Archive for the ‘Announcements’ Category

iMIS Authentication Services integrates iMIS with WordPress, PHPBB & Media Wiki Support

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

In the last few months since Metisc has updated their iMIS CRM offerings things have changed substantially on the world market. Now more than ever customers are seeing the value in free open source software as a viable alternative to expensive and proprietary closed source solutions.

 Today Metisc announced new iMIS Authentication Services that allow customers to deploy sites based on the following packages - and have those packages authenticate their users against an iMIS CRM database:

  1. Media Wiki - The web’s most advance Wiki System
  2. PHPBB - The web’s most popular forum and community management solution
  3. WordPress - The web’s most popular blogging tool.

Businesses and Not-For-Profit organizations running the IMIS CRM system can now deploy powerful content driven sites - and ensure that their content is viewed and updated by approved users. These systems are invaluable to trade associations, legal associations, membership groups and similar who’s very viability and business depends on providing value added services to paid members.

In the past, Metisc has released support for linking the open source content management systems DRUPAL and JOOMLA to iMIS. These new releases reaffirm Metisc’s commitment to the open source market, and further establishes Metisc’s position as the world’s leading vendor of iMIS CRM and Open Source Authentication Services.

iMIS Authentication for PHPBB and Media Wiki is shipping now.  The WordPress version will ship December 15, 2008.

For further information contact Metisc at 1-888-4-METISC or visit www.metisc.com on the web.

Beta 1.0 nears for MiSync for MS CRM

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

MiSync, the server side tool that allows direct synchronization between Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Exchange Server, will see beta 1.0 release around the end of October 2008.

Beta 1.0 will support the Synchronization of Contacts from Dynamics CRM to Exchange. Synchronization will be conducted 100% server side and will not require any client software to be installed on user workstations. Beta 1.0 will support any Email client that can access Exchange Shared Folders including Outlook, Outlook Web Access (OWA), Entourage for Mac OSX, Kmail for Linux and Evolution for Windows, OSX and Linux.

Metisc will release a followup beta (1.1) planned for mid November that will support updating of Calendars. Up until now, calendars can only be updated if users have installed the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook. This has the drawback of requiring users to be logged in for synchronization to occur. Many customers have shared that their sales teams and executives are not always logged in to the network. This causes problems when Personal Assistants, team members and other staff need access to up-to-date calendars. A typical problem occurs when a Financial advisor is out of the office, and a PA may double book an appointment because the advisor has not synchronized with CRM while out.

The final Beta (1.2) will add support for Tasks and Activities and is expected to be avialable around the end of November.

The fully functional system will ship December 2008 - and Metisc has shared that customers ordering the software prior to shipping date will be eligible for a 25% discount on standard pricing.

For more information, contact Metisc at www.metisc.com

Note: MiSync is also available for the ASI iMIS CRM system. The current version 1.0.6 shipped in May of 2008. If you are an ASI iMIS CRM user in the Not-For-Profit market and wish to see information regarding MiSync for iMIS, then please contact Metisc directly.

JOOMLA Authentication Services for websites using ASI iMIS CRM

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

Metisc, the leading open source developer for Microsoft CRM and ASI’s iMIS CRM systems today announces the release of its JOOMLA Authentication Services.

Traditionally, customers wanting to authenticate website users against their CRM system have had very few choices. Metisc now provides a cost effective solution allowing JOOMLA powered websites to authenticate their users against customer/member records in their ASI iMIS database.

Metisc’s JOOMLA Authentication solution works with ASI iMIS Versions 4, 10 and 15. It also with iMIS sites with or without ASI iBO.NET services. If you do not have iBO.NET - then Metisc’s JOOMLA Authentication Solution will read user information directly from the underlying SQL database that is powering your CRM System. 

JOOMLA Authentication Services is the latest in a series of middleware products from Metisc. Other solutions include a DRUPAL Authentication Services, and the cross platform MBO WebServices - the only truely cross platform WebServices API to support access to both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ASI iMIS CRM - allowing developers to deploy websites that can work on EITHER CRM target platform without recoding.

For more information on Metisc and JOOMLA Authentication for ASI iMIS - visit their website at www.metisc.com

Acccessing ASI iMIS CRM using Microsoft Entourage on Mac OSX

Friday, September 26th, 2008

Today Metisc announced its support for accessing the ASI iMIS CRM system by users of the  Microsoft Entourage Email client on the Macintosh OSX platform.

“To date, Microsoft Entourage users on OSX have not been able to access information in their ASI iMIS CRM databases. We now support Entourage users with our MiSync product - allowing direct synchronization of CRM data from ASI iMIS into Microsoft Exchange. Once data is in Exchange, it can be accessed via the Entourage Email client for OSX.” said a Metisc spokesperson.

This support is available now. If you are interested in learning more, contact metisc at www.metisc.com

MiSync for Microsoft Dynamics CRM to release Q4 of 2008

Friday, September 26th, 2008

Metisc today announced that MiSync for Microsoft Dynamics CRM (V3 and V4) will release in Q4 of 2008. MiSync provides true server side replication of contacts and other important CRM information - directly into Microsoft Exchange Server.

The MiSync solution eliminates the need to have an Outlook Plugin. Organizations who do not want the burden or expense of maintaining CRM plugins on Outlook desktops across the corporation will find MiSync an invaluable tool. 

A key benefit of a direct server side synchronization process is that you do not have to wait for an Outlook client to be fired up for Synchronization to occur. In the event that you have external staff who are not in the office, you can be left with users with out of date calendars or information due to workstations being turned off. MiSync overcomes this problem by allowing you to schedule synchronizations to occur at regular time intervals directly from CRM into Exchange and Active Directory.

In addition MiSync allows users of Macintosh workstations running OSX and Microsoft Entourage to access CRM Contacts and other information. To date - Mac users have not been able to access CRM information - by synchronizing Microsoft CRM directly with Exchange, Mac users with Entourage can gain access to CRM data via shared folders.

MiSync for ASI iMIS CRM system is already shipping, the addition of Microsoft Dyamics CRM as a Synchronization Source will be completed in Q4 of 2008. For further information - visit the Metisc website at www.metisc.com

SMS Messaging using iMIS

Sunday, August 24th, 2008

SMS Texting has become a huge part of our lives. And it seems to be a technology that has widespread appeal not only with the business crowd, but also with younger generations.

SMS Texting is an easy and cost effective way to send text messages to large groups of people. It has the advantage of being able to touch people whereever they are - whether they are on the internet or not.

Savvy businesses and membership organizations understand the power of texting and are harnessing it to help drive revenues and memberships. Whether you are trying to organize a political rally, or help save the whales - if you need to get a message to your customers and members, then SMS Texting is a great option.

Metisc’s iMAIL for iMIS provides an easy to use, safe, secure and 100% legal way for iMIS customers to add bulk emailing, faxing and SMS messaging to their systems. This inexpensive and high value tool works with numerous third party communications and delivery systems including Xpedite (for fax and sms), Blue Hornet and Magnet Mail.

So if you are looking for a quick, easy and highly cost effective way to get started with SMS, Fax or  Email marketing campaigns, then look no further than iMAIL by Metisc.

MBO WebServices for ASI iMIS & Microsoft CRM

Monday, August 18th, 2008

Metisc today announces the availability of its MBO’s - A platform independant suite of web services designed from the ground up to allow developers easy access to common CRM functions.

Metisc’s MBO (pronounced embo) middleware allows web site and web application developers to easily create full featured applications that will work on a variety of popular CRM tools. Customers are enthusiastically embracing the platform so as to ensure they are not locked in to a single proprietary vendor. Should your organization later consider switching CRM systems, then your websites will continue to work largely unchanged.

 MBO middleware works with Microsoft CRM V3, V4 and iMIS V4, V10 and V15. If you have licensed ASI’s iMIS iBO.NET framework, then the MBO’s will work with ASI’s iBO’s, plugging numerous functional gaps and providing work around for most known problems with the iBOs. If you are an ASI site and have elected not to license the additional iBO.NET platform, then the MBO’s will connect directly to your database management system.  Additional support is being added for MYOB and Quickbooks - if you are using either of these platforms then contact the developer at www.metisc.com for status on new platform support.

The MBO platform also includes reference connectors to the popular Drupal Content Management System. Drupal powered Content Management Systems can now be fully integrated with either ASI iMIS or Microsoft CRM to undertake a variety of tasks including:

  • User Authentication
  • User Access and Role Management - Deciding what users can do in the CRM based on their membership type and payment status in your host CRM system
  • Self Service update of user profiles
  • Query members
  • Renew membership (using the correct payment API within ASI iMIS)
  • Purchase Products (Allows the purchasing of products defined in your ASI iMIS database)

All website and application developers are encouraged to consider using the MBO platform. For further information contact www.metisc.com

Please note, users of the ASI iMIS database management system should check with their ASI representative to ensure they have purchased the correct number of licenses if you are intending to connect your iMIS database to the internet - particularly if your users will be updating your iMIS database. For further information, read the terms and conditions in your ASI software license. Metisc advises all customers to be compliant with ASI’s licensing schemes.

iRemote - View your iMIS 4,10 & 15 data in the office or on the road!

Monday, August 18th, 2008

Metisc today announces the availability of iRemote V1.0.4. iRemote is our popular tool that builds on the heritage of the successful iView/iFind tools originally developed by Metisc and licensed for global sale by ASI directly. iRemote is a brand new product, developed in the latest technologies and has been designed to allow users easy access to your iMIS membership data.

With iRemote you can easily view your member records when you are in the office. If you are traveling out of the office and are without an Internet Connection, you can use iRemote to synchronize a subset or full set of data from your central iMIS database to your laptop. This unprecidented level of access makes iRemote an invaluable tool for sales executives. iRemote is also extremely useful to check membership registrations at trade shows, company functions and industry events.

 iRemote can be installed on Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista. It is approved by Metisc to work with iMIS Versions 4.x, 10.x (including 10.6) and 15, including versions 15.0.1 and later.

For further information on the product, contact Metisc at www.metisc.com

Metisc announces new PowerTools bundles for Microsoft CRM & iMIS

Friday, March 21st, 2008

METISC today announced the release of its PowerTools bundles for Microsoft CRM and for iMIS CRM.

PowerTools for Microsoft Dynamics CRM features the following modules:

  • iContact Grabber - Easily grab name and address information from Windows applications and insert them into your CRM system with a click of a mouse or a single keystroke
  • iDues - Flexible Dues management and billing services - bringing the power of the iDues product suite to MS CRM users.
  • iMail - Integrate MS CRM system with multiple email delivery services including Magnet Mail, Blue Hornet, Premiere Global and more. Also integrate with Fax, Voice Messaging and SMS Messaging gateways.
  • MiSync - Synchronize your CRM names & addresses database with the Exchange GAL, Shared Folders, or with your Outlook Contacts Folder. Syncrhonization can be one way push or two way - allowing Outlook users an easy way to access your CRM data.

PowerTools for iMIS supports all previously mentioned modules, and also bundles the following modules, adding substantial value and plugging feature gaps in legacy iMIS installations:

  • iFlow - Create custom workflows and trigger events in your CRM. Create your workflows without having to program difficult or complex stored triggers and database procedures.
  • iForms - Create your own customized data entry forms for iMIS CRM, allowing you to embed your own business logic within your data entry forms. A valuable timesaver if you have to guarantee the consistency and integrity of the data collected in your iMIS data store.
  • iMonitor - Intercept emails being relayed through Microsoft Exchange and automatically update your iMIS database with records of email activities to and from your clients. A huge timesaver for all regulated industries, and for any organization who wants to keep a record of communications in their iMIS database.
  • iPrompts - Create customized prompts for your iMIS screens - great for multilingual sites needing to support Spanish and French speaking Customer Service Representatives.
  • iRemote - Search iMIS database records without using the iMIS client. Also synchronize sets of data onto laptops so that you can access corporate iMIS data while on the road. Create activities while disconnected and then synchronize them back into the master database when in the office.
  • iReports - Create and run custom reports without having to use Crystal Reports. So easy, even a manager can do it!

US Pricing for PowerTools for MS CRM & iMIS CRM is regularly US$1,400 per seat, but a promotional special of US$650 per seat is running until June 30th.

Metisc has recommended that customers using the iMIS database system should check with their local ASI representative to see if any updates to their licensing requirements are necessary. This is not required for users of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM system.

Access iMIS CRM data from your blackberry or mobile phone!

Friday, March 21st, 2008

A recent posting on the iMIS Community site has drawn attention to a new product that allows Blackberry and mobile phone users to access Legacy iMIS data stores via a large selection of popular handheld devices.

The solution is an opensourced effort, and showcases the advantages of free and open development activity - bringing innovation and new products to iMIS users, in this case opening up the iMIS data store to users of a variety of leading model handheld devices.

For a preview of an iMIS data store access the following URL http://www.operamini.com/demo/?url=mobile.imis.com  and to see a sample iMIS datastore directly without using a mobile device, visit http://mobile.imis.com

It is rumored that similar projects are underway by other developers including a project to tie popular Open Sourced Content Management and Web Publishing Systems such as Joomla, Drupal and PostNuke into numerous CRM systems including Microsoft Dynamics CRM and iMIS CRM.