Vendors that focus on the discrete pieces of ERP software without understanding the entire picture just don’t make the cut. You need a solution that covers everything, and it is possible- more today, than ever. Not only do your vendors need to understand the big picture, you need to have a good handle on what goes on during the implementation process. It is possible to acquire a holistic ERP solution, but it’s going to take work on your part and that of your software vendor’s.

Important things to keep in mind:

-        A holistic solution may mean integration of a number of products. Every business is different, and some even have industry specific solutions. Although this may hit your budget harder than you thought, the end benefit of connecting various products to receive a comprehensive picture of your business is huge.

-        Pay close attention to how new ERP software reacts with your current IT solutions. Sometimes addition of ERP software can muddy up the waters if you don’t keep them in mind. You need to ask how this will affect your current solutions before anything is actually done.

Although it is extremely possible to acquire a holistic ERP solution, it will take time, dedication, and resources to get to where you want to be. This isn’t meant to scare you off, but is a realistic view at what to expect. Please contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions with any questions about ERP Software.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Sorry to break it to you, but there isn’t really a “for sure” way to come to this decision. Unfortunately it takes a lot of time, research, and analysis of your business processes to approach an answer that fits your needs. And even then, it can vary. But don’t let this news discourage you. If you stick to a few important tips along the way, you should be in good hands:

• The software vendor relationship is important: The relationship with your software vendor should be strong and you should have a high level of trust developed before moving ahead with a big CRM implementation project.

• There are no stupid questions: In software implementations, you should know what’s going on. Although your software vendor is there to take care of the process, you still need to make sure things are headed in the right direction. So if you don’t understand a process or an additional charge, ASK!

• Get everyone involved: A CRM solution is meant to connect your business. Ideally, you want everyone to use the solution and use it right so you can achieve a return on your investment. Get them involved in the implementation project by asking them a few basic questions. Write down their wish lists and specific requirements or even gauge how comfortable they are with technology. All this information can increase the chances of success for your CRM implementation.

If you’re wondering where to begin in developing a relationship with a software vendor, sign up for our newsletter and stay in touch with our CRM experts.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida

If you are going to make the decision to implement ERP software, then you want to make sure you’re your employees are on board with that decision.  User adoption of your ERP software can improve collaboration, generate actionable data through analytic capabilities, and create operational efficiencies across your entire enterprise.

Powerful ERP software such as Microsoft Dynamics® GP is easy to use and implement quickly.  Since it resembles other commonly used Microsoft software, employees will be comfortable with the features and functions with minimal training.  Microsoft Dynamics GP will also simplify many daily processes, reduce manual data entry, and reduce the chance for human error.  This will all add up to a time savings and improvement in productivity for each user.  Providing a single software solution that is easy to use will make it easier for employees to leave spreadsheets, disparate software, and ledger books behind.

Microsoft Dynamics GP centralizes critical business data into a single location allowing employees to share data easier than ever before.  Employees can customize their work screens so that they have the features they need to use daily.  Nearly unlimited built-in and customizable reports will allow employees to generate and print or email any number of reports.  They will spend less time searching, reporting, analyzing, and emailing information back and forth across the office.

ERP software can streamline and simply many daily tasks and operations, helping a business work more efficiently, productively, and with greater profitability – so long as the employees are using the software to its fullest capacity.  Software as easy to use as Microsoft Dynamics GP will encourage rapid adoption of the software, helping you reach your business goals.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

When you go to a new ERP system, you are really changing your company and putting it in place to go forward. Some companies get blind-sided because they do not really understand the depth of change that is going to happen.  There is no doubt it is a good change if done right, but the first step is to accept that change. Otherwise, you and your company may be doomed.

In addition to understanding it yourself, you need to prepare your employees for the weeks and months ahead. Be completely clear on the implementation steps, so everyone knows what to expect. It is definitely not going to be easy. ERP software requires more information, has more disciplined processes, and is ultimately more work in the beginning. The truth is your employees are not going to like it, but they will thank you in the end because in a few years, your business will still be booming and they will still have a job.

The fact of the matter is ERP software changes the front end and back end of your organization so that you can scale to the demands of market upswings and downswings. You will be able to compete with the big guys and make the path for optimal growth.

If you have been considering making this huge change, but just are not sure where to begin, contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions to learn more.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Marketing teams love the sound of Microsoft Dynamics® CRM 2011 because it simply makes their lives easier! Marketing functionality is a big part of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and really has been since the beginning. After all, sales and lead generation are a direct result of your marketing teams so it’s only natural marketing functionality is built into your CRM system.

Marketing lists, dashboards, and workflow automation are the newest features added to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 and are making lives even easier for marketing teams around the world:

• Marketing Lists- Lists make it possible for marketers to target their campaigns by filtering contacts or accounts by certain criteria. If a marketer repeats or follows up regularly with a certain target audience, these marketing lists in Microsoft Dynamics CRM are a huge time saver.

• Dashboards- Tracking the effectiveness of marketing campaigns ensures a successful business. Budget is spent in the right places and the marketing team is able to make efficient choices based on the information available to them. Dashboards in Microsoft Dynamics CRM make this type of insight available in a quick and easy-to-read, real-time view.

• Workflow Automation- Workflows give marketing and sales employees a process to follow based on previously determined best practices to increase the productivity and efficiency of an organization. For example, workflow automation in Microsoft Dynamics CRM allows you to qualify a lead by answering default questions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ERP Partner out of Florida

One of the more common mistakes in CRM implementations is overlooking the business assessment phase. The title of this blog may seem like common sense to some, but many organizations try to proceed with just a high level view of what they need the software to do. It’s extremely important to be specific, thorough, and patient!

If you don’t specify your requirements beforehand, you’re bound to run into two issues:

1. Miscalculation of Costs: Your software vendor can only estimate the costs they’re aware of. If something comes up in the middle of implementation, there’s no way they can foresee additional costs until they happen. This unexpected shift in budget can greatly affect your implementation and ultimately your bottom line.
2. Insufficient Technology: You run a much higher risk of deciding on a CRM solution that can never really meet your needs. This issue brings about even more costs that you hadn’t planned for or your stuck with a solution that doesn’t really even make anything better.

We understand software implementations can be overwhelming and it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness. This is why choosing a software vendor that can walk you through the process is so important. A trusted partner can help you with software implementation best practices and help keep costs low and functionality high.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida

ERP Software is not something you can set up and then just forget about for years. It requires regular checkups, upgrades, and assessments to meet the needs of your business.

Although regular checkups are necessary, it’s easy to get comfortable with what you have when it comes to software. Upgrades can scare users off because it means changes that they have to adjust to. Our human nature is to avoid change when possible, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right approach. The clues that changes are needed are often missed because we choose to ignore them, but if you set somewhat of a “timer” for your ERP Software, then you quickly run out of excuses.  If you have something else or even someone else, such as a trusted ERP software partner, reminding you to reassess your business, then you’re less likely to run into the problems that occur with outdated software.

Sometimes, not a lot of change is needed, but it is still essential that you re-evaluate your business processes often. Once you do this, you know what your software should and shouldn’t do. If you need help in setting a timer for your ERP Software or evaluating your business needs, feel free to contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

The people we work for can be one of two things:

1. Easy to work for and a huge help in completing projects
   OR
2. Difficult to please and simply impossible to figure out, making projects impossible to complete

If your situation classifies under #2, then you definitely need to be clever in the ERP Software selection process as well as extremely careful. Here are a few tips to help you keep your boss off your back and the right ERP solution in your hands!

• Develop a report of charts, graphs, and detailed data to show the due diligence in your research process as well as an audit trail. When your boss has hundreds of questions, this easy-to-read and understand data will save you time.
• Instead of using Excel to make your comparisons, consider using a decision support system for a more in-depth view into what ERP solution may be right for you.

In conclusion, working with an overbearing boss may not be an ideal situation. But as long as you keep him/her informed, it’s likely to curve some of their negative feedback. So our advice is to stay one step ahead of them and offer updates, statistical findings, and opinions in an organized format. They’re much more likely to get on board with your selection because of the hard work you put into it.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Change is inevitable, especially in the business and technology worlds. A survey done by Technology Evaluation Centers shows 76% of senior managers dissatisfied with enterprise software change capabilities.This study shows that companies are working with systems that don’t scale to today’s business needs. If companies aren’t able to easily change or adapt to new market trends, then it opens them up to significant risks. P.J. Jakovljevic, Principal Analyst at TEC says, “The lack of flexibility in systems to support business change is paralyzing some companies and cannot be underestimated”.

How does your ERP solution scale to your business needs? Is it easy to make changes? Or do you end up implementing new manual processes that manipulate your ERP software to do what you need it to do? If the last statement sounds true, then it may be time to look for a new solution that can handle the change you’re bound to go through.

Microsoft Dynamics® GP is robust business software that scales with you as you grow. It’s a perfect solution for those outgrowing their current accounting software, showing its capability to help businesses take the next steps in growth.

If you’re tired of being one of those senior managers dissatisfied with enterprise software change capabilities and want to learn more about an ERP solution that can handle change, contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

In this day and age, productivity is a direct result of automation. If your sales crew is focusing on bringing in new leads instead of manually entering or exporting information, then you’re on the right track. If they’re focusing more on the manual tasks at hand, then it is likely the productivity at your company is low.

The key here is to eliminate those manual processes and streamline the overall sales process with CRM software. CRM Software can speed up contact entry as well as sales team tasks. For example, in Microsoft Dynamics® CRM, you can set up reminders to contact a prospect on a certain day or time because it integrates and works hand in hand with Outlook. It keeps the sales team on task, as well as ensures they’re more efficient with their time. If a prospect or customer calls into them, they can also quickly bring up past information that makes the conversation go smoothly and possibly even pushes the close rate a bit higher.

Bottom line is if your sales team is worried or distracted by where all their information is or whether it’s up to date, then they don’t have the capacity to focus their attention on selling. It’s time to automate your sales crew and it’s possible to do that with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions to learn more.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida