Services & Support
 
ASC delivers Dynamics software that results in ERP excellence.
 

Successful ERP requires supplier competence, software fit, customer commitment and return on investment . ASC, a Microsoft Gold Certified Dynamics implementer, distinguishes itself in the professional manner we unite these four key ingredients. Our AX and NAV partners to likewise.

Passionate, we “Put Good Ideas to Work”.

 
  Supplier Competence   
 

As an experienced ERP supplier, ASC differentiates itself based upon the strength of our implementation teams, the proven methodologies we employ to assure successful ERP, and our dedication to customer service. Combined these constitute the ASC Advantage.

Our implementation teams are anchored by specialists in the specific Dynamics products they support. Here there can be no substitute because this expertise insures rapid software set-ups, knowledgeable training, and the experience required for on-time deployment.

Consultants on our GP and SL teams have each deployed Dynamics over 50 times. This is also true of the personnel from our AX partner, Advanced Systems Integration, and our NAV partner, InfiniTek, both ten year AX and NAV veterans, respectively [where the market average is less than four]. ASC teams are so proven that Microsoft relies on them to rescue troubled implementations.

Also, ASC offers programmers expert in GP, AX, NAV, SL and CRM code. Again there can be no substitute for proven programmers to assure timely, maintainable and effective customizations. Finally, where specialty applications apply (e.g. distinctive ISV offerings) ASC utilizes subject matter experts to augment our team -- a philosophy consistent with rapid set-ups, expert training, and on-time deployment.

ASC’s rigorous implementation methodology and project tracking practices begin with the initial sales process and continue through post implementation support and training. Our tools/practices include:

1) Needs Assessment and Dynamics ERP(s) Fit Analysis
a) Price/Performance Alternatives
• Proof-to-Purchase, Dynamics Pilot Project option

b) Infrastructure, Hardware Analysis
c) ROI Analysis

2) Budgeted, Detailed Project Implementation Plan
a) Project Tools, 2 formats per user preference. [Maintained on ASC web site.]
• Microsoft Project
• Excel
b) Budget Hours Tracked per Implementation Step
c) Ongoing Management Reports for Project Tracking and Forecast-to-Complete

3) Detailed Business Process Set-up, Modeling and User Training
a) As-Is/To-Be Business Process Descriptions
• Visual Flow Charts [Visio]
• Business Processes Listed Per Module, Per Department, Per User
• Individual User Manuals/Desktop Procedures per these User Workflows
(i.e. “Run Books”)
b) Test, Test, Test—Schedules Tied to Project Deliverables/Budget
c) Train, Train, Train

4) Data Migration
a) Templates and Tools
b) Historical Data

5) Go-Live Support
6) Ongoing Support
 

Click on links above for full descriptions of these features

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It is ASC’s final differentiator, our dedication to customer service, substantiates ERP excellence. We and our partners deliver because we listen; customer service is priority number one. Our customers seek suppliers who understand their business: ASC knows the relationship between business processes and Dynamics ERP(s), and meaningfully translates and adapts this relationship per our customers’ priorities. Furthermore, we understand that ERP implementation is not easy because it represents extra effort and often new practices on the part of the user community. Therefore we work with management and encourage team building practices to address this challenge head-on. Our knowledge, demeanor and implementation methodologies (especially insistence upon documented "run books," i.e. desk top procedures and through training) tend to assuage user community resistance and, most importantly, engender trust.

 
   
  Software Fit  
 

Choosing the correct software package is crucial for successful ERP. Microsoft offers four Dynamics ERP plus CRM, and the Microsoft “ecosystem” includes hundreds of ISV products that complement Microsoft’s offerings. The scope of these products overlap, and often the choice of the right Dynamics solution can be daunting. But ASC is expert at these packages and their comparison.

Our value-add is to meaningfully present Microsoft alternatives. Users find this professional, unbiased approach extremely valuable. This includes price/performance analyses regarding budget, product features, 3rd party offerings, in-house IT experience and mindset on customizations, on-going support expectations, and corporate growth goals. Options will be presented with importance attached to functions, costs and ease-of-use with the overall analysis focused on expected benefits versus cost to implement to (define and) assure return on investment requirements are understood.

In addition, ASC understands that software, while extremely important, does not constitute the entire ERP solution. In fact, during ERP requirements analysis we determine the type of solution that applies--e.g. software, procedural, managerial, training, etc.--to establish realistic software expectations and operating practices.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  Cutomer Commitment  
 

ERP is a substantial undertaking where success stories and horror stories abound. Both the customer and implementer assume responsibility for the outcome.

At ASC, ERP implementation is something we do every day, whereas, for our customers it is a once in a decade(s) undertaking. Therefore we assist our customers in the following manner:
1. Provide check-off lists on hardware and facility requirements
2. Provide general purpose training material (on accounting and manufacturing principals).
3. Work with our customers to establish realistic schedules. (When personnel work 40+ hour weeks, and ERP requires an additional X hours per week, this planning is critical.)
4. Insure a clean chart of accounts and a clean data set. (Often first overlooked/misunderstood; never forgiving.)
5. List the 50 to 150 business processes that constitute ERP and provide management easy to monitor tools to track their employees’ progress to master these.
6. Recognize that system modeling is critical AND factor that--in person hours--the ratio of modeling to training is 3-to-1. Monitor employee progress. (Lack of training is the single largest reason ERP installs falter/fail.)
7. (If required) provide team building venues to create and sustain momentum.
8. Work as a team with frequent management updates designed for success.

  
     
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  Return On Investment  
 

ASC knows the relationship between our customers’ business processes and business application software. We are comfortable to provide a return on investment analysis to assure investment requirements are met. We can compare your industry metrics to those of customers’.

The following are typical, although not exhaustive, lists of items we focus on:

I) Distribution
1) Improved Personal Productivity
a) Direct (Reduced costs)
b) InDirect
2) Reduced Extraordinary Expenses
a) Expediting Fees
(1) Vendor
(2) Transportation Fees
(3) Overtime
b) Charge Backs
3) Improved Cash Flow
a) Days Sales Outstanding
b) Inventory Carrying Costs
II) Manufacturing
1) The above plus
2) Improved Inventory Accuracy
3) Understanding "True" Production Costs
4) WIP Reduction
5) Improved Scheduling to Meet Customer Ship Dates
 
III) Project Services
1) Personal Productivity
a) Back Office
b) InDirect
2) Improved Cash Flow
a) Reduced Invoice Cycle
b) Days Sales Outstanding
3) Improved Billing Accuracy
4) Improved Cash Management


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