VOL 1 ISSUE 1
WHAT’S NEW
Clients First introduces Innovative
ERP Recession Delivery Model
- a no-gimmick methodology that
permits businesses to implement
Microsoft Dynamics ERP software
with no risk and at a substantial
cost savings over traditional approaches.
continue reading...
VIEW FROM 2
There will NEVER be a better time
to invest in your business if an ERP
solution is under consideration. Let
us tell you why…
continue reading...
INDUSTRY FOCUS
Twinings North America employs
some 55 people to handle product sales, importation logistics, distribution, and customer service. They place a premium on keeping their operations very lean and efficient.Before working with Clients First, Twinings used a business and financial management solution, which concentrated on technology for food and beverage manufacturers, but that was growing increasingly expensive.
continue reading...
NAV NEWS
Microsoft releases Dynamics NAV
2009. NAV 2009 simplifies access
to user information, improves organizational agility and integrates
seamlessly with a wide range of
applications.
continue reading...
NAV ADD - ONS
At Clients First, we’re always looking for expertly developed add-ons
to help increase the value of our
solutions. When we discovered
Lanham & Associates Advanced
Forecasting & Procurement AddOn, built directly into Microsoft
Dynamics NAV, we knew we had
a product we could stand behind.
continue reading...
NAV TIPS
Do you understand the purpose of
the G/L Setup for Posting Dates
vs. the User Setups for Posting
Dates? Neither do most users of
NAV.
continue reading...
WHAT’S NEW
Clients First delivers Innovative ERP
Recession Delivery Model (RDM)
Microsoft Dynamics™ ERP Solutions at a LOW COST with NO RISK!
Delivering affordable ERP business solutions in tough economic times requires a no-nonsense,
innovative approach. Many businesses can benefit from a new business software solution
through improved efficiency, productivity, customer service, and by gaining a competitive advantage; but they can’t afford the investment or risk. Clients First has introduced a nogimmick methodology that permits businesses to implement Microsoft Dynamics ERP
software with no risk and at a substantial cost savings over traditional approaches.
RDM provides the following customer benefits:
• No upfront costs for software or maintenance
• No complicated legal agreements
• Stop the project at any time with no further obligations
• Customer is assured software expectations are met prior to any purchase or lease
• Conserves cash with minimal upfront professional services investment
• Customers proceed at their own pace
• Reduces implementation cost by as much as 50%
For more information contact Jeffrey Warwick, Vice President of Sales at (732) 970-1450.
There will NEVER be a better time to invest in your
business if an ERP solution is under consideration
ERP solutions typically add 2% to 6% to the bottom line for reasons that
include:
• Effective inventory management, forecasting, and replenishment optimizes inventory, increases turns, and reduces the amount of dead and slow turning stock.
Experts indicate a 15% to 20% cost reduction and cash flow improvement
based on decreased stock, handling, and shelf space costs.
• Improved customer service augmented by technology keeps customers from
leaving for that desperate competitor who is low balling their prices during the recession to stay afloat. Better customer and value added services means
better customer retention and helps insure long term customer loyalty.
• Reducing DSO (day’s sales outstanding) by even a few days due to improved billing
engines, electronic transmittal of invoices, integrated payment receiving (including
credit cards), and proactive collections management considerably improves access to cash.
• World class companies leverage technology while optimizing their business processes to gain efficiency and productivity. The deployment of ERP technology provides the opportunity to improve the bottom line by redesigning and optimizing these processes.
• ERP solutions can dramatically reduce the amount of paper handling and filing.
There are many studies that show, depending on company size, a saving of 10’s if
not 100’s of thousands per year when all the costs of searching, filing, and printing,
storing and disposing of paper are reviewed.
• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) dramatically reduces data entry costs and errors
and allows you to get preferred status with your vendors.
Client’s First
- Sheldon D. Kralsteien
CEO
“
Through the
innovation of RDM
Clients First is
changing the way the
industry delivers
business solutions”
says Sheldon D.
Kralstein, CEO. “
This practical
methodology clearly
reduces both cost
and risk and
permits business
people to make
informed
decisions with
significantly less
stress.
“
VIEW FROM 2
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VIEW FROM 2
There will NEVER be a better time to invest in your
business if an ERP solution is under consideration
Waiting Costs Money …most ROI and payback analysis show that ERP implementations have a payback of less than 3 years and provide companies the opportunity to
increase revenue with better bottom line profits. There usually is a significant lost
opportunity cost by waiting that can never be realized.
Prices that will never again be this low!
• No matter how you word it, the US has seen rapid deflation in the past
two quarters. In order to not damage future prospects companies are
offering unheard of incentives. You can literally get a 33% discount on an
American car. Gasoline is 75% less than a year ago and 30% to 50% less
than the average in the last 10 years or so (inflation adjusted.) Companies
would rather sell inventory at a loss than have to auction it and
you the purchaser (business or consumer) can greatly benefit.
• ERP publishers are feeling the hurt. As these publicly traded vendors approach quarter and year ends,
their willingness to be financially “creative” is at levels we’ve never seen. Whether it’s an off the cuff
discount, free modules, users, extended support or maintenance, subsidized financing etc, we
are seeing discounts that are double or triple industry norms. These will disappear as the economy
recovers and the pent up demand will drive up the cost of services by 10% to 20%.
Inflation will drive up prices … Economists predict that the Federal Reserve will not contract the money
supply fast enough as the economy improves.This will likely cause a serious inflation problem as the money supply will double at the end of the recession resulting in sky-rocketing wages. A leaner workforce
supported by technology and optimized business processes positions well run companies to
gain a true competitive advantage.
Stimulus Incentives … recently enacted allow you to deduct 100% of your software and services assuming the system is put into service this year. Historically, a technology solution is depreciated over a
5 year period. Section 179 deductions have temporarily and dramatically been increased. If you
have a profit this year you save significant taxes. If you have accumulated significant deferred revenue from prior years this is a great way to offset the income as significant tax rate increases are pending
in Congress.
No Cash Flow impact … leasing companies are offering subsidized programs where you can make no
payments for 6 to 12 months. Their models show a cash flow neutral scenario with the ROI improvements
covering the lease payments. These programs take the cash flow concerns off the table permitting
businesses to invest in new technology today.
This economic downturn can be viewed with fear or as an opportunity to invest in your business. By leveraging ERP technology and optimizing business processes your organization can improve productivity,
increase efficiency, and position itself for a real competitive advantage at a cost that is far less than it will
be in the future.
Those who are afraid and act as such survive, while those that seize the opportunity rise to the
top to achieve a world class status and prosper accordingly. The choice is yours but definitely worth
reflection and consideration.
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NAV NEWS
Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
Microsoft releases the latest version of the NAV product – Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009. Microsoft Dynamics NAV
2009 simplifies access to user information, improves organizational agility and integrates seamlessly with a wide
range of applications. It enables enhanced reporting, and offers increased functionality, operates with concurrent
users and effectively scales along with your business.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 enables:
• Enhanced personal productivity with RoleTailored views that allow your team
to accomplish more every day by providing a clear overview of daily
tasks and relevant information
• You to connect, adapt and grow through the flexible three-tier architecture,
which simplifies the process of adding additional functionality, and allows you
to scale your solution as your business grows
• Improved Data Exchange through web services, which allow you to
easily share information with other business applications while maintainin
data integrity and security
• Better use of data, with enhanced reporting and new layouts that allow for
visually appealing reports that communicate information effectively
• A high return on investment because it integrates seamlessly with the other
Microsoft Office programs you already use, and allows your employees
to access programs such as Outlook, Excel and Word right from their Role
Centers, so they can easily find, use and share information.
To learn more about how a Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 upgrade or installation can help improve your business,
and your bottom line, talk to Clients First today. We speak your language, we know your business and we’re here
to help you make the right decision for your unique situation.
NAV TIPS
Do you understand the purpose of the G/L Setup for Posting Dates vs. the User Setups for Posting Dates? Neither
do most users of NAV. Most people setup each user and choose their posting dates, and ignore the G/L Setups…
This is a HUGE Risk, because the Adjust Cost routine considers the G/L Posting Setups - and ignores the User Setups. The Best Practice Tip – Leave the user setup blank, except for the exception users – and just change the G/L
Setups on a monthly basis. Allow the G/L Setups to post only to the current month.
If there is a user who needs to be permitted to post to a prior
period, change the posting dates on the User Setup screen.
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NAV ADD - ONS
For Manufacturers and Distributors
As a manufacturer or distributor, inventory is your largest and most costly asset. Effectively managing your inventory
can have a serious impact on your ability to meet and exceed customer expectations, as well as on your revenues.
At Clients First, we’re always looking for expertly developed add-ons to help increase the value of our solutions. For many of our clients, that means seeking
out ways to help improve inventory management and procurement. When we
discovered Lanham & Associates Advanced Forecasting & Procurement
Add-On, built directly into Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we knew we had a product
we could stand behind.
Lanham’s AFP product works in both the distribution and manufacturing spaces,
and enables you to improve your forecasting and procurement processes through
the unique approach of incorporating vital forecasting and replenishment functions
into a single system, which results in “Total Access to Data”.
For the Distributor or Manufacturer:
• Formula Based Forecasting - Best Fit Formula Approach.
• Use Collaborative forecast to fine tune your overall forecast.
• Use Vendor forecast to help your vendors anticipate your future needs.
• Roll-Up usage history and demand based on replenishment path to get a view of your
entire supply chain.
• Identify surplus inventory and re-deploy to reduce total inventory.
• Use the unique Lead Time Horizon replenishment method for long lead times typical
when importing products.
• Use the suggested order to review products by vendor, including the calculation details
of the recommendation.
Specifically for the Distributor:
• Automated Calculation of Vendor Lead Times to the Warehouse, Vendor, and Item
levels.
• Branch replenishment, including consigned inventory replenishment.
• Order Point, Line Point, and EOQ calculations for short to medium lead times.
• Lead Time Horizon calculations for longer lead times.
• Non-Stock and Special Order item processing.
• Full support for NAV Kit Processing. (NAV Versions 5.0 and newer)
Specifically for the Manufacturer:
• Use AFP Production to forecast finished goods and create simulated production orders
for the planning horizon.
• Component demand is considered by the suggested order when purchasing
components for production.
• Can be used in conjunctions with NAV Production.
To learn more about how an AFP Add-On for Microsoft Dynamics NAV can improve
your business, contact us today @ 866-677-6290
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INDUSTRY FOCUS
Twinings North America
A wholly owned subsidiary of Twinings of London, Twinings North America is perhaps the most recognized fine tea
brand in the entire United States.
Twinings North America employs some 55 people to handle product sales, importation logistics, distribution, and customer service. They place a premium on keeping their operations very lean and efficient so as to keep costs low, and
also to support expanding their market share and growing revenue.
Before working with Clients First, Twinings historically used a business and financial management solution, which
concentrated on technology for food and beverage manufacturers. Over time, however, the system had been heavily
modified to meet Twinings’ unique demands, particularly with respect to effectively managing an extensive and complex distribution channel. Incorporating necessary upgrades into this system, and its general ongoing maintenance,
had consequently become a costly proposition.
Research into several alternatives led to the conclusion that Microsoft Dynamics NAV was the solution of choice for
Twinings North America. Its technology platform was state-of-the-art, its functionality robust, and its total cost of
ownership very attractive. Everyone in the company could use the solution to optimally perform their jobs, from senior
management, through to sales, import logistics, and right down to the warehouse floor.
Since installing the solution with Clients First, Twinings had experienced a number of benefits including greatly enhanced visibility into all operations, superior trade spend management, reduced working capital requirements, superior
lot tracking and control and more.
For the full case study, please visit: http://clientsfirst-us.com/downloads/CF_Case_Study_Twinings_01.pdf
FREE TRAINING
Free educational
webinar series
Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an extremely robust tool. Take full advantage of the functionality NAV offers with the help of our expert
Chris Young, a Clients First Partner. Chris will enhance your knowledge
and help you to leverage the power of NAV by providing instructional
demonstrations and answering your questions.
These educational events are FREE and available to anyone that has
an interest in enhancing their knowledge and skills with NAV.
We invite you to get a cup of coffee and attend these FREE one-hour
instructional webinars. To obtain an up-to-date schedule of upcoming sessions please email Donna Figliola at dfigliola@clientsfirst-us.
com or call her at (732) 970-1450 X9962.
Checkout one of our recorded webinars at the URL link below and
learn about the power of Dynamics NAV Relationship Management
(CRM).
http://209.242.151.6/clientsfirst/Coffee_VIII.wmv
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