| ”Datapro has developed a number of custom software applications that are critical to the everyday operation of our business. These solutions integrate seamlessly with our other software in order to save us both time and money. Unlike most other software companies, Datapro takes the time to understand our business and provides affordable solutions that we can count on.” |
- Stephen Bloomberg,
Encore Sales Ltd. |
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GST Changes July 1
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As I am sure everybody is aware by now, effective July 1, the G.S.T. drops from 7% to 6%.
While this is great for everybody's disposable income, it is a potential headache when it comes to accounting-related software and tax reporting.
If applicable, please remember to change the G.S.T. tax rate in your software on the morning of July 1st.
If you have a customized solution where the G.S.T. is 'hard-coded' to 7% (meaning you cannot change it) and you still have not arranged to have this rectified, please let us know ASAP.
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Announcement
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Datapro is very pleased to announce the addition of Rich Gaasenbeek as Vice President, Sales & Marketing.
Rich has over 20 years of IT industry experience in the areas of sales, marketing and business development. Rich embodies Datapro's philosophies of professionalism, outstanding service
and customer-focus and enhances our ability to provide our clients leading technology-based services by focusing on our clients' business first.
We would like to welcome Rich and we look forward to his contributions to Datapro and its valued clients.
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It really is very simple. No business can ignore the Internet if it wants to survive in today's business world.
The opportunities and threats presented by the Internet are no longer only the realm of large corporations.
If your business is still ignoring the vast potential of the Internet, it will soon be left behind by companies that are devising and launching cutting edge Internet strategies.
Internet-related technologies must now be included on any organization's laundry list of potential strategies for sales, marketing, customer relationship management and commerce.
So how does a small business determine the most effective, and cost-effective, strategies to take advantage of the Internet?
Find Out What the Competition Is Doing
This is actually easier than it sounds due to the very nature of the Internet.
Any successful small business knows which companies represent its most important competition. So, simply perform a Google search on each competitor and determine if it has a web site and, if so, what is it doing with it. You should try an answer the following questions about each company's site:
Is it simply a marketing brochure?
What company information is available on the site?
Is there a means to request further information or request a quotation?
Are they selling product through their site?
Is there a password-protected customer entrance?
While this will not provide a complete list of your competition's current Internet strategies, it will give you some idea of whether they have one and how sophisticated it is.
Apply Proven Strategies to New Opportunities
For most mature industries, the Internet has not actually changed the fundamentals of doing business all that much. The Internet simply presents new ways to execute traditional business activities like sales, marketing and customer relationship management.
So when starting to devise an Internet strategy, applying the same kind of thinking that has made your business successful in the first place can be a very good place to start.
Ask Someone Who Knows
For many older businesses, technology has traditionally been viewed as a necessary evil, forced upon them by accountants and auditors. Many of these businesses still use technology only for internal functions like accounting and payroll.
For these companies, the idea of using technology as an engine to grow their businesses is often unfamiliar and frightening territory. They also assume that any Internet strategy will be very expensive.
To bridge the knowledge gap, we recommend bringing in outside help that can help you understand the opportunities that are available via the Internet. An understanding of the available strategies and the relative costs and considerations of each will help you determine the Internet strategy that is best suited to meet the challenges, goals and budget of your business.
If you feel your business might be getting left behind, Datapro Technology Solutions can help you formulate an Internet strategy that provides the best fit for your organization. Give us a call today at 416-977-1991 to find out how we can help.
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