Microsoft kicked off VSLive! San Francisco 2009 this week with more news about what's planned for Visual Studio 2010.
In the keynote on Tuesday, Microsoft General Manager for Visual Studio Jason Zander showcased advances in the new VS 2010 user interface (UI) for the first time to VSLive! attendees.
"We've announced so far that we are using WPF for the new editor that we've put in place and made a lot of progress on that," he said in a pre-show interview. "With this release of the product, we will be showing our overall new UI for the product."
According to Zander, Microsoft has "modernized the look and feel for VS 2010" with a new UI built on WPF that rearranges file menus and commands at the top of the IDE. "We are making extensive use of the .NET Framework 4.0...as well as the WPF technology within the framework," he said. "We've improved the way you can examine your source code, your project system, the hierarchies that you have and all the data stored in TFS, as well." Screenshots of the new UI can be viewed at Zander's blog.
Complete story here: http://reddevnews.com/news/print.aspx?editorialsid=10632
For more information on Hilltops IT's software development services, including integration with QuoteWerks, ACT! by Sage, Microsoft CRM, Sage 50 Accounts and Sage MAS, then please contact us on +44(0) 1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
CONNECTIT: content for ConnectIT-MAS90 v1.1.1 confirmed
The ConnectIT development team have confirmed just a couple of minor updates to the ConnectIT-MAS90 QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90 and Mas 200 link to provide a couple of new users with features that they would find useful:
- Transfer the Contact name selected for the Address fields from QuoteWerks to the Confirm To field in the Sage MAS document.
- Support for names and descriptions, etc in QuoteWerks that are longer than those in Sage MAS. ConnectIT will now trim the QuoteWerks field to match on just the left 'x' characters, allowing a match to be found.
Expected release to customers is expected week commencing 9th March 2009.
For more information or to get an advanced beta copy, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk
To request new features that would help your business process run more effectively, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk
For more information on the ConnectIT suite of products, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.co.uk
Friday, February 20, 2009
DEVELOPMENT: Fortnightly digest - what's happening at Hilltops IT and the world of software development
Development Team Diary
Most of the effort this last couple of weeks has been on some of our own software products in the ConnectIT suite. With last weeks ConnectIT-WebCart prototype release and a new beta release of ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Account link out today.
Other smaller projects include a bespoke software development utility for a client which validates QuoteWerks fields for values entered in particular fields. Commercially available utilities to do this were unfortunately cost-prohibitive because they contain far more features that the client actually requires. Fortunately we have been able to develop the solution for less than half the price, which the client is over the moon with!!!
For further information on our software development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0)1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Most of the effort this last couple of weeks has been on some of our own software products in the ConnectIT suite. With last weeks ConnectIT-WebCart prototype release and a new beta release of ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Account link out today.
Other smaller projects include a bespoke software development utility for a client which validates QuoteWerks fields for values entered in particular fields. Commercially available utilities to do this were unfortunately cost-prohibitive because they contain far more features that the client actually requires. Fortunately we have been able to develop the solution for less than half the price, which the client is over the moon with!!!
For further information on our software development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0)1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts v1.9 beta released
ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts v1.9 beta was released internally today.
This new release wraps up several enhancements which ConnectIT users and partner resellers have requested as follows:
ADDED: the ability to select which Suppliers Purchase Orders are created for
ADDED: the ability to transfer Comment lines into Sage as Message lines
ADDED: the ability to transfer Group (Bundle) Header lines as Comments into Sage as Message lines
ADDED: a check on whether a customer or suppliers credit limit has been exceeded. The prompt can be suppressed by ticking the Configuration Advanced "Suppress prompts that Customers or Suppliers Balance exceeds their Credit Limit" tick box
ADDED: the ability to transfer a value into the Sage document line item Comment 1 and 2 fields
UPDATE: if the "Override Product Tax" field is ticked in the Sage Supplier record, then use the Default Tax Code and corresponding Tax Rate from Sage on all lines when creating Purchase Order documents (works for all supported versions of Sage 50 Accounts). Note that the user must be using the "Supplier Address information is maintained in Sage not QuoteWerks" Configuration option.
UPDATE: if the "Override Product Nominal" field is ticked in the Sage Supplier record, then use the Default Nominal Code and Department number from Sage on all lines when creating Purchase Order documents (works for version 14 - 2009 - of Sage 50 Accounts only, this option is not available in earlier versions). Note that the user must be using the "Supplier Address information is maintained in Sage not QuoteWerks" Configuration option.
UPDATE: include all Document Header fields in the Configuration Customer Account Reference, Documents Sales Doc Number, Purchase Doc Number and Creation Date field drop down selectors
UPDATE: new ConnectIT icons
Expected release to customers is expected week commencing 2nd March 2009.
For more information or to get an advanced beta copy, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk
To request new features that would help your business process run more effectively, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk
For more information on the ConnectIT suite of products, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.co.uk
This new release wraps up several enhancements which ConnectIT users and partner resellers have requested as follows:
ADDED: the ability to select which Suppliers Purchase Orders are created for
ADDED: the ability to transfer Comment lines into Sage as Message lines
ADDED: the ability to transfer Group (Bundle) Header lines as Comments into Sage as Message lines
ADDED: a check on whether a customer or suppliers credit limit has been exceeded. The prompt can be suppressed by ticking the Configuration Advanced "Suppress prompts that Customers or Suppliers Balance exceeds their Credit Limit" tick box
ADDED: the ability to transfer a value into the Sage document line item Comment 1 and 2 fields
UPDATE: if the "Override Product Tax" field is ticked in the Sage Supplier record, then use the Default Tax Code and corresponding Tax Rate from Sage on all lines when creating Purchase Order documents (works for all supported versions of Sage 50 Accounts). Note that the user must be using the "Supplier Address information is maintained in Sage not QuoteWerks" Configuration option.
UPDATE: if the "Override Product Nominal" field is ticked in the Sage Supplier record, then use the Default Nominal Code and Department number from Sage on all lines when creating Purchase Order documents (works for version 14 - 2009 - of Sage 50 Accounts only, this option is not available in earlier versions). Note that the user must be using the "Supplier Address information is maintained in Sage not QuoteWerks" Configuration option.
UPDATE: include all Document Header fields in the Configuration Customer Account Reference, Documents Sales Doc Number, Purchase Doc Number and Creation Date field drop down selectors
UPDATE: new ConnectIT icons
Expected release to customers is expected week commencing 2nd March 2009.
For more information or to get an advanced beta copy, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk
To request new features that would help your business process run more effectively, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk
For more information on the ConnectIT suite of products, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.co.uk
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
BLOG: Hilltops IT attend Promota Promotional Merchandise Trade Association show
The Promota Promotional Merchandise Trade Association show is the annual show for promotional gifts industry supplier and distributor members to meet, network and do business.
Exhibitors commented on the quality of the contacts made over the two day show. The eye-catching Promota show bus in the centre of the hall gave members the opportunity to meet the service providers and find out what the association is doing to support your business in difficult trading times. Both new and long-standing members found ways to protect their company and reduce overheads.
Today representatives from Hilltops IT attended alongside Sourcing City to present and talk about the new and existing products and website services which we have been heavily involved in developing. Plus it was a good opportunity to meet and greet many of our own clients from within the promotional gifts industry.
The solution offerings which had the most interest from attendees include the imminent Sourcing City website development (the current version of which was awarded BPMA Website of the Year 2008), Dynamic Office - a QuoteWerks based software solution tailored for use in the promotional gifts industry, Sourcing Planet - a website optimised promotional gift sourcing tool for end users, plus miscellaneous queries on bespoke back office system customisations and website developments.
Note to non-promotional gifts industry readers: please don't think that our solutions are exclusive to the promotional gifts industry! Our solutions are fit for "any" business that manages customer or supplier relationships, sells products or services or requires a website.
For further information on our website and software development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0)1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Exhibitors commented on the quality of the contacts made over the two day show. The eye-catching Promota show bus in the centre of the hall gave members the opportunity to meet the service providers and find out what the association is doing to support your business in difficult trading times. Both new and long-standing members found ways to protect their company and reduce overheads.
Today representatives from Hilltops IT attended alongside Sourcing City to present and talk about the new and existing products and website services which we have been heavily involved in developing. Plus it was a good opportunity to meet and greet many of our own clients from within the promotional gifts industry.
The solution offerings which had the most interest from attendees include the imminent Sourcing City website development (the current version of which was awarded BPMA Website of the Year 2008), Dynamic Office - a QuoteWerks based software solution tailored for use in the promotional gifts industry, Sourcing Planet - a website optimised promotional gift sourcing tool for end users, plus miscellaneous queries on bespoke back office system customisations and website developments.
Note to non-promotional gifts industry readers: please don't think that our solutions are exclusive to the promotional gifts industry! Our solutions are fit for "any" business that manages customer or supplier relationships, sells products or services or requires a website.
For further information on our website and software development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0)1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Friday, February 13, 2009
SUPPORT: Fortnightly digest - what's happening at Hilltops IT and in the world of computer software
Microsoft release guidance on Windows Deployments for Business Customers
Microsoft has issued detailed guidance for enterprises considering migration to Windows Vista and Windows 7. Essentially, the company is seeking to dispel confusion customers might have about when to migrate to Windows 7. Should users stick with Windows XP, move to Vista or go directly to Windows 7? Gavriella Schuster, Microsoft's senior director of product management for Windows Client, provides guidance.
Microsoft has issued detailed guidance for enterprises considering migration to Windows Vista and Windows 7.
In a new blog post on the company's "Windows for Your Business" blog, Gavriella Schuster, Microsoft's senior director of product management for Windows Client, issued guidance stating Microsoft’s views on what enterprises should do in terms of moving to Vista and Windows 7 depending on what platform they currently run and their overall migration goals. Essentially, the company is seeking to dispel confusion customers might have about when to migrate to Windows 7.
Microsoft release "Live" package to help small startup businesses
http://smallbusiness.officelive.com/
Microsoft's package includes a free website, hosting, email, plus the ability to manage sales opportunities, projects, documents, and more with free online business applications.
The Terms and Conditions do limit the amount of time and the number of users the features are available for, plus functionality of the website and application is not as complete as a full package, HOWEVER for a start-up business, it's a great way to get up and running!
If your'e looking for a more sustainable software package or website service, then for further information on our off the self software product solutions, plus website development, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on +44(0) 844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252 or email support@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
CONNECTIT: new product added to suite
Internally, we released a new prototype product to fit into the ConnectIT suite today.
This new product transfers information from an online ordering database into QuoteWerks, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS 90 or Sage MAS 200. So, rather than manually re-entering your website orders into your back office system, ConnectIT now takes the hard work out of it for you!
As with the other products in the ConnectIT suite, this new application will save significant time and effort with the manual re-entry. Plus save the cost of mistakes that are inevitably made.
The product is built on the same .net development technology used for other ConnectIT products and leverages some of the techniques utilised in other bespoke software development and website development projects which we have been involved in. The prototype links to a .net web service using XML to transfer the information.
For more information on the features, integration options and release schedules, please contact development@connectit-online.co.uk. On release, full details will be made available on the ConnectIT website.
Finally: we haven't decided on the name yet - possibly ConnectIT-WebTransfer, ConnectIT-WebCart or ConnectIT-Trolley - if you've got a snappy idea for a name, then please email sales@connectit-online.co.uk. If your suggestion gets taken up, then you'll win a free copy of the final released software!
This new product transfers information from an online ordering database into QuoteWerks, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS 90 or Sage MAS 200. So, rather than manually re-entering your website orders into your back office system, ConnectIT now takes the hard work out of it for you!
As with the other products in the ConnectIT suite, this new application will save significant time and effort with the manual re-entry. Plus save the cost of mistakes that are inevitably made.
The product is built on the same .net development technology used for other ConnectIT products and leverages some of the techniques utilised in other bespoke software development and website development projects which we have been involved in. The prototype links to a .net web service using XML to transfer the information.
For more information on the features, integration options and release schedules, please contact development@connectit-online.co.uk. On release, full details will be made available on the ConnectIT website.
Finally: we haven't decided on the name yet - possibly ConnectIT-WebTransfer, ConnectIT-WebCart or ConnectIT-Trolley - if you've got a snappy idea for a name, then please email sales@connectit-online.co.uk. If your suggestion gets taken up, then you'll win a free copy of the final released software!
Friday, February 6, 2009
DEVELOPMENT: Fortnightly digest - what's happening at Hilltops IT and the world of software development
We've been writing on the blog now for several weeks about the SQL Server Reporting Services bespoke Business Intelligence reporting bespoke development project which we have been developing. This also involved some SQL Server Integration Services work - the two go hand-in-hand in many ways for larger reporting database projects.
For anyone interested in SSIS, there is a useful introductory article here which explains many of the concepts: http://www.sql-server-performance.com/articles/biz/SSIS_An_Inside_View_Part_1_p1.aspx
For further information on our website and software development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0)1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
For anyone interested in SSIS, there is a useful introductory article here which explains many of the concepts: http://www.sql-server-performance.com/articles/biz/SSIS_An_Inside_View_Part_1_p1.aspx
For further information on our website and software development services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0)1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
BUSINESS TIPS: Roger Martin-Fagg Economic Update February 2009
Roger Martin-Faggs: Economic Update February 2009
Summary
This is the big one, the perfect storm is morphing into a Global Recession. The mountain of debt which had sustained asset prices throughout the last decade is deflating as the banking system shrinks to greatness. The reduction in M4 lending from 14% to 4% growth is reducing nominal GDP growth from the normal 5%-6% to the shocking 1.6% in the last quarter of 2008. As companies large and small revise their sales budgets downwards unemployment has begun an inexorable rise, which will gather momentum throughout 2009 and 2010.
All western economies will be in recession in 2009 and the emerging one’s will barely grow, including China. It will be the worst contraction since 1932. We will avoid a prolonged global if countries keep their free trade agreements alive, if just one turns protectionist we are in serious trouble, please note President Obama.
Full article available here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/resources/business/20090204 - Roger Martin-Fagg Economic Update.pdf
Graphs here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/resources/business/20090204 - Roger Maritn-Fagg Graphs.pdf
Summary
This is the big one, the perfect storm is morphing into a Global Recession. The mountain of debt which had sustained asset prices throughout the last decade is deflating as the banking system shrinks to greatness. The reduction in M4 lending from 14% to 4% growth is reducing nominal GDP growth from the normal 5%-6% to the shocking 1.6% in the last quarter of 2008. As companies large and small revise their sales budgets downwards unemployment has begun an inexorable rise, which will gather momentum throughout 2009 and 2010.
All western economies will be in recession in 2009 and the emerging one’s will barely grow, including China. It will be the worst contraction since 1932. We will avoid a prolonged global if countries keep their free trade agreements alive, if just one turns protectionist we are in serious trouble, please note President Obama.
Full article available here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/resources/business/20090204 - Roger Martin-Fagg Economic Update.pdf
Graphs here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/resources/business/20090204 - Roger Maritn-Fagg Graphs.pdf
Monday, February 2, 2009
CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts link v1.9.0 content confirmed
ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts link v1.9.0 content has been confirmed.
The major developments to be included are as follows:
ConnectIT-Sage v1.9.0 is due for beta release end-February with the full production release week commencing 2nd March 2009. If you or your end user have a requirement which is not listed here then please do not hesitate to email us at development@connectit-online.co.uk.
The major developments to be included are as follows:
- The ability to select which Suppliers Purchase Orders are created for.
- The ability to transfer QuoteWerks Comment and Group (Bundle) Header lines as Comments into Sage as Message lines.
- A check on whether a customer or suppliers credit limit has been exceeded.
- The ability to transfer a value into the Sage document line item Comment 1 and 2 fields.
ConnectIT-Sage v1.9.0 is due for beta release end-February with the full production release week commencing 2nd March 2009. If you or your end user have a requirement which is not listed here then please do not hesitate to email us at development@connectit-online.co.uk.
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