Synergy Software Systems

Windows 8.1 preview license expiry imminent

December 22nd, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Microsoft is warning customers that are using the Windows 8.1 Preview and Windows RT 8.1 Preview s to upgrade to the real thing before those preview licenses expire on 15 January 2014.

Customers will not have the right to use the platform after that date, and will likely lose unsaved data

Note: As with any Preview update, only data and accounts will be migrated; all apps will need to be reinstalled

Customers who installed Windows 8.1 Preview on top of Windows 8 will be able to upgrade via the Windows Store. However, those who tried the “beta” by installing it on top of Windows 7 will either need to restore the operating system, or shell out up to $200 for the Windows 8.1 upgrade.

Customers using Windows XP and Windows Vista cannot upgrade directly to Windows 8.1. They will first need to upgrade to Windows 8, and then perform the upgrade to the latest version via the Windows Store

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Posted in Microsoft, Technology

Prophix- Sp1 release with new Template Studio

December 18th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

The Prophix 11 SP1 update contains the all-new Template Studio function. Template Studio includes a host of enhancements based on your feedback compared to Template Designer. The planned general availability of Prophix 11, SP1 is January 30, 2014. Expect additional updates and materials on Template Studio as we approach the release date.

Best Regards,

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Posted in Corporate Perfomance Management

Security threats still abound

December 17th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Its rather depressing how many new issues come to light. Microsoft for example issued 22% more security bulletins this year than last year. Its estimated that there are almost 15 percent of enterprise users who still have Windows XP in their networks.

Trustwave’s SpiderLabs researchers found a piece of malware that collects data entered into Web-based forms, pretending to be a module for Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) Web-hosting software.
The malware, which is dubbed “ISN,” hasn’t been widely seen. It is a malicious DLL (dynamic link library), which is installed as a module for IIS. ISN’s installer contains four versions of the DLL, one of which is served up depending on whether a victim uses the 32- or 64-bit version of IIS6 or IIS7+. Its currently undetectable by most anti virus software.

ISN collects data from POST requests, stolen from within IIS itself, which circumvents encryption, and is then sent elsewhere. The malicious module can be configured to monitor information from specific URIs (uniform resource identifier). The malware has so far been seen targeting credit card data on e-commerce sites, however, it could also be used to steal logins, or any other sensitive information sent to a compromised IIS instance.

Trustwave’s SpiderLabs also infiltrated a control server for the massive Pony botnet that was dumping credentials that it had harvested from compromised computers around the world. massive hack has served up the user names and passwords of nearly 2 million Facebook, Twitter, Google and Yahoo accounts, among others. The breached database also let loose credentials for 1.58 million Web site log ins, 320,000 e-mail accounts, 41,000 FTP accounts, 3,000 remote Relevant Products / Services desktops, and 3,000 shell accounts.

We recommend regular passwords updates and before you make the changes always check for malware.

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Posted in Security and Compliance

Dynamics CRM 2013 U1 is released

December 17th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Aishwarya in our CRM team reminded me to mention that Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 is released. This is the first service release since CRM 2013 was launched. This update is available for both On-Premises and On Line instances.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2891271

KB Article: 2891271

Build Version: 6.0.0001.0061

This is the first service release since CRM 2013 was launched. This update is available for On-Premises instances.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2891271

KB Article: 2891271

Build Version: 6.0.0001.0061

It deals with some 32 ‘teething issues’. contains stability and memory-consumption improvements, as well as fixes for 32 issues. ( I am pleased to note that the issue “When data is entered into a form, the Save button can be clicked multiple times which results in multiple of the same record being created.”) is one of the fixes.

You can verify whether UR1 has been applied by looking at version number on Dynamics CRM’s “About” page.

With UR1 we get to see the new versioning scheme in action. Microsoft now uses new version numbering rules to bring more clarity to major updates (first number), minor updates (second number), and upgrade rollups and builds (third number). The on-premise release of CRM 2013 was version 6.0.0.809. The new online version number with Update Rollup 1 applied is 6.0.1.61. You can now look at the third number in the version string to know which update rollup you are on. The format of the version number is now major.minor.update.build.

There is a compatibility issue when you use the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Client for Outlook with Update Rollup 15 applied against a Dynamics CRM 2013 server. This issue does not affect Dynamics CRM 2011 servers. A new Update Rollup 15 client has been published that with a new feature that is scheduled to be delivered with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013. This feature moves the CRM client-specific workload into its own process so that it no longer shares memory with the Microsoft Office Outlook process. This feature is also known as Process Isolation.

We recommend upgrade to the new client in order to prevent version compatibility issues in the future. The new client is designated by “-v2” in the package name. This update can be applied on the original update rollup 15 or any earlier update rollup of CRM 2011 for Microsoft Outlook.

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Posted in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

2013 top CRM buyer trends

December 17th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Software Advice (http://www.softwareadvice.com/) were in touch to update me about their new CRM research findings which highlights that the cloud continues to extend its reach. Read More here: http://www.crmsoftwareblog.com/2013/11/crm-software-buyerview-2013-report-shows-what-crm-buyers-want/

Some other key conclusions:

– Companies want CRM software to deliver improved efficiency, better features, better integration and better upgrade cycles.

– Many are unhappy with their current systems.

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM’s single 360 degree view of a customer supports streamlined automates sales processes and shortens the sales cycle. which equals higher close rates and better customer retention.

– No CRM solution integrates better with your current business software than Microsoft Dynamics CRM, which connects with other Dynamics products as well as Microsoft Office.

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Posted in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Seasonal greetings from Synergy Software Systems, Dubai

December 17th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

As I head for U.K, with a seasonal cold I offer you this very cute seasonal greeting.

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell_fps24.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3166187/graphic1

Give it a little time and follow the simple instructions and share it with a child.

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Posted in Uncategorized

SME conference at ADNEC

December 16th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

There is an SME conference at ADNEC this week
http://www.smemiddleeast.com

Speaking at a packed workshop seminar organised by Microsoft. Synergy Software Systems Director: Stephen Jones highlighted the importance of a focused business. This included case study and research across several industries as well as many practical examples from his 40 years in industry, and in how this has helped Synergy Software Systems be successful for over 22 years in the U.A.E.

If you are interested to know more then please contact us.

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Posted in Dubai and regional news, Events, General Synergy News

Dubai – order early for Year end 2013 to avoid problems

December 16th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Please note that many European offices will be closed in the Christmas to New Year period. Software and hardware vendors also have to deal with Year end and auditor processes.

– Please process any urgent orders before end of this week to avoid delay in fulfillment
– Please check whether you have a license reserialisation due at year end.
– If you need consulting support for year end or early January then book early because other customers may also have requirements and some consultants will also take seasonal holidays so book early.
– New consulting rates will apply for the New Year and some software prices may also increase, or discounts lapse so to secure current quotation prices please ensure you order before 20 December to give time for payments to clear and for us to contact software principals before they close.

I will shortly be departing for holidays myself so let me wish you all seasonal greetings and goodwill and a prosperous New Year.

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Posted in Dubai and regional news, Events, General Synergy News

Merry Christmas for Synergy

December 15th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

81 Synergy staff, family and children meet Father Christmas at the company Christmas Party.

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Posted in Events, General Synergy News

New European Banking Regulatory Updates – XBRL2

December 8th, 2013 by Stephen Jones No comments »

The European Banking Authority (EBA) recently published a new set of papers and technical documents around the execution of the new requirements for electronic submission of data (under updated XBRL formats). Such changes are typically adopted in similar form by other financial institutions.

An ancillary pack of updates was also released and those affect the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other Member State Competent Authorities.

What is changed?
Corrigendum to Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 were released on the last day of November 2013, and encompass a 337 page document providing an updated legislation to the preceding CRD and CRR publications.
What will this affect?

The impact of this corrigendum will affect the:
• Definitions of Eligible Capital – Definition 71
• Definition of Leverage – Definition 93
• Adjustments to dates when EBA are mandated to do things, and:
• Page 36, Article 26 (3) issuances
• Page 37, Article 26 (3) non-state aid capital instruments
• Page 62, Article 84 (5) dates re parent financial holding company
• Page 232, Article 395 (6) Large Exposures Limits
• Page 274, Article 478 (2) re applicable percentages for deduction from Common Equity Tier 1, Additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 items – changes to the date to taper to 100% by 2024
• Page 281 Article 493 (3) brings forward deadline for transition period to 31/12/2028

A further comprehensive pack was released by the EBA over the weekend which encompasses the XBRL
taxonomy for remittance of supervisory reporting by competent regulatory authorities (termed XBRL 2). With this publication, the EBA has in effect replaced the former publication pertaining to XBRL taxonomy ( which was released previously on the 19thSeptember 2013). All other papers in relation to the implementation of just over 110 technical standards (ITS) 1/2/3 remain largely unchanged.

This new XBRL 2 provides a fixed mechanism into the technical standards that will impact electronic report submissions by the credit institutions to the various competent authorities.This taxonomy incorporates the definition of a data point model to harness the underlying technical standards, which in turn encompass the capital requirements regulation.

In the context of filing supervisory returns, the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) may be implemented across a multi-tiered layer of: users, report preparers, and regulatory supervisors. The main objective behind the incorporation of the taxonomy is to:
• lower the: collation, production and submission of information in a more timely and surgical manner
• increase the quality of data
• to enrich advanced quantitative data analysis.

Regulators concurrently will benefit from the adoption through: simplified programming, facilitated validation, and greater flexibility in getting changes made to submissions. This in turn will make manual processing redundant, as more institutions and their respective authorities move closer to higher data qualities and attain data aggregation at regional and national levels with far less effort.

The new package released by the EBA includes:
• COREP and FINREP XBRL Taxonomy v2.0.0
• Various explanatory documentation
• EBA XBRL Filing Rules for v2.0.0
• DPM Database (MS Access table) and descriptions with accompanying definitions and
dictionaries
• DPM architecture diagrams and documents with updated validations
• XBRL Taxonomy together with accompanying Change Log
• Skeleton Instances

Pending publications of the ITS and DPM in the Official Journal seems to be attributed to the ongoing work required in translating the various legal regional Member State documentation. Following such release, in reaching a go-live date to report as at 31/03/2014, the EBA will include a release of the Finalised ITS along with the their respective reporting instructions, updated templates and validations, data point model underlying the final XBRL taxonomy.

The portal contains a comprehensive channel for relevant stake holders both to post, and to receive answers in relation to Directive 2013/36/EU (the Capital Requirements Directive or CRD), and Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (the Capital Requirements Regulation or CRR).

Following this, it is expected that the EBA will announce publication dates of when Asset Encumbrance, Non-Performing Loans and Forbearance Data will be added to the Data Point Model, following which dates for new liquidity requirements should ensue.

For more information on how BRSANALYTICS can help your organisation benefit from the automated collection and processing of financial data for completion of the supervisory and prudential return submissions contact us and ask for Hasan 043365589.