The Consultants Corner

KnowledgeSync V8.0 – Alerts Via IM & Twitter

2010-12-27T14:37:00Z

Vineyardsoft is pleased to announce the availability of the industry's first Instant Message and Twitter™ Alerts modules in version 8.0 of KnowledgeSync....(read more)

Outlook running slow? Here is a possible cure...

2010-05-20T14:19:00Z

Like many CRM users, I rely on Outlook to send and receive emails throughout the day...(read more)

Microsoft sues Salesforce.com over patents

2010-05-19T12:00:00Z

Microsoft on Tuesday fired a major shot across the bow at Salesforce.com, filing a federal lawsuit against the online software company claiming it infringes on nine patents....(read more)

Who does business with CFX???

2009-07-20T14:38:00Z

I was asked this question by the owner of a company that I recently did a CRM presentation for as we were walking out the door. ...(read more)

Hosted CRM vs. In-House: Which Direction Should Your Company Take?

2009-03-23T19:04:00Z

I came across this interesting white paper on the crmindustry.com web site on a controversial topic in the world of CRM...(read more)

SaaS software-as-a-service interest on the decline

2009-03-16T14:46:00Z

some enterprises have determined that SaaS wasn't the way to go...(read more)

Risk-Proofing Your CRM Initiative

2009-03-11T21:06:00Z

Despite the recession, the need to create differentiation through unique customer experiences, strive for deeper insight into customer needs and behaviors, and serve customers cost-effectively remains. ...(read more)

The Crucible of Recession: CRM’s Role

2009-02-17T17:48:00Z

The Crucible of Recession: CRM’s Role...(read more)

Cool Phone Gizmo!

2008-11-21T16:53:00Z

I'm always on the lookout for the latest gadget and this one is truly fantastic. The solution is - Xlink which is a little black box that plugs into any phone jack in your house and using Bluetooth, all of your old house phones and cordless phones come back to life....(read more)

SalesLogix Web Viewer license can be used as an inexpensive resource planning solution

2008-10-21T15:39:00Z

One of our clients sells and manages complex and expensive medical equipment and as part of their sales process they may place a loaner or long term demo unit into a medical clinic. They needed a way to reserve, schedule and track these company owned resources in SalesLogix. We considered several approaches to solving this problem including building a custom solution from scratch but that would have been expensive and overly complex. A SalesLogix user has the ability to include a resource in a scheduled...(read more)

Do-It-Yourself CRM vs. Using a Professional Partner

2008-06-06T16:42:00Z

Seed vs. Sod - A real-world experience that closely parallels the potential methods of implementing a CRM system; Do-It-Yourself vs. using a Professional Partner....(read more)

Demystifying the ROI of CRM - An excellent article on this difficult to answer question

2008-05-14T20:25:00Z

Undoubtedly, the most common question I hear from companies is "How do I cost justify my CRM investment?" ...(read more)

The Economic Stimulus Act 2008 may allow you to expense your entire CRM or ERP software purchase

2008-04-24T13:23:00Z

If the high cost of implementing your new software system is preventing you from making the purchase right now, this may change your thinking! This tax incentive could significantly lower the actual cost of your new CRM and/or ERP system.

HR Bill 5140, What does it mean?

The key addition affecting small businesses is an expansion of "bonus depreciation" which allows investments in tangible property, computer software, or improvements to leased property to be more speedily depreciated, adding to a business' tax savings. Businesses of all sizes will be allowed to depreciate in this tax year 50% of the cost of an asset put into use in 2008.

~Fortune Small Business

_______________________________________________________________________________

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provides US corporate taxpayers the ability to take additional depreciation on qualifying property that is purchased and placed into production during 2008

- Rapid depreciation = improved tax savings

- Makes new investment opportunities more profitable and attractive

- Because this provision is for 2008 only, software purchases may be especially attractive to many IT departments and CFOs

- The 2008 timeframe for purchase and stipulation that it must be placed into service during 2008 will create a sense of urgency for customers to accelerate their purchase
- 168(k) Allowance - This is the "Bonus Depreciation" allowance for 2008 - applies to any business regardless of the amount spent on qualifying assets in 2008
- Allows a business to immediately expense an additional 50% of the cost of qualifying assets purchased in in 2008
- Section 179 - Depreciation allowed Increased from $128K to $250K
- Applies to all businesses who purchase less than $810,000 in qualifying assets
- Threshold amount increased from $510K to $810K
- Small to mid-size businesses are able to take advantage of either the new rules governing 168(k) or Section 179
- Expense or Depreciate

EXAMPLE: XYZ Company purchases accounting software for $24,000

- If XYZ Company is making less than $800K in capital purchases in 2008, they can expense the item immediately -- reducing their tax liability - as long as they do not expense more than $250k for the year.
- If XYZ Company would rather spread the expense over multiple years by depreciating the asset (software), they can take advantage of the new 168(k) 50% Bonus Depreciation rules:
- $24,000 original cost of asset
- 50% deducted immediately
- $12,000 remaining cost will be depreciated over life of asset
» 3 Year Life @ $4,000 per year
- Total Depreciation = $16,000 vs. $8,000 without the Economic Stimulus Act

RAPID DEPRECIATION = LOWER TAX LIABILITY