Wednesday 19 January 2011

Is it Wednesday already?

Busy week again this week. Mostly internal admin stuff including the major update of our Fraser It Services web site. See www.fraseritservices.co.uk for more details.
Dynamics Nav development quoted for signed off and PO numbers confirmed. Started today. Further enhancements to client's telesales process using standard Nav To Dos functionality. Using colours for To Do lists using a new bespoke table.
Consolidation work in Dynamics Nav continues. All requested report templates set up on standard Nav Accounts Schedules bar 1. Will fix the one missing later! Cannot test what has been created (except the basics like balancing balance sheet) until data imported as part of the consolidation process. Same client asking for training and more report templates. Work now on hold waiting for 3rd party to client approving proposed GL. Once done, more businesses (non consolidation) to be created in Nav.
Updated cash flow for latest on customers settling their debts. Not good this month! Contact from 1 client confirming they will agree schedule of payments to clear 6 month old debt this week. Not holding my breath!
Fraser Price Consulting web page updated for better links. Dynamics Consultant web page (www.dynamicsnavconsultant.co.uk/) updated for latest pricing and service lists.
That's all for now!

Friday 14 January 2011

Another week another dollar

Dynamics Nav consolidated billing development loaded into test database and UAT requested from client.
Modified a Dynamics Nav development for another client for their customer excellence process. Simple fix to validate whether a customer can be added to the customer excellence process or not. All weekly reports to clients completed as usual. Spoke to a few of my business contacts this week - just a quick chat re how busy we all are etc. January generally quiet from a Nav development point of view. Phone call meeting later today on potential more Nav reporting via accounts schedule work. Fingers crossed. Next week will be completing the accounts schedule work to date on the live database and requesting customer approval.
Need to think through Dynamics Nav part consolidations and eliminations between group companies. Do not want to use Dynamics Nav intercompany postings functionality as this is a little over the top. Think cap on next week. Suggested to client a solution via developing a new report that uses rules as confirmed and the account schedules line and column layouts as base so that users can still maintain reporting.
Have a great week end all!

Thursday 13 January 2011

Just a quick blog

A few phone calls yesterday from potential clients asking for quotes. Will wait and see if anything comes from it. Also had some phone calls for services we do not provide. Passed onto contacts that do provide the service.
Latest web site iDevice completed (50%) and Google Ads modified for it. Fraser IT services web pages unchanged but Google Ads refined. For more on iDevice application design, see our web page www.ideviceappdesign.co.uk.
On site at a client today to run through Dynamics Nav consolidation routine (and specific test configuration created for demo) using Accs Sch for reporting. Fits all their needs apart from part consolidations. Proposed develop a report that uses the Acc Sch functionality but includes code to eliminate tranactions between businesses consolidated in part consolidation.More work to do but this is good! :)
That's all for now.

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Another week...

Not much to write about this week. Still chasing debts - no response at all from 1 client so that is not looking good! May need to suspend services which I never link doing!
Just bought 2 new domains for iDevice application design and developments. To try and boost sales on the iphone developments. Pilot iphone application completed this week and way forward agreed with our client. Next stage is a get together with the client (and all effected members of client staff) and confirm the final requirements for the application so that we can start the final stage of the development. Web page design started for new domain and tomorrow we will load initial pages with key words and set up a new campaign on Google Ad words.
Last year (2010) not a good year for securing Dynamics Nav clients. Managed to get some but most did not want our services. May be we are too expensive but rumblings in the Dynamics Nav market suggest demand for consultants is growing. Keeping fingers crossed.
Managed to load in Dynamics Nav test consolidation company into client's live database ready for an on site meeting to run through Thursday this week.
That's all for now folks!

Friday 7 January 2011

Why is it Friday's are by far the quietest day?

A strange and recent feature of business at the moment - Friday's are really quiet!
Started on the step by step instructions on consolidated billing development for client which will facilitate final testing and hand over to client for UAT. Should be all done and dusted from an FPC point of view by a week today. Forgot to say yesterday that the iphone development for tree trails (pilot) complete for last set of changes pre demo. Hopefully main client contact will view today / tomorrow and then we can agree a way forward for demoing to a larger audience and agree a way forward which includes recovering development costs!
IT configuration and installation work completed today. Need to determine whether we are going to do this full time in the business or not! Lucrative work is Dynamics Nav (high value ticket) but book keeping and PC installs and configuration work generate revenue as larger volumes, lower ticket values. If that makes sense!
That's all for now. Next week Dynamics Nav work will be loading in first consolidated business for client and finishing consolidated billing work for another client.

Thursday 6 January 2011

Dynamics Nav work completed this week

Started this week with the consolidation work in Dynanics Nav for a client. Created a new business (standard default set up), configured for consolidation (create business unit list), assigned mapping GLs for businesses to be consolidated (referred to as Consol Dr and Consol Cr on each businesses chart of accounts) and tested! All ok and TB created balances! How could it not!! ;)
Then started work creating report templates on the consolidated business using client defined formats for rows as well as column headings. Standard financial reporting (I used to run finance departments and report results each month) so no major issues and clients wants to see the results and test for themselves. Done and ready to load into live as a separate business. Client granted permission so first stage of work will be complete by early next week. Booked meeting at client site next week to run through how to use Dynamics Nav consolidation.
Chased debts this week. Not my favourite job as while ever I am doing that, I am not doing chargeable time.
Still no access to bank account on the internet and Lloyds TSB don't seem to give a stuff. Or all their phone lines are down and they have not been able to call me and provide regular updates as to when the issue is fixed.
An old saying is 'if you cannot get the service, walk!'. So opening a new business bank account with Nat West. They are also local to the village and charge the same rates as Lloyds TSB. Should have a new account in a week or so and then we can start transition of client payments. Then I might have visibility of account transactions. Not much to ask surely!!!
Also confirmed status of Dynamics Nav developments for another client and agreed the next steps for the new year. 2/3rds of developments completed and the final 1/3rd will be complete by close of next week.
That's all folks!

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Happy new year!

Well a new year is upon us! Hope you all have a cracking new year and a restful break.
Straight back into support on Dynamics Nav with the change in the VAT rate from today. all done! Easy in Nav - the only complication is how to deal with existing sales and purchase documents.
Consolidation work on Dynamics Nav signed off at last and work has started this week. Client requested the creation of a test consolidation company to allow users to see the results and how Nav consolidates.
Now a grumpy old man moment - my business's bank!! I have now been without internet banking for a month. No matter how much I phone up Lloyds TSB, this does not seem to be a priority for Lloyds. We have now resorted to telephone banking and cheques for payments. How very old fashioned. Nat West coming to see me tomorrow so we can resolve this issue asap. A shame as we started the business with LloydsTSB!
Anyway that is enough for the first blog for a month! Onwards and upwards!