xTupleCon14 Agenda — Sessions

Session Tracks

Business Track Technology Track Operations & Planning Track Keynotes
Business Technology Operations & Planning Keynotes

 

 

xTupleCon Agenda — Room HR VI

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

10:15am-11:00am

How to Keep Your Company’s Accounting Sarbanes-Oxley Compliant
Janet Bradsher, Solution Solvers

Janet Bradsher, xTuple Partner

How lean is your business model? Learn how to use technology and process improvements to reduce errors, increase quality, and maintain SOX compliance for your Accounting department and meet the needs of external auditors, the IRS and the SEC. We'll demonstrate a simple test you can administer to evaluate your own company to see if/where you can make adjustments to increase profits and reduce expenses.

   
   


 

11:15am-12:00pm

Improve your Profitability with Integrated Business Intelligence
Jeff Gunderson, xTuple MidWest

Jeff Gunderson

Business Intelligence gives you a competitive advantage by increasing the value of your data. xTuple BI is a complete solution for analysis of your sales process and customer relationship management program. Learn how you can analyze data and create personalized dashboards to gain visibility into your entire sales pipeline and understand factors affecting profitability. [repeats Thursday]

  


 

2:15pm-3:00pm

Common and Uncommon EDI Challenges Solved
Randall Hall, Co-Founder EDI Consulting Group [SPONSOR]

Randall Hall

Explore the benefits of electronic data interchange (EDI) integration to save time and money, improve efficiency and accuracy, and automate those valuable, yet time-consuming, businesses processes.

  


 

3:15pm-4:00pm

New Features in the Desktop Client for Job-oriented Manufacturers
Wally Tonra, xTuple Vice President of Sales

Wally Tonra of xTuple

xTuple ERP Manufacturing Edition has always had the flexibility to work well in a 'Job-oriented' environment. In a shop where Bills of Material are rarely the same, or at least constantly changing, the Editing features in Work Orders always allowed for Editing. Now that same Editing can be done within the Sales Order Entry. In this session, we review the different ways users can now Configure to Order Items, Edit Items, Edit the Work Order, and even create new items. All from inside Sales Order Entry! If some or all of your business is 'Jobby' in nature, come see all of the features (some new and some hidden gems) that can help you get the order right, in Sales, so it's ready to go by the time it hits the shop floor!

  


 

4:15pm-5:00pm

Roundtable: Ask the Expert #AMA — Ask Me Anything
Jim McCluskey, Director of Professional Services; Mike Atherton, Product Evangelist; Tom Atkins, Sales Engineer

Jim McCluskey of xTuple Mike Atherton of xTuple Tom Atkins of xTuple

No one is more qualified to handle your operations and planning questions than these gurus of xTuple. Mike has delivered project management, implementation and training services to xTuple clients, spanning a wide range of industries around the world, since the earliest days of the company. Jim joined xTuple to lead the professional services team, after consulting as an xTuple Elite Partner and customer for years before that. His career in manufacturing organizations spans the support of both accounting and informational technologies functions, and he has implemented and worked with a multitude of ERP systems, in addition to xTuple. Tom, xTuple's Lead Software Engineer-Distribution, has managed distribution implementations since the mid-1990s. He was so impressed with the xTuple's dedication and resources allocated to the distribution industry that he joined the company.

  


 

 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

10:15am-11:00am

Improve your Profitability with Integrated Business Intelligence
Jeff Gunderson, xTuple MidWest

Business Intelligence gives you a competitive advantage by increasing the value of your data. xTuple BI is a complete solution for analysis of your sales process and customer relationship management program. Learn how you can analyze data and create personalized dashboards to gain visibility into your entire sales pipeline and understand factors affecting profitability. [repeats Wednesday]

  


 

11:15am-12:00pm 

Some xTuple with your Drupal: Now it's a Web-based POS, Catalog, Customer Portal & more
Josh Fischer, xTuple Manager of Web Services Group
Ben Thompson, Senior Developer, Web Services Group

 

xTuple is awesome software for managing your business. Drupal is awesome software for managing your Web presence. Put the two together with the xTuple REST API and amazing things happen: Web-based point-of-sale systems, selling systems for sales reps, product catalogs, eCommerce websites, customer portals, sales and marketing machines with analytics and metric, and more. In this session, we explore systems we are building and how your business could be enhanced with these two software powerhouses.

  


 

2:15pm-3:00pm 

Here's How We Use It: Lessons from xTuple's CRM Dynamic Duo
Cam Hagan & Joe Hill, xTuple HQ Sales Team

 

We are all busy and looking for tools to simplify our lives. At xTuple we don't simply use basic 'customer relationship management' – our CRM is Corporate Relationship Management, and it helps us manage and improve the ways we interact with customers, prospects, vendors, partners and other corporate entities with which we share a business relationship. As xTuple's inside sales team, we use our CRM daily and find it to be versatile and comprehensive. In this session, we demonstrate how we use xTuple CRM, from both our desks and via mobile device to access vital information from anywhere, and show you ways to capture business growth opportunities.

  


 

3:15pm-4:00pm

Data Privacy and Security for Your Most Valuable Resource, Your Employees
Sujee Saparamadu, CEO/Co-Founder OrangeHRM [SPONSOR]

A leading data security company estimates a staggering 294% growth in lost revenue by 2018 due to data loss. If your human resources (HR) department is working independently, it’s time to rethink that strategy. With the move to digital records, HR now faces the same risks and threats that your IT department does. We explore how one application can assure your company is able to manage their most crucial organization asset – people.

  


 

3:15pm-4:00pm

Package Processing with ShipIt for xTuple
Alex Kleyff, AKA Consulting

Learn how this seamlessly xTuple-integrated shipping solution allows shipment processing from within the Ship Sales Order, Create Invoice and ShipIt Workbench. Create multiple packages/boxes and automatically calculate the weight and insurance value for each package. Even assign 3rd party billing from an account number stored in the xTuple customer record.

  


 

 

 

 Pre-Conference Workshops — Room HR VII

Monday, October 13, 2014

8:00am-12:00pm

WORKSHOP — Work with xTuple Import & Data Migration
Mike Atherton, xTuple DC (USA)

Learn about issues related to and tools available for importing data into xTuple. What are common pitfalls and traps? When does importing data make sense, and when is it better to key enter it? What techniques can be used to validate data after it is imported? Lessons from the field are the backdrop for discussions and demonstrations of the import tool embedded in xTuple. The session will address issues with importing directly to xTuple tables and importing through API views. In addition to data migration, we discuss importing operational data after go-live and how xTuple Connect can support staying on schedule.

  


 

1:00pm-5:00pm

WORKSHOP — Master Inventory Control & Planning
Mike Atherton, xTuple DC (USA)

Making your xTuple implementation hum starts, in part, with the proper item definition. Proper inventory definition, procedures and planning can increase accuracy and reduce inventory levels. This session begins with an overview of item definition, reviews various control methodologies, and concludes with a look considerations associated with at Master Production Scheduling (MPS) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP).

  


 

 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

8:00am-12:00pm

WORKSHOP — Power-up xTuple Financials
Jim McCluskey, xTuple Professional Services

Are you creating financial reports by manually exporting data, retyping data, validating data? In this hands-on workshop, we dive into the Financial Report Engine to help you easily create the reports you need and how to take advantage of the financial reporting capability within xTuple. How to create company specific operating statements, balance sheets and yes, even a cash flow statement. How to modify the standard printed reports. Create other reports to analyze and control your business. Department expense reports. Reconciliation reports. Key indicators. Come learn how to master the financial report engine.

  


 

 

xTupleCon Agenda — Room HR VII

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

10:15am-11:00am

Inventory Tools & Utilities You Wish You Knew
Wally Tonra, xTuple HQ

If you use xTuple Manufacturing Edition to help manage inventory, you are likely well aware of MRP (Manufacturing Requirements Planning). MRP does a terrific job of digesting inventory demands and making recommendations. These demands come from actual order requirements, and they are also shaped by order modifiers like Reorder Level, Order Multiple, Mins, Maxes, etc. The order modifiers are usually set when you first setup your ERP. Did you know there are tools to help determine what these should be? Did you know that xTuple can make recommendations for some of these? In this session, we review some of these hidden tools that can use past behavior to make suggestions for future planning, saving you time and, quite possibly, money.

  


 

11:15am-12:00pm

Case Study: Marketing Online — Top Ten Awesome Tools to Increase Sales
Josh Fischer, xTuple Web Services Group

The Internet is a plethora of free or inexpensive Web-based tools that can help your organization. The amount of tools at your fingertips and the value of those tools is incredible. But where do you start? What is worth your time and what isn’t?
 Learn how can these tools help you grow your business.

  


 

2:15pm-3:00pm

Printing Barcode Labels with xTuple
Mike Atherton, xTuple DC (USA)

Mike Atherton of xTuple


 

3:15pm-4:00pm

Case Study: Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) Saves the Day
Mike Atherton, xTuple DC

How do you ensure the highest possible inventory service levels while maintaining the lowest possible inventory levels? See first-hand how xTuple implementations achieve this challenging balancing act with an introduction to best practice inventory policies and procedures, leveraging MRP to achieve higher levels of business performance.

  


 

4:15pm-5:00pm

Roundtable: Ask the Expert #AMA — Ask Me Anything
David Beauchamp, xTuple Professional Services
BC Wilson, xTuple Director of Cloud Services

 

Whether on-site or in the cloud, you need to keep your system running smoothly, maintain reliable backups, pilot new versions, and make sure your users can access the system. It's not sexy, we know, but it sure is important. David and BC will answer your questions about how to keep xTuple running, no matter where you host it.

  


 

 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

10:15am-11:00am

Navigating the Great Firewall of China: Are We Global Yet?
Dave Anderson, xTuple PacRim with BC Wilson & Travis Webb, xTuple HQ

  

It's one thing to deploy xTuple to a U.S. company, where challenges such as bandwidth and firewalls occasionally cause delays. It's another thing to install in a country where the government deliberately makes life difficult. In a recent installation in China, multiple operational hurdles were jumped to get the application set up and running. Come learn about operations in a global context.

  


 

11:15am-12:00pm

Introducing the xTuple Quality Management System
Dave Anderson, xTuple PacRim

Quality Control is a completely new area of xTuple functionality, utilizing the power of the Mobile Web client and workflow technology to assist companies with their quality testing and control and ISO9000 requirements. Explore how the quality module can be used to test items at each touch point in the manufacturing and distribution process.

  


 

2:15pm-3:00pm

Case Study: EDI Integration with xTuple, Connect and an Open Source Toolset
Scott Zuke, Core Services Group

Last year, I demonstrated importing and exporting using standard xTupleConnect tools, dealing with a “common” file format that would then be sent and received from a Value Added Network (VAN). This year, see the full open source translation toolset.

  


 

3:15pm-4:00pm

Case Study: A Distributor's Most Excellent Adventure
Mike Brockey, Kelly & Hayes
Stacey Pandeloglou, xTuple HQ

 

Growing a Distribution business isn't the easiest thing to do, especially in this new world of mega-distributors such as AmazonSupply and Grainger. The industrial wholesale distribution marketplace also consists of smaller, locally-owned and -operated companies with sophisticated inventory control needs. We'll share lessons learned using xTuple for Distribution, touching on powerful features such as integration of third party pricing services, purchase and sales order management, quotes and order entry, and how these features helped this distributor not merely survive but level the playing field in his market.

  


 

4:15pm-5:00pm

Introducing xTuple Workflow for the Mobile Web
Julian Carlin, xTuple Central America

Track, assign and manage the chain of events and tasks involved in order fulfillment and receiving with this powerful tool created to digitize paperwork, outside processes, and departmental workload management, in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Workflow can be configured to your industry-specific needs. This session is a prelude to the Relay Race, featuring Google Glass, held during the conference-closing reception prior to the Community Awards Dinner.

  


 

 

 

Pre-Conference Workshops — Room HR VIII

Monday, October 13, 2014

8:00am-12:00pm

WORKSHOP — Develop Extensions for Mobile Web
Steve Hackbarth, xTuple Director of Software Development

The xTuple Mobile Web client is built around modularity as a first principle. Every addition to our code base around the common framework, from our largest module to our smallest bit of on-the-spot custom development, follow a common extension system. Learn how to get started writing one of your own.

 


 

1:00pm-5:00pm

WORKSHOP — Create & Analyze Custom Business Intelligence Dashboards
Jeff Gunderson, Senior Software Developer xTuple Midwest (USA)

Learn the architecture of the xTuple Business Intelligence solution and how you can customize the solution to fit the performance measurement goals of your organization. A deep-dive into business intelligence technologies will show you how to develop customized charts and dashboards.

  


 

 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

8:00am-12:00pm

WORKSHOP — Build Custom Reporting for Desktop & Mobile Web
Mike Atherton, xTuple DC (USA)
Steve Hackbarth, xTuple HQ

 

This two-part session introduces the xTuple Desktop client’s integrated report writer: OpenRPT. Learn how core reports in both the Desktop and Mobile Web clients are defined, modified (both cosmetic and query level) and deployed, along with tips and tricks from the field.

  


 

 

xTupleCon Agenda — Room HR VII

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

10:15am-11:00am

Life on the Edge: Case Study in Customization, Integration and Implementation
Will Bralick, Paladin Logic [SPONSOR]

Learn how xTuple Gold and Elite Partner Paladin Logic, Ltd., went "beyond the edge of the Internet" building on the already massive feature set of xTuple PostBooks®. Paladin launched Madrigal SO and Madrigal ERP – a mobile port for Apple and Android tablets connecting to the complete xTuple/PostBooks 4.0 (and later) Desktop client — and developed the Iconic™ Mobile Retail System for a new vertical — the first mobile point-of-sale (POS) retail system that links an Apple® iPhone® or iPod Touch® with a fully-integrated, cross-platform back office solution and cloud-based backend database.

  


 

11:15am-12:00pm

Beyond QuickBooks®: Integration Capabilities of xTuple
Scott Zuke, Core Services Group

In this session, we demonstrate both the legacy Peachtree and QuickBooks® migrations in all of their glory, but we can do this from nearly any other system as well. Learn the integration capabilities of xTuple beyond basic accounting packages, such as Peachtree and QuickBooks®.

  


 

2:15pm-3:00pm

xTuple ERP is Calling: Browser-based, Plugin-free WebRTC Telephony for Web Applications
Daniel Pocock, Debian Project

Learn about JSCommunicator, a full-featured phone, webcam and messaging application which provides an easy solution for designers and developers to add click-to-call and chat services on a website. Built with JavaScript and HTML 5, JSCommunicator can be used in any modern browser without installing any plugins. Daniel is a Switzerland-based contributor for the Debian project, developer for the Ubuntu and Fedora operating systems, as well as the project founder for JSCommunicator. For those interested in a hands-on experience, a free evening workshop is offered.

  


 

3:15pm-4:00pm

The xTuple Server for Implementers
Steve Hackbarth
BC Wilson
Travis Webb
Server Team @xTuple HQ

  

Learn the basics of how to install and administrate with the next generation xTuple Server, the new platform for the xTuple Desktop Qt, eCommerce and Web-based applications. The xTuple Server is built with reliability, security and ease-of-maintainability in mind, modern business management tools to increase your operational efficiency, from anywhere, anytime.

  


 

4:15pm-5:00pm

Roundtable: Ask the Expert #AMA — Ask Me Anything
Steve Hackbarth, Director of Software Development
Gil Moskowitz, Senior Developer

 

Have questions about the JavaScript Technology Stack: node+plv8+backbone+enyo? Steve and Gil stand ready to field your queries on both the Desktop and Mobile Web (Web-based) client technologies.

  


 

 

FREE Workshop — xTuple Headquarters

[directions]

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

5:30pm-7:00pm

WORKSHOP — Browser-based, Plugin-free WebRTC Telephony for Web Applications
Daniel Pocock, Debian Project [BIO]
Project founder for JSCommunicator

Even if you're not attending xTupleCon14, join this free evening workshop to discuss project JSCommunicator and other open source WebRTC components. JSCommunicator is a full-featured phone, webcam and messaging application based on the low-level JsSIP SIP stack. The project provides an easy high-level solution for designers and developers to add click-to-call and chat services on a website. Built with JavaScript and HTML 5, JSCommunicator can be used in any modern browser without installing any plugins. It is used as the base for the xTuple WebRTC extension and the DruCall WebRTC module for Drupal. We will also consider the server-side components including repro, Kamailio, Asterisk, FreeSWITCH and the JitsiMeet browser-based video conferencing suite. Register to Attend WebRTC Workshop via Eventbrite


 

 

xTupleCon Agenda — Room HR VII

Thursday, October 16, 2014

10:15am-11:00am

Git(Hub) with the Program: The Next Generation of Technical Collaboration
Steve Hackbarth, xTuple HQ

Git and GitHub have become the gold standard of how people collaborate today on software projects. For those coming from a subversion background, it can be difficult to wrap your head around the distributed version control of git. Learn how we practice git, and learn the tremendous value of GitHub to our development process.

  


 

11:15am-12:00pm

We've Got Your Back: How to Use XTN and the Cloud for Business Continuity
BC Wilson, xTuple Director of Cloud Services
Perry Clark, Senior Database Manager, xTuple HQ

 

It's painful to imagine, but the simple fact is, systems can fail. If the power goes out, the water rises, or a tornado tears off the roof, the machine hosting your xTuple ERP can go down. Then what? How about this: you're back in business in an hour, on a new machine in the cloud. xTuple offers an XTN backup and recovery service that can save your bacon.

  


 

2:15pm-3:00pm

Case Studies: Your Cloud or Mine? Public, Private and the Right to Change Your Mind
BC Wilson, xTuple Director of Cloud Services

xTuple customers have options for where to deploy. They also have the option to change that decision with relative ease. Hear examples of companies who moved from local to the cloud, from the cloud to an appliance, and from the cloud back to local again. The ability to move when needed is part of what makes xTuple unique.

  


 

3:15pm-4:00pm

xHybrid Case Study: Web/Mobile Technology in the Desktop Client
Steve Hackbarth, xTuple Director of Software Development

You don't have to abandon the Desktop Qt client to take advantage of our new Web technologies! From signature capture and simple dashboards to PCI compliance and Quality Assurance, we're bridging the gap between Qt and Mobile Web, so you get the best of both worlds. Come see what we've done so far and what we have in the pipeline.

  


 

4:15pm-5:00pm

Why Open Source? The Business Value of Technology
Josh Fischer, xTuple Manager of Web Services Group

In the tech world, open source is a common topic, but in the business world it’s rarely known or understood. In this session, we introduce the history and concept of open source, describe business use cases using open source, and discuss how open source technology can be utilized to help your business grow.