Cost Control Software

Job Manager RTC Training released

Rick Baxter — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:24:02 +0000

We are pleased to announce the completion of our Job Manager 2009 RTC Training Class.

We have re-recorded all the segments from the Classic and added many new topics to assist new end-users launch their Job Manager installation correctly.

This class is also ideal for our Classic customers who are upgrading from a previous version of NAV to the newer Role Tailored Client. (RTC) You will find this new user interface is much quicker to navigate, and gives much greater access to the underlying data.

When you order “Job Manager Training” you now receive both the Classic Version and the RTC Version for the one low price.

Warning: The Job Manager class is very detailed and we estimate that a new user will take between 2 and 3 days to complete the learning segments.

Even if you are not going to use the Estimating part of Job Manager we still encourage you to watch this section. Some time in the future you might work into utilizing the Estimating capabilities of Job Manager.

You can order on-line, by phone, or use the ‘contact us’ option to request more information.

Job Manager RTC Training released is a post from: Cost Control Software

FORMS to PAGES

Rick Baxter — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:35:25 +0000

If you are using Dynamics NAV “Classic” Version, you need to start to learn about the Transformation Process to move to the next wave of NAV Versions. Microsoft is moving to all RTC (Role Tailored Client) in the next 2 years. You need to understand how to do this. Or at least, understand what your NAV Consultant will be doing to assist you in the transformation.

I have just completed an in-depth Webinar on the procedure to transform your Classic FORMS to PAGES in Role Tailored Client. I will share this information freely, but I hope you will consider doing business with Cost Control Software.

The replay is now posted to our Webinar/Replay section of this web site. Scroll down to the Development section to enjoy this 70 min Webinar.

FORMS to PAGES is a post from: Cost Control Software

Bill of Lading

Rick Baxter — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:11:24 +0000

We are pleased to announce that a simple to use “Bill of Lading” has been added to our Foundation Pack features. This BOL works directly from the “Posted Shipment Document”. You just add the Line items description, Weight per Package, Number of Packages. The Carrier description is built into the report.

The price of Foundation Pack has not changed with the addition of this new feature.

If you would like a PDF Sample of the finished document just replay here or send Rick and e-mail request.

Bill of Lading is a post from: Cost Control Software

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Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 Announcement

Rick Baxter — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:19:12 +0000

Today, Microsoft is announcing the upcoming release of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 scheduled for Q4 of CY2010.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 is a major and significant release for Microsoft Dynamics NAV and will deliver on our software-plus-services vision and include integration to Microsoft Dynamics CRM and online payment service – both originally planned for Microsoft Dynamics NAV “7”. Because of the immense investment in new architecture for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, we are able to provide even more benefits for you and your customers by bringing a new feature set to market quicker than scheduled.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 in Brief

The features in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 include:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Integration. Integration to Microsoft Dynamics CRM on-premise as well as Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. The integration will support Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 and upcoming Microsoft Dynamics CRM 5.0.

Online Payment Service for Microsoft Dynamics NAV. This enables customers to process payment transactions from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV interface across multiple channels, including e-commerce, point of sale and call center transactions. The Payment Service works with leading payment processing services and all major credit cards. Payment services are subject to local availability.
RoleTailored Client Access for Remote and Roaming Users. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 supports direct access from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV RoleTailored client over the Internet. This allows for remote or roaming users to take advantage of the richness of the RoleTailored interface and the many integration features connected to local resources, such as the operating system and Microsoft Office. This reduces the complexity and overhead compared with using other applications such as Citrix Systems and Terminal Services, enhancing the quality of experience, especially for hosting partners offering cloud-based Microsoft Dynamics NAV deployments.
Microsoft Application Virtualization support. The Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 RoleTailored interface can be deployed using Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) technology. This provides a better experience for the end user as all integration with local applications is done on the desktop. It also cuts IT costs by centrally managing Microsoft Dynamics NAV client installations with automatic deployment to the desktop after an update.
Windows 7 User Experience Improvements. Through Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2, jump lists can be used to open recently accessed customers and vendors for increased business productivity and efficiency, and the icon overlay functionality provides information on system events and status streamlined with the Windows 7 user experience.
Treemap visualization. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 showcases the possibilities around business data visualizations abilities in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1 or later versions through rich ad hoc data visualization. It provides treemap analysis that enables the comparison of any two values, for example sales and profits, as well as manufacturing visualization, which increases business productivity and business insight.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 Announcement is a post from: Cost Control Software

How I learned NAV 2009 RTC

Billing options for Job Manager

Rick Baxter — Fri, 07 May 2010 18:54:07 +0000

Check this out. We have identified 8 different types of Invoices that Customers ask for. Knowing which one is right for you is difficult to identify.

Cost Control to the rescue. We have listed all EIGHT on the “Job Billing” Web Page. We (Ben) have also recorded a short video that shows how each of them works. It is up to the end-user to now select which method works the best for them.

I hope this page helps you identify the correct procedure for you. As always, when in doubt, give Cost Control Software a call.

View the 8 Billing Options here.

Billing options for Job Manager is a post from: Cost Control Software

“Pivotier” added as new NAV Reporting option

Rick Baxter — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:33:55 +0000

Cost Control is please to announce that we have added “Pivotier” as an additional reporting tool for Dynamics NAV.

How it Works?

Pivotier queries are defined by IT or power users to handle the joining of tables and fields. Queries handle the interpretation of NAV flowfields and other data nuances automatically by generating Transact SQL statements at run-time. Queries also provide a level of data security and optimization of data reads to your SQL Server database.
End-users define ad-hoc reports within Dynamics NAV using EITHER the Classic or Role-Tailored (i,e, NAV 2009) user interface and select fields from pre-defined queries. The query definition greatly simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for end-users to understand complex data relationships within the NAV database.
Calculated columns, graphical data indicators and charts can be added with a few mouse-clicks to generate rich, colorful and visually stunning reports.
Reports can be shared with other users in the enterprise using NAV security roles.
Reports can also be published to Excel, PDF or to SSRS.

Encouraging End-users to Create Reports

Users are often confused and intimidated by the vast array of tables and fields available in Dynamics NAV and its many add-on solutions. They prefer to work within their familiar Classic or Role-tailored NAV interface and resist using external applications like Excel. Pivotier allows IT departments and partners to define Queries which join multiple tables and fields in normalized data sets to match specific business objectives such as sales reporting or employee analysis. Now users can simply pick fields and place them on reports without any knowledge of internal data complexities.

We recently hosted a Webinar to show our customers how this reporting tool worked. We invite you to watch this replay to see what you think too. Please leave a comment as to your opinions. Warning, this is a full 60 min presentation of all the details.

Allocate the time before you begin, there is lots to learn: (30 Seconds to open)

Watch 60 min Video on Pivotier

“Pivotier” added as new NAV Reporting option is a post from: Cost Control Software

Reporting Options in NAV

Rick Baxter — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:57:22 +0000

Who writes reports at your office? Reporting is not something your NAV Consultant is required to you. You can do it! Reporting tools are available to every NAV End-Users, but that doesn’t mean the end-user has to learn how to use the tool.

What is available to end-users?
a. Built in Report Designer – Classic
b. Built in Report Designer – RTC
c. Pivotier – Tool to generate RDL Reports
d. Jet Reports – Tool to generate Excel Reports
e. Business Intelligence (Optional Tool Built in NAV)
f. Business Intelligence (Advanced 3rd Party offerings)

The key to successful roll out of any Reporting Tools falls squarely on the shoulders of the end-user. If you are a NAV End-User, then step up and learn the tools. Actually, learn the tool, singular. Management should select the desired level of reporting needed, and then the staff needs to learn to fully utilize that tool.

Most Reporting Vendors offer class. Take the class! For some of the advanced reporting tools it might be as much as 5 days of class, but the results will be dramatic. You should no longer have to rely on a NAV consultant to create your reports, you know your company the best and the data that is desired on the reports. Just to be sure you know Cost Control Software provides Report Writer Training on CD, so you don’t even have to travel and you can re-watch as often as you like.

See the Report Writer Training Information here.

Reporting Options in NAV is a post from: Cost Control Software

Inventory Accuracy with Automatic Cycle Counting

Rick Baxter — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:51:56 +0000

A very common complaint from end-users is that they can’t trust the computer to deliver accurate Qty on Hand information. They don’t trust the computer. They would rather walk out to the storage area and look before they commit delivery to a customer.

Yet is seems so simple: Receive into Inventory and the Qty goes up. Sell out of Inventory and the Qty goes down. So what is the problem? 99.9% of the time it is a human problem.

Potential errors:
a. Wrong Items are entered. (+ or -)
b. Wrong quantities are entered.
c. Receiving to the wrong Location or SKU.
d. Item Usage not being recorded.
e. Location Transfers not getting entered.

If you are doing “write down” of Inventory each year, the real problem is that usage is not getting recorded as you go. So at the end of the year during a physical a big discrepancy is discovered and COGS takes a big one time hit to make it right. I submit to you, it is better to catch it early and fill the leak.

If you are doing “Cycle Counting”, let me recommend Cost Control’s “Automatic Cycle Counting” Granule. This Granule will enable you to spot problems much earlier. Don’t wait until year end, do a weekly quick count of the next 40 items. Let Auto Cycle Count tell you what items need to be counted, do the count, record the adjustment, and then try to figure out why there were any discrepancies.

Inventory Accuracy with Automatic Cycle Counting is a post from: Cost Control Software

Job Planning Lines

True cost of a Job

Rick Baxter — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:47:25 +0000

Projects always come in under budget if you don’t post any costs to them. Projects always come in under budget if you don’t post all job related costs to that job. Don’t teach the computer to lie to you. Be honest with your entries and if a cost is job related post it to that job.

If the entry is going to push the actual cost over the estimated cost, make the entry! Don’t run and adjust the budget either. You need to know. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know you have a problem.

Example: A construction company needed 10 loads of Stone delivered to a Job Site. They were using their truck to pick the stone, but only the Invoice for the Stone was getting charged to the cost of the Job. What about the use of their Truck? What about the Driver? What about the wear and tear on the truck?

The typical reason the cost of the truck does not get charged to the job is that it is hard to do. Who is responsible to make the entry and verify it gets posted to the Job Ledger? Same for the truck driver. He doesn’t want to take his time to fill out a Time Allocation Ticket to 8 Jobs each day. So the true cost of the job is light, and revenue opportunities are left on the table.

Solution: Build a “culture” in your business that tracks the details. Empower all employees to post their time and anything else they feel is appropriate to the cost of the job. If Job Profitability starts to fall apart, you are getting a truer picture of the job. Future jobs can be priced more appropriately based on better history.

True cost of a Job is a post from: Cost Control Software

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Job Planning Lines

Rick Baxter — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:26:02 +0000

You use Job Planning Lines to list your expectations of the job, either schedule (what items, resources and G/L expenses you expect to use) or contract (what you agree with your customer that he should pay for the job).

You can set up planning lines for each job task on the job. If you have agreed with your customer that he should pay one total amount for the entire job, regardless of the usage on the individual job tasks, you only have to set up one job planning line of type Contract for the entire job.

Only planning lines of type Contract or Both Schedule and Contract can be invoiced. Planning lines of type Schedule are regarded as not chargeable.

The confusing part is that a “Planning Line” can have multiple uses:
a. BOM
b. Task Cost Estimate Details
c. Billing information

We recommend to our Project/Job customers that you setup lines as either Schedule (Estimate) or as Contract (Price), but not both. Both is too confusing, make two separate entries to make it easier to track.

To assist in the process we recommend you setup tasks for each type of work that you do, to further separate the job allocations. Example: Welding, Painting, Installing, Developing, Training, CNC, or Demolition. Under each of these tasks add your “Planning Lines” to hold the detail estimate of that task.

If your business is project/job oriented you can view a video that shows how a well placed task line can clarify your work breakdown structure.

Job Planning Lines is a post from: Cost Control Software