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	<title>To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &#38; Supply Chain Management &#187; Microsoft Dynamics AX</title>
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		<title>Top 5 Must-Read Books on Microsoft Dynamics for IEM Professionals</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/top-5-microsoft-dynamics-books/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/top-5-microsoft-dynamics-books/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:09:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Industrial Equipment Manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics NAV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics CRM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics ERP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=3155</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As a manufacturer, you rely on multiple sources of information and insights to help you grow your business. Although we use mostly digital references, let’s not forget sources, including paper books.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" title="Top 5 Microsoft Dynamics Books" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/Top-5-Microsoft-Dynamics-Books.jpg" alt="Top 5 Microsoft Dynamics Books" width="256" height="169" />As a manufacturer, you rely on multiple sources of information and insights to help you grow your business. Although we use mostly digital references, let’s not forget sources, including paper books.</p>
<p>To this point, I thought it would be a good idea to put together a top list of books on <a href="http://www.to-increase.com/Solutions/Microsoft_Dynamics_AX/Industries/Warehouse_Management_and_Distibution/Warehouse_Management_and_Distribution.aspx" target="_blank">Microsoft Dynamics</a> for manufactures. Each covers different areas and ways to get you to grow and manage your processes. Let me know your thoughts on these books and what you like most about them.</p>
<p><strong>5 Microsoft Dynamics Books for Manufacturing Professionals</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>According to a search on Amazon.com, here are some of the top books for IEM professionals utilizing Microsoft Dynamics for manufacturing operations.</p>
<p><strong>1. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Unleashed</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Marc Wolenik, Damian Sinay and Rajya Vardhan Bhaiya</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Covering the most recent version of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM, this book explores everything from planning to securing your solution. It goes into more detail on the opportunities for efficiency by integrating with cloud services and extending CRM, using the new online service marketplace.</p>
<p>The key takeaway from <em>Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Unleashed</em> is how each author not only walks you through the entire cycle of using the product, but giving you the key opportunities to extend it, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Mobile</li>
<li>Office 2010 integration</li>
<li>Outlook client</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Administration Bible</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Matthew Wittemann and Geoff Ables</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Published in March of 2011, this guide gives insights and instruction from two Microsoft Dynamics experts. Giving you step-by-step instruction on the latest techniques, including configuration and customization to automating business processes and integrating with Microsoft Office, this guide is an essential book for any IEM professional.</p>
<p>The key takeaway from <em>Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Administration Bible</em> is how it covers nearly everything for any skill set. From beginner to advancer user, Wittemann and Ables cover everything you need to get the most out of your CRM.</p>
<p><strong>3. Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Reporting</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Christopher Liley and David Duncan</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Reporting is a key component of Microsoft Dynamics GP and this book gives you the guidance to creating reports – correctly. Both Liley and Duncan are certified Microsoft consultants and give their knowledge into each page on setting up and producing effective reports in this CRM.</p>
<p>The key takeaway from <em>Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Reporting</em> is how the authors not only give you actionable information on reporting, but also on topics including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Locating data for reports</li>
<li>How this information relates to older versions – for those not yet ready or unable to upgrade their systems</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Step by Step</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Mike Snyder, Jim Steger and Brendan Landers</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Different people learn in different ways. Some prefer a more structured, step-by-step approach to Microsoft Dynamics learning – this book is perfect for those types of learners. Built on lessons and easy to reference tips and reminders, Snyder, Steger and Landers provide expert instruction through a book that’s more like classroom instruction.</p>
<p>The key takeaway from <em>Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Step by Step</em> is the effective presentation of the information in the book. Some require an incremental learning system and this book gives it to them.</p>
<p><strong>5. Programming Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (Pro-Developer)</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Mike Snyder, Jim Steger, Brad Bosak, Corey O’Brien and Phil Richardson</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Helping those with more of the programming side of Microsoft Dynamics, this book goes into coding practices that help you tailor your installation for more efficient practices in manufacturing operations. From customization to integration with other data sources, this book appeals to the needs of those seeking to evolve their CRM past default configurations.</p>
<p>The key takeaway from <em>Programming Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.</em>0 is the technical depth of the information and how it’s presented to the reader. Each author brings a breadth of knowledge for the more advanced user who’s looking to get more “under the hood.”</p>
<p>No matter your reading style, I think this listing of Microsoft Dynamics books will get you the information and insights from the authors you need to help boost the efficiency of your manufacturing operation for 2012.</p>
<p>To learn more about Microsoft Dynamics resources, subscribe to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease">Twitter</a>, like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685">Facebook </a>or connect with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/top-5-microsoft-dynamics-books/">Top 5 Must-Read Books on Microsoft Dynamics for IEM Professionals</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Flowcharting With Microsoft Dynamics Workflow</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/flowcharting-with-microsoft-dynamics-workflow/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/flowcharting-with-microsoft-dynamics-workflow/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:37:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics NAV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Warehouse Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics CRM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics ERP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[warehouse management systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WMS]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=3070</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those who require visual confirmation of manufacturing business operations and processes, Microsoft Dynamics Workflow incorporates flowcharting into it’s features.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" title="Flow Chart" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/Flow-CHart.jpg" alt="" width="278" height="224" />Some think in terms of data. Others think of the same data, but require a visual representation of the information. For those who require visual confirmation of manufacturing business operations and processes, Microsoft Dynamics Workflow incorporates flowcharting into it’s features.</p>
<p>This helps both sides of the brain visualize and analyze the big picture. For a more detailed look at what this gives your manufacturing business, let’s take a deeper look at the merger of processing and visual decision-making.</p>
<p><strong>Microsoft Dynamics Workflow Flowcharting</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>The flow of data in a manufacturing business is never ending. This data, along with how it impacts processes needs a visual representation of its “flow.”</p>
<p>This is where a dynamic flowchart comes into the picture. For those not familiar with them, let me explain.</p>
<p>To map out your the flow of your manufacturing business, we develop flowcharts &#8211; a visual representation of our process. Some help map out small internal infrastructures and others map out the entire manufacturing flow for a product – from beginning to end. Traditional flowcharts and the processes they map are somewhat rigid in that they have a set course that doesn&#8217;t take into account the need for quick adjustments interjected into the flow.</p>
<p>Dynamic flowcharts are very similar, in that they map out a visual representation of processes. The big difference, however, is they are flexible and can be easily changed in reaction to data and analysis. Dynamic flowcharts can make apparent the requirements needed from different departments of an organization to accomodate change in an instant.</p>
<p><strong>How Do Flowcharts Benefit Manufactures?</strong></p>
<p>Microsoft Dynamics Workflow charts give today’s manufacturer an edge by offering them a visual representation of their business that can be integrated with statistical data in order to help make key decisions. These types of decisions might include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Troubleshooting delays getting products to production</li>
<li>Knowing where to improve or add streams to your manufacturing process</li>
<li>Planning expansion and implementing new systems, including <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/notification-management-shrinks-expands-warehouse/">notification management</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Examples of Microsoft Dynamics Workflow Flowcharts</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Now that we’ve gone over what and how flowcharts work in your business, you might want to see some examples of what I’m talking about. Let’s take a look at a few examples of Microsoft Dynamics Workflow flowcharting and you can see the whole picture:</p>
<ul>
<li>On the Microsoft Dynamics CRM blog, here’s a <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/archive/2008/01/31/crm-4-0-campaign-vs-quick-campaign-flow-chart.aspx">comparison chart of campaigns</a>.</li>
<li>On Microsoft Developers Network, there’s a <a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc563990%28v=mag.11%29.aspx">basic processing flowchart</a> and what each branch does and how it all goes together.</li>
<li>This flowchart shows a <a href="http://waqasb.blogspot.com/2009/12/microsoft-dynamics-gp-manufacturing_22.html">manufacturing GP through Microsoft Dynamics</a> – courtesy of Waqas Butt’s blog.</li>
</ul>
<p>Just as I’ve covered before, knowing the flow of your manufacturing data and processes is key. With a visual layout of this, you’ll have a better grasp on what works and what doesn’t in your business.</p>
<p>To learn more on how Microsoft Dynamics Workflow flowcharting helps strengthen manufacturing operations, subscribe to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease">Twitter</a>, like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685">Facebook </a>or connect with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/flowcharting-with-microsoft-dynamics-workflow/">Flowcharting With Microsoft Dynamics Workflow</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Microsoft Dynamics Workflow: How to Create an Audit Trail</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-workflow-audit-trail/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-workflow-audit-trail/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:39:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ERP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics NAV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Product Lifecycle Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PLM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[product lifecycle management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2978</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Knowing what’s happening in your manufacturing business is key. Learn how to track data with audit trails with Microsoft Dynamics in this post from To-Incease.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/ROI-Audit-Button.jpg" alt="ROI Audit Button" width="278" height="277" /> <em>[Full Disclosure: Part of To-Increase’s business is based on the sale of Microsoft Dynamics software, of which one of its most useful features is audit trail capability. This post explains what an audit trail is and how this Microsoft product can streamline manufacturing practices.]</em></p>
<p>Understanding what’s happening in your manufacturing business isn’t just nice to know – it’s critical. This requires data and lots of it. If you are not capturing that data, then you need to rethink your streamlining strategy.</p>
<p>To get there and keep that data for later viewing, I always recommend an IT tool set with a solid audit trail add-in. With a good audit trail, you know what’s happening and how to fix problems – sometimes, before it’s even broken.</p>
<p>Let’s take a look at what goes into an audit trail and how an IT system solution for this process works.</p>
<p><strong>What’s An Audit Trail?</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>As your manufacturing operations go through its daily processes, there is always a need for records of what is happening – from beginning to end. This would also include your external customer operations and internal processes.</p>
<p>Recording and tracking of day-to-day processes and activity is called an audit trail.</p>
<p>For a more specific explanation, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audit_trail">Wikipedia definition</a> says an audit trail is:</p>
<p><em>“A sequence of steps supported by proof documenting the real processing of a transaction flow through an organization, a process or a system.”</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>Simply, an audit trail keeps a running record of data that follows all of your manufacturing operations. With specific IT tool sets, such as <a href="http://www.to-increase.com">Microsoft Dynamics</a>, you can refer back to your trail at any point for crucial data that could impact your manufacturing processes.</p>
<p>From a personal standpoint, I can’t tell you how glad I am that software functionality like this exists. In my opinion, every manufacturer needs this as part of their operations mix.  Having that data readily accessible can be a lifesaver.</p>
<p><strong>How An Audit Trail Benefits Manufactures</strong></p>
<p>Now that I told you what an audit trail is, how does it benefit today’s manufacturer?</p>
<p>By having data that pulls from all of your systems, including <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/plm-erp-integration-video-dynamics-teamcenter/">Enterprise Resource Planning and Product Lifecycle Management</a>, you benefit by knowing what, why, where and how your manufacturing operations stay efficient and keep up with customer demand.</p>
<p>By implementing a Microsoft Dynamics audit trail, manufactures will see benefits in situations, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Knowing the required amounts of materials to produce a product</li>
<li>Finding out how many hours does it require a product to go from design to production</li>
<li>Making decisions to increase resources for projects</li>
<li>Finding where to decrease wasteful practices that increase process efficiency</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Getting Started With Microsoft Dynamics Audit Trail</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>To get started with an audit trail, let me run you through some introductory steps of the process.</p>
<ol>
<li>Firstly, audit trail isn’t installed right out the box and it takes one addtional installation to make it part of your system. Simply choose to install audit trailing from the setup menu in Microsoft Dynamics.</li>
<li>Once it is installed, you need to decide who will have access to the audit trails. You want to make sure this is someone trusted and understands the data within the audit tables.</li>
<li>Now decide what database tables to audit from your manufacturing system and apply permissions that enable auditing to proceed without issue.</li>
<li>From here on, whenever a designated event occurs to auditable database tables, an audit ensues and provides you with the information about what’s going on.</li>
</ol>
<p>What’s some of the information available in an audit trail record? Microsoft Dynamics audit tables duplicate the source table and add these fields:</p>
<ul>
<li>Time</li>
<li>Date</li>
<li>UserID</li>
</ul>
<p>Again, this is useful information for manufacturers who want more to see what’s happening in day-to-day operations.</p>
<p>I believe manufacturers crave data and not just any data – information that supports streamlining existing processes and boosting the bottom-line. By adding an IT tool set with a robust audit trail, like Microsoft Dynamics, expect an increase in efficiency for all of your operations, while keeping up with customer demand.</p>
<p>To learn more on how Microsoft Dynamics helps building strong audit trails for manufacturing operations, subscribe to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease">Twitter</a>, like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685">Facebook </a>or connect with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.to-increase.com/contact.aspx">Contact To-Increase</a> for more information on lean manufacturing, or insight regarding how to improve supply chain visibility.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-workflow-audit-trail/">Microsoft Dynamics Workflow: How to Create an Audit Trail</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Microsoft Dynamics Video Case Study:  Managing Manufacturing Processes From End-To-End &amp; Into The Unknown</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-wheelabrato/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-wheelabrato/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:38:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Case Studies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Discrete Manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Industrial Equipment Manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[To-Increase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[microsoft dynamics videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mirosoft dynamics case studies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wheelabrator group]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2462</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How can a manufacturing project be accurately budgeted if the solution being created has never before existed? Just as importantly, how can the details that help shape the answer to our first all important question efficiently reach all necessary stakeholders &#8211; throughout the globe? (If you&#8217;re like me, and would like to skip ahead to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_2463" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 290px"><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/wheelabrator-image.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2463    " title="wheelabrator image" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/wheelabrator-image.jpg" alt="" width="280" height="153" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">See How Microsoft Dynamics Is Helping Manage &amp; Manufacture The Unknown In New Video</p></div>
<p>How can a manufacturing project be accurately budgeted if the solution being created has never before existed?</p>
<p>Just as importantly, how can the details that help shape the answer to our first all important question efficiently reach all necessary stakeholders &#8211; throughout the globe?</p>
<p>(If you&#8217;re like me, and would like to skip ahead to see the answer, stop reading now and complete the form to the right to download our latest Microsoft Dynamics video case study.)</p>
<p>&#8220;The biggest problem we faced as an organization was understanding what engineering and manufacturing costs were, and how this compared to what they should be,&#8221; states Michael Stead, Director of Global Standards, Wheelabrator Group.</p>
<p>The &#8216;we&#8217; that Stead mentions refers to the 2,000 employees &#8211; spread through every major country &#8211; that help develop the custom surface preparation machinery solutions that Wheelabrator Group creates for its clients in industries ranging from medical to automotive.</p>
<p>Fundamentally, this broad lack of understanding regarding how much projects should cost &#8211; and the absent ability to communicate project details in real-time &#8211; impacted nearly every critical department in Wheelabrator Group&#8217;s organization ranging from:</p>
<ul>
<li>Design and engineering</li>
<li>Production and delivery</li>
<li>After-sales service</li>
</ul>
<p>In the video case study available to the right, you will learn what makes <a href="http://www.to-increase.com/">Microsoft Dynamics</a>, in the words of Stead, &#8220;the perfect fit for our type of manufacturing.&#8221;</p>
<p>With Microsoft Dynamics AX, Wheelabrator Group is now able to understand:</p>
<ul>
<li>Initial costs to be applied against a project</li>
<li>Ongoing project costs being expensed</li>
<li>Future costs for service and maintenance</li>
</ul>
<p>And because &#8216;knowing&#8217; the costs is only one part of the <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/end-to-end-manufacturing-case-study/">end-to-end manufacturing</a> puzzle, this case study will also share how Microsoft Dynamics AX is providing access to this information to all necessary stakeholders throughout the globe &#8211; via one familiar and intuitive software system.</p>
<p>Request a copy of this new video case study, via the form to the right, and learn how far reaching the benefits of software can be &#8211; when those benefits positively impact nearly every stakeholder within an organization.</p>
<p>Be the first to see the latest manufacturing software video case studies by subscribing to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, liking us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or connecting with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-wheelabrato/">Microsoft Dynamics Video Case Study:  Managing Manufacturing Processes From End-To-End &#038; Into The Unknown</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Learning To Love Mobile Warehouse &amp; Retail Supply Chain Management</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/mobile-retail-supply-chain-management/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/mobile-retail-supply-chain-management/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:03:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[e-Con Sales & Product Configurator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ERP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supply chain management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Warehouse Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retail supply chain management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[warehouse management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2323</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The mobile device has emerged as your most important retail store associate. This is suggested by a recent article published by M.V. Greene of Stores.org titled, The Changing Face of Retail. Greene rightly notes within his article that by using mobile technology, whether it be a Smartphone or an Android, the customer can absorb as [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-full wp-image-2324 alignright" title="mobile retail" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/mobile-retail.jpg" alt="" width="298" height="197" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The mobile device has emerged as your most important retail store associate.</p>
<p>This is suggested by a recent article published by M.V. Greene of <a href="http://www.stores.org/STORES%20Magazine%20April%202011/changing-face-retail" target="_blank">Stores.org</a> titled, <em>The Changing Face of Retail.</em></p>
<p>Greene rightly notes within his article that by using mobile technology, whether it be a Smartphone or an Android, the customer can absorb as much product information as can be shared by the traditional retail associate.  Likely &#8211; even more so.  As such, the traditional role of the retail store associate &#8211; from all-knowing product expert &#8211; could be seen as quickly devolving into a relic.</p>
<p>But unlike similar devolutions suffered by retail, think the fading away of main street, the devolution of the traditional retail associate as product expert is empowering them to evolve into a much more vital role.  And this role is being supported by the same technology that could be seen as making their current role obsolete: mobile technology.</p>
<p>Today&#8217;s traditional retail associate is evolving into a mobile retail supply chain management expert &#8211; a key role that sees them accessing the supply chain at strategic points throughout the globe.</p>
<p>This ties into an idea I&#8217;ve written about in the past &#8211; detailing how <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/personalizing-retail-social-media-erp-crm/" target="_blank">social media, integrated with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)</a> systems, empower even the largest brands to become the all-knowing &#8216;friend of the customer.&#8217;  By leveraging data generated by social media, brands are able to stock their shelves according to the real-time preferences of their customers.  This means that even massive retailers can offer the customer a personal connection, not just the mom &amp; pop shop we&#8217;ve lived next to all of our lives.</p>
<p>But even the smallest mom &amp; pop shops can recapture the competitive advantage lost to larger social media savvy retailers by embracing mobile warehouse and retail supply chain management.</p>
<p>Per Greene:</p>
<p><em>Jordan Colletta, UPS vice president of customer technology marketing, says mobile applications are designed to give retailers — particularly smaller companies that lack the technology assets of major merchants and chains — the ability to take control of their supply chains.</em></p>
<p><em>“It puts the control into the retailer’s hands so they have more information and they can actually execute what they need to execute,” Colletta says. “All of a sudden they have the power of information out on location and can make solid decisions to keep the business on track.”</em></p>
<p>Of course, one barrier very rightly noted by Greene is the need to refresh technology infrastructure to accommodate mobile processes.  And for many organizations, this means a complete overhaul of warehouse and retail supply chain management software.</p>
<p>Within the <a href="http://www.to-increase.com/Solutions/Microsoft_Dynamics_AX/Industries/Retail/Retail_Chain_Manager.aspx">retail supply chain management software solution</a> we offer, built on Microsoft Dynamics AX, is the ability to gain mobile access to inventory processes for stocking, restocking, discarding and returning.  But just as we are likely only seeing the tip of the iceberg in regards to what mobile can do for retail and warehouse management, mobile inventory access is just one feature that we build into our retail supply chain management solutions. At the form to the right, you&#8217;ll find an opportunity to download a complimentary brochure that will provide complete details on what our solutions offer.</p>
<p>Of course, if you have specific questions &#8211; particularly about how Microsoft Dynamics can help your retail operation as the world goes increasingly mobile &#8211; please feel free to <a href="http://www.to-increase.com/contact.aspx">contact me directly</a> via the To-Increase website.</p>
<p>Stay up to date on the latest retail and warehouse management strategies by subscribing to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, liking us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or connecting with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/mobile-retail-supply-chain-management/">Learning To Love Mobile Warehouse &#038; Retail Supply Chain Management</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
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		<title>The Clarifying Power of Enterprise Resource Planning In A Post-Recession World</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/enterprise-resource-planning-recession-recovery/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/enterprise-resource-planning-recession-recovery/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2011 12:22:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Discrete Manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ERP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Industrial Equipment Manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Product Lifecycle Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enterprise resource planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enterprise resource planning software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[erp software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[manufacturing recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PLM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[product lifecycle management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2233</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, we&#8217;ve shared quite a bit of content pointing to manufacturing recovery.  And while these signals are notable, from increases in manufacturing output to more consistent job growth, many manufacturers I work with still see these signals as fuzzy at best. Below, I&#8217;ve turned to Bob Aronson, Industry Director – Microsoft Dynamics Manufacturing, to share [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-2234 alignright" title="tunnel" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/tunnel-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /><em>Recently, we&#8217;ve shared quite a bit of content pointing to <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/10-discrete-manufacturing-facts/">manufacturing recovery</a>.  And while these signals are notable, from increases in manufacturing output to more consistent job growth, many manufacturers I work with still see these signals as fuzzy at best.</em></p>
<p><em>Below, I&#8217;ve turned to Bob Aronson,</em> <em>Industry Director – Microsoft Dynamics Manufacturing, to share his take on the still somewhat unclear manufacturing recovery outlook &#8211; and to offer his insight regarding how enterprise resource planning &#8211; and enterprise resource planning software &#8211; can help clarify this picture:</em></p>
<p>If you work in the Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (IEM) industry, you no doubt feel as though you live in a world of contraction:</p>
<ul>
<li>The recession is over.  And yet, difficult cost-cutting measures are still very much in effect.</li>
<li>Increasing customer demands must be met with greater response than ever.  And yet, they must be met with lower headcount.</li>
<li>Best-in-class Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software can help significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency.  And yet, it&#8217;s difficult to secure the cost approval necessary for upgrades.</li>
</ul>
<p>Earlier this year, I was quoted in an article published by <a href="http://www.mbtmag.com/Content.aspx?id=1616" target="_blank">Manufacturing Business Technology</a> titled <em>The Effect of the Recession on IEMs,</em> by Cindy Jutras, Vice-President, Research Fellow &amp; Group Director, Aberdeen Group.</p>
<p>Along with representatives of several other ERP software providers, I commented as to how <a href="http://www.to-increase.com/en/Solutions.aspx">Microsoft Dynamics</a> is paying close attention to the IEM industry &#8211; the industry perhaps hardest hit by the recession &#8211; through more cost-effective solutions designed specifically to meet the complex needs of manufacturers.</p>
<p>While costs incurred today will certainly be a factor behind any business decision made by IEMs (see my first bullet above), as a software provider, we know that a sole focus on costs would leave us offering far too short sighted a solution.  And for an industry that represents so much of the foundation of our economy, this is not a scenario we feel is acceptable.</p>
<p>As we prepare to <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-erp-software-seeks-competition/">roll-out Microsoft Dynamics 2012</a>, our focus has been as much on future-proofing our ERP solution as it has been on making it affordable for companies operating in a post-recession world.  In doing so, we see our ERP software as helping to eliminate the three initial contradictions we lay out above: <strong> </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Difficult cost measures are still in effect after the recession</strong><br />
As noted, Microsoft Dynamics is designed to be a cost effective ERP software solution that can be implemented today for significantly less than most competing software.  For more on cost, download the Microsoft Dynamics video case study to the right, illustrating the success of global manufacturer Met-Pro, and showing how our ERP solution compares against eight figure competition.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Increasing customer demand must be met with lower head count</strong><br />
Working with a smaller team &#8211; whether your operations stretch domestically or globally &#8211; means maximizing the efficiency of everyone on your team.  And efficiency doesn&#8217;t happen if more time is spent looking for project or customer information in disparate software systems than is spent on R&amp;D or customer support.</p>
<p>An investment in enterprise resource planning software is an investment in everything from global project visibility to seamless flow of information.  This can quickly transform into a more efficient team, smoother operations &#8211; and of course &#8211; faster time to market and correspondingly higher revenue potential.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Securing cost approval for an ERP investment is difficult despite the cost-saving benefits</strong><br />
If you find yourself impacted by this contradiction &#8211; you are not alone.  A recent Forrester survey indicates that nearly <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/enterprise-resource-planning-legacy/">72% of current ERP customers do not plan upgrades in 2011</a>.  If you are among this 72% &#8211; you are missing out on quantifiable benefits.  As enterprise resources planning software evolves, it scales to meet the needs of companies.  Just some of the recent enhancements to ERP software include enhanced ability to <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/plm-erp-integration-video-dynamics-teamcenter/">integrate with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems</a> and assimilation of consumer oriented technologies &#8211; from social to mobile. Better yet &#8211; most of these upgrades can be completed for low to minimal cost.</p>
<p>In the interest of helping compel overall industry recovery, I would encourage any IEM leveraging an ERP software deployment to consult with their rep regarding upgrades. In the interest of the spirit of competition, I would encourage you to jump ahead of more than 70% of the competition in securing these upgrades this year.</li>
</ul>
<p>Our recession and recovery represents perhaps the greatest struggle I have ever been witness to in my time working with manufacturers &#8211; and I am fully aware that software alone is not a magic pill.  But what the right ERP software will do is clarify the light we see at the end of the recovery tunnel &#8211; a light that can still be frustratingly fuzzy.</p>
<p><em>Stay up to date on the latest Enterprise Resource Planning insight by subscribing to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, liking us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or connecting with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</em><em> </em></p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/enterprise-resource-planning-recession-recovery/">The Clarifying Power of Enterprise Resource Planning In A Post-Recession World</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Retail Supply Chain Management Case Study:  Microsoft Dynamics Eliminates Software Over-Visibility</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/sparkjop-retail-supply-chain-visibility/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/sparkjop-retail-supply-chain-visibility/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2011 15:17:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supply chain management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Warehouse Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retail supply chain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retail supply chain management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SparKjøp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[warehouse management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2208</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Retail stakeholders rely on software for supply chain visibility &#8211; whether it’s the warehouse manager searching for the right product to pick or the customer searching for the right product to purchase. Ironically, when retailers and retail customers must rely on several different software systems &#8211; simply to find one piece of information &#8211; data [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-2210 alignright" title="spar kjop" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/spar-kjop1-300x87.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="87" />Retail stakeholders rely on software for supply chain visibility &#8211; whether it’s the warehouse manager searching for the right product to pick or the customer searching for the right product to purchase.</p>
<p>Ironically, when retailers and retail customers must rely on several different software systems &#8211; simply to find one piece of information &#8211; data visibility quickly yields to troubling software over-visibility.</p>
<p>This was the issue facing SparKjøp, Norway&#8217;s largest mail order firm, and the subject of the latest Microsoft Dynamics AX case study.</p>
<p>Prior to implementing <a href="http://www.to-increase.com">Microsoft Dynamics</a>, SparKjøp suffered through a retail supply chain management process that was managed by several disparate software systems &#8211; each with its own separate database.</p>
<p>As Terje Nymark Olsen, SparKjøp&#8217;s IT Manager states, “Reports came from different departments and the information that was available in the stores was not accessible from the mail order division or any of our retail outlets. This meant a lot of double registration of data.&#8221;</p>
<p>And when everyone involved in retail supply chain management &#8211; from warehouse and IT managers to store employees and customers &#8211; must interact with several systems at each stop in the supply chain, software is anything but invisible.</p>
<p>Fortunately, implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX has not only helped SparKjøp manage its <a href="http://www.to-increase.com/en/Solutions/Microsoft_Dynamics_AX/Industries/Retail/Retail_Chain_Manager.aspx">retail supply chain management</a> process &#8211; it has been able to do so with seamless invisibility. Olsen goes on to state:</p>
<p>&#8220;All information is now gathered in one place.  This means that every link in our chain has full overview as to what is in stock and where – both at headquarters and out in all the stores.&#8221;</p>
<p>Providing global data visibility from one dedicated solution has empowered SparKjøp to do everything from <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/automated-warehouse-management-systems/">automate the warehouse management</a> process to communicate more effectively with suppliers and customers.  And ultimately, this means better service for customers &#8211; and of course &#8211; higher revenue for SparKjøp.</p>
<p>To read more about the retail supply chain management success that Microsoft Dynamics AX is helping SparKjøp achieve, download this case study by completing the form to the right.</p>
<p>Be the first to see the latest retail case studies by subscribing to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, liking us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or connecting with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/sparkjop-retail-supply-chain-visibility/">Retail Supply Chain Management Case Study:  Microsoft Dynamics Eliminates Software Over-Visibility</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Microsoft Dynamics: Flexible ERP Software Seeks Competition</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-erp-software-seeks-competition/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-erp-software-seeks-competition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2011 18:53:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Discrete Manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ERP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[To-Increase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enterprise resource planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[erp software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[microsoft dynamics ax 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2183</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Having just recently returned from Microsoft Dynamics Convergence, I was thrilled to read this write up by Josh Greenbaum of Information Week, who covered the event: &#8220;Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP has reached a functional level that basically places them on par with the best of their respective categories.&#8221; Greenbaum goes on to write: &#8220;Starting approximately [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-2184 alignright" title="classified" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/classified-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />Having just recently returned from Microsoft Dynamics Convergence, I was thrilled to read this write up by Josh Greenbaum of <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/enterprise_apps/229401719?pgno=1" target="_blank">Information Week</a>, who covered the event:</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP has reached a functional level that basically places them on par with the best of their respective categories.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>Greenbaum goes on to write:</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Starting approximately in 2013, only Microsoft will be able to offer pretty much any possible deployment model of its [ERP] software from a single code-base. </em></p>
<p><em>This is an important distinction that may be hard for its competitors to deal with. SAP and Oracle won&#8217;t be able to offer customers the choice of running their deployments on premises, in the cloud, as a managed service, or as a hybridized mix of the above across their core products&#8211;never in the case of Oracle and not for a while in the case of SAP.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>Greenbaum&#8217;s statement matches the vision that <a href="http://www.to-increase.com">Microsoft Dynamics</a>, and providers like my company To-Increase, have worked to cultivate for years.</p>
<p>The truth is this:  to successfully meet the needs of industry (particularly, manufacturing) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software must be several things &#8211; from technically sound to rapidly implemented.</p>
<p>But perhaps most importantly, ERP software must be flexible and it must be scalable.</p>
<p>The flexibility, defined by Microsoft Dynamics&#8217; commitment to offer its product as cloud, managed service or hybrid deployments &#8211; is ideal for large manufacturing companies that stretch globally &#8211; and may require a different type of deployment at strategic outposts throughout its supply chain.</p>
<p>And scalability is key for any company that ceased long ago looking for software that would simply meet today&#8217;s needs &#8211; and instead &#8211; is dedicated to meeting the needs of today and ten years down the road.  And coupled with scalability, it would be ideal if the <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/video-microsoft-dynamics-met-pro/">ERP software cost less than eight figures</a>.</p>
<p>I encourage you to both read the full write-up from Greenbaum by visiting Information Week, but also to discover for yourself how Microsoft Dynamics is dedicated to meeting the needs of your organization (especially with the upcoming release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012) by requesting a complimentary demo via the form to the right.</p>
<p>Stay up to date on the latest Microsoft Dynamics insights and announcements by subscribing to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, liking us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or connecting with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/microsoft-dynamics-erp-software-seeks-competition/">Microsoft Dynamics: Flexible ERP Software Seeks Competition</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Breaking ERP Software News: What Lawson&#8217;s Acquisition Should Mean For You</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/what-lawson-erp-acquisition-means/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/what-lawson-erp-acquisition-means/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:16:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ERP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enterprise resource planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[erp software enterprise resource planning software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lawson acquisition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lawson erp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2132</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Headlines broke this week when it was announced that Lawson Software, provider of business application and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, has agreed to be acquired by GGC Software Holdings (an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital and Infor.) You can read several takes on the story below: TechCrunch IT Managing Automation And perhaps most tellingly: [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-full wp-image-2133 alignright" title="news image" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/news-image.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="240" />Headlines broke this week when it was announced that Lawson Software, provider of business application and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, has agreed to be acquired by GGC Software Holdings (an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital and Infor.)</p>
<p>You can read several takes on the story below:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.techcrunchit.com/2011/04/26/enterprise-software-maker-lawson-bought-by-golden-gate-infor-in-2-billion-deal/">TechCrunch IT</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.managingautomation.com/maonline/exclusive/read/ERP_Maker_Lawson_Agrees_to_Be_Acquired_by_Infor_27756857">Managing Automation</a><br />
And perhaps most tellingly:</li>
<li><a href="http://www.erpgraveyard.com/2011/04/any-other-offers-anyone-anyone.html">ERP Graveyard</a></li>
</ul>
<p>This news has sent customers, both those currently with Lawson and those considering Lawson, into a bit of a scramble mode.  I have personally heard questions including:</p>
<ul>
<li>What will the future of Lawson look like?</li>
<li>In light of this takeover, should I still consider upgrading?</li>
<li>Will the software I implement today meet my needs tomorrow?</li>
</ul>
<p>As I represent competing ERP software (<a href="http://www.to-increase.com/Solutions.aspx">Microsoft Dynamics</a>) &#8211; it would be hard for me to speculate on the questions above without going full board into inadvertent self-promotion.</p>
<p>But what I can tell you is this:  implementation of ERP software is not, nor will it ever be, a &#8216;fix-it and forget-it&#8217; initiative.  Despite some opinions to the contrary, &#8216;<a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/enterprise-resource-planning-legacy/">legacy ERP system</a>&#8216; is as much an oxymoron as &#8216;jumbo shrimp.&#8217;</p>
<p>With whatever software you choose, you must be sure that you are working with a vendor that will commit to both what you need today &#8211; and what you will need ten years from now. And for the clients I work with, these needs include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Seamless <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/plm-erp-integration-video-dynamics-teamcenter/">integration with existing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)</a> systems</li>
<li>Global visibility into all business processes, provided to the right people at the right time</li>
<li>Real-time communication of critical project details, whether your team is positioned throughout the globe or throughout a business complex</li>
</ul>
<p>If you are currently working with, or considering Lawson, I encourage you to ask the right questions prior to making any commitment. Ask both what the software can do for your business today (ie will it integrate with PLM?  Will it provide for your project&#8217;s visibility and communication needs?) &#8211; and about the future vision of the product.</p>
<p>These are the same questions I would encourage you to ask any ERP software vendor &#8211; including my company.  And if you are interested, I would be happy to answer them for you personally in a complimentary demo of Microsoft Dynamics AX.  Simply complete the form to the right.</p>
<p>Stay up to date on the latest enterprise resource planning insights by subscribing to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, liking us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or connecting with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/what-lawson-erp-acquisition-means/">Breaking ERP Software News: What Lawson&#8217;s Acquisition Should Mean For You</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Video Case Study:  Microsoft Dynamics AX vs. Eight Figure Competition</title>
		<link>http://blog.to-increase.com/video-microsoft-dynamics-met-pro/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.to-increase.com/video-microsoft-dynamics-met-pro/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:46:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Luciano Cunha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Discrete Manufacturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Dynamics AX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[To-Increase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[met-pro]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.to-increase.com/?p=2080</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Must a large manufacturing company invest in an eight-figure software implementation to grow and remain competitive? This was the critical question facing Met-Pro, a global provider of product recovery, pollution control and fluid handling application solutions.  I first introduced you to them through a newly released Microsoft Dynamics AX case study. Today, I&#8217;m proud to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_2081" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/metpro-video.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2081" title="metpro video" src="http://blog.to-increase.com/wp-content/uploads/metpro-video-300x178.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="178" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">See How Microsoft Dynamics AX Is Helping Support Met-Pro&#39;s Vision of Fourfold Growth.  </p></div>
<p>Must a large manufacturing company invest in an eight-figure software implementation to grow and remain competitive?</p>
<p>This was the critical question facing Met-Pro, a global provider of product recovery, pollution control and fluid handling application solutions.  I first introduced you to them through a newly released <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/end-to-end-manufacturing-case-study/">Microsoft Dynamics AX case study</a>. Today, I&#8217;m proud to share more of Met-Pro&#8217;s story with you, courtesy of a new video released by Microsoft Dynamics.</p>
<p>&#8220;We looked at competing software solutions and saw numbers that were flat out shocking and unreasonable &#8211; with implementation costs for some approaching 12 million,&#8221; says Robin Schroeder, IT Director, Met-Pro.  &#8220;Cost for implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX was considerably less, which was a huge differentiator.&#8221;</p>
<p>Of course, cost is little more than a hook.  (<em>See also: my headline above</em>.)  Cost knocks at the door and determines whether you will be let in.  What matters is how you behave once inside.</p>
<p>Is the video you are about to see, by completing the form to the right, about software implementation cost?  Partly &#8211; just like this post.</p>
<p>But more importantly, it&#8217;s about the operational difference Microsoft Dynamics is having for Met-Pro &#8211; and the vision statements made by top level executives of a $100 million dollar organization that see themselves quickly growing as large as $400 million:</p>
<ul>
<li>&#8220;We are getting information to customers quicker and more accurately.  It makes our operations more effective.&#8221; <em>Raymond J. De Hont, Chairman, CEO, President &#8211; Met-Pro Corp.</em></li>
<li>&#8220;From workflow, technology abroad, to ease of use, it quickly satisfied the requirements of everyone involved within our organization.&#8221; <em>Robin Schroeder</em></li>
<li>&#8220;We are sharper because the emphasis on manufacturing discipline and numbers accuracy has returned.  We can now focus on R&amp;D, new products, and putting more people to work.&#8221; <em>Andy Yencha, Operations Manager &#8211; Strobic Air &#8211; Met-Pro Corporation </em></li>
</ul>
<p>Learn more about the success being experienced by Met-Pro when you complete the form to the right.</p>
<p>Be the first to see the latest manufacturing case studies by subscribing to our <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/To-increase">RSS feed</a>, following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ToIncrease" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, liking us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veenendaal-Netherlands/To-Increase/187273569685" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or connecting with us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/36762" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p><small><a href="http://blog.to-increase.com/video-microsoft-dynamics-met-pro/">Video Case Study:  Microsoft Dynamics AX vs. Eight Figure Competition</a> was posted at <a href="http://blog.to-increase.com">To-Increase Blog:  ERP, CRM &amp; Supply Chain Management</a>. | http://blog.to-increase.com
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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