Glossary of Terms

Analyst – A third-party software that Synergy sells, implements, and supports. Part of the Business Intelligence series, The Analyst harnesses the power of Excel for reporting, analysis, and budgeting. More...

Business Intelligence – A series of Synergy solutions that use the most advanced analytical tools to deliver accurate business insight about customers, projects, markets, finances, inventory, orders, etc. More...

Business Portal – A Dynamics SL module that provides role-based access to information and processes from a single web-based portal. The tool used to provide remote access to real-time data. More...

BIO – Business Information Optimization – An add-on interactive tool for Dynamics SL that brings operational and financial data (projects, sales, inventory, customers, accruals, revenues, budgets, and more) together. More...

Configuration – A step in the implementation process when each module is setup and configured to your business process. Master files are created, either with client assistance or data import. More...

Cost Accounting – Activity that establishes budget and actual cost of operations, processes, projects, or product and the analysis of profitability. Sometimes used in reference to project accounting or job costing. More on Cost Accounting Software.

Customization – A Synergy service that uses any industry standard application development tool to customize one’s financial and business management system to meet specific needs. More...

Data Conversion – A Synergy service that converts one’s current data to the format required for Microsoft Dynamics SL. More...

Distribution - A series of Dynamics SL modules that enable control over every aspect of a company's distribution processes, from purchasing and maintaining inventory to processing and shipping orders. More...

Dynamics SL - Microsoft Dynamics SL (formerly Solomon) is an integrated, adaptable business management software solution designed for project-driven organizations and includes modules in financial management, project management and accounting, business intelligence, business portals, distribution, and field service. More on Microsoft Dynamics SL.

ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning - An ERP system is a business support system that maintains in a single database the data needed for a variety of business functions such as Financials, Projects, Human Resources and Customer Relationship Management. More on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).

ETO Manufacturing - Engineer-to-order - ETO manufacturing, or make-to-order (MTO) manufacturing, is a project-based manufacturing process where products are made to a customer's unique specifications. More...

Field Service - A series of modules for Dynamics SL with applications that support all aspects of service call processing and dispatching. More...

Financial Management - The series of modules in Dynamics SL that handle standard accounting such as General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Payroll. These modules integrate with other series within SL, such as Project Management and Accounting and Distribution. More...

FRx Reporting - A set of modules in the Business Intelligence series that create highly customizable financial reports, help master the financial reporting process, provide powerful forecasting and budgeting tools, and allow managers to respond quickly to changing business needs. More...

Implementation - The deployment Synergy performs for new clients that includes installing new financial and business software, configuring each module to a client's business processes, integrating all relevant software applications, and converting current data into a new system. More...

Installation - Part of the implementation process where Synergy installs new software, such as Microsoft Dynamics SL, without interruption to a client's core business. More...

Integration - Part of the implementation process where Synergy integrates software applications to eliminate multiple data entry. More...

Job Costing - Activity that establishes budget and actual cost of jobs or projects and the analysis of profitability. Sometimes used in reference to project accounting or cost accounting. More on Job Costing Software.

Microsoft Dynamics - The brand of Microsoft business, financial, and/or ERP software that includes the following products: Dynamics SL (formerly Solomon) that is designed for project-based organizations, Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains), Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision), Dynamics AX (formerly Axapta), and Dynamics CRM.

Microsoft Dynamics SL - Dynamics SL (formerly Solomon) is an integrated, adaptable business management software solution designed for project-driven organizations and and that includes modules in financial management, project management and accounting, business intelligence, business portals, distribution, and field service. More on Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Microsoft Project - A project management software program which is designed to assist project managers in developing plans, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing budgets, and analyzing workloads. Microsoft Dynamics SL integrates with Microsoft Project. More...

Microsoft Project Server - A project management server solution that leverages Windows SharePoint Services as its foundation, and utilizes both a web interface and Microsoft Project as the client application. More...

Microsoft SQL Server - A relational database management system with its primary query language a form of the Structured Query Language (SQL).

Microsoft SharePoint - A browser-based collaboration and document-management platform. It can be used to host web sites that access shared workspaces and documents, as well as specialized applications like wikis and blogs from a browser. More...

MTO Manufacturing - Make-to-order - MTO manufacturing, or engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing, is a project-based manufacturing process where products are made to a customer's unique specifications. More...

Needs Analysis - An initial review of a client's situation in which Synergy meets with management and staff to ascertain client requirements and existing hardware, operating systems, and network, before planning for a solution. More...

Plan>Prove>Purchase - Synergy's approach of planning a client's solution and proving it works with their critical data by building a prototype before they purchase the software. More...

Professional Service Organizations - Organizations that provide specific services to clients that are typically on a project basis. Examples include architects, engineers, business consultants, and creative agencies such as marketing, design, and advertising companies. More...

Project Accounting - The practice of creating financial reports specifically designed to track the financial progress of projects, which can then be used by managers to aid project management. Sometimes referred to as cost accounting, project costing, or job costing. More on Project Accounting Software.

Project Costing - Activity that establishes budget and actual cost of projects and the analysis of profitability. Sometimes used in reference to project accounting, cost accounting, or job costing.

Project-driven - A term used to describe companies or organizations that primarily provide services on a project basis rather than on an ongoing, subscription or monthly basis.

Project Management - The discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. More on Project Management.

Project Management and Accounting (PMA) - A series of modules within Microsoft Dynamics SL that meets the specific business management needs of project, service, and distribution-driven organizations. Ideal for mid-size and large companies that need extensive functionality and integration with other applications. More on Project Management and Accounting.

Project Manufacturing - A project-based manufacturing process where products are made to a customer's unique specifications. Sometimes used in reference to made-to-order or engineer-to-order manufacturing. More...

Proof-of-concept - Configuration of the Dynamics SL software in a way that proves it performs the functions the client requires. More...

Prototype - The Dynamics SL software proof-of-concept configured to the way you do business, utilizing your customers, vendors, accounts, projects, and other applicable data before the client actually purchases the software. More...

SharePoint - A Microsoft browser-based collaboration and document-management platform. It can be used to host web sites that access shared workspaces and documents, as well as specialized applications like wikis and blogs from a browser. More on SharePoint.

Solomon – The former name of Microsoft Dynamics SL software; an integrated, adaptable business management solution designed for project-driven organizations. More on Solomon Software.