Thursday, May 14, 2009
CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage v1.10.1 released
UPDATE: replaced the files for the SDO (Sage Data Objects) which allow ConnectIT to integrate with Sage 50 Accounts 2009 for the revised ones released by Sage 12/5/2009. This revision allows up to 6 simultaneous SDO connections without the need to purchase additional Sage licenses.
FIXED: discrepencies seen in the Tax on Sage Purchase Order line items - ConnectIT was using the selling price tax value, not the cost price tax value when writing Purchase Order information to Sage.
FIXED: a tax amount for Carriage may show on a Purchase Order even though the ConnectIT Configuration had the Purchase Document Carriage Tax Code set as "T0" - ConnectIT was ignoring this setting when creating Purchase Order documents, the QuoteWerks document tax rate was always applied to Purchase Order carriage.
FIXED: Conversion from string "" to type 'Boolean' is not valid error when running ConnectIT - this could occur if the user had not opened ConnectIT Configuration to check the new settings added in version 1.10.0 and pressed "Save".
After more than 2 years of having no bugs in a production release, the ConnectIT development team were mortified to find out that a bug had been found in the software. As is stereotypically the case, the ConnectIT software development team have a love for fast food (second only to their love for programming!). By way of self-inflicted punishment for the bug (which was ultimately a school boy error in the code) they are banning themselves from fast food for 1 month!!! (I just hope they survive! - Ed.)
For more information on ConnectIT-Sage and the other products in the ConnectIT suite of time and labour saving products, please see the ConnectIT website here, contact your QuoteWerks / ConnectIT reseller or email info@connectit-online.co.uk
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
CONNECTIT: now offering increased user support
From Sage Developer Services:
With exception to Sage 50 Accounts Professional, all connections to the Sage 50 Accounts database via the software development kit (Sage Data Objects (SDO)), are currently limited to the number of licensed Sage 50 Accounts users.
Given that Sage 50 Accounts and Sage 50 Accounts Plus are only available with single user or 2 user licences, the opportunity to accommodate multiple third-party add-ons and integrated multi-user applications, can prove restrictive. For example - with a 2 user licence, only 1 x Sage 50 Accounts user login and 1 x SDO connection may be established. With a single user licence, an SDO connection will not be permitted if a Sage 50 Accounts user is already logged in, and vice versa.
Now you can manage up to 6 simultaneous SDO connections
In response to feedback from our customers, Business Partners and of course our Developer community, SDO has been enhanced to manage up to 6 simultaneous connections to the Sage 50 Accounts 2009 database. For example - if 1 x Sage 50 Accounts user is logged on, a maximum of 5 x SDO user connections will be permitted.
So what does this mean for ConnectIT users?
Once this SDO update has been installed, Sage will allow you to have more users accessing the accounts files through ConnectIT. So there's no need to buy additional licenses for Sage and no need to log out of Sage in order to transfer documents.
For existing users: contact Sage support, they will be able to supply you with the updated SDO installation files with instruction on how to install them.
For new users: we will be releasing a new version of the ConnectIT software later this week which will have the updated SDO files included as part of the installation.
And what about partners?
This means new opportunities for ConnectIT-Sage sales! For any companies that you may have spoken to in the past that rejected ConnectIT due to the expense of an upgrade to Sage, now here's the answer!
More information
For more information on the updates, please contact your ConnectIT or Sage reseller or email us: support@connectit-online.co.uk
For more information on the increasing range of ConnectIT products and how they can help deliver efficiencies to your business, please see the ConnectIT website here.
Monday, March 2, 2009
CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts v1.9.0 released
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
Existing users with current UMP: download your copy from here - http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/download.aspx?p=CITSAGE50
New customers or users without UMP: please contact your ConnectIT / QuoteWerks reseller or email sales@connectit-online.co.uk for further information.
To request new features that would help your business process run more effectively, please email development@connectit-online.co.uk
For more and up-to-date information on the ConnectIT suite of products, please see the website here: http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/
The ConnectIT Development Team has a proven track record in producing quality products and utilities for QuoteWerks, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS and Microsoft CRM. They will be happy to help you with any enquiries you have relating to developments on these products or stand-alone solutions and websites.
Friday, February 20, 2009
CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts v1.9 beta released
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 10, 2009
CONNECTIT: new product added to suite
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!
Monday, February 2, 2009
CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage 50 Accounts link v1.9.0 content confirmed
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.
Friday, January 30, 2009
BLOG: Hilltops IT launch revised ConnectIT website
We're inviting QuoteWerks, ACT!, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Goldmine, Maximizer... in fact "any" software consultancy or reseller company which supplies relevant products or services to place adverts on the ConnectIT website.
ConnectIT: not only linking software applications to other software applications, but also prospects to resellers!!!
If you'd like more information on advertising your company's products and services, then please email info@connectit-online.co.uk
Friday, January 9, 2009
DEVELOPMENT: Fortnightly digest - what's happening at Hilltops IT and the world of software development
Since last fortnight's post, most development activity has been on the following projects:
- Website development - development work on our Hilltops IT website for re-branding. This has been the main focus for us - bringing together the design work with the "nuts and bolts" of the mechanics of the site. there are still a couple of tweaks to make, but the site is looking really good. Everyone internally is really excited about being able to announce the launch.
- Business Intelligence reporting - continued work on a bespoke project reporting on 3,000,000+ rows of data from disparate data sources using SQL Server Reporting Services.
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM - minor tweaks to an existing customer's MSCRM system for additional summary information in their Accounts screen.
Plus! We've been looking at the feasibility of a new product in the ConnectIT range. More on that soon.
Industry News
Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Beta
Microsoft have released Windows 7 Beta as a free download
For more details on what to expect from Windows 7, see the home page here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx
To download the free beta, see here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx
For further information on our website and software development services, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 0844 357 7360 or 01782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Friday, December 19, 2008
DEVELOPMENT: Fortnightly digest - what's happening at Hilltops IT and the world of software development
Business Intelligence reporting - continued work on a bespoke project reporting on 3,000,000+ rows of data from disparate data sources using SQL Server Reporting Services.
ConnectIT-Sage - work on an interim release for a particular client's requirements. this feature will be rolled into a future build release for all users.
Website development - design work on our Hilltops IT website for rebranding.
Website development - prototyping work on our ConnectIT website for advertising using image banner ads.
Industry News
SQL Server 2005 SP3 released
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (SP3) contains all the cumulative updates for SQL Server 2005, and fixes to issues that have been reported through our customer feedback platforms. These include supportability enhancements and issues that have been reported through Windows Error Reporting.
Download the service pack here.
The read about what's new, click here.
Sage CRM Solutions 2010 Strategy
A very interesting insight into Sage CRM Solutions's thoughts on CRM and CRM solutions generally, plus future development roadmap plans.
INTRODUCTION
Since the inception of CRM, the balance of power has shifted dramatically between buyers and sellers, with the rate of change accelerating in the past five years. Today, companies must
offer extremely cost-efficient, differentiable customer experiences to acquire and retain profitable customer relationships. In our highly globalized economy, CRM is critical to enable businesses of every shape and size to fulfill the needs and expectations of their customers.
See the full article here.
For further information on our software development services, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 0844 357 7360 or 01782 721301 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
CONNECTIT: linking QuoteWerks to your website
We have done this as a bespoke software development project for our clients that use an online ordering system. The link transfers information from the online database into QuoteWerks as an appropriate document type.
Given the technologies we have, then there is no reason why the transfer couldn't be between the online ordering system and Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS 90 or Sage MAS 200. With the ConnectIT (and other) code libraries we have, this would be quite straightforward to do.
If you would like more information on this, then please email development@hilltopsit.co.uk or contact us on +44(0) 844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081123.01
Gate A37 at Denver International airport, Steve gets ready for the flight back home.
Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.
For more information, please see www.hilltopsit.co.uk and www.connectit-online.co.uk
Thursday, November 20, 2008
VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081120.01
The final day of the Sage Summit 2008 trade show and tearing down the stand – no sooner has it started (it seems) and it’s time to go home!
Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.
For more information, please see www.hilltopsit.co.uk and www.connectit-online.co.uk
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
BLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081119.01
A better day today with some strong MAS90 and SalesLogix user leads. Plus I have also spoken to a couple of end users and trade stand holders about Hilltops IT’s wider service offerings in bespoke and website developments.
Things are looking up!!! :-)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081118.01
Steve and Keith Carrington (Aspire Technologies Inc) make an early start to network with Sage representatives at the show, other Sage partners and media. Plus Steve identifies potential trade show stand exhibitors that might be worth talking to during the week.
Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.
For more information, please see www.hilltopsit.co.uk and www.connectit-online.co.uk
Monday, November 17, 2008
BLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.14
To be honest, the first day of the Sage Summit trade show was little bit disappointing in terms of the footfall.
Apparently the first day is typically relatively slow though, with some delegates not having yet arrived, delegates and Sage working on their own networking, etc. The latter days are expected to get busier in the trade show area.
On a more positive note: Keith, Brian, Brandon and I are getting to know each others ways of working and it’s encouraging to observe them using the kind of soft, consultative sell that Hilltops IT use. I am picking up tips from them!
We have had several interesting conversation about QuoteWerks key functionality and how it fits into various businesses internal ways of working. Plus possible futures for integration and feature enhancements to QuoteWerks already very rounded and rich functionality.
VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.13
An overview of the Sage Summit 2008 Trade Show area.
Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.
For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and www.connectit-online.co.uk
VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.12
The huge delegates dining area at the Colorado Convention Centre; Steve considers the opportunities from a show of this scale.
Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.
For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/
BLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.11

For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and http://www.connectit-online.co.uk
BLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.10

For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and www.connectit-online.co.uk
VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081119.09
First sight of the QuoteWerks stand that the Aspire Technologies Inc team have built, Steve looks forward to a busy show.
Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.
For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and http://www.connectit-online.co.uk