IT Strategy for Midsize Business: Microsoft vs. Java, Great Plains & CRM
March 31, 2008
Midsize business or non-profit organization should decide if one-vendor solution would be appropriate and the associated risk acceptable. In our opinion, balancing the risk of one-vendor-approach is not economically feasible and should be avoided. This means that you need to decide if you plan to be Microsoft-oriented or Java/Unix/Linux/Oracle oriented. In the case of Java direction ? you again have to further consider your options and if possible do not deploy too many systems from different vendors. Even if you host your systems with somebody else ? we think that in the future you might have a risk of complex data conversion from one system to another. In this small article we’ll show you typical way if you follow Microsoft direction: Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains and Microsoft CRM
? Sales Automation. It was actual at all the times, however now it is becoming critical to have decent Client Relation Management (CRM) system implemented. You order takers or sales people should be working exclusively in CRM, where you should have sales workflow, approvals, pipeline of pending deals, reporting with future cash flow prediction. Use Microsoft CRM Sales module.
Rapid Application Development - Is it Really a Need of Today?
March 30, 2008
Rapid Application Development (RAD) is a software development methodology. In this competitive world, software product delivery time should be as little as it can be. The RAD is a way to this. As the name suggests, RAD technique allows RAPID application development, with development time, usually, 30 to 90 days.
Before touching upon the topic in details, I would like to make you feel that you are not away from this methodology. The code generators, visual tools like Visual Basic (VB) and Visual C++ (VC++), and CASE tools like Rational Rose are based on RAD technique. For e.g., you design your application with Rational Rose and it can then automatically generate code in languages like C++, VC++ or VB. If you have worked with tools like MS FrontPage then its again a RAD tool; you design your web-page layout and contents and HTML code will be automatically generated.
Previous paragraph brings out an important fact. Although, RAD will require early requirement specifications and it can be applied at design phase also but mostly it attacks the construction phase of the software development.
Screenplay and Script Writing Software
March 30, 2008
When it comes to screenplay software each screenwriter needs to determine what they need from the program they purchase and pick one that fits their specific needs. Screenwriting software doesn’t write the screenplay for you. Why do I say this? I don’t want you to be under the impression one software application is “better” or the “best” script writing software. No script writing software should be chosen based on it helping you complete your screenplay “better” or “faster” than another.
What makes a screenplay “better” is the skill and execution of the writer. What determines how fast a screenplay is completed is how fast the writer is with their skill and execution. Thinking particular screenplay software helps you write a better screenplay is like thinking a fancy gun helps you shoot on target. You are the writer and you are the creative force behind your idea or concept. Picking the proper tools to help you complete this idea or concept are choices only you can determine based on your particular writing needs.
15 Questions to Ask Your Software Vendor
March 29, 2008
When making a decision to buy any piece of software there are a number of criteria typically evaluated. One of the most important elements in the decision process is the strength of the company that builds the software. In fact a survey of 19,000 customers has identified that company strength is the most important factor in choosing software, with the price of the software being the fifth most important element.
In evaluating a company’s strength I would suggest you ask the following 15 questions, the answers to which will provide invaluable information in determining the viability of the company, their processes and their commitment to the product you are reviewing.
1. How long have you been in business?
2. When was you last upgrade released? When is the next one planned?
3. What’s involved in doing an upgrade?
a. Can your customer’s do it? b. Are upgrades included in your annual fee? c. Are they downloadable from your website? d. Is documentation (installation instructions etc) included with the upgrades?
4. Are manuals available for the software?
5. Does the software update cost include phone based tech support?
5 Mac Security Tips You Can?t Live Without
March 28, 2008
So, you’ve bought a new Macintosh, and now you may be wondering how to make it safer. There are several things that you can do which will protect your Mac from viruses and hackers. Macs are already very difficult to hack, but don’t let that fact allow you to become lenient with your security.
1. Download all of the software updates available. This seems like a no-brainer, but some Mac users forget to download the newest updates. You can even set your computer to automatically download new updates. However, some dial-up users encounter trouble when trying to downloaded updates. If you are a dial-up user, the best suggestion is to leave your Mac on overnight and let it download. Apple releases many programs that fix bugs in iLife applications, and in Mac OS X. Probably the most important of these updates are the security updates. Apple periodically offers security updates for its operating systems (Panther and Tiger).
2. Be careful what you download. Some people use P2P downloads for Macintosh (I.E. Poisoned). Be careful when downloading using a P2P because you do not know where the music or file is coming from. Some P2P users specifically make corrupted files to send via music downloading programs. Generally, it is a good idea to stick to iTunes, because those files are ACC Protected and offered through Apple so they certainly won’t have viruses.
Microsoft eCommerce Web-development: Great Plains eConnect .Net ? Highlights for Programmer
March 27, 2008
In our small article we’ll consider Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains Sales Order Processing module as eCommerce backend. Plus we’ll cover what is possible and impossible in eConnect and why. Microsoft Great Plains is one of the most popular ERP in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Latin America, UK and South Africa. Due to the MBS strategy ? Great Plains Dynamics was pulled from other markets, such as continental Europe (Germany, France, Russia) ? where Navision and Axapta are the promoted and recommended solutions. If you have Navision or Axapta ? please read our publications on these products on Alba Spectrum Technologies publication site.
? Great Plains Platform ? Great Plains Software Dynamics is written on GPS proprietary platform in Dexterity program language. Dexterity is based on very shrewd application development philosophy ? ERP application will stay decades if it is independent from the graphical computer environment and database platform. Back in 1992 C programming language was believed to be the rescuer and be cross-platform.
Spyware Definitions List
March 26, 2008
The adware and spyware definitions list is very long. But the definitions listed below are the most common ones. This is a glossary of spyware facts and terms so you’ll know what these malicious programs are and what they can do to your computer.
Adware
Adware components are generally installed along with a shareware or freeware programs you download. The adware developer creates pop up windows that generate advertisement revenue for them. Most adware components are actually installed with consent from the user. This happens because most people never read the end-user license agreement that comes with software.
Spyware
Spyware is most often installed bundled with freeware or shareware, much like adware. Spyware programs gather and transmit sensitive and personal information about your online behavior to an unknown party. The data is collected without you even knowing it happened. By the time you discover it, the damage is done and the hacker is long gone.
Browser Hijackers
Browser hijackers are innocently installed as helpful browser toolbars. They can alter your browser settings and can change your default home page to point to a site that generates revenue for the hijacker.
Trojan Horse Programs
OS 101: Suggestions for Choosing an Operating System
March 25, 2008
An operating system (abbreviated OS) is essentially the path through which a computer accesses files, games, the Internet, and all vital stored information. The OS is the most important program on a computer because it runs all of the other programs. The major operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Unix. The operating system is essential to the computer, and so extreme care should be taken when choosing an operating system.
Consider Its Use
Consider what operating system will be used for. If the OS is for a business, an operating system that can handle important business data should be selected. If the OS is for a college student, one might consider an OS that is optimal for gaming, yet still has a nice word processor. Finally, if the operating system were for a new computer user, then a user-friendly, simple OS would be best. Knowing this, one must also consider what software is available for the operating system. Some software is only available on certain computers. This often leaves Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Unix in the dark because most of the computer market runs on Microsoft operating systems. Most computers come standard with a certain operating system (Apple computers have Mac OS X and most PCs have Windows XP). Therefore, it is sometimes important to consider the OS even when selecting a computer.
How the Firefox: How to… Manual Helped Me
March 25, 2008
A few months back I really got sick of my computer always being slow and having system errors. So I started doing a bit of research and heard of a new browser called “Firefox”.
After a few months of going through it I started to see a huge difference in my computers performance and as a result in my own productivity online and off. This was a direct result of using the Firefox browser. So I then started to learn the features that came with it and I realized that this browser had A LOT more features than I had ever seen or used on any other browser. As I started to mention this to my co-workers and friends and family they all got interested in the browser and decided to install it on their own systems.
Thats when the questions started.
It didn’t matter where I went, I ran into someone who had a question or questions on “How do I do this?” or “How do I do that?” Realizing that I was never going to get any work done I sat down with my programmer and we decided to hit the challenge head on and “Firefox: How to…” was born.
Microsoft Great Plains: Service Business Customization & Integration Example
March 24, 2008
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains might be considered as ERP platform, ready for customization and integration. Microsoft Business Solutions partner typically does one of the two things: specializes in the industry (in this case it goes for the nation-wide clientele) or specializes in the local or regional market. In this small article we’ll consider the specifics of the services industry and how they could be realized in Microsoft Great Plains
Industry Specifics:
? Very complex pricing formulas. In services you sell something that people can not touch and so you have to adjust your pricing for each market segment/customer class or for each individual customer. You can do it, because the nature of service is different from the nature of manufactured goods. Naturally these business relationship with your customers are rooted in the ability of the business owner or manager to negotiate the price and use complex promotions models
? Service Uniqueness. Opposite to general products wholesale or retail ? service business has very unique market niche and the way of serving its clients. The service system is outside of the scope here, however it alters the standard way of ERP implementing. The examples could be ? the way you are handling customer complaints via discounting, price adjustments and issuing credit memos
