Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sage Summit: Save The Date
Sage Summit is the conference that will bring together the entire Sage community, including customers, partners, product leaders, developers, and more, for a collaborative learning experience. Save the date for Sage Summit 2011 and make plans to attend.
Sage Summit 2011
Gaylord National | Washington, DC
July 10-15, 2011
www.SageSummit.com
SageSummit.com is Updated and Live: The Sage Summit website is live and updated to reflect the 2011 conference agenda. Sage will be making frequent updates to the website so visit often.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Free Year-End Guide
CMS is offering a free Year-End Guide. Contact Nikki Spirito today at 860.399.4215 x.202 or via e-mail at nspirito@cmsct.com. Year-end is fast approaching so get your guide and book your appointment today!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
New LinkedIn Group
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Year End
Schedule your appointments today and end the year right! Call Nikki at 860.399.4215 or e-mail her at nspirito@cmsct.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Year-End Updates, Windows 7 and Microsoft Compatibility
Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Year End Updates
The Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Q1 2011 Tax Table Update (TTU) and Interim Release Download (IRD) are expected to be available after December 17, 2010 for download from Sage Online, Sage ERP MAS Support section. As necessary, throughout January 2011 we’ll update the TTU each week with late-breaking changes. Also, all of the program changes in the IRD will be included in Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 v4.4 PU4, and Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 v4.3 SU21, expected to be available the week of December 27, 2010. If you install PU4 or SU21 instead of the IRD, you will still need to download and install the Q1 2011 Tax Table Update before processing your first payroll for 2011.
For more details, please refer to the FAQs or call Nicole Ronchetti at ext 203.
Windows 7 and Microsoft Office Compatibility Important Notice
Please note: Sage MAS 90 & MAS 200 is only compatible with Windows 7 on MAS v4.3 (EES v1.3) and higher. If you purchase a new machine which has Windows 7 installed and you are on v4.2 or lower you will need to upgrade your MAS 90 installation. Also, check out the compatibility chart for Microsoft Office.
For questions or concerns or to have an upgrade quoted, please contact Nikki Spirito at ext 202.
The Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Q1 2011 Tax Table Update (TTU) and Interim Release Download (IRD) are expected to be available after December 17, 2010 for download from Sage Online, Sage ERP MAS Support section. As necessary, throughout January 2011 we’ll update the TTU each week with late-breaking changes. Also, all of the program changes in the IRD will be included in Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 v4.4 PU4, and Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 v4.3 SU21, expected to be available the week of December 27, 2010. If you install PU4 or SU21 instead of the IRD, you will still need to download and install the Q1 2011 Tax Table Update before processing your first payroll for 2011.
For more details, please refer to the FAQs or call Nicole Ronchetti at ext 203.
Windows 7 and Microsoft Office Compatibility Important Notice
Please note: Sage MAS 90 & MAS 200 is only compatible with Windows 7 on MAS v4.3 (EES v1.3) and higher. If you purchase a new machine which has Windows 7 installed and you are on v4.2 or lower you will need to upgrade your MAS 90 installation. Also, check out the compatibility chart for Microsoft Office.
For questions or concerns or to have an upgrade quoted, please contact Nikki Spirito at ext 202.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Hot New Webinars
Check out our list of free Sage MAS ERP webinars starting now into the early Winter. Now is the time to see what is new and hot for your Sage MAS ERP system. Take an hour and learn about products that can help your business excel and expand, increasing your sales and efficiency.
http://www.cmsct.com/events.html
http://www.cmsct.com/events.html
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Year-End Is Right Around the Corner
As we know it year-end is just around the corner. It is not to soon to schedule your consulting time with our expert staff members. Let us help you make your year-end a smooth one. Year-end is always a stressful time of the year, but with CMS' help won't be.
CMS is here to assist you with payroll and 1099 year-end processing procedures—reports, reconciliation, W-2 printing, 1099 printing, and more. CMS can also review the new W-2 and 1099 e-filing and reporting functions built into MAS 90 and MAS 200 versions 4.30 and 4.40.
As year-end approaches our consultant's schedules get pretty booked and we want to ensure that we get your organization scheduled in. Please call Nikki today at 860.399.4215 x.202 to schedule your year-end consulting time.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Users' Group Success
Thank you to everyone who attended our Users' Group last Thursday. It was a great success! At was an morning and afternoon of learning and discussions enjoyed by all. A special thank you to our guest speakers, Acom and V-Technologies, for their insight on how MAS Users' can increase productivity. The roundtable discussions were a huge success and many enjoyed the topics of discussions. Congratulations to all our raffle winners too.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Fall Training
Join us for our Fall MAS 90 / MAS 200 ERP training classes in Version 4.4. These web based classes are a great resource for learning about the modules in your current ERP system. These classes are taught by either Greg Tisdale or Susan Payton, our CMS team members and Sage Certified Trainers.
Check out our current calendar of classes
http://www.cmsct.com/TrainingCalendar.pdf
Check out our current calendar of classes
http://www.cmsct.com/TrainingCalendar.pdf
Monday, October 4, 2010
Are you doing properly backing up your Sage MAS ERP system?
Article by Nicole Ronchetti, Technical Services, Computer Management Services, Westbrook, CT
Keeping a regular backup of your computer data is one of the single most important tasks any user should carry out on a regular basis. It doesn't matter how careful you are, sooner or later you're going to suffer from data loss. It's always the people who think it will never happen to them suffer from the worst cases of data loss. Here are the top 5 tips for ensuring that your MAS system will be backed up properly.
1. Make sure that your back up is running when all users are out of MAS. If people are in the system or processing, the backup will not complete.
2. The backup should be backing up the entire MAS90 folder. If you are using additional features that may have folders outside of the MAS90 folder, ensure that these folders are being backed up as well. For example, if you are using Paperless Office check the location of the Paperless Office folder. If you are generating ACH files check that location as well.
3. If you are using MAS200, the activate.pvx file should be excluded from your backup. This file often times causes most backup programs to error out.
4. Check your backups. Many times clients assume that their backups are working properly. Periodically schedule time to review the back up. If you are unsure about the integrity of your backups check with your IT provider.
5. Schedule the frequency of the backup to run based on the number of transactions your company is processing. If possible, it is always best to run your backups nightly. Remember if all your data is lost and you need to retrieve the data from a backup, you may need to recreate transactions that were processed in that time frame. The less you lose the better.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Grants for your Business
At CMS, we are always investigating into resources for our clients. At this time, we have come across several training grants that can be use for your organization. These grants are available in several states and will help reduce some of training expenses your company may have. By taking advantage of these grants your organization will save money, become more efficient and help with employee productivity. For more information, please call Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Why Employee Training is so Important
By Kori Rodley Irons
What's one of the first line items to get slashed when the company budget gets squeezed? It's training for employees that often ends up on the cutting room floor. Unfortunately, trained and energized employees are just what a company needs to stimulate growth and problem solve in the lean times. Here are some of the reasons whey employee training is so important...
The innovation, flexibility and dedication that are necessary to build truly dynamic companies come from well-trained and supported employees. One of the best ways to encourage and support individuals in your workforce is through professional development and training opportunities. As employees develop new skills, increase networking and represent the company out in the larger world, and develop leadership opportunities, the business work environment becomes infused with energy and creativity.
Sending employees to training opportunities, or bringing opportunities into the company, actually infuses a business with new ideas and creative ways of solving old problems. Sometimes, just getting employees out of the day-to-day grind of their everyday work schedule is enough to jump-start energy and encourage employees to recommit to their jobs and the company. But learning new skills and interacting with new and different people has a direct impact on the productivity and development of the work environment.
Trainings need not be expensive or last several days in order to be worthwhile. Workshops, classes and cross-training in other departments within the company can be as invigorating as expensive courses and conferences. Encouraging employees to learn all they can about the company--not just the department where they work--is one way to approach training. Providing individuals with information about accounting, production, marketing, or other aspects of the business can give them a good overall understanding of how all the pieces work together to contribute to the whole, as well as how their individual jobs or department fits into the whole, big picture.
Consider implementing or keeping regular training opportunities in place for employees. Training sessions that are once a week, or a month can be quite productive--giving employees something outside the ordinary work day to look forward to and encouraging a commitment to professional development and skill growth. While a dedication to keeping training opportunities alive and thriving within the company culture can be an expense of time and resources--the benefit in terms of qualified and energetic personnel is well worth it.
2010 © Associated Content, All rights reserved.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Register Now... Fall Users Group Workshop
We are excited to announced that we have scheduled our Sage MAS Fall Users Group Workshop on Thursday, October 28th at 9 am. The workshop this year will be held at one convenient location, Water's Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, CT. This location has easy access to I-95, Route 9, Amtrak, Shoreline East and Route 1. This Fall Workshop is themed, “Increase Your Sage MAS ERP Use and Features.”
Taking the feedback we received from our last user group, we have designed sessions to discuss business issues specific to job functionality, so that all accounting personnel will be grouped together, all order entry personnel will be grouped together and so on. We feel that this will be extremely beneficial to each attendee providing you with shared experiences based on department.
This workshop will be covering Sage MAS 4.4. From Core Financials to Distribution and Manufacturing, Sage MAS 90 and 200 Version 4.4 is loaded with features. We will also be discussing StarShip 10 and the advantages of combining small parcel support with the freight modules already on the market to make shipping even easier. And we have much more on hand.
As always, the User Group is free and for all Sage MAS clients and prospects. Breakfast and lunch is included. Registration is required so please contact Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202.
Taking the feedback we received from our last user group, we have designed sessions to discuss business issues specific to job functionality, so that all accounting personnel will be grouped together, all order entry personnel will be grouped together and so on. We feel that this will be extremely beneficial to each attendee providing you with shared experiences based on department.
This workshop will be covering Sage MAS 4.4. From Core Financials to Distribution and Manufacturing, Sage MAS 90 and 200 Version 4.4 is loaded with features. We will also be discussing StarShip 10 and the advantages of combining small parcel support with the freight modules already on the market to make shipping even easier. And we have much more on hand.
As always, the User Group is free and for all Sage MAS clients and prospects. Breakfast and lunch is included. Registration is required so please contact Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202.
Friday, September 3, 2010
GREG is BACK!
CMS would like to welcome back a valuable member of our team
Greg Tisdale, Senior Consultant has returned to CMS.
Westbrook, CT - September 1, 2010 - It is with great pleasure that CMS welcomes the return of Greg Tisdale.
We are very excited to have Greg aboard back and working in the capacity of Senior Consultant in charge of Professional Services. For all of those who have worked with Greg in the past, you know that he possess a wealth of information and experience, in addition to being a great person.For those who has not met Greg yet, you will be genuinely pleased with his consultative approach and friendly demeanor.
Greg has many years of experience with ERP systems and Business Management Solutions. (Yes, he is getting older). He is Sage and Crystal Certified, as well as being a Sage Certified Trainer.
Again, we are happy to welcome Greg back to the CMS family and team!
Feel free to give him a call or drop him an e-mail to say "Hello"
Phone: 860.399.4215
E-mail: gtisdale@cmsct.com
He would be delighted to hear from all of you!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Fall is Coming
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sage U on YouTube
A great new resource for Sage MAS ERP users is Sage U ERP on YouTube. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SageUERPLearning#p/c/374D9C0112C77AFE
http://www.youtube.com/user/SageUERPLearning#p/c/374D9C0112C77AFE
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Summer Webinars
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Great Race
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Urgent: Check with us on Hardware First
We want to remind you that we urge all of our clients to check with us prior to purchasing new hardware (i.e. Windows 7)in order to ensure compatibility with the version of MAS which you are using. We will be able to provide you with the most up to date information regarding compatibility. If you are thinking of purchasing new hardware, please contact Nikki for the latest information on compatibility at nspirito@cmsct.com.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Custom Reporting Made Easy
Maximize the flexibility of your reports. With Crystal Reports, FRX, and F9 you can customize the data you need to retrieve from you Sage MAS ERP system. You can create and customize presentation-quality reports getting the information you need to run your business and be "in the know".
Don't have the time to create these reports yourself. Contact CMS today and it is as easy as 1-2-3. All you need to do is provide us with the report details. We will take it from there getting you the report you need.
Don't have the time to create these reports yourself. Contact CMS today and it is as easy as 1-2-3. All you need to do is provide us with the report details. We will take it from there getting you the report you need.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Next Generation of Customizations
Get the scoop on Sage MAS ERP from Nicole Ronchetti, CMS Tech Support Specialist
A little known fact about the new Sage MAS v4.4 is the enhancements made to Custom Office. In 4.4, Sage has added the ability to create “User-Defined Scripts”. This Custom Office enhancement allows you to program events to run with or without user interaction (clicking a button) in addition to the ability to add user-defined fields and additional buttons.
Customizations done using Custom Office now survive upgrades throughout most of your system, including those in Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials, and Bar Code, so the customizations do not have to be reapplied to a new release. For example, you can add expiration dates or other attributes for lot and serial items, and that information flows through the system. Or using standard scripting, Sales Order Quote Expiration dates can automatically change according to the type of order or quote that you choose.
Sage has released two pre-recorded Webex sessions from Steve Malmgren, Chief Architect of Sage MAS 90 and 200, entitled "Look Ma, No Buttons! - The Next Generation of Customizer in Sage MAS 90 and 200". These sessions were delivered in January 2010 to Sage business partners, and the content is based on a session of the same name held for customers at Sage Summit in November 2009. Enjoy learning more about the power of the next generation of Customizer for Sage MAS 90 and 200!
Click on the links below to find watch the session!
MAS 90 v4.4 Customizer Enhancements
http://sage.edgeboss.net/wmedia/sage/mas/sales/v44customizer.wvx
Next Generation of Customizations for MAS 90
http://sage.edgeboss.net/wmedia/sage/mas/sales/nextgencustomizations.wvx
A little known fact about the new Sage MAS v4.4 is the enhancements made to Custom Office. In 4.4, Sage has added the ability to create “User-Defined Scripts”. This Custom Office enhancement allows you to program events to run with or without user interaction (clicking a button) in addition to the ability to add user-defined fields and additional buttons.
Customizations done using Custom Office now survive upgrades throughout most of your system, including those in Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials, and Bar Code, so the customizations do not have to be reapplied to a new release. For example, you can add expiration dates or other attributes for lot and serial items, and that information flows through the system. Or using standard scripting, Sales Order Quote Expiration dates can automatically change according to the type of order or quote that you choose.
Sage has released two pre-recorded Webex sessions from Steve Malmgren, Chief Architect of Sage MAS 90 and 200, entitled "Look Ma, No Buttons! - The Next Generation of Customizer in Sage MAS 90 and 200". These sessions were delivered in January 2010 to Sage business partners, and the content is based on a session of the same name held for customers at Sage Summit in November 2009. Enjoy learning more about the power of the next generation of Customizer for Sage MAS 90 and 200!
Click on the links below to find watch the session!
MAS 90 v4.4 Customizer Enhancements
http://sage.edgeboss.net/wmedia/sage/mas/sales/v44customizer.wvx
Next Generation of Customizations for MAS 90
http://sage.edgeboss.net/wmedia/sage/mas/sales/nextgencustomizations.wvx
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Q2 Payroll Updates
Nicole Spirito, Account Management Corner
There are new MAS 90 and MAS 200 2010 Q2 Payroll Updates. This update includes: a new 941 form and provides the software changes that are necessary to capture and process the required employee information in order for you to comply with the new HIRE Act. Even if the new HIRE Act does not apply to you, you still will need to use the new 941 form.
In order to read more about the HIRE Act, please visit the IRS’s webpage at:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=220745,00.html.
Please feel free to call us if you have any questions on the new form, or any other changes that are included in the 2010 Q2 Payroll Updates.
There are new MAS 90 and MAS 200 2010 Q2 Payroll Updates. This update includes: a new 941 form and provides the software changes that are necessary to capture and process the required employee information in order for you to comply with the new HIRE Act. Even if the new HIRE Act does not apply to you, you still will need to use the new 941 form.
In order to read more about the HIRE Act, please visit the IRS’s webpage at:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=220745,00.html.
Please feel free to call us if you have any questions on the new form, or any other changes that are included in the 2010 Q2 Payroll Updates.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Annoying Habits @ Work
10 surefire ways to become a workplace annoyance:
1) Being Unprepared.
2) You are not a Team Player.
3) You're Not Self-Reliant
4) You, Umm, Smell
5) You're Loud on the Phone
6) You're Unhealthy
7) You Walk Like an Elephant
8) Your Cellphone Is Always On
9) Your Computer Volume Is Blasting
10)You Shake Hands Like a Fish and Avoid Eye Contact
For the full article, check out: http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/workplace-issues/top-10-annoying-habits-work/article.aspx
1) Being Unprepared.
2) You are not a Team Player.
3) You're Not Self-Reliant
4) You, Umm, Smell
5) You're Loud on the Phone
6) You're Unhealthy
7) You Walk Like an Elephant
8) Your Cellphone Is Always On
9) Your Computer Volume Is Blasting
10)You Shake Hands Like a Fish and Avoid Eye Contact
For the full article, check out: http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/workplace-issues/top-10-annoying-habits-work/article.aspx
Monday, June 14, 2010
How to Conquer Your Email Inbox
Email comes in "three flavors," irrelevant, relevant but not actionable, and actionable. Irrelevant includes spam and "reply all" notes from colleagues. Second is relevant but not actionable. Stuff that you need to scan or know about, that you might even save somewhere or archive or have on hand. The third is actionable that is work related. It can come from a variety of sources, like a boss or a client.
Forbes recommends deleting irrelevant emails immediately. The second group, of relevant but not actionable emails, they advise moving to an archive folder. Most email programs allow you to move e-mails into a folder outside your inbox.
Now you're down to the emails that need your action, that constitute work. Move those out of the inbox, too, into a digital "to-do" folder. There is even designed an online product that helps you do this, called Good Todo. You can use the free trial or pay $3 a month for the deluxe version.
The inbox was not designed to be a to-do list, a note pad, an address book, or a filing system. "It's only appropriate to be used for one thing," Forbes insists, "temporary storage."
Article by Susan Adams, Forbes.com
Monday, June 7, 2010
Build Business with Networking
The best way for a small business owner to get noticed is by networking. People who meet you face-to-face or through online forums will be more willing to give you a chance and, if you leave them satisfied, tell their friends about you.
Check out your local business organizations.
Search the Internet for business groups in your town.
Volunteer at local organizations.
Serve on the board of directors or, if possible, sponsor an event.
Join a professional organization.
Attend conferences in your industry.
Check out your local business organizations.
Search the Internet for business groups in your town.
Volunteer at local organizations.
Serve on the board of directors or, if possible, sponsor an event.
Join a professional organization.
Attend conferences in your industry.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tips on How to Recover from an Embarrassing Work Situation
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Stay Alert!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Recap of our Manufacturing Workshop
Thank you to everyone who attended our Sage MAS Manufacturing workshop yesterday. We hope that you enjoyed it and learned a lot about the products and features that can make your day to day activities easier.
Thank you to our partners who provided us with details on the great products they offer as an addition to MAS. We were very thankful to have Jack Travers of Unipoint Software at our office to talk about the benefits of managing the life-cycle and cost tracking of your organization’s quality control. Bill Connors of Valogix spoke about automated planning tools that improve your inventory investment.
If you were unable to attend and would like to get details on the products discussed, please contact Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202
Thank you to our partners who provided us with details on the great products they offer as an addition to MAS. We were very thankful to have Jack Travers of Unipoint Software at our office to talk about the benefits of managing the life-cycle and cost tracking of your organization’s quality control. Bill Connors of Valogix spoke about automated planning tools that improve your inventory investment.
If you were unable to attend and would like to get details on the products discussed, please contact Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Recap of our Distribution Workshop
Thank you to everyone who attended our Sage MAS Distribution workshop last Thursday. We hope that you enjoyed it and learned a lot about the products and features that can make your day to day activities easier.
Thank you to our partners who provided us with details on the great products they offer as an addition to MAS. We were very thankful to have Eric from Website Pipeline visit us in CT and talk about the benefits of integrated e-Commerce from InSync and designing an effective website. Kate from Scanco was also on hand to discuss end-to-end warehouse management solutions.
If you were unable to attend and would like to get details on the products discussed, please contact Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Spring Newsletter
Welcome Spring...
We are please to announce that we have released our newest newsletter. Some of the great articles covered in this issue are MAS on the Go, Feng Shui in the Office, The Scoop on Windows 7 and much more.
Here is the downloadable link for this newsletter:
http://cmsct.com/1quarter.pdf
We are please to announce that we have released our newest newsletter. Some of the great articles covered in this issue are MAS on the Go, Feng Shui in the Office, The Scoop on Windows 7 and much more.
Here is the downloadable link for this newsletter:
http://cmsct.com/1quarter.pdf
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Exercise at Your Desk
It is important to take time and keep moving at your desk. Taking a 5-minute break to stretch and strengthening your body is important. It also helps clear you mind for a few minutes giving you a new prospective on your tasks ahead. It will also help increase your productivity.
Check out this resource for some simple exercises you can do from your chair:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blofficeworkout.htm
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day 2010
Today marks for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. To celebrate, many businesses are offering free stuff, chances to win valuable prizes, and some good deals.
Check them out and do something eco-friendly for your office today.
•Trade in six plastic bottles or soda cans for a free hat made from recycled bottles at the Disney Store on April 22.
•Get a chance to win a $20,000 green home makeover by registering on the Purex website by April 30.
•Sign up for the Drive Home Green sweepstakes on Target's website through the end of the month. The grand prize is a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. You could also win bicycles, electric scooters, a national park trip, and other prizes.
Check them out and do something eco-friendly for your office today.
•Trade in six plastic bottles or soda cans for a free hat made from recycled bottles at the Disney Store on April 22.
•Get a chance to win a $20,000 green home makeover by registering on the Purex website by April 30.
•Sign up for the Drive Home Green sweepstakes on Target's website through the end of the month. The grand prize is a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. You could also win bicycles, electric scooters, a national park trip, and other prizes.
Monday, April 19, 2010
May Breakfast Workshops
Did you register for the FREE May Industry Workshops? Time is running out and the workshops are filling up. Seating is still available so call Nikki to register today.
May 6th for Distributors from 9 am to 12 noon at the CMS Training Center in Westbrook, CT
May 13th for Manufacturers from 9 am to 12 noon at the CMS Training Center in Westbrook, CT
For more details, visit out website at www.cmsct.com/newsandevents.html
May 6th for Distributors from 9 am to 12 noon at the CMS Training Center in Westbrook, CT
May 13th for Manufacturers from 9 am to 12 noon at the CMS Training Center in Westbrook, CT
For more details, visit out website at www.cmsct.com/newsandevents.html
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tax Deadline Today
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Greener Font: Century Gothic
Change the font in the documents you print and you could save thousands of dollars.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100406/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_money_saving_fonts
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100406/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_money_saving_fonts
Monday, April 5, 2010
10 Ways to Cut Office Costs
1)Save $300-500 a year by using mugs/thermoses rather than using disposable coffee cups.
2)Buying the most expensive and frequently used items in bulk, including coffee and printer ink and toner.
3)"Powering down" all electronic equipment at night. Turn off their computers when they are done for the day and have the office manager turn off copiers, fax machines and even coffee pots each night -- this can decrease your energy bill up to one-third every year.
4)Switch out your office’s incandescent light bulbs for high-quality fluorescents. Businesses can save up to 75 percent off your current lighting bill over the long-term.
5)Seal air leaks around windows and doors to increase your heating and cooling efficiency.
6)Reduce the number of phone and fax lines to the bare minimum number needed to conduct business without sacrificing customer service.
7)Save paper and money with email-to-fax services. Plans start around $4.95 a month, and include electronic delivery of faxes directly into your email inbox.
8)Sell old or unused office furniture, electronics, supplies and uniforms.
9)Renegotiate your office lease or ask for a temporary reduction during traditionally slow periods for your business.
10)Conduct a thorough review of your insurance expenses, as many small businesses spend thousands of dollars a year on insurance they don’t need or could simply find cheaper elsewhere.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring Fever
Account Manager Corner: Your Resource for Excellence
Are you catching Spring Fever? Do you want more time to escape work? Would you like to spend more time outside of the office? Would you like extra time to maybe to catch a baseball game, or to take a walk in the park? Why can’t you?
We challenge you to think of your 5 most daunting tasks. What is it that keeps you in the office past closing? What tasks keep you awake at night worrying? Schedule a brief meeting with us to tell us about your worries. See what we can do to help you save time and automate your hassles.
Nikki Spirito
Customer Account Manager
Computer Management Services, LLC
NSpirito@cmsct.com
Phone 860.399.4215 Ext. 202
Fax: 860.399.5894
Monday, March 22, 2010
15 Predictions and Trends for 2010
I was reading an interesting article from Entrepreneur about predictions for 2010. Let's see how these predictions pan out. Here is the link if you are interested:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/growyourbusiness/businessstrategies/article204474.html
http://www.entrepreneur.com/growyourbusiness/businessstrategies/article204474.html
Monday, March 15, 2010
Road Rage by Val Darling
Another drive flies past you on the highway, swerves in and out of lanes ahead of you, cuts off another car or two. Maybe cuts off a huge truck as well. It’s annoying and unsafe. Ever wonder why people drive that way?
My guess if it’s after 4pm, they’ve had a bad day at the office. For which there are as many reasons as there are people. How could some of those reasons be eliminated? I asked myself this the other day. “Maybe Computer Management could make that person’s company one of their clients.”
Just how will that eliminate their road rage? Say that driver is a production manager. Big order in the works, important to meet a deadline, but there was an error in inventory and now the whole order has to wait for a shipment from a vendor with a long lead time. How many people yelled at the poor guy? Probably his boss did some yelling, as did the salesman who secured the order and perhaps others. A day like that might make me drive like that, too.
Or say that unsafe driver is in customer service. Customer calls in yelling about an order that’s late. Guy does his best to calm the customer down, then spends the rest of the day going from person to person to get information about the order – why is it late? When is it really going to ship? What can he offer to do to keep the customer from cancelling and make him want to order again? Which salesperson works with this customer? Notifying that person that their customer is angry is not going to be any more fun than talking to the angry customer. By the end of that day, I would have a real need to get out of there, pronto!
What’s the point? Software that allows for every area of a company to be aware of not just what is happening in their world, but in all other areas makes it possible to avoid these nightmares. Integrated software would allow production to know that inventory needs to be stocked. And would let purchasing know that a big order is in the pipeline so certain parts need to be ordered before they are needed. Customer service and sales would know before an order was late that there was a potential problem. So they could be proactive rather than reacting to an angry customer.
And the highways might even be safer at the end of the day.
Are your days difficult because you don’t have the information you need when you need it? Let Computer Management Services help. Give us a call, we’ll show you how better software tools can ease your stress.
My guess if it’s after 4pm, they’ve had a bad day at the office. For which there are as many reasons as there are people. How could some of those reasons be eliminated? I asked myself this the other day. “Maybe Computer Management could make that person’s company one of their clients.”
Just how will that eliminate their road rage? Say that driver is a production manager. Big order in the works, important to meet a deadline, but there was an error in inventory and now the whole order has to wait for a shipment from a vendor with a long lead time. How many people yelled at the poor guy? Probably his boss did some yelling, as did the salesman who secured the order and perhaps others. A day like that might make me drive like that, too.
Or say that unsafe driver is in customer service. Customer calls in yelling about an order that’s late. Guy does his best to calm the customer down, then spends the rest of the day going from person to person to get information about the order – why is it late? When is it really going to ship? What can he offer to do to keep the customer from cancelling and make him want to order again? Which salesperson works with this customer? Notifying that person that their customer is angry is not going to be any more fun than talking to the angry customer. By the end of that day, I would have a real need to get out of there, pronto!
What’s the point? Software that allows for every area of a company to be aware of not just what is happening in their world, but in all other areas makes it possible to avoid these nightmares. Integrated software would allow production to know that inventory needs to be stocked. And would let purchasing know that a big order is in the pipeline so certain parts need to be ordered before they are needed. Customer service and sales would know before an order was late that there was a potential problem. So they could be proactive rather than reacting to an angry customer.
And the highways might even be safer at the end of the day.
Are your days difficult because you don’t have the information you need when you need it? Let Computer Management Services help. Give us a call, we’ll show you how better software tools can ease your stress.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Free Morning Workshop for Distributors
Save the Date....Thursday, May 6, 2010 from 9 am to 12 noon at the CMS Training Center.
Seminar topics have been exclusively developed for Sage MAS ERP Distributors. You’ll learn about solutions that can help your people spend more time on important operations, like quickly fulfilling customer orders, and less time on mundane tasks.
The Distribution business processes that we will be discussing are:
The benefits of integrated e-Commerce and designing an effective website
Increasing accuracy with end-to-end warehouse management solutions
Come early…Breakfast will be served and we would love for you to join us during this time to network. Tour Computer Management Westbrook and meet the team.
Limited seating so registration is required. Call Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202 to reserve your seat.
Seminar topics have been exclusively developed for Sage MAS ERP Distributors. You’ll learn about solutions that can help your people spend more time on important operations, like quickly fulfilling customer orders, and less time on mundane tasks.
The Distribution business processes that we will be discussing are:
The benefits of integrated e-Commerce and designing an effective website
Increasing accuracy with end-to-end warehouse management solutions
Come early…Breakfast will be served and we would love for you to join us during this time to network. Tour Computer Management Westbrook and meet the team.
Limited seating so registration is required. Call Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202 to reserve your seat.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Free Morning Manufacturing Workshop
Manufacturers who want to learn how to increase their net profitability are invited to attend this free manufacturing technology workshop offered by Computer Management this Spring. Discover industry tools that can teach you how to excel your manufacturing business. Seminar topics have been exclusively developed for Sage MAS ERP Manufacturers.
Topics include:
-Inventory planning and management made easy
-Managing the life-cycle and cost tracking of your organization’s quality control
Date: Thursday, May 13, 2010
Time: 9:00 am to 12 noon
Location: Computer Management, 70 Essex Rd, Westbrook, CT 06469
Cost: FREE with breakfast included
Seating is limited so register with Nikki today at 860.399.4215.
Topics include:
-Inventory planning and management made easy
-Managing the life-cycle and cost tracking of your organization’s quality control
Date: Thursday, May 13, 2010
Time: 9:00 am to 12 noon
Location: Computer Management, 70 Essex Rd, Westbrook, CT 06469
Cost: FREE with breakfast included
Seating is limited so register with Nikki today at 860.399.4215.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Version 4.4 has finally shipped
Account Manager Corner: Your Resource for Excellence
Version 4.4 has finally shipped. Many of you will be receiving this in the mail within the next couple of days, if you have not already.
Please join us on Monday March 8th, at 2pm to see the beneficial changes in 4.4. If you have Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials, or the Bar Code module, you will be seeing many enhancements in this latest version. Version 4.4 is bringing all of these modules up to the new business framework. In addition to that, there are many new standard views in the Business Insights Explorer as well that will be reflecting the changes.
Some of the major changes include:
-Customer Number Expansions
-Item Code Expansions
-Increased Decimal Precision
-Miscellaneous Item Maintenance Changes
-Standard Cost Valuation Improvements
-Drop Ship Improvements
-Increased Usability in Purchase Order and in Bill of Materials
Please contact me to register or to discuss any questions that you may have.
-Nikki Spirito
860.399.4215 x 202
NSpirito@cmsct.com
Version 4.4 has finally shipped. Many of you will be receiving this in the mail within the next couple of days, if you have not already.
Please join us on Monday March 8th, at 2pm to see the beneficial changes in 4.4. If you have Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials, or the Bar Code module, you will be seeing many enhancements in this latest version. Version 4.4 is bringing all of these modules up to the new business framework. In addition to that, there are many new standard views in the Business Insights Explorer as well that will be reflecting the changes.
Some of the major changes include:
-Customer Number Expansions
-Item Code Expansions
-Increased Decimal Precision
-Miscellaneous Item Maintenance Changes
-Standard Cost Valuation Improvements
-Drop Ship Improvements
-Increased Usability in Purchase Order and in Bill of Materials
Please contact me to register or to discuss any questions that you may have.
-Nikki Spirito
860.399.4215 x 202
NSpirito@cmsct.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
Windows 7 Compatibility and MAS
At this time Sage MAS 90 and 200 version 4.4 Windows 7 compatibility testing is still underway. Sage expects information on Windows 7 compatibility to be published by the end of March 2010. Prior to upgrading any operating system, please contact us, and we can provide you with the most current Supported Platform Matrix.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Spring Awakening
I think just about all of us are ready for spring to come. Spring is a season of growth. It’s when the short, dark, wintery days transform into long, sunny, warm days. It’s when Mother Nature awakens from hibernation. When flowers bloom, and gardens are planted. It’s when the song birds cue the new day to begin.
Who said that the growth has to be limited to nature? Let this spring be YOUR season of growth. Save time by becoming more efficient at your tasks at hand. Let us help. With Sage Certified Trainers on staff, we are able to provide you with top-notch training and consulting. With a couple of hours of training, we may be able to save you HOURS of unnecessary work. Tell us what your needs are. Ask us how.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
10 Job Sectors in Decline
Disappearing Jobs
Here's a list of the top 10 industries expected to lose the most jobs by 2018:
1. Department stores: Projected to lose 10.2 percent of the 1.56 million jobs they had in 2008.
2. Semiconductor manufacturing: Projected to lose 33.7 percent of the 432,000 jobs it had in 2008.
3. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: Projected to lose 18.6 percent of its 544,000 jobs.
4. Postal service: Projected to lose 13 percent of the 748,000 jobs it had in 2008.
5. Printing and related jobs: Projected to lose 16 percent of its 594,000 jobs.
6. Cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing: Projected to lose 57 percent of its 155,000 jobs.
7. Newspaper publishers: Projected to lose 24.8 percent of its 326,000 jobs.
8. Mining support jobs: Projected to lose 23.2 percent of its 328,000 jobs.
9. Gas stations: Projected to lose 8.9 percent of its 843,000 jobs.
10. Wired telecom: Projected to lose 11 percent of its 666,000 jobs.
Here's a list of the top 10 industries expected to lose the most jobs by 2018:
1. Department stores: Projected to lose 10.2 percent of the 1.56 million jobs they had in 2008.
2. Semiconductor manufacturing: Projected to lose 33.7 percent of the 432,000 jobs it had in 2008.
3. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: Projected to lose 18.6 percent of its 544,000 jobs.
4. Postal service: Projected to lose 13 percent of the 748,000 jobs it had in 2008.
5. Printing and related jobs: Projected to lose 16 percent of its 594,000 jobs.
6. Cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing: Projected to lose 57 percent of its 155,000 jobs.
7. Newspaper publishers: Projected to lose 24.8 percent of its 326,000 jobs.
8. Mining support jobs: Projected to lose 23.2 percent of its 328,000 jobs.
9. Gas stations: Projected to lose 8.9 percent of its 843,000 jobs.
10. Wired telecom: Projected to lose 11 percent of its 666,000 jobs.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Worried about a tax audit? Maybe you should be!
Check out this article from CNN Money:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/A-guide-avoid-an-IRS-tax-cnnm-837338815.html?x=0&.v=2
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/A-guide-avoid-an-IRS-tax-cnnm-837338815.html?x=0&.v=2
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes
Before you know it you will be filing your 2009 taxes. Right now is a prime time to prepare all your documents needed to file with. Here are some 8 tips you can use now.
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guides/8-tax-filing-moves-you-can-make-now-1.aspx
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guides/8-tax-filing-moves-you-can-make-now-1.aspx
Monday, February 8, 2010
What can we learn from the Super Bowl?
The New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl 43. Before the game even started they were predicted to lose to the Colts. The Saints are now the underdogs. Times like this being the underdog is a great thing. The question is how can we apply this to business.
Check out this great find:
www.buildinternet.com/2010/01/how-to-win-clients-when-youre-the-underdog/
Check out this great find:
www.buildinternet.com/2010/01/how-to-win-clients-when-youre-the-underdog/
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Winter is Extended!
Six more weeks of Winter? This can't be and more snow predicted for this weekend. Well, CMS is here for you during these cold winter months. Now is the time to brush up on your MAS ERP skills with some one-on-one consulting time. Want to get familiar with new products and tricks to increase productivity, then join us for our FREE Winter webinars.The best part about these webinars are that you can attend them from your office, home, travel, in your PJ's with a cup of hot chocolate. Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages. During these cold months, checking out what we have to say on these social medias may just brighten your day and re-energize you. Information and giveaways, it is a win-win.
For more information on setting up consulting, learning about our webinars and finding us on these social medias, please contact Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202 or via e-mail at nspirito@cmsct.com
For more information on setting up consulting, learning about our webinars and finding us on these social medias, please contact Nikki at 860.399.4215 x.202 or via e-mail at nspirito@cmsct.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
Where's Your Resolution?
So it takes 21 days to create or break a habit. How is your New Year's resolution doing? Hopefully, you are sticking with it. If not, let us know how we can help make your resolutions into reality.
Here are some interesting New Year's resolution stats for you:
40 to 45% of American adult make one or more resolutions each year.
Among the top new years resolutions are resolutions about weight loss, exercise, and stopping to smoke. Also popular are resolutions dealing with better money management / debt reduction.
The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:- past the first week: 75%- past 2 weeks: 71%- after one month: 64%- after 6 months: 46%
While a lot of people who make new years resolutions do break them, research shows that making resolutions is useful. People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't explicitly make resolutions.
“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey
Here are some interesting New Year's resolution stats for you:
40 to 45% of American adult make one or more resolutions each year.
Among the top new years resolutions are resolutions about weight loss, exercise, and stopping to smoke. Also popular are resolutions dealing with better money management / debt reduction.
The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:- past the first week: 75%- past 2 weeks: 71%- after one month: 64%- after 6 months: 46%
While a lot of people who make new years resolutions do break them, research shows that making resolutions is useful. People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't explicitly make resolutions.
“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Save Money
Account Manager Corner: Your Resource for Excellence
Let’s face it. In today’s business, it’s all about saving money. Below are easy ways for you to save money:
1) GO PAPERLESS- Allow Paperless Office to help you go green! Not only will you not have to purchase paper, purchase postage, and file documents, but you will also be helping the environment.
2) OPTIMIZE INVENTORY- Reduce Inventory Overhead by managing your inventory more efficiently. We can help you optimize your replenishment levels and automate your forecasting. Ask us how.
3) ALERTS- Many times we realize important pieces of information after the fact such as changes in a top 10 customer’s buying habit. Wouldn’t it be great if you could be notified of this as it was happening so you could contact the customer to see why? You can now have critical alerts about your company sent to you at the time they are occurring via email, pop-up message, fax, pager, PDA, cell phone or Web Browser.
4) PAYROLL- Reduce costs and bring Payroll in house. The Sage MAS 90/200 Payroll Module is easy to afford, and is designed to make Payroll preparation easy.
5) SHIPPING- Automate your shipping with MAS 90/200. This will save you time and money, increase customer satisfaction, and will ensure that your package will be shipped in a timely manner.
Ask us how to accomplish any of the above ways to reduce your costs.
-Nikki Spirito
Let’s face it. In today’s business, it’s all about saving money. Below are easy ways for you to save money:
1) GO PAPERLESS- Allow Paperless Office to help you go green! Not only will you not have to purchase paper, purchase postage, and file documents, but you will also be helping the environment.
2) OPTIMIZE INVENTORY- Reduce Inventory Overhead by managing your inventory more efficiently. We can help you optimize your replenishment levels and automate your forecasting. Ask us how.
3) ALERTS- Many times we realize important pieces of information after the fact such as changes in a top 10 customer’s buying habit. Wouldn’t it be great if you could be notified of this as it was happening so you could contact the customer to see why? You can now have critical alerts about your company sent to you at the time they are occurring via email, pop-up message, fax, pager, PDA, cell phone or Web Browser.
4) PAYROLL- Reduce costs and bring Payroll in house. The Sage MAS 90/200 Payroll Module is easy to afford, and is designed to make Payroll preparation easy.
5) SHIPPING- Automate your shipping with MAS 90/200. This will save you time and money, increase customer satisfaction, and will ensure that your package will be shipped in a timely manner.
Ask us how to accomplish any of the above ways to reduce your costs.
-Nikki Spirito
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Small Business Grants
In these tough times, all businesses are looking for funding. By seeing what grants are available to you and how you can modify your needs to be a more efficient, you may be quite surprised that a grant my be there for you. A business grant is a real opportunity for any business owner in this economy.
Check out this informative article by Eilene Zimmerman, CNNMoney.com contributing writer
http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/27/smallbusiness/free_money_small_business_grants/index.htm?postversion=2009102811
Check out this informative article by Eilene Zimmerman, CNNMoney.com contributing writer
http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/27/smallbusiness/free_money_small_business_grants/index.htm?postversion=2009102811
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Easier Way to Pay Vendors
Account Manager Corner: Your Resource for Excellence
Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way for you to pay your vendors? There is! Many companies who are switching to ACH Payments are finding the value in using it. Here are the top 10 benefits for you to pay your vendors via ACH Payments:
1) Increasing Account Confidentiality.
2) Improving the accuracy and efficiency of your operations.
3) Eliminating many manual labor-intensive processes.
4) Eliminating the possibility of lost or stolen checks.
5) Improving Business Relations.
6) Helping the environment.
7) Ensuring transactions are made within minutes with a click of a button.
8) Transmitting files that meet all NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association) Standards.
9) Saving Money by eliminating the need for postage, check forms, and envelopes.
10) Simplifying account reconciliation.
Please contact me if you would like to simplify your day-to-day transactions. I would be more than happy to setup a brief, 20 minute presentation for you to see how ACH works with MAS 90/200.
-Nikki Spirito
(860)399-4215 x 202.
NSpirito@cmsct.com
Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way for you to pay your vendors? There is! Many companies who are switching to ACH Payments are finding the value in using it. Here are the top 10 benefits for you to pay your vendors via ACH Payments:
1) Increasing Account Confidentiality.
2) Improving the accuracy and efficiency of your operations.
3) Eliminating many manual labor-intensive processes.
4) Eliminating the possibility of lost or stolen checks.
5) Improving Business Relations.
6) Helping the environment.
7) Ensuring transactions are made within minutes with a click of a button.
8) Transmitting files that meet all NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association) Standards.
9) Saving Money by eliminating the need for postage, check forms, and envelopes.
10) Simplifying account reconciliation.
Please contact me if you would like to simplify your day-to-day transactions. I would be more than happy to setup a brief, 20 minute presentation for you to see how ACH works with MAS 90/200.
-Nikki Spirito
(860)399-4215 x 202.
NSpirito@cmsct.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
News from Nicole Spirito, CMS Account Manager
Happy 2010!
We are very excited that MAS 90/200 Version 4.4 is due out during this quarter. This version is focused on bringing the Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials and Bar Code Modules up to the new framework.
In addition to enhancing these modules, there are also 19 Extended Solutions that will be included in the Version 4.4 release. (For a complete listing of these Extended Solutions, please visit: http://www.cmsct.com/newsandevents.html > and then select the link: “Click Here for the list of ES products incorporated into Version 4.4 and Greater.”) Also, there will be additional views added to Business Insights Explorer for the Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials, and Bar Code Module Enhancements.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss how these enhancements will add value to your business.
-Nikki Spirito
(860)399-4215 x 202
NSpirito@cmsct.com
We are very excited that MAS 90/200 Version 4.4 is due out during this quarter. This version is focused on bringing the Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials and Bar Code Modules up to the new framework.
In addition to enhancing these modules, there are also 19 Extended Solutions that will be included in the Version 4.4 release. (For a complete listing of these Extended Solutions, please visit: http://www.cmsct.com/newsandevents.html > and then select the link: “Click Here for the list of ES products incorporated into Version 4.4 and Greater.”) Also, there will be additional views added to Business Insights Explorer for the Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Bill of Materials, and Bar Code Module Enhancements.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss how these enhancements will add value to your business.
-Nikki Spirito
(860)399-4215 x 202
NSpirito@cmsct.com
Monday, January 4, 2010
Welcome 2010
The first Monday of January begins a new and promising life, full of New Year’s resolutions that will revolutionize, strengthen and lengthen our lives. Unfortunately for many of us, these resolutions fade away as quickly as they are made. Here is a tip to make your resolution stick:
Each day, read and commit to your resolutions but only for that day, not for the whole year. By Feb. 1, they will become a new habit. Taking this day by day keeps it realistic and manageable. When you visualize the whole year it can be overwhelming. If you think in the mindset each and every day, "Today I will...." you will be able to commit to your resolution on a daily basis. Each day accomplished is a day closer to bring your resolution to fruition.
May the New Year promise you all good fortune, health, happiness and prosperity.
FYI...Our trivia contest from our last post is still open. No winners so far. Start the year off a winner and take a guess.
Each day, read and commit to your resolutions but only for that day, not for the whole year. By Feb. 1, they will become a new habit. Taking this day by day keeps it realistic and manageable. When you visualize the whole year it can be overwhelming. If you think in the mindset each and every day, "Today I will...." you will be able to commit to your resolution on a daily basis. Each day accomplished is a day closer to bring your resolution to fruition.
May the New Year promise you all good fortune, health, happiness and prosperity.
FYI...Our trivia contest from our last post is still open. No winners so far. Start the year off a winner and take a guess.
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