Archive for March, 2012

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Spring Ahead to 2.3!

In General,Version Updates on March 27, 2012 by mhoggatt Tagged: , ,

I know you’re all busy so I’m going to keep this short today.  Times are busy here as well!

By now you’ve all moved your clocks ahead an hour.  Now is also the time to move your shop ahead to Ascend Version 2.3.  Over 365 locations already have.

If you’re one of those locations that have already updated, make sure you know about all the new features available to you.  If you couldn’t attend one of our webinars, you can view it at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/602872649.

If you haven’t updated yet, just click on the Internet Update icon and follow the instructions from there.  Make sure to update your server first.  Contact our Support Team if you need any assistance.  There are features here that will help you this Spring.  So take the time to update.

Happy Spring!  I’ll talk to you again next week.

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Happy Birthday Version 2

In General,Version Updates on March 20, 2012 by mhoggatt Tagged: , ,

One year ago this week we introduced Ascend Version 2. On the surface, it wasn’t a big change.  At the last Trek World  I joked that the main comments we heard were “It’s pretty much the same as Version 1″ and “It’s slower”.  While it wasn’t readily apparent, much had changed. We had completely migrated Ascend to a new programming language and a new technology platform. We had completely transformed our development team.

With this transformation we set out to do two things. First, we wanted to become a consistent deliverer of software improvements. Second, we wanted to become a consistent communicator to you.

With the release of Version 2.3 today, we have delivered our 3rd major update of Version 2 on the scheduled date. Every two weeks, we release an update to our beta dealers. In the last month of every quarter we release an update to everyone.  It’s something that everyone on the Ascend Team is committed to. It’s something that you can rely on.  It’s a march that we will continue to walk to bring you more Version 2 updates and to deliver our next major upgrade, Version 3.

Today’s blog is our 17th consecutive weekly update.  We’re adding features that will have an immediate benefit to your businesses.  We need to make sure you’re aware of them.  We will continue to use this blog as a way to keep you up to date.  We also have a new website in the works to act as a central communications point for you.  Watch this blog for more details.

Thank you, as always, for working with us to provide the “Best System” with the “Best Support”.  Here’s to another great year ahead of us!

Mark

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Das ist cool!

In Version Updates on March 12, 2012 by mhoggatt Tagged: , , , , ,

Last week I had the privilege of visiting bike shops in Germany that are using Ascend. At one our stops I was sitting in the receiving area with their buyer/receiver and Urs Keller, our Ascend Manager in Germany. I was trying to follow their conversation in German as they were reviewing the order screen. Suddenly their buyer exclaimed “Das ist cool!!”. Urs had just shown her how to print receipts for special order items from the order screen.

This scene has been repeated on many visits in many countries. It is one of the favorite parts of my job. It’s fun to show someone a feature that will make their lives easier. But the more I thought about it, it’s also disappointing.  It’s disappointing that they didn’t already know about it.  The special order receipt printing feature has been available since the release of version 2.2 in December.  They could have been using it already for 3 months. If we hadn’t stopped by, it may have been much longer before they discovered it.

As manager of a fast paced business, I know how difficult it is to stay up to date on everything and to keep your employees updated as well.  I can’t possibly keep up with all of the information that comes my way.  I have to pick and choose and focus on the most important information.  Next week we’ll be releasing Version 2.3 of Ascend. It contains a whole new batch of cool stuff to help make your jobs easier.  Make sure to review the resources we’ve prepared for you.  I can assure you it will be worth your time.

Next Tuesday (3/20) at 9:00am Central Time and next Wednesday (3/21) at 11:00am Central Time we’ll be hosting webinars to show you what’s new in Version 2.3.  To register for the Tuesday session, click here.  To register for the Wednesday session, click here.

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Venturing into the unknown

In General,Version Updates on March 6, 2012 by mhoggatt Tagged: , , ,

This past Sunday I flew into Frankfurt, Germany. I’m spending the week in Germany and Switzerland visiting Ascend dealers and our local support team.

When I’m traveling and have extra time, I like to venture into the unknown. I hop on the train from the airport into the city center, store my luggage and start walking with no maps or GPS to guide me.  I venture out with some fear but also with confidence.  I know that I will make some wrong turns, get stalled and have to find my way back.  I also know that if I take my time, use the resources around me and ask people for help that I will get back on track.  In the end I have a very rewarding and memorable day.  Frankfurt is a beautiful city and was a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon.

At Ascend we’ve made a habit of venturing into the unknown. It started back in 2004 when Trek bought Ascend.  It was uncharted territory; a bike company getting into the software business.  As with my personal ventures, there was some fear but we also were very confident.  We knew it was it was a trip worth taking.  8 years later we’ve had a very rewarding and memorable time.  There have been some wrong turns along the way but, with your help, we got where we wanted to go and together we’ve accomplished a lot.  Since 2004 we’ve continued our ventures into the unknown introducing Ascend to dealers in Canada, the U.K. and Germany.  Our most recent venture started  a year ago this month with the release of Version 2.  In two weeks we’ll be releasing version 2.3.  If you’re still on Version 1, now is the time to join nearly 600 other locations that have made the trip.

It’s time for us to start thinking about our next venture, Ascend Version 3.  With technology moving at lightning speed we need to keep moving forward.  We look forward to taking this trip with you.  Stay tuned!

Mark

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