Why are we using a software application to manage our financial data? Of course there are several answers (and several of them, if not all are correct), but if we ask a series of “why” questions, we will arrive at the core reason: to understand data and make decisions. To make decisions, the data must be organized.
This is the reason so many users say that reporting (specifically custom reporting) is so important to their organization. The data has been collected, indexed, and stored, but if it cannot be organized into logical and comprehensible outputs, the software application is not serving its primary function of organizing financial data.
There are a number of tools to organize the data in Sage MAS 90 and 200 including Crystal Reports. After including the classroom course Introduction to Crystal Reports on our class schedule for several years, in 2009 we added Data File Structures and Crystal Reports: Beyond the Basics (a total of five full days of classroom education). These five days alone won’t be sufficient to qualify any user as a Crystal Reports expert; practical, in field application of the knowledge is required to master Crystal Reports for MAS 90 and 200, but these courses are a good start.
Introduction to Crystal Reports
(soft prerequisite: Data File Structures)
December 7-8
Data File Structures
August 9
October 25
December 6
Crystal Reports: Beyond The Basics
(hard prerequisites: Data File Structures, Introduction to Crystal Reports)
August 10-11
October 26-27
If you are interested in these or any other courses but your schedule does not permit you to attend, leave a comment below and we will see if arrangements can be made to accommodate your calendar.
The long-assumed industry standard financial reporting tool, Microsoft’s FRx is nearing the end of it’s life cycle. As of December 31, 2010, no new licenses (this means viewers or designers too) will be issued. As of December 31, 2012, Microsoft will discontinue support.
While it is some time away, some businesses are already searching for an alternative, Others might be looking for an alternative to the Standard Financials from MAS 90. Others still may still be looking for an option that doesn’t require re-keying data into Excel for analysis. If you into any of these categories, I suggest you join us for a free webinar highlighting BizInsight.
BizInsightTM, from BizNet software addresses the typical pitfalls of Excel. 100% Excel-based, BizInsight comes pre-integrated with “drag and drop” live links to your MAS 90/200 data. It installs quickly, requires no any additional hardware, and is easy to learn. In addition, it comes with on-the-fly business intelligence out of the box. All from within Excel.
If you manually key spreadsheet reports month after month or are you afraid to touch certain Excel reports for fear of breaking them; if you are looking for an alternative to FRx or Standard Financials, reserve your seat next Thursday, September 24 at 10:00 am.
Click here to RSVP for the free webinar.
The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce recently published a paper outlining some very sensible strategies businesses can employ in seven different arenas “when the economy sours.” While we might argue that, at this point, if the economy has soured, following the advice provided may either pull your business out of a slump or keep it from falling into a slump in the first place.
Two of the sales strategies mentioned in the document recommend prioritizing both your sales prospects and your existing customers. We can all agree that we should exert our effort where we will realize the biggest return; after all, how many references to the Pareto Principle can you recall from prior sales training?
ACT! by Sage ships with some pretty terrific reports for prioritizing your efforts that might work for you right out of the box. By following the Reports Menu to Edit Template, you can even modify the existing reports to meet your needs or click New Template to start from scratch. By using these tools to analyze where you need to focus your sales and marketing energy, you will also be working within another of the included strategies: optimizing operations.