Technology in Practice

Creatio, global vendor of a leading sales, customer service and marketing CRM, recently announced the release of Creatio 8.2 Energy. Combining the capabilities of next-generation AI tools with a powerful no-code platform, Creatio stated in a recent event that this release can help organizations realize productivity savings of up to 80% for key knowledge worker roles. The primary capabilities of this release include: Copilot and AI: This tool is a comprehensive AI Command Center through which businesses can manage, modify and create AI scenarios. Copilot includes more than 20 new out-of-the-box AI use cases for CRM and assisted development. In keeping with the existing no-code platform, all teaching is done using natural language. CRM Excellence: Creatio 8.2 includes new features and updates for advanced order and proposal management, lead generation, and marketing campaign automation, along with marketplace extensions. No-code: Expanded Freedom UI capabilities, new drag-and-drop components, and simplified tools for designing no-code integrations. Howden’s, the premiere trade kitchen supplier in the United Kingdom, was an early adopter of Creatio 8.2 Energy. When the company needed to replace legacy CRM systems, they chose Creatio for its no-code platform as well as its emphasis on an efficient, speedy user experience. Since their implementation, Howden’s teams at multiple locations are seeing value in having one shared system, starting with improved communication through a shared dashboard used throughout the company. And now that employees can share data seamlessly, their strike rates (ratio of the number of prospects or inquiries to the number of sales) have improved due to better lead tracking. Howden’s can also keep a closer eye on contacts with their customer contacts, and they have been able to improve targeting of different audiences. All Creatio customers can begin using the AI Command Center today and begin applying AI capabilities to their own specific use cases while taking advantage of a wealth of enhanced features. Interested in learning more about how a next-generation CRM can help unleash the power of your organization? Contact us to learn more about how you can scale up your sales, customer experience, and marketing.

Sustainability, community, and a trusted payroll system power Jasper Lumber’s growth and success. Located in Northwest Alabama, Jasper Lumber Company is a trusted name in southern pine lumber manufacturing. Known for producing high-quality lumber, the company is also deeply committed to sustainability, holding certification from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Jasper Lumber takes pride in preserving forests for future generations while serving as a key employer and contributor to the local community. As one of the area’s largest employers, Jasper prides itself on its employees’ dedication to quality and safety. From offering safety bonuses to ensuring employees can work remotely when needed, Jasper places a high value on its workforce. Behind the scenes, Jasper relies on Sage HRMS and Net at Work to ensure these mission-critical processes run smoothly. “The peace of mind this gives me makes me want to come to work,” says Spring McGraw, Payroll Clerk. “I know I can rely on the system and the team behind it.” Managing complex payroll with a trusted partner Running payroll weekly for 150+ employees across five entities is no small task —especially with the added complexities of shift differentials, garnishments, and ACA reporting. For Spring McGraw, Payroll Clerk at Jasper, ensuring payroll runs flawlessly is a top priority. “Payroll isn’t something you can afford to get wrong,” McGraw explains. Before partnering with Net at Work, McGraw struggled with delayed support from their previous provider. “I’d get the ‘I’ll check into it’ response, and then I wouldn’t hear back,” she recalls. “I’m running payroll weekly, and I need answers immediately.” With Net at Work’s Total Care program, Jasper has access to on-demand support, a video library of how-tos, training courses, and regular check-ins with a dedicated consultant. This comprehensive support plan ensures McGraw can resolve issues quickly and focus on her other responsibilities. “Net at Work goes above and beyond,” McGraw says. “I know my consultant has other clients, but they always make me feel like a priority. It’s a level of support I’ve never had before.” A seamless system that works as hard as they do Sage HRMS is the backbone of Jasper’s payroll and HR operations, providing reliable tools for time and attendance, ACA reporting, garnishments, and workflow management. The system’s flexibility allows Jasper to scale its operations as it grows. Currently, the system manages time and attendance for office staff, and plans are underway to roll it out to field workers once construction and expansions are complete. The power of a great partnership The partnership between Jasper and Net at Work is about trust and collaboration. McGraw values the depth of resources available at Net at Work, ensuring that even the most complex issues are resolved promptly. “If my consultant doesn’t have the answer, there’s always someone else at Net at Work who does,” she explains. For McGraw, this support translates directly into job satisfaction. “The peace of mind this gives me makes me want to come to work,” she says. “I know I can rely on the system and the team behind it.” Supporting growth with reliability As Jasper continues to expand its operations, the relationship with Net at Work is a key component of its success. “Net at Work provides the tools and support we need to succeed,” McGraw concludes. “They allow us to focus on what we do best—delivering quality products while supporting our employees and protecting our environment.” Download the full Net at Work success story to read more about Jasper Lumber’s pathway to operational excellence.

The business landscape today is as complex, competitive, and fast-paced as it’s ever been.  Companies must stay on top of trends in the economy and adapt to them quickly if they want to grow. As these and other business challenges evolve alongside an increasingly unpredictable marketplace, so too must the tools designed to support them. Extended Financial Planning and Analysis (xFP&A) solutions—programs that enable organizations to go beyond basic budgeting, forecasting, and planning—have become especially crucial resources. Enter Solver, a cloud-based xFP&A solution built specifically for mid-market companies aspiring to thrive in today’s economy. Catering to a wide range of industries, Solver offers a suite of easy-to-use features that automate reporting and planning processes. As a result, valuable time formerly allocated to prep work is now available, while robust, up-to-date information businesses rely on to make important financial decisions quickly and soundly is now possible. Using this powerful tool in tandem with a mid-market enterprise resource planning (ERP) system such as Acumatica can help businesses streamline workflows; pull, consolidate, and analyze accurate financial data from a single source of truth; and implement revenue-driving strategies that set their organizations up for long-term success. How do Solver and Acumatica Work Together? Similar to most ERP systems, Acumatica offers financial reporting and basic budgeting functionality. Companies in construction, senior living, nonprofit, and many others will adopt an xFP&A solution such as Solver—an Acumatica Certified application—when they outgrow Acumatica’s built-in functionality or when they want to upgrade from manual spreadsheet-based models for budgeting or forecasting. When Acumatica and the xFP&A solution integrate, Acumatica users reap the benefits of Solver’s time-saving automation, while also enjoying greater financial reporting, analysis, and planning power.   Solver enhances the capabilities of the popular cloud-based ERP in five ways. When businesses use both solutions, they can do the following 1.Get Started Right Away As an Acumatica user, it’s easy and fast to set up Solver. The xFP&A solution’s QuickStart integration feature enables Acumatica-powered businesses to begin using Solver tools right away, minimizing disruption to normal company operations. Solver also offers unlimited on-demand training, ensuring subscribers always have access to helpful, self-paced resources, including hands-on labs, downloadable content, video courses and more, no matter where they are working or what time it is. 2. Create Workflows and Boost Productivity When it comes to xFP&A, organization is key. Solver’s workflow features are designed to increase assignment visibility, enhance planning, and help teams stay on track with routine, yet crucial financial duties. Users can create and name workflows for essential jobs like report generation; select primary assignees, reviewers, and approvers; attach report templates; set deadlines; and easily monitor each contributor’s progress. The system also generates handy assignment notifications for all designated participants, who can view the tasks they’ve been allotted in a dedicated assignments tab. 3. Access Data From a Single Source of Truth Funneling data into one central place can make it easier to manage and understand. Based on the Microsoft SQL Azure platform, the Solver Data Warehouse is a pre-configured, yet customizable xFP&A data warehouse that stores and organizes financial and operational information from sources such as Acumatica for consolidated reporting, analysis, and dashboards. With information on finances and operations in the same data warehouse, companies can find trends and exceptions in performance for smarter business decisions. 4. Customize Templates for Seamless Report Generation Forget tinkering with spreadsheets! Solver empowers businesses to eliminate error-prone manual exports and formatting, and move to a modern, automated reporting process fueled by the solution’s Data Warehouse. Once Acumatica users complete Solver’s QuickStart integration process, they can immediately begin browsing Solver’s extensive library of out-of-the-box report templates: vital tools for companies looking to accurately consolidate and analyze real-time operational and financial data. Accessible via Solver’s regularly updated template marketplace,  which also boasts turn-key models for planning forms and business-intelligence dashboards,  all of the templates can be customized for an organization’s specific needs. The solution’s ready-to-use templates include monthly cash flow, profit-and-loss, and driver-based sales forecast models, to budgeting and accounts receivable aging reports designed to help accountants identify past-due customer balances. Users can also take advantage of Solver’s versatile cloud-connected report designer to build and categorize completely bespoke templates from the ground up, or tap the solution’s ad-hoc reporting feature to analyze intel from the Data Warehouse quickly without creating a full report. 5. Automate Data Sharing The only thing more important than the ability to crunch the numbers businesses need to make critical financial decisions? Getting that data in front of the right people. Solver’s Publisher feature eases the process by allowing subscribers the option to schedule the distribution of hourly, daily, and/or monthly reports on a recurring, automatic basis. Users can select report templates and parameters, designate recipients, and choose whether to send reports to recipients’ email accounts or archive them as excel sheets or PDFs. Get the one-two punch of Acumatica and Solver Bam! Slam! While the Dynamic Duo need to fight the city’s villains, you neither need a superhero costume nor an alter ego to make better, more-informed business decisions. The combination of Acumatica and Solver do just that: Make your life easier, less complicated, and enable you to beat the competition. For more information on how Solver’s integration with Acumatica drives business success, please visit Solver’s website.

Are you part of the food distribution industry? We’d love to meet you at IFDA 2024, which takes place September 22-25 in Kansas City, Missouri. This annual conference is held by the International Foodservice Distributors Association, which was created in 1906 to help members of the industry thrive.  This year’s event will include:  Industry-specific learning tracks in transportation, warehouse, supply chain, and more  Information on the latest and most relevant advances in technology such as warehouse automation, supply chain planning, the best use of driver scorecards, and autonomous mobile robots  A facility tour for a hands-on look at warehouse and distribution in action  If you’re going to attend IFDA 2024, visit us at Booth 933 (Prime Food Service powered by Net at Work) or contact us to set up a time to meet with our team.

GreyStone Power Corporation, a vital part of its Georgia community for nearly 90 years, has a clear mission: “Making Life Better.” This philosophy guides every aspect of their work, from serving over 132,000 customers to fostering a workplace culture prioritizing employee well-being. Known for its exceptional employee retention—nearly half the national average turnover rate—GreyStone Power’s commitment to its workforce is unparalleled. Competitive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical and dental premiums, reflect their dedication to supporting their employees as much as their community. “Having one company that hosts our system and supports all the companion products is invaluable. Net at Work ensures everything works seamlessly together, and there’s never any finger-pointing —just solutions.” But behind this success is a commitment to modern HR practices and technology. With more than 300 employees and plans for continued growth, GreyStone Power turned to Net at Work to build a robust HR technology stack that could keep pace with their needs while streamlining operations. Energizing Success When Rita Wilson joined GreyStone Power as HR Manager, she saw an opportunity to transform the HR department into a proactive, strategic force. She partnered with Net at Work to implement Sage HRMS, hosted on the Cloud at Work platform, along with companion tools like Sage Alerts & Workflows, training and recruiting solutions, and HR Analytics. “These tools have allowed us to stay ahead of our responsibilities and focus on what matters most—our people,” Wilson explains. “Net at Work introduced solutions that eliminated manual touchpoints and kept tasks moving.” Using Sage Alerts & Workflows, GreyStone Power has automated notifications for key compliance tasks, like I-9 recertifications, DOT physicals, and employee milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries. This automation frees up valuable time for the HR team and ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Real-Time Insights Drive Informed Decisions HR Analytics has become an essential tool for GreyStone Power’s leadership, providing real-time reports on workforce diversity, retirement eligibility, and succession planning. These insights empower managers and executives to make informed decisions, ensuring the organization is prepared for the future. “Our analytics tools allow us to see the big picture while staying on top of the details,” says Wilson. “It’s a proactive approach that keeps us aligned with our goals.” This integration of technology and strategy has made a significant impact, allowing GreyStone Power to maintain a lean HR team of just five full-time employees while managing hundreds of staff members and planning for growth. A Partnership that Delivers Hosting Sage HRMS on the Cloud at Work platform has further enhanced GreyStone Power’s efficiency by reducing IT workload and ensuring secure, reliable access to their systems. “Having one company that hosts our system and supports all the companion products is invaluable,” Wilson notes. “Net at Work ensures everything works seamlessly together, and there’s never any finger-pointing—just solutions.” Together, Net at Work and GreyStone Power form a true power couple, seamlessly blending technology and service to empower employees and drive operational excellence. Wilson praises Net at Work’s responsiveness and deep expertise. “Their team constantly asks how they can make things easier for us. They’re more than a vendor; they’re a partner we can trust to support our goals.” Empowering People, Driving Growth With Net at Work’s support, GreyStone Power’s HR team has built a foundation that aligns with the company’s mission of “Making Life Better.” From automating workflows to providing real-time data insights, the solutions they’ve implemented ensure GreyStone Power is prepared to adapt and grow without compromising its commitment to employees. “Our employees are the face of the company,” Wilson concludes. “When we take care of them, they’re empowered to care for our customers. With Net at Work, we have the tools and support to keep delivering on our mission.” Download the full Net at Work success story to read more about GreyStone Power Company’s pathway to operational excellence.

Your organization may be trying to balance a desire for growth with the realities of your current budget. In situations like this, it’s understandable that you might put investing in a next-generation Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system on the back burner. Unfortunately, by failing to invest in systems capable of filling your organization’s needs, you may be hindering your ability to adapt to changing environments while also creating cost inefficiencies. And technology’s longevity isn’t the only issue. As outdated technology becomes obsolete, so do the data formats that it supports, which makes exchanging information difficult. “It essentially passes some of your operational burden on to [your business partners],” says Daniel Edwards, NetSuite Practice Director at Net at Work. “It makes you less attractive as a business partner.” But modern ERP solutions can revolutionize your operations, especially solutions with AI capabilities. In our recent white paper, “Change is the new constant. An AI-enabled ERP can help you keep up,” we outline: The benefits and capabilities of a next-generation ERP The costs of a next-generation ERP versus a legacy ERP, and which of these costs are quantifiable How to upgrade your ERP with the least amount of friction How AI functionality can lead to productivity gains, reduce supply chain risks, and much more Check out this complimentary resource today and learn more about how an AI-enabled ERP can help your company get more work done with less stress.

Are outdated manual processes, operational inefficiencies, and dissatisfied customers holding back your field service team? To thrive in today’s fast-moving business environment, you need more than reactive strategies—you need automation. Enter NetSuite’s Field Service Management solution, a comprehensive ERP platform designed to revolutionize how field service operations are run, streamline workflows, and enhance overall performance. If your field service organization is ready to leap into the future, here are three key areas where NetSuite ERP can automate and transform your Field Service operations: 1. Smarter Scheduling and Dispatching: Maximize Efficiency on the Road Effective scheduling is the cornerstone of a successful field service operation, yet manual systems often result in delays, miscommunication, and wasted time. NetSuite’s AI-powered scheduling and dispatching tools tackle this issue head-on, automating the process to ensure that technicians are deployed to the right jobs at the right time, every time. By automatically factoring in technician skills, job locations, and availability, NetSuite optimizes routes, minimizes travel time, and boosts job completion rates. The result? Faster service, more satisfied customers, and a workforce that operates with precision and efficiency. 2. Empowering the Mobile Workforce: Real-Time Access for On-Site Success In a digital-first world, field service technicians need more than just tools—they need information at their fingertips. With NetSuite’s mobile capabilities, your technicians can access critical job details, service history, and digital work orders in real time, all from their smartphones or tablets. This level of mobile empowerment allows technicians to stay connected with the home office, receive instant updates, and even request additional resources while on-site. The result is a field service team equipped to deliver faster, more accurate service, boosting both productivity and customer satisfaction. 3. Data-Driven Insights: Turn Information into Action Automation does more than streamline operations—it generates valuable data that can be leveraged for strategic decisions. NetSuite’s Field Service Management platform collects and analyzes data from every touchpoint, turning it into actionable insights that help you anticipate problems, manage resources more effectively, and improve service outcomes. With automated data analytics, you can make proactive decisions—whether it’s scheduling preventative maintenance or fine-tuning resource allocation to meet changing demands. These insights enable your business to operate smarter, not harder, ensuring that your field service operations are always a step ahead of the competition. Future-Proof Your Field Service Operations with Automation As businesses embrace digital transformation, field service automation has become essential for those looking to stay competitive. By adopting NetSuite’s Field Service Management solution, you’ll gain the tools to eliminate inefficiencies, boost technician performance, and enhance the customer experience—all while making informed decisions that future-proof your operations. Now is the time to invest in field service automation and take your business to the next level. Ready to learn more? Join our upcoming webinar and discover how automation can empower your field service team for peak performance.

Sage 100, 300, and 500 have long served businesses, but as the demands of modern accounting and operations grow, relying on legacy ERP systems can hinder progress. Are your current Sage ERP solutions holding you back from greater efficiency, insights, and scalability? Watch recorded webinar to explore the five hidden risks of staying on outdated Sage accounting software  and why upgrading to Sage Intacct is critical for future success. Learn how Sage Intacct’s cloud-based platform can empower your organization by: Delivering real-time financial data for smarter, faster decisions Automating workflows to eliminate manual processes and increase productivity Enhancing security with cutting-edge features and automatic cloud backups Seamlessly integrating with your existing software for a unified business approach Offering unmatched scalability and flexibility through modern cloud technology Don’t let legacy systems limit your potential. Find out how Sage Intacct can help you drive growth and adapt to the future of business. This complimentary webinar is your opportunity to see firsthand how Sage Intacct can transform your operations.

The construction industry is experiencing an era of labor shortages, continued supply chain issues (particularly with some electrical equipment), contractor backlogs, and industry experts project little or no overall growth in the sector for the next two years, according to the most recent year-end report from CBRE. However, Deloitte reports that some industries, such as manufacturing, transportation infrastructure, and clean energy infrastructure, could see growth due to recent legislation. In this economic climate, many U.S. construction companies are examining their resources and practices to determine how they can grow and meet the challenges ahead. How can your construction business reach the next level?  Experts have identified several primary areas of focus for construction companies that are eager for growth: Improved communication, including better methods of tracking conversations about projects Winning more business by demonstrating greater value or expertise than the competition, which helps win more bids and more business throughout the year Retaining and developing employees amidst persistent labor shortages  Technology innovation, the often necessary but overlooked key factor that can help address the areas above  What barriers might be keeping your construction company from adopting new technology? Once you understand the features your teams need in a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, you should address common questions such as: What are the costs of not implementing new technology to our business in the coming years? Does the new ERP we are interested in powerful enough and flexible enough for our current and future needs? Is the new ERP compatible with our existing tech stack? These questions themselves, however, aren’t often the actual barriers that keep your company from adopting new technology. The common barriers amongst construction companies for new technology are often financial, cultural, and technically related. “When choosing a new ERP, be sure to interview not just the financial team, but everyone who will be using the system—from shipping and receiving to sales and marketing.” Financial Barriers Initial Costs: Quite possibly the biggest barrier when it comes to new technology is the initial cost. While you may not need to purchase additional hardware, the monthly fees, implementation, and short-term strain can be a big concern for smaller companies. But for all those concerns about resources, many studies show that technology is often the biggest factor for small and mid-sized businesses to stay competitive, and even compete with larger more established companies. Budget Constraints: Many businesses operate with tight budgets and have limited financial flexibility. This is particularly true for small businesses or those in industries facing economic pressures. Budget constraints can limit a company’s ability to handle the ongoing costs of investing in new technology. Uncertain ROI: When making any investment for your business, how can you guarantee that the investment will show tangible benefits? There are few guarantees in business, but investing in technology and your people has been a tried-and-true successful formula for decades. More importantly, having unified cloud ERP solutions has shown to have substantial ROI compared to other alternatives. Cultural Barriers Resistance to Change: Sometimes it’s human nature, sometimes there are other dynamics going on, but regardless of the circumstances, many businesses run into resistance from their staff when they try to introduce a new tool. Many teams feel as if they may already be at capacity or learning a new tool doesn’t make sense in their current workflow. But the benefits of a modern ERP far outweigh any resistance in the long-term both in efficiency, ROI, and collaboration. Lack of Leadership Support: It can be easy for business leaders to see a problem (i.e., their tech stack) and want to apply a quick solution. Too often leadership may want a new technology that will benefit their business, but it’s not just about the tool or the problem that can cause barriers, it’s the lack of support through the entire process of implementing new technology. Teams need more than an edict to adapt to a new system, they need support and context as to why the new technology will benefit them as well in the long run. Fear of Disruption: There is no doubt some comfort in the status quo if a company is operating efficiently. But sadly, many companies are not working efficiently and there are many aspects of a business that leadership may be blind to—and therefore these issues are not being addressed. Concerns over increased workloads, learning curves, change in communication, and fear of the unknown are valid and should be addressed internally. However, one constant in business is change, and the companies that choose to stay where they are often multiply their problems or become outdated very quickly out of fear. Technical Barriers Business Operations Complexities: Many businesses have intricate and unique operational processes that have been developed over years or even decades. Introducing new technology into these established processes can be challenging and disruptive. One factor to consider is that business operations are always being developed. By providing your teams with custom solutions and communicating with those across the organization, you can overcome these complexities. Lack of Technical Expertise: For many businesses, it can be rare to have the necessary in-house technical expertise to evaluate, implement, and maintain new technology. This can create a dependency on external consultants and service providers. Successful implementations don’t necessarily need a very tech savvy employee group, but having a champion of the product and implementation has shown to net positive results. Compatibility Issues: New technology often needs to be integrated with existing systems and infrastructure. Compatibility issues can arise, making it difficult to achieve seamless integration. This is the reason why older systems that do not seamlessly integrate with a single source of truth make reporting and data sharing much more cumbersome without a modern cloud ERP. The benefits of a modern ERP Not only is your ERP the heart of business operations for many construction companies, it’s also the one application most of your team will use to perform daily tasks, communicate, analyze and share data, and much more. If your company is looking for increased productivity and accuracy from an ERP, then it’s time to create a list of must-haves for a platform. Below are common requirements mentioned by customers as they explore how a modern ERP can help them meet their business goals. Increased flexibility and scalability Features for all departments in one solution, which can help increase collaboration between departments such as Accounting, Finance, HR, Inventory, Project Management, Customer Service, Transportation, Purchasing, and Sales Fully remote software, including mobile device access and capabilities, that can be accessed anywhere by remote working teams Seamless integration with other software Robust project management and job costing capabilities, so you don’t need another construction project management tool When choosing a new construction ERP software, be sure to interview not just the financial team, but everyone who will be using the system—from shipping and receiving to sales and marketing. Together, your teams can determine the features and functions that are necessary, those that would be nice to have, and those that will be required in the near future. A modern construction ERP implementation success story HOJ Innovations is a multifaceted organization that has seven facilities in Utah and Idaho with approximately 200 employees. When they needed to replace their older, heavily customized ERP, they engaged Net at Work to help them handle the implementation of a modern construction ERP.  After investigating multiple ERPs, HOJ Innovations chose Acumatica for its robust, cloud-based platform, extensive core functionality, and ability to be customized for the company’s unique and varied requirements. (Few ERP applications, for example, include functionality as diverse as customer relationship management, project management, and field services. This allowed them to bring their entire diverse operation under one digital roof.) Acumatica’s broad functionality is proving to be an ideal foundation for the company’s current and future needs. HOJ Innovations’ improvements so far include: Reduced monthly close time by 50% Increased order to cash cycle by more than two weeks Rapid ROI expected from timesaving efficiencies, reduced licensing and development costs Customization capabilities allow the business to adapt to changes The process of identifying current pain points, inefficiencies, or manual processes that could be automated can be both challenging and frustrating. But modern construction ERP solutions can help your construction company thrive by streamlining tasks and reports, automating processes, and connecting your business units like never before.