process a smoothly one and jump-start a successful new year.  It also highlights the changes made to 2011 year-end.

Dynamics GP: Excel Reports in GP 2010

The Smartlist Builder tool now includes the ability to create and publish Excel-based reports on the data held within Dynamics GP.  Once published, these Excel reports can be opened and refreshed by the end-user, without having to go back into Dynamics GP and re-run the report.  The data connection within the Excel report allows the data to be refreshed on demand, allowing employees access to up to date information.

TMC (Technology Management Concepts) is very pleased to announce the availability of a new product offering:  Microsoft Dynamics NAV.  TMC has long supported Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains), and has now expanded their Dynamics Business Solutions sales and services to include Dynamics NAV.  TMC is recognized by Microsoft for their commitment and experience, and has awarded TMC a GOLD Competency in Enterprise Resource Planning, a recognition that is made to less than 2% of Microsoft partners worldwide.

Dynamics NAV is a fully-featured Enterprise Resource Planning system, emphasizing an easy to use interface, full end-to-end integration, strong analytical tools and business intelligence capabilities, and robust integration and development tools.  Dynamics NAV leverages Microsoft SQL Server as the database engine, and extends SQL server’s reporting tools.

With Dynamics NAV 2009, you will benefit from a role-tailored experience designed to promote those features and capabilities that are suited to an employee’s job requirements, and then either minimize or hide those features that are irrelevant or sensitive.  Dynamics NAV provides important tasks and reminders direct to the Home Page, providing rapid access to those critical situations.  Dynamics NAV includes 21 pre-defined Role Centers, and variations on these are easy to do.

TMC will also bring their highly experienced team of project managers and consultants to deliver the consistent results we have always provided to our Dynamics GP clients.  TMC has also supplemented the staff, bringing on certified Dynamics NAV team members.  Count on TMC to offer our best in all implementations.

Contact Pat Quimby for more information.

310.559.3982 x 784 or

pquimby@tmc-la.com