Learn how your rental profits can outweigh your costs

April 23, 2012 – 8:12 pm

Do Your Costs Outweigh Your Profits? Balance it out with a Complete Rental Management Solution.

Low profitability is not something any company likes to admit, but when there’s a solution out there that can make a difference, then it’s time to fess up.

Join us for 30 minutes at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 10 or at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 16 to learn how Open Door Technology’s Rental Management Solution accomplishes the following:

  • Easy Fixed Asset management for rentals
  • Complete rental order processing from start to finish
  • Full ERP integration, providing real-time access to information
  • Enhanced reporting and business intelligence
  • Faster invoicing to ensure increased cash flow
  • Advanced capabilities in the field with mobile features

Register now for one the two webcasts to learn how you can increase profitability for your rental company!

If you have any questions, please call (877.777.7764) or email us anytime.


By Jenn Roach | Posted in Events, News |

Enhance Your Microsoft Dynamics NAV User Experience with Community

April 17, 2012 – 3:48 pm

With how unique each company is, it’s very interesting how differently everyone uses Microsoft Dynamics NAV’s features to fit their specific needs. It makes you wonder how other Microsoft Dynamics NAV users use their system. Well, you no longer have to wonder.  Microsoft Dynamics Community has set up a site just for you to ask questions to your peers and interact online. The community site allows you to submit queries, answer other user’s questions and contribute to ongoing discussions.

If you’re running into an error message or just curious how to better leverage your software solution, the Microsoft Dynamics Community could be of help. Visit the Microsott Dynamics Community site today! For questions about your Microsoft Dynamics NAV that you can’t find answers to, always feel free to contact us at Open Door Technology.

By Malcolm Roach of Open Door Technology, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner based out of Calgary, Alberta


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

Are Manual Accounting Processes Weighing You Down?

April 11, 2012 – 3:50 pm

Accounting processes should be streamlined considering the amount of data that goes through your business on a daily basis. Many companies try to stay ahead of this data with multiple Excel spreadsheets only to find that doesn’t give them a full view of their financial status.  This lack of insight and untimely data can put a strain on your business decisions, making you question more and more each day.

Microsoft Dynamics® NAV is a comprehensive accounting solution that eliminates the need for manual data tracking, saving companies time and greatly reducing errors.  And now you can even save more time by editing columns right within the Chart of Accounts in NAV so you can quickly view general ledger account balances at any given time by simply applying a Date flow filter.

Don’t let manual accounting processes hold you back. You should have one accounting solution that can manage your finances and keep you atop of important business decisions. For more information about Microsoft Dynamics NAV, visit our website or contact us at Open Door Technology.

By Malcolm Roach of Open Door Technology, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner based out of Calgary, Alberta


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

A Look into 20 Years of ERP Implementation Tips and More

April 6, 2012 – 1:44 pm

Open Door Technology is excited to be celebrating twenty years in the ERP software business and it’s really amazing how fast these years go by! Twenty years ago, most software was still running in DOS.  Changes were not long in coming as in the mid-1990’s, the software vendors attempted to move onto Windows, many not so successfully.  Although the new graphical interface was interesting, many of our customers had never seen a mouse that didn’t have four legs.  It led to some interesting times when we got into training sessions and it’s a good thing they came attached to a cord that kept them anchored to the computers.

After being around a couple hundred ERP system implementations, you start to pick up on a few things.  The following are probably the more important things I’ve learned:

  • Keep a lid on the scope.  Don’t try to give the users everything they want and certainly don’t try to duplicate their previous system.
  • Spend the money on the training.  It will save you months of frustration.  Our best story was a large client that carried out exhaustive testing and training.  We phoned two weeks after the go-live date to see if they had any questions because we hadn’t heard from them.
  • Do spend the time defining the requirements.  It is often the only way to make sure that expectations are met.
  • Project management is absolutely critical in reducing risk and ensuring that projects are on time and on budget.
  • Don’t ignore change management and you won’t be surprised by the “pits of despair”. Any new system results in significant change for your staff.  Many of them won’t like it and will go through some unhappiness if you don’t properly prepare.

With the changes in recent technology, I expect to see a lot less paper and more electronic interaction between business partners and staff. And we here at Open Door Technology are dedicated to providing software and solutions to enhance these interactions and operations. So here’s to the next twenty years of technology!

By Malcolm Roach, CA, President of Open Door Technology, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner based out of Calgary, Alberta


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

Add “Create PDF” Feature to your Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Workflow

March 29, 2012 – 10:14 pm

The new Create PDF feature in Microsoft Dynamics® NAV 2009 is available from the Print button on any report request page in the Role Tailored Client. To gain access to this new feature you must install hotfix KB 2628466, but no additional code is required. Check out full instructions on how to set this up and contact us at Open Door with additional questions. Microsoft Dynamics NAV should work the way you want it. The advanced features and functionality are there for your benefit and if you’re not leveraging what’s there, you could be missing out big time.

For additional tips and tricks for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, check back on our blog often or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for weekly posts. Have specific questions? Contact us anytime at 403.777.2410 or email moreinfo@opendoor.ca.

By Malcolm Roach of Open Door Technology, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner based out of Calgary, Alberta


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

Follow the QR Code Craze and Extend your Customer Outreach

March 23, 2012 – 2:08 pm

Smart phones are where it’s at. There are applications for almost anything we can think of and they’re making our lives easier, helping us stay more connected and informed. One of the exciting things to come out of the smartphone craze is Quick Response (QR) codes. These codes are a popular and fun way for advertisers and businesses to share data with potential customers. Using Smartphones, customers can easily scan the two-dimensional data-matrix which is decoded quickly and translated into contact, sales, promotional, location, or any other type of information. The QR code format has been defined and published as an ISO Standard that is quickly becoming a national standard for many countries.

Microsoft Dynamics® NAV uses QR codes on many documents and has released an update for NAV 5.0 SP1, NAV 2009 SP1, and NAV 2009 R2. Links to the URLs where you can find these updates are listed on the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Team Blog. Follow the update instructions and you can add QR codes to letters, sales invoices, or other documents created in these versions of Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

QR codes are yet another way for companies to communicate with their prospects, customers and partners. If you have additional questions about the use of QR codes within Microsoft Dynamics NAV, please feel free to contact us at Open Door Technology for more information.

By Malcolm Roach of Open Door Technology, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and TBS Mobility Solutions Partner based out of Calgary, Alberta


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

Number of Tablets Sold Worldwide in 2011

February 13, 2012 – 2:00 pm

Tablet computers are gaining market share – what does that mean for you?

The number of tablets sold worldwide in 2010 compared to 2011 saw a dramatic increase, which far exceeded industry expectations. An estimated 19.7 million tablet PC’s were shipped worldwide in 2010 with an estimated 35 million predicted for 2011.

The total amount of tablets shipped in 2011 was more than double what analysts predicted with 73 million tablets sold, which amounted to a 25.5 share of the mobile pc market. The growth is expected to continue with the amount of tablets predicted to ship in 2017 expected to be 383.3 million. It is expected that while much of this growth will be to new users, a significant portion of this increase will be at the expense of mobile PC’s.

The popularity of the tablet has more organizations thinking outside the box when it comes to using traditional desktop computers for their workers. Tablets and smartphones are becoming increasingly more popular in the workplace as the workforce become more mobile.  Portability and ease-of-use are becoming increasingly sought after by the business community. Smaller form factors such as most smartphones have limitations when it comes to processing complex applications.  With more employees asking for more convenience and choice in hardware, tablets are being sought to accommodate accounting and business enterprise needs.

The tablet offers a stripped down version of the more ‘traditional’ laptop and many critics wonder how large a place the tablet will carve out for itself in the workplace. With no keyboard or mouse and limited software applications many tablets seem to be better suited for personal use than in a business meeting. Despite the limitations, many organizations with field workers see an advantage to equipping their workforce with tablets to take advantage of the instant-on ability, longer battery life, ease of use, and portability.  The truth is that portable computers have a low rate of adoption for most applications.  The tablet offers a viable way to change that.

The first iPad captured 90 per cent of the tablet market share, a number while impressive is not that surprising considering that Apple initially created the first tablet that was readily adopted by consumers, leaving the competition scrambling to compete. With Android, BlackBerry, and now Microsoft throwing their hats in the tablet ring, it will be interesting to see how consumers respond to the overall selection.  While the PC tablets offer a much higher level of functionality than the iPad, BlackBerry, and Android offerings, users will be pleasantly surprised with what you can with these latter options.

Organization reluctant to consider tablets may change their minds as iPads become increasingly popular in the workplace and tablets running a tablet-friendly Windows 8 debuting sometime in 2012. A tablet running Windows 8 blends the flexibility of a tablet with the functionality of a laptop by running Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel, which are not available on the iPad. Microsoft has released a video overview of Windows 8 running on a tablet and the initial reactions are positive.

As you consider your mobility needs, don’t rule out tablets.  The next several months will see significant improvement in the software becoming available for the mobility market.  Contact Open Door Technology for more information on what a tablet offering can do for your organization.


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

Smartphones and tablets can now be used for field mobility tasks with TaskMaster Companion

February 1, 2012 – 8:30 am

Affordable workforce management reinvented with TaskMaster Companion, which allows management across Apple, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and Android devices.

Calgary, AB, CANADA – February 1, 2012: Open Door Technology is excited to announce the availability of a new product in addition to the award-winning TaskMaster Enterprise Mobility Solution from TBS Enterprise Mobility. TaskMaster Companion can be used by any fieldworker on a wide variety of devices including smartphones and tablets.

TaskMaster Companion workflows can be now deployed on iPhones, iPads, BlackBerry, and Android devices in addition to the original Windows mobile devices, which allows organizations flexibility in creating field workflows for their employees.

Malcolm Roach, President of Open Door Technology, said “The deployment of a TaskMaster solution can be made even more effective now that organizations can utilize a wide range of devices for their field workers.”

“The flexibility of TaskMaster Companion will allow employees to chose from a variety of smartphones or tablets to suit their individual needs,” continued Roach.

Steve Reynolds, Managing Director of TBS Enterprise Mobility, commented: “We’ve innovated with evolving mobile technologies to create a framework for cross-platform solutions.”

“User experience was a key focus in developing TaskMaster Companion,” continued Reynolds. “It has resulted in a clean new design which complements the operating systems of all modern smartphones and tablet devices.”

“In today’s economy it’s increasingly challenging to justify high value solutions for low cost labour,” concluded Reynolds. “TaskMaster Companion gives businesses the chance to capitalize on technology which is already in place.”

TaskMaster Companion is an advanced tool which allows fieldworkers to conduct simple task-based work on smartphones and tablet devices which in turn can reduce infrastructure and hardware costs. The TM Studio workflow configuration tool offers organizations set-up and over the air deployment of workflow applications.

Suitable for data capture, market research and internal reporting, TaskMaster Companion can also be used to support:

  • Domiciliary care
  • Delivery and collection
  • Field service operations
  • Time and attendance
  • Temporary workers, self-employed staff and casual labourers
  • Market research or internal surveys

About Open Door Technology:

Open Door Technology has been integrating people, processes and technology since 1992. Now focused on delivering TaskMaster enterprise mobility services and Microsoft Dynamics® NAV (formerly Microsoft Navision) products and services, Open Door has become one of the top resellers and development partners in North America.

Malcolm Roach

403.777.2410

About TBS Enterprise Mobility:

TBS Enterprise Mobility produces innovative enterprise mobility solutions using the latest technologies available. Their current product range is unique in providing any enterprise or legacy system with a seamless mobile gateway, giving field workers unprecedented on-the-go access to information.


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

Rental Software Increases Productivity for Manufacturing and Rental Company: A Case Study

January 30, 2012 – 10:06 pm

Open Door Technology’s Rental Management Solution proves to be flexible enough for any industry. Their work with Proline Pipe Equipment Inc., manufacturer and supplier of specialized equipment for the oil and gas industry, highlights extreme functionality of the solution.

Dianne Zawortny, Controller at Proline Pipe Equipment Inc. says, “The rental management solutions out there just didn’t have the flexibility for our industry. With Open Door Technology’s Rental Management Solution, we now have a product that’s so flexible; we can manage any situation that comes up.”

Once Proline implemented Open Door Technology’s Rental Management solution, they “never looked back”. They now have the information they need as well as adaptable functionality to run their business efficiently.

Dianne Zawortny says, “Open Door Technology’s Rental Management solution has been a hit since the day it went live. Users are impressed and it’s been easy for them to adapt to. We absolutely love it.”

Proline Pipe Equipment Inc. is now experiencing the following benefits:

  • Effectively manage case by case scenarios. For example, Proline customers may lose equipment but then find it and want to return it. ODT’s Rental Management solution is set up to manage these case by case scenarios so inventory is always accurate and Proline staff is always up-to-date.
  • Quicker and more reliable invoicing. Proline now bills daily, creating a more constant cash flow and helping to ensure Proline gets paid on time.
  • Access to real-time information. Dianne Zawortny says, “Having access to information is what it’s all about and has helped us do our jobs right, make better decisions, and serve our customers in a timely and efficient manner.”

About Open Door Technology’s Rental Management Solution

Rental Management brings all the disconnected areas of business together and consolidates them on one common platform. Investing in a single system eliminates multiple points of data entry as information is shared across one database. Users can finally access the information a company needs in a real-time environment.

About Open Door Technology

Open Door Technology has been partnering with mid-market organizations since 1992 to develop and imple­ment integrated business management systems. Open Door is known as an industry leader in business process management and product development and is a Microsoft Dynamics Gold Partner.

Case Study: Rental Management Solution for Proline Pipe Equipment Inc.

Contact:

Malcolm Roach, President

mroach@opendoor.ca

403.777.2410


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |

New Account Manager and Partner Welcomed to Open Door Technology

January 23, 2012 – 9:06 pm

Open Door Technology is pleased to announce the promotion of Christian Roach to the position of Account Manager and Partner. Mr. Roach has worked with Open Door Technology with the implementation of financial management and ERP systems since 1996.

Mr. Roach has extensive experience of working with clients to both design and implement technical solutions. As Account Manager, Mr. Roach will work with businesses to help refine their business processes and ensure organizations are receiving the maximum value from their systems.

“Mr. Roach has always had an interest in technology innovations and we look forward to have him bring that skill on a full time basis to our customers,” Malcolm Roach, president of Open Door Technology said.

Christian Roach said of this promotion, “I am looking forward to my new role of Account Manager and being able to work closer with organizations to harness systems to further their business. We are currently developing several exciting processes, which will increase the efficiency and value of our customer’s current systems.”

About Open Door Technology

Open Door Technology has been integrating people, processes and technology since 1992. Now focused on delivering Microsoft Dynamics® NAV (formerly Microsoft Navision) products and services as well as Dynamics CRM and TaskMaster Enterprise Mobility, Open Door has become one of the top resellers and development partners in North America.


By Jenn Roach | Posted in News |