IT enabled marketing ideas – RFID and Facebook Page

Here are some innovative ideas that bridge the gap between Brick & Mortar and Click & Mortar.

Automaker Renault used the innovative “Facebook Pillars”.

Simple, Innovative and Fun

AutoRAI Motorshow is an automotive event in the Amsterdam, Netherlands, and featured brands such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, etc.  How to get competitive advantage? Renault cars were accompanied by especially designed Facebook pillars.  The 2,50,000 visitors to the show were invited to collect their free Renault RFID micro-chip embedded cards from the Renault stand, which they could then link to their Facebook profile. Once the card had been linked, simply swiping it in front a car’s pillar would count as a Facebook “Like”, posting a link to that car on the card bearer’s profile, as shown in the video above.

Here is an idea # 2

Innovative ways the offline world is making the most of the online world

C&A a Brazilian fashion retailer, has an IT enabled idea to bring customers’ Facebook approval into full view in its real-world stores.  It has posted photos of a number of the clothing items it sells on a dedicated Facebook Page, where it invites customers to “Like” the ones that appeal to them.  Special hangers on the racks in its bricks-&-mortar store display those votes in real-time, giving shoppers a clear indication of each item’s online popularity.

For more information regarding comprehensive overview of an entire market, click here to view Brand Analyses, Facebook Page Like, and Facebook Talking About figures………in the real-time!

Do you think innovations, such as above examples, will become more and more common?  Can you afford to be left behind?  We will appreciate your comments, shares and of course Likes.

Social Media Marketing course – 21, 22 April, Pune, India

KTA Educare

Social Networking websites represents millions of online users on the planet.  Among social media communities this is an ideal ground for advertising.

This special two days comprehensive course is all about tapping social media sites potential for branding, sales, public relations, and much more.

As a smart professional, you know you should tap in to social media marketing, ramp up your Search Engine Optimization [SEO] efforts and work on your website.   KTA EDUCARE has organized a training program to help business owners navigate online growth.

 For whom?

This course is for anyone interested in advertising and marketing (multinational) corporate types, small businesses, educators, and everyone in between

• Marketers who already us Facebook, etc., but wants greater success.
• New marketeers and IT professionals who wants a kick-start.
• Entrepreneurs seeking to promote their products and / or services in social media space.
• Marketing agencies
• Professors who would like to first learn and then teach the subject: Digital Marketing.
• Advertising agency and public relations officers seeking an edge in social media marketing.
• SME who wants more friends, business, and prominence for their brand.

Attend these classes and discover:

• Simple ways to improve your internet presence and do viral marketing.  How to instantly improve your website effectiveness.
• Where you should spend your online advertising money.  The easiest ways to engage in social media.

Ultimately, you will learn many fast and easy ways to grow your business online:
Moreover, you can do it all without having to become an expert in IT.  With this background in mind let us understand the new way of marketing using the internet technologies called ‘Digital Marketing’ or commonly known as ‘Social Media Marketing’.   Techie people will call it Web 2.0 technology.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress, YouTube

How many days?

Day one is introduction, discussion, case studies, question / answer and actual demo of TEN digital platforms.  Day two is hands-on where you can actual get started with social media websites.  The second day is optional; however, participant must attend the first session to be eligible for the second practical session.  On second day, you must bring your laptop to experience the thrill of social media. OR share PC with a buddy.

When?  DAY 1 – Saturday, April 21, 2012.  DAY 2 – Sunday,   April 22, 2012.

  Time? Both days 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 Venue for the course?

KTA EDUCARE, Behind D-mart, Opp. Sadanand Resort, S. No. 106/1, Baner Road, Pune – 411 045, India.  Google Map Link http://g.co/maps/dnr7a

For more info call: Mr. Chandrakant Golcha +91 78752 96000

OR Prof. Jyotindra Zaveri on +91 94223 38019.

• Hurry, limited seats.
• Benefit:  This Social Media Marketing training will give you insights about – how to leverage tools like Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, LinkedIn, online videos to increase your online visibility, reach new customers & build brand loyalty, viral marketing.

Frequently asked questions:  Why social media campaign?

Answers:  Social media marketing campaign is required for the following key reasons:

1. Marketing technique beyond the search engines using Web 2.0.
2. Sales and marketing executives can easily update networking sites, no need to go to Internet programmers.
3. Create e-marketing campaigns that will dramatically increase traffic to your site.
4. Maximize ROI by getting web analytics reports, to give you visibility in your target audience.

• Questions about ‘Social Media Marketing’?  But you do not know whom to ask?  Here is a chance to stay ahead of competition.  No previous experience or knowledge about internet technologies required.
• Efficient sales and marketing professionals are ones that communicate well.  Learn all about viral marketing from Mr. Zaveri who has mastered these Web 2.0 technologies.
• You are welcome if you are net savvy, but don’t’ worry we will not be discussing bits & bytes to understand and operate networking sites.  Do not worry this is not computer program course.
• Accelerate your career.  By the way, MBA in marketing or IT is not enough; learn new trends by attending this unique training program.

About organizers

KTA EDUCARE has an enlightening academic ambience, world-class infrastructure, well qualified and experienced faculty members, value based education, corporate social responsibility – combined together have prepared our participants real professionals.  We have mastered the holistic approach in using I. T. for business management.  We specialize in internet branding of organization, product, services or individual.

About faculty

Prof. Jyotindra Zaveri is specializing in Internet Marketing using various digital platforms.  He imparts training to your sales & marketing staff so that you can manage social media sites in-house.   He has mastered sixteen digital platforms.  Thousands of training programs conducted successfully by Prof. Zaveri.  He is IT professional since …1975.  Formerly with IBM, specially trained in Germany.  He will personally take both days classes.

• Author of seven books including a book on ERP.
• See complete profile http://www.dnserp.com/jz_profile.htm

Important:  We can setup and manage your digital platforms.  We also undertake in-house training assignment.

Value proposition: One week FREE email support by Prof. Zaveri.  Post training email discussions makes the time and money spent in your training more valuable.

Certificate: Certificate will be given to participants.

Request:  Please share this information with others, thanks.

Course fees:  Please email socialmedia [at] dnserp.com  Note: Second day is optional; bring your laptop for this practical session.  Tea / coffee, lunch, course material included.

Early bird discount: 10% discount if registered on or before Wednesday, 18 April 12.

Group discount: 10% for three or more from same organization.

Cheque in the name of KTA ACADEMY.

Spot booking: On the day of program: 10% extra.

How to register?

Send email giving your name, designation, organization, website and mobile number to socialmedia@dnserp.com WITH cheque details.  Please courier the cheque / DD in the name of KTA Academy to:  KTA EDUCARE. Behind D-mart, Opp. Sadanand Resort, S. No. 106/1, Baner Road, Pune – 411 045, India.

Year ends on March 31- Due priority should be given by all stakeholders

Year-end procedure.  In India, the accounting year is April to March.  Accounting year 09-10 has ended on 31st March 2010.  Important procedure is given below to plan the ‘year ending’ in ERP.  The following procedure for ERP rollout is very important.  Due priority should be given by the stakeholders.

The procedure will vary depending on your current status as follows:

1.    ERP status is ‘go live’.  Users are online and entering transaction in real-time.  The closing stock was already entered.

2.    ERP is being implemented.  Conference Room Pilot (CRP) run is done.  You have to  decide on the cut-off date.  You may think of considering 31/03/2012 as cut-off date, or any suitable date.  The day after the cut-off date, users go online.  That is ‘Go live’, and embraces New Year 2012-2013 with more accuracy in inventory management and tighter discipline.   There are two kinds of closing balances that are required:

Accounts closing balance:  Debtor.  Creditors.  Closing balance of stock.

It is important to note that both inventory and accounts are tightly linked in ERP.

·         FAQ: “Can we enter creditor / debtor balance and closing stock, later?”  The answer is NO.

1.    Before doing anything take backup.  Copy on once writable CD; take the backup media to another location (different building).

2.    Task:  Enter closing stock for Inventory items.

3.    Count stock.  This exercise should be done very carefully.  This is important for ‘going-live’.

4.    Enter the closing stock, as on the cut-off date, from that date onwards, ERP will prepare the inventory related books, as well as accounts books, automatically.

5.    E.g. closing balance as on March 31, mid night is opening balance for April 01.
6.    Task: Enter ALL items in the item master.
It is strongly recommended that for EACH location stock balance be taken.  E.g. stores, rejection location, scrap location, WIP (work-in-process), third party (subcontractor location), etc.

7.    Task: Take location master printout (excel sheet showing all locations) from the ERP (not from Tally).  The list will also show names of subcontractor locations.

8.    Bought out items, raw material, consumables, spares, etc.  Items that are supplied by vendors (supplier).

9.    Sub-assemblies, semi-finished goods, factory made item, etc.  This may include items that are received from third party, if it is semi-finished goods. (WIP).

10.  Finished Goods, (FG or product that usually appears in the sales invoice).

11.  Task: Prepare the Item list using ERP software instant excel sheet option.  You can prepare category, sub-category wise, separate list.  Give to concerned person to take physical stock (count) and write on the excel sheet itself, put date and sign.  This is strongly recommended to avoid confusion of item code / description.

12.  Use this list (hard copy) to enter closing stock figures in ERP.

13.  From that moment onwards, every transaction must go through ERP.

14.  Depending on your judgment, estimate time required to do the physical count and the exercise to enter the data in ERP.  This will depend on number of persons allocated for the task.

15.  During the stock taking activity, there should be NO material movement.  All goods inward and sales issue has to be suspended.  For instance some companies would like to do this exercise on 1, 2 and 3 April and start the year on 4 April 08.  Some companies stop the manufacturing activity on 30 and 31 Match.

16.  You may find items that are physically present but not in the list – enter in the item master and enter closing balance.

17.  Account Closing Balance are required for the following:
• Debtor (customer),
• Creditor (vendor, service provider, and third party) balance pertaining to 11-12 balance will be carried forward automatically.
• Pass JV (cr. Note or debit note if necessary to get the correct balance).  Make sure the bank-reconciliation exercise is done well in time for ensuring correct ‘Trial Balance’ statement in ERP.

18.  In case you have already gone “Live”:
Count physical stock for each item and write on the excel sheet printout, next to ERP stock statement (book stock) figure.  Ideally, both should be same.  If not write the difference (plus or minus).  You will have to get explanation from stores-in-charge and pass SAN (stock adjustment note) to get the book stock same as physical stock.

19.  You may find item that are shown as stock in hand but there is no such item.  Check that there is no confusion in item name.  Any case one must reconcile the stock.
20.  You will have to do this exercise for each location.  Especially stock lying with the third party (if any).

21.  Print separate list for FG, WIP, Stores items, consumables, packing material, etc. from ERP software.

22.  You will need people so plan in advance, inform your team (staff), this is not one or two persons task.  More people are required depending on number of location, size of the inventory, and so on.

23.  At the time of login, into the ERP, select appropriate year (the first screen where you give log in name and password).

24.  New document number series will start from the New accounting Year – e.g. April 1, 2012.

25.   ERP System will allow you to enter 11-12 transactions even in April 2010, (for this select year 11-12).  Finally, when the audited Balance Sheet is available one can make a “closing JV (Journal Voucher).  This may be sometime in April / May 12.  Whereas the current year (11-12) transaction can be entered from 1^st April itself (these will be in new document series).

26.  Cut-off date is ‘as on’ date in the Closing Balance data entry screen.

27.  In item ledger and item stock statement ‘From’ date should NOT be less than Closing Balance, date that is used for entering closing balance.

28.   User must press ‘enter’ key after entering the closing balance stock.

29.  Once closing stock is entered, user should check, and if mistake is found, then enter again; this will over-write previous figure.  Once all closing balance is checked, printed and confirmed then REMOVE access to the closing Balance menu-using user manage.  No one should enter again cl. Bal. because this is one time exercise.
30. Only after disabling, the cl. Bal. menu user should be allowed to enter inventory transactions.
31. Closing balance Rate or value:
• While entering stock closing balance, user also should enter rate.  This is required to calculate the value.
• For item that are purchased from outside – pl. enter the Weighted Average Rate (WAR) rate (weighted average rate), or last purchase Rate, if WAR rate is not available.
• For all factory made items – SFG (Semi-Finished Goods or sub-assemblies) or FG (Finished Goods)– user should enter ‘cost rate’.

For additional information study The Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002

The bill was enacted as a reaction to a number of major corporate and accounting scandals including those affecting Enron, Tyco International, Adelphia, Peregrine Systems and WorldCom. These scandals, which cost investors billions of dollars when the share prices of affected companies collapsed, shook public confidence in the nation’s securities markets.

In India PWC and Satyam is recent examples of accounts manipulation.

Replacing ERP Software?

Are you planning to change your ERP vendor?

ERP Implementation tips

Replacing system management software is like visiting a medical clinic for injection, painful but necessary.  First, try to get upgraded version if any, from your existing ERP vendor.  Probably this means more investment, but worth considering.  Once you rule out this option, and decide to look for new ERP software, consider the following points:

1. Once again define the new requirements, this time make a function wise list.  For instance, accounts, material, sales, and so on.  It is important to do the ABC analysis, A essential list, and C is wish list.  Remember if everything is A, you will have to pay for the customization, so let go of some point as wish list.  Share the list with the new ERP vendors, and try to match.  Here the trusting the new ERP partner is important that you want the truth.
2.   Do some business process improvements.  Do not (do not, no this is not a spelling mistake, just to emphasise) automate without improving your existing methods.  Chances are you will automate the mistakes; this means ERP will do mistakes faster.  This exercise is called BPR (business process re-engineering).  All the problems with the existing system are in fact opportunities for improvement.  Ensure that you are aware of the issues, and that the new ERP software system will help resolve them.  Learn more about BPR here  http://www.dnserp.com/b__p__r_.htm.
   

   Do some BPR before ERP

3. Stay focused in defining the scope.  Module wise write down master, transactions, and reports.  Again, do ABC analysis of the same.  See sample scope given here http://www.dnserp.com/dns_scope.htm.  FAQ: Can I change the scope?  Ans: Yes, but after discussing with the ERP supplier and before starting to implement.
4. Select your task force.  Motivate them, yes allocate a budget.  Offer incentive.  Involve key people at the start.  Write important milestones.
5. Size of the ERP company is not that important, small or big, what is important is how important it is for them to make your ERP a success.
6. Arrange for a demo with your own inputs and try to match the report – at this stage without customization.  About eighty percent of your requirements should be met.  So prepare your own data to input for the demo run.
7. Brainstorm with your senior management to identify potential reasons of failure, and take steps to guard the same to reduce risk.
8. Assign one (or better two) main ERP coordinator/s, dedicated resource/s.  Consult domain expert and other consultants such as tax, ISO, 6-sigma, etc.  Ensure their valuable time is available.  Study http://www.dnserp.com/implement_erp.htm.
9. While evaluating make sure the implementer/s are also interviewed and their time is committed.
10. ERP implementer and ERP coordinator team should have project management skill.  Ask ERP vendor to show their track record of other similar size ERP success story, I mean show the document that was used to track ERP project management in the past.

Hope you will find this ERP tips useful and will share with others, by using the social icons given below.  Let us know your comments, add point that we might have missed out, your feed back will be appreciated. 

2011 blog review – Viewed about 2,500 times in 2011.

Automatic analytic helps in fine tuning your blog strategies.  At end of the year it is a good idea to analyse the social media work.  Here is a cool summary, that I would like to share with you.

The WordPress.com stats has prepared a 2011 annual report for this DNSERP blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,500 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 42 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Find out from which countries visited this blog website, report also gives numbers about various posts, and date on which viewed most, and so on.  See the report to learn more.  Don’t you think this is interesting?

Social media in ERP and CRM solutions

ERP & CRM integrates social media sites

Social media represents a vast opportunity to connect with greater numbers of prospects and even existing customers, potentially at a fraction of your traditional marketing costs.

BatchBlue’s Batchbook CRM software is #1 and stands out as the most social solution, with social media support a central feature of its design. Indeed, BatchBlue bills itself as “Your social CRM.”  SugarCRM in its latest release has added social capability, but in a limited form, essentially allowing you to include “Activity Streams” to monitor Twitter and Facebook feeds.

• This, however, is only a portion of the social networking integration that Batchbook provides. For example, its social media SuperTags allow you to display a contact’s blog posts, tweets, and other feed items alongside their contact history.  As our user reviews show, customers appreciate Batchbook’s unique social media integration and organization features, including its dashboard and SuperTags.
• Another differentiator is each vendor’s focus on small business. “BatchBlue was created with one goal in mind: to create useful, user-friendly software for small businesses.” As users attest, BatchBlue is devoted to the customer experience and offers extremely easy setup and use, as well as exceptional support.
• SugarCRM is a software company based in Cupertino, California. They produce the web application Sugar, also known as SugarCRM, which is a customer relationship management (CRM) system that is available in both open source and Commercial open source applications.
• Sugar’s functionality includes sales-force automation, marketing campaigns, customer support, collaboration, Mobile CRM, Social CRM and reporting.“The company operates a number of websites, including its commercial website Sugarcrm.com, a development website (SugarForge.org), Sugar Exchange (for third-party extensions), and user forums.

Bottom Line: SugarCRM is an excellent product with a full array of CRM features that has been augmented by a limited degree of social media support. For small businesses looking for the most extensive social media integration, plus ease of use, exceptional support, and the lowest cost, Batchbook seems the clear choice.

Try both for FREE and decide.

SAP ERP Modules

SAP ERP Software intro

SAP ERP Modules introduction: This short presentation introduces SAP ERP modules – FI CO HR BW QM MM PS PP SD.

Enterprise Resource Planning software is a software to manage business that links business processes automatically.

View this document on Scribd

Meet today’s challenges in finance with industry-leading financial management software in SAP ERP Financials. Complete, industry-specific, scalable and global – SAP ERP Financials enables your teams to address changing financial reporting standards, improve cash flow, and manage financial risks.

*SAP logo belongs to SAP.  This is reproduced here for education and training purpose only.

Click here to learn about other MNC ERP software packages such as Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, etc.

I like the punch line of SAP “The best-run businesses run SAP” – what do you say?

WordPress Blog is launched by the leader Anna Hazare

Anna blogs on WordPress: यापुढे याच ब्लॉगवरुन मी आपल्याशी वेळोवेळी संपर्क साधणार आहे.

Social activist Anna Hazare has launched his blog in Marathi, Hindi, and English using the WordPress digital platform.

Actually the post will be done by Parulekar Raju and Kuvalekar Vijay.  This is a good example of out-souring your blog activities.  WordPress is a popular digital platform to make your Website using the Web 2.0 technology.

We recommend blog strategies as follows:

Blog is one the important digital platform for social media strategies.

1. sign-up or subscribe blogs pertaining to your industry, read and comment.
2. Read blogs pertaining to your target market.  Find professionals who are blogging regularly and try to establish relation with them and plan a public relation strategy with them.
3. Publish your own (company) blog to interact in timely manner with your target audience.

• Blog best practice:

  • Recommended best practices for Business Blog.  1) Prepare a document containing guidelines and rules 2) Use blog monitoring technology – e.g. Blog analytics and  3)  Plan periodic training to all staff, especially sales and marketing professionals to leverage the power of interactive websites, that is called Blog.

  • Educate the stake holders.  Enterprise wide training should be planned and HR can keep track who has attended, number of hours, etc.  Appoint chief of Blogging ( a person who will also control passwords).  Make sure CEO and other senior management also is attending the training sessions, even if they are not planning to use.  This is to ensure everyone understands the risks and rules of using social media web sites.

  • The aim is to ensure users use the sites like LinkedIn, facebook, or twitter in a responsible way.  It is necessary to educate them about the consequences of not following the rules and guidelines.  You must have noticed that people use email with disclaimer footer in emails because they know it is legal, etc. However, the blog posting is also like email, a written electronic record.

  • It may be prudent to make individual sign a document that they have read and understood the blog rules.  Interactive sites use email id and secret password to restrict access.  It is necessary to have a clear idea about the passwords and control of using email id.

    Here is a video demo of reports giving information on – how many people are visiting your blog or reading your ppt, where they’re coming from, which posts are most popular, and which search engine terms are sending people to your blog.

• We will help you in using the blogs and social media marketing techniques effectively.  You should try blog instead of traditional methods of print advertisements, Television, Yellow Pages, and so on.  All together it is a lot of work, but it is well worth it, and it does pays off at the end.  There is a lead time of three to six months for your blog to catch-up.  So what are you waiting for?  Go ahead start your own blog using Google’s Blogger or WordPress because it is free and it is fun.  There are many blogs targeting the emerging market in India.

• Links to Anna Hazare blogs:

http://annahazaresays.wordpress.com/  and in English https://annahazaresays.wordpress.com/category/post-in-English/

In SAP ERP conference, Dabbawala explained supply chain management

Supply chain management without software ?

Mumbai Dabbalwala has six sigma

Learn about this amazing organization
 which got six sigma.
They deliver even in rainy season in Mumbai, India,
 without any excuse.

View this document on Scribd
Here is a short presentation of 15 slides.
Let us know if any of you have actually
 experienced this 'lunch box' service.

ERP software for hospital – Fortis

Q&A: Shivinder M Singh, MD, Fortis Healthcare (India).

Q&A: Shivinder M Singh, MD, 

Standardisation affects the cost by virtue of the fact that you don’t have to replicate the same process in a number of places. You can reduce the number of jobs at the front end. You can standardise them, it gets easier as you go along. The quality improves and errors, a major cost in healthcare, reduce. The idea is that if I have a hospital in a tier-3 or a tier-4 market, and it runs on the same system, it’s cheaper for me to run it.

We are doing this project, called Project Next, which, in a nutshell, is hospital-wide ERP. It’s costing us a bomb, roughly $5 million. But that’s across the entire network and it’ll put everything on the same platform, front and the back-end. By virtue of having scale, you can actually do more and you can do it cheaper.

“ I take the 600,000 villages in the country and link each to a network which has got an emergency response. The villager has the basic diagnostic facility to figure if he has a problem early enough. And there is a preventive structure in place where there are annual health-checks and other such mechanisms”.