Shortcut Keys in Accpac

The computer mouse simplifies the way you navigate through a computer screen by pointing and clicking on the screen. However, as using your mouse is not necessarily the most efficient way to select and open items on your screen. Sage Accpac ERP simplifies the data entry task by incorporating this feature.

In Sage ERP (Accpac), there are a handful of useful shortcut keys that you can use to save time to navigate through the screens. To see how the shortcut keys can be used in Sage Accpac ERP, let us use the O/E Order Entry screen as an example.

You can use the following shortcut keys to navigate through the orders:

o  Page Up – Go to the first (top) record in a list.

o  Page Down – Go to the last (bottom) record in a list.

o  Ctrl/Page Up - Go to the first record in a Finder list.

o  Ctrl/Page Down – Go to the last record in a Finder list.

Now let us see how shortcut keys can be used in the Order Detail grid highlighted in red:

o  Ctrl/Tab – Move out of a grid or list to the button or field following the grid or list.

o  Ctrl/Shift/Tab – Move out of a grid or list to the button or field directly above the grid or list.

o  Home – Go to the first entry in a list.

o  End – Go to the last entry in a list.

o  Up Arrow/Down Arrow – Go up or down one line in a grid.

o  Tab or Enter – Go to the next column.

o  SHIFT + TAB or SHIFT + ENTER – Go the previous column.

o  F9 – If you select any of the line items and press this key, you can drill down on the line item.

o   F5 - If you have the cursor inserted in any field that has a Finder icon (the one with the magnifying glass icon), you can activate the Finder search function by pressing the F5 key.

o   CCalculator – If you select any of the columns related to quantity, amount and press Shift+ key, a calculator appears where the required calculations can be done.

o   Tab Key – The tab key can be used to navigate from one tab to another.

o   Navigation Keys – There are following four navigation keys in Accpac:

First, Previous, Next and Last

First: To go to the first record from the finder list

Previous: To go to the Previous record from the finder list

Next: To go to the Next record from the finder list

Last: To go to the Last record from the finder list

CREATE RECURRING ENTRIES IN GL

Recurring Entries in GL is used to set up journal entries for transactions that occur on a periodic basis. Setting up a recurring entry is similar to recording a journal entry, except that the Recurring Entry form contains additional fields for identification.

To Setup Recurring Entries:

1.       In the GL Setup folder, click Recurring Entries icon

2.       In the entry screen, enter the unique recurring entry code which should represent the type of entry created; maximum 16 characters.

3.       In the Entry description field, enter the suitable description e.g. ‘Recurring batch for Nov 2012 Salary Liability.’

4.       In the schedule field, select the schedule an appropriate schedule such as Monthly.

The scheduling defines the frequency and the day on which the recurring transactions will be         processed.

5.       In the start date field, enter the first processing date for the entry e.g. ‘10/19/2012’.

6.       In the Expiration type, there are two options:

1.       No Expiration date

2.       Specific date

If you select Specific date, you must specify an expiration date in the field that appears.

When an expiration date is specified, the entry is included in the recurring entry batch only if the expiration date is later than the run date.

7.       The Last Run Date field displays the last date this entry was included in the recurring batch.

8.       The Last maintained field displays the last date when this record was changed.

9.       In the description, enter the description for the recurring entry e.g. ‘Recurring batch for Nov 2012 Salary Liability for Greytrix Employees.’

10.   Complete the remaining fields the same way a typical journal entry is created.

Create Recurring Entries Batch:

Select the Create Recurring Entries Batch icon from GL Periodic Processing. The Create Recurring Entries Batch form appears:

1.       Enter a date in the Run Date field if the recurring entries are being created manually in the Create Recurring Entries Batch form. The run date determines which recurring entries are due to be processed. It includes all entries up to the date specified.

2.       Enter the From and To Recurring Entry Codes. For e.g. ‘If a new batch is to be created for salary to Greytrix employees for the month of November, then the code that is already created as a recurring entry for the monthly salary should be selected in the From and To criteria.’

3.       The selection criteria Method has the following three options:

1.       Default - When this method is selected, the batch will be appended to an open batch if both batches have the same run date; otherwise, a new batch is created.

2.       Create a new batch – When this method is selected, a new batch is created.

3.       Add to an existing batch - When this method is selected, a Finder field appears. Click the Finder to select an existing open batch to add this batch to

4.       Run Process.

After creating a recurring entry batch:

• Print the Batch Listing and, if necessary, edit the batch using the Journal Entry form.

• Post the recurring entry batch.

                                                                                                                                                      

Sage Software for Non Profit Organisations (NPO)

Greytrix with Sage software introduces Sage EES for NON Profit Organisations which includes a seamless integration between Sage 300 ERP and Sage CRM.

Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) is an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals rather than distributing them as profit or dividends. In India, NPOs are known commonly as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). 

Sage has been serving non-profit and governmental organizations throughout North America for more than 30 years. The company currently helps more than 32,000 unique not-for-profit organizations increase efficiency and more easily manage their operations through the use of technology. From fund accounting, donor and fundraising management, and grant management, to online donation processing, human resources (HR), payroll, and fixed asset management, Sage Non -Profit Solutions, offers a software product or service to meet the organization’s need.

In India, Greytrix a leading Sage Partner based out in Mumbai and Delhi, have used Sage 300 ERP and Sage CRM two of Sage’s hot selling business applications to establish the Sage EES i.e. Sage Extended enterprise Suite for Non-Profit Organization.  Since both applications form a tight integration with each other a transparent road is formed between the operations and finances serving the exact motto of a NPO.

NPO such as research foundations, child care foundations, charities, etc. can benefit from the solution to know how contact Greytrix India Pvt Ltd at sales@greytrix.com

Sage Accpac with a New Face- Sage Accpac ERP Version 5.6

The new financial year is here and so is the new and improved Sage Accpac ERP now in Version 5.6.

Sage software gives its flagship product, Sage Accpac ERP, an enhanced and optimized new visage based on the feedbacks and wish lists provided by the Sage clientele.
Sage ACCPAC ERP 5.6 V includes more efficient installation and activation processes and major enhancements throughout the entire suite of programs.

A dramatic change in the installation process of Accpac modules, one click and a single process carries out installation of all modules saving a lot of time. A fresh new license administration and registration activity which lets the user view and enter licensing info for the sage Accpac erp programs, including number of users authorized under each Lanpak license.

The Security Groups form in Administrative Services provides the following new security authorizations to support changes in Bank Services 5.6:
• Reverse Bank Entries
• Post Bank Entries
• Transaction History Inquiry
• Print Deposit Register
• Clear History
• Setup Maintenance

Sage Accpac 5.6 features a free embedded version of Sage Accpac Intelligence, which is a business intelligence (BI) solution for small and medium businesses. Sage Accpac Intelligence integrates seamlessly with Sage Accpac ERP right out of the box; most BI solutions require a lengthy set-up process that can cost thousands of dollars in service fees.

Thanks to Sage Accpac Intelligence, previously disconnected financial and operational information is now available in pre-formatted reports to help company management make informed decisions even faster. Sage Accpac Intelligence includes the following components:

• Report Viewer (provides basic editing functions that let you filter data, change parameters, and drill down from existing reports and templates).
• Report Manager (lets you use Sage Accpac data containers to create and edit reports, and set security and permissions for the reports).
• Connector (lets you connect to unlimited ODBC data sources, such as CRM or additional ERP companies).
• Analysis (lets you create OLAP cubes for rapid analysis of your Sage Accpac data in Microsoft Excel).

As a launch pack, Sage enables 30-day licenses for Sage Accpac Intelligence. One Report Manager License for one user is free with Sage Accpac ERP. However, you must have a permanent license to use the Analysis and Connector programs.

In version 5.6, Serialized Inventory and Lot Tracking modules are fully integrated in Sage Accpac programs. You no longer need to purchase and install Sage Accpac Serialized Inventory and Lot Tracking programs separately.

Choosing a business solution for any sme segment has always been a challenge. A SME industry should always mediate on before opting for any business solution, refer our blog posting, Have you considered the below points while selecting your Enterprise Solution??? Sage has revamped its robust financial suit keeping in mind the SME segment which requires intensive BI tools to examine the growth pattern and chalk out a road map ahead in terms of forcasting the production pipeline. In our previous blog posting, Does MIS reports Suffices for your Business? , we have discussed about how MIS tools or Business Intelligence tools are essential for the decision makers to have a planned and analytical regime in an organization’s profit charts.

All in all, giving you a globally acclaimed business solution in a comprehensive price range with advance systematization and stunning new looks.

To preview the Sage Accpac ERP 5.6, give us a call @ 67687808 or mail us at sales@greytrix.com.

Does MIS reports suffices for your business???

Next level towards total business automation after business process automation is to develop a powerful tool which gives a deep insight into your business operation. Many of us get confused with the aspect of Management Information System & Business Intelligence. Management Information system is a collection of business operation information which work as decision support system for us at each functional level and provide feedback on daily operations.

But a just a MIS tool is not sufficient for a progressive organization, a tool which has a capability to analyze and address - “What” & “Why” of past, present & future business events is necessary. MIS tool is just a report which flash out facts of business operation to the management.


“Information about transaction will become more important than transaction itself.” - Walter Wriston, chair and CEO of Citicorp/Citibank, 1967-1984
“Companies that are high performing are more analytical than lower performing businesses.” - Jeanne Harris, Accenture Director of Research

“… top performing organizations separate themselves from their peers by their ability to quickly diagnose the root cause of problems they face on a daily basis.” - The Advisory Board


Business intelligence can be described as a methodology or processes designed and developed with technology, architectured for transforming raw data into meaningful and useful information which enables us to achieve strategic, tactical, and operational efficiency. Today Business Intelligence is used in almost every industrial vertical be it Reality, Real Estate, Retail, Financial Services, or a typical manufacturing.

Business Process Management and Business Process Engineering improves business efficiency but Business Intelligence Tool impacts on effectiveness of business decision. A simple principle works over here – the more you get to know about your business the more develop your competitive advantage.

Business Intelligence tool help you to focus on every aspect of business – Finance, Marketing, Resource Utilization, Operation, General administration, Compliances & regulations, and so on. Sage Accpac Business Intelligence module is one of the state of art tool which helps you to get better, faster, more informed and confident information from your business data. Sage Accpac Business Intelligence is low-cost, easy and faster deployable with dynamic charts showing Key Performance Indicators and Dashboard Technology.
So, just a system or a reporting tool is not enough in progressive organization, we should have a strong tool to highlight those information which often gets unnoticed but carries long term consequences in business. As someone had rightly said……..

“You Manage What You Measure!”

Have you considered the below points while selecting your Enterprise Solution ???

Read on further to acquaint yourself with some questions you need to answer before you finalize on an Enterprise solution for your Enterprise.

1. Scalability of your CRM to ERP and vice versa
   When selecting an ERP or CRM it is essential to keep in mind that we need to select a system which can be scaled up in future. As the business grows the need of integration amongst systems arises, the possibility of managing the current islands of information and automation decreases and you require one platform to manage the various activities of your business. The ERP or CRM that you select must be such that it can be scaled up and can be integrated with the systems that you may require in future. It is best if the same vendor can provide you with both the solutions, this helps in better integration amongst the systems. You may not realize it today but in the long run this integration proves to be one of the major success factors for your solution and forms the backbone of your business. Always look for a solution which has the capability of integration and can scale up to an enterprise level solution.
   
   
   
2. Skill set of your Users ,Organizational Needs, Technology
   The skill set of your users and the organizational needs should determine the solution that you purchase be it ERP / CRM you need to understand your business requirements and analyze them with the current user base. The question you need to answer is that will my users be able to handle the complex system and are my current requirements complicating the system ? You may need to sacrifice some of your requirements and may require a restructuring of your business processes so that your current users can fit into the system and can work with it. The additional requirements that you have can always be accommodated in the Phase 2 when your users are more comfortable with the system. So always remember that you need to select a system that can match closest to your requirements and which your users can use, keeping in mind the scalability aspect of the solution .
   
   
   
3. Saas Vs On Premise
   As a business owner it is very essential for you to decide on what kind of investments you want to do in the system and what kind of support structure can you provide to your ERP/CRM. SaaS model seems profitable at the first go , the investment is less , you do not have to maintain IT Infrastructure and it is a subscription based model. But what we do not see is the recurring cost that we have to pay every month/year to keep the subscription live and going. Also the scope of customization is restricted in SaaS. On Premise on the other hand is a costly option the initial investment is high but the recurring charges are very low and sometimes even NIL. The scope of customizations and mapping your business requirements is very high . Both the models have their own Pros and Cons, one thing you need to check is that can the SaaS model you take be converted to an On Premise model.
   
   
   
4. Realistic expectations
   This is one of the factors why sales people are frustrated, over selling happens and Implementations and systems fail. It is very important to set realistic expectations form a software , be it the cost , the implementation time frame or the delivery that the software will do . we need to be realistic about the functionalities of the software that we are purchasing and cannot expect Stars and moon from the system at the first go . We need to keep our expectations low during the initial phases and then raise the Bar as the system gets stabilized . All you need to do is check if the system has the capability to meet your expectations now and in future.
   
   
   With all this in mind you can start your search for the right ERP / CRM Solution for your organization.Sage Software offers you the exact fitment for your business,Sage Extended Enterprise Suite is an offering from Sage Software which comprises of Sage ACCPAC ERP and Sage CRM. These two application work independently and also work in synch with each other and have an inbuilt integration i.e. no customization is required to integrate the two.Sage EES offers you a complete business solution wherein you can start with ERP or CRM as per your immediate requirement and then add on the other later.Going ahead you can add a BI which will help you in better reporting , some add-on modules like a manufacturing module , project and job costing ,National accounts , GL Security , DMS etc… there is no limit to what all you can add to enhance your system …the best part is that all the offerings given by Sage are integrated to each other and the products are user friendly.
   
   The extensive training given by the Partners help the users in understanding the system better and our aim is to make the application as user friendly and as simple as possible. With Greytrix and Sage you can be sure of a speedy and simple implementation . The consultants @ Greytrix help you identify the right solution and the Best Business Practices. Sage also offers you a choice between SaaS and On premise for their CRM solution.
   
   Contact us @ sales@greytrix.com / 022-67687847/ http://www.greytrix.in/
   
   

SMEs & ERP : 3 Cs to be answered before selecting an ERP for SME

Read on to get a sneak preview of the major challenges faced in selecting the Right ERP

Choice

How to choose an ERP ? always proves to be one of the most important and difficult questions that have to be answered by the SMEs. How to decide whether to go ahead with a global player or with a customized local player? Will they be able to meet my requirements and what will be the implication? The key is to understand your business requirements and then evaluate ERPs and select the one which meets most of your critical requirements. The ERP has to be configurable and user friendly product, it should easily be able to adapt to multiple industry segment and lines of business. The ERP should be built around an architecture which can support growing enterprises mapping your current requirements and giving you scope to expand. There should always be a scope of growth in the ERP as business solutions cannot be changed every year, it is a long term commitment that is made between the ERP and the Organization using it. There should be add-on products for example a Business Intelligence Solution ,which can work on the base product and enhance the functionality of the product thus fulfilling your requirements which may arise in future.

Cost

Cost is a major fear factor for the SMEs, everybody is scared of the costs that are associated with an ERP solution and no one is clear what the right ERP solution is and what is the right Cost of an ERP for you. There is no clear measure of defining these costs and no standard parameters of what is the right ERP for SME. There is cut throat competition in the market and ERPs are available at very competitive prices. Every vendor claims to provide the most economical solution. How will you select the best player and what suits you. Cost is a major distinguishing factor but also we need to focus on the Vendor Portfolio , What kind of solutions is the vendor offering , What is the vendors client base and what is the authenticity of the vendor. The companies have to go through a tedious process to search for the right solution. The Vendor that you Zero down on must have a strong Industrial backing, it must have a good experience on delivering the kind of business solutions that you are looking at. The vendor must have industry wide knowledge so that it can make you aware of the best practices followed into the industry. One more major factor that you need to consider is that how efficiently the Vendor can bridge the Cost Vs functionality Gap, offering you the most optimal solution at the most optimal cost You always need to check for the hidden costs associated with the Vendor and the product.

Customization

Every company wants the ERP to work according to the company’s current business process, they do not want to change according to the ERP. Companies prefer customizing the ERP application according to their business needs. This usually proves fatal in the long run. The costs involved with customization are huge and there is no guarantee that the customizations will work as desired also if the company changes it business process the entire application will have to be customized again. This is an additional risk and the companies usually want to avoid it ..the SMEs today feel that there is no good solution existing in the market , either they are very expensive or very low in functionality. The ERP should be configurable so that it can be easily tuned to your company’s business process as on date and tomorrow if you change your business process all you have to do is to change the same in the ERP. There should be always nil amount of customizations done. Your motto has to be to come as close as possible to your current business process and avoid unnecessary customizations.

Sage ACCPAC ERP from Sage Software is a world class product which solves these problems for you. Sage has been a world leader in the SME segment for the past 30 years delivering the most optimal solutions at most optimal prices (Prices start @ 2.99 lakhs). Sage focuses on providing the right solution for SMEs, with the help of very strong and dedicated channel partners. Sage operates on a partner model and we, Greytrix are the Premium partners with Sage India for their ERP / CRM solutions. Contact us today to help you evaluate the right solution for you business. Email: sales@greytrix.com Phone: 022 67687847. For more information please visit us at http://www.greytrix.in/