Are you finding that your information technology investments are paying off? Are they in synch with your business operations? Sikich is dedicated to providing our clients with the expertise and resources to get maximum value out of their business systems. We help you to quickly, effectively determine the best way to address the gaps and concerns that occur to ensure your information systems and business needs match.

Here are some practical illustrations of how Sikich helped customers like you make small changes that brought big boosts in performance and productivity.

Automation. Eliminating Excel Spreadsheets

Case in point: A Microsoft Dynamics GP client sells various magazine subscriptions and has special rules to recognize revenue in their financial statements. This client was using a 200‐tab Excel spreadsheet to keep track of all the sales and cancellations to determine the amount of revenue earned each month. As more magazines were sold, the client began having problems with using Excel to track this information:

• incorrect formulas being copied and pasted from spreadsheet to spreadsheet
• more time was needed to update these tabs 
• the entire month end close process was increasing data inaccuracy was becoming more common

Solution: Sikich reviewed the existing client operations and came up with an automated solution that:

• replaced Excel with a systematic & integrated process
• reduced the monthly close process 
• eliminated any duplicate entry & data inaccuracy issues
• streamlined the revenue recognition process generated journal entries systematically within Microsoft Dynamics GP

Integration. Processing Web Orders

Case in point: A Microsoft Dynamics GP client makes use of a customer portal to accept orders placed on the Web. All orders placed through the portal need to go through a thorough review to ensure the validity of the request and adherence to regulatory requirements. Once the end user places the order, an email is sent to internal staff to initiate the review process. The order is then either authorized or rejected and entered into Microsoft Dynamics GP. This process proved to be problematic and inefficient due to:

• manual review of each Web order was time consuming 
• unnecessary follow up with clients when paperwork or authorizations were misplaced 
• duplicate data entry from the Web to Microsoft Dynamics GP 
• outdated technology deterred larger clients from ordering in mass quantities

Solution: Sikich reviewed the existing client operations and developed an integrated solution that:

• interfaced the Web portal directly with Microsoft Dynamics GP 
• applied the regulatory regulations through systematic means 
• eliminated duplicate data entry 
• simplified the overall business process

Development. Enhancing Microsoft Dynamics GP

Case in point: A Microsoft Dynamics GP client makes use of the core intercompany functionality within the system. This was working well in all aspects with one exception. The intercompany module does not handle customer cash receipts. This client has one centralized company that handles all cash receipts from customers, even though each independent company issues customer invoices. This client needed the ability to enter the cash into the master company but reduce the client’s AR at the individual company level. Some of the problems that were experienced included:

• existing intercompany module lacked this functionality
• manually entering in cash receipts throughout multiple databases
• discrepancies on customer’s aging reports
• inefficient use of system through duplicated efforts

Solution: Sikich reviewed the existing client operations and developed a solution that:

• centralized all cash receipt data entry
• applied all payments received in master company systematically across all companies
• created edit reports for cash applications 
• created a simple user interface to capture pertinent information
• streamlined the entire cash receipt process quickly

Reporting. Centralizing Management Reporting

Case in point: A Microsoft Dynamics GP client was using Crystal Reports with many users creating ad‐hoc reports. The business terminology and complex calculations used in the reports were not clearly defined. Management used these reports to make key business decisions. The client experienced numerous problems with the accuracy, consistency and clarity of these reports. This client ended up with hundreds of different versions of the same reports stored throughout various network drives. Some of the problems that were experienced included:

• different results based on who was asked to generate/create reports 
• users not having a consistent understanding of key calculations used in reports 
• many different applications containing pieces of important information 
• inaccurate and untimely information due to manual consolidation of key metrics 
• too many different versions of the same report and not knowing the most recent/accurate

Solution: Sikich reviewed the existing client operations and designed a reporting solution that:

• produced accurate and timely results for any users that ran the reports
• optimized all reports 
• created a centralized management reporting repository 
• implemented a reporting server to offload reporting and analysis from production servers
• consolidated all pertinent information from various systems for one complete view
• instituted an ad‐hoc analysis tool for end business users 
• created multi‐dimensional views for easy analysis of geography, dates, and stores

Sikich has a long track record of helping our clients maximize the value—and extend the useful life—of their current systems by making small changes that bring big boosts in performance and productivity and using simple, innovative ways of addressing new requirements with current tools. If you think we might be able to help you increase efficiency in your business processes, contact Angela Berkowicz at 630‐618‐1478 or email aberkowicz@sikich.com. We look forward to working with you!