11 Reasons to Switch from Integration Manager to SmartConnect by eOne Solutions
Nearly every company utilizing Microsoft Dynamics GP has a need for initial and ongoing integrations. Many companies utilizing GP started with Integration Manager for their integrations needs, which served its purpose in its day. Now however, with the introduction of SmartConnect by eOne Solutions, over 2500 customers and counting are taking advantage of the best way to create integrations.
We only recommend solutions that we think provide great value to our customers’ business. We’ve seen our customers save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars after making the switch to SmartConnect. It is the only integration tool we recommend for Dynamics GP.
Take a look at the top 11 reasons to make the switch from Integration Manager to SmartConnect:
1. SmartConnect provides more functionality
2. SmartConnect runs up to 50 times faster
3. SmartConnect can connect to almost any source of data
4. SmartConnect can be scheduled on any time frame
5. SmartConnect can be triggered in real time for integrations
6. SmartConnect can be called programmatically via its own web services
7. SmartConnect covers a wider breadth of modules including AA, field service and HR
8. SmartConnect provides CRM integration
9. SmartConnect provides scheduled export capability to push data out to other systems
10. SmartConnect doubles as a development & automation tool – reducing the need for writing code in GP
11. SmartConnect works with Extender
If you’d like to learn more about SmartConnect, please join our November 17 webinar here.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Best Practices for Sales & Marketing by Ned Bliss
Customer Care and SLA's
Here's an example of a best practice. I worked at a company that processed tens of thousands of complex invoices for over a thousand customers and vendors every month. When an invoice is flawed it must be corrected immediately to avoid late pay or disruption of service. When a flawed invoice is tagged in the legacy system which is integrated with the CRM, it triggers the creation of a case in the CRM. The case is immediately routed to the CRM queue of the customer service rep responsible for that invoice. An SLA timer automatically starts a 12 hour count down. The customer and the vendor receive an email informing them of the invoice issue and the SLA terms. The customer care rep works through their queue to the case and starts work required to fix the issue. CRM tasks are created and routed to other customer care reps if their help is needed to solve the problem. When all work and tasks are completed the case is officially resolved by the customer care rep and the customer and vendor are notified. If the case was not resolved within SLA terms, warning emails would have been sent to responsible team members.
Using ClickDimensions
Using ClickDimensions, an automated marketing platform natively integrated with the CRM, the marketing specialist creates content for email templates, landing pages, web sites, forms and surveys. Several email nurture programs managed through Clickdimensions in the CRM are sending a variety of email templates to leads every ten days. Email templates and nurtures for specific leads are chosen automatically based on the lead’s demonstrated interest. When a lead opens an email, clicks on a link in an email, fills out a form or survey or visits the website, their actions are recorded in the CRM. A lead score based on the lead’s demonstrated level of interest is assigned to the lead and grows as the lead’s level of interest increases.
Salespeople find leads in the CRM using a tool called Insights powered by InsideView.
Salespeople choose leads to call, visit or add to an ongoing email nurture. The nurture starts sending a series of email templates which change based on demonstrated interest over time. As a lead/prospect’s “lead score” goes up the lead is automatically moved closer to the top of a salespersons’ call list. Salespeople call the lead from the CRM using natively integrated Skype and easily make notations to the record in the CRM. Sales materials and Quotes are emailed straight from the CRM and a history of all email and attachments are stored in the CRM. All users can work from the CRM or from Outlook which is natively integrated with the CRM. Customer inquiries or issues that arrive in email are easily converted to cases or leads in the CRM.
Dashboards
When users sign on to the CRM they first see a dashboard customized for their specific needs. Customer service reps see their active cases and can drill down on a specific case to pick up where they left off. Sales people see their call list showing leads with the highest score on top and can easily drill down to phone numbers and click to dial. Managers see the rollup data from their direct reports providing summarizations and trending reports as well as the ability to drill down on single records.
The CRM is designed to require the fewest number of clicks to find and update the most important data on desktops, tablets and mobile phones.
User Adoption
User adoption and participation nears 100% for the following user stated reasons:
•Customer care reps like to have a list or queue in the CRM where they can see exactly what cases are assigned to them and the time allotted to resolve the issue. They know exactly what is expected of them and they have easy access to the data needed to solve problems.
• Sales people see the CRM as a lead generation tool providing leads who have already done their research, are already interested in buying and want to hear from a sales person.
•Managers have easy access to the data they need to manage their business more efficiently and they do not have to push employees to use the CRM.
IT-Related Services Within Dynamics GP by Mike Zapp
Here are a couple features that were added in GP 2013 R2. These are handy IT-related services to ease file maintenance and system updating that may require users to be out of the system during these processes.
WINDOW ACCESS: Tools --> Utilities --> System --> Take Company Offline
The above window allows a company to taken offline so that users will not be able to access the company database during file maintenance or other processes which require users to be out of the company. For clients with multiple companies, this is a handy feature which can allow access to other company databases without having the users completely out of the system.
Simply insert the company to the right side, select the message to be sent to users attempting access, then click “OK”. If a custom message is selected, then you can input a message.
WINDOW ACCESS: Tools --> Utilities --> System --> Send Users Message
The window above allows a message to be sent to users, either logged in or a Reminder for those users not currently logged in. This feature is related to the prior screen to “announce” that you may need to users to logout of a particular company for maintenance or schedule maintenance using a reminder.
Simply select the users that should receive the message/reminder by checking the box, input the message and click “Send”.
Mike Zapp is a Microsoft Dynamics® Certified Professional at Bond Consulting Services with 20+ years work experience.
Bond Consulting Services Recaps Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2015 #WPC15
Bond Consulting Services Has Successful Week at #WPC15
From July 12 through July 16, key members of our team represented us at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2015 in Orlando, FL. Bob Bond, President; Dave Bond, Development Manager; and David Gersten, Customer Success Manager travelled to the sunshine state to join over 16,000 Microsoft partners. The overall take away? We ARE Microsoft!
We anticipated this year's Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) would be especially memorable for us for several reasons:
1. We would get a chance to meet with our partners from throughout the United States
2. We would receive two IAMCP awards during a special ceremony.
3. Our Development Manager/Consultant, Dave Bond would be attending for the first time.
4. David Gersten would get a chance to run a Microsoft Band contest, write more blogs and record more vlogs.
Well all four did indeed happen along with other exciting highlights.
Bob Bond Joins Panel with Anantha Ramachandran, Sr. Product Marketing Mgr., Microsoft
In a joint panel discussion with Jeff Lynn from Tribridge and James Crowter from TecMan, Bob Bond shared his insight on the topic at hand: Expanding your business by offering ERP with CRM to SMB customers. Naturally, he had a lot to offer being a Dynamics CRM solution provider to hundreds of business clients. He spoke of the progression of BCS offering ERP and CRM and shared pearls of wisdom from an entrepreneur and small business owner's perspective. We captured Bob's highlights in the video below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRiSp4mqjv8?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=560&h=315]
Bond Consulting Services Wins Two IAMCP Awards!
In a special ceremony on day 2 of WPC 2015, we joined dozens of IAMCP partners as award recipients. In the inaugural awards program launched by the IAMCP, we were selected by the IAMCP International Board as WINNER - IAMCP Worldwide Partner 2015 and WINNER - IAMCP P2P Partner 2015 (US). We announced the exciting news in a press release last month. These awards mean so much to us and are a reminder for us to continue to Connect, Learn and Grow with IAMCP.
As a team, we've invested in annual memberships to the Southern California chapter and greatly value the relationships we've built with leading partners. This has allowed us to go beyond meeting the needs of our clients and help them achieve greater success.
Burning Rubber, Guess our Steps Contest
The first of its kind and the brainchild of Jon Rivers, Marketing Monarchs and David Gersten. Tied with the hashtag #WPC15BurningRubber this Twitter-only contest was a fun highlight and created a social media buzz amongst the partners at #WPC2015. After following the Twitter accounts of all three contest promoters, users began tweeting their best guess of the collective number of steps Jon and David walked throughout WPC 2015. The prize? A Microsoft Band. Promptly on day 1, the tweets began pouring in. The lucky winner posted this tweet after learning the great news:
David Gersten's Photos & Recaps
After 10 long days in Orlando for WPC 2015, David accomplished a lot! He shared his tips, lessons learned and unique experience in brief posts on his personal Facebook page as well as Twitter. Thanks to David's frequent photo snapping, we had over 200 photos to post in our Facebook photo album.
View BCS at WPC 2015 photos on Facebook.
Microsoft Keynote Videos and Blogs
Microsoft leaders including Satya Nadella, CEO; Kevin Turner, COO; Phil Sorgen, VP WPC, and more kicked off the event with powerful and exciting keynotes. The vision keynotes are available to view on-demand on the WPC website. Click here to view videos from July 13 and July 15. If you scroll down to the videos posted from 2014, you'll notice a familiar face. David Gersten shares the value of IAMCP in the video titled Strengthen your partnership with IAMCP membership.
Thank you! See you next year in Toronto for WPC 2016!
Bond Consulting Services Named WINNER - IAMCP Worldwide Partner 2015 and IAMCP P2P Partner 2015 (US)
The International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) today announced Bond Consulting Services (BCS) as WINNER - IAMCP Worldwide Partner 2015 and WINNER - IAMCP P2P Partner 2015 (US).
The awards will be presented to BCS during a special ceremony at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2015, being held in Orlando, Florida, USA from July 12th -16th.
“Here at Bond Consulting Services we realize we are great at what we do; Dynamics AX, Dynamics GP and Dynamics CRM," said David Gersten, Customer Success Manager and President of the IAMCP-SoCal chapter. "We also realize we don’t do everything - although as trusted advisors to our clients, we want them to succeed and be able to have their needs met. Our relationships with other Microsoft partners and commitment to the IAMCP has been the only way to achieve this for our clients. When we walk into a client, we are their trusted advisor and we are Microsoft. Without the IAMCP, we would not have grown the way we did this past year, nor achieved so many great customer successes."
David Gersten is also the West Regional Chair on the IAMCP US Board of Directors.
Sharreace Baldwin, Marketing Manager at Bond Consulting Services and Administrator of the IAMCP-SoCal chapter submitted her first Partnering for Success award form this year.
"I am extremely excited to be recognized with my team as the winner of these awards,” said Baldwin. "I’m happy that my contribution helped us win!”
Accepting the awards at WPC on behalf of BCS will be Bob Bond, President, Dave Bond, Development Manager and David Gersten.
The IAMCP is a community of proactive and highly engaged Microsoft partners – a community who employs 15 million people overall and generates $580 billion in global economic activity. One priority for the IAMCP for many years has been around peer partnerships. It is estimated that each year the IAMCP network engages in $10.1 billion USD of partner-to-partner transaction activity. The partnerships these companies establish also makes them have increased business agility and perform better financially. Better business results are achieved by partnering - each dollar spent on partnering resources generates $2 - $8 in gross revenues. [Source: Corelytics, Inc, 2011]
Microsoft Partners that are part of the IAMCP community typically enjoy significantly higher revenues and higher margins than their counterparts outside of the community. Members benefit from P2P relationships with other trusted members to generate these higher margins and deliver exceptional solutions and services to their customers.
About Bond Consulting Services
Bond Consulting Services is a team of expert business technology consultants moving businesses forward with the best in Microsoft ERP and CRM solutions: Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics AX, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We are a Microsoft Gold ERP and Silver CRM Partner and the go to multilingual consulting team for Process & Discrete Manufacturers and CPG and F&B Distributors. We provide end to end ERP/CRM solutions which includes implementation, customization, integration, training and ongoing support.
About IAMCP
The International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) is the leading organisation for business networking in the Microsoft partner eco-system with 100+ chapters in over 40 countries around the globe. IAMCP members represent the trusted, independent voice of the Microsoft partner community. IAMCP members have the ability to influence Microsoft, government legislators and the media. Through regular activities and online events, members are able to discuss partner experiences, share best practices, and learn from colleagues in order to improve and develop their businesses. You can find out more at www.iamcp.org.
About WPC
The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is an annual gathering for the Microsoft partner community to learn about Microsoft’s roadmap for the upcoming year, network and build connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations, and learn new skills and techniques. Since 2003, the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference provides a unique 5-day event for thousands of partners from more than 130 countries worldwide, to plan their business strategies for the upcoming year. The Microsoft WPC week is anchored around keynote presentations from Microsoft’s senior leaders; training sessions led by partners, Microsoft professionals, industry leaders and thousands of meetings responsible for many new business transactions. The 2015 conference will be held in July, in Orlando, Florida, USA, from July 12th -16th.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdHTol__bmA?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=560&h=315]
"Burning Rubber, Guess Our Steps" Contest at #WPC15
Walk this Way, Walk like an Egyptian, Walk the Dinosaur, Walk On the Wild Side or just figure out how much David and Jon walk at #WPC15!
Jon Rivers and David Gersten will be shredding soles as they walk all around the massive Orange County Convention Center with their closest 16,000 friends at Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC 2015) in Orlando, Florida next week!
Do you want a chance to WIN a Microsoft Band (A $199 value)? If so, then you will want to participate in this contest!
David & Jon will be tracking how many steps they collectively walk during WPC 2015 from Sunday July 12th 12:01 a.m. (ET) through Thursday July 17th Midnight (ET).
How to Enter/Rules:
- Follow these Twitter Accounts @dsgersten @jon_rivers & @brandingnoise
- Tweet the number of steps that you believe David & Jon will complete from Sunday 12:01am through Thursday Midnight. Also include the following hashtag #WPC15BurningRubber on your tweets to be entered. For example “I guess 72,500 steps #WPC15BurningRubber @ #WPC15”
- You’re entered
- The person closest to the number of steps will be notified by Aug 13th 2015
- No need to be present, just submit a guess through Twitter!
- Microsoft Band Ordered and shipped
- Let’s have some Fun!
We would love to thank Marketing Monarchs for inviting us to participate in the “Burning Rubber, Guess Our Steps” contest at #WPC15.
Good luck everyone!
We ran a similar contest with David for Convergence 2015.
Helping Small Business Owners Throughout Southern California with CRM and Business Technology
"You won't have a business if you can't communicate with your customers." - @dsgersten https://t.co/vWN9nJwPgp
— Bond Consulting Svcs (@BCSTeam) June 5, 2015
We're more than halfway through 2015 and we have had the pleasure of helping over 300 small business owners in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties understand Customer Relationship Management (CRM). By participating in live educational events and workshops hosted by various business community organizations, we have shared our CRM expertise as it relates to increasing sales and business growth as well as our experience with the latest business technology to support productivity, efficiency and business goals.
On behalf of the Bond Consulting Services (BCS) team, David Gersten, Customer Success Manager, has presented workshops such as 10 Steps to Better CRM and Why You Need It, Key Software Tools for Your Small Business and Modern Biz and how to convert leads to sales and increase business by 40% at the following organizations:
- Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (Tech101 Educational Series)
- Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce (Tech Thursdays)
- SCORE Orange County
- Small Business Council - Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. Small Business Administration with Microsoft Community Connections
We've also recently helped local entrepreneur Brandon Cole with his small business Midas Mount as part of the Microsoft Small Business Mentor Project.
The BCS team has over 100 years of combined experience implementing business technology solutions to address the needs of our SMB and enterprise clients. Three things have kept clients with us for over a decade:
• Industry and technology expertise
• Our team approach
• Timely effective support
We're always ready to move you forward with the latest business technology to keep your clients happy and your business successful. Contact us if you'd like us to present information at your organization about CRM, ERP, or Microsoft solutions.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1asCaeqQlyk&w=560&h=315]
Two @LAAreaChamber events in 1 week! Whew, these SMBs are keeping us busy! Thank you for choosing @BCSTeam @dsgersten pic.twitter.com/USoyHw2ZlT
— Bond Consulting Svcs (@BCSTeam) June 5, 2015
Presenting today with @NatalieGouche about #Social and @MSDynamicsCRM #HollywoodChamber #socialselling #IAMCP
— David Gersten (@dsgersten) June 19, 2015
Bond Consulting Services Named WINNER - IAMCP Worldwide Partner 2015 and IAMCP P2P Partner 2015 (US)
The International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) today announced Bond Consulting Services (BCS) as WINNER - IAMCP Worldwide Partner 2015 and WINNER - IAMCP P2P Partner 2015 (US).
The awards will be presented to BCS during a special ceremony at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2015, being held in Orlando, Florida, USA from July 12th -16th.
“Here at Bond Consulting Services we realize we are great at what we do; Dynamics AX, Dynamics GP and Dynamics CRM," said David Gersten, Customer Success Manager and President of the IAMCP-SoCal chapter. "We also realize we don’t do everything - although as trusted advisors to our clients, we want them to succeed and be able to have their needs met. Our relationships with other Microsoft partners and commitment to the IAMCP has been the only way to achieve this for our clients. When we walk into a client, we are their trusted advisor and we are Microsoft. Without the IAMCP, we would not have grown the way we did this past year, nor achieved so many great customer successes."
David Gersten is also the West Regional Chair on the IAMCP US Board of Directors.
Sharreace Baldwin, Marketing Manager at Bond Consulting Services and Administrator of the IAMCP-SoCal chapter submitted her first Partnering for Success award form this year.
"I am extremely excited to be recognized with my team as the winner of these awards,” said Baldwin. "I’m happy that my contribution helped us win!”
Accepting the awards at WPC on behalf of BCS will be Bob Bond, President, Dave Bond, Development Manager and David Gersten.
The IAMCP is a community of proactive and highly engaged Microsoft partners – a community who employs 15 million people overall and generates $580 billion in global economic activity. One priority for the IAMCP for many years has been around peer partnerships. It is estimated that each year the IAMCP network engages in $10.1 billion USD of partner-to-partner transaction activity. The partnerships these companies establish also makes them have increased business agility and perform better financially. Better business results are achieved by partnering - each dollar spent on partnering resources generates $2 - $8 in gross revenues. [Source: Corelytics, Inc, 2011]
Microsoft Partners that are part of the IAMCP community typically enjoy significantly higher revenues and higher margins than their counterparts outside of the community. Members benefit from P2P relationships with other trusted members to generate these higher margins and deliver exceptional solutions and services to their customers.
About Bond Consulting Services
Bond Consulting Services is a team of expert business technology consultants moving businesses forward with the best in Microsoft ERP and CRM solutions: Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics AX, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We are a Microsoft Gold ERP and Silver CRM Partner and the go to multilingual consulting team for Process & Discrete Manufacturers and CPG and F&B Distributors. We provide end to end ERP/CRM solutions which includes implementation, customization, integration, training and ongoing support.
About IAMCP
The International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) is the leading organisation for business networking in the Microsoft partner eco-system with 100+ chapters in over 40 countries around the globe. IAMCP members represent the trusted, independent voice of the Microsoft partner community. IAMCP members have the ability to influence Microsoft, government legislators and the media. Through regular activities and online events, members are able to discuss partner experiences, share best practices, and learn from colleagues in order to improve and develop their businesses. You can find out more at www.iamcp.org.
About WPC
The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is an annual gathering for the Microsoft partner community to learn about Microsoft’s roadmap for the upcoming year, network and build connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations, and learn new skills and techniques. Since 2003, the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference provides a unique 5-day event for thousands of partners from more than 130 countries worldwide, to plan their business strategies for the upcoming year. The Microsoft WPC week is anchored around keynote presentations from Microsoft’s senior leaders; training sessions led by partners, Microsoft professionals, industry leaders and thousands of meetings responsible for many new business transactions. The 2015 conference will be held in July, in Orlando, Florida, USA, from July 12th -16th.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdHTol__bmA?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=560&h=315]
How big is your transactional tax footprint?
6 questions to assess if your sales activities are a compliance risk
At some point, you’ve probably pinpointed your company’s position on a 2x2 matrix to determine its strengths or weaknesses or its position relative to competitors. But have you ever rated your business on sales tax compliance?
Many companies get into trouble with state and local tax because they don’t know where they owe. Often, the business is growing in some way, either physically in terms of new locations or by expanding its product or service offerings, bringing on more field staff or selling through new channels such as online, at tradeshows or through affiliate programs. All of these are important growth strategies. They also carry sales and use tax implications. The more ways you engage a buyer, the more likely you are to create nexus — an obligation to collect and remit sales tax in a state where you’re now doing business. As nexus increases, sales tax gets exponentially more complex or laborious, and it can become difficult to manage with in-house resources, albeit people or systems.
Just as you are focused on bringing as much revenue as you can into your business, the states are doing the same thing. Indirect taxes makes up a large portion of the states’ coffers and they’re becoming more diligent about getting what’s coming to them. Miscalculations and failing to register or remit returns aren’t something they take lightly. Warnings are for traffic cops, not state auditors. Be found out of compliance and you’ll likely be looking at steep fines and penalties on top of any uncollected taxes.
To better understand where you may have sales tax complexity or nexus obligations, Avalara put together a self-assessment survey. Answer just a few questions about your business and sales activities and instantly get a score that will help you determine your transactional tax footprint and risk of non-compliance.
The self-assessment includes a guide to understanding how each of the four quadrants — and your score — impacts your business when it comes to sales tax. It’s a quick and easy way to uncover any vulnerabilities you may have that need addressing or even just provide peace of mind that you haven’t overlooked any obligations. You may also learn that you fall into a higher complexity, higher go-to-market risk area than you thought. Knowing where you fall on this spectrum can be helpful in determining if it’s time to add sales tax automation.
Bring the results to your technology provider and talk them about your concerns in managing sales tax. Ask about integrating Avalara AvaTax software into your billing system, ERP or ecommerce solution to handle these compliance functions automatically for you.
Five Ways to Turn Business Data into Business Insight Part 5: Make Information More Accessible with the Cloud
This is the fifth and final post in our five-part series, Five Ways to Turn Business Data into Business Insight. We’ve previously looked at how dashboards can provide easy information access to your team members based on their specific roles, how self-service BI reporting can lighten the load on IT resources, how to make BI more mobile and how Big Data is doing big things for small and mid-sized businesses. Today, we’ll wrap up the series with a look up to the Cloud.
Make Information More Accessible with the Cloud
It’s been a race to the cloud with apps and tools for consumers and businesses. And while on-premise business intelligence (BI) systems that are all snuggled onto business-owned servers are still the norm, implementations of web-based and web-accessible BI tools are growing and soon will out-pace the traditional approach.
The cloud’s promises of accessibility for users and reduced IT workload are more than just marketing speak. They’re real benefits, even for small and mid-sized business. But you have to find the model that makes sense for the data security, storage and ROI needs of your business.
Microsoft’s cloud strategy is about choice. If you want to move your business intelligence, financial management and productivity tools to the cloud, great; if you prefer to use a hybrid approach and host only a portion of your solution, super; or if you’re all ready to go all-in, Microsoft and our world-wide network of partners offer on-premises, hosted or cloud-based options that meet your needs.
The reality here is that your approach to the cloud needs to match your business. Microsoft can help determine what makes most sense today and what will set you up best for tomorrow. Watch how a cloud-based solution from Microsoft helped manufacturing icon, Faribault Woolen Mill, revitalize their business.
Keeping tabs on the data that drives your business is an ongoing challenge for any growing company. This five-part blog series has covered how Microsoft Dynamics ERP gives you the tools to transform reams of data into useful insight and how easily accessible that insight can be to the people on your team.
See how Microsoft Dynamics ERP can help you grow your business, take a product test, or register to attend an upcoming webcast to learn more about a business solution from Microsoft.