Today’s retail leaders don’t need another reminder that customer expectations have skyrocketed. But here’s the truth: shoppers now expect seamlessness as a baseline. They want to browse online, pick up in‑store, return anywhere, and receive consistent service across every touchpoint. Retailers who unify their systems gain visibility, agility, and the ability to meet customers where they are - not where legacy systems force them to be. For many retailers, that’s a tall order. For POS‑One and their Omnichannel solution, it’s a problem that's already been solved. Their platform is built to help retailers deliver frictionless customer experiences without adding operational chaos behind the scenes.

This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s time to plan your GP migration and protect your business, before it's too late. Featured Photo (left) by Russ Murray / @remages GP is approaching the end of the line, and that means limited updates, shrinking support, rising operational risk, and a rapidly disappearing ecosystem of skilled partners and developers. If you’re still running Microsoft Great Plains (GP) or Dynamics GP in 2026, you already know the truth about your situation... The world around you has moved on and you are running out of time to plan your migration!

As we close out another remarkable year, the entire team at CKS Cloud is taking a moment to reflect. 2025 was a year of real progress, shared wins, and strengthened partnerships. We’re grateful for every client who trusted us to support their operations, streamline their processes, and strengthen the foundation of their business. To every company and organization we worked with this year: thank you! Your success is the reason we do what we do. At CKS Cloud, we’re more than a solution provider — we’re a committed partner. Whether it’s optimizing Business Central, integrating best-in-class apps, improving data insights, or solving the tough operational challenges that get in the way of growth, our team shows up.

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As we wrap up another incredible year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our customers and partners. Together, we’ve navigated challenges, embraced innovation, and achieved milestones that truly make this season worth celebrating. Your trust and collaboration have been the driving force behind everything we do. The holidays remind us that success is sweeter when shared. Whether it’s streamlining operations, migrating to the cloud, or unlocking new possibilities, we couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s to continuing our journey together in the new year—bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever.

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The manufacturing industry has always been the backbone of global progress; turning raw materials into the marvelously finished goods which enable our life and work. Featured photo (on left) by: Hermeus on Unsplash However, the challenges today aren’t just about producing more, they’re about producing smarter. From supply chain disruptions to labor shortages, rising costs, and the relentless pressure to innovate, manufacturers are juggling more balls than a circus performer on a caffeine high. Common Pain Points: Disconnected Systems that make data feel like a treasure locked in multiple chests.

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Costing Methods & Profitability Accurate inventory costing sits at the center of every healthy business. Whether you manufacture, distribute, design apparel, manage complex supply chains, or run retail operations, the valuation of your inventory directly influences margins, financial reporting, replenishment decisions, analytics, and long-term profitability. Yet many organizations unintentionally undermine these outcomes by selecting the wrong costing method, relying on outdated rules, or failing to maintain costing discipline. At CKS, we routinely help companies discover hidden costing errors, margin distortions, and reconciliation problems—and replace them with a streamlined costing strategy built for growth.

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Government and civil organizations face unique situations: balancing efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement while navigating complex regulations and tight budgets. In this environment, Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) and Copilot are powerful tools that help public sector organizations modernize operations, improve service delivery, and build trust with the communities they serve. Think of it as moving from “bureaucracy as usual” to “bureaucracy with superpowers.” Photo by Dillon T. on Unsplash Public sector workflows often span multiple departments and rely on legacy systems. Licensing, permitting, and case management can be slow and fragmented, leaving citizens frustrated.

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YouTube video by CKS Cloud Solutions

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When a company’s ERP journey has gone off track, confidence is the first casualty. Whether it’s a failed go-live, a partner who stopped listening, or a system that just doesn’t deliver what was promised—leaders are left wondering: Can this ever really work? At CKS Cloud Solutions, we don’t just say it can. We prove it. Featured Photo (<left) by Edge2Edge Media on Unsplash The CKS Guaranteed Results Session The Guaranteed Results Session is our unique, hands-on way of showing—not telling—how CKS delivers clarity, capability, and confidence to every ERP client. It’s a focused, collaborative workshop designed to solve real issues, uncover critical insights, and demonstrate how your business can thrive with the right partner and the right plan.

Customer expectations are evolving faster than your old IVR menu can say “Press 1 for frustration" -- if your contact center still feels like a relic from the dial-up era, it’s time for an upgrade... Enter Dynamics 365 Contact Center aka "D365 CC" D365 CC is Microsoft’s Copilot-first, cloud-based solution that’s here to make customer service smarter, faster, and much easier to understand. Featured Photo (left) by Michal Biernat on Unsplash Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash Think of D365 Contact Center as the Swiss Army knife of customer engagement...

ERP Reviewed & Optimized Recently? If Not, Get a CKS Real-IT Check! Is your IT environment working for you - or just working against you? Every business today depends on technology - from ERP & Accounting Systems to CRM, E-Commerce, and Marketing Tools. But as systems evolve and business needs change, it’s easy for gaps, inefficiencies, or outdated tools to creep in unnoticed. That’s where the CKS Real-IT Check comes in. What Is the CKS Real-IT Check? The Real-IT Check is a structured yet straightforward review of your Business Systems, Processes, and Workflows - designed to help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.

In today’s dynamic retail landscape, where omnichannel experiences are no longer optional but essential, the newly announced partnership between CKS Cloud Solutions and POS ONE A/S marks a significant milestone for retailers seeking seamless, modern retail systems operating in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central ("BC") ERP ecosystem. Why this Partnership Matters Retailers today face a host of complex challenges: disparate systems across online and offline channels, real-time inventory demands, customer expectations around checkout speed and flexibility (think click-and-collect, mobile POS, offline fallback), and the need to tie it all back into core finance and operations.

Excel Turns 40 — Still a Business Essential, but Time to Think Beyond the Spreadsheet This week marks 40 years of Microsoft Excel, one of the most transformative tools in business history. Introduced in 1985, Excel revolutionized how people organize, analyze, and visualize data — and it’s still going strong. At CKS Cloud Solutions, we love Excel. We use it daily for reporting, data analysis, modeling, and quick calculations. It’s fast, familiar, and endlessly flexible — a true classic that remains indispensable even in 2025. Photo by Rubaitul Azad…

If your business is still running on legacy systems like Great Plains (GP), we’ve got one question for you:Should you stay, or should you go? 🎸 Spoiler alert: Microsoft already made the decision for you. GP is being deprecated, and the cloud isn’t just the future - it’s the now. Don’t worry, we’re not here to scare you into migrating. We’re here to guide you through it, step-by-step, with a strategy that’s as smooth as your favourite music playlist. TL;DR: GP is on its way out, and cloud migration isn’t optional anymore - it’s essential.

Photo by Arawark chen on Unsplash (on left) At CKS Cloud Solutions, we’re often asked where ERP, PLM, and Planning & Forecasting fit in the fashion and apparel industry. Recently, while working with one of our fashion clients, the question came up directly: “Which system handles what—ERP vs PLM vs Planning & Forecasting?” We decided to research the topic in-depth so we could provide detailed, accurate information—not just for that client, but also for others who may be evaluating these platforms. The result was a clear breakdown of the different solution components, how they complement one another, and how CKS can help fashion companies put the right mix together.

Photo by Alexander JT on Unsplash By 2028, Microsoft Dynamics GP will officially reach End of Support, with Security and General Updates ceasing by 2031. For many organisations still relying on GP, this isn’t just a technical sunset — it’s a strategic crossroads. The longer businesses wait, the more exposed they become to operational risk, compliance gaps, and competitive disadvantage. Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash Microsoft Business Central (BC) is the direct successor to GP, offering a modern, cloud-based ERP platform that’s scalable, secure, and future-proof. But migration isn’t just about flipping a switch — it’s about…

New York Fashion Week returns September 11–16, 2025 with a packed calendar across Manhattan—anchor venues and off-site spaces—showcasing the Spring/Summer 2026 collections. The CFDA’s preliminary schedule notes Michael Kors launching the American Collections on Thursday, September 11, and the week concluding Tuesday, September 16. (CFDA) Key NYC Locations & Moments Spring Studios (Tribeca) remains a heavily used hub for shows and presentations, with public-facing activations and livestreams expanding access to the week. (NYC Tourism) Across Manhattan (and occasionally Brooklyn): many designers stage site-specific productions—museums, rooftops, waterfront warehouses—shaping each collection’s storytelling.

Ever been wowed by a software demo, only to find the real thing doesn’t quite fit your business? You’re not alone. In today’s world of endless tech options, knowing the difference between a quick o…

Let’s face it—automation can feel like a buzzword that’s been stretched thinner than your Monday morning patience. But when done right, it’s not just a tech upgrade—it’s a business revolution. That’s exactly what’s happening in the new partnership between CKS Cloud Solutions and Experlogix. Together, we’re making automation practical, powerful, and dare we say…enjoyable. Experlogix’s Configure, Price, Quote or "CPQ" solution isn’t just another tool—it’s a turbocharger for your sales engine. Whether you’re in manufacturing, retail, or any industry where quoting gets complicated, Experlogix simplifies the chaos. With CPQ, your team can build accurate quotes in minutes, not hours, and sync them directly into your CRM or ERP.