CRM
Using Social Media for Customer Service
Nice follow up to last month’s article, “The High Value of Customers in Today’s Market” in the April edition of destinationCRM.com. In the article, “Using Social Media for Customer Service“, the author discusses the relative newness of social media tools which results in a misunderstanding about how to leverage social media for customer service. The point [Read More...]
The High Value of Customers in Today’s Market
Thought-provoking post by Ron Volper, “Up Your Sales in a Down Market”, in Friday’s destinationCRM.com. According to the post, the buying patterns of today’s customers have changed, and overall they’re less loyal than they were in the past. To combat this change in behavior, B2B companies need to update their marketing/selling strategies by not only “selling [Read More...]
The Benefits to Cloud Computing
According to a commissioned report by IDC on behalf of Microsoft, spending on public and private IT cloud services will generate nearly 14 million jobs worldwide from 2011 to 2015 . As with any other emerging technology, it will take time for cloud applications to continue to evolve and develop and drive widespread adoption across business sectors. Not [Read More...]
Year of the Customer
According to last week’s press release, “For Retailers, 2012 (Is) All About Customer Interaction and Experience“, posted on the National Retail Federation (NRF) website, a joint NRF/KPMG sponsored report indicates that retailers are focusing strategic efforts on customer-centric initiatives in 2012. Included in these initiatives are: IT and e-commerce projects Improving customer service programs and Building on [Read More...]
Microsoft Unveils Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile
According to a press release from Microsoft yesterday, the next service update for Microsoft Dynamics CRM will be released in Q2 2012. This update will enable customers to access all the functions/capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM on virtually any device using a new cloud-based, cross-platform, native mobile client service for Windows Phone 7, iPad, iPhone, [Read More...]
Technical Post: Using PowerShell to Address an “Invalid Trace Directory” Error in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
At one of our clients, we kept seeing a pesky error in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011’s Event Log that the Trace Directory was not defined: Invalid Trace Directory. Additional Info:[ Unable to Write file , Trace directory not defined (Reporting Process:File Name is Null. LocalTraceSettings: {Filename: ,FileCountSuffix:1 ,TraceFileSize:10485760 ,TraceDirectory: ,TracingCallStack:Yes ,IsTracingOff:No ,LoadState:LoadSuccessfulUnreported ,RefreshTraceInt:-1 ,SiteWideRefreshTraceInt:-1 ,RegistryRefreshTraceInt:6} [Read More...]
Technical Post: Implementing Robust Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Auto-Numbering Using Transactions
The primary failing of every auto-number solution for Microsoft Dynamics CRM that I have come across is the ability to ‘guarantee’ a unique number under heavy load across multiple servers, particularly in a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online environment. Depending on the solution you look at, you will find various attempts to solve this problem, but [Read More...]
SMB Hosted CRM Market Set to Triple by 2015
Great article in the December issue of CRM Magazine re: how according to research from AMI-Partners, cloud-based business applications, particularly CRM-related, are gaining attention from small and midsized businesses (SMBs) in the US. Read full article: SMB Hosted CRM Market Set to Triple by 2015 – CRM Magazine
Technical Post – FetchAll() for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 – Handling Large FetchXML Resultsets
When I originally started working in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, I was convinced that I would be able to avoid FetchXML forever, in favor of all the new shiny LINQ / REST capabilities. Well, it turns out I was wrong, and we are still finding places for FetchXML, which means I eventually ran into an [Read More...]
Improving Customer Service in Midsized Businesses
Interesting article in destinationcrm.com re: overcoming customer retention challenges in small to midsize organizations. Particularly relevant in today’s economy and also at this time of the year as many of us are looking to drive additional revenue/close new business. Food for thought….
D&B Announces Availability of D&B360 for Use with Microsoft Dynamics CRM
According to an online article in MSDynamicsWorld.com, “D&B360, D&B’s new service selling access to its global database of more than 200 million global businesses and 53 million contacts, is now integrated with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The solution combines D&B’s business information and corporate hierarchies with social data from popular social platforms giving organizations, real-time, actionable [Read More...]
CRM Best Practices
Below is an article that I wrote for Green Beacon’s newsletter earlier this year. I thought it worthwhile to re-post here, not only since it’s still relevant, but also due to a tie in to a post on Microsoft Dynamics blog, “Liberating Microsoft from Oracle/Siebel CRM” earlier this month. Also, with a new upcoming version [Read More...]
Ellison Reveals Oracle’s Public Cloud
I admit it — I couldn’t resist the Oct. 6th “Tech Crunch” article, “Ellison Reveals Oracle’s Public Cloud; Calls Salesforce the ‘Roach Motel’ of Cloud Services“. Although I normally don’t provide customer relationship management (CRM) “competitors” with valuable real estate on our blog, particularly when it involves the ongoing sniping between Oracle’s Larry Ellison and [Read More...]
Customer Satisfaction: Don’t Leave Work Without It
Reading the article in destinationcrm.com about a contact center executive at American Express who takes a holistic approach to support, reaffirms my belief that it’s not simply about technology. While having a strong customer relationship management (CRM) system in place to manage the myriad of interactions that occur daily is essential, the system needs to support a [Read More...]
CRM and Sports Marketing – A Winning Combination
Americans love their professional sports teams. Sometimes, the appeal of a city (or lack thereof) depends on the success and marketability of its sports teams. Moreover, professional sports teams are significant enterprise organizations that influence city politics and produce a large amount of indirect revenue for a metropolitan area. Because of these business realities, effective [Read More...]
CRM Selection and Implementation Best Practices
Below we’ve highlighted key strategies when considering a new customer relationship management (CRM) /implementation or system enhancement: Upper Management Sponsorship – If management doesn’t believe in the project, why should the employees? Identifying, developing and implementing a CRM solution or upgrade requires working across organizational boundaries and breaking down long-term siloed behaviors and attitudes. You [Read More...]
Optimize Mission Critical Systems Through CRM & ERP Integration (Part 3 of 3)
Integrating enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems provides organizations with a cohesive approach for identifying, acquiring, and retaining customers. Unfortunately when run as operational silos, these systems cannot effectively support processes that span application boundaries – limiting visibility, team productivity, and overall success. By enabling businesses to manage and coordinate customer interactions [Read More...]
Optimize Mission Critical Systems Through CRM & ERP Integration (Part 2 of 3)
Integrating enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems provides organizations with a cohesive approach for identifying, acquiring, and retaining customers. Unfortunately when run as operational silos, these systems cannot effectively support processes that span application boundaries – limiting visibility, team productivity, and overall success. By enabling businesses to manage and coordinate customer interactions [Read More...]
Optimize Mission Critical Systems Through CRM & ERP Integration (Part 1 of 3)
Integrating enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems provides organizations with a cohesive approach for identifying, acquiring, and retaining customers. Unfortunately when run as operational silos, these systems cannot effectively support processes that span application boundaries – limiting visibility, team productivity, and overall success. By enabling businesses to manage and coordinate customer interactions [Read More...]
Microsoft Reopens “Cloud CRM for Less” Program
Organizations realize that they do not need to pay a premium for a world-class customer relationship management (CRM) solution. Despite the initial cost savings and the long-term ROI, it’s not always easy to switch from one CRM system to another. That’s why Microsoft is offering qualified organizations the opportunity to earn cash back when they license Microsoft Dynamics [Read More...]
Value of Good Data in CRM Solutions
An article in the September issue of CRM Magazine, “Turbocharging CRM with Good Data” caused me to recall our recent growing pains as we “matured” from Microsoft Dynamics v4 to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. In the interest of full discloure, Green Beacon Solutions is a Microsoft Dynamics solution provider / consulting / managed services firm. [Read More...]
Acceptance Challenges in Implementing CRM/Sales Automation Tools
Quick read, but good points raised in yesterday’s destinationcrm.com post re: “Acceptance Challenges in Implementing CRM/Sales Automation Tools“. Although quite a few advancements have been made in customer relationship management (CRM) tools and technologies, there are still strides to be made — particularly on the Sales side. Ironically, I’ve found that the tools which benefit [Read More...]
“Partners Find Strange Bedfellows” — Microsoft Dynamics CRM & Office 365
MSDynamicsWorld.com noted in yesterday’s post, when the upcoming version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is released in Q4 this year, Microsoft Partners will be able to offer customers Dynamics CRM Online with Microsoft Office 365. As announced at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) this past July, this release makes Dynamics CRM an “add-on” to Office [Read More...]
Microsoft Puts Stake in the Ground Versus Cloud Competitors
Microsoft corporate vice presidents Brad Anderson and Michael Park, from the Management and Security Division and Business Solutions Division, respectively, talk to Microsoft News Center about Microsoft’s cloud computing strategy and the new ads and incentives they are rolling out this week. With adoption of and interest in cloud computing on the rise — the [Read More...]
How Sales Is Totally Different From 10 Years Ago: RIP the Sales Funnel
Interesting post in Forbes.com that was sent to me by Green Beacon’s CRM Delivery Director, Ivan Kurtev, re: how the overall selling cycles have changed in the past 20-30 years. My first reaction was “duh”, but the interview & video identifies what I’ve suspected: not only have the buying models of internal companies changed, but from [Read More...]
Technical Post – How to Use Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 to Manage Life Events for Financial Services Clients
Great post last month in MSDynamicsWorld.com re: how financial services firms, like every other business, look for ways to strengthen their relationships with their clients as well as bring in additional assets and revenue. According to the post, “When a client faces a major life event like marriage, death, birth, adoption, inheritance, and child reaching [Read More...]
Technical Post – “Fiddler”
“Fiddler” was shown to me a few months ago, and it’s helped me out numerous times. Since it’s not widely promoted via blogs, knowledgebases, or on several technical distribution lists that I subscribe to, I thought it would be worthwhile to post something so readers can learn more about it and how helpful it is. [Read More...]
In Fragmented Social CRM Market, Gartner’s Magic Quadrant Report Sees No Place for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
A recent post in MSDynamicsWorld.com discusses the reasons why Microsoft Dynamics CRM was not evaluated as a market leader in Gartner’s 2011 Magic Quadrant for Social CRM report. The post also includes Ivan Kurtev’s (Green Beacon Solutions Delivery Director for CRM) observations that “…out of the box, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 today doesn’t provide significant social CRM [Read More...]
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Keynote – Dynamics AX 2012 & CRM 2011
At Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 (WPC) this week in Los Angeles, Kiril Tatarinov, President Microsoft Business Solutions, delivered a strong keynote where he discussed both the upcoming Q4 2011 update for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. The CRM Online update will enable Microsoft partners to offer enterprise customers Dynamics CRM Online with Office 365 and will [Read More...]
How to Avoid CRM Implementation Failure
Green Beacon Solutions CRM partner, Scribe Software, recently published a white paper available through MSDynamicsWorld.com that discusses how to identify if you have problems in your CRM processes and determine which strategies will help you address and overcome these system breakdowns. Download “How to Avoid CRM Implementation Failure“
Microsoft Launches Office 365 Globally
On June 28, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of Microsoft Office 365, the company’s newest cloud service. Office 365 is now available in 40 markets, and it brings together Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Lync Online in an always-up-to-date cloud service, at a predictable monthly subscription. To learn more about [Read More...]
“Plan to Fail in Social Media”
Companies are likely to make mistakes in social media early on, but the key is to learn from them and move on, according to Erik Qualman keynote speaker at ICMI’s Annual Call Center Expo (ACCE). The post in destinationcrm.com goes on to say that, “Companies don’t have a choice about whether to do social media. [Read More...]
Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and Sales
Common sense suggestions about focusing marketing activities and sales processes and ensuring alignment between both groups in order to drive tangible, quantifiable results…sometimes the simplest approaches are the best!
Rise in Social Media Requires Businesses to Rethink Customer Value
A new report, “Reenvisioning Customer Value”, sponsored by SAS Business Analytics and published in destinationcrm.com suggests that new measures of value are needed so that companies know how best to direct their engagement efforts. An increase by organizations in the use of social media to position and promote their goods and services should force these companies to reevaluate [Read More...]
True Stories of Marketing with Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Webcast)
Due to popular demand, the following webcast has additional sessions scheduled on Wednesday, June 22nd. Green Beacon Solutions partner, ClickDimensions, has scheduled a premier webcast event for experienced and up-and-coming marketing experts: True Stories of Marketing with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The live webcast will include examples of real-world campaigns in which Microsoft Dynamics CRM was [Read More...]
Benchmark Yourself: What is Your Newsletter Response Rate?
Interesting blog post by Green Beacon partner, ClickDimensions re: the value of tracking and measuring marketing response rates in order to determine trends. As a marketer, I discovered early on in my career about the importance of identifying specific metrics for any type of program or activity (e.g. advertising, lead gen, prospecting etc.), establishing goals [Read More...]
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Announced as Leader in CRM Customer Service Contact Centers
Research firm, Gartner Inc., announced today that Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is a “Leader” in their 2011 “Magic Quadrant” for CRM Customer Service Contact Centers. According to the press release, in increasing order of complexity, Gartner assessed various vendors based on four major areas: Information Access Service Process Optimization End-to-End Industry Process Experts Intelligent Dialogue/Real [Read More...]
Why Invest in a Local Microsoft Dynamics User Group?
Interesting post about the value of joining and actively participating in Microsoft Dynamics User Groups from the standpoint of a user group member. Green Beacon Solutions is the proud sponsor of a number of local Microsoft Dynamics user group events in the northeast and mid-atlantic United States. We are also a “Platinum Sponsor” at the [Read More...]
Technical Post – Embedding Custom Reports in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Forms
In Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM v4.0 (and previous versions), reports were typically integrated into the CRM Entity forms with iframes and scripting. With the advent of “Web Resources” in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, we can now abstract this process by creating a ‘report viewer’ control as a Web Resource and configure the report ID on the [Read More...]
Improving Enterprise Collaboration with Social Networking Solutions for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
Introduction: In this post, I will discuss how Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM 2011 customers can benefit from extended social networking concepts to improve enterprise collaboration with two relatively new solutions: Vibe from Sonoma Partners and Pulse from Neudesic. The goal of enterprise collaboration is to enable users to share customer insights more effectively while facilitating cross-departmental [Read More...]
Statement of Direction for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Statement of Direction (SoD) outlines the future direction of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 over the short and longer term. Microsoft last updated this document back in April 2010…so this May 2011 SoD release is a pretty big milestone. While the May 2011 SoD is just 7 pages long (short compared [Read More...]
Microsoft: Salesforce is in Our Crosshairs
Microsoft is actively targeting their chief rival’s cloud customers with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, which has seen approximately 20,000 trial downloads since the January 2011 product launch. The offering covers Microsoft’s first, fully cloud-ready CRM package. For users with doubts about the “cloud” – concerns most frequently cited are security, data access, and vendor lock-in [Read More...]
Ready for Mobile Business Intelligence (BI)?
Thought-provoking assessment from Software Magazine re: current landscape of platforms for enabling mobile business intelligence…. Read more here
Misys and Microsoft Collaborate in the Cloud
Misys, a leading multinational company providing software solutions and services to the financial services sector, announces its partnership with Microsoft. Their mutual objective is to collaborate to deliver cloud-based offerings designed specifically for banks and banking firms. Most banks say they’re really interested in cloud computing, but so far it’s been used primarily for non-core [Read More...]
To the Cloud or Not to the Cloud?
According to an August 2010 article in “Bank Systems & Technology”, some bank applications belong in the cloud, while others should stay far away. Something to consider when evaluating a CRM solution….Green Beacon Solutions can work with you to assess your needs based on your business process, and recommend not only the environment but also [Read More...]
Top 10 Strategic Technologies for Banks in 2011
A must-read for bank technologists: The Gartner Group identified the top technologies for the banking industry at the 2010 Symposium/IT Expo in Orlando…. Social media and mobile were probably the hottest topics of discussion at Bank Systems & Technology’s recent Executive Summit, which took place earlier this month. The senior-level IT and business unit bankers [Read More...]
Q&A: Bruce Temkin on Customer Retention
Interesting quick read from “Bank Systems & Technology” re: improving customer retention in the financial services sector… Amid the economic turmoil, many people simply want a stable financial services relationship. Creating a strong customer experience can be a powerful competitive advantage in optimizing this valuable relationship, suggests Bruce Temkin, customer experience transformist, and managing partner [Read More...]
ERP
New ERP Reports!
If you’re wondering what the difference is between “cloud” ERP (enterprise resource planning) or “on-prem”, or whether you’re deciding if your organization needs ERP, or if you have an existing ERP solution and are determining whether to migrate/upgrade, we have a number of published analyst reports available to help make the decision easier: * 35 [Read More...]
Managing vs. Controlling Inventory
According to the April 16th post in DC Velocity by Art van Bodegraven and Kenneth B. Ackerman, differentiating between inventory management and inventory control is frequently argued, but is inconsequential. Rather than focusing on “where supply chain management can contribute to financial performance, (with the emphasis placed) on reducing inventories and their attendant investments (to beef) up corporate return on [Read More...]
Supply Chain Visibility is Nearer Than You Think
Yesterday’s article in DC Velocity, “The Promise of End-to-End Visibility“, makes a strong case that supply chain visibility is much more than transportation optimization. In addition to risk reduction, promoting inventory management, it also reduces cycle times and facilitates accurate forecasting. In the article, Bill McBeath, Chief Research Officer for ChainLink Research, a Newton, MA supply chain [Read More...]
The Benefits to Cloud Computing
According to a commissioned report by IDC on behalf of Microsoft, spending on public and private IT cloud services will generate nearly 14 million jobs worldwide from 2011 to 2015 . As with any other emerging technology, it will take time for cloud applications to continue to evolve and develop and drive widespread adoption across business sectors. Not [Read More...]
Year of the Customer
According to last week’s press release, “For Retailers, 2012 (Is) All About Customer Interaction and Experience“, posted on the National Retail Federation (NRF) website, a joint NRF/KPMG sponsored report indicates that retailers are focusing strategic efforts on customer-centric initiatives in 2012. Included in these initiatives are: IT and e-commerce projects Improving customer service programs and Building on [Read More...]
ERP: Is High ROI with Low TCO Possible?
I recently came across an Aberdeen Group report that discusses whether the resulting business benefits derived from a successful Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution implementation justifies the initial investment and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over the life of the solution. Although published in December 2010, the report “ERP Is High ROI with Low TCO [Read More...]
2011 Roundup: The Top 10 Biggest ERP Failures
Great summary in the “ERP Software Blog” on Computer World’s December article regarding the “Top 10 Biggest ERP Software Failures of 2011“. As we know all too well, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations are no easy feat to accomplish. When scoped, defined, and implemented correctly, accolades about. More often than not, however, issues arise that result in accusations, recriminations, [Read More...]
Think Ahead When Considering an ERP Solution
While enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are at the core of a company’s financial, human resources, supply chain and manufacturing systems, if they are not integrated correctly or their functionality is not fully leveraged, they can easily reduce efficiencies and impede day-to-day business operations – in other words, defeat the purpose for which the system [Read More...]
Optimize Mission Critical Systems Through CRM & ERP Integration (Part 3 of 3)
Integrating enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems provides organizations with a cohesive approach for identifying, acquiring, and retaining customers. Unfortunately when run as operational silos, these systems cannot effectively support processes that span application boundaries – limiting visibility, team productivity, and overall success. By enabling businesses to manage and coordinate customer interactions [Read More...]
Optimize Mission Critical Systems Through CRM & ERP Integration (Part 2 of 3)
Integrating enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems provides organizations with a cohesive approach for identifying, acquiring, and retaining customers. Unfortunately when run as operational silos, these systems cannot effectively support processes that span application boundaries – limiting visibility, team productivity, and overall success. By enabling businesses to manage and coordinate customer interactions [Read More...]
Optimize Mission Critical Systems Through CRM & ERP Integration (Part 1 of 3)
Integrating enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems provides organizations with a cohesive approach for identifying, acquiring, and retaining customers. Unfortunately when run as operational silos, these systems cannot effectively support processes that span application boundaries – limiting visibility, team productivity, and overall success. By enabling businesses to manage and coordinate customer interactions [Read More...]
Microsoft Offers Incentives to Switch from Lawson to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Sometimes the most difficult part about switching to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is getting the support of the people in your organization who are in charge of the money. For them a little incentive goes a long way. Microsoft recognizes that business reality and has begun to offer incentives to users of competing ERP [Read More...]
Making the Most of Security Model Changes in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Informative post in MSDynammicsWorld.com re: the security model for the ERP solution has been totally revamped with the release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. That means instead of module-based security, Dynamics AX 2012 has moved to the role-based security model and provides numerous standard security roles and duties out of the box, making it easier [Read More...]
Are We Ready for ERP Software to Integrate with Social Media?
The web of this decade will be remembered as the web of social media. It has become such an integral part of the web that it would be difficult for you to find a website that does not have some level of social media integration. Excluding search engines, all of the web’s top 20 websites [Read More...]
Technical Post – Microsoft Dynamics AX Consolidations: Multi Company, Multi-Currency Transaction and Eliminations
If you are a multi-company organization where the companies operate in different currencies, you probably have intercompany transactions in multiple currencies. If so, you know eliminating the intercompany accounts after consolidating all companies into a single currency can be challenging. Microsoft Dynamics AX does have a way to use the automatic elimination proposal even though [Read More...]
After a Go-Live, Microsoft Dynamics AX Users Face a Variety of New and Unexpected Challenges
Informative post in MSDynamicsWorld.com re: what to consider/evaluate when issues arise following an implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Axapta). According to Frank Vukovits, Director, Programming at Dynamics Communities Inc., “A common misconception once you go live if AX isn’t working correctly is that it’s a problem with the code; but nine times out of 10 [Read More...]
Technical Post – Cleaning up Transactions Orphaned by Changing a Standard Cost Item’s Dimension Group
I recently discovered an answer to a problem that I have run into multiple times, cleaning up inventory transactions with “bad” inventory dimensions. Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 dimension groups allow users to set the inventory dimensions for an item. It is also supposed to stop users from changing the dimension group for an item if [Read More...]
Announcing General Availability of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
According to a posting on yesterday’s Dynamics ERP “The Edge” blog, Microsoft proudly announced that the wait is officially over with the general availability release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 in 25 countries and 23 languages, with more country roll-outs planned in the coming months. According to Microsoft, Dynamics AX 2012 is “Powerfully Simple” because it has [Read More...]
Microsoft Dynamics AX in Media Entertainment
Within the past week, two global media entertainment agencies announced their plans to implement Microsoft Dynamics AX – concrete proof that ERP solutions are now finding a home outside of “traditional” markets such as manufacturing, distribution, etc. On July 28th, Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets, selected [Read More...]
International Financial Reporting Standards & Microsoft Dynamics AX
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are worldwide “principles-based” accounting standards for general purpose financial statements, issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). According to IASB, more than 80 countries/regions – from Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Argentina to Zimbabwe – require, or allow on a voluntary basis, the preparation of financial statements in accordance with [Read More...]
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Keynote – Dynamics AX 2012 & CRM 2011
At Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 (WPC) this week in Los Angeles, Kiril Tatarinov, President Microsoft Business Solutions, delivered a strong keynote where he discussed both the upcoming Q4 2011 update for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. The CRM Online update will enable Microsoft partners to offer enterprise customers Dynamics CRM Online with Office 365 and will [Read More...]
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is “Released to Market”! (RTM)
According to a June 30 post on the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) blog, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is released to the market (RTM). This means that final build of the product has left the R&D team and will soon be generally available. (As of June 30) access is available to MSDN documentation for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 [Read More...]
Technical Post – Creating “Lite” Form Versions for Remote Clients
I was recently working with a client to determine a good way to speed up form load times for Dynamics AX 2009 clients that connected over a VPN. The client had a custom form that had a fair amount of display methods on it. While looking at our options to speed up the initial load, [Read More...]
Home Depot Gives DIY Shoppers More Tools to Get the Job Done
An early June post in TechNet blog, “Home Depot Gives DIY Shoppers More Tools to Get the Job Done“, discusses how big box retail customers use the latest Windows Phone technology to streamline their shopping experience. If you’ve ever tuned into a show on the “do it yourself” (DIY) Network or gone to a home and garden expo, [Read More...]
Technical Post – Microsoft SQL Server Trace Flag 4136
Trace flag 4136 was implemented earlier this year via a Cumulative Update to various SQL server versions. Please see the table at the end of the article for information on which update applies to your version of SQL. The purpose of this trace flag is to allow end users to affect the way SQL optimizes [Read More...]
Why Invest in a Local Microsoft Dynamics User Group?
Interesting post about the value of joining and actively participating in Microsoft Dynamics User Groups from the standpoint of a user group member. Green Beacon Solutions is the proud sponsor of a number of local Microsoft Dynamics user group events in the northeast and mid-atlantic United States. We are also a “Platinum Sponsor” at the [Read More...]
Technical Post – Linking RMA/Return Orders to the Original Sales Order
I have been confused for a while now as to why there isn’t a link between an RMA/return order and the original sales order for which the RMA/return order was created in Microsoft Dynamics™ AX. I have asked others and also researched this on the internet to no avail. While running through a functional spec [Read More...]
Technical Post – Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 – Enterprise Portal and….the iPhone?
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time building reference environments with the following components: * Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 SP1 * Windows 2008 R2 * SQL 2008 R2 * SharePoint 2010 (foundation in this case) * Enterprise Portal After all the fun and games (read: KB’s/rollups/etc.) required to get all these items to [Read More...]
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Delivers a Simple, Yet Powerful, Solution for Manufacturers
In today’s ever-changing world of business and digital development, it is imperative to embrace technologies that allow the most effective and efficient results. As manufacturing businesses adjust to industry shifts, companies are also simultaneously faced with traditional challenges, including cost-efficiencies and product quality. Companies must now consider solutions across the board. Thanks to recent advancements [Read More...]
Ready for Mobile Business Intelligence (BI)?
Thought-provoking assessment from Software Magazine re: current landscape of platforms for enabling mobile business intelligence…. Read more here
Throwing Enterprise Software Vendors Under the Bus
ERP customers LOVE to bash their on-premise vendor’s software. So why do they keep buying it? Great article in CIO Magazine about how customer’s need to start driving vs. simply throwing vendors under the bus. Read the full article here
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI): Three Steps to Making It Work
The goal of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is to provide a mutually beneficial relationship where both sides will be able to more smoothly and accurately control the availability and flow of goods. In VMI a manufacturer or distributor assumes the role of inventory planning for the customer. Extensive information sharing is required so that the manufacturer/distributor [Read More...]
Making Consignment and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Work for You
Although it’s a few years old, still a worthwhile read…. As manager of a manufacturing or distribution operation, you’ve just been notified by two of your largest customers that they want to purchase goods on consignment. A third very large customer wants to emulate Wal-Mart and begin a Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) program – with you [Read More...]
Vendor Managed Inventory for Retail
Take control of multiple channels by synchronizing the real-time movement of people, products, and information throughout the distribution and retail supply chain. As channels develop and become increasingly complex, distributors are faced with greater competition and higher expectations from manufacturers and customers. Seize the competitive advantage: * Empower your distribution operations with speed, efficiency, and comprehensive [Read More...]
Five Ways Business Intelligence Can Enhance Inventory Management
Effective inventory management translates to having the right amount of the right product at the right location delivered just in time to satisfy customer needs at minimum cost. Implementing an inventory improvement solution driven by business intelligence (BI) can help retailers to improve their business in five key areas: assortments, replenishment, vendors, supply chain and [Read More...]
