Insight eNews

A Monthly Newsletter from AVF Consulting, Inc.

Microsoft Navision Solution Center &

 Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

June 2006

In this edition:

From the President: Maintenance and CCP: What's the Difference?

Product Focus: AVF Officially Launches ChargeLogic

AVF News:  Last Chance for Microsoft Promos, Serenic Customer Conference and AVF's IT Services!

From the President: Andrew Fass

CCP and Microsoft Maintenance Renewal...What's the Difference?

AVF's Customer Care Plus (CCP) program and Microsoft Navision's Maintenance Plan (also known as Enhancement or Service Plan) are two completely separate programs that provide separate benefits.   The CCP plan is a membership program created by AVF to provide savings, discounts and access to many of the services AVF offers. The Maintenance Plan for Microsoft Navision is provided and supported by Microsoft and is specific to providing you with benefits related directly to Microsoft Navision software.  Maintenance plans are standard in the software industry and typically cost a percentage of the original purchase price of the software.

Customer Care Plus (CCP) is a comprehensive membership plan that AVF offers to all its customers. The CCP plan was developed by AVF to help default some of the costs associated with supporting, optimizing and maintaining your Microsoft Navision solution. AVF has set membership costs, depending on the size of your software license, that are billed annually.

CCP features include:

• Free Access to AVF Level I Support – CCP members can contact the AVF helpdesk for Level I Support without incurring any additional service charges.

• AVF User Group Meetings – These sessions are held periodically throughout the year and provide Navision users the opportunity to share experiences and issues with colleagues, and receive additional Microsoft Navision training.

• Upgrade Estimates – Any CCP member considering an upgrade will receive a free description, fee estimate and project plan proposal for the services required to complete the upgrade process.

• Transition Assistance – Should a key Navision user leave your organization, AVF will provide an organized, formal process to minimize disruption to your key business operations.

• Participant Service and Training Rate Discounts – CCP members receive a $15 per hour discount on services and a 17% to 20% discount on AVF training classes.

The Microsoft Navision Maintenance Plan is provided and supported by Microsoft. Why is it important to keep current on your Maintenance Plan?  The biggest reason to keep current is to ensure that you have access to major updates and releases which give you the ability to upgrade. The Maintenance plan is designed to expand your Microsoft Navision solution through product enhancements and comprehensive online services. It optimizes your investment while ensuring current and future flexibility. Your Maintenance Plan is typically billed annually through AVF.

Maintenance Plan features include:

• Keeping your Navision Database Current — Receive and install updates, including major releases, point releases, regulatory updates and service packs.

• Increase Navision’s Value with CustomerSource — Access to CustomerSource , the award winning Microsoft support website just for customers.  Need a log on to CustomerSource?  Contact Meredith Mitchell at mmitchell@avfconsulting.com.

• Get Online Support with Knowledge Base — Knowledge Base is an online resource, packed with thousands of timesaving self-help tools.

• Influence the Direction of Navision — You will have a voice in Microsoft's product development process.

• Get Transformational Assurance — You can move to future Microsoft next generation financial management products without having to repurchase the functionality you already license.

• Control Expense with Straightforward Pricing — Protected List Price enables you to budget more predictably for your maintenance plan renewal year after year.

Both plans offer Microsoft Navision users and AVF customers vital support that will help to increase the value of their Microsoft Navision solution.  If you have any questions regarding CCP or Maintenance Plans, please contact Jeremy Fass at 410-296-5100 or jfass@avfconsulting.com.

Product Focus

AVF Officially Launches ChargeLogic

On May 1, 2006, AVF officially launched ChargeLogic, an electronic payment processing software built specifically for Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision).  Several of AVF's retail and distribution clients have already purchased ChargeLogic and will soon begin using it.  We have also had lots of inquiries from Microsoft Navision VARs around the country whose clients need ChargeLogic.

ChargeLogic is able to offer any business, especially retailers and distributors, the functionality they need to process payments like credit, debit, or gift cards and EBT payments directly in Microsoft Navision.   ChargeLogic was built specifically for Microsoft Navision using a secure XML web services platform and FirstData Merchant Services.  ChargeLogic communicates directly with FirstData, so there is no need to purchase any third party software. By eliminating unnecessary steps,  it ensures that you and your customer's data stay safe and secure.  With near instantaneous responses from the authorization center, ChargeLogic provides a fast, safe and reliable solution.  ChargeLogic is priced on a per terminal/user per store/location basis, so customers can buy what they need now and add on as their business grows.

ChargeLogic will be sold directly from AVF as well as through other Navision VARs across the U.S. and Canada.  For more information about ChargeLogic visit www.chargelogic.com, or contact Jeremy Fass at 410-296-5100.

AVF News & Events

LAST CHANCE! Microsoft Offers Multi-Year Service (Maintenance) Plan Renewal Promotion: Renewing customers can save up to 12.5% and simplify their budget by enrolling in a 3-year multi-year service plan agreement.  This offer ends on June 16th, so you must hurry.  To see a breakdown of the offer click here or contact Jeremy Fass at 410-296-5100 or jfass@avfconsulting.com for more information. 

LAST CHANCE! Non-Profits using Serenic Navigator can Receive Additional Savings: Serenic is offering to match the Microsoft Multi-Year Service (Maintenance) Plan Renewal Promotion (see above).  All Serenic customers can receive additional savings on their service plan renewal before June 16th.  For more information contact Jeremy Fass at 410-296-5100 or jfass@avfconsulting.com.

LAST CHANCE! Navision Clients Can Receive FREE User Sessions:  Buy 2 users at the regular price, get the 3rd at half price* or Buy 4 users at regular price, get the 5th for FREE*.  This offer only applies to purchases made between February 15, 2006 and June 16, 2006.  Don’t wait until the last minute to take advantage of this offer. Contact Jeremy Fass at jfass@avfconsulting.com or 443-279-1019 to order. *Discount applies only to Microsoft Navision license fees and is not applicable toward the Serenic Navigator or the LS Retail portion of any license fees.

Attention Non-Profits: Serenic's Customer Conference, Explorations '06, will he held October 3rd through the 6th in Charlotte, NC.  The conference offers four different tracks for attendees to explore.  Serenic has planed activities to facilitate community networking and allow customers to have input with the Serenic team and their partners.  In addition, Serenic has planed a NASCAR event to incorporate local flavor.  There will be an AVF representative present at the conference to address any of your specific questions.  For more information and to register, log onto http://www.serenic.com/SerenicCorp/events/explorations.html.

Keep Your Business Running at Peak Performance, Let AVF Show You How: There have been many recent advances made in the world of server technology and AVF's IT Department can be your guide to all of them.  Having a quality server can provide your business with the security and speed you need to keep your business on top. AVF's IT department would be happy to provide your business with a FREE Site Survey before July 14, 2006 or more information about the benefits of updating your server. Contact Rob Waples today at rwaples@avfconsulting.com or 410-296-5100.