GraVoc Employee Teaches Computer Building Class

Matt Wilkins, a member of GraVoc’s IT practice, will be teaching a computer building workshop for teens at the Peabody Institute Library this month. The first of three free workshops will take place on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 PM. The additional two workshops will take place on March 20 and March 27 at 7 PM. The program is funded through a grant from the Rotary Club of Peabody. Wilkins, a longtime computer enthusiast, studied computer science at Salem State University and is a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist. He has been with GraVoc since 2006.

For more information on the course, contact young adult librarian Melissa Rauseo at 978-531-0100 Ext. 14 or at rauseo@noblenet.org.

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by GraVoc on March 13, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Community, Events
Posted by GraVoc on March 13, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/03/gravoc-employee-teaches-computer-building-class/

GraVoc, After Hours

As part of an ongoing effort to stay involved in the Greater Boston business community and interact with fellow businesses and community members, GraVoc Associates will be participating in several local events in the coming weeks.

As previously discussed on this blog, GraVoc will be hosting an after-hours meetup next Thursday at The Vault Restaurant in Boston. Though the meetup groupvwill focus on the IT issues of community banks and credit unions is intended for community bankers and IT aficionados, all are welcome to attend the event on Thursday. Learn more at www.meetup.com/community-bank-technology.

On March 20th, GraVoc is sponsoring a table at the Peabody Rotary Club’s 8th Annual Taste of the North Shore event. GraVoc Vice President Cathy Gravel has been an active member of the Rotary for several years, and has previously served as the club’s president. The evening features a sample of food from many area restaurants, as well as a silent auction, live entertainment by the Peabody High Jazz Ensemble, and a $10,000 raffle drawing. Anyone interested in attending should visit www.rotarypeabody.org for more information.

The evening following the Taste of the North Shore, GraVoc will be an event sponsor for the 2012 Mary Upton Ferrin Community Service Awards, hosted by the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce. Four awards will be presented: the Mary Upton Ferrin Award, the Business Leadership Award, the Desire King Award, and the Community Spirit Award. Cathy Gravel will be presenting the Desire King Award for a woman-owned and/or -operated business that demonstrates excellence and serves as an inspiration to others. More information is available at the Peabody Chamber of Commerce website.

GraVoc looks forward to participating in these community events. We recognize that our company would not succeed without the support of a strong business community, and so we are proud to support functions such as those mentioned above.

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by GraVoc on March 8, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Community, Events
Posted by GraVoc on March 8, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/03/gravoc-after-hours/

Book Review: Content Rules

With the growing power of online platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, customer engagement has become an essential aspect of conducting business. But simply implementing those tools will not compel customers to interact with your company; you must create content that captivates, informs, and entertains your desired audience. Teaching businesses how to produce this kind of content is the mission of Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) that Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business, written by online marketing professionals Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman. The book’s subtitle says it all: this book will guide readers through the necessary steps for utilizing any online platform to its fullest potential with the ultimate goal of driving successful business.

The book is divided into four major parts. The first part argues the authors’ case for compelling content, and lays down the rules for defining your brand and your voice, understanding your audience, communicating your message, and having meaningful conversations and interactions with customers. The second part of the book delves into the “how-to” of content creation: each chapter tackles a different form of online media, including webinars, white papers, podcasts, and blogs. The third part contains success stories of businesses that have put the aforementioned theories into practice, and shares the ideas that helped them along the way. The final part of the book serves as a conclusion but also as a call to action inviting businesses to connect with the authors.

Content Rules is useful tool for any business looking to boost existing social media and web platforms or begin a new plan from scratch. It is easy and enjoyable to read and quick to navigate, meaning that one does not need to read from cover to cover in order to extract the information most valuable to any given business’s strategy. Businesses struggling with the with the task of producing content, connecting with customers, and communicating a brand’s message can learn a lot from Handley and Chapman’s rules. To learn more about the book, visit www.contentrulesbook.com.

DivergingSoul, the media production practice at GraVoc Associates, Inc., can assist with web design and the set up of social media platforms. DivergingSoul will work with your company to enhance your business’s online presence and deliver your message to a wider audience. Please visit www.gravoc.com for more information on our services.

Editor’s note: This book review is purely for informational purposes. GraVoc Associates, Inc.is in no way affiliated with the authors of the book or the company that published it.

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by GraVoc on February 29, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in DivergingSoul, social media
Posted by GraVoc on February 29, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/02/book-review-content-rules/

GraVoc to Host Community Bank Technology Meetup

Members of GraVoc’s Information Security practice have teamed up with local community banking professionals to arrange a Meetup event on Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 PM. The event, which will take place at The Vault Restaurant in Boston, is intended to be a casual gathering for anyone who would like to discuss the dynamic role of technology in community banking, the Boston business community, and other similar topics. The first round of drinks will be provided courtesy of GraVoc.

GraVoc has hosted Meetups previously to discuss Microsoft Dynamics AX, but this is the first Meetup event geared towards the financial services industry, and the first Meetup to take place after regular business hours. This Meetup is not restricted to IT professionals, but instead is open to everyone with an interest in the opportunities and challenges facing community financial institutions. To learn more about the event and to join our Meetup group, please visit www.meetup.com/community-bank-technology.

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by GraVoc on February 24, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Events, Information Security
Posted by GraVoc on February 24, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/02/gravoc-to-host-community-bank-technology-meetup/

Microsoft Dynamics ERP: Which to Choose?

The Microsoft Dynamics software suite consists of customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions designed to help businesses gain insight into its accounting and logistical functions, take control of its supply chain, inventory, and human resources, reduce costs and provide the best possible service to customers. These highly customizable software programs integrate with Microsoft Office and other Microsoft technologies to provide an intuitive user experience and an efficient overall system. There are four ERP applications in the Microsoft Dynamics suite: Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics SL. A recent blog post on Software Thinktank summarizes the key features of each ERP solution to help businesses determine the best fit for their needs:

Microsoft Dynamics AX

Geared toward mid-sized to large businesses, Dynamics AX provides core ERP functionality while fitting the unique needs of the manufacturing, distribution, retail, services, and public sector industries .  Because it enables you to operate across locations, languages, and countries, Dynamics AX is an ideal replacement for multiple legacy systems, enabling organizations to adopt a single, global ERP deployment.  Due to its Microsoft service-oriented architecture, Dynamics AX is also uniquely suited to be deployed in a two-tier ERP strategy for global organizations.

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Dynamics GP is particularly suited to the needs of growing small to mid-sized businesses due to its scalability.  It is quick to implement and rapidly starts delivering value on its out-of-the-box financial and operational functionality.  Dynamics GP offers rich reporting with direct integration with Excel and Business Intelligence tools that enhance business decision making.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Especially suited for midsized business management, Dynamics NAV is easily customizable and simple to integrate with other business solutions.  While it provides core ERP functionality to organizations in any industry, it includes advanced supply chain management tools that are especially useful to distributors and manufacturers.  Dynamics NAV supports multiple languages and locations, giving organizations a global reach across their business and network of suppliers and vendors.

Microsoft Dynamics SL

Dynamics SL meets the needs of small to midsized project-oriented businesses.  By combining project management functionality with strong core financial management tools, organizations can gain greater insight and visibility into their projects.

GraVoc Associates, Inc. offers services in software procurement and development. Our professionals can assist with analyzing your business’s needs, selecting the correct software application, and customizing that software solution to meet your specifications and expectations. For more information on GraVoc’s software implementation and development services, please visit www.gravoc.com.

The original blog post, “Comparing Dynamics ERP Solutions: AX vs. GP vs. NAV vs. SL,” can be found at www.softwarethinktank.com.

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by GraVoc on February 21, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Enterprise Resource Planning, Microsoft Dynamics
Posted by GraVoc on February 21, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/02/microsoft-dynamics-erp-which-to-choose/

GraVoc Whitepaper: Mergers & Acquisitions

In light of several mergers and acquisitions in the local financial services industry within the last few months, we would like to bring up one of our older white papers on the topic, as we feel this topic has traction. Even the smoothest mergers and acquisitions can be stressful for businesses, and the additional considerations of security during a merger add to the strain. In the 2010 whitepaper, GraVoc aims to assist organizations in formulating security initiatives to ease the M&A process.

GraVoc’s white paper “Information Security during Mergers and Acquisitions” identifies commonly overlooked aspects of information security during a merger or acquisition in an effort to guide management’s conceptualization and prioritization of security initiatives throughout the M&A process. It explains the importance of information security in the scope of due diligence process and addresses the specific challenges resulting from the convergence of two entities. This white paper, along with all of GraVoc’s white papers, is available for download at www.gravoc.com/wpform.

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by GraVoc on February 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Information Security, Mergers and Acquisitions
Posted by GraVoc on February 15, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/02/whitepaper-mergers-acquisitions/

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Goes Mobile

Microsoft Corp. announced that a cloud-based mobile version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM will be available as a service update in Q2 2012. Customers will be able to access the full capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM using Windows Phone 7, iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry mobile devices. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile promises to enhance sales, customer service, and marketing efforts by allowing business professionals to connect with customers at any time from any location.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile will integrate with existing Microsoft Dynamics CRM environments, and will allow users to sync sales and customer information offline. The mobile platform will also feature social capabilities such as status updates, activity feeds, and status filtering. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile will cost $30 per user, per month, which will support up to three devices per user. Find out more about the newest CRM solution by visiting Microsoft’s website.

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by GraVoc on February 7, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Posted by GraVoc on February 7, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/02/ms-dynamics-crm-mobile/

Four Tips to Redesign Your Website for the New Year

The following blog post is adapted from a recent post on the DivergingSoul blog; DivergingSoul is a division of GraVoc Associates. Find more news and information at www.divergingsoul.com.

A new and modern makeover for your website will attract clients and keep them interacting with your page longer. Your website is the virtual representation of your entire business and often serves as the first impression for prospective clients and customers. Therefore, it is important that it looks professional and projects the image you want your business to embody.

Follow Lauren Hockenson’s “4 Tips to Keep Your Website Ahead of the Curve in 2012” to shape up your website for the rest of the year.

1. Don’t be Afraid to be Bold

“Whether it’s an exaggerated footer, a turn to minimalism or a bold and new typeface, incorporating a key graphical element to a website speaks volumes about the overall composition of the layout — and a keen level of attention to detail. Opting for a bold design element is a great way to modernize a website and keep it on trend in the coming years.”

2. Use HTML5…With Care

“For the last couple years, people have been buzzing about HTML5, and it’s not just chatter; HTML5 offers a lot of exciting flexibility that can make a website truly interactive. Seamlessly embedded videos, drag-and-drop interfaces and dynamic message posts are all achievable via HTML5, and with relatively little code work.

But it’s not enough to just call up your freelance web designer and throw up some HTML5 features. As with any programming language, there’s always an issue of browser compatibility. While your new and shiny UI outfitted with dynamic HTML5 might look stunning to a user running on the latest version of Chrome, your high-tech page may look like a series of broken features — or nothing at all — to a less tech-savvy user running Internet Explorer 7 (and there’s a lot of them).”

3. Cut the Fat

“The traditional layouts for websites often call for separate pages that encapsulate the ‘About,’ ‘Contact’ and other informational areas of the website. 2011 saw minimalist designs from multiple websites, and that often translated to cutting these pages in favor of a sleeker overall design (think Tumblr). Some companies chose to forgo nearly everything to produce a strongly graphical one-page website — blogs like One Page Love and successful networking tools like Flavors.me show that people are drifting towards a bold singular statement that makes a big impact on fellow users.

As we move forward in 2012, further exploration into one-page websites is a given. But a single-page website has both its pros and cons. HTML5 can help create a one-page website that cleverly contains all necessary information via pop-up boxes or other media, but the amount of information that can be on a one-page website is still relatively limited. Do you want your website to make a bold statement about your company and focus less on a blog-style format? If so, a one-page website could be right in your wheelhouse. Are you more interested in showing off testimonials, case studies and blogs from your employees? If yes, then this trend would be worth passing on.

However, that doesn’t mean to forgo trimming entirely. Culling the best parts of your website and truncating the rest will result in a sleeker, more intuitive design — and sleek never goes out of style.”

4. Tie in Social Media Intelligently

“This tip could also be titled ‘Quit it With the Widgets.’ Announcing your social media presence on your own website is an absolute necessity, but it needs to be done with care. Automatically updating widgets that stream in social media presence seems intrusive and outdated, not to mention that they can be a hassle for a DIY designer to install and maintain.”

If your website needs a makeover, but you don’t have the resources to implement these 4 tips, contact the pros at DSoul. We will be happy to be your website’s personal trainer and get it in shape for 2012 and the years to come.

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by GraVoc on February 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in DivergingSoul, web design
Posted by GraVoc on February 3, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/02/4-tips-to-redesign-your-website/

GraVoc Reveals New App

The official GraVoc Associates App has been released! Compatible with the iPhone®, iPod touch®, and iPad®, this free application allows users to contact associates at the company, make service requests, and subscribe to GraVoc’s monthly newsletter. The app offers a convenient way to stay connected with GraVoc Associates from anywhere. Check out the new GraVoc app here.

We appreciate your feedback. Leave a comment below and tell us what you think about the new app – likes, dislikes, and suggestions for improvement.

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by GraVoc on January 31, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in GraVoc, iPhone
Posted by GraVoc on January 31, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/01/gravoc-reveals-new-app/

Product Spotlight: GraVoc Field Service

The GraVoc Field Service (GFS) application is one of GraVoc’s custom-built software applications. GraVoc first built GFS with the service industry in mind, to provide a streamlined way to track the lifecycle of service calls electronically. From call entry and dispatch through service completion and billing, GFS allows you to have a real-time view of your organization’s calls, customers, inventory, and service technicians.

The GFS Management Console enables a dispatcher to assign calls to technicians.  Technicians are able to update the status of the call using user-defined fields and a notes tab.  The user interface makes it easy to reference customer service history, record inventory used, capture electronic signatures from customers, and close out calls. Upon completion, managers are able to gain insight, review, approve, and bill.  GFS can be integrated to a large number of accounting systems to ensure continuity in your company’s data and records.  It is also capable of recording employee time in a timesheet format.

Though designed for the service industry, GFS can also be customized to suit the needs of many professional service organizations, and is available in web and mobile versions to allow for on-line and off-line call entry and data synchronization. GFS is easy to use and can provide the proper insight to enhance the efficiency of an organization’s service operation.  To learn more about the GraVoc Field Service application, visit http://www.gravocsoftware.com/gfs.php.

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by GraVoc on January 27, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in GraVoc Field Service Application, GraVoc Software
Posted by GraVoc on January 27, 2012

http://www.gravoc.com/blog/2012/01/gravoc-field-service/

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