More Isn’t Always Better…Unless You Have Powerful Technology

With offices on both coasts and distribution facilities scattered throughout the country, how does a leading distributor keep tabs on inventory?  The secret is in the technology.  Managing volumes of inventory, in real-time, with numerous distribution facilities can be a challenge to say the least.  Adding customers, product lines, and reconfiguring distribution routes can make a complicated process even more complicated.  Add control and insight by using the right technology, such as Microsoft Dynamics® ERP.

The volumes of data generated by a distributor cannot be trusted to spreadsheets or weak specialty computer programs.  Tracking thousands to millions of products, inventory levels, customer contracts and specifications, financial, and other critical data is best left to a powerhouse solution, like those offered in the Microsoft Dynamics ERP suite of solutions.  These comprehensive business management solutions offer the ability to manage high volumes of products and complicated distribution scenarios.  Streamline demand forecasting and planning, with Microsoft Dynamics ERP, so that you always have the inventory you need without over-stocking the warehouse.  Additional warehouse management functions will make it easier to keep tabs on available inventory, as well as which warehouse it may be located in.  You don’t need to buy extra inventory when you have what you need at one of your distribution centers.

There is nothing traditional or simple about distribution networks anymore.  You may ship products direct to the customer from a supplier or filter them through a distribution center.  Electronic data interface (EDI) can be integrated between suppliers and customers to streamline transactions and shipments, which can save resources as well as money.  Having all of this data at your fingertips, and monitoring data from your RoleTailored dashboard, will make it easier to keep tabs on your inventory – where it is located, where it is being shipped, and what it costs.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP includes business intelligence features that offer insight into your business operations.  Analyzing labor and expenses behind specific operations will give you the opportunity to review and refine cost structures.  Through careful analysis of your business data, you may be able to increase profit margins, cut waste, reduce expenses, and pass on savings to your customers.

Distribution operations are often complex and change rapidly with regular additions of customers and product lines.  More customers and more products isn’t a good thing, unless you can control your data with the right technology.  Contact Collins Computing (info@collinscomputing.com) for more information about managing a complicated business with a powerful Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution.

Save the Date!

SmartList Builder returns to it's original author, eOne Solutions

Effective January 1^st, 2014 SmartList Builder for Dynamics GP will no longer be offered or supported by Microsoft.  Microsoft is transferring the ongoing sales, maintenance and support of SmartList Builder back to eOne Solutions , it's original author.

Collins Computing and eOne will work together to ensure the process is simple and seamless.  Existing clients who are current on enhancement will transition 'free'.  The product remains unchanged so you have no compatibility or upgrade issues.  Everything will remain 'same old' but you will find SLB continues to get better with all the exciting enhancements eOne is adding.

Here are a couple Q&A's about the change...

Why are these changes taking place? 
There are a number of reasons behind eOne’s decision to discontinue the SmartList Builder OEM agreement. 

1. Development: Working within the OEM we were limited to Microsoft protocol as to additional functionality we were able to add to SmartList Builder. We are now able to move past those limits and be as creative as we like to be at eOne - to add all the functionality we dream up.

2. Mid-Market Customer Needs: Mid-Market companies use many software applications as part of their business systems – not just Dynamics GP. We have a great deal of demand from customers wanting to access NON GP data in their SmartLists. This will be one of the first new pieces of functionality you will see added to SmartList Builder.  

3. Web Client: With the release of a web client it was important for us to continue a world class offering to our clients. While SLB has been completely transitioned to the web client already – our broader strategy for SLB is tied to SmartView and the delivery of SmartView as a browser experience (without Web Client dependencies).

4. Mobile/Devices:  iPads, Surfaces and SmartPhones are all part of our SmartList Builder strategy.

5. Success of Extender Transition: The transition of Extender back to eOne in 2013 has progressed smoothly. We have been inspired by the way partners are still actively selling Extender and as a result selling more Dynamics GP. We believe we can support our partners better and help them sell even more Dynamics GP by getting our hands in full control of SLB.

6. Tighter Integration: eOne is passionate about making ALL our products work together within the eOne stack. Inside the OEM agreement it was not possible to build in specific functionality to support non-OEM eOne products. We are now able to significantly improve the integrations between SmartList Builder, Extender, SmartConnect, SmartView and other upcoming eOne products.

7. Taking Control: As a business, eOne prides itself on being clever and creative, making strong decisions and acting on them rapidly. We are very proud of our internal systems, reporting and order processing portal for our partners. Relying on a company as large as Microsoft with inherently complex systems was an ongoing and unnecessary distraction.

8. Confused Direction: As an OEM partner – we were at times left in the dark when it came to understanding where the Microsoft corporate direction clashed with the local GP team’s vision. To ensure we were the masters of our own direction we needed full control over SmartList Builder including development, sales, marketing and promotions.

 

What do I need to do as a SLB client?

1. If you are currently a SmartList Builder client, then there is nothing you need to do at all. Sit back, keep using SmartList Builder, Excel Report Builder and all the good functionality you have available to you now.

 

 If you have any questions, please contact your Collins Account Manager or click here.