Full Sail Partners Blog | Technology Solutions

In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses are embarking on a transformative journey toward modernizing their IT infrastructure. Imagine your business is like a spacecraft venturing into the vast expanse of a new digital universe. Instead of charting the stars alone, you can have a trusted mission control—a consulting partner—to guide you through the complexities of this digital cosmos. Welcome to the future of IT: Cloud Solutions.

What is a Cloud Solution?

To grasp the concept of Cloud Solutions, let’s explore this futuristic digital landscape. The “cloud” is a sophisticated network of servers and services that exists online, accessible through the internet. It’s not a physical entity but a metaphor for a model where your IT infrastructure is managed by a specialized provider. This partnership means that all aspects of IT—data storage, hardware, software updates, and security—are handled by experts, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.

Consider this: you run a cutting-edge architectural firm, renowned for your innovative design projects. Your architects are masters of design and creativity, but managing internal IT systems, keeping up with technological updates, and handling technical issues are outside their expertise. Additionally, purchasing and maintaining IT equipment represents a significant non-revenue-generating cost. A Cloud Solution offers the ideal remedy by taking these burdens off your shoulders. Advantages of Cloud Solutions

Cost Efficiency

Cloud Solutions bring a new level of financial predictability and efficiency. Instead of being burdened with large capital expenditures for on-site hardware and its ongoing maintenance, cloud computing allows you to shift to a more manageable and predictable financial model. By adopting a cloud-based approach, you benefit from a fixed annual cost that covers all your IT needs—hardware, software, updates, and support. This fixed cost model helps stabilize your IT budget, turning what was once a variable expense into a consistent, manageable investment.

Not only does this make budgeting easier, but it also eliminates the financial strain of unexpected IT expenses. With Cloud Solutions, you’re investing in a streamlined, cost-effective approach to managing your IT infrastructure, freeing up resources to focus on growing your business and pursuing innovation.

Robust Security

Data security is a top priority in the digital realm. Cloud providers invest in advanced security measures, including encryption, regular audits, and compliance with stringent standards. Furthermore, cloud facilities are designed to withstand physical threats like natural disasters, ensuring your data remains protected and accessible.

Sustainability

Embracing cloud computing aligns with environmental stewardship. Cloud Solutions contributes to reduced energy consumption and lower carbon footprints by optimizing resource utilization and minimizing electronic waste. This supports broader sustainability goals and corporate responsibility.

Accessibility and Flexibility

The cloud’s most transformative feature is its accessibility. It enables you to access data and applications from anywhere, anytime, and on any device. This flexibility supports remote work, enhances collaboration, and keeps your team productive regardless of their location.

Choosing the Right Digital Transformation Consulting Partner

As you prepare for this digital voyage, partnering with an experienced consultant is crucial. So, what are some key traits of successful consultants?

1. Dependability: A great consultant consistently delivers on their promises and provides reliable service.
2. Attention to Detail: Precision matters. Top consultants produce flawless work and manage every aspect of your IT environment with meticulous care.
3. Expert Knowledge: Seek consultants with extensive experience in cloud technologies. Their expertise will guide you through the intricacies of cloud solutions and help you make informed decisions.
4. Critical Thinking: Exceptional consultants evaluate all potential solutions thoroughly, considering various factors to identify the best fit for your needs.
5. Resourcefulness: Effective consultants are adept at finding creative solutions to complex challenges, leveraging their industry knowledge and connections.
6. Effective Communication: Good consultants ask insightful questions and listen attentively to your needs, ensuring their recommendations align with your business goals.

Embark on Your Digital Journey with Full Sail Partners

As you venture into the digital future, Full Sail Partners is your mission control, offering the expertise and support needed to navigate the cloud’s vast opportunities. Available consulting services and free webinars provide valuable insights into the benefits of cloud computing, helping you make the most of this technological leap.

With just a click, you can begin your journey towards a more efficient, secure, and sustainable IT environment. Embrace the future with confidence, knowing that your digital transformation is guided by expert hands.

So, while you may not be exploring distant galaxies, the journey to digital transformation is just as exciting and essential. Partner with Full Sail Partners and chart your course to a future where technology enhances your business capabilities and drives success.

Did you know that over 75% of Deltek Vantagepoint customers are in the cloud today? That's right—every day, more Deltek Vantagepoint clients are taking their systems to the cloud. But what exactly makes project-based firms decide to make the move to the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud?

Continuous Access to Your Data, Anytime and Anywhere 

Imagine this: you're at the airport, waiting to board a flight to a major work conference, with your presentation materials and agenda in hand but you need to check something really quickly. Or perhaps you're in a quiet coffee shop between client meetings, preparing for your next big pitch and you realize you are missing something that needs to be looked up fast. No matter your location, in the cloud, your data is always at your fingertips, as long as you have secure internet access and a web browser.

The Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can safely access, extend, or update your data from any location. With a 99.9% average uptime, you can rely on your data being available whenever you need it. This level of accessibility is a game-changer for businesses that require flexibility and mobility. Whether you're working from home, traveling for business, or simply need to check in on a project while you're away, the cloud ensures that your data is always within reach. No more being tethered to a physical office or worrying about accessing critical information when you need it most. 

Ease Your Growing Pains as You Expand Your Business 

As your business grows, so do your technology needs. Managing hardware can become a significant distraction, especially as the need to upgrade and maintain legacy systems increases. By moving your business to the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud, you can leave those growing pains behind. Focus on what matters most, growing your business while enjoying the benefits of no hidden fees. 

The Deltek Cloud offers several tailored options, allowing you to pay a clearly defined annual cost each year, eliminating the surprise costs that can occur with on-premise setups. Plus, you'll have a team of experts managing your cloud infrastructure, including servers, storage, networking, patching, software updates, and hardware procurement.

The scalability of the cloud is another significant advantage. As your business expands, the cloud can easily accommodate increased data storage and processing needs without the hassle of purchasing and installing new hardware. This scalability ensures that your IT infrastructure grows seamlessly with your business, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives rather than technical challenges.

Know Your Data is Secure in the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud 

Security is a top priority when it comes to your data. The Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud offers features like multifactor authentication, encryption, and monitoring systems to ensure your data is secure. Deltek, a best-in-class service provider for project-based firms, takes security seriously. Their Cloud Security Operations Team and Site Reliability Team provide constant monitoring twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and three hundred and sixty-five days a year to protect your firm against any threats. With the cloud, you can have confidence that your data will be safe, no matter the disaster. 

In addition to these security measures, Deltek also complies with industry standards and regulations, providing an extra layer of assurance. Regular security audits and updates ensure that your data is protected against the latest threats. This proactive approach to security means that you can trust Deltek to safeguard your sensitive information, allowing you to focus on your core business activities without worrying about data breaches or cyberattacks. 

Enhance Your Collaboration Capabilities

Furthermore, the cloud offers enhanced collaboration capabilities. Team members can easily share and access documents, collaborate on projects in real-time, and stay connected regardless of their physical location. This improved collaboration can lead to increased productivity and better project outcomes, as everyone has access to the most up-to-date information and the tools they need to succeed. 

The Cloud is Waiting for You 

The benefits of moving to the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud are clear. From continuous access to your data to easing the growing pains of your business, to ensuring your data is secure, the cloud offers a reliable and efficient solution. It is time to join the growing number of project-based firms that have made the switch and experience the advantages for yourself. 

Moreover, the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud is not just a technological upgrade; it's a strategic move that can transform the way your business operates. By embracing the cloud, you position your firm for greater agility, security, and growth. So why wait? The cloud is waiting for you - are you ready to take your business to new heights?

I believe we could all say, we question what gets put into the ‘snail mail’ these days. Especially if it is a sizeable check for your professional services firm. Will it arrive on time? Will it be lost? Will the check end up in the wrong hands? So many variables!

Not only are you concerned with the ability of the check to show up at its destination, but the timeline of when the payment will clear the bank. Sometimes this can take weeks, which might affect how fast you can reconcile your books. Add in the influx of employees working from home, and now you have even more concerns with printing the actual checks.

Accounts Payable (AP) as a manual process increases the likelihood of potential fraud and creates uncertainty, which could eventually affect your professional services firm’s cash flow. So how does a company simplify this process, alleviating the longer timeline and potential for discrepancies? You automate your Accounts Payable process!

Benefits of Automating Your AP Process

The AP process is one of the most important tasks a professional services firm performs daily. Automating it allows you visibility into every vendor payment easily to see its status, and an automated AP process can be fully integrated and streamlined to your preferences.

Although AP automation is not a recent technology, it has come a long way over the years. It is surprising that so many firms have not embraced this technology. Maybe it’s because they feel doing it manually will be more accurate, or they think their current process is efficient and cost-effective. So, let’s look at the benefits of automating the AP process and see if these preconceived notions have merit.

Going Paperless and Reducing Error

Accounts Payable is a paper-intensive process that requires printing, copying, storing, and retrieving paper. Additionally, manual processes are slow and are prone to human error rather than being more accurate as one may think. The paper-based process of printing and mailing checks can be transformed into a digital process of selecting, processing, and scheduling your electronic payments against your AP.

With AP automation, invoices are stored digitally, and paper, shipping costs, and manual entry are eliminated, saving money and ensuring accuracy, while also speeding up the entire payment process. Your increased visibility into payment status will also help simplify reconciliation and help to avoid duplicate entries.

Improving Employee Productivity

The AP process is a repetitive and time-consuming manual task. For instance, processing an invoice manually requires a person to copy information from an invoice and add it to the accounting books. There is no longer a need to manually reenter information for ACH payments or to recreate a physical check with automation.

When a professional services firm automates the AP process, employees are relieved of doing these tasks and can focus their efforts on more profitable pursuits. The opportunity for error is lessened and more time is available for your employees to be more productive in other areas of business.

Getting Insight into Your Firm’s Finances

It’s difficult to manage your professional services firm’s finances if you can’t see them. Solutions like spreadsheets or pen and paper hinder your firm’s ability to generate accurate financial reports. With automation, digital audit trails for all payments whether it be a physical check, credit card, or an ACH are available to ensure you clearly see what stage each of your payments is in.

You can immediately offset the liability and reconcile payments versus waiting for them to clear. Furthermore, being able to see who you owe money allows you to predict future firm spending and avoid late payment fees and penalties. With AP Automation, your firm’s financial picture is easily accessible and therefore manageable.

Gaining Control of the Procurement Process

Procurement policies are hard to enforce if you do not have a way to approve a purchase before it’s made. Using an automated AP solution allows firms to set up an approval process that ensures purchases are in compliance with firm policy. Professional services firms can gain control of their spending by knowing when a purchase is made prior to being issued an invoice which promotes transparency.

Automating AP is a Win-Win Situation for All

With actual reduction in errors, cost savings and a clear view of firm finances, the preconceived notions of not using AP automation are certainly without merit. And there’s even more benefit to automation. An automated AP solution allows vendors to submit invoices to a designated email address or webpage which reduces the risk of losing invoices.

With the opportunity for error decreasing and your employees' productivity increasing, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved. AP automation also ensures you pay your vendors on time, which makes them happier to work with your firm. Not sure if your firm is ready to automate?

When considering an ERP system, a key challenge is ensuring that the chosen product not only supports your existing business processes but also offers enough extensibility to adapt to your evolving needs. Deltek Vantagepoint's open architecture provides a solution to this challenge by allowing you to effortlessly add fields to existing information sets in the native Hubs or create unique sets of records through User Defined Hubs with just a click of a button.

Moreover, the RESTful API offers easy access points for integration with other systems, while the consistency of the database design ensures that changes are made with stability in mind. Furthermore, the ability to schedule or trigger actions as simple as a column change or email alert, or as advanced as a stored procedure to manipulate data locally or webhook to an external application's webservice enabled platform, are all available within the Deltek Workflow engine.

With all the potential that Deltek Vantagepoint unlocks, when it comes to extending functionality through customized aspects, it's essential to build your project on a solid foundation for success. There are seven critical elements for approaching software customization to maximize your Deltek Vantagepoint system. Let’s delve into them here.

#1 Determine Whether There is a Need for Customization

It's the first thing to ask - do we really need this, or even better, is there a way to accomplish what we need natively in the Deltek Vantagepoint environment? Working with your Full Sail Partners consultant will help identify all the possibilities and leverage Deltek's existing features to their fullest potential.

#2 Gather Key Stakeholders

Making a software customization change for your business needs can often feel like venturing into the unknown. Your key project stakeholders are your ultimate end users – identify, cultivate, and leverage their needs and expectations. Identifying priorities early on enables your development team to create an actionable plan that has the most impact on the organization.

#3 Assign a Project Owner

Identifying a primary project owner is crucial for guiding your project to success. Be a “Leader of Change” in your organization by appointing the right captain to steer your ship on the correct course. The project owner acts as a representative for the overall stakeholders, providing visibility into day-to-day developments. Increased visibility helps identify and solve impediments quickly and fosters understanding between developers and stakeholders.

#4 Document Requirements

For many software customization projects, subject matter experts may not fully understand how extending the functionality of your Deltek system can benefit them, while your development and technology team needs to know what to deliver. Overcoming the technology-subject matter communications gap is essential. User stories complement business analysis techniques, making it easier to identify project requirements without adding extra effort. Focus on stakeholder requirements, needs, and goals for the solution, avoiding the trap of defining technical specifications.

#5 Define a Minimally Viable Product (MVP)

Identify the features you must have to see a return on investment. List out the must-haves from your requirements gathering and user stories to establish what is necessary to get organizational buy-in to the solution. Don’t be afraid to rough things up a bit – your end users won’t hesitate to critique the new system. Think outside the box and approach your solution from every possible angle. End users do unpredictable things, so it’s essential to anticipate their needs.

#6 Get to Work Stage Testing

Before releasing development efforts, your software customization should undergo a thorough testing process to ensure it works as intended. There are four main stages of testing: unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. Keeping key stakeholders active and engaged during testing is crucial for detecting and fixing bugs, resulting in higher-quality software. Allow for internal testing to identify bugs and system flaws as early as possible from real-world usage.

#7 Plan the Release and Set Testing Guidelines

A successful software customization project requires careful planning for the release. Define a clear roadmap that outlines the timeline, milestones, and dependencies for the deployment of the customized solution. Ensure that all stakeholders are informed about the release plan and understand their roles and responsibilities. Regularly communicate progress updates and address any concerns to maintain alignment and momentum toward the release date.

Squeeze More Functionality out of Your Deltek Vantagepoint System

Now that you have reviewed the seven critical elements for approaching software customization to maximize your Deltek Vantagepoint system, are you ready to proceed? Full Sail Partners’ consultants are available to evaluate and discuss your needs. We can leverage our expertise in Blackbox Connector and our pre-built custom solutions to help you achieve your goals. Let us bridge the gap between what Deltek Vantagepoint offers and what you want your system to do.

Without efficient document management, project-based firms would fall to pieces. The advent of advanced technologies, particularly in scanning and document processing, helped firms streamline this crucial aspect of their operations. Traditional scanning methods often fall short, only capturing document images without extracting crucial metadata such as client names, dates, or invoice amounts, unless manually inputted by associates.

What is OCR?

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, also referred to as optical character reader, plays a pivotal role in modern document management systems. It involves the conversion of images containing typed, handwritten, or printed text into machine-encoded text. Various sources can be converted such as scanned documents, photographs of documents, scene photos capturing text on signs or billboards, or even subtitled text overlaid on images from television broadcasts.

OCR technology was developed by Emanuel Goldberg, making its debut in 1914. Initially, it was developed to aid the visually impaired in reading characters. Over time, OCR capabilities have evolved significantly, becoming useful in various everyday applications such as airport processes, mail handling, and banking.

Early iterations of OCR systems required training with images of individual characters and were limited to working with one font at a time. However, advancements in technology, and most notably in AI, have led to the development of sophisticated systems capable of achieving high accuracy across a wide range of fonts. Modern OCR systems can support various image file formats as inputs, enhancing their versatility and applicability.

Some OCR systems can even reproduce formatted output closely resembling the original document layout, including images, columns, and other non-textual components. This capability ensures that the digitized documents retain their visual integrity and readability, further enhancing the utility of OCR in document management and data processing tasks.

OCR engines have evolved into specialized software applications tailored to specific subjects such as receipts, invoices, checks, and legal billing documents. These applications offer a multitude of functionalities, including:

• Entering data for business documents like checks, invoices, and receipts
• Extracting business card information and integrating it into contact lists
• Creating digital versions of printed documents
• Enhancing document searchability by converting scanned documents into searchable PDFs

These applications show off the versatility and significance of OCR technology in modern-day document management. The adoption of OCR solutions is poised to become increasingly integral to firms’ operational workflows, driving efficiency, accuracy, and overall productivity.

What is ICR?

Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) software goes a step further than OCR, recognizing various fonts and handwriting styles. This distinction is crucial for grasping the nuances of modern document processing. ICR swiftly extracts information from scanned paper documents, digitally storing it for analytical reporting and seamless integration into business processes. Its self-learning systems continuously update recognition databases, achieving accuracy rates exceeding 97% for structured forms.

An important application is Automated Forms Processing, pioneered in 1993, streamlining data extraction from real-world forms. While OCR focuses on machine-printed text, ICR excels in deciphering hand-printed characters, though it faces some challenges with cursive handwriting. As businesses embrace digital transformation, ICR's adoption promises enhanced efficiency and accuracy in document management, revolutionizing data processing workflows.

Benefits of ICR

While OCR remains a cost-effective solution for basic document management needs, ICR offers advanced features tailored to the requirements of project-based firms. Not only does the ability to decipher handwritten notes and diverse fonts expand its utility beyond OCR, but the automatic retrieval of relevant data mitigates the risk of human input errors, a common challenge with manual data entry processes.

ICR in Accounting

In the realm of accounting, ICR proves particularly invaluable, streamlining the processing of various financial documents such as accounts payable, invoices, purchase orders, and payroll forms. For larger firms handling a high volume of documents monthly, ICR significantly reduces the time and effort expended on manual data entry tasks, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

Mobile Expense Retrieval with Deltek Vantagepoint

Leading ERP systems provider Deltek has embraced ICR technology within its flagship solution, Deltek Vantagepoint. Leveraging ICR capabilities, Vantagepoint's mobile expense feature enables users to capture receipts via photographs, with the software automatically extracting relevant text and populating fields. This eliminates the need for manual data entry, empowering accounting teams to track project budgets seamlessly throughout the project lifecycle.

Looking Ahead

As technology continues to evolve, Deltek remains at the forefront of innovation, exploring additional applications of ICR to further streamline business operations. Stay updated as Deltek continues to test and integrate ICR capabilities into various facets of its ERP system, promising even greater efficiency gains for project-based firms.

As a Deltek representative, we have heard all kinds of misconceptions about Deltek Vantagepoint. Despite our monthly newsletters, webinar series, and continued communication, we are still speaking to firms that are confused or have been advised incorrect information about transitioning from Vision to Vantagepoint. Most are honest mistakes conveyed by all kinds of people. However, many of these "untruths" come from competitors spreading incorrect rumors so they can take advantage of your firm and convince you to leave Deltek. 

We need your help! Please send this blog to everyone at your firm. Share it with user groups you are involved with and other firms that you know use Deltek Vision. Below are the real facts about upgrading from Deltek Vision to Deltek Vantagepoint. Please help us to dispel the misconceptions.

What is Deltek Vantagepoint?

• Deltek's reimagined flagship project-based solution, the next version of Deltek Vision for architects, engineers, and other professional services businesses. 
• Designed to help you manage the entire project lifecycle better than before. 
• Based on feedback from Deltek customers over the past 10 years. 
• An intuitive, powerful solution that puts your people and projects at the center of your business so you can be more efficient, productive, and profitable. 

For executives or employees wanting to view the upcoming changes, we recommend checking out our hour-long monthly Deltek Vantagepoint demonstration. Additionally, our team has put together tons of resources to help firms including our Deltek Vantagepoint mini demonstrations. In each of these demos, viewers will see how Deltek Vantagepoint empowers the different roles within your firm. Each demo goes into detail on a specific feature of Vantagepoint, with each video being 4-20 minutes long. 

Dispelling the Misconceptions about Deltek Vantagepoint

Q: Is Deltek Vantagepoint a new product?

A: It is a continuation of the Vision product. Think Vision 10!

Q: Will our firm need to repurchase to move to Deltek Vantagepoint?

A: No! If you are current on maintenance, it is free. This does not mean upgrading to Vantagepoint should be done without a strategic plan in mind.

Q: How long will Deltek Vision continue to be supported?

A: The short answer is Deltek hasn't set a date.   

The long answer is that under the Deltek Support Assurance program, Deltek provides three distinct phases and levels of support: Active, Maintenance, and Sustaining. Even when the product moves to Maintenance and Sustaining Support, your firm is still supported and will have plenty of time to upgrade. The product is currently under Active Support, which means that software enhancements, hot fixes and service packs are supported. Maintenance Support still receives hot fixes for severity 1 issues and tax, legal and regulatory updates and lasts 12 months. Sustaining Support is where you still have access to all of the pervious fixes and service packs. Additionally, Deltek has stated they will give us at least a year's notice before moving it to Maintenance Support. So, that provides your firm plenty of time. 

Q: To get Deltek Vantagepoint, do I have to move to the cloud?

A: No! However, it might make sense, so reach out to your account manager if you are interested.

Q: Will Deltek Vantagepoint be available on-premise?

A: Yes!

Q: Will Deltek Vantagepoint require me to migrate my data?

A: No! Your data will move over. There are considerations due to the way that Vantagepoint handles data differently than Vision, especially if you have repurposed any info centers.  

Q: Will all of my user-defined fields and user-defined info centers move over?

A:  Yes!

Q: Will Vantagepoint contain the exact functionality as Vision 7.6?

A: No. The product is being reimagined and improved. There are certain areas that will not move forward. Please read on for more details.

Q: Can my firm request to upgrade to Deltek Vantagepoint and move next week?

A: We do not recommend that. There are considerations that need to be made. We highly recommend starting with reviewing Deltek and Full Sail Partners’ resources and requesting a Vantagepoint Upgrade Consultation. 

What Are My Options for Getting a Vantagepoint Test Environment?

For firms that are seeking to obtain a Vantagepoint test environment, the answer to this question depends on your current deployment method. Below are the options: 

My firm is hosted by Deltek Cloud or On-Premise: Visit the Vantagepoint Upgrade Resources page on the Deltek website, and scroll about three-quarters of the way down the page to the “Get Preview Environment” section of the page. 

My firm is hosted by Full Sail Partners: If your firm is hosted by Full Sail Partners, email your Account Manager or hosting@fullsailpartners.com. 

My firm is hosted by an external hosting provider: If your firm is hosted by an external hosting provider, request that your provider set up a test environment. If they have not set up a Vantagepoint environment before, then we recommend you reach out to Full Sail Partners or your partner of record. It might make sense to consider moving to Deltek's cloud, hosting permanently with Full Sail Partners, or utilizing Full Sail Partners' transition hosting service. Contact us if you are interested in any of these options. 

Keep in mind, the upgrade to Deltek Vantagepoint requires a new install and has new installment requirements. For on-premise clients, please check out our past webinar: Is Your Firm Technically Prepared for Deltek Vantagepoint? 

Who Do I Contact?

If your firm is seeking assistance with upgrading to Vantagepoint, our team is here to help. Request a Vantagepoint Upgrade Consultation. Additionally, here are other resources to know.     

Deltek Vantagepoint Resources Page: Please click here to check it out, and to clarify some distinct areas on this page, please read below: 

What is the Customer Assistance Program (CAP)? 

CAP is focused on helping Vision customers prepare for their upgrade to Vantagepoint. This is a complementary program for Deltek Vision customers. It runs for eight weeks, and you can have as many people as you want from your company participate. This program will cover specific upgrade topics and best practices. You will also be able to join live sessions with the experts to ask questions. You can register here for any of the sessions. The next sessions from Deltek in 2023 will be session 14 starting January 25, 2023, and session 15 starting April 19, 2023. 

What is the Vantagepoint Readiness Portal? 

The Vantagepoint Readiness Portal is your go-to resource for all things Vantagepoint. This portal includes videos, demonstrations, and presentations by Deltek experts to give you a perspective of how things have changed from Vision to Vantagepoint. This is the first step on your journey toward understanding Vantagepoint. There are also resources specifically for administrators including details about preview environments. The Portal has info about CAP too. To access the portal, just follow these simple steps: 

1. Log into the Deltek Learning Zone (DLZ) platform with your DLZ account credentials. 
2. On the opening Dashboard screen, use the “Enter Search keyword” feature to search for the “Readiness Portal.” 
3. The “Deltek Vantagepoint Readiness Portal” will come up as the top result for all Vision and Vantagepoint product users, and you can simply click to enroll and launch the portal. 
4. Once enrolled, you can access the portal at any time from your personal Learning Profile where it will appear on your “Courses” list. 

Deltek Vantagepoint Resources

Make sure to check out our webinar series about preparing for the upgrade to Deltek Vantagepoint. In this series, our team of consultants covers a variety of topics such as technical requirements, resource planning, and project management, new CRM functions, and the improved accounting interface. This webinar series page also includes demonstrations of Deltek Vantagepoint. If you prefer to read about the enhancements, check out all the articles we have posted about the enhancements Vantagepoint offers to firms that upgrade from Vision! 

How many users have brainstormed good ideas regarding their Deltek Vantagepoint system that they wanted to share but didn’t know how? What about any suggestions for product enhancements that these same users would want to offer? Fortunately for these users, Deltek has recently launched the Deltek Idea Portals, a new online tool for submitting and promoting ideas to Deltek product management directly. Let’s check out how it works, the reasoning behind it and what Full Sail Partners’ consultants have to say about it. 

Using the Idea Portals 

The process for using the Idea Portals is that first, the Deltek Authorized Support Contacts (ASCs) at the firm would access the link for the Idea Portals within the Deltek Support Center (DSC). To determine a firm’s designated ASC, contact the firm’s Customer Success Manager. Next, the ASC would click on ‘Share Your Ideas’ and be taken to the links for certain Deltek products. For instance, users from Full Sail Partners’ clients which are project-based firms would choose the Vantagepoint/Vision idea portal. Once inside, ASCs can share ideas about their specific products, can vote and add insight on other ideas that have been presented. ASCs can subscribe to the item to receive status updates when those ideas move from being considered to planned and then released.  

Here is a quick screenshot of what users see when they go into the DSC. For more information, users can review the Idea Portals quick start guide. 

Promoting a Cooperative Effort  

From extensive research, Deltek learned that products developed without input from users are not successful when delivered in the end. So, the thought behind creating the Idea Portals was to provide one standard cooperative way for presenting ideas on Deltek products. This updated and convenient process promotes a two-way communication between project-based firms and the product management team at Deltek while ideas are vetted and prioritized. Not only can users see how their ideas are being received and processed by Deltek, but others interested in the subject matter can provide additional suggestions and input. 

Feedback from Full Sail Partners’ Consultants  

Full Sail Partners’ consultants have recently been visiting the Vantagepoint/Vision Deltek Idea Portal and offered the following feedback. 

One Full Sail Partners’ consultant really liked the focus on the statuses that Deltek is using to communicate where the idea offered was in the process. In particular, the statuses of “Likely to Implement” or “Planned” were interesting as was the status of “Released.” Below are some screenshots that this consultant took experimenting in the Idea Portals. From these images, Deltek users can catch a glimpse at what ideas are being considered and which statuses those ideas are being given.  

In this initial screenshot, on the right side in the highlight, there is “Filter by Status” where users can see what the available options are for statuses of idea consideration. Look at the 2090 ideas for future consideration. That is certainly a lot of ideas coming from project-based firms. 

In these other screenshots, Deltek users can see the types of ideas that are being offered, how many people voted on those ideas and the status that the idea was given by Deltek product management. 

Here is an example of what users will receive when they subscribe, and an idea is voted on. In this case, the idea was “Update the PTO Plan when an absence request is approved.” Look in the comments section to see where other users can make their contributions to help these ideas move forward with product development. 

Another Full Sail Partners’ consultant has gone even further in really utilizing the Vantagepoint/Vision Idea Portal. She decided that when interesting and relevant topics come up with her clients, she takes them directly to the idea portal if they have never been before. Then she teaches them how to search for what ideas they are interested in offering to Deltek product management and how to enter their ideas if they are new. This is a screenshot of where users add their ideas for consideration. 

With her observations and discovery, she has learned that many of her and her client’s desired items are already there, and it would be a great idea to create an email to Deltek at VantagepointIdeasPortal@deltek.com documenting the cases that seem the same. For example, as she searched for specific ideas and voted on ones already in the portal, she found duplicates like “credit card reconciliation update to make it more dynamic for payments” which was found twice or “controlling how to create a project” which appeared similar to three other user’s ideas. From what this consultant was told, Deltek is combining them when they are found. 

This same consultant also indicated that when she voted on an idea in the Vantagepoint/Vision portal, in her case it was for the “ability to update scheduled reports without having to unschedule, update the report and reschedule,” she received a survey from Deltek. This survey asked her about use cases and the most needed reasons for updating etc. This showed her that Deltek was really listening and trying to make effective changes. 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 

With time and collaboration, these Idea Portals should ensure that a plethora of ideas are heard and evaluated by Deltek product management, and from these suggestions, users should be provided with many of their needed solutions. Any good idea, no matter how small, should be offered to Deltek using this process. Remember, “you can’t win, if you don’t play.” 

Creating content that attracts the ideal client is a crucial part of a digital marketing program. This content educates the potential client through the process and highlights the firm as the best choice for the project.

Through the “Driving Growth with Digital Marketing” series, we’ve learned about creating personas (ideal client), setting goals, and outlining a content strategy. Now it’s time to create new content to fill in the gaps from the previously completed Content Audit.

Brainstorming with an Inbound Focus

Marketers may already have a sense of what type of topics to cover in their new content development. These ideas might have been thought of in proposal or presentation preparation, interactions with business developers or project managers, or observing industry trends.

However, take these ideas a few steps further by brainstorming with an inbound focus. Identifying what would attract an ideal client to the content draws them into the digital platforms like the firm’s website or social media channels. During the brainstorming sessions, ask the following questions when evaluating topic ideas:

• Who will be reading the content? For how many audiences will you be creating content? This goes back to the persona development and creating content that appeals to the persona(s).
• What problem will you be solving for the ideal client(s)? Ideally, your firm provides services to solve the clients’ challenges. The marketing content should educate this same audience as they begin to pinpoint and address their issues. Refer to the decision-making funnel to identify the questions for each step in the funnel.
• What makes your firm or point of view unique? How is your firm different from the other A/E/C firms in town? Do you have a unique offering, specialist, technology, or brand voice? Maybe it’s how or why your firm approaches a design challenge a certain way? If it’s difficult to decide what makes your firm unique, try taking a piece of industry news or trend then applying your firm’s point of view or opinion about it. This combines trending content, while allowing the firm to stand out.
• What content formats will be the focus? It’s not about what content format your firm WANTS to create but meeting the audience (ideal clients) where they are. That’s why the persona development work is so important. For example, marketers may be tempted to create a firm podcast, but learn that the targeted persona prefers to read. Knowing this before launching the podcast may save the firm time and resources.
• What channels will be used to share the content? Just like the content formats mentioned above, determining the social media channels should be based on where the ideal clients are, not where your firm wants to be.

This focused brainstorming technique will result in the content development plan.

Writing a Content Development Plan

Once the list of topics for new content is developed, now it’s time to get to work. Writing a content development plan and treating it just like any project or proposal plan is the best way to ensure it gets done.

Items to outline in a content development plan include:

• Who’s creating what piece?
• Who’s contributing to the piece (the subject matter expert)?
• What additional resources or skillsets are needed?
• What type of graphics or media is needed?
• Where is it going to be published?
• When it’s going live?

In smaller firms, this may all be completed by one or two people. In larger firms, this might be managed by an entire department. Either way, it eventually gets put into a plan and publishing schedule.

Keeping SEO in Mind

There is so much information about search-engine optimization (SEO). In fact, a future article in this series is going to be dedicated to SEO. But it’s worth thinking about SEO while brainstorming and creating new content.

One method for brainstorming new content ideas is to do keyword research. Ideal clients are most likely searching for answers on search engines, like Google. And those search engines along with tools like Moz and Semrush can provide marketers with keywords to help with new content ideas.

As the new content is being developed, make sure that those keywords and phrases are used in the content titles, body, images, etc. when it’s published.

Getting Started

Hopefully, you now have some ideas on how to create the right content to attract ideal A/E/C clients. You know how to brainstorm new content ideas, write a content development plan, and keep SEO in mind as new content is created. It can feel overwhelming, but firms don’t need to create a lot of content, just high-quality content that helps the ideal client move through the decision-making funnel. Focus on creating the amount of content your firm has the resources for. In the next installment of the “Driving Growth with Digital Marketing” series, you’ll learn ways to repurpose that content to extend its life. It’s about working smarter, not harder.