In previous versions of Microsoft Dynamics GP, any transaction posted from a sub-module that was not saved to a batch would automatically create a batch that had to be posted in the General Ledger. Not anymore! Users may now post through the General Ledger at the transaction level. Here’s how An additional checkbox has been … Read more
Acumatica Construction Edition: Taking Businesses into the Future
Construction professionals struggle with many of the same challenges as those in other areas of business, but with an entire set of unique issues. Accounting and ERP software designed specifically for construction contractors, fabrication, home builders, subcontractors, specialty contractors, and land developers with the solutions they require to improve their bottom line, can help keep … Read more
Quickly Create and Depreciate a New Asset in Dynamics 365 Business Central
Managing fixed assets is a cornerstone of any good accounting software. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is no different. Here’s how to create and depreciate a new asset in a flash. Create a New Fixed Asset Go to Finance>Fixed Assets>New. Then enter the basic information (the fields in boxes below are required). Note: the subclass … Read more
8 Ways to Know Your Cloud ERP will Enable Real-time Visibility for Distribution Companies
Distribution businesses need real-time visibility into sales, order management, inventory, purchasing, production and services—and accounting information. Customers and employees now expect to have complete information at their fingertips. Maybe you’re considering a new or upgraded ERP system? Cloud solutions can help, but only if they’re built the right way. Do you know the difference between … Read more
Outgrowing QuickBooks: You Can’t Move Forward When You Keep Looking Back
Before you make any important business decisions, it is necessary to check the books. Can you afford to take on this project at this price, or will it strain the profit margin? Can we invest in new equipment this year, or do we need to put it off? Are the efforts we’ve been dedicating to … Read more
A Management Reporter (MR) Refresher: Advanced MR Tips with Downloadable Guides
Attention Dynamics SL Users: You’ll notice a lot of “Dynamics GP” language used below – that’s only because we used Dynamics GP for our presentation. Management Reporter works exactly the same in Dynamics SL! Management Reporter (MR) in Dynamics GP is known for the valuable financial data it can offer — and in turn the … Read more
Dynamics SL Batches are Taking a Long Time to Release – What Can I Do?
I recently had a customer call me and describe that their batches were taking a long time to release in Microsoft Dynamics SL. They have Cash Manager installed and configured properly, but any batches in Cash Manager, Check, or AP Payments, were taking forever to release. They even tried to cancel the release and redo … Read more
Staying Organized in Microsoft Outlook
If you’re a visual person like I am, and you like things color coordinated, then you need to check out Color Categories in Microsoft Outlook. This feature has been around since 2010 and it’s a great way to get organized, and keep track of your emails. It helps me to sort and find my messages … Read more
Payroll Transaction Start / End Date Feature in Dynamics GP 2018 R2
With the release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 R2, you can now limit the use of the pay code during the Payroll Transaction Entry and Build Payroll Batch process. Dynamics GP 2018 R2 includes two additional fields for a Start Date and an End Date on the employee pay code maintenance window. If you’re familiar … Read more
Is QuickBooks Causing a Weak Audit Trail?
When you notice that numbers in the books have mysteriously changed, it is likely not a glitch; it’s probably a manual entry that was rewritten. Many basic accounting software programs, QuickBooks included, allow any user to login and edit data at will, without any restrictions or an audit trail. Unless you keep a close eye … Read more
Speed Up Your Dynamics 365 Custom SSRS Reports
Here’s a quick and great way to speed up your reports – enable pre-filtering in Microsoft Dynamics 365. Pre-filtering is a feature that allows users to restrict the parameters of the data they are grabbing. It leverages the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Advanced Find filtering. For example, you may want to enable pre-filtering when running a … Read more
Skype for Business Tracking Chat and Call Durations in Outlook
Did you know that you can track your Skype chat conversations in Outlook, track call history, and durations? It can be a useful tool in regard to tracking time with clients or projects. Here’s how I use it. First make sure your Skype Options are set properly. For some companies this is controlled by your … Read more
Moving an Existing Field between Tabs in Acumatica
Have you ever needed to move a field from one Acumatica tab to another? You might want to organize your fields on the tabs to match your process. It will make your day go faster and easier. I’m going to show you how, without needing an Acumatica developer to help. However, keep in mind that … Read more
How to Set Up a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Portal
What is a portal? A portal is a website you can customize for your customers, partners, or employees. It is connected to your Microsoft Dynamics 365 environment so users are able to externally: Submit and review cases or knowledge articles Create and review sales opportunities Utilize forums for discussions, questions, or suggestions Can you envision … Read more
Another Sign That You’ve Outgrown QuickBooks? Managing the Books and Cash Flow Isn’t As Easy As It Used to Be
A QuickBooks History Lesson It wasn’t too long ago that general ledgers and other financial data were kept by hand in notebooks or in rudimentary spreadsheets on the computer. Basic accounting software like QuickBooks soon followed (much to the pleasure of accounting departments everywhere), and it remains a great entry-level tool. But it hasn’t evolved … Read more
What’s the Cost of Doing Nothing? Why You Can’t Afford to Wait on Your ERP Software Decision
If not making a decision to implement or upgrade to a modern-day, cloud ERP is the decision you choose to make, your business isn’t going to grow. Learn about the financial effects of your non-decision in the new Aberdeen Group whitepaper “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why You Can’t Afford to Sit on an ERP … Read more
Acumatica Summit 2019: Crestwood Clients, Awards, Training, & More
Crestwood Associates recently attended the 2019 Acumatica Summit and WOW, what a great week! Here are some of our highlights: We spent lots of face time with our clients, peers, and experts Christine and I attended the sold-out “Women in Technology” Luncheon We learned about great features in the new release of Acumatica 2019 R1 … Read more
Video How-To’s: Two New Acumatica Features for Dashboards and ARM Reporting
Hopefully by now, you’ve upgraded to Acumatica 2018 R2! Acumatica is routinely adding new features and improving on current functions. Below are two quick how-to videos for two new functions; one for dashboards, and the other for the ARM reporting package. Stay tuned for more short how-to videos, and be sure to subscribe to our … Read more
Make Your Dynamics GP System Better in 2019
Have your voice heard for getting the product features and enhancements you want into the next Dynamics product release! As new releases of Dynamics GP come out, there are great “What’s New” blogs and documents that capture the newest product features you can take advantage of if you decide to upgrade. But are you still … Read more
What’s Your ROI of a Modern ERP Cloud Solution?
Growing businesses know it’s imperative to upgrade to a modern ERP cloud solution from their legacy system. But such a significant investment of time and money should be researched thoroughly and probably will require evidence of the return on investment. Acumatica’s whitepaper “ROI Analysis of Replacement ERP” provides the tools for doing that. The paper discusses … Read more
Create a SmartList to Analyze AP Invoices Paid by GL Account in Dynamics GP
One of the most commonly asked questions from my Microsoft Dynamics GP customers is – how do I see how much I paid a certain vendor by GL account? For example: if you need to see all the legal fees paid to several different law firms, where do you go to get this information quickly … Read more
Our First Trial of the New Microsoft Teams
Our Marketing department here at Crestwood decided to try out Microsoft Teams. I was leery at first, but I have to say, overall, it’s AWESOME! The more I use Teams, the less time I spend searching for emails, files, or switching between screens. Microsoft Teams has brought almost everything into one window. It truly is … Read more
The First Telltale Signs That You’ve Outgrown QuickBooks
If you’ve built your business on QuickBooks, you know it’s a great entry-level accounting solution. As your business flourishes, however, QuickBooks may not be able to keep up. There are telltale signs that you’ve hit your limits with your current systems and when those start to occur, your future growth will be stifled until you step … Read more
From Nightmare to Triumph – Disaster Recovery and Maintaining Business Continuity with the Crestwood Cloud
If someone asked you right now where your backups are located, would you know? Are you sure your ERP system even HAS reliable backups, with easy access should disaster strike? We don’t ask this to scare you, but we know from experience how critical having a reliable and robust backup plan in place is to … Read more