With so many software solutions out in the market, we know it’s not always easy to decide on which Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is right for you. To offer a suggestion and help answer questions on which Microsoft Dynamics product would be best suited for you, we’ve come up with a handy chart (included below) that outlines the features and modules included in each software solution.

While we outline the modules and features that each software is best known for, this chart merely serves as a guide. Contact us today for any additional questions or for more tips on which Microsoft Dynamics product can best suit your business’ needs. 

Linz Tan, Web Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc., a 2014 Ontario Business Achievement Award Winner for Service Excellence

Nowadays, technologies change so quickly that it becomes challenging for executives to keep a pulse on the different things going on in the tech industry and sometimes even manage so many options out in the market. From on-premise to cloud, from desktop to mobile – it may be hard to believe, but those significant shifts happened with ERP software just in the past couple of years. Here are 3 trends that we’re forecasting will change the ERP software industry in the next 5 years.

Consumerization

As 75% of the global workforce will consist of millennials by 2025, ERP vendors should be prepared. ERP solutions will likely become easier and more intuitive to use as well as reflect the experience of the most popular social media platforms. Millennials like to get access to technology immediately, so it’s likely that ERP systems will become accessible from any smartphone.

Step into the future with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which is already available on smartphones and tablets. Download our free Microsoft Dynamics NAV trial right now!

Business Intelligence and Data

When a Manufacturing Order (MO) receipt posting is interrupted, it will not allow a user to receive the MO again. If this occurs, one should first check the MO variance (Inquiry > Manufacturing > Order Variance) window within Dynamics GP. The MO variance is always a good indication as to what happened to the goods. If the MO variance has zero quantities or dollars in the consumed column, one would assume they may receive the MO.

If Dynamics GP provides an error informing the user that units are not available to be received when attempting to receive the MO, one should check the database. To do this, run the following SQL statement:

select * from MOP1000 where MANUFACTUREORDER_I = 'MO number'

Check if there are quantities in the QTYRECVD and QTYSOLD columns. Since posting is interrupted, it may have created values in the QTYRECD column and hence the MO cannot be received.


Update the MOP1000 table and set the QTYRECVD back to zero. This will allow you to receive the MO.

Katrina She, CMA, Application Specialist, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As a small business owner, you always think about new solutions to increase revenues and boost your company’s growth. ERP software is definitely one of those things that can help improve your business’ efficiency but, as everything in life, it can have some pitfalls. What are the pros and cons of ERP for small businesses? We examine them below:

ERP Pros

• Increased productivity - By storing all the data in one place, it makes it much easier and faster for your employees to get the necessary information and focus on working towards the business’ goals for success rather than spending time contacting other employees from different departments.
• Improved collaboration – A robust ERP system will help improve collaboration between teams by providing easy access to data to help make decisions quicker.
• Lower operating costs - With one ERP system, you don’t need to spend money on separate software for each department.
• Generate business insights – An ERP software performs analysis on different processes, so it makes the process of a decision-making smoother and more comfortable with accurate data.
• Improved security - ERP systems provide advanced security settings, so you can rest easy knowing that your data is well-secured.

ERP Cons

• High price - It’s no surprise that ERP implementation and its further use are followed by significant expenses. But the modern market of ERP software can provide you different price options for any budget. As an example, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales, starts from only $48.60 per user/month.
• Staff training - Usually, it takes a significant amount of time and effort for employees to learn new software. But thanks to WebSan University, you can make this process faster and more efficient.
• High risk – The ERP implementation process can become a problem for a small company because of challenges of data migration from an old system to a new one. Our advice: Have patience and read about 3 Biggest Failure Cases of ERP Implementation and How You Can Avoid the Same Mistakes for some tips.

Alina Hura, Digital Content Creator, WebSan Solutions Inc., a 2014 Ontario Business Achievement Award Winner for Service Excellence

Inefficient organizational software can negatively impact how your manufacturing business is run. Whether it be due to complications with understanding manufacturing variances or failure to effectively track time and materials for a job, having an efficient and easy to use operating system will help to relieve some of the most troubling aspects of manufacturing that affects the productivity of your business. Here are three ways in which ERP software can help improve your manufacturing operations:

Automating business operations

If you’re preparing your business for further growth in the future, you may be considering how to help your operations grow with it. With an ERP system, manufacturing companies are able to automate all business operations, allowing you the flexibility to configure the system to suit your company’s changing needs. ERP systems are not one-size-fits-all, but instead they are configured, so allow for personal customization.

Maintaining your customer base

With increasing competition swaying customers with lower prices or claiming to have the best available products, it’s become even more imperative to find new ways to stand out and deliver exceptional service for your customers. Gain real time information on your company’s operations to help prevent disruptions and delays, as well as break up informational logjams to help both your staff and users make decisions more quickly and effectively.

View our free webinars | Take our FREE ERP Assessment

According to World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rank, Canada ranked the 2nd country in the world for starting a business (New Zealand took the 1st place if you're curious). Vancouver and Toronto always make the lists of the best cities for startups. So, what makes Canada so attractive for entrepreneurs?

Access to Governmental Funding

Canadian government encourages people to start a new business through providing a variety of grants, loans, and tax credits. You can find a financial support program “for every taste” -  it can be regional, industry-specific or just general business support. For example, you can get up to 50% of a tax credit for your R&D investments with the help of SR&ED. This has attracted a number of tech geniuses to launch their startups in Canada.

Great Talent

The menu bar in Microsoft Dynamics GP helps a user to easily manoeuvre around Great Plains. To optimize this feature, you can benefit from modifying and adding commonly used buttons in the menu bar. You can add buttons that fall under a variety of categories such as Financial, Sales, Purchasing, Inventory and Manufacturing.

In the menu bar, right click to add buttons:

Users are not limited to the default buttons presented in Great Plains. Buttons can be customized depending on the features that your business will need. 

To customize a button, right click on “Customize,” then choose the “Main” option and click “Add” to follow along the menu path to select which button you’d like to add. 

To learn more about Microsoft Dynamics GP’s capabilities, download our FREE interactive demo!

Is your company considering expanding its business across Canada? If so, Microsoft Dynamics GP has some fantastic features and functions that can assist your organization during its transition that will help ease the restructuring process:

Multicurrency Management – With the multicurrency management function, your organization can automatically perform currency conversions for all accounting transactions and seamlessly record realized or unrealized gains and losses in your organization. This allows you to seamlessly move money between currencies and streamline your foreign currency cash flow management.

Cloud Based Reporting – Gone are the days where a company’s systems and networks were fixed to one location. With Dynamics GP now available on the Cloud, you’ll be able to reduce the necessity for travel time and expenses and perform all your accounting, operations management, and reporting from anywhere and anytime.

Human Resource Management – Ensure that your company’s quality and standards are maintained. Utilize the human resource management features to attract potential new employees and automatically analyze and identify the best candidates that match your company’s desired skill sets. Additional features also include: customizable employee scheduling and pay rates, performance evaluation tools, as well as employee self-service features.

Unsure if Dynamics GP applies to your field of business? Contact Us and find out which Microsoft Dynamics product will best suit your business needs today.

Deciding whether to invest in an ERP software can be difficult. The price of the software can be discouraging, let alone navigating the learning curve required to properly integrate the software with your company’s day-to-day activities. With more and more businesses turning to ERP to manage their operations however, can you afford to miss out? Ask yourself the following questions and see if now is the time to switch over to an ERP system:

1. Are you using multiple systems to accommodate the needs of each individual department?

Communication and transparency are essential for a company’s operations to run smoothly. When various systems are running separately and the data received from each department isn’t synchronized, then issues involving processing errors and information logjams are all the more likely to occur.

2. Do you or your staff spend more than 3 hours to complete repetitive tasks?

As a business grows, so too does the amount of data and information that will need to be dealt with. This can mean hours upon hours spent on managing invoices, inputting sales orders, updating inventory, etc. and using time that could have been spent on more lucrative or productive activities.

It’s no surprise that every business somehow uses Excel in their everyday routine. It’s the easiest and the most popular tool to organize your company’s data. But eventually your data starts to outgrow Excel possibilities. Here are 3 signs that your business needs to switch from spreadsheets to more advanced accounting software.

1. Your spreadsheets aren’t manageable anymore

If finding a single figure in your spreadsheet makes you feel tired, angry and irritated, it’s a sure sign that you need a database. Once your spreadsheet reaches 100,000 rows, it will slow down your computer and make it almost impossible to find necessary information. A comprehensive solution like Microsoft Dynamics GP can easily store your data with a possibility to create powerful and useful reports for your business. 

2. You use advanced Excel functions on a daily basis

Stop overwhelming yourself with advanced Excel functions every single day. If you use such functions as VLOOKUP, PIVOT and SUMIF, you just don’t need Excel anymore. Consider looking into a new accounting system, which can produce stronger calculations. Moreover, it’s much easier to use.

Out of the many reasons employees choose to leave a company, majority are likely to point back to a problem with how a company decides to manage their employees. According to Forbes, three common reasons that have motivated employees to quit is if the employee feels intellectually stifled, they lack autonomy, and/or they feel as if though their work is unrecognized and unappreciated. If you’re worried about losing your best and brightest, see how ERP software implementation can help you address some of these concerns.

Dealing with unchallenged employees

Repetitive tasks such as entering order entries or entering General Ledger Reconciliation and Collections can be labour intensive, creating unmotivated and unhappy employees. With built in automation functions however, these tasks can be completed in minutes, allowing your employee to use their time more productively and apply their efforts to more worthwhile tasks.

Lack of autonomy

To micromanage or to establish various security protocols that hinders your employee’s ability to do their jobs can easily make an employee feel as if they aren’t trusted to make basic decisions in their work. ERP software such as Dynamics GP resolves this issue through employee portals, which allows employees rights to access necessary information and to communicate with other members of the team for help or assistance.

Here at WebSan Solutions, we strive to provide our customers and the Dynamics GP community with insightful and relevant information. Throughout the years, our support team has written articles based on common issues that users have come across and we have gotten wonderful feedback from the community. Here is a list of some our most popular blogs about Microsoft Dynamics GP:

1. Common EFT Issues in Microsoft Dynamics GP 
2. Report Writer Tricks #1: Copy Formatting from an Exisiting Report for a Company 
3. Bank Transfer Common Mistakes 
4. Resolving The “File not found: VBA6.dll” Error
5. Report Writer Tricks #2: Importing Modified Reports Without Kicking Out Users 
6. Copying Custom VBA Forms 
7. Why Doesn’t my GL Match my Sub-Ledger? 
8. Why Aren’t My Cash Receipts Displaying in The Bank Reconciliation? 
9. Emailing Customer Statements 
10. Vat Daybook in Dynamics GP

If you are looking for Microsoft Dynamics GP training and support, look no further! We offer exceptional customer service! View our Dynamics GP support plans and visit WebSan University.

Natalie Williams, Marketing Manager, WebSan Solutions Inc., a 2014 Ontario Business Achievement Award Winner for Service Excellence

As we’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, an ERP system is not a quick fix to all of your company’s problems. At times, it may even be difficult to measure whether your company is gaining any benefits from implementing your ERP software. If you’re doubting the effectiveness of the software, I suggest reviewing the following areas of your business first:

Tracking Customer Service Experiences: In today’s market, providing outstanding customer service can be the determining factor on whether a customer will choose to do business with you or a competitor. An ERP software puts you in control of the consumer buying journey, enabling you to track online customer experiences, line item fill rates and ensure delivery times to your customers. You’ll be able to compare these measures with previous results to identify trends and determine if the ERP software is making a difference in your company.

 Measuring Profit Margins: If you’ve ever taken a business course, then you’ve probably heard of the ’80 – 20’ rule, which states that 80% of a company’s revenue is typically generated by 20% of its total customers. An ERP software can influence your overall strategy, allowing you to concentrate your sales efforts and target your more profitable customers. Once again, the results can be measured and compared with historical data.

Impacts of Inventory Management: One of the key features of an ERP software is its ability to manage and track inventory. Not only does this allow your company to better meet consumer and production demands, but also ensures your company will not be spending more on excess stock and tying up additional capital and resources.

If you’re still wondering if your ERP system is working out for you, why not try and take a free ERP assessment? Click here for more information.

Download one of our free Microsoft Dynamics Demos

ERP configuration is one of the most crucial steps in your implementation process. Part of what makes ERP systems effective with improving productivity and efficiencies within an organization is that it’s not a one size fits all product. For every organization, ERP software will function differently to best meet your company’s own data, parameters, fields and workflow in order to ensure that your employees are receiving and sharing accurate information with one another.

Proper configuration of your ERP system is crucial for ensuring both financial and reporting accuracy within your company. Prior to implementing an ERP software, start by finding an ERP platform that best matches with your business processes and understand the needs of each of your department as well. Failure to do can result in spending thousands of wasted dollars on ERP add-ons and additional customizations.

Although it is a difficult task, it is not impossible to learn how to configure your ERP systems by yourself. However, ERP consultants exist for a reason. For a fixed fee, various companies offer both on premise as well as online instructions for proper ERP implementation. It is highly recommended that individuals with limited IT knowledge contact a consultant, as clients who fail to successfully implement their ERP systems by themselves are likely to be costing themselves more money in the long run.

For those interested in learning more about ERP systems and features, click here to visit our YouTube channel for discussions and product tutorials. Feel free to also contact us for any additional question or inquiries you may have regarding Microsoft Dynamics products.

According to the latest statistics from RightScale 2017 State of the Cloud Report, current cloud adoption among companies is 95%. This could mean that we’re not too far away from having 100% of companies who will use the cloud for their daily tasks. There is no better time than now to think about moving your ERP system to the cloud. Here are 3 reasons why you will benefit from it.

Lower Costs

The most common and the most attractive benefit is, of course, price. A cloud-based ERP system offers lower upfront and operating costs - you wouldn’t need to spend a huge amount of money on hardware, purchasing the ERP solution itself and hiring staff to maintain it.  A cloud-based ERP system requires only flat-rate monthly fees, which will make your life much easier and become a less costly option for your business.

Quicker Access to Information

With a cloud-based ERP system, you don’t need to spend much time to perform your daily business operations. Once you have an Internet connection, you can access to your ERP system anywhere you want. It makes much easier to spend time outside the office and still stay on top of everything that happens with your business.

For many companies, the Cloud is still considered new and unfamiliar territory. For the uninitiated, the Cloud refers to the ability to share, store and process information through a network of servers. With Cloud hosting, a company’s online resources will be spread across various web servers, allowing companies to freely transmit and access their data outside of their place of work. The Cloud is more than just a place for companies to store their data however, and once integrated will actually shape the way organizations do business in the future. For companies considering moving their business to the Cloud, here are several changes you may expect to occur:

Expect a change in your IT Infrastructure:

Should you decide to move to the Cloud with a fully managed service provider, time consuming activities such as server maintenance and resource management will be handled by your Cloud-based service provider. As a result, companies have reported having to reassign their CTOs and IT directors to undertake additional tasks and roles such as managing IT expenses and strategic planning.

Prepare for an increasingly fast paced work environment:

According to a HBR-Verizon survey report, 75% of businesses state that the Cloud reduced business complexity, 61% claimed that it increased employee productivity, and 53% stated it increased response time with customers. With its automated tools, business operations have become more streamlined and allowed for greater flexibility for companies to enter new markets and for faster rollout for new businesses initiatives and exploit new opportunities.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 offers users different ways to customize their home page and area pages. You can add content areas to your Home Page, such as To Do, Quick Links, Microsoft Connect, Business Analyzer and Reports.

You can also modify the layout and change your home page role. Click the "Customize this page..." link at the top of the content pane on your Home Page to open the Customize Home Page window.

In the "Column Stack" section, select the desired arrangement. Choosing "Right" places the minimized windows at the right side of the screen, 'Top' would place them at the top, etc. This will make navigating the menus easier for you. If you are interested in viewing all the menu categories, the "Bottom" arrangement will make them look more organized.

Download our FREE Microsoft Dynamics GP Interactive Demo and see Dynamics GP in action! 

Doriana Kote, Web Marketing Coordinator, WebSan Solutions Inc., a 2014 Ontario Business Achievement Award Winner for Service Excellence

Take our FREE ERP Assessment

Even though ERP vendors try to make implementation as smooth as possible, there are still some challenges that may come along the way. It takes a lot of time for employees to get used to the new software and start to get benefits from it but there's a way to make this transition faster. Below are three tips on how to make an ERP system implementation more comfortable for your employees.

1. Build an ERP system around existing business processes

Often, business processes of a company are adjusted to an ERP system. But it's a big mistake. To start getting benefits from an ERP system as soon as possible, it's better to identify all the gaps in the company and then build an ERP system around existing business processes.  

2. Establish trust with your ERP implementation partner

Take our FREE ERP Assessment

Who are the millennials? Known by some to be lazy, narcissistic, impatient but extremely tech-savvy and ambitious generation with a willingness to change the world. According to Environics Analytics, millennials make up 37% of the Canadian labor force now, and this number is expected to rise to 75% by 2028. They have high expectations for everything, so how they can change the way ERP software is implemented?

1. Accessible Anywhere, Anytime

Millennials want data to be available whenever and wherever they want it - and it relates not only to mobile access. They invented the term "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD), which means that they want to see all the necessary data on their personal devices. In this case, an ERP system needs to be flexible, mobile and easily accessible.

2. User-Friendly Interface

Contemplating the security of your company’s data or server backups may make you want to just keep your head in the clouds. Although much consideration should be made when deciding between going hosted or on-premise for your ERP system, going hosted offers some crucial benefits that cannot be overlooked. Here are the top three reasons why switching to hosted for your ERP system is worth the effort:

1.Security

Going hosted means that you no longer need to worry about the state and security of your data. Your hosting provider’s data center can ensure that data is backed up. You can go about your day knowing that you’ll always have access to your data.

2.Technical Know-How

Securing your data in the cloud and having a hosting vendor means that you can leave all the technical terms to the guys who know them best. You no longer have to think of “customizations,” “compliance” or “rebooting” and instead focus on the data at hand and performing your day to day tasks.