BLOG: Hilltops IT now on Twitter

We've all seen the growth of interest in social networking websites such as Twitter for individuals and increasingly business' too. If you believe the hype, then Twitter is (or will be?) the next "killer app" to revolutionise our use of the internet and communication methods...

So, as a technology company that puts itself to the forefront of software and website development practices. we thought it about time we jumped on the bus!

You can view our tweets and follow the company twitterings here: http://twitter.com/HilltopsIT

The plan is to post strictly business updates on new products, services and development projects which Hilltops IT are involved in. We hope that existing and prospective customers alike will find it a useful way to keep up to date on how Hilltops IT can help their business.

Steve (Mr. Hilltops IT!) has also added his own personal Twitter account to share his thoughts and provide an insight into Hilltops IT's day-to-day activities. You can view the tweets and follow his twitterings here: http://twitter.com/StephenSiggs

Both accounts are something of an experient at this stage to see how we can apply Twitter for business purposes. We'll no doubt be blogging (and tweeting!) on the trial in due course!

QUOTEWERKS: Synnex Online Ordering Module setup

Aspire Technologies (authors of QuoteWerks sales quotation software) have released complete instructions for setting up the Synnex Online Ordering Module integration.

http://quotewerks411.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/quotewerksonlineorderingmodulesetupsynnex/

QUOTEWERKS: beta testers for SugarCRM integration required

Aspire Technologies are currently looking for beta testers for the new QuoteWerks integration with SugarCRM: http://quotewerks411.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/quotewerksacceptingbetatestersforsugarcrmintegration/

QuoteWerks has just released an interim build and is accpeting beta testers for the new SugarCRM integration. This new integration will function similar to the other contact manager integrations. Users will be able to test out the following features:

• Search SugarCRM for contacts or accounts contact information and pull into quote
• Create/Update linked document
• Create/Update follow up call
• Create/Update sales opportunity

Users can also utilize the QuoteWerks DataLink feature to pull additional information into the quote.

Those interested in beta testing this new integration should contact tech support at support@quotewerks.com or call +1 (407) 248-1481 ext. 3.

QUOTEWERKS: Aspire re-issue info on free QuoteWerks add-on utilities

Aspire Technologies (authors of QuoteWerks sales quotation software) have released a summary of information on the free QuoteWerks add-on utilities which are available from the QuoteWerks.com website.

Details can be found at the following URLs:
http://quotewerks411.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/quotewerks-dell-import-utility/
http://quotewerks411.wordpress.com/2009/05/21/quotewerks-rounding-utility/
http://quotewerks411.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/quotewerksexcelutility/
http://quotewerks411.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/grouppartnumberbuilderquotewerks/


Each of these utilities is available completely free of charge from the QuoteWerks.com website along with installation instructions.

If these utilities perhaps aren't quite your looking for in terms of enhancing QuoteWerks functionality, then please get in touch with us regarding our QuoteWerks development services. We have a large number of internally developed QuoteWerks add-on utilities, so we can cost-effectively provide solutions which fit your business' requirements. Email us - development@hilltopsit.co.uk - or give us a call on +44(0) 1782 465252. We look forward to hearing from you!

DEVELOPMENT: Microsoft Visual Studio Team Studio 2010 beta released

Microsoft Visual Studio Team System 2010 Team Suite is the next generation of Microsoft development tools. It provides the ideal set of tools for every team disciple who is working on your project: architects, designers, developers, database experts, and testers. When a team is building skills and getting guidance at every step of the project life cycle, they will collaborate better than ever.

Overview
Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4 mark the next generation of developer tools from Microsoft. Designed to satisfy the latest requirements of developers, Visual Studio delivers key innovations in the following areas:

Democratizing Application Lifecycle Management
Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) crosses many roles in a development organization. Traditionally, not every role has had an equal part in the process. Visual Studio Team System 2010 continues to empower an organization to build a platform for functional equality and shared commitment across its ALM process.

Enabling emerging trends
Every year the industry develops new technologies and new trends. With Visual Studio 2010, Microsoft delivers tooling and framework support for the latest innovations in application architecture, development, and deployment.

Inspiring developer delight
Ever since the first release of Visual Studio, Microsoft has set the bar for developer productivity and flexibility. Visual Studio 2010 continues the tradition by significantly improving the experience for all software development roles.

Riding the next generation platform wave
Microsoft continues to invest in the market-leading operating system, productivity applications, and server platforms to deliver increasing customer value. With Visual Studio 2010, customers will have the tooling support that is required to create amazing solutions around these technologies.

For more information about Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4, visit the Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Web site.



Web installer download available here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=85520793-68fc-4361-a8b6-dc2cff49c8d2&displaylang=en

ISO download available here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=255fc5f1-15af-4fe7-be4d-263a2621144b&displaylang=en

.net framework 4.0 training kit download available here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=752cb725-969b-4732-a383-ed5740f02e93&displayLang=en

ReadMe here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/A/0/7A023209-096F-4F7D-B2BC-831ECC68FF5B/VS2010Beta1Readme.htm

Support and feedback forum here: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/VSPreRelease,netdevelopmentprerelease,visualstudioprerelease,vstsprerelease



Is there anything that we have missed!? Please let us know if there are any other useful downloads or information that you've found. Please also share your thoughts and experiences in Visual Studio 2010 - the latest software development environment from Microsoft.

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-WebCart beta released

We are very please to announce the release of the ConnectIT-WebCart beta. This utility links an online web shop to QuoteWerks, Sage 50, Sage MAS and Microsoft Dynamics RMS (retail management solution).


Over the years, we have created several bespoke software development utilities which link a businesses web shop to their back office system. Utilities for QuoteWerks, Sage and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. When we were approached to create a link for Microsoft Dynamics RMS as well it was a natural extension of these utilities. Plus, in a market place where high street shops are increasingly moving their business' online for the cost-saving and globalisation opportunities, strategically it was a good project to take on.



With our culture of constantly innovating and looking forward for new opportunities, rather than tackle the project as just another bespoke utility, we took the decision to wrap up all the previous work into one ConnectIT product. Followers of the blog will remember that we had a prototype version of ConnectIT-WebCart back in the early part of the year. With focus drifting onto other projects, this got put to one side, but we felt that with this project it was time to pick it back up again.

This first beta release focuses on the Microsoft Dynamics RMS link in order to satisfy the requirements of this particular project. However, given that this is built on the same data structures and code base as the other bespoke projects, then links for QuoteWerks, Sage 50, Sage Instant and Sage MAS won't be too far behind!

For more information on the ConnectIT-WebCart product, please direct your query through your QuoteWerks or ConnectIT partner. If they are unable to help, then please don't hesitate to contact the ConnectIT development team direct: development@connectit-online.co.uk

SAGE50: Sage 50 Accounts 2009 Update 1

Sage 50 Accounts 2009 Update 1 service release was pushed out today. This wraps up several minor enhancements and issue resolutions.

For further details, please contact your Sage reseller or Sage Customer Services directly on 0845 111 5555.