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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Tracking your billable time on the Blackberry/Android/iPhone

Mark Polino on his DynamicAccounting site has covered a couple of write-ups about Consultant Utilizations and Daily Timesheets from eOne Solutions.

http://msdynamicsgp.blogspot.com/2010/04/consultant-utilization.html

http://msdynamicsgp.blogspot.com/2010/04/consultant-utilization-part-2.html

I’d encourage you to read the articles on the eOne solutions blog and Mark’s comments on his blog. Martin on his blog has written about how you can effectively track your billable time and increase utilization using daily timesheets and budgeting every hour for a consultant. He points out how that would help you to keep track of all billable time. Steve Endow in his comment agrees and adds -

“I previously managed a consulting practice with 6 consultants, and can confirm that those who did not track their time on a daily basis failed to record all of their billable time and had lower utilization.”

Mark has practical and insightful comments saying -

“I typically mark down my time and what I did daily but I don’t necessarily transfer it to my timesheet daily for lots of reasons, good and bad. These include the time it takes to connect and enter time, the schedule (not all planes have WIFI and the LAST thing my wife wants to hear when I get home at midnight is that I need to submit my time) and some clients truly do lock down internet availability. Some hotels also struggle to reach dial up speeds with their WIFI.”

and

“I generally agree but would add that it’s important not to lose sight of customer satisfaction in pursuit of squeezing out the last dollar.”

I had the first comment at the back of my head this week when I saw a few interesting applications related to this for the Blackberry( and Android/iPhone). Tracking on your smartphone helps solve the wi-fi problem Mark was pointing out. In addition they can help track the time you spend on your phone answering emails and taking calls that take long enough to be billable.

Again I’d keep Mark’s second comment about customer satisfaction in mind while using these apps. However, I can see how these would be a big help – just read their description below.

Blackberry

Call Time Tracker  

Would you love an Excel sheet of your mobile calls, neatly categorized by the clients and projects that you work on? Could you use that report to bill your time, expense part of your bill, generate a timesheet, or make sense of your mobile bill? If so, download Call Time Tracker now.

Fierce Wireless, ZDNet and CIO Zone all recently awarded us 'top 10 mobile worker app'. CIO Zone said 'If you re trying to keep track of business activity conducted on your BlackBerry, it is a tough app to beat'.

The app pops up at the end of important calls, and within a few clicks you can book that call to a client and project and mark it as billable time or recoverable cost.  Or dismiss it, or leave it for later. You can also tag the time you spend reading and writing emails.

Call Tracking Blackberry     Call Tracking Blackberry 2  

image

Blackberry Lite Activity Management

BlackTrack provides business professionals with a complete log of phone/email activity with durations. These secure & private reports let you manage, control and bill the time spent on your mobile device.

 

Android

CallTrack

CallTrack allows you to keep track of all your calls on your Google Calendar. After a call is made, received, or missed, CallTrack puts an entry into your calendar with call details including name of the caller, number, and duration of the call.

I have just started using an android phone, so I tried this app. Loved how it immediately synced my google calendar will all my calls from this week!

340x_calltrack

iPhone

There is a time tracking category and loads of apps. Take your pick!

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/09/iphone-apps-business-intelligent-technology-roadwarriors_slide_7.html

http://theappleblog.com/2009/02/04/time-tracking-via-the-iphone-5-apps-reviewed/

Do you use any time track app on your phone ? If yes, let me know!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

FRx and Forecaster Replacement– Management Reporter

There has been a lot of coverage about this recently, but I still do get asked these questions quite often, so here’s the summary -

1. What product is replacing FRx ?

Management Reporter. You get Management Reporter and not FRx when you buy GP 2010(unless you point out a missing functionality, which is probably going to be very rare)

See Mark Polino’s Posts about Management Reporter here, he has been covering it for quite some time.

2. When is FRx support ending

Support for FRx 6.7 will end around 2012

3. What about FRx Forecaster?

For now continue using Forecaster, its support would end around 2014, when Version 4 of Management Reporter is launched. By then the budgeting aspects would be integrated into Management Reporter and an upgrade path be available.

4. How difficult would it be to upgrade from FRx to Management reporter? How different is MR from FRx ?

There is a step by step wizard for Migrating the data.

FRx and Management Reporter are very similar. Management reporter is just more robust with a SQL Backend. I guess anything and everything would be more robust than FRx. I have seen strange FRx errors make grown-ups cry. I am definitely going to miss the Sysdata folder and the TDB files though.

See more great posts below

http://www.frxbuzz.com/shootout-an-frx-and-management-reporter-comparison/

If you like FRx, you'll love Management Reporter

5. Where can I find out more about Management reporter

Check out the Dynamics CPM Blog http://blogs.msdn.com/dynamicscpm/

They have lots of great posts coming out very frequently

  • Bonus feature! Using the new GP 2010 General Ledger Reporting Ledgers in Management Reporter
  • Management Reporter Feature of the week: Report Library
  • Management Reporter Features of the Week: Formatting, Organization and Report Groups
  •  

    Information at Partnersource https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/solutions/mgmtreporter

    Convergence Keynote Video and GP 2010 Demo Video

    The convergence Keynote video and the GP 2010 and Dynamics CRM Online Demo Video are now available. See link below -

    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/dynamics/videogallery.aspx

    Monday, April 19, 2010

    GP 2010 New Features, System Requirements, and Videos!

    Unless you have been living in a cave for the past few months (or gotten married, like me), you probably know all about GP 2010. Its smoking hot on the GP blogs. I knew I was a bit behind catching up with this new release, but after a quick search in the GP Search Engine, I was astounded at the wealth of information that is out there. I've been reading, and below is a quick list of articles and posts I don't think you should miss!

    Let me know if I missed anything!

    Top 10 List: Reasons To Upgrade To Dynamics GP 2010
    http://www.erpsoftwareblog.com/2010/03/top-10-list-reasons-to-upgrade-to-dynamics-gp-2010/

    System Requirements for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010
    http://blogs.msdn.com/developingfordynamicsgp/archive/2010/04/05/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-system-requirements-are-now-available.aspx

    GP 2010 Fact Sheets
    https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/marketing/marketingcollateral/factsheets/GP2010SeriesFactSheets.htm
    via (http://smathew.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-fact-sheets/)

    What's New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 is Now Available for Partners and Customers
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/08/what-s-new-in-microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-is-now-available-for-partners-and-customers.aspx

    Support Debugging Tool for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Beta

    http://blogs.msdn.com/developingfordynamicsgp/archive/2010/03/01/support-debugging-tool-for-microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-beta.aspx

    Mariano Gomez's Excellent Articles on GP 2010 Enhancements

    Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 - Security Enhancements
    http://dynamicsgpblogster.blogspot.com/2010/01/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-security.html

    Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 - Navigation Enhancements
    http://dynamicsgpblogster.blogspot.com/2010/01/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-navigation.html

    Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 - International Enhancements
    http://dynamicsgpblogster.blogspot.com/2010/02/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010.html

    Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 - Service Call Management Enhancements, Part 1
    http://dynamicsgpblogster.blogspot.com/2010/02/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-service-call.html

    Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 - Service Call Management Enhancements, Part 2
    http://dynamicsgpblogster.blogspot.com/2010/02/microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-service-call_16.html

    VIDEOS FROM RBS
    GP 2010 – Adding Extender Data to the GP Home Page
    http://rbsdynamicsgp2010.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/gp-2010-adding-extender-data-to-the-gp-home-page/

    GP 2010 – Drill-through to GP Screens from Reports
    http://rbsdynamicsgp2010.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/gp-2010-drill-through-to-gp-screens-from-reports/

    GP 2010 – User Defined KPI’s and Graphs on the Home Page Using SQL Server Reporting Services
    http://rbsdynamicsgp2010.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/gp-2010-user-defined-kpis-and-graphs-on-the-home-page-using-sql-server-reporting-services/

    Word Forms Create Good Looking Documents
    http://rbsdynamicsgp2010.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/word-forms-create-good-looking-documents/

    They have other nice videos on YOUTUBE
    http://www.youtube.com/user/RoseBusinessSolution

    FEATURE A DAY FROM THE Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP BLOG
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/tags/Feature+of+the+Day/default.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Fiscal Year Tracking in U.S. Payroll
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/15/feature-of-the-day-fiscal-year-tracking-in-u-s-payroll.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Electronic Signatures Workflow
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/16/feature-of-the-day-electronic-signatures-workflow.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Analytical Accounting Integration for U.S. Payroll
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/19/feature-of-the-day-analytical-accounting-integration-for-u-s-payroll.aspx

    Feature of the Day: General Ledger Reporting Ledgers
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/14/feature-of-the-day-general-ledger-reporting-ledgers.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Purchase Order Returns Enhancements
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/13/feature-of-the-day-purchase-order-returns-enhancements.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Payables Select Checks Enhancements
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/12/feature-of-the-day-payables-select-checks-enhancements.aspx

    Feature of the Day: U.S. Payroll Re-Print Checks/Earnings Statements
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/09/feature-of-the-day-u-s-payroll-re-print-checks-earnings-statements.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Receivables Electronic Funds Transfer Enhancements
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/06/feature-of-the-day-receivables-electronic-funds-transfer-enhancements.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Payroll Multi Build
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/05/feature-of-the-day-payroll-multi-build.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Personnel Maintenance Workflow
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/02/feature-of-the-day-personnel-maintenance-workflow.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Employee Onboard Workflow
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/04/01/feature-of-the-day-employee-onboard-workflow.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Unified Communications
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/03/30/feature-of-the-day-unified-communications.aspx

    Feature of the Day: GL Clear Recurring Amounts
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/03/29/feature-of-the-day-gl-clear-recurring-amounts.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Recurring Cash Receipts Batch
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/03/26/feature-of-the-day-recurring-cash-receipts-batch.aspx

    Feature of the Day: General Ledger Budget Transactions
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/03/25/feature-of-the-day-general-ledger-budget-transactions.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Combining General Ledger Budgets
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/03/24/feature-of-the-day-combining-general-ledger-budgets.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Microsoft Office Word Templates
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/03/05/feature-of-the-day-microsoft-office-word-templates.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Excel Report Builder Report Publishing
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/03/03/feature-of-the-day-excel-report-builder-report-publishing.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Drill Down Builder
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/02/23/feature-of-the-day-drill-down-builder.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Project Accounting SSRS Reports
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/02/18/feature-of-the-day-project-accounting-ssrs-reports.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Web Services
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/02/16/feature-of-the-day-microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-web-services.aspx

    Feature of the Day: Drill Thru to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010
    http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/archive/2010/02/10/feature-of-the-day-drill-thru-to-microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010.aspx

    Dynamics GP 2010 Posts at Dynamics Care Blog
    http://www.dynamicscare.com/blog/index.php/tag/dynamics-gp-2010/

    Dynamics GP 2010 (Receivables Management) Cash Receipts Batch Entry
    Dynamics GP 2010 (Payables Management) Select Payables Checks Window
    Dynamics GP 2010 (Receivables Management) Negative Cash Receipts

    Dynamics GP 2010 - Right Click Enabled (via Vaidy)
    http://www.vaidy-dyngp.com/2010/01/dynamics-gp-2010-right-click-enabled.html

    Top Ten Features In Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010
    http://www.erpsoftwareblog.com/2010/02/top-ten-features-in-microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010/

    GP 2010 Feature #1: Dashboard Metric Drill Down
    http://computerationdynamics.blogspot.com/2010/04/gp-2010-feature-1-dashboard-metric.html

    Thursday, April 1, 2010

    Closing GP Using Visual Studio Tools (... and on getting married)

    Development is all about re-using code. Found this good piece of code contributed by Mohammad R. Daoud in the forums.

    This would allow the Visual Studio Tools to close Dynamics GP

    Dim myProcesses As Process() = Process.GetProcessesByName("Dynamics")
    Dim myProcess As Process
    For Each myProcess In myProcesses
    myProcess.CloseMainWindow()
    myProcess.WaitForExit()
    Next myProcess
    
    
    If you have more than one instance of Dynamics running, this would probably not work,
    and Daoud has put in code for that too.
    
    See discussion at http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/33405791/re-close-gp10-from-vst-a.aspx
    Which forum is this post from ? Can either of you experts out there point me to the original forum ?
    Oh, and yes this is my first post as a married man :) 
    Some Pictures here : 
    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50710&id=1324796450&l=8a767c9ea6
    My sister has been writing about my marriage here(it is the best gift I have ever received from her,
    will last the ages, lucky to have her!) - 
    http://www.manjotkaur.com/2010/02/on-best-wedding-ever.html
    http://www.manjotkaur.com/2010/02/best-wedding-ever-ii.html
    http://www.manjotkaur.com/2010/03/best-wedding-iii.html
    http://www.manjotkaur.com/2010/03/jivis-wedding-iv.html
    Below is the back cover of the card we made, Rubal's favorite color :)