WHAT S NEW NAV NEWS VIEW FROM 2 NAV ADD - ONS INDUSTRY FOCUS NAV TIPS VOL 1 ISSUE 1

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1 VOL 1 ISSUE 1 WHAT S NEW Clients First introduces Innovative ERP Recession Delivery Model - a no-gimmick methodology that permits businesses to implement Microsoft Dynamics ERP software with no risk and at a substantial cost savings over traditional approaches. VIEW FROM 2 There will NEVER be a better time to invest in your business if an ERP solution is under consideration. Let us tell you why INDUSTRY FOCUS Twinings North America employs some 55 people to handle product sales, importation logistics, distribution, and customer service. They place a premium on keeping their operations very lean and efficient.before working with Clients First, Twinings used a business and financial management solution, which concentrated on technology for food and beverage manufacturers, but that was growing increasingly expensive. NAV NEWS Microsoft releases Dynamics NAV NAV 2009 simplifies access to user information, improves organizational agility and integrates seamlessly with a wide range of applications. NAV ADD - ONS At Clients First, we re always looking for expertly developed add-ons to help increase the value of our solutions. When we discovered Lanham & Associates Advanced Forecasting & Procurement Add- On, built directly into Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we knew we had a product we could stand behind. NAV TIPS Do you understand the purpose of the G/L Setup for Posting Dates vs. the User Setups for Posting Dates? Neither do most users of NAV.

2 WHAT S NEW Clients First delivers Innovative ERP Recession Delivery Model (RDM) Microsoft Dynamics ERP Solutions at a LOW COST with NO RISK! Delivering affordable ERP business solutions in tough economic times requires a no-nonsense, innovative approach. Many businesses can benefit from a new business software solution through improved efficiency, productivity, customer service, and by gaining a competitive advantage; but they can t afford the investment or risk. Clients First has introduced a nogimmick methodology that permits businesses to implement Microsoft Dynamics ERP software with no risk and at a substantial cost savings over traditional approaches. RDM provides the following customer benefits: No upfront costs for software or maintenance No complicated legal agreements Stop the project at any time with no further obligations Customer is assured software expectations are met prior to any purchase or lease Conserves cash with minimal upfront professional services investment Customers proceed at their own pace Reduces implementation cost by as much as 50% For more information contact Jeffrey Warwick, Vice President of Sales at (732) VIEW FROM 2 There will NEVER be a better time to invest in your business if an ERP solution is under consideration ERP solutions typically add 2% to 6% to the bottom line for reasons that include: Effective inventory management, forecasting, and replenishment optimizes inventory, increases turns, and reduces the amount of dead and slow turning stock. Experts indicate a 15% to 20% cost reduction and cash flow improvement based on decreased stock, handling, and shelf space costs. Improved customer service augmented by technology keeps customers from leaving for that desperate competitor who is low balling their prices during the recession to stay afloat. Better customer and value added services means better customer retention and helps insure long term customer loyalty. Reducing DSO (day s sales outstanding) by even a few days due to improved billing engines, electronic transmittal of invoices, integrated payment receiving (including credit cards), and proactive collections management considerably improves access to cash. World class companies leverage technology while optimizing their business processes to gain efficiency and productivity. The deployment of ERP technology provides the opportunity to improve the bottom line by redesigning and optimizing these processes. ERP solutions can dramatically reduce the amount of paper handling and filing. There are many studies that show, depending on company size, a saving of 10 s if not 100 s of thousands per year when all the costs of searching, filing, and printing, storing and disposing of paper are reviewed. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) dramatically reduces data entry costs and errors and allows you to get preferred status with your vendors. Client s First - Sheldon D. Kralsteien CEO Through the innovation of RDM Clients First is changing the way the industry delivers business solutions says Sheldon D. Kralstein, CEO. This practical methodology clearly reduces both cost and risk and permits business people to make informed decisions with significantly less stress. 2

3 VIEW FROM 2 There will NEVER be a better time to invest in your business if an ERP solution is under consideration Waiting Costs Money most ROI and payback analysis show that ERP implementations have a payback of less than 3 years and provide companies the opportunity to increase revenue with better bottom line profits. There usually is a significant lost opportunity cost by waiting that can never be realized. Prices that will never again be this low! No matter how you word it, the US has seen rapid deflation in the past two quarters. In order to not damage future prospects companies are offering unheard of incentives. You can literally get a 33% discount on an American car. Gasoline is 75% less than a year ago and 30% to 50% less than the average in the last 10 years or so (inflation adjusted.) Companies would rather sell inventory at a loss than have to auction it and you the purchaser (business or consumer) can greatly benefit. ERP publishers are feeling the hurt. As these publicly traded vendors approach quarter and year ends, their willingness to be financially creative is at levels we ve never seen. Whether it s an off the cuff discount, free modules, users, extended support or maintenance, subsidized financing etc, we are seeing discounts that are double or triple industry norms. These will disappear as the economy recovers and the pent up demand will drive up the cost of services by 10% to 20%. Inflation will drive up prices Economists predict that the Federal Reserve will not contract the money supply fast enough as the economy improves.this will likely cause a serious inflation problem as the money supply will double at the end of the recession resulting in sky-rocketing wages. A leaner workforce supported by technology and optimized business processes positions well run companies to gain a true competitive advantage. Stimulus Incentives recently enacted allow you to deduct 100% of your software and services assuming the system is put into service this year. Historically, a technology solution is depreciated over a 5 year period. Section 179 deductions have temporarily and dramatically been increased. If you have a profit this year you save significant taxes. If you have accumulated significant deferred revenue from prior years this is a great way to offset the income as significant tax rate increases are pending in Congress. No Cash Flow impact leasing companies are offering subsidized programs where you can make no payments for 6 to 12 months. Their models show a cash flow neutral scenario with the ROI improvements covering the lease payments. These programs take the cash flow concerns off the table permitting businesses to invest in new technology today. This economic downturn can be viewed with fear or as an opportunity to invest in your business. By leveraging ERP technology and optimizing business processes your organization can improve productivity, increase efficiency, and position itself for a real competitive advantage at a cost that is far less than it will be in the future. Those who are afraid and act as such survive, while those that seize the opportunity rise to the top to achieve a world class status and prosper accordingly. The choice is yours but definitely worth reflection and consideration. 3

4 NAV NEWS Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Microsoft releases the latest version of the NAV product Microsoft Dynamics NAV Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 simplifies access to user information, improves organizational agility and integrates seamlessly with a wide range of applications. It enables enhanced reporting, and offers increased functionality, operates with concurrent users and effectively scales along with your business. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 enables: Enhanced personal productivity with RoleTailored views that allow your team to accomplish more every day by providing a clear overview of daily tasks and relevant information You to connect, adapt and grow through the flexible three-tier architecture, which simplifies the process of adding additional functionality, and allows you to scale your solution as your business grows Improved Data Exchange through web services, which allow you to easily share information with other business applications while maintainin data integrity and security Better use of data, with enhanced reporting and new layouts that allow for visually appealing reports that communicate information effectively A high return on investment because it integrates seamlessly with the other Microsoft Office programs you already use, and allows your employees to access programs such as Outlook, Excel and Word right from their Role Centers, so they can easily find, use and share information. To learn more about how a Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 upgrade or installation can help improve your business, and your bottom line, talk to Clients First today. We speak your language, we know your business and we re here to help you make the right decision for your unique situation. NAV TIPS Do you understand the purpose of the G/L Setup for Posting Dates vs. the User Setups for Posting Dates? Neither do most users of NAV. Most people setup each user and choose their posting dates, and ignore the G/L Setups This is a HUGE Risk, because the Adjust Cost routine considers the G/L Posting Setups - and ignores the User Setups. The Best Practice Tip Leave the user setup blank, except for the exception users and just change the G/L Setups on a monthly basis. Allow the G/L Setups to post only to the current month. If there is a user who needs to be permitted to post to a prior period, change the posting dates on the User Setup screen. 4

5 NAV ADD - ONS For Manufacturers and Distributors As a manufacturer or distributor, inventory is your largest and most costly asset. Effectively managing your inventory can have a serious impact on your ability to meet and exceed customer expectations, as well as on your revenues. At Clients First, we re always looking for expertly developed add-ons to help increase the value of our solutions. For many of our clients, that means seeking out ways to help improve inventory management and procurement. When we discovered Lanham & Associates Advanced Forecasting & Procurement Add-On, built directly into Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we knew we had a product we could stand behind. Lanham s AFP product works in both the distribution and manufacturing spaces, and enables you to improve your forecasting and procurement processes through the unique approach of incorporating vital forecasting and replenishment functions into a single system, which results in Total Access to Data. For the Distributor or Manufacturer: Formula Based Forecasting - Best Fit Formula Approach. Use Collaborative forecast to fine tune your overall forecast. Use Vendor forecast to help your vendors anticipate your future needs. Roll-Up usage history and demand based on replenishment path to get a view of your entire supply chain. Identify surplus inventory and re-deploy to reduce total inventory. Use the unique Lead Time Horizon replenishment method for long lead times typical when importing products. Use the suggested order to review products by vendor, including the calculation details of the recommendation. Specifically for the Distributor: Automated Calculation of Vendor Lead Times to the Warehouse, Vendor, and Item levels. Branch replenishment, including consigned inventory replenishment. Order Point, Line Point, and EOQ calculations for short to medium lead times. Lead Time Horizon calculations for longer lead times. Non-Stock and Special Order item processing. Full support for NAV Kit Processing. (NAV Versions 5.0 and newer) Specifically for the Manufacturer: Use AFP Production to forecast finished goods and create simulated production orders for the planning horizon. Component demand is considered by the suggested order when purchasing components for production. Can be used in conjunctions with NAV Production. To learn more about how an AFP Add-On for Microsoft Dynamics NAV can improve your business, contact us

6 INDUSTRY FOCUS Twinings North America A wholly owned subsidiary of Twinings of London, Twinings North America is perhaps the most recognized fine tea brand in the entire United States. Twinings North America employs some 55 people to handle product sales, importation logistics, distribution, and customer service. They place a premium on keeping their operations very lean and efficient so as to keep costs low, and also to support expanding their market share and growing revenue. Before working with Clients First, Twinings historically used a business and financial management solution, which concentrated on technology for food and beverage manufacturers. Over time, however, the system had been heavily modified to meet Twinings unique demands, particularly with respect to effectively managing an extensive and complex distribution channel. Incorporating necessary upgrades into this system, and its general ongoing maintenance, had consequently become a costly proposition. Research into several alternatives led to the conclusion that Microsoft Dynamics NAV was the solution of choice for Twinings North America. Its technology platform was state-of-the-art, its functionality robust, and its total cost of ownership very attractive. Everyone in the company could use the solution to optimally perform their jobs, from senior management, through to sales, import logistics, and right down to the warehouse floor. Since installing the solution with Clients First, Twinings had experienced a number of benefits including greatly enhanced visibility into all operations, superior trade spend management, reduced working capital requirements, superior lot tracking and control and more. For the full case study, please visit: FREE TRAINING Free educational webinar series Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an extremely robust tool. Take full advantage of the functionality NAV offers with the help of our expert Chris Young, a Clients First Partner. Chris will enhance your knowledge and help you to leverage the power of NAV by providing instructional demonstrations and answering your questions. These educational events are FREE and available to anyone that has an interest in enhancing their knowledge and skills with NAV. We invite you to get a cup of coffee and attend these FREE one-hour instructional webinars. To obtain an up-to-date schedule of upcoming sessions please Donna Figliola at dfigliola@clientsfirst-us. com or call her at (732) X9962. Checkout one of our recorded webinars at the URL link below and learn about the power of Dynamics NAV Relationship Management (CRM). 6