Author Archives: Endeavour Solutions

Not Just For Sales and Marketing- CRM for Finance and Accounting Teams

No Comment Sep 24,2014 Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Uncategorized

CRM for Finance and Accounting Teams

It seems like today, finance and accounting departments have more pressure on them than ever before. As a member of one of these teams, you already know that budgets are tighter, collections are more important, and cash flow is the lifeblood of your company. That’s why CRM may be your new best friend.

Originally introduced to market years ago as a contact and task manager for sales people, CRM systems have evolved into a powerful financial forecasting, management, and analysis tool in every industry.  

Not Your Typical Technology Tool

Finance and accounting teams aren’t typically involved with CRM system selection or implementation… however, that trend is changing.  CRM has become so robust and versatile that it’s now an important tool used across company departments and job roles.  Tracking everything from marketing expenses to labour costs, CRM systems are allowing finance to analyze sales and marketing expenditures, accelerate cash flow, and zero in on marketing activities that generate the most value. 

CRM dashboards

Integration is the Key

Through the built-in integration between Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM, CFOs are reducing costs and creating a catalyst for company growth thanks to comprehensive reports that combine sales, marketing, accounting, and operational data to help you make better-informed business decisions. CRM systems provide a 360 degree view of your entire organization by consolidating data from every corner and department of the company.

How Accounting and Finance Use Data from CRM:

  • Track & Analyze Marketing Costs – Discover what’s delivering the most bang for your buck.
  • Assign measureable and quantifiable metrics to leads, cost-to-close, labour, and overhead in your sales department.
  • Revenue and Expenses Reporting – combine revenue and expenses across your entire organization to predict future cash flow and make better financial decisions.
  • Evaluate your Customer Service and collections activities to ensure they’re efficient, effective, and cross-sell opportunities are maximized.

If you’re an Accounting Manager, CFO or the Director of Finance, it’s time to look at CRM.  This traditional “sales and marketing” technology might just be the best financial tool you’ve discovered in years.

Learn More About CRM for Accounting and Finance Teams

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM or to schedule an online demo, please contact Steve Ewing sewing@endeavoursolutions.ca or phone 905-542-2139 at Endeavour Solutions

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New Features of the SmartList Designer in GP 2013 R2

No Comment Sep 17,2014 Microsoft Dynamics GP, Uncategorized

SmartList Designer is a function available with the new version of GP 2013 R2. It is an alternate to the existing 3rd party application ‘SmartList Builder’ from eOne. It is available at no extra cost with the initial install and offers the ability to create simple SmartLists without needing to purchase a 3rd party application.

Below is a list of the major Pros and Cons comparing SmartList Designer to the 3rd party application, SmartList Builder:

Pros

  • Create and modify SmartLists without buying the 3rd party SmartList Builder.
  • Link multiple tables to view more information.
  • New ‘preview’ function within the SmartList Designer window to preview the SmartList without having to exit out of the window.
    • SQL query preview is also available but is strictly read-only text.
  • Allows queries from SQL views.

Cons

  • No options for key Builder functions:
    • Excel Based Reporting
    • Building Go Tos
    • Drill Downs
  • No formatting options for the cell values of the resulting SmartList.

*Except currency for the calculated field.

  • Cannot reorder columns.
    • Columns are ordered in the order they are added.
  • Cannot rename column names.
    • Columns are named with the field name in SQL.
  • Cannot use additional data sources:
    • SQL Tables
    • SQL Scripts
    • SQL Objects
    • Extender Resources
    • SmartLists

All in all, SmartList Designer is a very useful tool for new GP installs to build simple SmartLists for newer users. It allows the flexibility for creating additional SmartLists, but shouldn’t be looked at as an alternative to SmartList Builder if complex SmartLists or reporting are required.

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Changes to Workflow Types and Features Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains 2013 R2

1 Comment Sep 11,2014 Microsoft Dynamics GP, Uncategorized

With the recent launch of Dynamics GP 2013 R2 there are many new changes you may want to pay attention to that may benefit or impact your organization. Let’s have a look at the changes to Workflow Types and Features.

Dynamics GP 2013 R2 now has a new workflow system, utilizing a custom workflow engine based in the GP code. The workflow design experience is now in a GP window, replacing the prior GP Workflow system, and removing the dependency on SharePoint.

This system allows users to design workflows, such as approval paths, for documents in Dynamics GP.

Workflow Types

  • Purchase Order Approval
  • Purchase Requisition Approval
  • Payroll Timecard Approval
  • Project Timesheet Approval

Workflow Features

  • Workflow Maintenance
  • Email Notification
  • Access through GP & Responding to Email in Outlook
  • Workflow History
  • User Delegation
  • Workflow Calendar

workflow comparison

Common Scenarios (PO)

  • Simple Workflow
  • With Multiple First Steps
  • With Multiple Approval Paths – Parallel Workflow
  • With Converging Steps – Branching Workflow
  • With Multiple Approvers in a Step
  • An Approver is an Originator

 

Simple Workflow

simple workflow

 

Workflow with Multiple First Steps

Workflow with multiple first steps

 

Workflow with Multiple Approval Paths – Parallel Workflow

workflow with mulitple approval paths

 

Workflow with Converging – Branching Workflow

Workflow with Converging- Branching Workflow

Workflow with Multiple Approvers in a Step

  • Take the first response
  • Majority must approve
  • All must approve

Workflow with Multiple Approvers in a Step

 

Workflow Maintenance

workflow maintenance

 

Email Notification Maintenance

email notification maintenance

 

Email Message Setup

Email message set up

 

Access Through GP

Access through GP

Responding to Email in Outlook

Responding to email in outlook

 

Workflow History

Workflow History

 

User Delegation

user delegation

 

Workflow Calendar

Workflow Calendar

 

 

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Endeavour Solutions & ImageTag Presents – Life Hack More Value From Your Dynamics ERP Investment

No Comment Sep 5,2014 Microsoft Dynamics GP, Webinars
Endeavour Solutions will be featuring ongoing webinars showcasing add-in applications for Dynamics GP. We have chosen to feature solutions to our clients based on the challenges they have told us about.
 
Our goal is to offer valuable content from vendors with apps we feel may benefit organizations either financially or will streamline your processes within existing GP systems.
 
Our first series introduces the Kwiktag Document Management system that ties scanned files/documents together electronically into GP, automating data entry and simplifying invoice approval processes removing paper, filing and email circulation.

Learn how Document Management Can Help You Gain Back Control

Document Management Webinar, co-hosted by ImageTag on Tuesday, September 23th at 1pm EST

On behalf of Endeavour Solutions, ImageTag Sr. Account Manager Craig Randall will share how you can significantly improve your staff’s productivity in Microsoft Dynamics GP, while reducing costs by:

  • Digitizing documents linked to transactions and invoices right into GP
  • Automating approval workflows saving time for busy managers   
  • Delivering self-service to employees, vendors and partners
  • No more drowning in paper or filing!

Craig will demonstrate how your organization can provide everyone with visibility to documents, data and decisions without sending added emails and making unnecessary phone calls. He’ll help you quantify the benefit of digitizing documents and automating processes down to the minute in a typical work day.

To register and for more information, click here.

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What’s All the Talk About Business Intelligence?

No Comment Aug 29,2014 Business Intelligence, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Uncategorized

Business Intelligence, or “BI” as it’s commonly called, is a popular buzzword in the software industry.  But as technology has matured, today’s BI is more than just a buzzword … it’s an affordable necessity for small and medium-sized businesses.

 

In fact, you have a fantastic set of BI tools that are built right in to your Microsoft Dynamics GP software that can help slice and dice your way to better profitability.  First, let’s talk about what BI is exactly.

 

The Right Information at the Right Time

BI is an umbrella term that describes a variety of tools involved in the process of gathering & organizing data into graphical views and meaningful reports that enable quick and informed decisions. Put simply, BI delivers the right information in the right format to the right person at the right time.

 

Without the tools that BI offers, it can be difficult to harness the volumes of data in your Microsoft Dynamics GP system in a timely fashion.  The resulting “information overload” can delay important business decisions.  The ultimate objective of BI is to improve the relevance, timeliness and quality of useful information.

Business Intelligence

No “Techie” Required

One of the most important aspects of BI tools is that they enable non-technical users (like managers and executives) to create charts, graphs, and meaningful reports that interpret large volumes of data without the need for a technical degree.  Too often key decision makers are forced to wait weeks or even months while the data they need is extracted and compiled by the IT department in a report that arrives well “after the fact.”

 

It’s Not Just for “The Suits”

One of the nice things about BI is that it works great as both a strategic and operational tool.  Strategically, managers and owners can analyze trends, gross profit margins, and other key performance indicators. Operationally, departmental personnel can streamline procedures.  Consider the example of a collections department that goes through a series of tasks, reports, call logs, customer notes, and possibly information in external spreadsheets to determine which customers are overdue.

 

Contact us today to learn more about Business Intelligence Reporting for Microsoft Dynamics GP or to schedule an online demo.

 

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Microsoft Cloud Migration

Deciding to leave Dynamics GP is bittersweet. Our team at GP Support North will miss you, however, our Business Central migration and support team at Endeavour Solutions is eager to help you succeed.