Life is filled with compromise. The real trick is finding the best compromise in any given situation. This is illustrated in the partnership between PCNet Inc., a Connecticut based IT services provider, and CAL Business Solutions, a Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner. PCNet, like many other companies, wanted Microsoft Dynamics GP customized to match their unique industry processes. Normally the customization process can require many compromises. Not only do you exchange time and money for deeper customization, but deep customization can also complicate updates and maintenance.
Rather than accept the typical compromises, CAL Business Solutions offered a better alternative. By integrating industry specific third-party software tools, CAL helped PCNet to customize Microsoft Dynamics GP quickly and inexpensively. Not only did PCNet save time and money, but they avoided a customization process that could complicate future upgrades or changes the business might need in the future.
To manage customer service, inventory, and sales fulfillment, CAL added SalesPad to Dynamics GP. “SalesPad has simplified our sales order processing,” PCNet Vice President General Manager Erik Soto said. “We have improved our quoting time by over 50 percent just based on the ability to really manage inventory and inventory item creation in a much easier way.”
Likewise, ConnectWise handles PCNet’s technician dispatch and IT support case tracking and is integrated to Dynamics GP.
“We leverage ConnectWise for service, time and agreement management and that information is pulled back into Dynamics GP for the accounting functions such as billing, collections and reporting,” Soto said. “We click a button and all that activity is in Dynamics GP.”
“I think that’s why other products like ConnectWise and SalesPad tie themselves to Dynamics GP,” commented Soto. “They are enhancing it and giving people the ability to extend the power of Dynamics GP within a specific industry.”
This is the power of working with an experienced Microsoft Partner. Not only will they customize your deployment so you can get the most out of your enterprise solution, but they’ll find the best way to do it. Now PCNet has a strong financial core system, industry specific adds ons and an easy upgrade process.
“I have a lot of respect for George and his team,” Soto said. “It’s about the knowledge that the CAL team brought to the table. Obviously it’s one thing to see a product in a demo. It’s another thing to work with somebody who’s dealt with it and customized it for others.”
You can read the full PCNet story at: Technology Firm Uses Microsoft Dynamics GP as Financial Engine to Drive Industry Specific Software or www.calszone.com/pcnet.
If you want to customize Dynamics GP to your industry specific processes in the easiest way, with the least compromises, contact CAL Business Solutions at sales@calszone.com or 860-485-0910.
By Anya Ciecierski, CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner, www.calszone.com
