1. Best Practices Topic Presenters Steve Cisick, Technology Copilot, LLC Roxanne Brown, Professional Business Solutions 4 U, LLC CommCon 2015

2. Today’s Agenda What are best practices? Infrastructure best practices Stone Edge best practices Questions CommCon 2015

3. What are Best Practices? Every business has unique and common aspects. Best practices are ones that we’ve seen work well for most customers. Best practices are ‘context-dependent’. Adapt then Adopt best practices. CommCon 2015

4. What is Infrastructure? What constitutes Infrastructure? ◦Computers ◦Network ◦Printers It is an area that is often overlooked Software companies acknowledge, but many times avoid CommCon 2015

5. Why Worry About Infrastructure? It’s key to running all applications well. Don’t expect software companies to fix this. Area you need to own and get right. Free and quick isn’t always right. Budget needs to be allocated to it. If you do well in this, most applications (including Stone Edge) will run well. CommCon 2015

6. Infrastructure Backups Problem Over 50% of customers have backup issues. ◦Aren’t doing backups ◦Aren’t backing up correct files ◦Backups are broken ◦Backups are ineffective ‘Mom and Pop’ shops are not the only companies with this problem. Solution Know what you need to backup and how often. Check to make sure your backups are working. Don’t assume your ‘IT Guy’ knows what needs backing up. Don’t let you ‘IT Guy’ be the only one that knows how to Restore your data. Test Restores periodically. When important data is moved, be sure to update backup locations. Most important data to backup is Stone Edge ‘data file’. CommCon 2015

7. Infrastructure IT Expertise Problem Most customer infrastructures resemble a poorly put together home network. Solution Find and work with IT expert. Not just for break / fix, but help with planning for future needs Treats you with respect Is responsive and proactive Able to talk in your language about issues and proposed solution Open to working with your Stone Edge application CommCon 2015

8. Infrastructure Stone Edge Upgrades Problem Stone Edge upgrades cause major operational headaches. Solution Don’t assume that it will solve all or any of your problems. Don’t upgrade until release properly vetted by other users. Join the Monsoon forum (http://forum.stoneedge.com)http://forum.stoneedge.com Join the Facebook group – Search for “StoneEdge OM Users” Don’t install beta (test) versions for live order processing! Make note of when you upgraded in a change log. Test the upgrade prior to going live with it. Don’t forget about your customizations! CommCon 2015

9. Infrastructure Stone Edge Maintenance Problem Stone Edge not maintained Solution Run ‘OM Compiler’ periodically. Manage any changes with a change log Use the custom reports database for customizations! If running the Standard Version  Periodically Compact and Repair Data file  Make sure data file < 2GB Consider using a ‘base file’ that can be refreshed periodically. CommCon 2015

10. Stone Edge Inventory Problem Inventory cost and counts never correct. Solution Use adjustment reason codes and keep track of why adjustments are made. Use adjustments as last, not first resort. Cycle count your inventory and do it correctly. Don’t bypass QOH controls. Use POs to receive against. Don’t receive without PO. Receive what is actually been delivered. Try to have correct item costs. Use kits/assemblies properly. Use barcoding. Use FIFO, verify FIFO accuracy. CommCon 2015

11. Stone Edge Orders Problem Orders in system do not represent reality. Solution Mark orders paid in full that are. Apply credits to orders where credit given. Approve orders that will ship. Use notes / tasks liberally. Cancel backorders that will never be filled. All shipped orders have ship dates. Use the RMA system to process returns. CommCon 2015

12. Stone Edge Drop Ships Problem Drop Ship orders not properly handled. Solution Record tracking numbers properly. Complete each drop ship Employ automation wherever possible  Import tracking from CSV  Import tracking from Quantum View  Import tracking from emails CommCon 2015

13. Stone Edge Importance of Correct Data Incorrect Data Issues ◦Quick filters cannot be used. ◦Automation cannot be achieved. ◦Money misspent by acting on incorrect data. ◦Orders double shipped, never shipped. ◦Cannot give customers accurate/timely order information. ◦Accurate financials cannot be produced. CommCon 2015

14. Q & A CommCon 2015