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Microsoft Business Solutions Small Business Manager is Great Plains Dexterity based application and successor and small business market niche version of Microsoft Great Plains. Microsoft Great Plains itself has variety of customization and integration tools: Integration Manager, VBA/Modifier, Great Plains Dexterity, SQL Server stored procedures to name a few. By one reason or another MBS decided to restrict Small Business Manager and do not provide VBA/Modifier, restricted Great Plains ReportWriter version and didn’t include Great Plains Dexterity IDE installer on SBM CD.

Here we would like to give you your options and tools available in your disposition. If you are developer who is asked: how do we customize Microsoft Small Business Manager - read this and you will have the clues on where to look further.

1. Great Plains Dexterity - this is proprietary programming language and technology, designed back to earlier 1990th with the goal to build platform independent graphical accounting package - Great Plains Dynamics. Dexterity itself is written in C (following popular those days hope - that C will provide platform independence). You can install Dexterity from Great Plains 7.5 /8.0 CD #2. In case of Small Business Manager - you need to call to MBS Partners, such as Alba Spectrum Technologies/ Obviously it requires a lot of learning / training, but it allows your custom piece be seamlessly integrated with Great Plains interface. Nowadays, however - and this is a good thing - most of Great Plains installations are moved to SQL Server - so you can use Dexterity for custom forms drawing only and make the buttons run SQL stored procedures.

2. Crystal Reports. Great Plains has its own ReportWriter, but its functionality is limited - you can’t do cross modules reports (you can’t link Sales and Purchasing tables in one report, for example). So - you use Crystal. The GP tables structure is in Tools->Resource Description->Tables … and you are in control. Feel free to create views and stored procs directly in the companies databases - it doesn’t hurt the Dexterity engine

3. Direct web publishing from Great Plains SQL databases, using Visual Studio.net and your language of choice (VB.Net, C#, J#, etc). Plus you probably want to have several SQL stored procs.

4. eConnect - this tool is type of SDK with VB.net samples. It allows you to feed data into Great Plains and was primarily created for eCommerce developers.

5. SQL queries - as a developer you have unlimited potential in using SQL queries, because the database in MS SQL Server. Be careful, it is kind of surgery - you can easily delete all your customers, by executing: DELETE RM00101

Happy customizing! if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies - USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, serving Chicago, California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York and having locations in multiple states and internationally (http://www.albaspectrum.com), he is Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer.

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Whether you realise it or not, AutoCorrect in Microsoft Excel is exactly the same as in Microsoft Word, with just a few exceptions. So, if you are not aware what AutoCorrect is, let me explain… AutoCorrect is a tool that as you type will correct the most common mistakes that we make. For example, if you type in accidentally ‘cna’, the AutoCorrect function will convert the incorrectly spelt word into can. Why not try it out for yourself. Type in ‘cna’ and see what happens.

The AutoCorrect Function though is so much more than just an automatic word corrector or in essence the automated word spellchecker. It is a tool to help you be more efficient in the workplace. For example if you were writing a document or putting in information into a spreadsheet that required you to insert a copyright symbol, then you would most likely go to the Format menu and then choose the Symbol command from the drop down menu, then from the Symbols dialog box choose the Copyright symbol. Gee, what a lot of work that was. For me, way too much work!

What Microsoft has done is to program the Autocorrect Function so that we can type just a few letters and it will automatically put in the copyright symbol, for example type in (c) what you should then see is the copyright symbol. There are a number of other symbols setup to work in the same way such as the Registered Trademark Symbol ® and the Trademark Symbol . To enter the registered trademark symbol simply type (r) and for the Trademark Symbol type in ™. As I am sure you agree, knowing these few simple symbols can save you a lot of time however the real power of Autocorrect is with acronyms.

So what is an acronym?

Well essentially an acronym is simply a series of letters that are used which stand for a greater meaning. For example in Australia we have two terms in business, one is ABN and ACN. Well, ABN and ACN are acronyms for Australian Business Number and Australian Company Number. As you will I am sure notice is that if you had to type out Australian Business Number and Australian Company Number every single time you wanted to use those terms, you would find that you would be typing an incredible amount. So, what Microsoft has done with the AutoCorrect function is to allow you to program into AutoCorrect these acronyms so that when you type them in, they will automatically convert to the full term.

I know, I know, I hear it now. How do you do it!

Well, let me tell you. The first step you must do is to open Microsoft Excel, then goto the Tools menu and then from the Tools menu choose the AutoCorrect Options function. Now I should say the instructions I am giving to you are specifically for Microsoft Excel 2003.

A dialog box will be in front of you called the Autocorrect dialog box and if not selected, choose the Autocorrect tab. About half way down the dialog box you will see a Check Box with the text, Replace as you Type. This function is the one that will correct your spelling mistakes as you type, so if the Check Box is not selected then AutoCorrect will not work. From here, what we are going to do is to enter an acronym and have it return the full text. For example I want the Autocorrect function when I type in cjl to replace it with my full name Christopher John Le Roy. First of all I type in the acronym cjl in the Replace Text box, then in the With text box, I simply type in my full name, then to complete the process simply choose the Add button and then the OK button. You have now entered your first Autocorrect entry.

Lets try it out …

To try this out simply click in any cell and type in your acronym you used and then press the spacebar. When you do this you will find the acronym you typed in will now be the text you typed in the With text box. If it did not work then simply ensure that in the Autocorrect dialog box you have selected the Replace as you Type command.

AutoCorrect is an absolutely fantastic tool and when used in this manner can save you hours of time and frustration with acronyms. Now the really cool part about AutoCorrect in Microsoft Excel is that once you have added an AutoCorrect function in Microsoft Excel it is then available in other applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and many of the other Microsoft Office Applications.

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Outsourcing does not necessarily take away from your market share. In today’s business world, a key factor in maintaining customers and acquiring new business is to provide a quality product or service. Now, that said, many competitors may also be able to provide high standards of quality in their products and services. It has become essential that businesses go above and beyond the limitations of the historical methods of production or manufacturing. This is evidently difficult while companies try and keep inventories low, overhead costs to a minimum, and capital expenditure as a luxury. Most companies simply cannot afford to keep up with the influx of technological advances in machinery, nor the expense of keeping employees up to par with major change. With this in mind, and of course your accountant or controller crunching the numbers, outsourcing has become essential in the role of continuous improvement of any product or service one has to offer. Outsourcing will allow you to benefit from the expertise of another company, without accumulating the expenses of new equipment, training, and the crazy world of non-conformances.

One might ask, why not use it all the time? Well, there is still a lot of skepticism around outsourcing in that companies have taken a tight strangle hold on the market share that they currently hold. Realistically, this is the only thing that keeps them going. If outsourced services are being provided with great efficiency, at feasible costs, who is to say you are not supporting a potential competitor? This is only controllable by YOU! Take the time and effort to build your relationships in the industry. The ability to outsource may be the deciding factor in whether or not your ship stays above water. Do not be intimidated by another’s abilities to perform a function to a higher degree than you can. Accept this as a benefit to you and your customer. Outsourcing your goods or services to a third party may improve your product or service, render more efficient turnaround times, and ideally, increase customer satisfaction. Test out the potential supplier’s credentials. Send out a “make-work” project for them to complete. The costs associated with this may well outweigh the costs of having poor quality delivered to your customer.

We are definitely in a time where lean manufacturing is crucial in turning profits. Using an outsourced vendor can aid in your facility running as lean as possible. Today’s business practices do not allow for repetitive workloads, the costs involved are simply too high. Having your outsourced supplier take a load off of your operation can create more time for important processes, which are many times overlooked. Innovation and improvements are put on the back-burner when operations are overwhelmed with servicing their customer. Relieving some of your time constraints can allow you to spend more of your expertise on improving what you have to offer.

The retaining of business from the customer’s perspective can be summarized in a few quick notes:

1. Provide the customer with what they need

2. Ensure the product or service is of high quality

3. Meet the expectations set forth by the customer, i.e. Delivery Dates

4. Focused and well informed customer service and correspondence

5. Aid in improving the customer’s ability to be profitable, i.e. provide technical support, product innovation, quality improvement recommendations.

6. Keep the customer informed of what you are doing. If you implement a third party in your process matrix, keep the customer notified. Make them well aware of who you are using, what tasks and or functions are being outsourced and why! The last thing your customer wants to hear from the grapevine is that you are not providing what they are paying for.

This being said, I feel as though outsourcing of services to qualified vendors can aid in providing a greater sense of customer satisfaction and a higher standard of quality products and services. The costs of doing such business will be justified, considering no long term capital expenditures will be incurred. Take the time to shop for the vendor best suited to your needs. Consider the distance factor - relative to your location and your customers. Included in your decision making process should be the potential to gain new customers with your newly acquired expertise.

Adrian Grbic is a sales representative and co-founder of an internet based B2B Networking site to help professionals, salespeople, entrepreneurs, trade people, and freelancers.

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In order to find the best spyware blocker for your computer you first need to be aware of what a good spyware blocker should do. There are lists of features that you should look out for when buying anti-spyware software and listed below we have these features detailed.

A good spyware detection tool will provide the user with an easy to use, complete solution to removing spyware. This spyware detection tool should also come with frequent updates and have various monitoring options available.

The Features To Look For

When it comes to purchasing a spyware blocker there are some features that you should ensure are included with the anti-spyware software you choose. The first thing you will need to check is that the anti-spyware software will give you detailed listed of the detected spyware that is found on your computer so that you can decide whether to keep them or not. Is there are range of tools included with the spyware blocker that will make the detection of spyware even easier.

Another feature that is vital is real time protection. By this we mean that the spyware blocker you choose should also be able to prevent spyware from installing on your computer. The spyware blocker should be easy to use and the time it takes to perform a scan of your computer should also be taken into consideration. Some spyware detection software can take up to 30 minutes to scan your computer.

Another important feature to consider is the ease of set up and installation of the spyware blocker. If you intend to spend money on removing spyware then it should be easy to install and use. Help and support should also be available and their availability should also be considered and looked into before you purchase your spyware blocker.

By following these few tips, you are guaranteed to purchase the best spyware blocker for your computer.

We have made the most comprehensive research on anti spyware programs. Find the results only on the Anti spyware research . All about spyware and adware on LeanderNet - www.leandernet.com

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New features can benefit you with a more efficient practice, lower costs, and increased cash flow.

Medical Billing Software and Physician’s Practice Management Systems are the best tools you can use to improve the financial well being of your practice. Using one can help you to gain full control over your finances, and grow your business. Cutting-edge medical billing technology can significantly reduce time and costs spent processing claims. Not only will you have a better grasp of the health of your practice, you can watch your receivables increase and your payables decrease.

In the past couple of years, new features have began to emerge to increase your operational efficiency. Spurred on by the HIPAA regulations mandating electronic file transfer standards such as X12, and the growth and maturing of the internet, new features are now available to help your business.

Recent advancements include:

1. instant access from anywhere, even away from the office
2. manage multiple offices and functions from one database
3. enhanced scanning - electronically file all claims; even those needing supporting documentation attached.
4. rules engines to identify errors before submitting the claim
5. increased security to comply with new HIPAA standards
6. electronic patient statements
7. electronic remittance advice

Stay Connected

With the maturing of the internet, new technology supporting the ASP (Application Service Providers) architecture allows access to your data including data entry from anywhere with a internet connection. This flexibility is a true benefit to multi-office practices and billing services. Multiple offices can now share the same database without the need for specialized networking or wide area networks. The cost savings in communication expenses alone can be enormous. Billing services can benefit by allowing limited access to their clients. This can instill a higher level of comfort for the client. This access can allow give a billing service a competitive advantage by providing value added services such as scheduling, super bill printing, and patient lookup.

Built in Efficiencies

Leveraging newer technology such as EOB and insurance card scanning, electronic patient statements, and electronic remittance can cut time spent on billing chores by up to 30%. This can allow more time for focus on patients and collections.

Reduced paper handling

Newer systems provide insurance payer rules so that users can immediately identify and correct claim errors that would delay payment of claims. Some systems will submit all your claims on your behalf including paper claims. Carriers can respond immediately so you get faster payouts, most within 14 days. Practice Management Systems can also reduce staff workload by outsourcing the print and mail functions of processing patient claims and statements.

When supporting documentation is needed in order for a claim to be paid, some systems can attach scanned letters of medical necessity, accident reports, referral authorizations, worker’s compensation documents, and most importantly EOBs. This eliminates the need to photocopy paperwork and perform chart pulls later if there are any questions on the claims.

Increased Security:

When using the internet, many users are concerned about security. A well established vendor addresses these concerns on multiple levels. Just like banking at an ATM, all data is encrypted during transmission and is protected by a user name and password. Furthermore, with most ASP vendors, all data and servers are backed up by expert IT staff at the data center. Many ASp vendors offer redundant HIPAA-compliant servers, with backups in different locations to ensure data recovery in case of disaster.

Conclusion

What is becoming standard in ASP-based medical billing software is subscription style pricing, and low upfront cost which cover implementation and professional fees.

If your business is looking to upgrade the medical billing software, examine the new features listed to see if they will offer you cost savings and increased efficiency. If so, insist on the new features in your next system. The cost savings can easily justify the upgrade.

Lori Anderson is an independent consultant with LAtech working with AntekHealthware on their DAQbilling Medical Billing Software and LabDAQ Laboratory Information System projects.

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One of the great things about the internet is that today you do not have to rely on a website designer to build and control your website. A few years ago this was the case unless you knew how to program in HTML or other computer languages. With technology today there are far greater options out there. Systems known as content management systems that are website builder software platform that allow non technical people to build websites with no technical skills. That is correct allowing a user to manage all changes to their website or make additions to content, links, graphics, movies, pdf’s, or even skins for the entire website all at the click of a button.

Because no two website builder software systems are the same be sure when considering a content management system that you only use one that is built around search engines. What I mean by this is websites that rank high they must be constructed properly in order to achieve this. Many website builders are simply good at creating pages based on what the user creates but when it goes live is it codes for search engine robots properly? Is the keyword density been considered and does the user have the ability to check it? Does the site also have the proper search engine robot code for the entire website?

These are very important questions to avoid the catastrophe of a user making a fatal mistake of building a site incorrectly and getting virtually NO traffic. And with the Internet target traffic (users looking for the website’s product or service specifically) is everything. If the website builder submits to search engines then this is NOT the one to use as submitting is outlined in the Search Engine webmaster guidelines as a HUGE do not do. So be careful and choose wisely the one that best fits your list of criteria.

Gregg Makarowski - Is a successful Internet publisher and Search Engine Expert.
www.broadwavestudios.com

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Indian software outsourcing industry has grown to become world leader in Offshore Software Development. It has seen many different trends technology wise as well as ups and downs. Test driven Software Development also known as first test programming or first test development, is an approach that hinges on identifying and writing a single test prior to writing just enough functional code to break that test. In other words, it is a way to think through the design before one writes the functional code, although it’s not obvious from the name, in Software Development goal is actually one of specification, not validation.

While popularized Test driven Software Development in extreme programming defines two simple rules. The primary is that one should write new business code only when an automated test has failed. And secondary thing is that, it should eliminate any duplication that one finds. The deep explanation how these two simple rules generate complex individual and group behavior is as follow:

1) The Software Development must provide rapid response to small changes as one needs a fast compiler and regression test suite.
2) The design organically, with the running code providing feedback between certain decisions.
3) Write own tests code because one can’t wait 20 times a day for someone else to write for them.
4) Your Software Development designs must consist of highly cohesive and loosely coupled components to make the testing easier.

First of all, the quickly adding of code is just enough to fail. One can not write new functional code, even a single line unless; it has run a test without failure. The second important step involves running of tests; either all or some, see the new test failure. After that, make a little change to the functional code which is just barely enough to enable code to pass the successive tests. Next, while running the tests and, if one has lined up all ducks in a row, see them all succeeding, if something waddles out of place, one needs to repeat step three once again. In the fifth optional step, there is factorization of the code to remove any duplication in Software Development.

Test driven by Software Development is most significant benefit for efficiency in the real world. With the full suite being run several times a day, although there are larger systems out there, so this Software project makes it clear that test driven can work for nontrivial systems.

Replacement for Traditional Testing: Although test design in Software Development is a programming technique, you also gain 100 percent unit-test coverage for the code if that’s done correctly and perfectly, which is important by product. As with traditional testing, a successful test finds one or more defects, and when a test fails, one can make progress because they now know that it requires resolving the problem.

Replacement for Software Development Modeling: Verbal thinkers learn better from text than from drawings. Keep the team members in mind when one determines their choice of development approach. While the enhanced test design Software Development with modeling to great success, creating models with project stakeholders to help explore their needs and then moving on to a test-driven approach for implementation.

Chet-

Tatvasoft - Offshore Software Development Company from India

http://www.tatvasoft.com

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SAP Inc., a global leader in client/server enterprise application software that for years been the backbone to RFID application has seen a 1,000% spike year-over-year in customers, interested in RFID deployment. Acting as a link to RFID data and business applications SAP expects great things further and expedites toward new horizons.

RFID gives trade greater visibility into their supply chains and would stem inventory leakage. This in turn finds United States of America create more in-house and outsourcing jobs especially leading to manufacturing sector. Also “drives product excellence” by brining consumer goods companies closer to the buying action, says McDermott. With real-time understanding of customer’s buying pattern, manufacturing of newer product line proved to be successful and largely contributing to businesses.

“I think consumers would give up a little bit on the privacy side for speed and efficiency”, McDermott said while commenting on the Americans willingness to forgo a level of privacy in order to gain the benefits of RFID in coming years. He further says privacy, as a barrier to adoption, is “nothing more complex than just knowledge.”

On the whole, RFID around the world finds larger acceptance especially among the large corporatism and government agencies faces real challenge with consumer awareness. Further demand for unique standardization and harmonization is of the essence to counterfeit the niggling problematic aspects of RFID spectrums.

Rahul Ghosh, working as freelance industry analyst working is a regular contributor and has written many articles and commentaries on diversified industry sectors. For further discussion with the writer, email at rahulghosh@rediffmail.com

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Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular, partly because of Microsoft muscles behind it. It seems to be goof solution for mid-size and even large multinational corporation with Headquarters in US and branches Worldwide. You, as V.P. IT can deploy the strategy, when you host your Great Plains in headquarter and have international offices connect via remote support. Or, you can have regional offices work of their own Great Plains installations and then consolidate information via FRx or other reporting tools

The challenging thing here is to get local Great Plains support for your regional offices. Ideally you should have Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains Partner - who serves your headquarter and has consultants/technicians close to your overseas operations. It is not always possible, due to multiple reasons:

Europe - in Europe Microsoft Business Solutions has Navision and Axapta lines - so you can not find (with some minor exceptions) local European Great Plains VAR - you have to appeal to remote support.

Multicurrency issue - US-based partners do not usually have this expertise. You have to appeal to ones, operated by former immigrants - there are partners present in two countries with balanced operations in both: like US-Brazil, US-Mexico, US-South Africa

Sophisticated consolidation - usually companies, participating in international business have complex ownership structure with vertical and horizontal structures, mostly due to the necessity to get diversified tax legislation advantage, etc. In this case you need the partner who has experience dealing with at least two or three megamarkets (Europe, East Europe, Asia, Latin America, etc.)

Government-regulated chart of accounts issue - France, Russia and the related counties have this complication - so you have to be able to produce proper reporting and be ready to satisfy auditors with your General Ledger workflow.

Remote Support - obviously partner should be excellent in the remote support and be ready to travel to your remote location in the case of emergency

Customization - partners who can handle above issues are kind of tax advisers/ international accountants/ business consultants they may not carry technical expertise in Great Plains that you need - each multinational corporation has its specifics and usually has customization in its ERP system. This technical expertise is somewhat common for US-based regular partners, serving specific business metros. In case of their help - you have endless projects, involving regional partners and your IT group plus probably local consultants in remote locations

Cost Issue - in either case - when you deploy multiple partner or when you appeal to huge international consulting/auditing company the cost is very high

In Alba Spectrum Technologies we offer you reasonably priced international support from our multiple locations in USA and Worldwide with good mix of Accounting, multicurrency, tax and technical expertise. Moreover we specialize in serving small market niche in Europe - branches of US multinational corporations, who have local Great Plains users or installations.

Happy shopping and selecting! if you want us to help you - give us a call 1-866-528-0577 or 1-630-961-5918! help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies - USA nationwide and international Great Plains, Microsoft CRM implementation and customization company, based in Chicago, California, Taxes, New York, Florida and having locations in multiple states and internationally (www.albaspectrum.com), he is CMA, CFM, International Business specialist, Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer.

akarasev@albaspectrum.com

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If you are a beginner when it comes to the Java programming language or even if you are an experienced programmer looking for some new tips&tricks, the best thing to do, and which has the advantage of being absolutely free of charge, is to search the Internet for Java tips and Java tutorials.

Try this instead of buying one or two books, and you are going to be impressed by the quantity of information you’ll find available about the domain. This is the easiest way to access tons of Java tutorials or a lot of very useful Java tips with no effort and no cost at all.

The Java programming language and platform were first developed during the early nineties and a few years later it was re-designed for use in the Internet, and since then its popularity greatly increased, especially on the server side of the Internet.

Nowadays there are quite a lot of Java experts and a lot of documentation on this subject has been written, so if you are a beginner start searching for Java tutorials to learn more, and if you are an advanced user, you can always make use of the large number of Java tips that can be found and that can help you solve almost every problem you encounter in your path to making perfect Java programs.

Even for those who are ablsolute beginners in learning about Java, better and easier than attending courses is learning from the Internet Java tutorials. They can find anything from getting started, the basics of the Java language, essential classes, to more specialized tutorials like security in Java, graphics, working with databases and many more things. You can find websites that are specialized in giving Java tips and Java tutorials to those who need. Those tutorials and tips are written by experts and are placed in categories, which helps you immediately find the Java tips or the Java tutorials that you are looking for. The best thing when learning is to read more Java tutorials, and to combine the Java tutorials you learn from with the short and useful Java tips you find.

On the other side, if you are an experienced programmer and you want to share your knowledge, you can begin writing Java tutorials and Java tips to help the newbies and other who need it.

When writing Java tutorials make sure you make yourself clear and understood and that you are covering all the aspects of the problem.
Also, when writing Java tips, if you want people to easily find and understand the information you are delivering there are some ‘rules’ you should respect, like choosing the best title of the Java tip, that captures exactly what you are presenting, and the best subtitle of course, which must expand the title a little, you can also add a short summary or comment if you wish where you describe what your Java tips do, then proceed with the introduction, the code listing, the explanations for it and also a little conclusion if you desire. You can even include a link to more detailed Java tutorials on that subject also.

Java tutorials and Java tips are the best resource for learning and improving in Java, so start searching for them, or start writing one if you are experienced and want to share!

This fine article is written by Groshan Fabiola as a detaliated research on Java tips and Java tutorials. Being such a delicated subject we are sharing even more information, so please click on this java tips and java tutorials web site.

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