I hear a lot of talk about economic recessions and downturns. I’ll always remember a saying I heard (not sure who said it first), and to paraphrase - “economists have successfully predicted 8 of the last 3 recessions”.

Now, I’m not sure which way the economy will go in 2008 and 2009 - the latest figures show a slight growth in the last quarter. I do know, though, that like always some businesses will use whatever the economic outlook is to get stronger and others will grow weaker.

Whether you are trying to do more with less or trying to dominate by just doing more, your human resources will always play a huge role. Well selected, well trained and appropriated compensated employees will be leading the charge or holding strong while companies around you retreat. I’ve put up a new article - “Human Capital - A Positive Exchange Rate“, on our main site under the Resources - Industry Information section. Check it out.

Going crazy trying to decide what CRM package to get?  I receive a lot of calls based on this subject.  One of the quick ways to decide is based on user count.  If you only have 2-3 users, then you cannot beat ACT’s price point and functionality.  If you have a lot of unique requirements and at least 10 users (in my opinion), then Saleslogix is the way to go, as it can be customized for almost any need (and can also be used on a mobile device and on the web).  If you are determined to get a hosted solution, then sagecrm.com or salesforce.com should be the choice, as both options provide support and maintenance built into the monthly user fee.  If you want a PC-based solution, then based on user count, SQL requirements,  process flow, and customizations needed, the choice should be between ACT (low user counts) and Saleslogix (SQL, high user counts, customizations needed).  SageCRM also offers a PC-based solution and it is only web-based, which offers some nice flexibility.

Today I participated in a webinar put on my Scanco for the new module called Directed Picking.  Just a quick snapshot of what this does  - users with large warehouses will now be able to design a pick list that will move the pickers methodically around the warehouse.   This pick list can then be called up by the RF unit such that less time will be spent on finding product or moving around the warehouse.  It should decrease errors and also save a lot of time.

Finally Starship can ship LTL and FTL.  There will be two modules - Starship Parcel is what MAS 90 and MAS 500 users have now.  Then, the new module, Starship Freight, can be added on and allows freight rate shopping and shipping LTL and FTL.    Although Starship Freight is ready, V-Technologies and Sage are still working out the kinks as far as marketing and pricing.  But soon, Starship’s capaiblities will have much more diversity.

So what is the next step for MAS 90?  Version 4.30 is to be released in Summer, 2008, and the outlook is very promising.  First, the paperless office products are going to be embedded as a standard feature.  Second, SageCRM is going to be a bundled product.  What this means is that the integration is not only seamless, but it will basically be just another module.  Another exciting change is the integration of Sage Payment Services, which means MAS 90 will no longer be dependent on PC Charge.  Unfortunately, inventory and purchase order will not be upgraded to the business framework yet.  We are hoping for version 5.0 or above.