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Thinking Tech BLOG
Bob Palmer


Focus Should be on Technology as a Tool
This idea isn't new. Where have I heard it before? Oh, right. It's the theme of 25+ years of consulting and my book. Takes these young guys

An ERP Selection Process That Guarantees Results
IT Toolbox recently noted that 73% of all manufacturers are dissatisfied with their current ERP systems. Not surprising, they say. The problem--says IT Toolbox--is the "legacy selection process comm

iNAV? Dynamics NAV on an iPhone
I'm not sure what got me started blogging again, but as long as I'm started, here goes. Another interesting product crossed my desk today: the iNAV from VisionPeople Channel Sales. Allows you to see

Better Results From Your Technology
At Data Guidance Group, we're business consultants. We're problem solvers. We also happen to know how to make technology work. We really try to help you find the best solution to your business issu

Microsoft Local Engagement
What? I got an email the other day from a new Microsoft Local Engagement Partner Manager, whatever that is. Links in the email he sent connected me to a website where I saw several "widgets" (which lo

Reporting Error Messages
You may not be using Microsoft Dynamics, but the author of this blog post about reporting errors is right on. While this is directed at developers, and at Microsoft Partners, knowing the "why" can hel

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


FREE QuickBooks Support

At Data Guidance Group, we provide extensive support for a variety of accounting products including QuickBooks. Click here for information on a FREE 60 day trial of our QuickBooks support.QBES%20Support%20Trial.gif

Data Guidance Group includes software developers, trainers, accounting specialists, certified QuickBooks professionals, hardware support professionals, a CPA, supply chain specialists, and more. Give our support a try to learn how we can benefit your business.

DGG Publishes Idea Book

Hundred%20Lightbulb-Small.gifData Guidance Group announces a new whitepaper containing ideas about using technology to solve business issues.

"This is a different kind of whitepaper," says Bob Palmer, President of Data Guidance Group. "Most whitepapers contain information about how to use the vendor's product to benefit your business--they are sales pieces for a particular product. This whitepaper is about solving business problems. You'll read about a variety of problems resolved. Some of them involve custom software, some of them involve using products that clients already owned, and all of them involve a problem-solving method that puts your business first."

DGG also created a website to preview the ideas. Click on the lightbulb to preview the ideas and order the whitepaper.

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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Need New Software? Maybe NOT! We can help you get the most from your current system!


In tough economic times, getting the most out of everything in your business can be the difference between profit and failure.

Many small and mid-sized businesses look at technology as a tool to solve accounting problems. Checking%20Spreadsheet.jpgTechnology is often good at solving problems like inaccurate inventory, inefficiency in warehouses, invoicing, accurately calculating costs of contracts, tracking fixed assets, and so forth. But software isn't just for accountants! It can help you manage better!

You can also use your software to move forward. How? By developing and using better measurement. By managing your resources better. By making growth possible without increasing cost. By controlling your sales and marketing cycles and bringing you more sales.

You might miss opportunites just because you don't know they are there! Whether you have MAS-90(TM), QuickBooks(TM), ACCPAC(TM), Microsoft(R) Dynamics(TM), or something else, we can help you get the most from your investment. The initial consultation is always FREE. We guarantee that you'll get business benefit from our first conversation!

Give us a call or drop us a line; we'd love to see if we can help.

Managing in Tough Times


Profit_Tools_Cover.jpgEconomists finally announced what we had known since the first of 2008: the economy is in recession. You know that you have to manage more closely than ever before, and pay attention to things that you haven't had to watch closely before. Many software packages don't provide the information in an easy-to-use format.

No matter what software your business is using--QuickBooks, ACCPAC, MAS 90/200/500, Microsoft Dynamics, J.D. Edwards, SAP, or Oracle--we can help you get the data you need. The how is different for every business; information has to be tailored for you and your management needs.

But no matter what business you are in, we'd be happy to discuss what Data Guidance Group can do to help you get the information you need to manage profitably. Call us at 901-452-4585 or 877-306-3994 for more information. You can also get a copy of our white paper, Profit Tools; it provides dozens of ideas which can improve your profitability.

Data Guidance Group Adds QuickBooks Enterprise Solution Support


QuickBooks"We had been looking at QuickBooks® for several years", said Bob Palmer, CPA, President of Data Guidance Group, "but until the 9.0 version of the product released this year, along with Warehouse Management ES, Field Service ES, and Sales Management ES, we didn't think it fit many of our clients."

In addition, the Software Development Kit (SDK) which allows us to develop software using data from inside QuickBooks has evolved a great deal since the earliest versions. We now have a powerful and quick tool to develop solutions as sophisticated or simple as our clients need.

To find out more about how QuickBooks Enterprise Solution can benefit you, and read our analysis of the current product, visit our QBES page.

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.

Data Guidance Group, Inc.
Suite 1505
1407 Union Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
901-452-4585
901-458-2604 (fax)
877-306-3994 (toll free)