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AirServer to the rescue!
Having been an avid iPad user since iPad 1, I have always wanted to mirror apps on the iPad and show them live on my PC desktop. I have lamented, that I would one day I would have to jail break my iPad, but then I found AirServer. After installing AirServer on my PC laptop, I was immediately able to mirror an untethered iPad with Retina Display (AKA: iPad 4). Now I can share those mirrored apps for presentations and training videos. I can share AirServer and my desktop using WebEx, Lync, and Skype. AirServer Full Screen mode or F11 hot key, blacks out the rest of your desktop and displays only what is on your iPad. The Full Screen mode is great for screen capturing you device using video software such as Camtasia, Adobe Captivate, or Snagit.


Exact Synergy Mobile Apps 2.0 review

I have been an avid user of Exact Synergy Mobile Apps since the very first release. 2.0 was released in July, 2012 and the user experience has been improved for iPhone, iPad and Android. In August, Exact released an app for Windows Phone 7 . I have been Exact Synergy desktop browser user for over 8 years and the apps give me the device of my choice. In the morning, I reach for one of my smartphones or tablet to review my workflow while I shake up my morning green drink. Within 5 minutes I can review my tasks for the day, respond to any incoming requests, approve as needed, and move on. Synergy Workflow was simplified with a subway map to show you what step you are currently on and what action you need to take. In the expense claim picture shown (left), you can see that Ralph needs to ‘Approve’ the Expense Claim. The status is currently ‘Open’, once Ralph approves it, the status will be ‘Approved’. The subway map also shows that there is one more step in the workflow process after he approves it. I do think that the subway map gives the UX a visual flow to follow. A picture has also been added in the workflow process to quickly identify the person on which needs to take action. The account card is simplified, uses less space and icons are used to identify account type, such as a Customer, Prospect or Supplier. New icons are positioned horizontally to use less space and identify Workflow, Opportunities and Documents. The phone and email address for the account have been consolidated into one button with multiple actions. All contacts now have the new action button to quickly send an email, call the contacts direct line or mobile. While I do like the improved UX, I am waiting for more functionality to be added so I can use more mobile and less desktop. Reference: Exact Synergy App for iPhone 2.0 in the App Store now! Exact Synergy App for Android 2.0 in Google Play now! Exact Synergy for Windows Phone 7 in Marketplace now! I would like to give credit to Henry Beck for his original design of subway maps http://www.20thcenturylondon.org.uk/beck-henry-harry
Exact CRM App 2.0
Exact CRM App 2.0 was released recently with three new features that I personally like. First, the ability to view sales opportunities stages through a log – view. Now a user can quickly see the current stage, previous and next stage in the sales cycle. Since CRM could have various sales cycles, this is great to remind oneself of the stages, or for a newbie still in training.
Next, CRM users now have mobile dashboards to view standard ‘out of the box’ or custom dashboards. Since Exact CRM has embedded integration to SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services), dashboards and reports can meet the the needs or wants of a sales team. If a user wants a specific dashboard or report, an admin or a VP Sales could deliver a custom report. Admin can copy mobile preferences from one user to the next. Roles based or individual security would apply.
You can also add standard or custom dashboards and reports at an account level – customer, prospect, etc. Before you walk into an account, access sales history, sales quota vs. target, or perhaps a snapshot of customer service activity.
POV
Exact CRM app is improving the CRM experience! Breaking away CRM functionality from the Synergy app has proven to be a smart move and a good strategy.
Still, users want more and expect more. I have provided feedback to product managers about some missing features. The Synergy user group on LinkedIn has also been talking about this topic.
Related posts:
Exact CRM app review
Exact CRM app review
Exact has created a new app with a new user experience (UX). This app will eventually replace the Exact Synergy app. The UX was greatly improved allowing quick access to contacts, sales opportunities, activities, appointments, and documents. Unlike its predecessor, this app was designed to maximize the UX for iOS devices, iPhone and iPad. Exact has plans in 2014 to design the CRM app for Android devices. Exact is already designing other prototypes.
Comparison
Here is a quick comparison of improvements over to its predecessor. You can get to information quicker without having to swipe ‘back’ multiple times! For example, navigating to a customers sales opportunities detail, required you to go back up, backup to where you started.
You can instantly view all of your active sales opportunities without having to go to the customer or prospect information first. You can filter sales opportunities by follow-up date or close date. Sales opportunities now include any sales opportunities (card), and or any sales activity (workflow type). A sales administrator can add the new ‘follow-up’ date field to sales opportunities and to any sales activity (workflow type). In addition, an admin can set any sales activity (workflow type) to be included as a sales opportunity by selecting the definition ‘sales forecast’ checkbox. A user can update active sales opportunities, including the ‘follow-up’ date, remarks, and activities.
One of my favorite features, allows the user to see a Twitter stream of the customer, prospect, or supplier, etc. Read what a customer is tweeting before you walk into an appointment, or make a phone call. You can quickly add one or multiple Twitter accounts to the customer’s Twitter stream with a dynamic search, then add (+) button. Other social (external references) are visible from the contact information.
Parity
A user can not add a customer or a prospect. That feature still exists within the Exact Synergy app. However, you can add a new Contact and link it to an existing customer or prospect.
Development
Exact CRM app was designed to utilize web services which provides access to more business entities and will help with future development.
FEATURES
– Sales opportunities
– Accounts (Customer, Prospect, etc.)
– Contact persons
– Activities
– Appointments
– Documents
– Calendar
– Colleagues
– Multi language
REQUIREMENTS
– iOS 6.0 or above
– Exact Synergy Enterprise Product Update 252 and above.

Links
Earlier review of Exact Synergy Mobile app 2.0
What can do with the new app – Exact Corporate Blog
Questions
Please post your questions below
Why I ditched AirServer for Reflector
I ditched AirServer for Reflector some time ago. Both can wirelessly mirror your iPhone or iPad screen to any Mac or PC. However, Reflector has been more forgiving on private wireless networks than that of AirServer. As I travel to do presentations, I cannot control nor anticipate wireless network issues at prospective clients, customers, and hotel conference centers. A colleague was frustrated after many AirServer support calls and emails with no resolution, so he found Reflector. When AirServer has failed to connect, Reflector has succeeded to connect.

Reflector has a frame (skin) that identical to the device bezel. From the desktop you can change the frame to be on or off, or from iOS Black / White or to iOS Black / White Mini. Reflector can mirror multiple devices to one computer for a side-by-side presentation. You could have multiple presenters comparing screens and apps side-by-side. This is a great feature for presentations, recording or testing apps.
Tips:
1) Full Screen – Blacks out your desktop behind the app. There is a setting to turn on Full Screen upon connection. A Hot Key or a right mouse click from desktop, allows you to turn Full Screen on or off.
2) Auto-Lock – I recommend increasing pass-code time locking to keep the screen active during presentations.
3) Recording – Record your iPhone or iPad without wires or extra software. You can record the frame (skin). Records in mp4 format.
Overall, Reflector has delivered a better user experience! For more information please comment, or go checkout http://www.airsquirrels.com/reflector/
Below are examples of multiple devices being mirrored at the same time, Full Screen, Scale: Stretch to Fit and Show Frame (skin).

Mophie Me
I bought a Mophie to charge up my mobile devices during my travel and my daddy activities. Whether I am on a plane, or strolling to the park with my two and a half year old daughter, Mophie keeps my mobile devices charged.
A colleague chuckled, when I posted my affection for Mophie on our Yammer network. He asked, why do your need such a device? Great question, try traveling across three time zones, and keep your iPhone, iPad and Android devices from draining power. During a flight, or on a train, I find myself listening to music, reading, watching a video, or creating some content, either way you need enough power to check apps, and make a call when you land.
As I travel visiting customers and prospects, it is not always conducive to plug in all mobile devices and laptop. If you’re like me, you start hogging up an entire power-strip, or you do not want to interrupt a meeting by looking for a place to plug-in.
During a recent road trip, a manager borrowed my Mophie to charge up his Samsung Galaxy, now he plans to buy one. Another Mophie convert!
Collaboration Solutions Can Save You From ‘Death By Email’
In a world where many collaboration software solutions exist, email may be the least efficient for internal communication. Most would agree that managing email can be overwhelming and time-consuming. How often do you start your day with more emails than you can respond to within a reasonable time frame? How many times have you opened an email and the sender did not properly communicate the relevant information such as the customer’s name, priority, or a due date? Often, you reply back to the sender to ask more questions to clarify their question. We have all received the notorious chain email between multiple people, where in the end you are not sure why you were CC’d in the first place. Death by Email happens every day, perhaps there is a better way to communicate through other collaborative solutions.
I began searching for answers and collaborated with productivity masters, entrepreneurs, a PhD, and CEOs. What they all have in common is that they use collaborative tools and schedule time for productivity. Judith Kallos wrote an eBook about ‘Business Email Etiquette’ and talks about ‘101 Email Etiquette Tips’. I did not know etiquette for email ever existed, did you? Illy Pozin, a CEO and self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur says, “picking two to three times during the day when you are going to use email” is best for time management. “Responding instantly to every note that hits the inbox sucks more time than people might realize”, said Marsha Egan, a professional efficiency coach. To be productive, you need to buckle down and get tasks done without distractions.
Email can be productive and efficient. However, depending on the business process, there are collaborative solutions available that are far more efficient. Doctor Sharon Dill, CIO of PADI Americas, Inc., said “We are currently using Yammer for Support Groups to communicate with each other. The groups can share problems that they are having, and how they are helping the customer solve the problem.” Torre Tribout, President of Sniperdyne, uses Google Talk for instant message collaboration with his programmers and business partners about new features and enhancements for the launch of their new eCommerce solution. Neil Montgomery, President and CEO of Davis Controls Limited, uses Exact Synergy from Exact Software. Back in 1996, he told his staff to communicate and collaborate using Synergy workflow and no longer allowed internal emails. “When he met continued resistance, he mandated that employees must use the software, not email, to complete the business process it was designed to streamline”, said Baseline. Neil has a saying, “If it does not happen in Synergy, it never happened.” Back then, what Davis Controls did was considered revolutionary. Today we are seeing other companies follow suit. In November 2011, ABC news interviewed Thierry Breton, the CEO of Altos of the largest French IT company who implemented a ‘Zero Email’ policy. Thierry Breton said, “only 10 percent of the 200 messages employees receive per day are useful and 18 percent is spam.” Thierry says he plans to put an end to, “internal emails in 18 months, forcing the company’s 74,000 employees to communicate with each other via instant messaging and a Facebook-style interface.”
Every business has to decide how they will communicate internally and externally. I have found that each person, department, and team will differ on what software to use for communication, and for what purpose. There is a financial cost for ineffective communication, in many cases it is the loss of time. Middle managers of Altos “spend more than 25 percent of their time searching for information, according to the company.” When you communicate ineffectively, you put the burden on others to search, lookup, or reply back with more questions. Provide context and the details necessary for proper communication. Know when to email, instant message, use workflow, schedule a meeting, or simply pick up the phone. All of these collaboration solutions can save you from ‘Death by Email’.
Original article was published March 30th, 2012 on Exact’s employee portal.
Reference:
Email Etiquette Tips by Judith Kallos. Websites: http://www.101emailetiquettetips.com http://www.businessemailetiquette.com
7 Things Highly Productive People Do by Illy Pozon. A columnist for Inc, Forbes, a serial entrepreneur, and CEO. Article: http://www.inc.com/ilya-pozin/7-things-highly-productive-people-do.html
Happy Information Overload Day! Author Doug Gross http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-20/tech/information.overload.day_1_mails-marsha-egan-rss?_s=PM:TECH
Dr. Sharon Dill – CIO of PADI Americas, Inc. Website: http://www.padi.com
Torre Tribout, President of Sniperdyne. Website: http://www.sniperdyne.com
Getting Business to Flow by Baseline article about customer: Davis Controls Limited. Website: http://www.daviscontrols.com
Davis Controls announcement about Synergy – website link
Firm Implements Employee ‘Zero Email’ Policy – ABC News: http://abcn.ws/IfzlF3
The IT Boss Who Shuns Email – Wall Street Journal Online: http://on.wsj.com/HwnuFL