The document discusses 5 major business challenges that companies face: 1) statutory reporting, 2) budgets and forecasts, 3) timely analysis, 4) integrating data from multiple sources, and 5) consistent reporting. It then describes several tools that can help address these challenges, including Report Runner for automating reports, Information Manager for supplementary data and budgeting, and Info Explorer for multi-dimensional analysis and dashboards. The presentation provides demonstrations of these tools and how they can improve business intelligence, integration, flexibility, visualization, and consistency of reporting.

1. The 5 Biggest Business Challenges & Some Tools To Help You Solve Them
Run Your Business Better

2. What Do You Spend The Most Time On?
1) Statutory Accounting Reports
2) Budgets & Forecasts
3) Conducting Timely Analysis
Tools to Simplify These Tasks
1) Report Runner & Process Scheduler
2) Information Manager Extended Budget
3) Info Explorer
Making Reporting, Budgeting and Analysis Simple
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

3. Business Intelligence represents the tools and systems that play a key role in the strategic planning process of an organization. Tool(s) must adapt to existing and future organization structure and processes. Must be integrated to source(s) of data but not restricted by database schema.
What is Business Intelligence?
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

4. Report Runner & Process Scheduler
•Each user has their own Report Groups and can define parameters on how they run these reports.
•Allows you to run the same FR/Crystal Report multiple times with different parameters.
•In Process Scheduler you set up a schedule to “Run Crystal IM Report” OR “Run FR Group”
•The parameters indicate which user’s reports to run and which reports to schedule.
1) Timely Delivery of Reports – Crystal & FR Stmt Generation and Distribution
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

5. Report Runner & Process Scheduler
•If you don’t schedule the reports you can “Run” reports at the click of a single button.
•Financial Report Runner can
•1) execute all sheets in a workbook.
•2) generate a new file name or use the original workbook name and overwrite the previous report.
•3) Email the reports to one or many people.
1) Timely Delivery of Reports – Crystal & FR Stmt Generation and Distribution
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

6. Report Runner & Process Scheduler
•Note: You don’t need Sage 300 ERP open. You run the reports on the server – usually after hours.
•Report Runner (Crystal Reports) can
•1) add Sage 300 ERP Finders to custom reports.
•2) pre-define & hide parameters in Crystal Reports.
•3) Create “Saved” runs to re-run reports.
•4) Email the reports to one or many people.
1) Timely Delivery of Reports – Crystal & FR Stmt Generation and Distribution
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

7. Demo of Report Runner & Process Scheduler…

8. Orchid Information Manager
•Extend Sage 300 ERP to include your own “virtual tables” or Information Sets
•KPI reporting, budgeting, forecasting and On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP)
•Secure, multi-user and controlled access to critical custom data held within Sage 300 ERP
•Use Microsoft Excel® for budget collection, reporting and write back
•Data Views from within Sage 300 ERP simplifying reporting (including Optional Fields!)
2) Integration of Data From Multiple Sources – Sage 300 ERP & Non-Sage
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

9. Orchid Information Manager
•Record Sales Forecasts and Report against Actual at the Customer and Item Level
•Record Budgets at the G/L Transactional Optional Field Level and Report against Actual
•Record unlimited contacts against customers
•Maintain Employee Data
•Headcounts against departments for KPI Reports
•Link Pricelists at Customer/Item Category Level
•All Sage 300 ERP ’s Optional Fields automatically appear as columns for reporting! Much easier …
2) Integration of Data From Multiple Sources – Accpac & Non-Accpac
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

10. Demo Supplementary Data – Streamlined Budget Process…

11. •Privacy – “use/disclosure” of data
•Security – “protection” of data
•Consistency – “processing” of data
•Reliability – “trust” in data
3) Flexibility & Control over Data – Important Data Concepts
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

12. •User-defined formatting & filtering helps you focus on what is most important to measure.
•Summarize, drill down, drill into and “slice and dice” your Sage 300 ERP data in real time.
•Avoid creating multiple custom report templates
3) Flexibility & Control over Data – Important Data Concepts
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

13. The Problem with Custom Crystal Reports:
•Hard/costly to implement
•Hard to modify (static)
•Not scalable
•No process for upgrading
•Out of an accountant’s comfort zone
•Managers have to ask for them
3) Flexibility & Control over Data
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

14. •Intuitive, multi-dimensional data cubes & graphical reporting combined in customizable Dashboards.
•Cater for your individual reporting needs by saving your own “views” on the desktop.
•Clear insight into business operations to help you make the right decision, every time.
4) Analysis For Understanding – Make It Visual
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

15. Increasing Value of Data for Decisions
4) Analysis For Understanding – Make It Visual
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates
Data
Information (Formatted)
Knowledge (Trends)
Wisdom (Relevant)

16. •Creates a process for consistent, high quality delivery of value-added data.
•Effectively communicates an understanding of trends / value in your organization.
•Decision Makers love it!!
5) Consistent Reporting for Comparison – KPI’s & Trends Key Benefits of Utilizing Orchid’s Info Explorer
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

17. Info Explorer Addresses Pain Points Like:
•Lack of accurate and timely reporting resulting in guesswork and poor decision making
•Key operational data not available for reporting
•Time consuming & inefficient report preparation
•Over reliance on spreadsheets for reporting
•Business and productivity monitored using intuition and not operational metrics
5) Consistent Reporting for Comparison – KPI’s & Trends
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

18. Info Explorer
•Users define data format & report layouts = Improved Customer Service
•Eliminate multiple Crystal Reports with 1 Data Cube = Reduced Costs
•Schedule & Distribute multiple Data Cubes = Increased Productivity
Info Explorer Can Address All 5 Business Challenges: Timely, Integrated, Flexible, Visual and Consistent Reporting & Analysis
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

19. Let’s Take A Look!
Info Explorer Demonstration

20. FREE tool can be downloaded and installed in less than 15 minutes. Runs for 30 Days.
Sample Cubes can be connected to your live Sage 300 ERP database for analysis purposes.
After 30 Days, request an Activation Code to run the software indefinitely at no charge. Limitations of Info Explorer Lite: 1) Can’t create new cubes or modify existing cubes 2) Can’t export to Excel
Info Explorer Lite – Get Started
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

21. Learn to leverage technology - effective BI Tools
Create Value in your business
 Takes Time, Effort, Focus, Patience & Discipline
Conclusion – How To Handle Challenges
Presented by Robert Lavery, Robert Lavery and Associates

22. Questions Comments Discussion….?