Happenings December 1, 2023

    In this issue:

• National Day Spotlight
• ASWi New Customer
• Summit Early Bird Price
• Acumatica CEO Article
• ISV Spotlight
• Events, Blogs, Movies
• Sales 101
• Webinars, Community

The purpose of a newsletter is an opportunity for the ASWi team to provide you and the rest of our clients with information on all the new ASWi and Acumatica related things (or “happenings”) that you may not otherwise be aware of.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with any/all of your team. Pease let me know if anyone on your team who would like to be added to the mailing list for the next issue and removed.

They aren’t just Christmas lights. They are joy and love captured in a glimmer.

With the first day of December comes one of the most important parts of the holiday festivities: the strings of lights, whether colorful or white, that can be strung about the trees, bushes, windows, light poles, rooflines and more.

The background of electric lights used for Christmas decorations can be followed back to the late 1800s when lights were first strung together by a man named Edward H. Johnson. A partner and friend of Thomas Edison, Mr. Johnson hand-wired some lights together to combat the safety issues that were often encountered when people would use open-flamed candles to light their Christmas trees.

Join in on the fun and get into the spirit of the season by putting up some Christmas lights, visit a light display or three, host a Christmas lights party.

FYI re: the picture:

A lighted tunnel at the Austin Trail of Lights, which boasts more than 2 million lights and over 70 holiday displays.

Q: Are Christmas lights real or just a filament of our imagination?

Q: What did Sherlock Holmes say after solving the Christmas lights robbery?
A: “It was ornamentary, my dear Watt-son.”

Q: What do you call rain or snow on Thanksgiving Day?
A: Fowl weather.

Q: What should you do if your dog eats your Christmas lights?
A: Bring him to the vet. And don’t worry, he won’t be nervous about going, he will be de-lighted.

Q: How are Christmas lights are like politicians?
A: The all hang together, over half of them don’t work and the ones that do aren’t that bright.

ASWi is very humbled, privileged, and proud to be able to serve some of the most innovative organizations in the country as their ERP solution provider and
trusted business advisor. Today, I would like to spotlight and introduce the newest members to our community: Southwest Energy.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, Southwest Energy safely manufactures and loads hundreds of millions of pounds of blasting agents every year, working closely with customers to optimize the explosive products, equipment and services to their specific applications.

Combining expertise in blast hole drilling, dewatering, bulk manufacturing and the field application of explosive technology with the industry’s most advanced commercial explosives and solutions, Southwest Energy and its joint venture partner Orica have created an organization that is aligned with the growing needs of customers to deliver significant downstream value beyond blasting.

Just as there is a cost in doing nothing – e.g., leaving money on the table by not implementing a modern ERP system – there’s also a cost in not taking advantage of savings opportunities.

Almost everyone wants to save money, and with Acumatica Summit 2024 rapidly approaching, the time to act is now. The Early Bird Pricing will only be available through 11:59 PM PST tonight.

To take advantage of the reduced pricing, please register here before 1:59 Central Time tonight (Friday, December 1, 2023).

By John Case

Read it online. 

LEVERAGE CLOUD-BASED TECHNOLOGY TO EXPAND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

It’s no secret that the cloud has changed the way business is conducted and operated – and there’s no reason to think this transformation will slow down. Gartner anticipates worldwide spending on cloud services will grow 20.7% to $591.8 billion in 2023, a significant jump from $490.3 billion in 2022.

Organizations everywhere, regardless of their size or industry, are increasingly turning to cloud-based technologies to expand their business and create new opportunities for growth and success. Cloud-based solutions provide new levels of support and agility to enable businesses to improve efficiency, enhance collaboration and scale operations.

THE POWER OF CLOUD-BASED BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

As technology advances and the business environment shifts to a digital- first approach, cloud-based tools are gaining popularity. Research shows that 41% of companies plan to increase their investment in cloud-based products and services, and 33.4% plan to migrate from legacy enterprise software to cloud-based tools.

However, very few organizations move to cloud technologies all at once. Instead, modern businesses choose to embark on a journey to the cloud, moving specific applications and capabilities like company email and service support online one at a time.

For many companies, the finance and operational capabilities – those essential systems that help a business run – are usually the last to go to the cloud. However, the benefits of cloud-based business management software can make this transition well worth the wait. It starts with how these cloud-based solutions enable companies to monitor their cloud infrastructure, resources and data. They allow companies to connect all systems and house all operational capabilities, such as CRM, reporting and analytics, budget and spending and productivity. Additionally, cloud-based systems often add a layer of security and compliance management that legacy solutions might lack.

Most importantly, cloud-based business management software can help enable operational growth. Here’s how.

ENABLE GROWTH WITH THE CLOUD
The flexibility of the cloud empowers businesses to expand into new markets and regions and address evolving needs by scaling resources up or down.
The ability to scale is made possible by:
– Reduced Geographic Restrictions. Cloud-based solutions break down geographical barriers, enabling businesses to operate in new regions without physical presence.
– Intuitive and Vertical-specific Features. By leveraging application programming interfaces (APIs), cloud-based solutions make it easy for organizations to integrate industry-specific features into the platform best suited to meet their unique needs.
– Flexible Pricing Structures. Cloud-based solutions offer flexible pricing structures that align with a company’s changing resource requirements on expenses like inventory and staff.

Cloud-based business management tools also connect disparate systems and offer seamless integration with other tools, enabling businesses to tap into new areas of interest or launch new products or services. For instance, retail companies can adopt cloud-based management systems to automate key processes like inventory tracking, order orchestration and shipping, empowering them to expand their omnichannel sales processes and reach a broader audience.

By leveraging the cloud, businesses can scale more efficiently and effectively, seizing opportunities and quickly adapting to market demands.

ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND ADAPTABILITY THROUGH AUTOMATION
Automation, a key strength of cloud tools, enables companies to boost productivity and streamline operations by streamlining mundane or error-
prone tasks. In manufacturing and distribution, processes such as production management, materials requirements planning, data entry and orchestration can be automated, reducing the risk of errors and simplifying the end-to-end project workflow.

Cloud-based management tools not only enhance the efficiency of day-to- day tasks but also empower businesses to respond promptly to changing market dynamics, safeguarding the vitality and health of the company. These tools provide a consolidated and central data repository, coupled with real-time reporting capabilities, to offer a comprehensive understanding of operations spanning finance, supply chain, customer interactions and business planning.

For instance, a distribution company armed with visibility into business data gains insights into all aspects of its operation, including inventory levels, order status, shipping and financial data. This enhanced visibility enables decision-makers to swiftly respond to market fluctuations, accommodate demand changes and address unexpected supply chain disruptions. When leaders can proactively make decisions, identify bottlenecks and resolve inefficiencies, they create a more agile and adaptable business environment.

However, transitioning to cloud-based business management software does not come without challenges.

USER ADOPTION RESISTANCE: OVERCOMING HESITATION TOWARDS CLOUD-BASED TOOLS
One hurdle in implementing cloud-based business management software is resistance from end-users who may harbor apprehensions about embracing new technologies. This resistance stems from various factors, including familiarity with legacy systems, concerns about the usability of cloud tools and fear of disruptions to established workflows.

To combat this challenge, organizations must prioritize a robust change management strategy that focuses on user adoption and emphasizes the benefits of cloud technology. Organizations should design comprehensive training programs that acquaint employees with the functionalities and benefits of cloud-based tools, ensuring they feel confident and capable with the technology.

A collaborative culture is central to creating an environment that supports change. Actively involving end-users in decision-making and addressing their concerns during the planning phase can facilitate a smoother transition. Ongoing support mechanisms are also essential to address issues promptly and ensure a positive user experience. Organizations can overcome user resistance by actively engaging with team members and clearly emphasizing the pros of cloud-based tools on existing workstreams.

As they overcome user resistance, organizations create a foundation for long-term success in adopting cloud solutions that will move the needle for the business.
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the power of the cloud is undeniable, and its influence is only growing stronger. Cloud-based solutions are pivotal in supporting business operations, offering myriad benefits to companies of all sizes. They empower businesses to grow and evolve on their terms, whether for expanding into new markets, streamlining processes or proactively responding to market dynamics.

In embracing modern technology and taking that next step in their journey to the cloud, businesses position themselves to not only automate current processes but also to pave the way for future growth and success. With the cloud as their ally, companies can reach new heights and stay agile in an ever-changing business environment.

MaxQ Technologies AP/AR Laser Checks with Positive Pay

Integrated Positive Pay is a simple but effective form of check fraud protection. The bank receives a file with the check’s account number, date, and dollar amount for each check issued. The bank compares the checks presented for payment against this list. If there is a discrepancy, the bank will not clear the check.

With a simple setup, MaxQ Technologies AP/PR Laser Checks creates a positive pay file and can automatically or manually send it to the bank. This creates more security and protects you from fraud. Realize significant time and cost savings by printing accounts payable (AP) and payroll (PR) checks on blank stock rather than preprinted checks.

You can stream a short movie on this Acumatica Cloud ERP add-on here.

Key Features
• Flexible Formatting: Print accounts payable (AP) checks in 6 formats and payroll (PR) checks in 2 formats to fit different check stock layouts.
• Signatures: Adjust settings to require up to three signature lines. Print signatures automatically or manually.
• Integrated Positive Pay: Automatically send a list of issued checks to the bank for comparison against checks presented for payment.
• Print Copies: Print duplicate checks in the initial run or later on. Copies include a watermark to keep as records.
• MICR Fonts: AP/PR Laser Checks provides the correct font and size to comply with MICR standards.
• Customizable Valid Messages: Customize valid messages you would like to appear on the check that states the conditions for the check to be valid.
• Advanced Security: Significantly reduce the risk of check fraud, offering your clients peace of mind with enhanced financial security.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamline check writing and reconciliation processes, simplifying financial operations for your clients.
• Remove Risk: A great solution for organizations that are particularly concerned with financial security and ease of payments by check.

If you would like to learn more about MaxQ’s AP/AR Laser Checks with Positive Pay for Acumatica, please fee free to contact our Customer Success Manager Keith Wood at keithw@aswius.com and (717) 581-1226.

By Jeb Blount, Jr.

Networking: Building Your Professional Net Worth

Networking is more than just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental pillar in the architecture of a successful sales career. Your professional network serves as a reservoir of opportunities, insights, and resources.

Building this network is an art, requiring persistence, strategy, and the ability to connect authentically with others. It’s about finding your tribe in various business circles and leveraging these connections to forge a path to success. The journey of networking begins with identifying and immersing yourself in relevant groups and events. This could mean attending Chamber of Commerce meetings, participating in industry-specific forums, or engaging in online platforms like Facebook. The goal is to create meaningful connections, not just collect business cards. It’s about building relationships that are mutually beneficial and finding your footing in the professional community.

For those who already have a foothold in networking groups, the next step is to deepen these connections and expand your horizon. This involves exploring new groups, taking on leadership roles, and being actively involved in the growth of these networks. By doing so, you establish yourself as a committed and influential member of the community, opening doors to more substantial and rewarding opportunities.

Networking Tips:
• Find Your Network. Start with local Chamber of Business or Commerce events. These are often full of professionals networking within their niches.
• Utilize Social Media. Facebook is a key tool for field salespeople, particularly in the SMB and medium-sized business space. It’s great for finding events and joining groups dedicated to business promotion and vendor connections.
• Target Specific Groups: Join groups that align with your buyer profiles, like accounting, construction, IT, and marketing groups. Actively go to them instead of waiting for them to come to you.
• Immerse Yourself: Dedicate three months to networking. Attend as many events as possible. This helps you identify where best to focus your efforts.
• Be Consistent: Building human relationships requires consistency. Your continued presence in key groups will be valued by those who can bring opportunities and leads.
• Expand Your Horizons: Visit new groups to keep things interesting and potentially find new opportunities.
• Seek Leadership Roles: Aim for board positions or similar roles in organizations. This demonstrates your commitment and can open doors to more influential networks.

Nearly every weekday, a motivational quote is posted on X/Twitter by @ASWiDelivered and on LinkedIn by @ASWi.
Here are last week’s “Morning Motivations”:

• “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning.” Ben Franklin

• “Left unchecked, snowflakes of concern can snowball into troubles that become an avalanche of crises.” Rob Kirkey

• “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Vidal Sassoon

• ”The real competitive advantage in any business is one word only, which is people.” Komil Toume

• “Purpose fuels passion.” Unknown