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Monday, December 31, 2012

I.B.I.S. and ERP for Business Leadership

Localization does not have to be a hurdle for your business! In a new video from I.B.I.S. you'll see how you can grow business while expanding operations into new markets and simultaneously leveraging centralized systems, existing investments, processes, and best practices. Read more on the I.B.I.S. website.




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Friday, December 28, 2012

Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Government

Government organizations at all levels require technology to help their employees fully engage with their constituents and meet the needs of citizens. Microsoft Dynamics business applications can help local, regional and federal agencies to do this in a cost-effective manner. The offerings that follow provide a glimpse into ways that agencies can reap the benefits of greater visibility and collaboration.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides the tools to help…
  •  311 service centers 
  •  Justice case management 
  •  Licenses and permits 
  •  Social casework 
  •  Grants management 
  •  Government eXtended CRM (XRM)  
  •  
To read more about the benefits of CRM for government agencies, visit the Microsoft Dynamics website.

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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Montebello Packaging Speeds Production with Infor

Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, recently announced that Montebello Packaging has selected Infor VISUAL and Infor PLM Discrete. Montebello Packaging, a manufacturer of collapsible aluminum and laminate tubes and aerosol cans, will integrate both Infor products with their existing Computer-aided Design (CAD) system. Infor VISUAL and Infor PLM Discrete will provide a unified data repository, helping to automate processes for faster production and reduced order delivery times to customers.

To read more about the implementation and Infor VISUAL and Infor PLM Discrete systems, visit the Infor website.

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Monday, December 24, 2012

Specialized Services with Sage ERP X3 Version 6.5

Released earlier this fall, Sage ERP X3 Version 6.5 provides specialized services from the cloud, introduces new electronic document management and delivery features, and boasts an impressive range of enhancements for financial, sales, and inventory modules such as better tracking of inventory movement, more control over accounts payable and accounts receivable terms discounts, and the ability to add free-form notes and images to inventory records.

Sage ERP X3 is a powerful and flexible ERP solution by for mid-sized and larger companies looking to grow a competitive business in a cost-effective way, with limited resources.  To learn more about the specific features available in this release, visit the Sage ERP blog.

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Friday, December 21, 2012

SAP Labs Addressing China-Specific Needs

SAP uses its SAP Labs network across the globe to deliver local market-oriented solutions for different geographies. SAP Labs China, one of the four hub labs that drive corporate product strategy and execution of global projects, is taking the right steps to integrate local requirements and deliver product capabilities that address the above issues:

 ■ Solutions customized for China regulations and business practices.
 ■ More ease of use. To solve the ease-of-use problem, including the user interface look and feel and usage behavior of the product, SAP Labs China reinvented finance user experience and business processes for Chinese customers, and it also optimized the user interface for its human resource module.
■ To standardize SAP’s global offering, SAP also reverse integrated the local innovations into SAP solutions as add-ons, such as the account aging analysis based on HANA, as well as mobile workforce scheduling features.
■ All the above capabilities are based on the design-thinking strategy where the product design and release plan is based on the customer requirement by engaging clients from the bottom up.

To learn more about SAP and the work they are doing for customers in China, visit the Forrester blog.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Infor PLM Improves Workflow for Teledyne LeCroy

Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, recently announced that Teledyne LeCroy, a manufacturer of electronic design and test devices, has implemented Infor PLM Discrete. Teledyne LeCroy selected the product lifecycle management (PLM) application, built specifically for discrete manufacturers, to integrate with its existing Infor ERP solution, to enable consolidated data storage, enhanced workflow and faster approvals. It also delivers a user-friendly interface to facilitate improved internal processes and business decisions.

Learn more about Infor PLM Discrete and the Teledyne LeCroy implementation on the ChemInfo blog.

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Monday, December 17, 2012

Evolving to New Heights with Epicor University

In today’s global economy education is more important than ever for companies implementing and using ERP systems, yet education must evolve. Today we face different challenges and opportunities in learning. For example, we have the Net generation, global business climate, cost pressures, competition, and the ever-changing demographics in the workplace. Companies that make a solid investment in education see the benefits in both tangible and intangible results. It is certain we see the return on the investment in education for customers in implementation of ERP systems––on-time implementations, project completed per budget, and most importantly, implementation with knowledge transfer.

Read more about Epicor University on the Connected Enterprise blog.

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Friday, December 14, 2012

Acumatica Named to the 2012 SaaS Top 250 Companies List

Acumatica, a leading global provider of cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and financial software, today announced it has been recognized as a member of the 2012 global SaaS Top 250 company listing by Montclair Advisors.

The SaaS Top 250 debuted in 2010 and has become very popular with software executives, investors and analysts. It provides a comprehensive view of the leading companies that make up this dynamic Cloud-based software market. Companies that are selected for this list are leaders in the pure and hybrid SaaS categories globally. The list is comprised of start-ups as well as notable public SaaS firms such as Salesforce.com, Cisco, and IBM.

To read more visit the Acumatica website.

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Sales Up For Distributors, But Has The Economy Recovered?

Sales for U.S. wholesalers rose for the first time in four months this August, ending three months of declines. It was the biggest one-month gain since February, according to an Associated Press article on the Industrial Distribution website. But will it boost the still-recovering economy?

The Commerce Department reported that wholesale inventory grew 0.5 percent that month, and total wholesale inventories stood at $487.5 billion. That level is 27 percent higher than the low point of the recession, great news for distributors. In addition, the unemployment rate fell in September to 7.8 percent, down from 8.1 percent in August. That’s the biggest decline since January 2003.

Read more on the Advanced Distrubution Today website.

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Monday, December 10, 2012

Australia’s Inspirations Paint Selects Pronto Software

Australia’s largest paint specialist group of stores, Inspirations Paint, has selected Pronto Software to provide enterprise resource planning (ERP) and business intelligence (BI) services to 100 of its retail stores nationwide.

Pronto Software with deploy its flagship solution Pronto Xi Dimensions, across the Company’s franchise stores and national office. Inspirations Paint chose to deploy Pronto Xi modules to integrate Financials, Distribution, Inventory, CRM and Point of Sale operations across the business.

Tired of an outdated system that was not unified between its national network of retail outlets and national headquarters, Gary Jeston, Financial Controller at Inspirations Paint, began looking for a solution that would streamline processes, add functionality and eliminate double handling, while maintaining a high level of data integrity. Read more on the Pronto Software website.

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Manufacturing & Distribution: It’s All About the Cloud and Logistics

According to Gartner research, up to 32% of wholesale distribution companies will be using cloud technology within two to five years, while up to 10% of manufacturing companies will use the cloud. That’s impressive growth—especially when you consider that just a few years ago no one had ever heard of manufacturers running their business in the cloud. Why move to the cloud for your business? The answer is to ensure business profitable growth, flexibility, and responsiveness to your customers’ requirements. To learn about cloud ERP technology for distribution and manufacturing, read more on the Cloud NetSuite blog.

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Infor Delivers Mobile App To Report And Track Municipal Requests

Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, recently announced the availability of Infor Mobile Citizen Request, an innovative new mobile application that helps the public report and monitor service requests within the public sector.

The solution is supported across a wide range of mobile operating systems including Apple, Android and Windows 7 devices. Some of the technology highlights include:
  • Central Processing, Better Visibility - The application features a "Review Status" component which allows intuitive review of chronological service requests and their corresponding status, further granting the public visibility. 
  • Enhanced Capability for Simple Reporting - The application extends core Infor Hansen CRM functionality to a wider range of users. 
  • Cost Effective Implementation and Operation - The Infor Mobile Citizen Request is delivered in the cloud as a service, so no perpetual software license purchase is required. 
  • Secure Data Management - All interactions are processed through Infor Hansen software and are limited to the Advanced Mobile Integration Services. This secure approach minimizes security concerns associated with crowd-sourcing data. 
To learn more, visit the Infor website.

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Monday, December 3, 2012

The Increasing Importance of VAT Compliance

Unless you’ve been running your business from under a rock, you’ll know that VAT has been steadily rising across Europe over the last few years. VAT now typically represents one fifth to one quarter of a company’s turnover, which is no small sum.

The complexity associated with calculating tax correctly in the first instance, preparing VAT returns and subsequently being able to provide all the supporting data upon request should not be underestimated. Even for businesses that have relatively straightforward tax processes and internal systems it will be time-consuming at best; but, inevitably, as business models become more complex, so does the path to compliance.

Ensuring your ERP system adequately supports your evolving business and the ongoing revisions to legislation is essential. As Alex Baulf, Manager, Indirect Tax, Grant Thornton, explains, “A company’s IT infrastructure may not provide the level of detail necessary, or the level of detail may reside in part of the system not easily accessible. Legacy systems and the limitations of native VAT functionality can also result in errors.” Read more on the Cloud NetSuite blog.

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Friday, November 30, 2012

Acumatica Cloud ERP Software Keeps Businesses Running Through Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy had a wide-ranging and devastating impact as it slammed though the U.S. East Coast just a few short weeks ago. While power and internet service was out for hundreds of thousands of businesses and residences all along the East Coast for well over a week, smart technology planning and adoption of cloud technologies kept businesses like AME Corporation up and running, and in touch with their employees, their customers and suppliers, shortly after the storm subsided.

AME Corporation specializes in custom rubber and plastic components and sealing solutions, with locations in New Jersey and Shanghai, China. About five years ago, AME Corporation’s President and CEO Ehren Dimitry had the foresight to understand how cloud computing could really give his business a competitive advantage, and could help save his business in the event that natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy strike.

AME uses Acumatica’s built-in business wiki to create and store standard operating procedures, workflow diagrams, and collaborative documents between operations in New Jersey and Shanghai. AME is working with Acumatica partner SIPD Services to fully integrate Box, AME’s preferred cloud-based file repository and collaboration service.

To view a short video of AME Corporation’s president and CEO showcasing their decision to use Acumatica, and to download the case study featuring AME Corporation, visit the Acumatica blog.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Infor Wins Technology Innovation Award at Equip'Hotel Show

Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, announced that Infor Hospitality has been awarded a prestigious Equip’ Innov Award for one of the most innovative products in the technology category at the Equip’ Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition in Paris.

Infor HMS was selected because the application has made significant strides in cloud, mobility and social network integration solutions, expanding rapidly into international markets. Infor HMS is a multi-departmental application that touches the important areas of the business – whether it’s financial asset management, central reservations, revenue management or corporate office, on-property operations, sales, marketing, maintenance or staffing schedules. Infor Hospitality connects hospitality-specific strategy and plans to front- and back-office systems so organizations have tools to operate more efficiently, make better decisions faster and maximize revenue opportunities.

Learn more on the Hospitality Upgrade blog.

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Document Scanning & Distribution Enhances Sage ERP X3

Inixion Ltd. has recently announced the full release of their Document Scanning & Distribution enhancement for Sage ERP X3 – providing users with Advanced Document Management functionality.

The new release provides desired tools for companies wishing to automate paper based processes and begin the transition to paperless interaction with customers, suppliers, prospects etc. These features are to easily scan paper documents such as supplier invoices and correctly archive them with the corresponding electronic record within the ERP system, and also to simply automate the distribution of outgoing documents, typically to multiple email recipients.

To learn more, visit the Inixion website.

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

ERP Can Reduce Analysis Paralysis

Is your company a victim of analysis paralysis? There’s always one more report, one more piece of data and one more perspective you can digest before making a decision.

Distributors are taking advantage of technology to pull more and more data, but if you don’t have the right systems in place, data can be difficult to process.

Making decisions too soon is a mistake, but so is making decisions too late after customers or competitors have moved in another direction. When a manager has too much information, it’s likely enabling the manager to procrastinate on important data-based decisions.

Having a well-crafted ERP system with the right tools to drill down into the data is a solution to the analysis paralysis problem.

Read more on the Modern Distribution Management website.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Business Benefits of SaaS Software

The benefits of SaaS software have continued to gain momentum in the context of today’s economic uncertainties. The business benefits of SaaS software are contributing to this growth.

Internet security and compliance firm MXSweep recently cited six business benefits of SaaS solutions:
  1. Lower total cost of ownership
  2. No infrastructure concerns
  3. Faster go-live time
  4. Easier upgrades
  5. Use-based pricing
  6. Improved security
Cloud-based solutions such as SaaS software can help organizations incorporate, design, deliver, or manage software development to build smarter products and services and increase the utilization of hardware and IT staff, all while managing risk and cost across the software development lifecycle.

To read more, visit the Epicor blog.

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Monday, November 19, 2012

3 Questions Every Distributor Should Ask About Analytics

Data doesn’t speak, it only responds.

Turning data into usable information is the responsibility of the user. It’s up to you to analyze your mountains of data to seek out the answers you’re looking for.

Whether you’re a multimillion-dollar company or a small start-up, distributors must answer three analytics questions:

1) Is my business doing OK? Or more specifically, how is your industry doing?

2) Which KPIs should I be focusing on? Distributors should ask: How are sales doing? Margin? Inventory turnover? Receivable collections? Personnel productivity? These things really make the difference.

3) What do my customers need? It’s not enough to focus your efforts on the 10 biggest customers because those 10 customers aren’t necessarily the most profitable customers. They may, in fact, be a resource drain.

Read more on the Advanced Distribution Today blog.

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Friday, November 16, 2012

VAI Provides "Role-Based" Computing with S2K Enterprise Release 5.4.


New S2K Web Client Provides Flexible Interface to Enhance User Productivity

RONKONKOMA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.), a leading provider of ERP software, announced that Release 5.4 will offer a windows client and a web client for an enhanced user experience. The S2K Web Client will provide anywhere, anytime access from any device with a browser, and provide seamless integration with other web applications. Additionally, this interface will enable social possibilities with integration to IBM’s Smart Cloud for Social Business platform. The IBM Smart Cloud Solution provides enterprise-grade file sharing, communities, web meetings, mail and calendar for any organization.

“ERP systems today provide a wealth of applications and functions that can sometimes overwhelm the user”

By running business applications through a web browser, users can leverage VAI’s S2K Enterprise Portal technology to create role-based access where screens, applications, and dashboards have been consolidated and customized for the specific role of the user. Through the use of single sign-on, the user can consolidate multiple applications including S2K CRM, S2K Analytics, S2K Enterprise and IBM Smart Cloud, all within one browser session. Additionally, users can configure their own workspace by accessing a myriad of S2K and collaborative portlets that can be arranged on their home screen for immediate access to essential information.

“ERP systems today provide a wealth of applications and functions that can sometimes overwhelm the user,” said Joe Scioscia, VP of Sales, VAI. “Allowing users to tailor their screens to the exact applications and information that is important to their role will increase employee productivity and allow the user to react quickly to business demands. Role-based computing is the next evolution of ERP software and VAI is excited to bring this dynamic user experience to our client base with S2K Enterprise Release 5.4.”

About VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)

VAI is a leading independent mid-market ERP software developer renowned for its flexible solutions and ability to automate critical business functions for the distribution, manufacturing, specialty retail and service sectors. An IBM Premier Business Partner, VAI is the 2012 IBM Beacon Award Winner for Outstanding Solutions for Midsize Businesses. VAI continues to innovate with new solutions that leverage analytics, business intelligence, mobility and cloud technology to help customers make more informed business decisions in real-time and empower their mobile workforces. VAI is headquartered in Ronkonkoma, NY with branch offices in Florida, Illinois and California. For more information, visit www.vai.net, follow @VAISoftware on Twitter or “like us” on facebook.com/VAISoftware.

Contacts

fama PR
Gail Scibelli, 617-986-5019
vai@famapr.com

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NetSuite's SuiteCommerce Catches the Asian e-Commerce Boom

NetSuite Inc., an industry leading provider of cloud-based financials and ERP software suites, recently announced the availability of NetSuite SuiteCommerce for Asian businesses, bringing the Commerce as a Service (CaaS) capabilities of the platform to a region where rising incomes, a growing middle class, and increasing web access have driven a rapid adoption of eCommerce. Key to NetSuite's CaaS initiative is NetSuite SuiteCommerce, a new commerce-aware platform that enables businesses to manage interactions with other businesses and directly with consumers on a single cloud platform across multiple touchpoints, including websites, smartphones, tablets, in-store and social media. It delivers an enhanced customer experience and works seamlessly with NetSuite's advanced order management capabilities.

Read more about this development on the NetSuite website.

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Do You Have a Lean Demand-Driven Supply Chain?

Much of the focus on supply chain management in the business literature is on basic formulas, lead times, and other factors that impact supply chain management outcomes. But lurking across your enterprise and the supply chain are other powerful forces, and missed opportunities, that influence supply chain policy. These points of influence can create obstacles and dilemmas to getting a grip on your chain.

Read more on the Infor blog, the Informed Distributor.

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Monday, November 12, 2012

Are Mobile Apps The Next Big Thing For Distributors?

Customers want quick, easy access to your products. They want to know a few key things like: Where is my order? Do you have a product in stock? When can I get it? How much does it cost?

The Electrical Distributor Magazine reviewed a new mobile app made by Grainger which allows instant access to the company’s 900,000 products. Grainger is blazing the path. Eventually, every distributor will have to do this. Mobile apps will make maintenance, repair and operations easier, as professionals search for products, see account pricing, check availability and order products from anywhere.

Read more about this new development on the Advanced Distribution Today blog.

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Friday, November 9, 2012

AME Selects Acumatica Cloud ERP to Integrate Domestic and International Operations

Acumatica, a leading global provider of cloud enterprise resource Planning (ERP) and financial software, recently released a successful case study of cloud ERP migration, showcasing one of their clients, AME Corporation.

AME Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor/supplier of rubber and plastic components and sealing solutions, with locations in New Jersey and Shanghai, China. Migrating from an older client-server ERP system, AME’s new requirements included a scalable user licensing model, integrated financials, supply chain and document management, multi-user licensing support, and multi-location capabilities all delivered as an integrated cloud solution with built-in contingency planning.

To learn more about the project, visit the Acumatica website.

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Manufacturing the Cloud: The Future Looks Bright

NetSuite has recently upgraded to the 2012.2 release and from a manufacturer’s perspective, there are several highlights:

1) Manufacturing Work in Process: Manage your shop floor activities with finer control with the new Manufacturing Work in Process (WIP) functionality. This new functionality adds a multi-step process, which includes work order issue, work order completion and work order close.

2) Revision Control: Track effective and obsolete components in a bill of materials (BOM) with effectivity dating or revision control.

3) Lead Time per Location: Enter lead time and safety stock levels on a per-location basis. With the addition of this capability, users can refine their planning process with more accurate safety stock and lead time values.

4) Cycle Counting: This new feature provides warehouse managers with a higher level of inventory accuracy, enabling tighter control over the company's assets.

5) Serial Number Generation: Lot and serial tracking has been in core NetSuite for many years, but with this new functionality we can auto-generate the serial numbers for you with a prefix.

To learn more, visit the Cloud NetSuite blog.

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