"Back to the Future" themed conference will highlight discussions and workshops on the future of SalesPad products, ERP, manufacturing and more

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - SalesPad, a Grand Rapids-based software company, today announced its lineup of educational sessions for PANELS 2018. More than 55 sessions will feature experts who've worked at industry-leading companies like Apple, Steelcase, Michigan State University, Picnic Time and others. PANELS 2018 will also feature Sheryl Connelly, the in-house futurist for Ford Motor Co., as the keynote speaker.

"PANELS has truly evolved beyond a SalesPad user conference and into an industry-leading event. This year, we're bringing in industry experts to educate attendees on more than just our software - our sessions will offer operational ERP best practices that all distribution and manufacturing professionals can put to use," Jennifer Jurgens, SalesPad president, said. "Whether you're a sales rep or a warehouse manager, we'll offer educational sessions and interactive discussions that will help you streamline your business processes. We'll look back on how things used to be done and then offer a path to how you'll operate better, and more efficiently, in the future." 

"Back to the Future" is the theme for PANELS 2018, which is expected to bring in more than 400 attendees. Conference sessions will cover a wide range of topics including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), sales, manufacturing, automation and warehousing, as well as education specifically for companies using Microsoft Dynamics GP. Below are some of the highlights for this year's PANELS sessions. For a full list, visit salespad.net/panels/sessions. 

Panel Discussions: 

A number of customer led panel-style discussions will focus on how to use SalesPad across different positions within a company. 

• CSR Manager: Designed for customer service representatives, attendees will hear tips and strategies from SalesPad customers on how their CSRs use SalesPad products. 
• Warehouse Manager: Attendees will learn about all things warehouse related and gain insights on how other customers have used SalesPad to improve warehouse operations.
• Sales Manager: Participants in this session will hear from professionals who use SalesPad Desktop and SalesPad Mobile for their sales team.

SalesPad User and Partner Sessions:

Led by the SalesPad team, these sessions are an opportunity for attendees to dig deep into SalesPad software while also learning about new features and trends.

• New Features of SalesPad: This fast-paced session gives attendees the lowdown on all the newest features released in all of SalesPad's products over the past year.
• SalesPad Suite General Overview: In this session, the SalesPad team will provide a high-level overview of SalesPad products including add-on apps, mobile solutions and more. 
• Configurator and Manufacturing Deep Dives: For companies that make products to order, this session will highlight the benefits of using the SalesPad Configurator for made-to-order products. It will also look at SalesPad's Desktop's integration into Dynamics GP Manufacturing module.
• DataCollection Overview: Attendees who play a role in warehouse operations will learn about the major factors to consider before implementing a warehouse management system.

Operational ERP Sessions:

These sessions will highlight trends in a variety of topics including supply chain, manufacturing and more.

• Sell Through vs. Sell In: The Next Step In Supply Chain Maturity: Steve Johandes of 100X and Jim Mallekoote of Apple will dig deep into a number of supply chain topics including motivating people at different stages of the supply chain, what motivates customers to purchase products and ways to apply these motivators into data analytics, supply chain and ERP.
• Successful Approaches to Implementing Lean and ERP: Bob Hendriksen and Steve Barry of Steelcase will dive into the lean journey, and will look at process flow, process islands, the transition to value streams, new scheduling paradigms, providing real-time feedback loops and monitoring performance.

"You need to come to PANELS. The educational opportunities are great and I've learned so much," Jeanne Corbley, Intellitec Solutions, said. "The people at SalesPad have really made it a wonderful event, taking the time to think of everything you might need."

PANELS 2018 will take place Aug. 6-8 at the JW Marriott and the L.V. Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids. To register for PANELS 2018, visit salespad.com/panels.

About SalesPad

Built from a partnership between a small business owner and a developer, SalesPad knows operational ERP. It's why we exist, and why more than 15,000 people trust SalesPad to manage their distribution operations. We believe that inventory is the lifeblood of a business. After all, you can't sell what you don't have. This is why we empower businesses by providing them 100% visibility into their inventory management process. We work alongside existing accounting platforms like Microsoft Dynamics GP and QuickBooks to deliver meaningful customer data without compromising the security of core financials. For more, visit salespad.com.

SalesPad announces Futurist Sheryl Connelly as keynote speaker for annual PANELS 2018 conference

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - SalesPad, a Grand Rapids-based software company, today announced Sheryl Connelly, the in-house futurist for Ford Motor Co., will be the keynote speaker for PANELS 2018. PANELS 2018 a technology conference for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing and retail professionals on Microsoft Dynamics GP and will take place Aug. 6-8 at the JW Marriott and the L.V. Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids.

"SalesPad is constantly innovating to give our Dynamics GP clients the tools they need to succeed, and we're excited to have Sheryl give us a look into the future on trends that could impact the way we work and do business," said Jennifer Jurgens, SalesPad president. "Sheryl will teach attendees how to think like a futurist and prepare for what's next in technology. We're looking forward to learning about what we can do today to set us up for success in the future." 

Connelly has been the futurist for Ford for more than a decade. She identifies global consumer trends that could impact the entire company from product design to development to corporate strategy. She is a member of the Global Advisory Council on transportation for the World Economic Forum. Fast Company magazine named her one of the Most Creative People in Business in 2013 and 2015. Connelly has been a featured speaker at TED Global, appeared on CBS "This Morning," CNBC's "Fast Money" and NPR's "All Things Considered" with Robert Siegel.

"Back to the Future" is the theme for PANELS 2018. During Connelly's keynote presentation, she will teach attendees how to think like a futurist and spot trends that impact their business and industry. Connelly uses STEEP factors - social, technological, economic, environmental and political trends - to help people understand what will affect business in the short- and long-term. She will also share stories of her own futurist predictions that have come to fruition.

Watch the PANELS 2018 promotional video here.

"I found many of the PANELS breakout sessions informative and well run ... I am confident that in 2018, with much more knowledge and experience with SalesPad, we'll be able to bring much more to the table. I look forward to this year's event," said Kurt Goetzke, purchasing agent for Hungry Howie's Distributing, INC and 2017 PANELS attendee.

PANELS attracts SalesPad customers and partners from across North America every year and provides an in-depth look at the latest tools and insights to help businesses streamline operational processes. Participants will take part in panel discussions, hear from industry leaders and learn about the latest features in the SalesPad product suite.

New to the conference this year is an Operational ERP Spotlight track, open to the public, which provides educational insights for anyone in warehousing, distribution, light manufacturing and mid-sized retail. Early bird rates begin at $149 for a single three-day pass. Discounted group rates are available. Register for PANELS 2018 at salespad.com/panels.

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About SalesPad

Built from a partnership between a small business owner and a developer, SalesPad knows operational ERP. It's why we exist, and why more than 15,000 people trust SalesPad to manage their distribution operations. We believe that inventory is the lifeblood of a business. After all, you can't sell what you don't have. This is why we empower businesses by providing them 100% visibility into their inventory management process. We work alongside existing accounting platforms like Microsoft Dynamics GP and QuickBooks to deliver meaningful customer data without compromising the security of core financials. For more, visit salespad.com.

New levels reward Microsoft Dynamics GP sellers that go above and beyond to sell and promote SalesPad Desktop

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - SalesPad, a Grand Rapids-based ERP software company, today announced new partner levels for the SalesPad Desktop Partner Program, which recognizes companies actively selling Microsoft Dynamics GP.

"SalesPad is proud of its robust partner program that allows us to better serve our users and ensure they have an outstanding customer experience," said Jennifer Jurgens, president of SalesPad. "We believe it's important to recognize our partners that contribute to the success and growth of SalesPad Desktop. Partner levels allow us to reward those who go above and beyond to sell our product, represent the SalesPad brand and provide outstanding resources to over 1200 companies using SalesPad Desktop."

The SalesPad Desktop Partner Program includes three tiers of participation, certification and benefits based on revenue: SalesPad Certified Gold Partner, SalesPad Certified Silver Partner and SalesPad Bronze Partner. Levels are awarded based on revenue generation for each partner company and are compared against total SalesPad Desktop partner revenue. Levels are recalculated every Jan. 1 and July 1. A breakdown of requirements for each level is below:

• SalesPad Certified Gold Partner: Partners must place in the top 20 percent in revenue among all partners on SalesPad licenses, training, services and first-year renewals.
• SalesPad Certified Silver Partner: Partners must place in the top 50 percent in revenue among all partners on SalesPad licenses, training, services and first-year renewals. This is the starting level for all new partners.
• SalesPad Certified Bronze Partner: This is the default level for SalesPad partners and has no revenue or training requirement. SalesPad handles the entire sales process at this level.

Changed from last year, requirements for partner levels no longer require an onsite implementation training. Rather, someone from a partner organization must pass a yearly online implementation certification and sales test. For a detailed explanation and requirements for each partner level, request a copy of the partner program guide at salespad.com/contact.

"We have been a big fan of SalesPad for many years now, and the dozens of clients we have running SalesPad have found the software really easy to learn and use. We have found it to be one of the best extensions of Microsoft Dynamics GP available," said Bryan Wilton, president of InterDyn BMI, a SalesPad partner. "In fact, we used it for years in our own company to provide a quick and easy way for our sales team to enter orders and print or email quotes out to prospects. SalesPad is very partner-friendly and easy to work with all around."

"Our partnership with Salespad has helped Sikich deliver on our mission of improving our client's business performance by deploying a solution that ultimately allows our clients to simplify their processes and service their customers more efficiently and accurately," said Ginny Ferguson, director of client account management at Sikich, also a SalesPad partner.

There are currently 140 SalesPad Partners. To become a SalesPad Partner and for more information, call (616) 245-1221 or visit salespad.com.

SalesPad Desktop is a full front-end order entry, purchasing, sales and inventory management solution that fully integrates with Microsoft Dynamics GP, making SalesPad Desktop the complete package for distribution and manufacturing companies. For more information, visit salespad.com/desktop.

About SalesPad

Built from a partnership between a small business owner and a developer, SalesPad knows operational ERP. It's why we exist, and why more than 15,000 people trust SalesPad to manage their distribution operations. We believe that inventory is the lifeblood of a business. After all, you can't sell what you don't have. This is why we empower businesses by providing them 100% visibility into their inventory management process. We work alongside existing accounting platforms like Microsoft Dynamics GP and QuickBooks to deliver meaningful customer data without compromising the security of core financials. For more, visit salespad.com.

The largest technology conference for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing and retail professionals will take place Aug. 6-8 in downtown Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - SalesPad, a Grand Rapids-based software company, announced today that registration is open for PANELS 2018, the Midwest's largest technology conference for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing and retail professionals, Aug. 6-8 at the JW Marriott and the L.V. Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids. New to the conference this year is an Operational ERP Spotlight track, open to the public, which provides educational insights for anyone in warehousing, distribution, light manufacturing and mid-sized retail.

"Over the last 5 years, SalesPad has brought hundreds of customers, partners and technology integrators to Grand Rapids to network and explore the latest in enterprise resource planning (ERP) trends and to share our latest insights and tools," said Jennifer Jurgens, president of SalesPad. "I am especially excited about this year's event, which will present our largest and broadest curriculum so far. With the advances in technology, the trend toward cloud-based or hybrid, postmodern ERP solutions, and the projected growth in manufacturing and wholesale trades, it's the perfect time and place for innovation to occur. Every attendee will learn something that helps bring their operations to the next level." 

The conference attracts SalesPad customers and partners from across North America every year and provides an in-depth look at the latest tools and insights to help businesses streamline operational processes. Participants will take part in roundtable discussions, hear from industry leaders and learn about the latest features in the SalesPad product suite. The Operational ERP Spotlight track includes a two-day pass to attend the conference and keynote address. Other three-day conference tracks are open to SalesPad software users.

"My favorite thing at PANELS is networking with other companies from different industries, but have similar issues and similar things that they're trying to gain. Learning what other people have done and how we can apply that to our business is important," said Ben Burris, Operations Manager at Brookings, South Dakota-based Millborn Seeds, who attended PANELS 2017.

"SalesPad is a very personable company, which is huge for us. It's a fun event and there's a lot of good information for all user levels. Our team loves visiting Grand Rapids and talking to other SalesPad customers who have similar processes and challenges, and working through those together," said Matt Forsyth, Information Systems Manager of Savannah, Georgia-based Circa Lighting and 2017 PANELS attendee.

Since 2003, SalesPad has been creating software that helps manufacturing and distribution companies by giving them more visibility and control of their customer data, purchasing and inventory.

Early bird rates begin at $49 for a two-day pass or $149 for a single three-day pass. Group rates are available. Register for PANELS 2018 at salespad.com/panels.

 

About SalesPad

Built from a partnership between a small business owner and a developer, SalesPad knows operational ERP. It's why we exist, and why more than 15,000 people trust SalesPad to manage their distribution operations. We believe that inventory is the lifeblood of a business. After all, you can't sell what you don't have. This is why we empower businesses by providing them 100% visibility into their inventory management process. We work alongside existing accounting platforms like Microsoft Dynamics GP and QuickBooks to deliver meaningful customer data without compromising the security of core financials. For more, visit www.salespad.com.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -SalesPad today announced the promotion of Jennifer Jurgens to president of the Grand Rapids-based software company. Jurgens previously held the role of vice president of marketing.

Founder and current SalesPad President Matt Williams will move into role of CEO. Current CEO Pete Eardley will move into the role of chairman of the newly created SalesPad Advisory Board of Directors.

"We are very excited to announce the promotion of Jennifer Jurgens to the role of president at SalesPad," said Williams. "This change comes after several months of careful deliberation and discussion, and we are thrilled to have Jennifer step into this role. She brings a wealth of experience that positions her to continue growing SalesPad and truly take our success to the next level."

Jurgens joined SalesPad in February as vice president of marketing. Since then, Jurgens has built a robust marketing team, launched a national brand awareness and lead generation campaign, implemented marketing automation and sales software from Hubspot and SalesForce respectively, and formalized the organization's approach to product marketing. She also led the planning and execution of PANELS 2017, SalesPad's annual three-day conference for customers and enterprise resource planning (ERP) professionals, hosted at GVSU's Eberhard Center.

Before joining SalesPad, Jurgens has worked with Fortune 500 companies such as Konica Minolta, The HON Company, HumanScale and others and held leadership positions with companies including Susan G. Komen of Michigan, MarketNet Services, Adtegrity, SAP/Intel's Pandesic and BDO Seidman's Mindpepper. In her tenure at Komen Michigan, she received a national leadership award for taking the organization through a merger and creating a model for efficient consolidations. In addition to her years of experience with technology and software development companies, she also has experience in partnerships and alliances, public speaking, board management and community engagement. Jurgens has a BA in supply chain management from Michigan State University and a MBA in business administration from Grand Valley State University.

"I am excited to move into this new leadership role at SalesPad and to work with such a talented and driven team," said Jurgens. "As SalesPad continues to grow, I'm looking forward to using my passion for efficient operations, marketing and technology to get SalesPad on the map as a leading West Michigan technology company while maintaining our commitment to high-quality customer service and products. We are well-positioned for growth and innovation in the small-to-mid-market ERP space both in the U.S. and globally and I'm honored to be chosen to lead."

SalesPad is dedicated to encouraging diversity and inclusion in the STEM workforce. With women underrepresented in leadership roles at technology companies, Williams says SalesPad is holding true to its conviction that more qualified female candidates in tech is good for business.

Williams will lead innovation at SalesPad as CEO and will become more involved in product design, which has been a passion of his for years. This move will allow Williams to work on the ground with the SalesPad team to find ways to make their products even better.

Adam Clarke, digital marketing manager at SalesPad, has also been promoted to director of marketing and will lead the marketing team. 

SalesPad was founded by Williams and Eardley in 2003 with a shared vision to help businesses succeed. Today, with over 100 employees, 1,200 customers and 15,000 users, SalesPad is one of the fastest growing software development company in the region. Learn more at salespad.com.

About SalesPad

Built from a partnership between a small business owner and a developer, SalesPad knows operational ERP. It's why we exist, and why more than 15,000 people trust SalesPad to manage their distribution operations. We believe that inventory is the lifeblood of a business. After all, you can't sell what you don't have. This is why we empower businesses by providing them 100% visibility into their inventory management process. We work alongside existing accounting platforms like Microsoft Dynamics GP and QuickBooks to deliver meaningful customer data without compromising the security of core financials. For more, visit salespad.com.

Working together, Quest and SalesPad will build a new Cloud platform solution to process claims more efficiently 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - SalesPad, a Grand Rapids-based software company, today announced Quest, a company that manages roadside assistance and claim management services for insurance companies, has teamed up with them to develop a Cloud-based customer service platform. 

"We selected SalesPad because we were impressed with the talent, depth and responsiveness of the development team," said Bob Milanowski, Quest Software CIO/CFO. "SalesPad offers powerful tools that will allow us to take our customer service to the next level while streamlining our workflow. Since our national roadside assistance call centers are working 24/7/365, we need a robust platform that integrates Quest's driver telematics and mobile solution with SalesPad's cloud-based platform expertise." 

SalesPad is helping Quest develop a custom Cloud platform for their customer service team. Quest has three call centers and the newly developed platform will enable Quest to provide a World Class customer experience.

"SalesPad recognizes every company has unique needs when it comes to customer service, which is why we are helping Quest develop a custom solution that is built upon the framework we've used to successfully service the operational ERP space," said Matt Williams, SalesPad President. "This helps Quest by increasing their speed to market with the new solution because it leverages our framework, development methodologies, and all the experience we've gained through other custom development work. There is no faster, more efficient way to reduce risk and gain speed to market than to use an existing, tested and trusted platform like the one we've built."

Located in St. Johns, Mich., Quest offers roadside assistance programs and insurance claims solutions for auto insurance providers and point-of-sale software for auto glass shops. For more information about Quest, visit questsoftware.com.

For more information about SalesPad, visit salespad.net.

About SalesPad
Built from a partnership between a small business owner and a developer, SalesPad knows operational ERP. It's why we exist, and why more than 15,000 people trust SalesPad to manage their distribution operations. We believe that inventory is the lifeblood of a business. After all, you can't sell what you don't have. This is why we empower businesses by providing them 100% visibility into their inventory management process. We work alongside existing accounting platforms like Microsoft Dynamics GP and QuickBooks to deliver meaningful customer data without compromising the security of core financials. For more, visit salespad.net.

About Quest

Since 1988, Quest has provided state-of-the-art software solutions for the auto glass and auto insurance industries. But today we bring much more to the table beyond software development.

Our national roadside assistance call center is staffed 24/7/365 with trained agents who answer the call the way YOU want them to...with your brand and a true concern for the customer's safety. We'll manage the process to get the help they need, including hotels and other arrangements. No wonder we have a 97% satisfaction rate with our roadside assistance calls!

Part of that success is due to our proprietary Tow Network of service providers nationwide. We screen for the very best providers in each area, and make sure they get paid quickly and fairly. That makes a big difference when a disaster strikes and service providers decide which calls to respond to first.

We also provide first notice of loss and claims processing solutions to make claim management easier. Surveys show customers remain loyal to insurance companies with an easy claims process.

Learn more about our tech enabled claims solutions. You'll get the attention you deserve, and the experience your customers demand.