Tips for adopting Microsoft Dynamics ERP

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If you were asked to rebuild an engine, there is a good chance that you would take your time and appreciate the complexity of the task ahead to make sure every step is taken carefully. This can be a monumental undertaking with numerous pitfalls that can trip up any project. It is also what many organizations are facing when it comes to implementing the latest business software solutions.

A recent article from MSDynamicsWorld examined the process of deploying Microsoft Dynamics ERP Business Intelligence. According to a study conducted by the company, a majority of business intelligence and analytics projects fail because those in charge are not fully aware of the levels of complexity that comes with it.

The article goes on to lay out several tips that organizations should heed when they are implementing this software. These come from a poll of the Business Intelligence consultants that make up the news source and have been involved with hundreds implementations. The tips include:

Understand the budget model – While there are features to convert budgets from Excel directly into Dynamics, this process can vary greatly depending on the scope and detail that is included. In some cases, this means organizations need to consider a more customized approach to make sure the information being ported can fit into Dynamics budget tables.

Mandatory fields without default values – Avoid wasting time that comes with setting mandatory fields only to leave default values to auto populate. Users need to know the correct entry definitions and target misclassification.

Leave dirty data – Moving away from an old system can be hard, but a new Dynamics database allows for a business intelligence perspective to be both old and new in a seamless chronological timeline. BI is effective at overseeing data quality. 

Don't feel restricted – Some may feel restricted by the options Dynamics NAV and AX provide when it comes to information delivery and access. There are many ways that an ERP system can have its access and delivery set and it can be geared for email, Internet, Excel, intranet, dashboard and more.

Excel can be part of the solution – While you may be moving on from Excel to something more complex, that does not mean Excel has no place. While some think it is outdated, Excel is growing and evolving and can still be a powerful tool.

Provide structure – To take advantage of functionality in Dynamics, structure is needed to make multiple, integrated reports effective.

Simplify sales analysis – Sales are a key to any business and making this analysis easier to read and understand, companies can make decisions faster and more effectively.

Know your strengthens – Before trying to create new systems and try something new, exploit Dynamic features to make sure that there is not something that you could be missing.

Define multi-level calendars – This is needed to improve daily, weekly and monthly reports. If you do not have these and other time periods defined, this data can be useless.

Having proper business management software solutions is key on the current business landscape. With the help of a quality consulting firm, any business will be able to manage these systems and find the right ones to deploy in the future.

Cloud based business software growing in popularity

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The business software landscape seems to be growing more crowded every day. However, this is also creating a widespread case of information overload as organizations deal with trying to capture, manage, store, preserve and deliver content, both structured and unstructured, as well as documents that are related to organizational processes. This is leading to an increase in the number of companies that are adopting enterprise content management (ECM) systems.

ECM, like most other software solutions, is available through the the cloud or in a hybrid system. According to a recent article from MS Dynamics World, some experts, including IDC analyst Melissa Webster, believe ECM has become a solution for the mixed deployment environments that will characterize IT for years to come.

The piece goes on to say that this should be the time where businesses that use Dynamic ERP systems should start considering pairing it with a cloud or hybrid version of ECM. Brian Anderson, the CTO of a software provider in Kansas, said that for typical Dynamics ERP customers, the motivation to explore hybrid ECM options would typically be driven by how the company interacts with vendors.

"If you're hosting Dynamics or having it hosted by someone else, then you should absolutely get close to the hybrid concept," Anderson said. "Or, if you're allowing your vendors to do self-service, for example, then you should get closer to the hybrid concept because that's going to give you a real and immediate bang for your buck."

Despite the benefits of moving to the cloud, a majority of organizations continue to rely heavily on the on-premise versions of the solutions. With the cloud gaining popularity, however, it should only be a matter of time before more enterprise business software solutions are converted and consumed primarily through a virtual platform.

Greg Milliken, the vice president of marketing for Dallas-based M-Files, told the news source that hybrid solutions are a  "huge, untapped opportunity," that more companies will start to invest in once the idea becomes more mainstream. Companies that have already invested in an on-premise Dynamics ERP solution will not make the switch easily, but organizations that are jumping into the waters for the first time are more likely to start with a cloud-based system.

This idea is something that Microsoft is already working toward. According to an article from ZDnet, earlier this month Microsoft launched Dynamics AX 2012 R3 ERP. It is also available through Microsoft Azure. This is the third of Microsoft's four ERP products that is available through the virtual platform, the others being Dynamics GP and Dynamics NAV.

"May 1 marked not only the general availability of Dynamics AX 2012 R3, but also a new apps and services framework for developing "Modern," a k a Windows 8/Windows Store apps that connect to Dynamics AX," the article reads. "Microsoft officials announced at Convergence in March 2014 plans to make this framework available to third-party developers for free."

The manufacturing software landscape is clearly growing more complex as the days go by. Trying pick the right solution can be complicated. This is where a software solution provider can help any company pick the right system.

Tips for improving an ERP solution

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For many businesses, the idea of upgrading a particular system can be nerve racking. This feeling in compounded when the system in question is something like an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software suite that has become a core tool for how an organization operates. In many cases, this can lead to a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality.

This is backed by a level of fear that is born out of fact. Traditionally, upgrading an ERP system was only something done when vendors were going to discontinue support, older skill sets for these systems were no longer needed or the system had clearly become outdated and presented hard-to-solve problems in order to keep running.

However, times have changed. New versions of popular systems like Microsoft Dynamics NAV are now releasing a new system update every year instead of the previous four-year release cycle that it had been following.

Regardless, investing in an ERP solution is not something to be taken lightly. This is not like upgrading an iPhone from iOS 5 to iOS 6. We are talking about a key solution that is used as part of core operations and could require new skills in order to be used successfully. This makes the expectations for a tangible return on investment higher than normal.

A recent article from MSDynamicsWorld featured a lengthy interview with Elliot Fishman, the CEO of a Microsoft Dynamics NAV and CRM service provider. He spoke about the changing ERP landscape and what organizations need to know in order to get the most out of any solution.

He mentioned that many company decision makers are starting to look into more things when it comes to selecting the right solution. This includes things like compliance and risk management.

"The most common situation is that companies grow and their needs change, sometimes very quickly, and the current implementation may not be supporting today's business needs very well," the article reads. "ERP systems don't automatically adapt to companies' changing needs, and at a certain point stakeholder intuitively know that investing in the old system makes little sense."

When it comes time to actually make an upgrade, there are multiple avenues that businesses can go down. Companies need to start with a detailed analysis of the current implementation to determine how many custom objects exist. This helps create context so organizations can more easily discuss what features of a new solution will have the greatest impact on their company. When you know what your challenge areas are, it becomes much easier to look through possible solutions and toss aside the ones that don't help you overcome them.

If you are partnering with a quality consulting firm, these pre-deployment steps are not only crucial for picking a new system, but can also be used to audit the existing software package to identify an additional areas that need to be addressed down the line.

There is a lot that can go into any ERP upgrade and this is just the tip of the iceberg. By partnering with a business software solution provider that specializes in manufacturing ERP software, any company can gain confidence when it comes to upgrading these complicated systems.

Capitalizing on a growing enthusiasm for usable manufacturing software

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Manufacturing initiatives need to seize the moment in order to help drive their optimization levels up, and although that's a rather vague statement, there's some clearer ways as how to proceed if you look at business manufacturing software. 

For some inspiring words on this topic, we can look to Eric Spiegel, the CEO of the US branch of Siemens, who recently told an interviewer for Bloomberg about the key asset that America will bring to the table as it pursues better results in domestic manufacturing: software.

"70 percent of the world's software is developed right here in the U.S." Spiegel said in a video featured on that website. "As manufacturing things like 3D printing take off software is really going to lead the way in that manufacturing renaissance. The U.S. is well positioned but we have to have the skills and we have to have the infrastructure."

So, if the strength of future manufacturing initiatives depends upon these things, the knowledge of these solutions that might serve as benefits could be a key factor of any kind of "renaissance" that might come about.

It's a good thing that the Manufacturing Business Times reports that there has been an 80 percent level of search terms that have been used this year in online searches, according to Google Trends data cited by this source.

This is clearly something that is being noticed by members of the industry, and if your business wants to stay current it can start researching Microsoft Dynamics NAV and some of the other solutions that Accent may be able to guide you through when it comes to installation.

More small businesses implementing ERP

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The "enterprise" is slowly being phased out of the term "enterprise resource planning". 

While there was once a time when ERP software solutions were designed almost exclusively for large corporate enterprises with hundreds of employees and myriad departments and applications, that attitude is shifting. ERP providers are scaling down their offerings and catering some solutions specifically for smaller businesses. Due to a number of factors, including the rapid proliferation of consumer electronics, even small businesses have the hardware required to run complex software programs to help the flow of their operations. As a result, more small businesses than ever before are obtaining business management systems such as ERP.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is one solution geared to smaller companies. Companies that work with a Microsoft business solutions partner can enjoy the benefits of this system, but it's imperative for small businesses to understand important factors pertaining to software implementation. In a recent post on the Dynamics NAV blog, NAV wholesale distribution specialist Gloria Braunschweig implored small business owners to understand the magnitude of their respective projects.

"If you own a small business, then you are the most important person in your company's ERP project," Braunschweig wrote. "Of all the deadly sins of software implementation, you as the owner and leader have the opportunity to commit or avoid more of them than anyone else in your organization."

Working with a highly skilled professional with extensive knowledge of the Dynamics NAV system will ensure that any small business is able to enjoy the benefits of an ERP software solution and maximize the potential of its system.

Microsoft still the top dog in business solutions

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If you ask the guy standing outside the Apple store four hours before its doors open to get the latest iPhone, he'll tell you Microsoft is a dying brand of technology. However, talk to any business professional who has the need for reliable applications to help run daily operations, and they'll say Microsoft is still tops. The corporate market is cornered by the Seattle-based tech giant, and as innovation changes the way we do business, Microsoft is only going to maintain its high position.

According to a report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), Microsoft's global market share is 17.1 percent, more than double IBM and Oracle, which landed at 8.5 and 8.1 percent respectively in 2012. Much of this is due to the company's commitment to finding solutions to help businesses grow and improve daily operations.

As big data becomes an increasingly important factor in a company's IT strategy, Microsoft is delivering solutions that help manage and store information. Henry Morris, IDC senior vice president, gave a statement about his organization's findings and shared why he believes Microsoft remains on top of the business software mountain. 

"The management and leveraging of information for competitive advantage is driving growth in markets associated with Big Data and analytics," Morris explained. "Similarly, rapid growth in cloud deployments is fueling growth in application areas associated with social business and customer experience. Both these initiatives require a reliable and secure infrastructure, driving investments in security and system/network management."

Manufacturers and distributors understand the value in solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV because it allows them to conduct pertinent tasks and share information efficiently with one another. Now, as the term cloud computing increases its prominence in business tech lexicon, Microsoft is once again showing its ability to cater to the corporate circle.

Working with a Microsoft business solutions partner will allow companies to obtain the solutions they need to run their operations. 

Microsoft Dynamics NAV works to innovate its offerings

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Microsoft knows the importance of business technology innovation. As systems evolve and processes change, businesses need solutions designed to keep up. That's why Microsoft is constantly working to improve the performance of its Dynamics NAV ERP systems.

The company's latest effort is the development of a ubiquitous system that can exist across a vast landscape of devices and environments. In today's increasingly mobile world, phrases such as bring-your-own-device (BYOD) are a major part of the corporate lexicon. Employees are bringing their smartphones and tablets into offices, factories and warehouses and they want to use them to help do their jobs. Microsoft's role in promoting these types of policies is creating a system that can run on a myriad of machines ranging from an iPhone to a traditional Windows-run PC.

Jesper Raebild, senior product marketing manager at Microsoft, spoke at Convergence 2013 last week to discuss these efforts in greater detail.

"We have infinite places to work from," Raebild said. "We no longer have the Role Tailored client. That doesn't exist anymore. We have the Windows client, the SharePoint client, the Web client. We now have Microsoft Dynamics NAV on devices with Web browsers. We support multiple browsers and, hence, multiple devices."

The idea of running ERP systems on mobile devices is a relatively new concept, but it is gaining stream. Today, more organizations than ever before have adopted mobile usage policies. The use of handheld devices allows workers to efficiently manage data and conduct tasks on the go, which can be essential in locations where ERP systems are used.

Ultimately, while mobile usage is an example of ERP innovation, there are other ways Microsoft is benefiting its customers by improving its systems. Working with a certified Microsoft Dynamics NAV reseller will help companies keep up with new features and services.

Microsoft’s new venture shows versatility of Dynamics NAV systems

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Microsoft Dynamics NAV has been a preferred ERP solution in the small business realm for years. Today, it hopes to expand its clientele by seeking out enterprise-level customers as well.

According to an article in ComputerWorld, Microsoft's business software solution has begun to attract a number of organizations that would otherwise have signed with enterprise-focused providers. Microsoft has accomplished this by showing its versatility and ability to scale itself to meet customer needs.

During the Convergence conference in New Orleans this week, executives from cosmetics manufacturer Revlon explained why they chose to replace their business systems with a Microsoft Dynamics NAV solution. CIO David Giambruno explained during an onstage interview that the company didn't favor a traditional fit but rather looked for the best possible system.

"We were an equal-opportunity ERP acquirer," Giambruno said. "The effort in pulling all the information together, while effective, wasn't efficient. My job is to make systems work for people, not people work for systems. We're literally collapsing it into one ERP globally."

While Microsoft's Dynamics NAV system is still typically preferred by small businesses, the fact that it can support large enterprises should give companies confidence that their solution will be able to adapt to any future changes. For example, if a company adopts a Dynamics system and then starts to grow, it can do so with confidence knowing that its ERP solution will scale with it.

Ultimately, businesses need technology to cater to their specific operations, but it's important for the software to not lock them into a specific series of processes. In today's uncertain economy, it's difficult to know what the immediate future holds. By investing in a NAV system, organizations will at least know their software will be there to support them along the way.