Top Ten (Or So) Booths Not To Miss @ Sage Summit 2012

Another Year; Another Conference & 10 More Top Booths To Stop & Meet. Have Fun! 

Altec ~ Booth 817

Come & meet the best team in Document Management in Booth 817. Altec understands the world of accounting, the importance of business communication through all mediums and has the expertise and product depth to begin your journey to the paperless office of tomorrow – today

Avalara ~ Booths 743 & 745

Look for the Booths with the Orange theme & you’ll have found Avalara! Their company has one of the shortest “Elevator Speeches.” We provide the fastest, easiest, most accurate and affordable way to manage sales tax compliance.” Their dynamic team will help you walk through the maze of taxation. They’re sponsoring the after party at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville on Tuesday evening. Don’t Miss It!

Scanco ~ Booth 511

You have to stop by & see what’s new in Bar Code solutions. I have worked with the entire team for multiple years & have found them extremely helpful. They’re customer oriented & will do just about anything to help you close a deal.When you work with Scanco, you have the security in knowing you are working with Sage’s Barcode Vendor of Choice. They develop and enhance the MAS 90/MAS 200 Barcode Module and fully integrates Scanco’s Warehouse Automation Module and LabelXpert Designer to Sage MAS 500. They’ve spent 20 years in the automatic identification business specializing in everything from barcode software and hardware to RFID applications. Scanco’s staff is well equipped to meet virtually every warehouse management need.

ISM ~ Booth 411ISM began as a company with one vision in mind: “Simple answers to difficult questions.” Their goal was to convert complex technology into   tangible business value so you get more work accomplished using fewer  resources. Keeping that same vision in mind, today they’ve grown to become  one of the top Sage resellers of business ERP and accounting software in the country.

ISM has a fantastic team of professionals that make ERP fun. Keeping that same vision in mind, today they’ve grown to become one of the top Sage resellers of business ERP & accounting software in the country. They’re also a Sage Master Developer with 20 years off application development experience. Stop by & see why customers choose ISM as their “Partner in Success”
                                                                   xkzero ~ Booth 746

Stop by xkzero’s booth to see their new products iSales 100 & GetX, their new mobile apps designed to make your business more efficient. Take the apps for a ride & say Hi to Paul & his team of experts! These solutions are a “Can’t Miss!”

                   Fisher Technology ~ 421

TaskCentre lets you integrate data between applications, on premise or in the cloud, build fully automated processes, generate alerts and automate reports all without having to write any  program code.

TaskCentre has a new Web service connector tool that can be used to bridge not just your ERP and CRM solutions but also your
Ecommerce, Logistics, Marketing Automation or Content Management Solution, ensuring that your business systems are not
separated by information silos. Meet Paul & Nicole.

IndustriOS ~ Booth 532

All I’m going to say about these great people from Canada is that they’re incredibly nice people who know their stuff. They also sponsor the Dan & Linda Run Challenge. Dan should be a breeze to beat, (Are you listening Rob Johnson?) but I’m sure Linda will give the women a run for their money, Check out their You Tube at the link below.

Blytheco ~ 517

If you like a full menu of product, resources & experience then you have to stop by & see what’s new in the “House That Stephen Built” Say hi to Ginger Kittinger who has worked the booth for Blytheco since, well, you’d have to ask her. They also have a race car simulator!

Foremost in accounting technology solutions for almost 30 years, Blytheco has provided a level of service that offers proven business solutions to clients that are customized to their needs. Providing a high level of consistently reliable customer service, support and satisfaction is Blytheco’s trademark in the industry. Our experienced staff of over 120 can provide you with unparalleled hardware and operating system support, accounting application training and support, custom programming and modifications and third-party software integration. Tailoring software to provide timely, accurate, and effective information will result in your business becoming more efficient and more profitable.

  I ~ Business Network Booth 711  

“Everyone knows that “Cloud” is the new buzz, but I-BN knows cloud. Since 1999 I-BN has been delivering Sage products over the internet. I-BN hosts products from over 30 of the exhibitors at the trade show. If you need to know whether something is possible in the cloud, stop by the I-BN booth.”

For those of you who are VARs looking to transition to the cloud, we do a lot of research about the business angles and the impact on a VAR practice and are glad to share insights (old Sage pun intended) so that the individual practice leaders can craft their own strategies to deal with the new realities of subscription based pricing and connected services consulting. Your top 10 including Altec, Avalara, Blytheco, ISM, Scanco and Task Centre have all run in our data center. We look forward to working with xkzero and others in the future!

Vendors & Booths Were Chosen By The Team of Trent, Trevor & Bill Kizer

                 Congratulations To All Those Chosen. Much Success To All

This List Does Not Reflect the Opinion of Sage Nor Any Of It’s Employees

What To Wear, What To Wear @ Sage Summit 2012

I get teased a lot because I don’t know how to pack lightly. I operate under the “You Just Never Know” Theory when it comes to travelling.

A man writing a blog about what to wear to a conference? If you are Wayne Schulz or Robert Wood you pack 2 pair of socks, 1 pair of tennis shoes, 1 semi dress pair, 2 pair of Dockers, 2 Polo Short Sleeved Shirts, & assorted accessories. Nothing has to match, just has to be comfortable and ready.

Sometimes I wish it were that easy for me. It just isn’t. I like wearing suits, sport coats & wool gabardine slacks with matching shirts & shoes. I probably spend more making sure everything is dry cleaned and laundered PRIOR to a trip that some people spend at the dry cleaners in an entire year. I’m not bragging, it is an affliction to which there is no cure.

We’re only 3 weeks away from attending Sage Summit 2012. Prior to leaving San Diego I think that it’s time to get out the checklist. If you’re like me, you’ll discover that if I don’t prepare a checklist I’ll always end up 1 pair of socks short, too few business cards, forgot toothpaste, brought 2 bottles of shampoo, no conditioner. You name it, I’ve forgot it on one trip or another. That’s why I pack like I’m leaving for a year around the world.

Belove I’ve included the average temperature & humidity for Nashville just in case you’re wondering about what to wear.

Nashville Average Humidity August

Airline Ticket √
Sage Summit Registration √
Room Reservation √
Luggage √
4 Suits √
2 Pair Slacks √
1 Pair Jeans √
8 Shirts, Dress
2 Casual √
3-4 Pair of Shoes,
Including Flip Flops√

Average August Temperature Nashville

6-8 Pair of Socks √
6-8 Pair of Underwear √
3 Belts √
4 Tee Shirts √
Assorted Toiletries √
Laptop √
iPad √
Camera √
Cell Phone √
Chargers For Laptop, iPad, Camera, Cell Phone √
Extra “AA & “AAA “Batteries for Any Emergency √
Necessary Travel Documents √I enjoy wearing suits at conferences so I need those. I have to wear different shirts to match the suits, sports coats, etc.  Of course extra socks & underwear are a must & different shoes for each suit are very important. There’s nothing worse than wearing a black suit & the wrong shoes or socks.

Should be all set, right? Wrong. Don’t forget your wallet! I’ve done that before also. If it can be forgotten I’ve forgotten it on some trip to somewhere.

This list looks like a list for a man, but it can be used just as easy for women.

I think that someone could make a decent living as professional packers. Hand them your list, they go through it with you, and voila your only job is to get to the airport in time. She’s already packed your luggage in your car and included your entire itinerary and any other necessary documentation.

I recently purchased a new large piece of London Fog luggage and I feel very compelled to fill it. One of the local luggage stores was having a killer sale on London Fog luggage. Had to have it! Retail Therapy is so rewarding & satisfying (until you get the credit card bill)

One item that is HIGHLY recommend  is a light coat. Longer Flights  tend to get chilly and so do the Session Rooms. This reminder comes from #SageSummit so I would pay extra attention to it.

Above all, get there safe and on time, dress accordingly and if the airline loses your luggage you can participate in one of my other favorite hobbies and that’s shopping. Gaylord Opryland has a couple of shops to purchase something new.

Yeah, I know I’m a guy & I should honor the Man Code & not admit to enjoy shopping so much.

HAVE FUN!!

Are You In Or Out? ~ Sage Summit 2012

Robert Schayes, Himanshu Palsule, Bill Kizer, Pascal Houllion Sage Summit 2011

“I go to Summit annually to see old friends and create new relationships, but more importantly I go because I know my competition is going to be there.” Brandt Morrell, President and COO of Altec 

There has been much discussion about the value of attending Sage Summit 2012 Conference, which is being held in Nashville in August at the Gaylord Opryland.

Add to the mix that there have been many changes recently starting with CEO Pascal Houllion’s Opening Keynote last year about the new re-branding strategy to the recent “Journey of Transformation” announcements and one could come to the conclusion that attendance may be a bit light. But I won’t miss it and neither should you!  I’ve have found that Summit provides me with great value and relevant information. Our industry changes daily and there’s no way to stay on top of these changes if we don’t talk to the source(s). You can find the source(s) and other partners who have utilized those changes successfully by attending Sage Summit 2012.

 In a following blog will be my Annual Top 10 Vendors/Booths  to see. Don’t miss them!

Most of the real interesting conversations are those that you find in the hallways between sessions and keynotes. If you want to watch a partner who is adept at decipher what is said and more importantly what’s not said, find Wayne Schulz and tag along. Its eye opening, informational and very rarely is his take on things wrong. I talk to Wayne 3-5 times a week and the conversation is always lively. You can catch Wayne on his daily morning walks at 6:00 a.m. along with other partners like Robert Wood .

If sessions are your thing then go park yourself in every Ed Kless session that has an open seat. You won’t leave disappointed. I have sat in many of his sessions, taken the week long Consulting Academy, gone to conferences just to hear him speak and rate Ed as one of the top speakers in our industry.

Look at the business partners and vendors who consistently attend Summit.  If you want the keys to success they’re the people to see. Go to their booths and see what they’re doing that you’re not. It’s probably a safe wager that they’ve been involved in Summit for many years.

“It has always been MY rule that if I am serious about selling Sage products I need to attend Summit. I need to “breathe” the air, sense the mood of the Sage community, and get enough inspiration to see me through another year.” ~ Arlie Skory; Managing Partner at Skory Employer Solutions LLC ~

There is a long term value of creating lasting relationships with other BP’s or third party solution providers who will gladly share their knowledge with you. I have spent many hours talking with other partners, providers and executives about the direction that our industry is headed.

How do you put a price tag on industry information you receive at Summit? What about face time with Sage executives?  Where else can you visit directly with 3rd party representatives all in one room? Truth be told, you can’t put a price tag on these items. The sessions alone that Sage is offering this year are numerous in count, covering Sage products, upgrades, changes, new products etc.

Too often we get caught up on doing business as we’ve always done it, not knowing that there are better ways of streamlining and making our individual businesses more cost effective. But if we don’t go to Summit and attend sessions, talk to other BP’s, then we’re going to stay in that same spiraling vortex & will get the same results. One of my favorite quotes is: “If you keep doing what you’re doing;  you’ll keep getting what you get. If you want something new you’re going to have to try something new.”  ~ Author Unknown ~

I have spoken to BP’s who have concerns that they have never written any new business while attending Summit. Then there’s that have bought booth space, brought a large contingency from their office, who collect business cards & found that most of those cards belonged to other Business Partners and not potential new opportunities. Is it worth the expenditure? How do I justify the costs? I can’t build an acceptable ROI from attending. How much business will I miss out on while I’m at Summit? These are all valid questions and concerns. Brandt Morrell, President and COO of Altec which provides productivity enhancing technologies for Sage partners  and is a long time Summit supporter wrapped it up very neatly in a recent one on one conversation. “I go to Summit annually to see old friends and create new relationships, but more importantly I go because I know my competition is going to be there.”

First, if you’re heading off to Summit with the sole intent of closing deals then you’re going to be disappointed. It’s kind of like going to a Barnum & Bailey Circus expecting Shakespeare and the best you get is the infamous Clown Car; or going on vacation to the North Pole in January wearing shorts, flip flops & sun tan lotion, with your surfboard and golf clubs; you’re going to be disappointed by setting up unrealistic expectations. A lot of companies look at expenditures that don’t provide immediate revenue as having no value. Unless there’s a dollar amount involved most Partners don’t get it. I think of activities like conferences the same as I do Spring Training, (that’s baseball for the uninformed.) The chances of having a productive year without Spring Training are very small, even for perennial powerhouses like the Yankees or the Boston Red Sox.

To the partners who don’t get it, there are three questions you need to ask yourself.

By not going am I adding or taking away value from the success of my business?
What new technology can I find at Summit and add to my offerings to my customers and prospects?
Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?

Come to Nashville & see the changes that are happening at Sage and in our industry. You’re going to be surprised and more importantly you’re going to go back to your business with new tools, ideas and a new attitude and isn’t life itself about how you approach it?

I think so and I hope to see each of you in Tennessee.