The CynareLink database is an aggregator and warehouse for information from a large variety of systems, including modern systems with APIs, moribund systems that were written before the API was invented, Microsoft 365, HMRC and Companies House
All your validated data in a single location - ready for integration, automation and reporting
Firms can't rely upon any traditional vendor (particularly the moribund ones) to help them access
their own data, as this is perceived as a risk to their client-base
Let's not get hung-up on BI I find the definition of BI changes with each vendor. BI = whatever tools they have to sell at the time (just like the definition of "lunch" changes with each restaurant you visit) There's nothing wrong in this... as long as we all understand
There's another approach... Business decision-makers should make business decisions, not mess about with listings or OLAP cubes
They shouldn't waste time, spotting an "interesting number" and spending the rest of the day drilling in, out and all about, then calling up the scan of that petrol receipt which was erroneously entered into June instead of July
Create the reports (based upon the information you need in order to make the decisions) Test them to destruction - once (with an occasional "audit") Run them as often as you need to make a decision
Don't waste your time looking at a 4-page list, trying to find the exceptions Just report the exceptions, which are based upon your rules
Better still Automate Get the system to report when it needs to If you're not getting any reports about motor expenses, everything's operating within your rules - think about something more urgent/important
So BI's good, but it's "lunch" you still need breakfast and dinner
Consider how long you're willing to be without your systems in the case of a disaster.
Make sure your recovery system is able to get you working again within this time limit.
Do the whole exercise again, now you've calculated the real cost of your first idea!
Dennis, I feel your comment that only the data needs to be backed up may be misinterpreted. You need working copies of all the software you're currently running as well. You only need to back these up as they are changed, but it's critically important to remember to do this. If there's going to be any doubt, back up the lot!
Yes, you can quickly get a copy of your accounts-production software from your supplier, but do they have all your custom formats stored for you as well?
Yes, you can get the latest cut of your practice-management software, but what if yours is a couple of versions old? What about all your reports?
Yes, you can re-load your email server from scratch, but do you remember how long it took to get it right the first time?
So, why not keep a beefy machine (in a Partner's house, perhaps) Load it up with all your sofware tools Copy the data onto it as the backups are done
(If you're using tapes, don't forget you'll need an identical tape streamer on the backup machine for restores - some models can't simply be picked up at the local IT superstore in an emergency)
As my name was mentioned above, I feel I must add a couple of po 1) They all do time-and-fees, but many of the vendors listed try to differentiate themselves by offering a variety of features. In many firms these features are simply not being used. Some of the vendors listed have very few (if any) users of these "advanced" features.
So, when selecting a product, don't just tick the boxes. Make sure the reference sites you visit are actually using the features you're interested in.
2) Is Practice Management the same as CRM? No. CRM is a subset of Practice Management, along with Team-management knowledge-management document-management budget-management and financial management (and probably a load of others...but it's been a long day...) We need them all...
My answers
The CynareLink database is an aggregator and warehouse for information from a large variety of systems, including modern systems with APIs, moribund systems that were written before the API was invented, Microsoft 365, HMRC and Companies House
All your validated data in a single location - ready for integration, automation and reporting
Thousands of Users
...but I'm possibly biased - I'm the CEO
Mark Ryan
Cynare.com
I agree with the data-issues sentiment
CynareLink has been delivering this integration for over 15 years
https://www.cynare.com/cynare-platform/cynarelink/
Firms can't rely upon any traditional vendor (particularly the moribund ones) to help them access
their own data, as this is perceived as a risk to their client-base
Mark
During my second ever driving lesson, while driving towards the cliffs near Dover...
At the time, my tax and driving knowledge were closely matched
Hmmmnzz...
What a ridiculous outfit...
Doesn't he know no-one wears double-breasted any more?
Whew!
There's no way she'll see my copy of Taxation hidden behind this other magazine.
She hasn't even noticed we're on the wrong side of the road!
[email protected]
Let's not get hung-up on BI
I find the definition of BI changes with each vendor.
BI = whatever tools they have to sell at the time
(just like the definition of "lunch" changes with each restaurant you visit)
There's nothing wrong in this... as long as we all understand
There's another approach...
Business decision-makers should make business decisions, not mess about with listings or OLAP cubes
They shouldn't waste time, spotting an "interesting number" and spending the rest of the day drilling in, out and all about, then calling up the scan of that petrol receipt which was erroneously entered into June instead of July
Create the reports (based upon the information you need in order to make the decisions)
Test them to destruction - once (with an occasional "audit")
Run them as often as you need to make a decision
Don't waste your time looking at a 4-page list, trying to find the exceptions
Just report the exceptions, which are based upon your rules
Better still
Automate
Get the system to report when it needs to
If you're not getting any reports about motor expenses, everything's operating within your rules - think about something more urgent/important
So BI's good, but it's "lunch" you still need breakfast and dinner
(Have I just agreed with Dennis?)
;-)
Mark Ryan
[email protected]
Here's my tuppence-worth
Hello all
Simple solutions for smaller organisations...
Consider how long you're willing to be without your systems in the case of a disaster.
Make sure your recovery system is able to get you working again within this time limit.
Do the whole exercise again, now you've calculated the real cost of your first idea!
Dennis, I feel your comment that only the data needs to be backed up may be misinterpreted. You need working copies of all the software you're currently running as well. You only need to back these up as they are changed, but it's critically important to remember to do this. If there's going to be any doubt, back up the lot!
Yes, you can quickly get a copy of your accounts-production software from your supplier, but do they have all your custom formats stored for you as well?
Yes, you can get the latest cut of your practice-management software, but what if yours is a couple of versions old? What about all your reports?
Yes, you can re-load your email server from scratch, but do you remember how long it took to get it right the first time?
So, why not keep a beefy machine (in a Partner's house, perhaps)
Load it up with all your sofware tools
Copy the data onto it as the backups are done
(If you're using tapes, don't forget you'll need an identical tape streamer on the backup machine for restores - some models can't simply be picked up at the local IT superstore in an emergency)
Mark Ryan
[email protected]
Alastair - I have to agree
Try looking at the nonchargeable time posted by senior Team Members
Headings like "Practice Admin", "General", "Practice Development", "Internal" etc
Then value the time at charge rate..
(Actually, don't. Unless you have a strong stomach or a good sense of humour.)
So what's the answer?
1)
Getting the right people at the right level to do the right work.
2)
Automation
So, there's another selection-requirement...look at the level of automation offered and being used by the various products
Mark Ryan
[email protected]
As my name was mentioned above, I feel I must add a couple of po
1)
They all do time-and-fees, but many of the vendors listed try to differentiate themselves by offering a variety of features.
In many firms these features are simply not being used. Some of the vendors listed have very few (if any) users of these "advanced" features.
So, when selecting a product, don't just tick the boxes. Make sure the reference sites you visit are actually using the features you're interested in.
2)
Is Practice Management the same as CRM?
No. CRM is a subset of Practice Management, along with
Team-management
knowledge-management
document-management
budget-management
and financial management
(and probably a load of others...but it's been a long day...)
We need them all...
Mark Ryan
[email protected]
"discrete project that needs control over an extended period"...
I agree with the analysis of the UITF 40 exercise
BUT
Isn't that what we already do with taxation, accounting, consulting etc. jobs?
This doesn't need a new database as you'll probably already have one
All the existing mainstream Practice Management systems incorporate workflow modules
Create a UITF 40 template, attach it to the relevant clients and off you go
[email protected]