CAL Connect2014 Event Highlights

Download Session Materials in PDF form.

General Sessions

Keynote: Delivering Amazing Customer  Experiences with Microsoft and Dynamics GP

From Support Tech to  Director of Product Management, Errol’s 26 years with Great Plains and Microsoft  Dynamics gives him a unique outlook on how Dynamics GP fits into the Microsoft vision and how that impacts you.  In this keynote get an inside perspective on ERP industry trends and how Microsoft is positioned to deliver on those opportunities with you. See examples of how “One Business Solution from  Microsoft” can deliver Amazing Customer Experiences plus the roadmap and future of Microsoft Dynamics GP. Presented by Errol Schoenfish, Microsoft  Corp

General Session:  Dynamics GP Now & Next

Where is Dynamics GP Now and what is coming Next? Get an overview of what is new in Dynamics GP 2013 R2. And the “big rocks” or key features planned for the release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2015. Presented  by George Mackiewicz and Stacey Poll, CAL

Breakout Sessions 1 – 11:30-12:15

Going Mobile –Get Information On the  Road

From laptops to tablets to smartphones, the trend is moving quickly ahead toward a mobile office and a mobile workforce. Learn about our favorite mobile add on, compatible with all Dynamics GP systems, that allows you to create and share an entire library of reports, all from the screen of your phone, tablet or computer.   Easily get the data you need when and where you need it. Presented by Dave Page, CAL

Favorite Fixed Assets Features   

Learn about the setup and functionality in the fixed asset module that you already own as a GP user. Topics include setting up depreciation methods, using asset classes and account groups, running depreciation and reports, retirements and disposals. Presented by Stephanie Olbrych, CAL 

Reduce Stress With Collections Management

Find out how you can improve cash flow, streamline your processes, and reduce bad debt with Collections Management. This tool helps you minimize the administrative workload for collections by automating the generation of correspondence, e-mail notices, statements, and invoices to customers, freeing your people for other tasks. Now available as an add on for all customers, even small companies can reduce stress by automating the collections process. Presented by Amber Bell, CAL

A Simple Way to Change SmartList Reports  – SmartList Designer & Builder

SmartList Designer is included in GP 2013 SP2. Now every user, not just report writing experts, can pull information from within Dynamics GP or any third party application. Learn how to create a new SmartList from scratch (or from a current list) and make changes to an existing list. Presented by Brenda Willey, CAL

Microsoft Executive Q&A Join us for an informal Q&A with Errol Schoenfish. This is a rare opportunity to go right to the top and get the scoop on Microsoft, Dynamics GP, and CAL Business Solutions. Come with questions and expect a lively discussion. Presented by George Mackiewicz, CAL

Breakout Sessions 2 – 1:15-2:00

Distribution for Dynamics GP:  Simplified

SalesPad GP delivers an all-in-one order entry,  inventory and sales management solution to integrate seamlessly with your  Microsoft Dynamics GP / Great Plains data. Presented by  SalesPad

Purchase & Expense Automation for  Dynamics GP

Join Ariett, the leading provider of Purchase and  Expense Management Software on the Windows Azure platform, for a live demonstration of our paperless AP invoice, expense reporting, and purchasing solutions for Dynamics GP.  Ariett Software simplifies invoice processing by automatically routing supplier invoices for approval with zero employee involvement.  See how managers can approve from mobile devices, gain insight into budget availability and report on spend data in real-time.   Learn more during our demonstration about how your organization can gain savings and spark productivity with Ariett Software deployed on-premises or in the cloud. Presented by Ariett

Simplify Dynamics GP  Security

Security is an important part of any accounting software solution. Rockton Software prides itself on creating software solutions that make Microsoft Dynamics GP work simpler & easier®. As an administrator, it is important to be aware of the changes being made to GP security without your knowledge. The auditor makes tracking security changes simple & easy.  Segregation of duties and auditing controls allow for SOX compliance. Dynamics  GP Toolbox has over 25 tools including Security Manager, making it easier to see the roles, tasks, and task details assigned to each user. User access is managed with tools such as Inactivity Timeout, System Maintenance Lockout, and User  Lockout. Come learn about these and other tools in this entertaining presentation by the owner, Mark Rockwell. Presented by Rockton  Software

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with  doc-link Integrated Document Management

Do you know how much money you could save by going paperless? Find out in this fun, interactive  presentation of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with doclink.” With help from a  current doc-link customer, a series of thought-provoking questions, group discussions and demonstration, you will be able to put together your own return on investment calculation and determine if document management is right for your company. Attendees will have chances to win prizes throughout the session and will walk away with the biggest prize of all – expertise in a solution that could save their company hundreds of thousands (or millions!) of dollars. Presented by Altec

Increase Efficiencies  with Dynamics GP by using the Infinia Integrator and Microsoft  Excel

See how companies today, across many industries, are using the Integrator to transfer transactions from Microsoft Excel to Dynamics with a  simple copy-paste-import. You will see examples for single journal entries,  multiple journal entries for speeding up month-end processing accounts payable vouchers for employee expense reimbursements, accounts receivable invoices for invoicing systems that are not connected to Dynamics GP, and payroll hours for those payroll time clocks or spreadsheets you can’t get into Dynamics GP.   You will also see how companies are using the Integrator for multiple companies using Multi-Entity Management (MEM) and Dynamics GP intercompany processing by simplifying those transactions with Excel. Don’t forget companies using  Analytical Accounting, can now use the Integrator also, with full support for  AA.  Finally, users will understand the differences between the Integrator,  and other import tools available for Dynamics GP, so they can make informed decisions about which one is right for their business, including a look at the single journal entry copy-paste feature available in Dynamics GP2013  R2. Presented by Infinia

Breakout Sessions 3 – 2:15-3:00

7 Great Add On Tools for  Distributors

In this session learn about: Card control – to accept credit cards online, Ship To – Integration to common shipping carriers, Outlook  Add-In – See your email where you want it, Inventory Control – barcoding, B2B –  web facing customer order entry, Configurator – item configuration tool. Every tool is for distributors but many works for every industry! Presented by  John Dileo, CAL

The Perks of Using Payroll and Human  Resources

You get unlimited Payroll/HR for free, are you using it?  Find out: Does it makes sense for you to bring payroll in house? What features are available out of the box? Which payroll and HR add-ons bring extra value to  Dynamics GP? This session will cover the setup and processes available in payroll as well as some of the favorite features in human resources such as candidate tracking, skill sets, and annual reviews. Presented by Stephanie  Olbrych, CAL

How to Collect, Analyze and Distribute  Information with SQL Reporting Services  

(SSRS) How to get started with SQL Reporting Services Microsoft Dynamics GP Reports explores the report design, enhancement, and deployment of GP Reports and the benefits it can bring to your organization. Presented by Dan  Saffo, CAL

A Better Chart of Accounts Plus  Management Reporter

Many clients design their COA without understanding how the Reporting software works and then wish they had done it differently. This session will discuss a free tool that allows you to redesign your COA.  Plus how your reporting can be enhanced in Management Reporter when you upgrade from FRx. Presented by Brenda Willey, CAL

5 Ways The Right Accounting Software Can  Help You Save Time (Future Customer Session)

For companies who are considering implementing new accounting software, attend this session to see real ways it can save you time and money now. This session will explain 5  specific ways you can improve efficiency and cut costs using Microsoft Dynamics  GP. Presented by George Mackiewicz, CAL

General Session – 3:15-4:00

Dynamics GP Tips & Tricks   

See what’s new with Dynamics GP tips Amber has in her bag of tricks. Sure to be an enthusiastic session that will turn every GP  user into a power user. Presented by Amber Bell, CAL

Comments from past attendees of CAL Connect Customer Event:

“What a GREAT event.  It’s obvious that you work sooo well with your customers.  Everyone that I spoke with yesterday was very complimentary of your staff and organization.  Well Done!  The event itself was also very well run and multiple ISV’s commented on how impressed they were with the event.  Great Job!” Errol Schoenfish, Microsoft

“This was a very informative day, taking back to work many ideas and hope to implement them”

“The ability to meet the CAL support staff in person, that have helped me throughout the years, is nice”

“Great bunch of people to network with”

“GP Tips session was very, very funny and educational. Learned some new tricks.”

“Most valuable to me was ISV’s, wonderful to have them all together for easy access”

“It is always great to meet the CAL staff in person because we talk on the phone so frequently with them”

“Most valuable to me was meeting the vendors and learning about new products that may benefit my business”

“Best seminar for the money”

SalesPad: SalesPad LLC’s mission is to increase each client’s business productivity and decrease operating costs by providing software that helps eliminate areas of inefficiency throughout the business process. We specialize in developing software with the primary goal of providing a more advanced sales and customer service interface to Microsoft Dynamics® GP. SalesPad GP, the flagship of SalesPad LLC’s Microsoft Dynamics® GP software line, offers quick quote & order entry, complete inventory visibility, easy access to customer information, and a highly configurable work-flow to make your sales and customer service teams more efficient and effective. Learn more at www.cavallo.com

Infinia Integrator: The Infinia Integrator is the fastest and easiest way to go from Microsoft Excel to Microsoft Dynamics GP and NAV. No longer waste time waiting for that other integration tool to do what the Infinia Integrator can do in seconds. There are no complex integrations to define or maintain, no mapping, just an easy and simple Copy-Paste-Import and your data is immediately validated and ready for Dynamics GP. With the Infinia Integrator you have the ability to integrate with General Ledger (GL), Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR) and Payroll (PR) with a few simple clicks, including support for Dynamics GP Intercompany transactions. NEW add-ons for Multiple GL Journal Entries with one copy-paste-import, Analytical Accounting, and support for Binary Stream’s Multi-Entity Management (MEM). Save time, save headaches and increase efficiency by using the power of the Infinia Integrator. Learn more at www.excelintegrator.com

Altec Inc: doc-link by Altec is an integrated document management and business process automation solution for Dynamics GP. It electronically captures documents to be stored in a secure repository where they can be instantly accessed, processed through workflow and automatically outputted in the preferred format. What makes doc-link unique is its scalability and superior technology. It features out-of-the-box integration to the full line of Dynamics products, along with solutions for the entire enterprise like the Smart Form Toolkit, which allows you to create custom forms to streamline processes like expense reporting, credit card reconciliation, and HR On-boarding. Learn more at www.altec-inc.com

Ariett Business Solutions: Ariett Business Solutions is a leading provider of spend management solutions for Microsoft Dynamics GP – including including ReqNet™, AP Invoice, Xpense, MyTripNet, and Mobile Connector – that help organizations optimize workflows, improve efficiency, control costs, manage business and budgeting rules, reduce errors and eliminate paper processes. As a Microsoft Silver ISV Partner specializing in Microsoft Dynamics™ GP and ISV .NET product development since 1995, our industry-leading solutions provide employees with the ability to automate pre-trip approval and travel booking, automate expense reporting and vendor invoicing, and manage purchasing and procurement transactions to make internal workflow processes more efficient, improve employee productivity, reduce time and errors and save money. More information at www.ariett.com

Rockton Software: Rockton Software, a Microsoft Dynamics Partner, is an Independent Solutions Vendor (ISV) based in the United States. The company started in 1999 by offering custom Dexterity development for clients using Microsoft Dynamics® GP. Today Rockton Software is a creative company that develops products that make Microsoft Dynamics GP more intuitive and user-friendly to improve customers’ lives by making their work simpler & easier®. Learn more at www.rocktonsoftware.com

k-eCommerce: k-eCommerce is dedicated to developing integrated eCommerce and ePayment solutions for Microsoft Dynamics® AX, GP, NAV and CRM users. We develop fully integrated B2B, B2C, Sales Portal, and mobile-optimized eCommerce websites. Our solutions are quick and easy to deploy on-premise or in the cloud. k-eCommerce also provides secure PA-DSS certified payment processing and an online bill pay portal. Founded in 2001, k-eCommerce is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with offices in Detroit and Montreal. Learn more at www.k-ecommerce.com/dynamics-gp

Avalara: Sales tax is hard. AvaTax™ makes it easy. Agile, successful companies focus on their core business and outsource complex, administrative functions – such as payroll and sales tax management – to the experts. Avalara’s flagship SaaS product, AvaTax, is the fastest, easiest, most accurate and affordable way to calculate sales & use tax; manage exemption certificates; file returns; and remit payments across multiple tax regions. Our tax decision engine calculates rates based on 100,000+ taxability rules in 11,000+ taxing jurisdictions and instantly applies them to each transaction. AvaTax provides seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics, among hundreds of other ERP, e-commerce, and POS platforms. Thousands of businesses large and small rely on Avalara to make sales tax less taxing. Learn more at www.avalara.com

AvidXchange: AvidXchange provides accounts payable solutions that streamlines invoice capture, intelligently routes approvals and automates payments reducing costs, improving productivity and eliminating paper from the process. Learn more at www.avidxchange.com

Integrity Data: Integrity Data provides products and services to improve Microsoft Dynamics^® GP Payroll and Human Resources, taking GP Payroll and HR from good to great! We are also the company behind U-LINC®, which adds comprehensive, flexible workflow and notification capabilities to Microsoft Dynamics® anytime, anywhere. Rely on Integrity Data for a purchase, implementation and support experience that is second to none! Learn more at www.integritydata.com

Greenshades: Greenshades Software handles the headaches that come along with running payroll so our clients can focus on more important things. We have spent the last decade filing payroll taxes, providing employee self-service portals, handling distribution of Year-End Forms (W2s, 1099s, etc.) and meeting many other needs. We pride ourselves in our client care: we provide absolutely free technical support, will customize our solutions to fit your exact needs, and offer money-back guarantees that ensure our clients are completely satisfied. Learn more at www.greenshades.com

Reporting Central: Reporting-Central, Data Integrity experts for Dynamics GP provides solutions that enable customers to save time, money and make fully informed business decisions. The Closer automates “ticking & tying” the various Sub-Ledgers to the General Ledger, resulting in streamlined closing and reconciliation processes. The Validator automatically scans 100+ critical system, set-up and data components in Dynamics GP to quickly find current issues and identify where potential issues for review. Advanced AP Management includes Vendor/Voucher De-Duping and Advanced Allocations. Easily maintain Vendor listings across multiple companies, no more potentially paying the same invoice twice and automation of allocations across multiple companies. Learn more at www.reporting-central.com

DeFacto Global: Businesses of every size need to process and analyze higher volumes of data, more quickly and accurately in order to make better management decisions. High performance, enterprise-quality Corporate Performance Management (CPM) products provide comprehensive, real-time analytics that expands traditional FP&A capabilities within finance and extend decision-support analytics to LoB operations, thus enabling the more effective synchronization of business’ operations and better overall performance. deFacto is Dynamics only enterprise-quality budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, analysis and reporting product. Whether deployed as an ‘all-in-one’ product (deFacto CPM) or financial reporting-only (deFacto Reporter), on-premise system or in the cloud, deFacto is easy to implement, learn and use – and it’s affordable. Learn more at www.defactoglobal.com

RedTail Solutions: RedTail’s Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Global Data Synchronization (GDS) solutions enable retail, grocery, and medical products supply chains to enhance their Trading Partner relationships, optimizing logistics and trade compliance performance. RedTail EDI and RedTail GDS accelerate order-to-cash cycles, reduce costly errors and chargebacks, and ensure timely product data synchronization compliance. Learn more at www.redtailsolutions.com

Appolis: Appolis WithoutWire™ Warehouse Management Solution (WMS) provides efficient inventory and process optimization for distribution and manufacturing organizations looking for more robust lot tracked traceability of inventory. WithoutWire provides control to the movement and storage of materials received into, moved within, and shipped out of your warehouse, remote inventory, field service or route delivery locations. WithoutWire Warehouse tracks the process associated with transactions and provides real-time web-based visibility of your inventory. WithoutWire will increase productivity and customer satisfaction while reducing costs and order fulfillment times to allow optimal decision making … on-premise or in the Microsoft Windows Azure Cloud. Learn more at www.appolis.com

Solver USA: Solver is the leading provider of complete BI solutions for today’s mid-market enterprise and the company is at the forefront of Business Intelligence (BI) technology for cloud and on-premise ERPs. Solver’s BI360 solution is a powerful and intuitive suite of modules for reporting, consolidations, budgeting, dashboards, and data warehousing. Now, Solver is changing the face of BI with next generation, collaborative and action-driven solutions for planning, reporting and analysis to deliver complete insight into every facet of the enterprise. BI360 gives the entire organization the ability to truly understand their data, make better decisions, and ultimately drive efficiency and performance in their business. Learn more at www.solverusa.com

T3 Information Systems: Full Circle Budget simplifies and automates budgeting from Excel into Dynamics GP. Full Circle Budget is a flexible Excel-based budgeting tool that allows users to input budget amounts in Excel and process them directly into Dynamics. Full Circle Budget supports budget line item entry and multiple budget IDs from a single Excel workbook or worksheet. It is simple, affordable and works with any financial reporting software that can export to Excel. Get a free 30 day trial at www.fullcirclebudget.com .

P2 Automation: P2 Automation makes technology perform for your business. Whether you are looking to automate business processes, make your information more meaningful, or moving to the Cloud to protect your business operations in the event of a disaster – P2 Automation provides technology solutions that work. Learn more at www.p2automation.com

Remote Sponsors

Blue Moon : Blue Moon, a leading ISV for Dynamics GP. We provide critical accounting and distribution functionality such as credit card processing, manifest entry and tracking, chargeback tracking and processing, invoice automation, and online invoice processing and presentment. Our Operations Core module provides fully scalable fulfillment and warehouse automation, EDI integration. Learn more at www.bluemoonind.com

Nolan Business Solutions: Nolan Business Solutions (formerly Nolan Computers) is an international solution provider who has helped thousands of companies solve their business problems by implementing custom developed software applications and leading mid-market business software solutions for over 20 years. Our well-known ISV (independent software vendor) solutions are designed to fill functional gaps in Microsoft Dynamics GP. Our customizations fill a wide range of needs. Learn more at www.nolanbusinesssolutions.com

Panatrack : Panatrack is a provider of bar code data capture solutions for inventory and asset tracking. Panatrack has offered custom and packaged solutions for over 15 years. Our PanatrackerGP solution is developed specifically for Dynamics GP. This solution offers a mobile data capture interface for creating and updating Dynamics GP directly without the need to add a separate data management database. Solutions are available supporting Inventory, Fixed Asset, and Sales transactions. Learn more at www.panatrack.com

Encore Business: Since 1990 Encore has been developing products that extend the functionality of Dynamics GP. Encore’s proven products are easy to implement, easy to use, cost-effective and being used in companies in a wide range of industries. Some of these products include Advanced SmartList, a must have for every GP user; Project Tracking with Advanced Analytics, an easy-to-setup project tracking solution; and Subscription Billing, a flexible billing solution that manages volume, ensure accuracy and scales with growth. Learn more at www.encorebusiness.com

Accolade Publications: Accolade Publications, Inc., publishes documentation and training manuals for Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM software users. Accolade’s books help businesses achieve greater returns on their investment in the MS Dynamics product line by enhancing the productivity of software users. Learn more at www.accoladepublications.com

MyAppsAnywhere: Myappsanywhere delivers an integrated suite of cloud-based Microsoft Dynamics business solutions and ISV applications that improve cost efficiencies and help small to mid-sized businesses gain the agility they need to grow. Myappsanywhere’s solutions can be easily customized to accommodate unique workflows and provide compliance for companies in regulated industries. Learn more at www.myappsanywhere.com