Free Fall 2012 Users' Meeting & Workshop

Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 9 am to 4 pm
Crowne Plaza - Cromwell Connecticut

Leaner •Meaner • Greener
How to become more efficient, reduce costs, and improve operations with the practical application of new tools

Don't miss out! Register today to attend our free Users' Group Meeting and Workshop on Thursday, November 1st. This full day (9am to 4pm) workshop happens once a year and is open to all Sage 100 Users and Prospects.

Fall Users' Meeting Details

In this exciting Fall Users' meeting , vendor representatives will be in attendance to help you learn about important and relevant topics.

Altec Inc.-Publishers of Document Management and Workflow applications can transform your workplace to a truly "Paperless Environment. Peri-Lynn Silkwood from Altec will be here to show you first hand how you can eliminate filing cabinets and the costly processing time associated with them. Discover an instant ROI with an affordable solution that will reduce paper and increase control.

Kelser Corp-Tired of double talk from your IT department? Tired of listening to terms that you really don't understand? You will not want to miss this session. Andrew Tyler from Kelser Corporation (who is a Sage 100 ERP user) will be on hand to explain and de-mystify such topics as Cloud Computing, Virtualization, Disaster Recovery, etc. This session will be presented in terms that we all can understand and relate to. Learn about which technologies are beneficial to your company and how to best leverage them.
Sage Sales Tax by Avalara- Learn about how the recent changes in Sales Tax legislation will affect your organization. Coincidently, Shawn Munzert will be travelling in Connecticut that week and will be available to discuss any questions relevant to Sales Tax tracking , liability and reporting. Also, understand how the recent changes in Sales Tax laws will affect your company.

ProClarity- As Your Business Grows....So Must Your Reporting Tools. As we all know, business today is a dynamic environment. Being successful today means being on top of changes as they are happening not after they have happened. Easy access to data is easy access to knowledge and knowledge is power. ProClarity takes reporting to the next level of simplicity. See how you can easily create reports, KPI's, Executive Dashboards etc with the help of ProClarity.

Not a Sage 100 User?

This is a great opportunity for prospects who may be interested in Sage 100 ERP products. Obtain input from actual users and learn more about the product capabilities.

This workshop and sessions are free to all clients and prospects and includes a breakfast and a working lunch and raffles. Registration is required. Please call Janice Florio at 1.800.533.0595 x 202.

Save Time with Sales Order Item Deletion Utility

The Sales Order Item Deletion Utility comes  is now available as a single add-on utility.

The Sales Order Item Deletion Utility allows an item(s) to be deleted from a range of sales orders that are not available to ship. This eliminates the need to manually delete the item(s) from the sales orders in Sales Order Data Entry.

The Sales Order Item Deletion Utility is accessed from the Sales Order Utilities. Upon entering the screen, users will select the appropriate criteria to determine which sales orders to delete the item(s) from.

Once the sales order criteria have been entered the user will select the items to be deleted and optionally the maximum quantity of that item to delete. Users can enter or select a starting and ending item number as well as the maximum quantity to delete. The Add Items button is then pressed to add the items entered to the list of items to be deleted.

When the desired criteria have been entered the user will hit Proceed to begin item deletion process. The item deletion process will scan all standard and backorder type sales orders that meet the order selection criteria entered to see if they contain any of the items in the list of items to delete. If a sales order is currently being invoiced the utility will skip over the order and no items will be deleted. The items from the orders selected will be sorted by item number and quantity ordered (lowest to highest). For each item selected to be deleted, the item will be deleted from orders with the lowest quantities first until the maximum quantity to delete has been reached. If deleting an item will exceed the maximum quantity to delete, the item will not be deleted but rather the quantity ordered will be reduced. After removing an item(s) from a sales order if no other line items remain on the order, the sales order will be deleted. When the process is complete the user will be prompted with the total number of sales orders changed and the total number of sales orders deleted and be returned to the Sales Order Item Deletion screen.

For more information on this product, call Janice Florio at 860.399.4215 x.202.

Welcome Fall

With the start of school and the Labor Day weekend here, we know that Fall upon us. We know that nights get long and the weather soon will be changing/ CMS is here with a full schedule of great seasonal events to maximize your business and Sage 100 ERP system. We will be releasing our schedule of events shortly. Keep logged in by checking our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages, as well as our blog. CMS is the key to planning success...Let us help you with your needs!

Fall is coming..

Fall is coming...School is going to start soon. CMS is going to offer some classes and training. We would like to know what classes you would like to see. Let us know.

Want more Crystal?

Want more Crystal? Are you looking to develop some reports on your own and need help? Maybe you don't have the time and want these reports developed to your criteria. CMS is here to meet your Crystal needs. We offer both basic and advance Crystal Reports classes which will provide you with the knowledge you need to work on your own reports and to sharpen your skill. We also offer Crystal Report development where CMS' team of experts will develop the report you want based on your specific criteria needs. Crystal Reports is a great way to get the information you require and have it customized to your business needs. Call or e-mail us today for more information on Crystal training and/or report development (860.399.4215 x.202 or jflorio@cmsct.com).

Half Way Done with Summer

Wow, can you believe Summer is half way through! So far we have been having a great summer with webcasts as the kickoff and a very successful Lunch and Learn with Avalara, our Sage Sales Tax experts. If you did not make our last Lunch and Learn, you must try and make our next one. Our clients have been raving about the fantastic time they had, as well as the information obtained during this event. Keep in the know and speak to Janice to be placed on our event contact list. E-mail: jflorio@cmsct.com / Phone: 860.399.4215 x.202.

To continue with a wonderful Summer, here is a recipe for Watermelon Salad.

1/2 cup chopped red onion 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes) $ 4 cups cubed seeded watermelon $ 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint 1/2 cup (2 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled

Combine onion and juice in a medium bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Add watermelon, olives, parsley, and mint. Cover and chill 1 hour. Sprinkle with cheese.

This Week: Wednesday Lunch and Learn

Join us for our next Lunch and Learn July 18th from 12 pm - 2:30 pm A Taste of Crystal XI Sales Tax Processing Made Easy Free, informative presentation via Webcast or Live @ CMS office in Westbrook, CT A Taste of Crystal Reports - XI- Whether you are new to Crystal or using an older version, you will definitely want to attend this session. See how to easily create new reports, modify existing reports and modify your MAS forms. In this session we will also cover the new changes incorporated in Crystal Version XI. Our main event will be focusing on Efficient Processing of Your Sales Tax Calculations. We will be discussing how you can shift your sales tax liability risk and how simply and accurately you can calculate sales tax. During this session you will learn how you can reduce your audit risk while managing exemption certificates, filing forms and remitting payments. Lunch will be served at our office. Contact Janice today at 1.800.533.0595 x.202 to register today or e-mail: lmaxwell@cmsct.com Seating is limited for this free special event. Not able to attend at CMS' office? Sign up for the live webcast.

ERP Roadshow Presents: LIVE FROM NEW YORK WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012 from 9 am to 5 pm

A ONE-DAY ONLY EVENT IN MAHATTAN FOR Sage ERP Customers

Top vendors have assembled a series of one day mini trade shows throught the country. The next stop is NYC!

Sage ISV's (Independent Software Vendors) are sponsoring an educational event at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The goal of the day is to provide information on applications that integrate with Sage 100 ERP (formerly "Sage MAS90"), Sage 300 ERP (formerly "Sage Accpac ERP"), Sage 500 ERP (formerly "Sage MAS 500"), and Sage X3 that can help you increase sales, control costs, and better manage your business processes. Information will be provided on e-commerce, Payment Processing, Shipping, Document Management, EDI, and Business Activity Monitoring (BAM) and Alerts & Workflow and there will be ample opportunity to ask questions about your particular situation and requirements.

The event cost is $99.

Register online at www.erproadshows.com by MAY 18, 2012 and use the promo code CMS523, you will be considered a special guest of COMPUTER MANAGEMENT to attend at NO COST!

Lunch 'N Learn / Go Green and Lean

Join us on May 9th from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Free, informative presentation via Webcast or Live @ CMS office in Westbrook, CT Document Management and Simplified Workflow Solutions Learn how the Sage 100 Endorsed Document Management Solution by Altec can help companies like yours work leaner, greener and more efficiently. A representative from Altec will be at CMS to help you understand what the term “Paperless” can really mean for your company! Discover for yourself the many benefits of Sage ERP Document Management: -Reduces filing, routing, searching and copying costs-Increase Productivity up to 40% -Eliminates filing cabinets and the associated labor costs and expedites document retrieval -Streamlines your approval processes -Traditionally returns an ROI in nine months or less Lunch will be served at our office. Contact Denise today at 1.800.533.0595 x.202 to register today. Seating is limited for this free special event. Not able to attend at CMS’ office? Sign up for the live webcast.

Complimentary Webcast: Making Sense of the Credit Card Industry”

Payments 101: Making Sense of the Credit Card Industry
Date: April 17, 2012
Time: 11:00 AM PDT


Confused how the complicated, ever-evolving credit card payments industry works? You’re not alone! Whether you are currently accepting credit card payments or considering it, it’s critical you understand the ins and outs of the payments industry so you know what to look for in a payments solution. Not making an informed decision can be a costly proposition.

Join us and learn:
• All the different people involved with moving and handling transactions.
• What the difference is between integrated and nonintegrated payments solutions.
• How to get started.

Good business practices state that accepting credit card payments is essential—don’t get left behind, sign up today!


To register, go to www.cmsct.com/newsandevents.html

How to Find an Extra Hour at the Office

By Caroline M.L. Potter

Everybody's trying to find ways to save these days, whether it be on food expenses, gas or payrolls. Layoffs or hiring freezes may prompt your employer to ask you to do the work of two -- or even three -- or to increase your output.

If you're already feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day to get your work done, you may wonder how you'll get more done. Don't despair. Donna Rae Smith, founder of Bright Side, a behavior-change firm near Cleveland, has tips to help you save at least an hour a day so you can carry your load without collapsing.

"These are five simple steps that anyone can begin using today to make themselves more productive and accomplish more -- with less stress," she says.

1. Make a V.I.T. (Very Important Task) List

It's easy to get mired in the mundane at work, so don't. "Don't become distracted by the insignificant or get caught in the swirl of busyness doing things that don't add value," Smith says. Keep your eye on your professional future to prioritize what's on your plate so you are more likely to move up.

"Obviously, the urgent and important go to the top of the list," she says. "Next, look at the important, but not urgent. These are tasks that, while important, can be done bit by bit, little by little." Responsibilities that don't fall into either category should be given a much lower priority. If you're worried about something sliding, review your list with your supervisor to make sure your expectations are the same.

2. Give Meetings a Makeover

Everyone talks about how much they hate meetings, and no one does anything about it -- except the smart folks at Procter & Gamble, a Bright Side client. "We removed the table from our conference room," says Bonnie Curtis, manager of Global Oral Care at P&G. "It's become a symbol of us creating an atmosphere of authenticity and productivity; our people feel that they are working in a safe and inclusive environment, which has resulted in them being open to new ideas."

In addition to this strategy, Smith says, "Brief, regular meetings to update progress, make decisions and commit to next steps are more efficient and effective than grand, comprehensive gatherings."

3. Email Is as Easy as 1-2-3

In the ultimate digital age, it may sound impossible, but if you want to save time you must break the cycle of email addiction. "Although it can be a wonderful productivity tool, email can become a burdensome nightmare," Smith says. She and her staff advise workers to restrict themselves to checking email just three times each workday -- once in the morning, once midday and a final time near day's end. Use your new-found time "doing what you need to be doing," she adds.

4. Get Chunked

Stop thinking of your time at work as a homogenous workday, and instead heed Smith's suggestion to work in "chunks" of time. Create them by cutting yourself off from other tasks and coworkers not related to the task at hand so you can completely focus. "[Chunks are] a great way to complete the urgent and important tasks [that are at the top of your list]," she says.

5. Swing Your Shift a Bit

Streamline your lunchtime by beating the crowds. "Go off peak," she says. "Instead of eating lunch between noon and 1 p.m., go to lunch at 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m." Not only will you enjoy better service and shorter lines, but during the relative peace while everyone else is at lunch, you'll also be able to focus and get more done.

Beat the 3 p.m. Slump

We all hit that difficult part of the afternoon when our energy dips, our concentration flags, and it feels like we're not going to be able to stay awake until the end of the workday without crawling under the desk to take a nap. And not sleeping well the night before just compounds the problem.

At times like this, we reach for a cup of coffee, a can of soda or a candy bar to help us perk up. Unfortunately, we often wind up paying for our caloric quick fix with a bad sugar crash later.

There are healthier ways to beat the 3 p.m. slump. Here are some suggestions for keeping your inner engine purring steadily until the commute home.

Move Around

"When I hit that sleepy part of the day, I try to resist going straight for the coffee pot, and get up from my desk and take a walk outside instead," says Aubyn Peterson, administrative assistant for the Miss USA Pageant. Peterson finds that simply getting up, moving around and experiencing a change of scenery really helps her wake up.

If you can, schedule your active errands for that time of day. "Part of my job involves dropping by the theaters and picking up tickets, and a walk on Broadway always seems to give me energy," says Richard Ogawa, a sales and special events assistant for Broadway On and Off, a Broadway group sales organization based in New York City.

Laugh a Little

"If I don't have time to step out of the office, I get up from my desk for a few minutes and have a laugh with my coworkers," Peterson says.

Ogawa agrees that laughter is some of the best work-slump medicine. "Smiling always perks me up," he says.

Office Yoga

Lori Wiley, a certified yoga instructor and administrative assistant for HER Real Living, recommends doing a little rejuvenating yoga at your desk to battle the yawns. Here's Wiley's favorite pick-me-up:

While sitting at your desk:

Raise your arms straight up above your head.
Flap your hands really fast.
Breathe in and out quickly.
Do this for as long as you can manage -- or until your coworkers notice.

Eat Right

Your diet can make a big difference in your energy level throughout the workday. One of the best remedies for the 3 p.m. slump is eating breakfast.

"Eating a good breakfast boosts your concentration and revs your energy," according to Susie Michelle Cortight's article, "Eating for Energy: A Simple Meal-by-Meal Guide to Managing Your Mood with Food."

According to Cortight, you can keep your blood sugar on an even keel with complex carbohydrates, and you should avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and white sugar. These have a high glycemic index, which can cause spikes and dips in your blood-sugar levels.

Breakfast: For a power breakfast, Cortight advises going with natural whole-grain breads and cereals with a low-fat protein added, such as yogurt, cottage cheese or skim milk. The right complex carbohydrates provide your brain and muscles with the steady flow of the energy they need, she says.

Lunch: Cortight suggests a lunch that's low in carbohydrates and should include foods like low-fat cheese, fish, lean meat or poultry. According to her article, "carbs can increase the amount of seratonin in the brain and may cause that sleepy feeling. Protein can actually raise energy levels by increasing brain chemicals called catecholamines."

Snacks: Snacking is a good way to pick up plummeting energy levels. Eating every few hours helps your body use its fuel more efficiently, stimulates your metabolism and keeps your energy flow constant -- but only if you reach for the right kind of fuel. For a midday snack, try fruits and vegetables instead of candy bars, which are laden with simple sugars and will bring on fluctuating and erratic energy levels. For a late-afternoon snack, try a lean protein, like low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, a lean meat or peanut butter with a few crackers.

Training Should Be Center Stage

A very important consideration that must be made early and can't be put off is the training that staff members must receive to make enterprise resource planning effective. Without putting the roles of personnel into perspective, companies will find themselves with onerously ineffective hardware and software that is curiously not producing the results that their software vendors assured them they would.

This means that training should be one of, if not the largest, centerpiece of an implementation.

CMS is here for all your training needs. Call to schedule your individual or group training session today. We can focus on the modules you want to get a better handle on or help you with customizations that will take your organization to the next level.

New Year Thoughts from Nikki Spirito, CMS Account Manager

First, CMS would like to thank you for your continued relationship. Everyone at CMS hopes that you and your loved ones had a safe and happy New Year celebration.

We hope that as the New Year approaches, all of the changes made are positive ones. Here are a few tips from our experts that will make your life easier in the New Year.:

1) Please consult with us prior to upgrading your hardware. Time and time again, we run into situations where clients are purchasing hardware that is not supported with their current MAS Version. We can provide the information you need to avoid this situation altogether.
2) Always create a backup company before making any drastic setup changes, updating your system, or adding on any new products. This way, if something adversely happens during the changes, you can always restore your backup and start again.
3) Please call us if you have any questions…or even if it’s just to reassure you. Our experts are here to help make your life easier, and to help make you more efficient at your job.

Please keep in mind that our success depends on yours. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you.