August 22nd, 2008
You’ve all seen them. Hordes of smug business people running around with their Blackberrys like they are members of some elite crowd. Dashing off emails and looking like they own the world. Well, just maybe they do! Because how cool is it to be able to get your email and contact information any time of the day, any where in the world? Like totally!
So now have a rabid case of Blackberry envy. You rush out and pick up one for yourself, and may be a dozen or so for everyone else in the office. Perfect - you install the Blackberry Synchronization tools into Microsoft Exchange and in just moments you are up and running. Now your emails are popping up on your Blackberries 24×7 and you are in Blackberry heaven!
Or are you?
Hey, what about my iMIS contacts? My Blackberry is nothing more than a paperweight when it comes to working with my real contacts - those in my iMIS database.
Well fret no more, because Metisc has you covered. Simply install our MiSync software and you can be synchronizing your iMIS contacts into Microsoft Exchange in just minutes. And MiSync deals with the notoriously famous iMIS “Cell Phone Field” issue. With MiSync your Blackberries can be accessing iMIS contacts in minutes. This is a production proven solution that works for MiSync customers.
The elegance of this solution is that it reinforces Microsoft Exchange as your corporate communications hub. Countless businesses are already running Microsoft Exchange and RIM’s Blackberry Synchronization tools. It’s a known standard that works. Both Microsoft and RIM back their products with solid support. So using MiSync to bridge your iMIS system into your Exchange/Blackberry environment makes a lot of business sense.
So if you are looking for a highly cost effective and simple way to integrate iMIS with Blackberries - consider using MiSync.
Posted in Microsoft Exchange, Smartphones & Blackberries, iMIS Modules | No Comments »
August 22nd, 2008
This article might be subtitled, “HELP - The internet is down and im not in the office!”.
When you are out of the office and not connected to the internet you dont have a lot of options when it comes to accessing your iMIS database. No Internet means no iMIS. Thats like a total “OMG - what are we going to do” situation. Thankfully Metisc gives you not one, but two clever options for accessing your data, iRemote and MiSync. So forget Cell Phone Broadband cards (and their very expensive data plans). And instead consider these easy, simple and 100% legal options for accessing YOUR data as and when YOU want!
With iRemote you can synchronize either a full or partial copy of your main iMIS database onto your laptop for use out of the office. If you have ever used a tool such as ACT, then you will understand the benefits of using iRemote. Its also a very handy tool to use if you are running reports and dont want to tie up your main production database - you can point your reports to run against your iRemote database instead of your main iMIS database.
The other option for accessing information offline is to use Metisc’s MiSync tool and Synchronize your iMIS contacts into an Outlook Folder (Syncing to Exchange is also fully supported). So when you are on that business trip and you need to access some information on a member record, simply open Outlook on your Laptop, and your contacts are at your fingertip. Synchronization can be run either on demand or at regular times (like 3AM in the morning).
Now you know how to access your iMIS contacts while you are out of the office, there is no reason not to book that business trip to Tahiti. Or maybe Fiji, or Bali (stop me, im about to start singing Enya’s Orinoco Flow…)
How totally cool is that?!
Posted in Remote CRM Access, iMIS Modules | No Comments »
August 22nd, 2008
You know the drill, someone needs a membership analysis report from your Customer Relationship Management System and so you decide to break out Crystal Reports. You start creating complex reports and all of a sudden your users are screaming at you because your CRM has become unresponsive.
So you look for options. How can i gain access to my customer data for reporting purposes without slowing down my system?
You may consider database replication. Its certainly a good idea. You create a replica of the database which is either populated on a daily basis or even kept up to date in realtime. The challenge is the cost of the database licenses and the time involved in setting up and maintaining your replica.
Another option may be to extract your data using a tool such as iRemote. With iRemote you can synchronize your membership database from vendors such as ASI iMIS to your local hard drive. Install a copy of Crystal Reports or Business Objects and you can now create as many reports as you like without impacting other users in your office.
So the next time you need to create some complex management reports, consider using iRemote to create a snapshot of your production data and then report away without fear that you are going locking other users out of your iMIS system.
Posted in iMIS Modules | No Comments »
August 18th, 2008
Metisc today announced that it has developed a specific packaging of its products for those customers wishing to save money and deploy an industry standard and open source Content Management System.
To date there have been limited choices in the ASI iMIS & Content Management System’s worlds. While ASI e-Series may be a potential option, many organizations have looked for alternative for several reasons. No one can deny the popularity of free open source content management systems. Now, there is a standard, cost effective and powerful alternative for organizations wishing to integrate their websites with their membership databases.
Metisc’s Drupal MBO WebServices Kit provides customers with a fully functional website platform, built on the wildly popular open source Drupal Content Management System. The Drupal CMS is recognized as one of the most powerful and flexible Content Management Systems available today. It works on Linux, Solaris and Windows hosts, to provide your organization with a powerful community portal through which you can engage your customers.
Drupal is a free open source product, which can save cost conscious and savvy business owners litterally hundreds of thousands of dollars in software licensing and maintenance costs.
Pairing Drupal with Metisc’s cost effective MBO middleware platform ensures full integration with your ASI iMIS (or Microsoft CRM) database. Whether you are using V4, 10 or 15 - with iBO.NET or without, your Drupal CMS will offer your customers the ability to authenticate, renew memberships, view targeted content based on membership level and payment status, purchase products defined in iMIS and so much more.
From Unions managing membership Dues, through to not for profits who wish to drive value and engage customers in new ways, Metisc’s Drupal MBO middleware platform provide extreme value and convenience.
For further information contact www.metisc.com
Posted in OpenSource CMS & CRM, iMIS Modules, iMIS e-Series | No Comments »
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.
Posted in Announcements, Microsoft CRM Modules, iMIS Modules | No Comments »
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
Posted in Announcements, Remote CRM Access, iMIS Modules | No Comments »
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.
Posted in Announcements, Microsoft CRM Modules, iMIS Modules | No Comments »
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.
Posted in Announcements, Rumormill, Smartphones & Blackberries, iMIS Modules | 1 Comment »
March 18th, 2008
System Resources Inc (http://www.imisconsultant.com/ereceipts.htm) today announced the release of eReceipts for iMIS.
With eReceipts you can email dues or event receipts from your iMIS desktop - saving time and energy when it comes to communicating with customers.
The power of eReceipts is in the ability to send out hundreds if not thousands of electronic receipt messages at the touch of a button. The product is a great timesaver if you are managing large events and registrations.
For more information, contact System Resources at www.sysres.net
Posted in Announcements, iMIS Modules | No Comments »
March 18th, 2008
Microsoft Certified Gold Partner METISC today anounced the beta release of its MiSYNC product, a tool that allows users of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and iMIS CRM to automatically synchronize their CRM Contacts with the MS Exchange Global Address List (GAL), and/or the Outlook Contacts folder.
From Outlook users can pull up customer records and effortlessly send emails - eliminating wasted time in duplicating contact information. Both one-way and two-way synchronization of data updates are supported between the CRM database and the Exchange GAL/Outlook Contacts Folder.
METISC also announced the product is a free upgrade to all existing METISC PowerTools users, an addon package specifically optimized for the iMIS market.
Posted in Announcements, Microsoft CRM Modules, Microsoft Exchange, iMIS Modules | No Comments »