CAL Business Solutions Provider... moving you forward.

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September/October 2007

The CAL Zone - GP Tips & Tricks

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Microsoft Dynamics GP
(Great Plains)
Implementation,
Customizations,
Training & Support

Learn More

 

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Greetings from CAL Business Solutions

 

This time of year always makes us think of going back to school!  This issue will talk about the many options our customers have to go "back to school" with Great Plains. There is classroom training, online training and even some back to school sales promotions from Microsoft.

 

Thank you to all of you who attended our customer event in August.  Check out some fun photos! We hope to see you at our Year End event on Dec 11th.

 

 

 

Amber's Tips & Tricks

Amber

 

This month's tip: This is a feature within Payables Management that I have been able to share at the Training Sessions we have hosted at CAL. It is one of those features that I am amazed that people are not already using. This tip shows you how to default multiple General Ledger accounts for the purchasing account distribution on Invoice (voucher) entry. Click here for step-by-step instructions. 

Amber's GP Tips & Tricks...

 

 

 

Are You Suffering From Application Erosion?

 

How many of the following are true for your company:

  • Many tasks are done outside of our Accounting System
  • I was trained by the person I replaced.
  • I know there is more to GP, I just don't have the time to look for it.
  • We had no training after our upgrade. I don't know how to use any of the new features.

If you've noticed that over time, your organization is using less and less of your business software, you can blame it on application erosion. Many organizations make common mistakes - like relying on "over the shoulder" training- that can dilute knowledge about system usage and functionality by up to 50%.

 

This article has a list of the habits to avoid and the solutions that can help resolve application erosion.

Read the Full Article... Arrow

 

 

 

Accessing Free Training From Microsoft 

 

 

A great reason to remain current on your GP enhancement plan is that you get free access to unlimited E-Learning and downloadable training materials through CustomerSource. Plus, certification exams for Microsoft Dynamics are available to validate your expertise and impress your boss!

Are you taking advantage of these? Click here for a PDF guide on Accessing Training Benefits. If you need help accessing CustomerSource contact Amber Bell.

Accessing Your Training Benefits PDF...Arrow

 

 

 

CAL Training Center Update

 

CAL Training Center

Over the past several months our training center here at CAL has been put to good use - with over a dozen classes!  There are still 4 classes left for November - Review the schedule and register now.  CAL always offers:

  • Personal Training at your location
  • Live Online Training
  • Personal Training at our location - "Rent" the CAL Training Center! For $135 an hour we provide the room, the workstations, the instructor and the snacks. You bring the students and choose the topics!

Because everyone is busy with year end (our clients and our team), we will not be offering any group classes in December or January. Stay tuned for a packed class schedule for February/March 2008, including the much requested "Advanced Excel for Accountants". Send me suggestions for classes to add to our schedule and I will send you a $5 Dunkin Donuts card!

CAL Training Center... Arrow

 

 

 

Microsoft Dynamics GP - 2007 Year End Closing Tips & Tricks Event

Tuesday December 11th - 9:00am-4:00pm

Microsoft Office - Farmington, CT - Event Cost: $79

 

Review procedures, get tips and tricks from our GP experts and pay attention to the potential pitfalls to avoid. This seminar is great for people who have never closed the books before and for those who would like a review of this important task that only comes around once a year.  All companies running Great Plains payroll are strongly encouraged to attend. 

 

Event cost includes a complete workbook of Year End Checklists/Procedures plus breakfast and lunch.  Spend $79 now and save hundreds of dollars in support costs on Jan 1st.

Agenda and Registration...Arrow

 

 

 

George's Corner - News on Version 11.0

George Mackiewicz, CAL Business Solutions

 

I made the trek out to Fargo earlier this month for the Microsoft Dynamics Business Building Conference.  Version 10.0 was just released but they are already working on version 11.0.  I think you will be interested to know that in the past, Great Plains major release time frames have been between 14-18 months. For Release 11.0 Microsoft will be holding the code base open for a additional 6 months in order to add more features to the core application.  So you have approximately 2 years before you need to think about 11.0.  But there will be an interim service pack release for 10.0 in Spring 08 which will contain new features.  

I am looking forward to attending Convergence 2008 in Orlando, FL March 11-14th.  I hope that many of you will join me and other members of the CAL team. It is an amazing opportunity to get really get in depth and focus on the system that runs your business.  Every customer who has attended in the past has felt it was well worth the investment. Take a look at the short video recap of Convergence 2008 - I am sure it will motivate you to attend!

 

 

 

News, Promotions & More!

 

Microsoft Extends Support for Version 8.0

Microsoft has listened to requests from customers and partners and has extended the mainstream support date for version 8.0 until October 13, 2009 (originally Oct. 9, 2007) Email John DiLeo to schedule your upgrade.

 

New User Promotion Thru 12/21/07

Existing customers who buy new users can get an additional user free.  The promo details depend on the version you are using - so if you are interested visit CustomerSource or contact Carol Hannon. 

 

Daylight Saving Time ends November 4

Daylight saving time will end this Sunday, November 4th(one week later than usual just to confuse us). Visit the Microsoft support site to make sure your computer is up to date.

 

 

 

 

Welcome New Team Member - Matt Zurosky

 

Ken

 

Matt Zurosky joined the CAL team in August.  He came to us from a major

telecommunications company where he had earned an outstanding

reputation in customer service.  He will be working with John DiLeo and Craig Robillard on GP customer support.

 

  CAL Team Photo... Arrow

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