General Sessions
This year's first general session will highlight the most significant new advances within TopForm® including the addition of Oracle as an optional database, ProvideX 7.0 and the integration of the ProvideX Report Writer, the new Warehouse Management module and more. All this, while still allowing time for presentations from United Stationers on developing new revenue opportunities through office products and real life accounts from TopForm® clients on systems that can same you time and money. The Closing General Session will continue with information on planned new development, the state of XML within the industry and more client presentations.
TopForm Expo
Following the General Session on Friday will be the opening of the TopForm® Expo. Here you will have a chance to explore new applications and features and see live demonstrations hosted by our solution experts. Our staff of TopForm® developers, support and professional services personnel will be available to answer your questions. The Expo runs concurrently with the Breakout Sessions ensuring participants a wide array of alternative learning opportunities.
Breakout Sessions and Round Tables
Breakout sessions and Round Table discussions will begin at 11:00 am on Friday and continue throughout the day and on Saturday. Choose those that best meet your interests and educational needs. Round Table discussions provide a forum for users to interact on the various topics of interest.
Breakout Topics
PDF Printing
TopForm provides the ability to produce both electronic forms and reports in PDF format. This feature helps our users in a number of ways. First, once a report or form is in PDF, it can be easily emailed to internal or external customers. Also, it can be easily printed to the user’s local printer. Another benefit is that users now have a choice as to whether to save hard copies of their reports or whether to set up a system where routine or periodic reports are automatically saved digitally for future reference. This session will cover the process involved in setting up TopForm to use the PDF printing capabilities, how to set up a print Job Card so that reports are automatically saved in predetermined file folders with logical file names and how the PDF Monitor is configured for processing electronic forms as PDF documents.
Warehouse Management
The TopForm Warehouse Management Module provides TopForm customers with greater ease and accuracy in managing distributor and customer owned inventory. This is accomplished with the use of wireless bar code terminals for collecting data. The use of bar codes at least doubles data entry speed and improves accuracy thousands of times over. This seminar will cover the features of the new Warehouse Management Module, which includes Purchase Order Receiving, Inventory Put-Away, Order Picking Confirmation as well as the recently enhanced Physical Inventory Counting Module.
ProvideX Report Writer
Learn how to use a new tool to extract data from TopForm. This session will
cover how to use this Crystal Report - like tool to create reports that all of your operators can run. You will be able to add logos, change fonts, and pull the data that you need. The session will also cover a new version 7 feature called views, which can make the gathering of data for reports much easier and faster. This tool will also be used to create forms for use in the Electronic Forms module.
Changes Coming in Electronic Forms
This session will preview exciting new changes in Electronic Forms Processing. Ease of setup will be the focus of these new enhancements, which will allow forms to be intelligently routed based on the type of form and information on the form. (No more creative routing of P/Os based on the PO code!). The session will cover how the forms will be designed, how to setup the routing to print, email, or fax the forms, and how to take advantage of the new features.
Credit Card Processing
Many TopForm customers have saved an average of 25% on their credit card transaction costs with the help of our partner relationship with Net1. Now Net1 has stepped up to the plate to help with the development of the next phase of credit card processing. This new development will provide for automatic authorization and/or payment collection for orders entered via TopForm Order Entry, the order entry gateways and also those orders being completed as a result of back order fill processing. This has the potential of even greater savings by eliminating re-keying data into a stand-alone credit card machine. Also, charges are processed over the Internet vs. a phone line for faster authorization times. This session will describe this new development as well as how to process Level two and three data to reduce costs even further.
Sales Tax Upload Options
Now that you are accepting orders over the web with credit cards, how do you make certain that you are calculating and charging the correct sales tax? Also, if you are required to collect tax and report for many taxing jurisdictions, how are you keeping your tax tables up to date? TopForm has developed interfaces with Vertex and VeraTax. These are update services that provide for routine downloads of the sales tax rates by zip codes and geo codes. TopForm has been exploring other alternatives that may be more cost effective for customers who may only report in a few states. Come learn about these alternatives to determine what would be best for you. This session would be beneficial to all TopForm customers who use Web.ec, accept credit cards and have company stores, particularly when buyers are entering new ship to addresses. This type of capability is also highly beneficial for those who utilize the order entry gateway, DocuCenter, or the DDMS interfaces.
Image Library
Probably the most popular module since Web.ec, as well as the Peak Award winner for 2005, the Image Library truly has the potential of eliminating filing in your operations. Journals and electronic documents produced by TopForm are automatically captured and indexed for easy retrieval when you view any transaction. External documents, such as the vendor invoice or a signed delivery ticket, can be scanned and indexed as well. Come learn how the use of this new tool can revolutionize the way you handle documents in your office. This session is designed for all TopForm users who want to save time and would not be appropriate for those who love filing.
RFQ Features and On-Line Access
If you are not currently utilizing the RFQ program in your operations, some great new enhancements to the program will surely get you to rethink your procedures. Now, your vendors can enter their quotes on-line! When they do so their pricing automatically updates to the RFQ files and your CSR’s are notified via email. A new “Notes” program with automatic emails has been added to provide for better job tracking and status notification. This program will also enhance your supplier partner relationships by making the inclusion of certain vendors in an RFQ mandatory by product code. This session is designed for all TopForm users who would like to enhance their profitability on their print purchases.
Contact Management
Now that TopForm sports a new Graphical User Interface, you may want to consider implementing the TopForm Contact Management system. This system now interfaces seamlessly with Microsoft Word for mail merges, Excel for exporting data for personalized variable mailings and Outlook for email. It also allows you to set up automatic reminders for follow-up. Use the Contact Management module for prospects, customers, vendors and to manage your collections and quality control functions.
TopForm New Features
In order to allow more time in the general session for client presentations, we have moved the discussion of new TopForm Features to a couple of break out sessions. These sessions will outline all the new enhancements, provide input as to when and why you might want to implement these changes and how to do so. This session is appropriate for all TopForm customers who want to stay informed regarding the latest TopForm capabilities.
Variable Print Option New Features and Administration
Use of "E...W" placeholders to signify wrapping of variable text.
Use of "E…C" type placeholder allowing mixed fonts, sizes and colors to be used in the same single line string.
Use of “E…Z” type placeholder to prevent Text Overflow.
Customize appearance of user input screen with either single line text boxes, a drop-down lists or even a multi-line text areas.
Overwrite Field Labels.
Use Web Codes, and apply different Color Schemes.
Specify default values for each and every standard field available in VPO.
Support for Multiple Variable Templates.
Create a message line containing persons First & Last Name (or any other desired data) to appear on the order.
Tips and tricks such as creating a Drop Shadow, simulating Tab Key and much, much more.
This session is for users with a skill level from beginner to advanced.
Template Design using QuarkXPress / Adobe InDesign
Automated VPO Product Setup.
Creating PDF Templates using QuarkXPress / Adobe InDesign.
Variable Print Placeholder Setup.
Troubleshoot like a Pro using VPO log file.
This session is for users with a skill level from beginner to advanced.
Webe.ec New Features
This session will bring you up to date on all the new Web.ec features. We will introduce you to our new pages! We will also cover new page tags, and new customer, item and buyer parameters. This breakout is designed for all levels of Web.ec users.
Email/Data Transport
The data transport module provides the ability to set up multiple types of email functionality in the TopForm system. The session will cover setting up and using each type. The topics to be covered are emailing of vendor proofs, emailing CSR's status of RFQs, emailing Web.ec buyers of a shipment confirmation. The ability to display Forms Management reports in Web.ec will be also discussed.
Process Changes for XML
TopForm continues to make advances in the area of XML Development and has taken a leading role in helping define the industry standards. In fact, TopForm was the first to provide XML Interoperability in receiving orders from third party order entry programs like Four51 over five years ago, and first in the receipt of vendor invoices over a year ago. In 2005, we began transferring purchase order data to vendors via XML. However, the work does not stop with our development. The distributor needs to be prepared for sending and receiving data without operator intervention. For example, if during billing, your operators are changing prices, adding line items and adjusting freight charges, then you need to change these business processes. Come to this session to get a leg up on what you will need to do to take advantage of this incredible innovation in our industry.
Print Management Reporting
This session will not only instruct you on how to understand your Print Management reports, but also to explain and sell them to your Print Management customers. This session will also cover new tools for delivering these reports via HTML and/or PDF and the new features that allow you to automatically email and/or link certain Print Management reports to Web.ec. Although this session will not have the time to equip you with the skills to create custom reports, it will provide you with the knowledge of the various custom reporting options that are available to you.
Freight Handling and Auto Req Charges
How can you eliminate data entry and secure additional revenue at the same time? Take time to implement Automatic Requisition Charges and Freight Tables. There are so many options. Do you use remote warehouses? If so, do they charge line item, requisition or possibly per carton charges? The TopForm Automatic Requisition Charge program provides you with the ability to automatically bill your customers and/or charge your sales reps for these charges, perhaps even including a markup. Do you have a company store where buyers are purchasing with credit cards? If so, you probably should establish some standard freight and handling charges. Come to this session and learn how to take advantage of these very flexible tools.
Efficiency & Time Savings
This session will provide a cross section of TopForm modules and systems, all with the focus of saving time and becoming more efficient. This session is being presented early in the conference and will direct the users to other sessions that go more deeply into the specific disciplines of interest. Overviews of RFQ, Shipping System interfaces, the use of Gateways and the TopForm Image Library, PDF printing and move will be covered.
Round Tables
Round Table discussions provide a forum for users to interact on various topics. Although we have set aside a few topics that we believe might be of interest to the group, and on which we would like some user input, these time slots can be used to discuss any TopForm program or user need.
Oracle Data Base Options
This year TopForm is testing the use of Oracle as our DataBase in place of the ProvideX database. Bring your questions and your experience with Oracle to this Round Table discussion.
Graphical TopForm
Now that some of your have experience with the Graphical User Interface for TopForm, we would like your input regarding how we can make this Interface better and more streamline.
TOPS
This round table session has been scheduled for TOPS users to have a forum to discuss their issues and to explore opportunities to improve the effectiveness of this module. Come bring your questions and your suggestions. David Pydlek will also be on hand to field any questions from pricing policies to communications with United.
Schedule At A Glance
Thursday,
May 4th 2006
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|
Time
|
Location
|
Description
|
Presenter
|
|
6:30
PM – 10:30 PM
|
|
Reception
and Dinner
|
|
|
NOON – 6:00 PM
|
|
Registration
Desk
|
Friday,
May 5th 2006
|
|
7:00
AM – 8:00 AM
|
|
Continental
Breakfast
|
|
|
7:30
AM – 6:00 PM
|
|
Registration
Desk
|
|
|
8:30
AM– 10:30 AM
|
|
General
Session
|
TopForm
and Guest
|
|
10:30
AM–6:00 PM
|
|
TopForm
Showcase
|
TopForm
Staff
|
|
11:00
AM–6:00 PM
|
|
Help
Desk
|
By
Appointment
|
Breakout
#1
|
|
11:00
AM–12:15 PM
|
|
Oracle/Version
7
|
Keith McBride/Gord Davey , Sage Software
|
|
|
TopForm
New Features
|
Steve
Boyett
|
|
|
Efficiency
& Time Savings
|
Julie
Pritchard
|
|
|
TopForm
Office Supply Roundtable
|
Laura
Sanders/Dave Pydlek, USSCo
|
|
12:15
PM – 1:30 PM
|
|
Lunch
|
|
Breakout
#2
|
|
1:45
PM – 3:00 PM
|
|
ProvideX
Report Writer
|
Keith McBride/Gord Davey , Sage Software
|
|
|
Warehouse
Management
|
Mike
Ellison
|
|
|
Web.ec
new Features
|
Denise
Montroy
|
|
|
TOPS
Success Stories. How can we
improve?
|
Dave
Pydlek,USSCo
|
Breakout
#3
|
|
3:15
PM – 4:30 PM
|
|
Changes
in Electronic Forms
|
Keith
McBride
|
|
|
Freight
Handling & Auto Req. Charges
|
Steve
Boyett
|
|
|
Variable
Print New Features
|
Ned Mesihovic/Denise Montroy
|
|
|
Sales
Tax Upload Options Roundtable
|
Julie
Pritchard
|
Breakout
#4
|
|
4:45
PM – 5:45 PM
|
|
Credit
Card Processing (Net1)
|
Denise Montroy/Brian Morabito, Net1
|
|
|
Print
Management Reporting
|
Steve
Boyett
|
|
|
Variable
Print Template Design
|
Ned
Mesihovic
|
|
|
Graphical
TopForm Roundtable
|
Keith
McBride/Julie Pritchard
|
|
6:15
PM
|
|
Dinner
|
|
Saturday,
May 6th 2006
|
|
7:30
AM – 8:30 AM
|
|
Continental
Breakfast
|
|
|
8:30
AM-2:00 PM
8:30
AM -12:00 PM
8:00
AM –11:30 AM
|
|
Registration
Desk
|
|
|
|
TopForm
Showcase
|
TopForm
Staff
|
|
|
Help
Desk
|
By
Appointment
|
Breakout
#5
|
|
9:00
AM – 10:15 AM
|
|
TopForm
Image Library
|
Keith
McBride
|
|
|
Process
Changes for XML
|
Julie
Pritchard
|
|
|
Email/Data
Transport
|
Mike
Ellison
|
|
|
|
|
Breakout
#6
|
|
10:30
AM–11:45 AM
|
|
Contact
Management
|
Julie
Pritchard
|
|
|
RFQ
& On Line Access
|
Steve
Boyett
|
|
|
PDF
printing
|
Keith
McBride
|
|
|
|
|
|
12:00
PM – 2:00 PM
|
|
General
Session Luncheon
|
Julie
Pritchard
|
|
