MAC Awarded Choosing Right Line-Of-Business Software $1M Federal Grant
Page 50
The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch
Octoberr 4, 2019
Q&A WITH SAM CARD
BY SAM CARD
SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH
BERLIN – Selecting the right lineof-business software for your organization is an important decision that can affect your productivity for years to come. Sam Card, CEO of Cards Technology, shares the steps to take to help you choose the right apps for your business. Q. Why is it important to spend time researching new line-of-business software before you make a purchase? A. Doing a competitive analysis will ensure that you end up with software that meets your needs. Start with a pros and cons list of the current software you want to replace. What do you like? What are your must-haves? For instance, if you use the automatic dialing feature of your current CRM, then that may be a deal-breaker if the software you’re considering doesn’t have that function. If you aren’t replacing a current software, then base your pros and cons on the features you desire. Do you need to access the app remotely? Is the line-of-business software available in the cloud? It’s important to spend the time researching and to go
through the pros and cons of the app. Figure out what’s important to you before you buy or you may end up creating more problems. Q. What should you look for when evaluating new line-of-business software to ensure it will be the right fit for your business? A. Make sure the software is compatible with your systems and will run on your devices. We recently worked with a business that used iPads but their new line-of-business software was a PC product, so they had to replace the iPads with Surfaces. It worked out fine for them because SAM CARD they had done their research and therefore planned for the replacement devices. You also want to make sure your software contains a good reporting engine internally or has a robust dashboard system. Reporting, of course, is essential to making good business decisions, so this is a very important consideration. Last, there needs to be a backup and recovery strategy for the line-ofbusiness software. Don’t just assume because it’s in the cloud that your data is being adequately protected and
The Shrimp Boat
This is a family friendly event to benefit the critically ill children who stay at The Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House By the Sea. The Shrimp Boat Is Located At 9724 Stephen Decatur Highway
Friday, October 18, 2019 11 am – 8 pm Pre-Order Shrimp! $10 Per Pound starting Sunday, October 13
* Portion of all proceeds from lunch & dinner (11 a.m.-8 p.m.) will be donated to The Children’s House By The Sea * Mystery Boxes, Auction Items, 50/50
backed up. Look at the software’s documentation about the backup process and timeframe. If the software doesn’t meet your backup criteria, it may not be a good fit – especially if you have to back it up yourself. Q. What are some common mistakes business owners make when choosing new software? A. One common mistake is not making sure the software is compatible with your devices. The company above planned for their equipment change so they didn’t get any surprises. However, if you switch software and then find out it isn’t compatible with your computers or tablets, you have a costly, unplanned expense to replace equipment. Sometimes businesses switch to software that is problematic or difficult to learn so the vendor’s technical support is critical to adoption. I suggest that you call tech support for the app you are considering – before you buy it – to see how long you are on hold before getting to talk to someone. I like to call a couple of times before deciding to switch. Good companies have hold times on their websites. (The writer can be reached at SCard@cards-tech.com. To learn more about Cards Technology, visit www.-cards-tech .com.)
BY BETHANY HOOPER
STAFF WRITER
SALISBURY – A $1 million grant is expected to benefit those with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers. Last week, MAC Inc. announced the agency received $1 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to launch its Life Bridges Project. The award comes to MAC as part of a national Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative to create and sustain a dementia-capable home and community-based service system that includes a single point of entry and no wrong door access for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. Carol Zimmerman, director of the Life Bridges Project at MAC, said the agency applied for grant funding to start the program after recognizing a need in the community. “There is a great need in the community that’s not being met for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers,” she said. “Because we live SEE NEXT PAGE
RACETRACK AUTO SALES
WE PAY CASH!
We Buy Like-New And Used Cars, Trucks, Trailers
(410) 641-4600
Come Join Us On Sunday
UPCOMING EVENTS
* 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: $1.50 Crabs
Friday, Oct. 11, 4-6:30 p.m.: Crab Cake Dinner
* Childrens Happy Hour: 3-5 p.m. (100% of the proceeds of all shrimp sales will go to the Children’s House)
* $3 Kids Meals, $1 Fries
Friday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Harvest Party Games, Food & Costume Contest
* $1 Beverages For Children
Stevenson United Methodist Church
123 North Main St., Berlin, Md. 410-641-1137 • www.stevensonchurch.org
EVERY SUNDAY
8:30 a.m.: Fellowship 9:00 a.m.: Worship Service 9:30 a.m.: Sunday School