Microsoft Dynamics Corner

LIVE FROM THE Empower the User Conference

Follow KTL Solutions on Twitter: @KTLSolutionsInc

3:45 PM THE END...

We come to a close on another sucsessful User Conference.  We broke a company record with the number of attendees and sponors that showed up to make this event possible.  We learned ways to make your company work more efficently and effectivly in a fast paced buisness world that just seems to be getting faster.  And we learned abou the new technologies that we will be seeing in the future of our industry.  

As yet another user conference finds its end I want to take a moment to thank the the team at KTL, our sponsors (Avalara, Di Central,Integrity Data, Kwiktag, ReQlogic, SalesPad Solutions, and Solver) and most importantly our attendees to this years event.  Without any of you this event would not be possible, thank you for helping to make this year the most succesfull yet and we hope to see you next year.  

_______________________________________________________________________

2:50 PM

Get information in to and out of your financial management system - Frank Reese and Barry Crowell, KTL Solutions.

Acumatica: ERP in the Cloud - Steve Hammett, KTL Solutions

Are you manually entering or importing data from one system to another? Frank Reese and Barry Crowell show us how other companies are improving efficiency and reducing errors with automated integrations between their financial and line of business applications.  You may be surprised as how easy the process can be.  Click here for presentation,  2012 Integrations Presentation

Steve Hammett of KTL Solutions show us you can implement a world-class ERP system in the cloud.  Interested in learning more about SaaS (software as a service) ERP software? It’s a new world, but there are tremendous benefits to be had.  Find out what a Microsoft-based cloud-based ERP solution. Click here for presentation, ERP in the Cloud

View pictures from the presentation below

     

______________________________________________________________________

1:45 PM 

Build Efficiency in Your Organization with SharePoint - Steve Deming, Micrsoft

Management Reporter: Tips and Tricks - Colleen Williams, KTL Solutions 

Steve Demming and Colleen Williams make their way back to the break out rooms for there 3rd and 2nd presenttions of the day respectively.  

Steve Demings shows us how organizations are using SharePoint as the central connection point – supporting remote workers and extended communities.  He demonstrates how serving as the central point of contact for collaboration, business intelligence and organizational knowledge, SharePoint continues to evolve. He gives us to tools to make the most of the latest Microsoft tools to transform the way your teams connect. View the presentation here,  Build Efficency in your Organization with SharePoint - Steve Demming

The transition to Management Reporter can be easier than you think.  Colleen Williams shows how to migrate from FRx and make the most of the features of Management Reporter.  Find out what the best new feature in Management Reporter that we all longed for in FRx. View the presentation here, Management Reporter 2012: Tips and Tricks

_________________________________________________________________________________

1:10 PM 

Pivot Tables and Dashboards in Excel 2010 : Use Excel to Analyze Data from Different Angles - Mark Watlock, AdTech and Colleen Williams, KTL Solutions

Build Long Term Relationships with Members and Customers - Chris Kahl, Solutions Architech

Mark Watlock from AdTech and Colleen Williams from KTL come to the front next as they give a presentation on Reporting Tips and Tricks: Excel and Smartlist Builder. They will show you the options and how to determine which tool to use for your reporting job. They will show you how to get the data and reports that you need through the fastest, most efficient process.  To view their presentation click here,  Reporting Tips and Tricks: Excel and Smartlist Builder.

How exactly can you go about creating a culture that supports building long-term customer relationships? Chris Kahl shows us how to centralize customer information, analyze the data to find patterns and trends, and empower your teams to make customer service decisions based on their access to information. All this directly from Microsoft Dynamics CRM.  View the presentation and find out how can keep customers coming back.  To view presentation click here, Building Long Term Relationships with Members and Customers: CRM.

View Pictures of Presentation Below

       

________________________________________________________________________________

11:15 AM

Pivot Tables and Dashboards in Excel 2010 – Use Excel to Analyze Data from Different Angles - Mark Watlock, AdTech

How the Cloud Changes Everything and Nothing At All -Steve Demming, Microsoft

Are Keynote speaker comes back for his second of three presentations of today.  Steve Demming walks us through the Cloud and how the cloud can change te way we do buisness efficently but not the way you interact with your buisness on a day to day level.  He will discuss differenent Cloud Solution and help you unerstand how the cloud can help your company grown. To view the presentation click here, KTL Cloud Changing Everything and Nothing At All - Steve Demming.

Mark Watlock from AdTech shows you how Excel’s latest Pivot Tables are easier to set up and use. In hi session, we learned how to use the power of the Pivot Table to solve many of your data analysis problems. PivotCharts extend the functionality of PivotTables and help you build dashboards. This is a great opportunity to expand your Excel skills. View the presentation here,   Pivot Tables and Dashboards.

View Pictures from the Presentations Below:

           

___________________________________________________________________________________

10:45 AM  

Dynamics ERP Fully Loaded - Tim Lally, KTL Solutions

Dashboards - Driving Effciency - Eric Forgo, Solver

With the Keynote session behind us we move on to the first set of break out sessions for this years User Conference sponsored by KTL.  Tim Lally the owner and founder of KTL brings you GP Fully Loaded a complete Dynamics ERP loaded with add-on products that help to streamline tasks and make your team more efficient.  He shows you the most ISV products on the market and how they can increase your company’s productivity.  You can view the presentation here Dynamics GP Fully Loaded. 

Eric Forgo of Solver demonstrates Dashboards – Driving Efficiency with Data Visualization.  He shows you how role-based dashboards can put the information in the hands of the people who need it. View his presentation here Dashboards - Driving Eficiency with Data Visualization

View Photos from these sessions below:

                 
___________________________________________________________________________________

10:12 AM - Key Note Presentation

Steve Demmings presentation was amazing, the audience captivated and everyseat full (many having to stand).  He captured the essence of what Empowering the User means as we being another KTL Sponsored User Conference.  You can view his presentation here Download 120517 KTL Keynote - Steve Demming.  Here are some photos of the audience at the keynote presentation.

  

__________________________________________________________________________________

9:23 AM

The KTL Solutions Empower the User Conference is about to kick off momentarily with the Keynote presentation by Microsofts own Steve Demming.  I would like to thank our sponsors Avalara, Di Central, Integrity Data, Kwiktag, ReQlogic, SalesPad Solutions, and Solver as well as are record setting guest attendance for being here today as we conduct our 7th annual User Conference.  Stay tuned here as I bring you a live view of todays sessions and presentations.  

Distributors Serve Online Customers More Effectively with Microsoft Dynamics GP

Are your customers expecting more information and services delivered through the web?  Distribution companies who don’t get ahead of customers wanting to conduct business over the internet are losing out to online competitors. You can change all that and make it easy for your customers to do business with you online. 

2012 US Payroll Tax Update – Idaho and Connecticut

The changes in this 2012 tax update are Idaho and a small correction to Connecticut, this is all a table change and no code, the documentation lists out the details of the change.

Download GP 10 Tax Update here

Download GP 10 Tax Update here

You can view the changes in the graphic below.   



Follow KTL Solutions on Twitter: @KTLSolutionsInc or @DynamicsToday

To Register for the KTL Solutions 2012 Dynamics User Conference Click Here

 

ERP Implementations Explained: An Infographic

For businesses today, it is the best of times and worst of times.  The best — the internet has leveled the playing field to allow small and mid-size businesses to compete in the global marketplace.  The worst — to compete effectively, those smaller organizations must run their business at an enterprise level.

Fortunately, there are affordable ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems to replace basic accounting software. Larger IT staffs are no longer needed to support in-house implementation. Small and mid-size businesses can subscribe to an ERP system for a monthly fee — everything included.

Build confidence in your team

During any evaluation of ERP software, the implementation process will come up. For most small and mid-size business managers, putting in an entire ERP system is uncharted territory. Help your teams prepare for discussions with vendors so that they can ask the right questions.

Don’t let the terms intimidate you. For smaller organizations, these steps can take days — not weeks or months. Most importantly during the implementation, remind your teams that no one knows the business better than they do.

Be flexible on method

Having confidence in your knowledge of what the outcomes should be, will be best served if you remain flexible on how to achieve those outcomes. ERP systems often incorporate best practices that may not be the way you always did things. Be open to change that increases productivity – that is the benefit of ERP.

How is ERP implemented?

 The basic components of an ERP (or CRM) implementation include:

• Requirements Analysis – define the business processes that support the operation of the business.
• Solution Design – align the functionality of the ERP software with the business requirements.
• Development and Configuration – define any customizations or third party applications in addition to the ERP system that are needed to support the business requirements.
• Deployment and Training – migrate data from the old system, test new processes and train employees how to use the new system.
• Operations – refine and improve the system over time. Most ERP systems offer more functionality than you will want to deploy initially but can be added over time.

Make the most of the opportunities that the connected world offers. Move to an ERP system to deliver world class service and build new markets. Click here to download the ERP Implementation Infographicand share it with your coworkers to get the conversation going.

At KTL Solutions, we will talk with you using terms you understand. Contact Gary atgfrancart@ktlsolutions.com or 866-960-0001 and let us help you take the first step toward ERP.

Follow KTL Solutions on Twitter: @KTLSolutionsInc or @DynamicsToday

To Register for the KTL Solutions 2012 Dynamics User Conference Click Here

Better Backorder Management with Microsoft Dynamics GP

When you customer places an order, the last thing you want to tell them is that an item that they want to purchase is not in stock.  Microsoft Dynamics GP can help you avoid backorders in the first place and – when an item sells out more quickly than planned – you can manage the process more efficiently.

Manage inventory with better insight

What if you could take some of the guesswork out purchasing?  Your purchasing agents probably depend on their experience and instincts in placing orders more than you’d like to admit. 

Simplified Grant Reporting and Analysis for NFPs

Do your project and financial teams spend much of their time manually managing grants?  Wouldn’t it be better for them to spend their time demonstrating the effectiveness of the funds on fulfilling your mission?

Efficiently track grant obligations to ensure that needed reports are filed on time and funds received are spent effectively.

The issues that NFP organizations face with grant management are common to all – managing multiple grants, staff assignments, budget information, and events and tasks across grants. Challenges include:

Choosing an ERP System - So Many Things to Think About! (Part Two)

We spoke about (in blog one of this series) choosing ERP systems and spoke about thinking through the process to get to a decision.  Some people want to rush the process.  Quick-fix thinking isn’t anything new. From the time the innovative General Hannibal implemented new technology (elephants) to enhance his ability to wage war, management theorists have recommended wave after wave of performance improvement and technology strategies to gain the competitive edge. Noble intentions drive these efforts, and each may address a part of the problem. If the goal is to symbolize to employees, customers, and shareholders that management recognizes the challenge and is doing something about it, then any of these campaigns will do the job. However, piecemeal approaches purported to be the answers to technology issues can be as dangerous as no response at all, as they can absorb resources and detract from the true needs.

Choosing an ERP System - So Many Things to Think About!

One of the most critical decisions a growing company can make is the introduction of new technology into its business.  There are so many things to think about when considering an ERP implementation that it can be overwhelming.  Over my many years of seeing successes and (unfortunately) a few failures of ERP implementations, I have an approach that leads to a more successful outcome.

2012 U.S. Payroll Tax Update – Round Three

Round three of the 2012, U.S. Payroll Tax update has been released for both Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 and 10.0. 

This update includes changes in the tax table for Illinois, Missouri and Puerto Rico.  There are no FICA changes at this time; due to the 4.2 tax rate has been extended. 

GP 10.0
Tax update page
https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/downloads/taxupdates/usgptu10.htm?printpage=false

GP 2010
Tax update page
https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/downloads/taxupdates/tugp2010.htm?printpage=false

Once installed the Last Tax Update date will be 2/24/2012 under Tools | Setup | Setup | Payroll Tax

941 Form Update

The update to the 941 Form has no calculation changes, only form layout changes.  If you do not print the actual GP form and line it up with a form in the printer, you should be fine not installing this update.  It will be up to the customer if you want to install this update based on your environment.  The target release date is 03/14/2012. 

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f941.pdf (PDF Version of the 941 Form)

Below are the details of the changes.  This will be a CODE update/msp install, which needs to go on each machine if you choose to install this update.

Lines 6a, 6b, 6c: These were “Reserved for future use.” These have now been removed

Line 6e: Total taxes before adjustments – is now renumbered to 6.

Lines 6-10: need to be moved up

Lines 10 & 11: there needs to be a space between them

Lines 12a – 15: need to be moved up

Line 17 has been renumbered to 16

Line 17: all checkboxes and Tax liability month boxes  need to move up

 

If you have any questions about installing these updates or about any of the Microsoft Dynamics products contact Gary Francart at gfrancart@ktlsolutions.com or visit our website KTLSolutions.com.

Follow KTL Solutions on Twitter: @KTLSolutionsInc

To Register for the KTL Solutions 2012 Dynamics User Conference Click Here

Better Backorder Management with Microsoft Dynamics GP

When you customer places an order, the last thing you want to tell them is that an item that they want to purchase is not in stock.  Microsoft Dynamics GP can help you avoid backorders in the first place and – when an item sells out more quickly than planned – you can manage the process more efficiently.

Manage inventory with better insight

What if you could take some of the guesswork out purchasing?  Your purchasing agents probably depend on their experience and instincts in placing orders more than you’d like to admit. 

With Microsoft Dynamics GP, the purchase order generator will automatically create suggested purchase orders for the replenishment of items versus manually having to create PO’s.   Single or multi-site warehouse operations are supported with each item-site combination planned separately, or you can map several sites to a “master site,” so that one purchase order is created to replenish an item for several sites.

Keep purchasing agents focused on making buying decisions that can improve sales instead of routine replenishment. By configuring Microsoft Dynamics GP to automatically analyze and suggest purchase decision, you take the guesswork out and allow buyers to focus on special orders and find new products to serve your customers.

Don’t let backorders fall through the cracks

Backorders can bog down your team when line item stock outages require manual intervention. With Microsoft Dynamics GP, a PO is generated right off the sales order for backordered goods.  When the goods are received a report will print to let the receiving department know that the item is attached to a specific customer order. 

To find out how you can improve the workflow in your warehouse, contact Gary at gfrancart@ktlsolutions.com or 866-960-0001 x207.  KTL Solutions helps distributors like yours manage backorders to keep customers happy.   

 

Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Credit Reduction, how to handle in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

By: Terry Heley - The Federal Unemployment (FUTA) credit reduction with relation to specific states seems to be getting more popular in 2012 with about 20 states participating in the credit.

The Department of Labor released a list of 2012 FUTA "credit-reduction" states.  Employers in these 20 states and the Virgin Islands will experience associated tax increases.  
 
The standard FUTA rate is 6.0% on the first $7000 of wages. Employers in most states receive a credit of 5.4% against the rate, resulting in a net tax rate of 0.6%.  However, some states had Federal Unemployment Trust Fund loans - taken to keep their unemployment insurance benefit programs solvent during recent periods of extended high unemployment - that were still outstanding. As a result, these states will have their FUTA credit amount reduced for 2012 filing as a way to recover the funds still owed to pay back these loans, resulting, as noted, in higher taxes for employers in those states.
 
Instead of the standard 5.4% credit allowed, employers in these states will have a reduced credit of 5.1% for 2012 making their FUTA tax rate 0.9%:

Arkansas       Minnesota               Pennsylvania
California       Missouri                  Rhode Island
Connecticut   North Carolina         Virginia
Florida           New Jersey              Virgin Islands
Georgia         Nevada                    Wisconsin
Illinois            New York                   
Kentucky       Ohio                             

Employers in the following state will have their credit reduced from 5.4% to 4.8% for 2012 making the FUTA tax rate 1.2%.
Indiana

Employers in the following state will have their credit reduced from 5.4% to 4.5% for 2012 making the FUTA tax rate 1.5%.
Michigan

The Credit Reduction only applies to employers who pay SUI wages to the states listed above.  All other employers will receive the full FUTA credit of 5.4%.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p926.pdf

Depending how largely this will affect you as a customer, there are a couple of options.  There have been no changes implemented in the product to compensate for this.

Couple of workarounds:
1. Set the employees in that state, example MI, in a special class, then run the FUTA report by this class with the higher rate.
You are able to run the FUTA report by class from within Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Then run the rest of your employee at the lower rate

2. Add an “additional” FUTA amount to the state SUTA window (an additional percentage, since it is a state by state).  Then adding the additional amount to the specific line on the 940. 

If your company is running payroll for several of the states and you want to look at a more sophisticated solution that will meet your needs, I have talked with Greenshades.
They have applied these changes to their e-file to calculate the state specific reduced FUTA credit for the reduction states.

You can contact Gary Francart at gfrancart@ktlsolutions.com or by phone at 301-360-0001 ext 207 for more information on Greenshades.