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    ABC Computers eNewsletter                                                                                                    November 2012

    800-834-7700                                                                                                             www.ABC-Computers.com
In This Issue
Case Study: Lowe Manufacturing Company
BYOD: Is Bring Your Own Device to Work a Great Cost-Saving Idea Or a Major Security Risk?
Compliments Pay!
12/31 Deadline for Section 179 Tax Break on Business Equipment
Accounting Today Names ABC Computers to Its Prestigious 2012 VAR 100 List
New Product Review: The Microsoft Surface
Upcoming Webinars
Jan 23: Next Midwest NAV User Group Meeting
Don't Forget to Budget for 2013 Conferences
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 

General Inquiries

Website

 ABC Computers
Customer Comment
 

"With the expertise of ABC Computers combined with the capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we've continued to be very competitive in the market while saving a huge amount of operational costs by automating our business. We couldn't have done it without their guidance and owe much of our continued success the ABC Computers team."  


Mary Lowe
VP of Finance
Lowe Manufacturing Company 

 

Read and watch more customer testimonials.

 

After Hours with
ABC Team Members
Shiny New Gadget
of the Month

Sugru - A Fix It All That Inspires Your Inner MacGyver

  

Sugru is multi-purpose silicone putty for fixing, modifying and improving your stuff.    

 

It looks and molds like play-dough, bonds to almost anything and air cures overnight into a strong, yet flexible silicone rubber.

 

So, what can you do with Sugru? 

 

Watch the video and read our blog post with 10 MacGyver-worthy ideas.

 

   

November
Quick Quiz

Enter our Quick Quiz drawing for your chance to win this month's shiny new gadget -- Sugru: A Fix It All That Inspires Your Inner MacGyver 

 

 Question:

What U.S. President
was elected, defeated, then re-elected?

 

a) Cleveland

b) Roosevelt

c) Jackson

d) Johnson

 

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

 

A winner will be drawn from the correct responses on 
December 7, 2012. 

Last Quick Quiz Winner

 

Question:

What began its association with sports in 1927 through advertising on a wall of a minor league baseball park?

 

            a) Gatorade 
            b) Wheaties
            c) Hot Dogs

            d) Beer

 

Answer:

b) Wheaties 

 

Winner:

Congratulations go to

Debbie Erce 
IT Manager
P&S Investment Co 

 

Debbie will receive the shiny new gadget that was featured in our last newsletter, the iRig MIC Cast Pocket-Sized Voice Recording Microphone

 

 

Greetings!  

 

At ABC Computers, we're thankful for a lot of things - great camaraderie, good health, continued business success, etc.

 

Most of all, we're grateful for you. 

 

Each November, during this time of thanks, we look for new ways to express our appreciation. We thought about sending you a Hallmark card, but then somone suggested that we create this video for you instead.

 

I couldn't think of a better way to say "thanks" than to bring you a smile with some self-deprecating humor. We hope you enjoy it!  

 

2012 Thanksgiving Wishes from ABC Computers http://youtu.be/hg7WZrmVEos

 

From our village to yours, cheers to a bountiful and lighthearted Thanksgiving!

 

Sincerely,

Donovan's SignatureNewMicrosoftCompetencyLogo 

Donavan Lane, CEO 

ABC Computers, Inc. 

Case Study: Lowe Manufacturing Company
Discover how a manufacturer of hydraulic-powered auger, trenching, and grapple attachments has used Microsoft Dynamics NAV to improve operational efficiency, real-time business visibility and market competitiveness while saving thousands of dollars every year.

BYOD: Is Bring Your Own Device to Work a Great Cost-Saving Idea Or a Major Security Risk?

     

Inspired by the term "BYOB" (bring your own bottle) often used in reference to social gatherings, "BYOD" (bring your own device) is a term used to describe a rapidly growing trend where employees connect their smartphones, tablets and other personally owned devices to company networks and email servers.

 

Considering the cost of smartphones and computer hardware, this is attractive trend for small and large businesses alike. Employees show up already equipped with the devices they need to work; you just give them a username and password and they're off to the races without as many out-of-pocket expenses as before.  Plus, the employees are happier because they get to use their device of choice. 

 

It's a win-win, right?  Maybe not. Find out why.  

 

Compliments Pay! 

 

The great American humorist, Mark Twain, once said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment."  We second that!  Being recommended to a friend or business associate is the best compliment any company can receive.

 

We're looking for more businesses to help, and we need your help meeting them. As you probably know, advertising is very expensive. Besides, most of our new business comes from referrals made by happy customers. Therefore, we have rolled out a program that rewards customers, partners and friends who refer other businesses to us. 

 

Learn more about our referral reward program.

December 31st Deadline: Time is Running Out to Take Advantage of the Section 179 Tax Break on Equipment, Computers, Software, Vehicles, etc.

Are you grappling with a decision to purchase machinery, computers,  software, office furniture, vehicles or other business equipment in the current tax year?

 

This Section 179 Deduction Calculator for 2012 may very well help in your decision. The Section 179 Deduction limits for 2012 are significant, and can save your business a lot of money.

  

Using a $350,000 equipment cost for a sample calculation shows how taking advantage of the Section 179 Deduction can significantly lower the true cost of the equipment purchased, financed or leased. In the example, $350,000 in equipment purchased has a true cost of $257,040. That's $92,960 added to your bottom line!

 

In order to qualify for the Section 179 Deduction, the equipment must be purchased, financed or leased and put into service by December 31, 2012.

 

If you want to take advantage of the tax break on software or hardware, contact us immediately. The deadline is only 6 weeks away, and time must be allowed for delivery and installation.

 

Accounting Today Names ABC Computers to Its Prestigious 2012 VAR 100 List Again

 

Each year, Accounting Today magazine recognizes the country's top 100 value-added resellers (VAR) of accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for midsize businesses, and ABC Computers was included in the list for the 4th consecutive time. In fact, our ranking has moved up 21 spots since it first appeared on the prestigious list in 2009. Read more.

 

New Product Review: The Microsoft Surface

  

The highly anticipated Microsoft Surface debuted on October 26th. Wondering how it compares to the iPad?

 

Get a first impression from our Technical Services Director, Ben Bolte.  

Upcoming Webinars
 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

10:00 AM Central / 11:00 AM Eastern   Saris Cycling Group Logo

 

ABC Computers has developed a Shop Floor Data Collection add-on for Microsoft Dynamics NAV that makes it easier for users to capture and calculate actual production costs quickly and accurately. During this webinar, Kevin Fons - ERP & Materials Manager at Saris Cycling Group - will demonstrate how his company uses it to improve operational efficiency and margins,

 

Register to attend now.

 

 

What Every Business Should Know About Data Backup & Disaster Recovery

Thursday, December 13, 2012

10:00 AM Central / 11:00 AM Eastern

 

When you consider the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy and that Nor'easters are just around the corner, there's never been a more appropriate time to prepare your business for potential downtime and data loss caused by power outages and water damage. 

 

If it's been a while since you've reviewed your company's back-up and disaster recovery plan or don't have one in place, you won't want to miss this webinar.

 

There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Register now to receive login details.

Jan 23: Next Midwest NAV User Group Meeting

 

Microsoft Dynamics NAV users - Save the date for the next NAVUG Midwest regional chapter meeting!    

  

January 23, 2013 NAVUG logo

Microsoft Milwaukee (Waukesha, WI)

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

 

Membership is NOT required and there is no cost to attend. However, we do ask that you RSVP in advance

 

Register here on the NAVUG web site. 

 

Don't Forget to Budget for 2013 Conferences!

Convergence 2013 registration is now open. Register by January 25th and save $300 per attendee.  Convergence 2013 Register Now

 

 As 2012 draws to a close and you budget for the coming year, it's important to plan for events you want to attend in 2013. Attending Dynamics NAV user group events and conferences is good for professional development, networking, keeping current with technology trends, and exploring solutions that can help you achieve new busienss objectives. 

 

Microsoft ConvergenceRegional NAV user group meetings and NAVUG Forum are perfect venues for achieving all these things. Most Dynamics NAV users find these events invaluable, especially the networking.

 

It's not too early to plan for Microsoft's annual Dynamics customer conference. Convergence will take place in New Orleans from March 18-21, 2013. That's just around the corner!  Register by January 25, 2013, and save $300 per attendee.  

 

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."