Category: Technology

Back-office vs. Front-office Pros and Cons; Four Points to Think about When Implementing a Professional Services Solution

Back in the day when computers first became common in businesses, accounting was the first part of the business that became “computerized”. Many reasons caused this, but as time passed and computational complexity increased, these first accounting systems morphed into “Enterprise Resource Systems” (ERP) that allowed businesses to build on top of these first accounting systems in order to automate their other functional areas. Inventory, Sales Order Processing, Purchasing, Service Management, Manufacturing and Professional Services functions were added as modular pieces of functionality that used the core accounting system as its base. ERP systems proliferated and became the automation standard for businesses to scale, become more efficient and glean visibility into complex costing and other financial metrics.

December 22, 2015

Riddle Me, Query Me: Asking the Right Questions.

Everybody has dirty data. If you are lucky, on a normal business day it isn’t noticed very much, if at all. But, during a data migration, it can cause more than an embarrassment. It can cause a whole implementation project to come to a stop. Or, in extreme cases, it can make the whole dataset unusable.

Business data is valuable. Data is wanted for the convenience it brings. And, data is needed for legal reporting requirements. We can’t just throw dirty data away. We must respect the body of knowledge.

November 23, 2015

Learning How to Sell Business Applications

I’ve had years of experience in the consultative selling world of IT, hardware, software, and professional services. My clients are located in both the private commercial sector and public sector arenas. I recently switched to selling business applications, and although most of my knowledge transferred, there have been some new twists.

November 13, 2015

How are the Parature and Marketing Pilot Purchases for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Coming Along?

Last year, Microsoft unveiled a comprehensive set of new Microsoft Dynamics CRM capabilities by purchasing a social listening tool, a social engagement tool, a marketing tool, and a customer service tool. This customer service tool, or “Customer Care” tool, Parature, and the marketing tool, Marketing Pilot, has been integrating into CRM for the last year and are now ready to help organizations match their customers to the right products and services, engage with them in the right way at the right time, and nurture their relationships.

November 2, 2015

Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Ugg Boots, Thick Sweaters, and … Falling Lead Numbers?

September marks the first month of Fall and man, do I love Fall. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, also known as PSLs, are available at the local coffee shops, Ugg Boots are acceptable to start wearing as the chilly weather comes in, and thick sweaters are being stocked in all the trendy clothing shops. We’ve made it through summer and the thick humidity and are now settled back in our offices from our last fling of summer vacations. Many marketing and sales representatives start to think that since summer and vacations are over, their lead generation will soon rise and the end of the year deal closings will be back at it. This isn’t the case though. Logically thinking, summer is the start to what I would consider a downward trend in the market.

October 26, 2015

Pumpkins, piercings and the paranormal: 10 scary ways states apply sales tax

Bwaahahaha! Is that the ghostly laugh of a Halloween haunt — or the auditor reviewing your sales tax returns? Dealing with sales tax can be a ghoulish task. And for businesses with compliance obligations in multiple states, it can be frighteningly difficult to know which rules apply.

October 19, 2015

Whitaker Brothers Become Automated

Organization: Whitaker Brothers Business Machines, Inc.

Users: 20

Current Solutions: MSFT Dynamics-GP and MSFT Dynamics-CRM

Modules: Core Financials; Inventory; Purchase Order Processing; Sales Order Processing (POP/SOP)

ISV Products Used: K-eCommerce; Avalara; FieldConnect

October 9, 2015

IT for Accountants: What is RDP and why do I need it?

So, its 4pm on Thursday and you’re having an issue with payroll in GP. You’re not sweating it because you know that you have an amazing VAR who is going to get this all straightened out for you. You call in and get your consultant on the phone and they tell you they are going to use RDP to get on your machine and see what the problem is. You sit there confused but not wanting to let them know that you have no idea what’s happening. A million thoughts race through your head… “What’s RDP? Should I have this? Do I need it? Why don’t I know?”

September 23, 2015

DCAA Compliance and First Audit – This Should Be a Happy (But Careful) Time

I recently attended a workshop that was so spot-on I’ll even mention the speaker and his company: Kevin Grimes of CFO Leasing. I never met Kevin prior to that workshop but was very impressed with how clearly and succinctly he conveys the pitfalls and nuances of becoming DCAA compliant.

Getting a notice that you are going to be audited by DCAA should not be frightening, but should be a joyful notice. The fact that your company has gotten the attention of DCAA means that you are about to be awarded a large contract or your business has grown so successfully that you are a larger federal contractor; both reasons to be happy, not frightened. However, at this point, you need to understand that:

September 10, 2015

Five Things to Consider When Moving to the Cloud

News about the cloud is everywhere, the sales pitch for cloud computing is simple.

Companies pay a third-party vendor to run one or more of their systems, like email or payroll, on its own servers, saving tons of money.

September 2, 2015