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Thinking Tech BLOG
Bob Palmer


Dynamics NAV 2009 - New General Availability Date
Current word on the general availability date for NAV 2009 is 12/1/2008. After this date, the only new licenses that will be available from Microsoft will be NAV 2009. The version includes both the cl

Dynamics NAV 2009 - Web parts??
If you look at the "role center" for sales order processor, you'll notice a portion of the screen that shows data from Outlook.

Dynamics NAV 2009 and SharePoint
This week is Directions 2008, a conference put on by the Microsoft Dynamics NAV channel. Actually, a group of volunteers from a dozen or so Microsoft partners collect the money and host the event, whi

New Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Role Center
Click on the link below to see a screen shot of the NAV 2009 Role Center. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
The preview of Dynamics NAV 2009 we can show to the public is finally out. The version I've been testing to now has been the Partner Technical Preview. It had a few features that I wasn't able to make

Resistance To Change (NAV 2009)
I'm tempted to turn this into a general rant about resistance to change. I'll try to talk about NAV 2009, though. Here's the brief 30,000 foot overview. As Microsoft promised, NAV 2009 contains no n

Lanham ADCS for Dynamics NAV
I just spent 3 days in training at Lanham Associates on their Dynamics NAV add-on product, ADCS (Automated Data Capture System). It's the wireless warehousing add-on that they developed to sit on top

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 - Tech Preview Ships
Several years in the making, the role tailored client that is part of NAV 2009 appears ready to begin production. The VPC, What's New document, and several other pieces of the new product were made av

Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) 5 Service Pack 1
Well, Service Pack 1 is out...or is it. We've recently discovered that the NA localization isn't fully complete, and that there are several features that don't work that will be fixed. For example, i

Information and ERP
I've been thinking a good bit lately about the information value of the reporting that comes from ERP systems. Most of the ERP systems in the market now focus on operating data. An example of reports

Sage ACCPAC ERP - News
Although it had been announced before the conference, version 5.5 of the Sage ACCPAC ERP product is beginning to ship as of the end of April. We've released the first installment which includes the co

Sage Insights Conference
I'm at the Sage Insights conference this week. As we mention on the web site, Sage owns millions of pro

ERP Implementation Is Not Trivial
ERP software is just software. I do know that. However, the process of getting a group of people called a business (particularly a small business) using an ERP solution effectively is not trivial in t

Cancel The Flowers
You can cancel the flowers, I'm still here. I think I must have the same tendancy that I've observed in many of our clients. That is, I tend to get focused on one or two things at a time, and forget

Sage Insights Conference in Washington, DC
It seems that all software vendors have an annual conference. Sage's Insights conference focuses on the Sage ACCPAC ERP product line. Sage ACCPAC ER


Podcast? What Podcast?

We've been working on a podcast at DGG to keep clients up to date on the newest technologies, .dgg_podcast_logo-red_100.jpg and to help with strategic thinking about technology topics. We are focusing on the business side of the technology equation.

We're planning a series of new entries soon, and setting up a recording room to produce the show on a more regular basis. You'll soon hear from many of our consultants on the podcast.

A podcast is a radio-like show that's delivered over the Internet. It gets its name from the iPod, since many people listen to podcasts with iPods or similar MP3 players. The good news is that you can take it with you wherever you go. Take a look and let us know what you think.

Top 10 ERP Software Packages

At Data Guidance Group, part of our mission is to maintain up-to-date information and analysis on as many mid-market and Tier 1 accounting software packages as possible. We're constantly researching, evaluating, and collecting data on hundreds of packages. Take a look at our list of the Top Ten ERP Software and accounting software packages on the market. Graphic for Top 10 ERP and Accounting software packages link

If you are currently thinking about an ERP software package, you might be interested in DGG's Guide To Selecting Accounting Software. Our Guide provides you information essential to making a good decision the first time you select accounting or ERP software.

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Outgrown your Old Accounting or ERP System? DGG Can Help!


Photo: Frantic Woman Squeezed into Box: Have you outgrown your accounting or ERP Software? If your business is using an old system, whether it's DOS, QuickBooks, an in-house custom developed system, or an AS/400, your data can be migrated. Data Guidance Group specializes in smooth data migration and our process for Legacy System Migration makes your job easier.

Efficient and cost-effective transfer of your data is possible, particularly if you are using a database-based software solution. Data Guidance Group has developed expertise and software tools to assist you in moving to a solution that better suits your business needs

Give us a ring if you would like to discuss your situation. You might also want a copy of our Guide to Selecting Business Software. Get your copy emailed now.

How To Select Business Software


Photo of The Guide To Selecting Business Software - Order your free copy - Selecting ERP software right the first time. Sometimes businesses decide that they've outgrown their business software, or that their business software is not working for them any longer. Data Guidance Group helps businesses select and implement the right ERP software for them. If you're thinking about new software, get a copy of the DGG Guide To Selecting Business Software. It's designed for companies selecting manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, ERP, or accounting software.

Our clients tell us this is one of the most helpful resources they can find. It helps them consider all the options effectively and ask the right questions. But it doesn't champion any particular solution. Data Guidance Group believes that successful ERP software implementations begin with being sure that the software selected is the right software.

We have also collected some research that you might want to review on the Top 10 Accounting and ERP software packages.

How To Drive More Profit Through Technology ROI


Many small and mid-sized businesses look at technology as a tool to solve problems. Technology is often good at solving problems like inaccurate inventory, inefficiency in warehouses, invoicing, accurately calculating costs of contracts, tracking fixed assets, and so forth.

ERP software can also be a strategic tool to move a business forward. How? By ennabling measurement and better management of existing resources, and by making growth possible.

Here's an example: one of our clients told us that their salespeople spent 40% of their time checking inventory (on paper or in the warehouse) because their current system wasn't "real time." By implementing a system that kept all of this information current, they freed half of this time (20% of the salespeople's time). What is the chance of getting an increase in sales from this change? Pretty good, I'd say!

Other businesses have saved significant amounts by reducing warehouse errors, implementing automated order systems (EDI), and improving sales and marketing by collecting hard dollars to base decisions on.

You might miss these opportunites just because you don't know they are there! Give us a call or drop us a line; we'd love to see if we can help.

Drive Technology Decisions With Strategy


Business tends to drive technology decisions with operations. Unfortunately, this results in investing in the wrong technologies to move the business forward. Often, businesses that make decisions this way wind up spending technology dollars on tools that simply automate what they are already doing.

One way to improve this is to focus first on process, then on technology. Another way is to drive technology investment with strategy. This often means reallocation of resources in a more effective direction.

If you're interested in learning more, Bob Palmer's book On-Target Technology provides a pragmatic introduction to strategy and technology. In addition, DGG's podcast ceoTechCast often discusses this topic.

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