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ABC Computers eNewsletter                                                                                                  January 2012

800-834-7700                                                                                                        www.ABC-Computers.com
In This Issue
The Differences Between Backup, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Get Social with ABC Computers & Receive Insights in Real Time
The Top 7 Reasons for Dynamics NAV Customers to Attend Microsoft Convergence 2012
1/18 Webcast: Pivotier Reporting for Dynamics NAV
Inventory Reduction: 3 Ways to Start Cutting Stock
20 Excel Shortcuts
ABC Computers
 Services & Solutions
ABC Computers

Offices in Waupaca, Rhinelander and
La Crosse, WI, as well as
South Bend, IN.

Staff located throughout the Midwest including Akron, Indianapolis, Madison, and Milwaukee.
 
Headquarters
1990 Godfrey Drive
PO Box 546
Waupaca, WI  54981
 
Phone
800.834.7700
 
Technical Support
support@abc-computers.com

General Inquiries

Website
ABC-Computers.com 
  
 ABC Customer Comment

 

 

"ABC has made a world of difference for us. We have the best support with them. It's phenomenal. If I need something, they're on it. There's nothing ABC can't help you with. It always gets done." 

 

Joan Gavin
Office & Accounting Manager
Crest Precast Concrete, Inc.

 

Tips & Tricks
Shiny New Gadget of the Month: The Mo-Tool

Mo-Tool

Everyone knows the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but do you know the second fastest way? With tools!

 

So, here's the perfect Valentine's Day gift. It's not just any tool.  This is like a Swiss Army knife on steroids.

 

The Mo-Tool (short for more tool) is power-packed with:

  • Axe blade
  • Hammer head
  • Screwdrivers
  • Knives
  • A can opener
  • Wire cutter
  • File
  • Pliers
  • A wrench

It's perfect for camping, the garage, or even as an emergency tool set to keep in your vehicle.   

 

The Mo-Tool can be found at Amazon for around $40.

January Quick Quiz

Enter our Quick Quiz drawing for your chance to win this month's shiny new gadget, the Mo-Tool

 

Question:

Which of these famous people has a birthday of January 1st?

 

a) Betsy Ross

b) Paul Revere

c) J. Edgar Hoover

d) All of the above

 
Submit your answer to
info@abc-computers.com.

A winner will be drawn from the correct responses on
February 3, 2012.

December
Quick Quiz Winner! 

Question:

On December 3rd, 1967, what medical breakthrough took place?

 

a) The first successful Siamese Twin separation

b) Artificial insulin was first produced

c) The first successful heart transplant

 

Answer:

c) The first successful heart transplant


Winner:

Congratulations go to
 
Kris Stenulson
from Baker Tilly.

Kris won a
$25 Culvers Gift Card!

Greetings!  

 

Happy New Year!  We're a couple of weeks into 2012 and I'm wondering...Have you proclaimed (or broken) a resolution yet?  Personal resolutions really aren't my thing, but I do believe in making business-related resolutions.  And, I'm always curious to learn what types of goals other business people are setting this time of year.  Here are a few that inspired me:

  1. Prioritize -"Start every day with clarity by spending 10 minutes reviewing one-to-five things you want to achieve this year, what your strategic priorities are for achieving them, and (most importantly) what businesses, activities and opportunities you have decided to say "no" to because they distract you from what is truly important." - Kaihan Krippendorff, Author
     
  2. Focus on less -When it comes to focusing your attention, energy and business resources, less is certainly more.  Steve Jobs' approach to management is the best example of this.
     
  3. Go social -According to a Pew Internet & American Life study featured in the Wall Street Journal, 65% of all U.S. adults now use social-networking sites, up from just 5% in 2005.  Your customers are out there, having conversations about your business (or your competitors).  It's all up to you to be a part of those conversations, engage your customers and prospects, provide support and share content that matters to them.
     
  4. Celebrate your success with your employees - Don't forget to recognize and celebrate each of your milestones. The best part of preparing a plan is knowing that when you've reached a goal, you'll take time to pause and appreciate the accomplishment.
     
  5. Give back to your community.  There are all kinds of worthy organizations that make a difference. Find a cause that matters to you, and give what you can.

What are your business resolutions for 2012?  We'd love to hear about them!

 

Best regards, 

Donovan's Signature 

Donavan Lane, CEO

ABC Computers 

 

 

The Differences Between Backup, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Disaster RecoveryIf you think that "data backup" is the same as "disaster recovery" and you aren't sure what "business continuity" means, you're not alone.

 

Many businesses don't know the differences. As a result, they suffer unfortunate consequences when their server crashes, data is lost or the network becomes inaccessible during a storm.

 

Many others develop a false sense of security because they are backing up their files, but don't realize that it could still take days to become operational again.  Don't learn the hard way! Read on... 

Get Social with ABC Computers & Receive Insights in Real Time!

Are you too busy to read an entire newsletter at one time? Do you prefer to consume information in smaller bites?

 

If so, we invite you to connect with us on your favorite social media outlet. We share many of the same business and technology insights in this newsletter on Facebook, Twitter and our blogs. In fact, you can subscribe to our blogs and have new posts emailed to you automatically.  
 

Like us on Facebook  Like ABC Computers on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter  Follow us on Twitter

 

Visit our blog  Subscribe to ABC's Technology Blog 

Visit our blog  Subscribe to ABC's After Hours Blog and get to know the personal side of our team members as they share thoughts and experiences from outside the office.   

 

View our profile on LinkedIn  Connect with your favorite ABC team members on LinkedIn.

  

 

According to a Pew Internet & American Life study featured in the Wall Street Journal, 65% of all U.S. adults now use social-networking sites. Spend that time productively and have valuable insights from ABC delivered to you your way -- just like our business solutions!

The Top 7 Reasons for Dynamics NAV Customers to Attend Microsoft Convergence 2012

Texas LonghornsConvergence, Microsoft's Annual Conference for Dynamics Customers, will take place in Houston this year from March 18 - 21, 2012.

 

Many customers ask us if it's a worthwhile investment. Our answer is an unequivocal, "YES!"  Here are the top 7 reasons you should attend Convergence 2012 and a video testimonial from a past attendee.

 

You can save $300 per person on the cost of attending if you register by January 25, 2012. 

Jan 18 Webcast: Pivotier Reporting for Dynamics NAV

Pivotier LogoLearn how you can empower all your Dynamics NAV users to create ad-hoc and financial reports -- regardless of their programming skills! 

 

Attend our January 18th Pivotier webcast.

 

With Pivotier, any Dynamics NAV customer using the SQL Server database can enjoy rich-content reports without learning any new applications.

Inventory Reduction: 3 Ways to Start Cutting Stock

Inventory

 

During the last few years, many companies have been forced to reduce inventory in order to increase cash flow. But cutting stock is much more complicated than slashing a few items here and there.

 

There is a science to reducing inventory without impeding your ability to meet product demand and customer satisfaction. Here are 3 places you can start to reduce inventory intelligently.

20 Excel Shortcuts
I love spread sheets 

Whether you love spreadsheets or hate them, Excel has become one of the most widely used business applications across the globe.

 

Here is a blog post with 20 shortcuts to make your use of Excel a little easier and more productive

 

Vote for your favorite or share an additional tip by leaving a reply at the end of the post.

About ABC Computers 

 

ABC Computers has been providing a unique blend of business software solutions and computer support services to businesses - small and large - since 1984. Over the last 25+ years, we have earned a reputation for exceeding clients' expectations and developing lasting relationships by first listening - learning about your business - and only then suggesting solutions to help you achieve your objectives. 

 

With 3 locations in Wisconsin (WI), 1 location in South Bend, IN, and staff throughout the upper Midwest, ABC offers business consulting and IT services through two distinctly related teams.

 

Our business management systems group specializes in financial management and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision).  
 

ABC's computer support services team specializes in troubleshooting IT problems that disrupt business operations and transforming technology from a burden into an asset.

 
Donavan Lane, as well as each team member of ABC, is dedicated to your complete satisfaction. Thus our commitment to implementing "Business Solutions...Your Way."