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Technology Articles

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A Computer Is Never Forever By Steve Epner
Electronic-business (e-business) is such a changing target that anyone attempting to create a single definition for all users is doomed to failure. So is any individual who attempts to find the one process or path that everyone can use to be successful.
Ancient Greece vs. Your Organization By Steve Epner
I have just returned from a work/pleasure trip to Greece. If you ever get a chance to go, do it. In America, we can search for and find our history going back three or four hundred years.
Are You Under-Utilizing Your Technology? By Steve Epner
Are you and your management team getting the information you need to make the right decisions at the right time for the right situation?
Avoiding A Six Figure Software Selection Mistake By Steve Epner
Every time a distributor thinks about automation, one of the first thoughts going through their mind is: “Will this be a six figure mistake?” It does not have to be. For many businesses evaluating software seems easy … until they get into it. Doing it right – the first time – is not difficult, but the process does take time and effort.
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Bar Codes By Steve Epner
Bar codes. They have been around for a long time. It is nice when technology stuff is stable and not changing every time you turn around. Well, not so fast. Even bar codes are changing. As with most other technology, increased use has made early decisions obsolete. Everyone likes to retell the story of Bill Gates asking: “who will ever need more than 64K of memory?” It is one quote he will never live down.
The Birth Of The Supply Team By Steve Epner
Here we go again. Once again, the doomsayers are predicting the end of Distribution. They believe that distributors will finally be eliminated from the supply channel. It will not be accomplished by some “underground” conspiracy of manufacturers trying to go direct.
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Defining “E” By Steve Epner
Electronic-business (e-business) is such a changing target that anyone attempting to create a single definition for all users is doomed to failure. So is any individual who attempts to find the one process or path that everyone can use to be successful.
State Of The Industry Report … Distribution Software Industry Consolidation – What’s Going On? By Jeff Gusdorf
Since Y2K, the tech crash of 2000, and the recession, businesses have been reluctant to spend money on information technology, and acquisition announcements in the software industry appear almost daily. The latest round of consolidation is driven by economics; shrinking distribution populations, outsourcing, vertical markets that can’t support the number of existing software companies, and integrating the supply chain have all played a major part in this trend.
Distributors, Don’t Be Disheartened By Software Selection By Steve Epner
For many businesses the “pull a rabbit out of a hat” method for evaluating software seems easy. Doing it right – the first time – is not difficult, but will take time and effort.
Do Web Sites Waste Money? By Steve Epner
When we talk about the value of web sites to businesses, the first thing that comes to mind is the Tee shirt that you can buy on vacation: “my parents went to Europe and all I got is this lousy T shirt.” So many web site owners could wear a similar shirt: “After spending all of this money, all I got is a lousy web site.”
Do You Suffer From Technology Intimidation? By Steve Epner
Have you ever felt intimidated by technology? Many people feel a great deal of anxiety when automation is brought into their workspace. Most people do not even want to admit to being intimidated. Yet, these same people have VCRs flashing 12:00 at home. Signs of intimidation are all around. We only have to look.
Do’s And Don’ts Of Buying A Computer By Steve Epner
Checklist of considerations before buying a computer.
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E-Business For Competitive Advantage By Steve Epner
The problem with buzzwords is that they are often just the fad of the day. By definition, they have no definition and usually, little or no value. For many businesses, E-Business is such a word. Everyone talks about it. No one knows exactly what it means; and there seems to be more promise than reality.
E-Commerce: Emerging Critical Economies and Market Advantage By Steve Epner
What Is Electronic Commerce And Will It Affect You? In its simplest form, Electronic Commerce E-commerce or EC is the ability to complete specific business transactions without paper. EC is not the Internet, although the Internet is currently the way most EC activity is carried between organizations. One can have EC without the Internet and similarly, one can be on the Internet without doing E-Commerce.
E-Commerce For Distribution Management By Steve Epner
E-commerce is such a changing target that anyone attempting to create a single definition for all users is doomed to failure. So is any individual who attempts to find the one process or path that everyone can use to be successful.
E-Commerce Snags By Steve Epner
Now if you’re going to get out on the net and sell things, you need to understand a couple legal terms. The problem is, is most of our business has been controlled in the past by the Uniform Commercial Code and the UCC is built on writing things, using pen and paper. Electronically we don’t have that so there are three terms you better know really well: authenticity, integrity and non-repudiation.
Education Online By Steve Epner
The Internet is being touted as the solution for everything. To listen to the hype, it is amazing that anyone could ever survive without it. Of course, reality is not what it always seems. Just like in politics, the real story is buried somewhere – and sometimes deep.
Electronic Catalogs By Steve Epner
Electronic catalogs are one of the new, hot buzzwords in distribution. In some cases, these are nothing more than an electronic version of a paper catalog. Some are not even that good. They are poorly scanned images of catalog pages.
Electronic Commerce, The Snake Oil Of The 90s? By Steve Epner
In its simplest form, Electronic Commerce -- EC for short -- is the ability to complete specific business transactions without paper. What the transactions are and how it is done can be explained soon.
E-Mail And Web Presence For Your Practice By Steve Epner
E-mail is one of the first uses anyone finds for the Internet. It is easy to use. It works well. It is quickly becoming an accepted form of business communication. Many law firms are finding they cannot live without it. Forward-thinking legal firms are also establishing a presence on the World Wide Web by securing a unique domain name with which to be identified for e-mail and e-commerce. Let’s take a look at the nuts and bolts of each.
E-Mail The Voice Mail Of The New Millennium By Steve Epner
E-mail is really just typed voice mail. Like voice mail, it is a “store and forward” system. When someone wants to leave a voice message, they call up and, after the recorded greeting, are able to record a message for the recipient. Then, at some later point in time, the person that the message was left for will call up and enter their PIN or personal identification number. The system will then play back the stored messages.
E-Marketing By Steve Epner
As we move into the new world of “E” everything, it is sometime difficult to figure out how normal businesses will use this stuff.
Embellished Activewear Standards Initiative Improving The Game of Business By Marc Semanoff
Yes, we are in the middle of a recession. In many industry segments, business is down significantly. Many businesses (large and small) are facing the prospect of lower sales and profits.
Embellished Activewear Standards Initiative Getting Ahead Of The Curve … Standardization Improves Inventory Management By Marc Semanoff
Every business is looking for the key to getting ahead in the current tight economy. What is the key to getting ahead of the curve? Process standardization is one place to start. With standardized processes, critical business transactions are unified, including purchase orders, invoices, shipping notification and payment with customers and suppliers – resulting in fewer errors, time-savings and an increase to the bottom line.
Enabling Technologies Will Enable Your Future By Steve Epner
“If my supplier does not get on board with electronic commerce, I will switch to another distributor or go straight to the manufacturer. I cannot afford their inefficiencies anymore.” Did this quote come from one of your customers? Different attitudes toward Electronic Commerce foretell a story of opportunity and disaster.
The Evolution of E-Business By Steve Epner
Here we go again. Once again, the doomsayers are predicting the end of Distribution. They believe that distributors will finally be eliminated from the supply channel. It will not be accomplished by some “underground” conspiracy of manufacturers trying to go direct. No, the end is predicted to be coming at the hands of the Internet and Electronic Commerce (EC).
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Facing The Forces Of Change By Steve Epner
Adam Fein’s original Facing the Forces of Change described four potential scenarios and five types of customers providing a foundation for looking into the future. Fein suggested that the reader think through the twenty possibilities and select the most probable futures for their company. Then it should be easy to plan for the future based on any specific customer mix and how we believed our channels would evolve. Once foreseen, it should not be difficult to move in the right direction, to predict the future and prepared for it.
Finding Savings Through Process Improvement By Steve Epner
Remember 5 part forms? Remember the note at the bottom to “press hard to go through 4 carbons?” Do you realize the kids entering the work force today do not know what a carbon is?
Foiling Identity Thieves Takes Vigilance, Persistence By Don Mitchell, CPA, CFE
As most everyone now knows, an identity thief is someone who gets and exploits another person’s or organization’s financial data. He or she may steal Social Security, credit card, banking or other confidential information to tap existing accounts, or open and charge up new ones.
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Getting Ready For E-Commerce By Steve Epner
It is inevitable. You are ready to stop fighting it and get on the bandwagon. It is no longer a question of “if?” only “when?” Electronic Commerce will be part of your future – guaranteed. Now it is time to figure out how to get there.
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How Can Convenience Stores Take Advantage Of The Internet? By Steve Epner
A chain of stores can use the Internet to advertise locations to potential customers. Specials and discount coupons can be provided to anyone surfing the net. Since the Internet does not have any geography associated with it, the benefits increase as the territory increases. A single location store will not get as much advantage as a national chain.
How Can Distributors Use The Internet By Steve Epner
Everyone talks about it, but no one does anything about it. The weather? No, the Internet. At every association meeting, someone is bragging or complaining about business on-line. Executives who never used a computer until recently are now experts about doing business on the net.
How Can Petro Stores Take Advantage Of The Internet? By Steve Epner
The equipment distributor has many ways to take advantage of the Internet. One simple idea is during construction. A special set of pages can be created for each specific store. On the site, engineers, contractors and the owners can all look up and examine all building documents.
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| I |
Improve Your Supply Chain To Get Ahead Of The Curve … Improve Productivity And Business Through Standards By Marc Semanoff
Every business is looking for the key to getting ahead in the current tight economy. What is the key to getting ahead of the curve? Process standardization is one place to start. With standardized processes how you exchange critical business transactions -- such as purchase orders, invoices, shipping notification and payment with customers and suppliers – is unified.
Internet 101 By Steve Epner
In case you’ve been hiding, everywhere you look, there is the Internet. Everyone talks about it being the future of selling. You may even believe a presence on the “Web” is necessary to stay in business, but is it?
Internet Strategies For Volunteer Organizations By Steve Epner
Becoming a member of the Internet community can be a powerful tool. It can help find, coordinate and train your volunteers – on their schedule.
Is It Time To Upgrade? By Steve Epner
It happens every few years. The ole, reliable computer system is not keeping up with your needs. Someone wants more of this, and others want more of that. There are new features that are being discussed by other business people at trade shows and management wants to be up-to-date. What should we do?
Is the Interface Working? By Steve Epner
Over the last few years, the web has been all the rage – both on the way up and lately on the way down. Some thought the whole world would be online by the end of the twentieth century. Now many wonder if we will ever get there.
Is the Interface Working? Part Two By Steve Epner
Last time we reviewed the need to understand the difference between the web transactions and electronic transaction that may use the Internet as their communications medium. In order to work well, the Supply Team must eliminate processing, not just transfer the work to someone else.
Is The Web Good Business? By Steve Epner
The future of distribution is online. The initial “Dot Bomb” gold rush was ill timed and destroyed by greed. The balloon was blown up by unreal expectations and unfounded enthusiasm. Too many “dot com’s” ignored the basic rules of business.
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My Company Website Is On The Internet — Now What? By Cory Metz
Is your company website delivering the results you expected? Consider the following questions-- your answers should help you improve the effectiveness of your website.
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| N |
Networks Are Not All Local By Steve Epner
Everyone has heard about LANs - Local Area Networks. These are the internal communication highways that connect many workers around our companies. Each person is attached to others through special wires and through using protocols.
New Toys For Running Your Business By Steve Epner
Remember back when the fax machine was the new toy on the block? If you had one, it was important to always carry some of that “roll up” paper everywhere. It marked you as an advanced student of using technology in business. Every chance you got, there was a story of: “how the new fax saved my hide. Now if all of my other customers and suppliers would just catch up, life would be much easier.”
The Next Step … The Website By Steve Epner
Many businesses have decided that they needed a website. Most are very basic. They do not change and do not accomplish much – other than establishing a presence. Now may be the time to do something different.
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| O |
Outlook For E-Business By Steve Epner
My most popular program today is entitled “E-business, E-commerce E-nough!” Why is that? Haven’t we all been told that “E” is the future of business? Look at the landscape; it is littered with fallout from the “dot bombs” and failures of so many “E” businesses. Why?
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Painting The World With An Internet Brush By Steve Epner
The Internet and the World Wide Web are changing the way business is conducted. This is not news, every new technology from the telephone to the fax to our online environments have all impacted how we exchange information and business. So why is everyone so agitated?
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Should We Get On The Internet And How? By Steve Epner
The most important strategic question is: “Why should our company get on the Internet?” There are many reasons to join the Internet community, from “vanity” -- we just have to have a presence because all of our friends have one -- to “competitive” --if we do not do it our customers will buy from another company on-line. Whatever is the right answer for you, consider the risks and then if you decide to proceed, do it right the first time.
Standardization Saves By Marc Semanoff
Every business is looking for the key to getting ahead in the current tight economy. What is the key to getting ahead of the curve? Process standardization is one place to start.
Steps To Web Success By Steve Epner
Doing the web is not difficult, but most people do it the hard way. They throw stuff at the wall and hope it sticks. There is a better way. It is outlined below.
Steve Epner, CSP Makes Technology Understandable For Mere Mortals (And Busy Executives) By Steve Epner
Do you wonder what the younger employees are talking about when it comes to automation? Are they confusing you on purpose? Many managers and owners feel that way. Most of the time, it is because no one takes the time to talk in the language of business instead of computerese. What is needed, is someone to explain the tools that are available, what they can do to help run a business and then how to apply them.
Successful Software Selection -- Getting It Right The First Time Is All About People By Steve Epner, CSP and Jeff Gusdorf, CPA
There is an old joke that says there are only two steps to software selection. Step one is to select a solution and step two is to throw it out. With forethought and a little effort – you can make a successful software selection, the first time, and skip step two altogether. The trick you see is all about people – it is your people who must participate in choosing a solution that meets your business needs and take ownership for its implementation and use.
Surviving Fundraising On The Internet By Steve Epner, CSP
Anyone who has to communicate with others had better be able to do it online. Many people have already made the Internet and e-mail their preferred method for connecting with the world. For many in the new generation, if you are not on the Internet, you do not exist.
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Take Advantage Of What The Internet Can Offer By Steve Epner
The Internet and the World Wide Web are creating changes in many fields. Many industries are holding back, thinking that technology will not affect them. Nothing could be further from the truth. AT&T said it best: "The Internet is not about technology, it is a new dial tone." This is how our future customers, suppliers and business partners will communicate with one another. If you are not there, you will be invisible.
Technology as a Competitive Weapon By Steve Epner
Technology can be very intimidating for business owners. Surveys prove that most distributors do not use more than 25 percent of what they own. The result is that many companies have very expensive billing machines.
Technology Fairs At Annual Conventions By Steve Epner
Many organizations want their attendees to be current on the use of technology. A popular way is to invite technology companies to exhibit during their trade shows and educational programs.
Technology For Distribution Salespeople By Steve Epner
If only my field sales force could be more effective! How many times have you heard that? So the question is, can we do anything to help? The answer is absolutely YES.
Technology For Small Distributors By Steve Epner
Remember back when the fax machine was the new toy on the block? If you had one, it was important to always carry some of that “roll up” paper everywhere. It identified you as an advanced user of technology in business. You loved telling the story of “how the new fax saved my hide. Now if all of my other customers and suppliers would just catch up, life would be much easier.”
Technology Times Are Always Changing By Steve Epner
I was thinking about all of the changes I have seen in my career. Since writing my first program in FORTRAN (Illinois Institute of Technology, 1965) to sending presentations over the Internet, information technology has been fast paced. There is always something new and exciting.
Telephone System Basics By Steve Epner
Is your old telephone system on its last legs? Have you run out of capacity in terms of the number of lines or instruments (telephone sets)? Has your vendor warned you that the system needs to be replaced? If you answer yes to any of these questions, or have just decided it is time to upgrade, this article is for you.
There’s No Justification For Stealing Software By Steve Epner
“No big deal” you may think, “I needed to have that program on my other computer so I just loaded it on.” Think again. That activity is theft! It is illegal. You can go to jail and pay large fines. It may risk the future of your business. DO NOT DO IT!
There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Conversion By Steve Epner
There is only one thing that can be said about conversions: “There is no such thing as an easy conversion!” Conversion is a word that strikes fear in the heart of anyone who has ever participated in one. Vendors tell you: “No problem, we do this all of the time.” Then they cross their fingers and hope they are not around when it hits the fan.
Top Tech Concern For 2003 By Steve Epner
It is always difficult to pick the top of anything the first couple of weeks of a new year. In 1999, it was easy – Y2K. This year is not so simple. Even so, there are a few concerns for every executive that you should think about.
Training Strategies Online By Steve Epner
Everyone has the same problem. How do we increase training without increasing our costs?
Turning Theory Into Reality By Steve Epner
Over the years, we have heard it all. Computers are going to make our life easy. Barcodes will to eliminate inventory errors. The Internet will bring new, more profitable customers. Well, none of it happened – at least not for anyone I know.
2004 Information Technology Outlook By Anthony Munns
According to Forrester Research, Inc., increases in 2004 IT investment will not match predicted economic growth, however the priority of IT investment will center on security and disaster-recovery initiatives.
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Understanding The New World Of E-Business By Steve Epner
Businesses utilizing new technologies have rendered the old business model of a supply chain obsolete. It is unlikely that the “chain” concept can succeed in the twenty-first century. Supply Teams are replacing Chains. A team has partners who are tightly linked and share information electronically.
Using Interactive Voice Response To Your Advantage By Steve Epner
How many companies have outside sales forces? Most. How many provide either in inside sales force or sales support function? Most. How many of these companies find that the outside sales people call the inside people for information, conversation and general assistance with selling their customers? A lot.
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Virus Alert By Steve Epner
Has a virus hit you yet? It is getting harder to be completely protected if you are online. We try very hard to protect our network. Virus signatures are updated daily, all incoming email is scanned, etc. After the last round of “worms” we now strip off all .exe and .vbs attachments.
VoIP By Steve Epner
An old business saying tells us: if it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. VoIP is either an exception to the rule or the poster child for it.
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Watch Out Pony Express By Steve Epner
In the “olden days”, my parents would struggle, trying to get me to write a letter to my grandparents. Telephone long-distance cost a lot of money for the time, so when we did call, it was: “Don’t talk too long, this is expensive.” I heard that from both ends of the phone line.
What Is A Bar Code? By Steve Epner
Defining “Bar Code”: A bar code is a series of lines and spaces. The lines and spaces are different widths. The different widths represent a code. A computer interprets this code and then sends the decoded message to a computerized information system.
What’s What When Evaluating Software? By Steve Epner
It happens every few years. The ole, reliable computer system is not keeping up with your needs. Someone wants more of this, and others want more of that. There are new features that are being discussed by other business people at trade shows and the company president wants to be up-to-date. What should we do?
Who Cares About The Internet By Steve Epner
The Internet will be a factor in business. Exactly what effect it will have or how it will change our world is not yet clear. Today, there are more questions than answers. Internet based companies will try to convince every business to get online. Each will have the best solution for you without even asking: “What are your issues?” Be careful. They want your money and may or may not care what happens to the business. Be diligent and prepared.
Why Do Distributors Need To Worry About Online Security? By Steve Epner and David Looby
It is the call dreaded by all business owners. Your network is down and it appears you have a virus. Hundreds of thoughts run through your mind in an instant. "What happened?" "Where is the techno guru when I need him?" “Who is responsible for this?" How are we going to run this business without computers?" "Will my software vendor get this fixed right away, or will it take days and thousands of dollars?" "Why did we ever let everyone use e-mail in the first place?"
Why Not Do Business On The Net? By Steve Epner
Guess what? The major issues related to doing business on the Internet do not have anything to do with technology. In one form or another, the technology pieces are there to support our ability to execute transactions electronically. There are still some rough edges. Not everything works perfectly. We are still learning and advancing.
Why The Internet Scares Distributors By Steve Epner
The Internet is touted as the next best thing in business, and yet, it can also be one of the scariest things. The Internet is not all good. There are many down sides and distributors should be aware of these as well as understanding what the benefits and upsides are.
Workflow – Before or After of All of the Time By Steve Epner
Anytime we discuss automating a business process, the most critical subject is the “workflow.” It can make the difference between a successful implementation and a failure. You need to know what it is, why it is used and how to apply it to your business practices.
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Your Industry Trade Association Is In The Best Position To Lead An E-Commerce Initiative For Your Industry By Steve Epner
A train is coming. It is called Electronic Commerce (EC). E-Commerce is more than having a web site. It is much more than being able to sell product to end-users over the Internet. We can get on the train, or we can ignore it. We cannot stop it.
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