David
Hood's Key Note Address
By J. Carlton Collins, CPA
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David
Hood's Key Note Address
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David Hood delivered the best presentation I've seen him present as he kicked off the ACCPAC 2002 Partnership conference with a "bang" on the Venetian's hip hop C2K sound stage. David's points were clear and direct. His presentation focused primarily on the importance of the Internet and how ACCPAC's entire strategy and product solutions are built to take full advantage of the Internet. David began by pointing out how the Internet has become a powerful tool that is now well understood by many. As extreme examples, David offered his son Brad (age 4) and his mother (age 67). Brad uses the Internet for games and kid's stuff while David's mother operates a business that depends heavily on the Internet. David stirred up some laughs with his quote "if any further technology progress is made, we will all be talking to one another through our toasters".
Partners Embrace Advanced Modules David pointed out that the number of ACCPAC partners who had become authorized to implement ACCPAC's advanced CRM, HR, E-Commerce, and warehouse solutions had grown significantly compared to the previous year (see chart below).
Success Stories David then described three example ACCPAC customers who recently choose ACCPAC over rivals Great Plains and Navision based primarily on ACCPAC's advanced web-enabled modules (which include Internet solutions for Payroll and Human Resources (eHR); customer relationship management (eCRM); warehouse management (eWarehouse); and e-commerce (eTransact)). The Big Announcement To further ACCPAC's commitment to the Internet, David then announced the biggest Internet solution the company has ever delivered - ACCPAC Exchange. Developed via a strategic partnership with E-Bridge, ACCPAC Exchange offers seamless integration and connectivity between your accounting system and virtually any other system in the universe. Using Microsoft's .NET technology, ACCPAC now offers low cost and easy supply chain solutions that will allow virtually any company, no mater how small, to take advantage of the Internet. I have previously discussed this solution with the folks at E-Bridge (Greg Swallow & Pete Carfrae), but could not discuss it openly until now. I can tell you that this is a great solution that sets ACCPAC as a leader in this area. ACCPAC Exchange complies with traditional EDI technologies and offers cost-effective EDI connectivity via the Internet. Because ACCPAC Exchange supports global EDI and Internet standards, this allows you to conduct business with other trusted business partners, regardless of the EDI system or accounting system they use. According to the folks at ACCPAC, ACCPAC Exchange is designed to help your company:
Click here to read
the press release announcing this product Tribute to ACCPAC's Business Partners My biggest nightmare would be to run a company whose revenue and success was 100% dependant upon a group of independent resellers whose marketing and sales efforts were totally out of my control. Nonetheless, this is precisely ACCPAC's position. ACCPAC depends totally upon the marketing skills, sales skills, and customer service skills of the ACCPAC Business Partners for success. However, rather than tuck tail and shiver in fear as I would, David embraces this arrangement. During his keynote address, David indicated that he believed ACCPAC Business Partners to be the best in the business and that he has full faith in their commitment to ACCPAC and their abilities to deliver top quality services. David acknowledged that ACCPAC and its' Business Partners depend heavily on one another, and that they must both work together for success. It is refreshing to hear Mr. Hood reaffirm his total support for ACCPAC's reseller channel. That's A Wrap About one minute after the end of his presentation, I had a chance to ride the elevator back stage with David where I told him that it was the best presentation I'd seen him deliver. David smiled, wiped his brow with both hands, and said - "I'm glad that's over". I could tell by the look on his face that he knew that he'd done a good job with the presentation. It was actually nice to see David sweat this presentation a little bit. In year's past, I've seen David sweat over far more important matters such as rolling out new product code, assimilating SBT into the ACCPAC organization, building key strategic relationships, and more. The fact that this year David's mind vexed about a mere keynote presentation, and not other matters is a clear indication that ACCPAC has definitely arrived with great product code, great strategies, great people, great partners and nothing standing in their way. In my opinion, ACCPAC has never been in such a strong position with such a complete and well-respected product solution. ACCPAC products deserve to be on everybody's short list.
Geni & Mary Lou were in the audience soaking it all in. - END - |
