Keeping it simple

How much should I spend on IT?

How much should retailers spend on computerization (IT) per year? This is a good question that every business owner faces.

Click here to read the article showing the percentage that you should spend and the reasons for spending. This information was originally published by Pricewaterhouse Cooper CPA firm. Although it deals with the retail industry, my research in this area shows that most busineses will spend between 1.3% to 2.0% of revenue for IT related costs.

 

Regards,

 

Jeff Cozens

Disaster Proof Your Business

If you are a business owner, you need to know how to protect your business.

Click here to read the article This is from the Microsoft web site dealing with articles for small businesses.

 

Regards,

 

Jeff Cozens

Obamacare means increased administrative costs for all businesses, including small businesses

 

Extracted from article (http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2010/05/health-care-reform-the-effect-on-small-biz-owners.html?WT.mc_t=nlimt&WT.mc_n=1015&channel=email) Health Care's impact on Small Businesses, by David Butcher, this section caught my eye.

 

….While taxes may hit many small business owners, the largest impact may be the increase in administrative costs when it comes to managing employees' health coverage," Bram adds.

"One thing you may want to start preparing for this year is extra paperwork," Inc.com warns. "Beginning in 2011, companies will have to start reporting on W-2s the value of the health plans they provide to employees. And as the government ramps up tax collection efforts to pay for health care reforms, in 2012 you'll have to report every single business-to-business payment of $600 or more to the IRS on a 1099."

As I get a better understanding, I will document ways to have your Dynamic software keep track of these reporting values.

For those Dynamics users under support contracts and under software versions which are still supported with new forms. For those outside of product life cycles, this will be a problem. The next key date for SL customers end of support is the version SL 6.5, which ends support 4/12/2011.

The next key date for GP customers facing end of support is for GP version 9.0 is 1/11/2011.

Check which version you are using for your software by clicking on the "help about" menu and identify the version number. Call if you have questions.

We are seeing a trend in many of our customers that they are starting to replace older machines and older servers. This is an excellent time to also upgrade your software, especially if you have been sitting on activated unlocking version of your Dynamics Software. Let us know if we can assist in the upgrades/

 

Regards,

 

Jeff Cozens

 

Speeding data entry in SL with function keys ‘F5’ and ‘F3’

Power users for Sl are used to keyboard short cuts to quickly look up and process transactions. I often use these two keyboard short cuts in tandem to speed my data entry: F5 and then F3. F5 is the keyboard shortcut to delete a value in a field and keep you still in this field and, of course, F3 is the lookup or possible value launcher. These F5 key allow me to quickly clear a field, and get the cursor located in the leftmost section of the field.

Eliminating the need to move back and forth between the keyboard and the mouse can improve the speed of data entry for a power user of SL. Try this tip out and see if you too can benefit. Give me some feedback if you like this tip.

 

Regards,

 

Jeff Cozens

 

Gp 2010, released at convergence

The next version of Great Plains, GP 2010, has been released. We typically have been seeing the SL release for 2010 following in 2-4 months. Here is a link to understand some of the new functionality for this product. Having many of the Dynamics development team embedded in Microsoft's Office division, give the dynamics software developers great access to what is coming in office 2010. We are definitely seeing more and more integration with excel services, outlook, SharePoint services etc.

 

In 2010 I encourage my readers of this blog to seriously look at bring up Business Portal. Start taking advantage of web based graphics and ratio monitoring of key business indicators.

http://www.microsoft.com/showcase/en/us/details/082667ca-a08f-4712-8e8c-a3bbd2bbd230

 

Call us if you want more info about these features in the Dynamics SL products.

 

Regards,

 

Jeff Cozens

408 379 1111

Calling ALL West Coast Solomon Customers

Do you think you have been working hard enough these past few years? Treat youself to this great event: A Solomon User conference in San Diego. Sell this to you boss, you have earned this trip. This is definitely a way to expand how to use Solomon to the next level. Hope to see you there.

 

Fall Meeting

Published 21-Apr-2010 by Brandon Harris in Dynamics SL User Group

Attend the Fall Meeting and discover how to leverage Dynamics SL for success. Learn from your peers, collaborate with one another and share with the Microsoft SL R&D Team your ideas and experience. This event will strengthen you, your organization and the SL community.

   

Marriott Coronado Island Resort, located in Coronado just outside San Diego, will be the site of the 2010 Dynamics SL Users Group Meeting. The resort is just a few miles from the San Diego Airport, no need for a rental car. The event will begin on Wednesday afternoon with a half day of sessions followed by an outdoor reception providing the opportunity to network, enjoy cool evening breezes and views of the San Diego skyline. Sessions will run all day Thursday the 23rd and a half day Friday the 24th. The event will wrap up late Friday morning with a group meeting to determine the venue for the 2011 meeting, evaluate the event and elect the new officers.

The negotiated room rate of $179 per night is guaranteed from September 19th to the 27th (subject to group block availability). Please let us know if you have trouble obtaining the rate and we will assist you. Attendees are encouraged to stay through the weekend to enjoy any of the numerous activities that San Diego is known for, including golf, the World Famous San Diego Zoo, Mexico, Sea World, The Hotel Del Coronado and more.

Coronado Island Resort and Spa

www.coronadoresortmarriott.com 

Promo Code: dyndyna 

User Group Meeting Agenda:

Wed. 9/22:	11:00 am		-	1:00 pm	Registration
	1:00 pm		-	5:00 pm	Keynote & Sessions
	6:00 pm		-	8:00 pm	Reception
Thurs 9/23:	8:30 am		-	12:00 pm	Sessions
	12:00 pm		-	1:00 pm	Lunch
	1:00 pm		-	5:00 pm	Sessions
	7:00 pm		-	10:00 pm	Dinner
Friday 9/24:	8:30 am		-	11:00 am	Sessions
	11:00 am		-	12:00 pm	Keynote & Wrap-up

   

   

Registration to the Fall Meeting can be Completed Here: 

   

*Corporate Members who register before May 31st will receive a $250.00 discount for the first attendee. Must select "First Attendee Free" during the Corporate Member Registration. 

   

Additional Registration Options

Option 1:  Dynamics SL Nuts & Bolts Session for GL/AP/AR - $295

Wednesday Sept 22 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon

Have you ever wanted to "look under the hood" at how Dynamics transaction processing really works?    Do you know what tables and fields are affected when batches are released and then posted in general ledger?    Understanding how transactions really work means a greater understanding of how to write queries, reports, and troubleshoot problems. We will be using Payables, Receivables, and General Ledger as examples as well as looking at tools to help you figure out which tables & fields a SQL update really affects.

   

The instructor for this fundraiser will be Gail Jones-Nemeth, the longtime CIO of Betco Corporation, and a Dynamics Solomon consultant for 15 years. Her deep understanding of Dynamics data structures has allowed Betco to develop extensive exception reporting, sales data warehouse, and innovative customizations that align Dynamics to Betco's business.

   

Currently, she is developing a series of Nuts & Bolts classes within Betco to develop more power users in the organization, and is sharing those presentations with the user group.

   

Join us for a special 4 hour in-depth session before the start of the Dynamics Users Group conference to tune up your tinkering skills on your database! Class size will be strictly limited to 15, and all proceeds go to support the Dynamics SL User Group.

   

Nuts and Bolts Agenda:

7:45 am - 8:00 am		Registration
8:00 am - 8:15 am		Introductions
8:15 am - 9:00 am		Overview, how to trace transactions
9:00 am - 10:00 am		General Ledger Transactions
10:00 am - 10:15 am		Break
10:15 am - 11:00 pm		Accounts Payable Transactions
11:00 am - 12:00 pm		Accounts Receivable Transactions
12 pm - 12:30 pm		Lunch & Wrap-Up

($295.00 Before May 31. $395 After May 31.  Must be registered prior to attending event)  

Option 2:  Guest for Reception Wednesday 9/22/10 - $75

We will have a poolside reception on Wednesday evening for networking.  If you are traveling with someone and would like to bring them to the reception, you will need to prepay.  You may pay during registration process in Coronado via CC.

 

Option 3:  Guest for Dinner Thursday 9/23/10 - $100

We will have a sit down dinner offsite on Thursday.  If you are traveling with someone and would like to bring them to the dinner, you will need to prepay.  You may pay during registration process in Coronado via CC.

 

Conference Fees

   

Early Registration $250 April 23rd – June 15th

                **Corporate Memberships completed by 5/31 includes $250.00 discount which gives your first attendee admission for 0.00

   

Registration $350 June 16th – July 25th

                        **Corporate Memberships completed by 5/31 includes $250.00 discount which gives your first attendee admission for 100.00 if they are registered between 5/31 and 07/25

   

Late Registration $450 July 26th – September 15th

                        **Corporate Memberships completed by 5/31 includes $250.00 discount which gives your first attendee admission for 200.00 if they are registered between 7/25 and 9/15