Bennett/Porter News
It’s hard to believe October is already here! While we love the spooky side of Halloween, at Bennett/Porter, this month is about something even more important—Cybersecurity Month. With the increasing creativity of cybercriminals, it can feel a bit frightening, but we believe the best defense starts with a strong education at the user level.
Throughout October, we’re rolling out weekly blog posts packed with insights and tips to keep you informed and secure. We’ve also created a free Phishing IQ Quiz—a fun way to test your ability to spot phishing attempts before they catch you off guard.
And top it all off? We’re wrapping up the month with our free webinar on October 31st, titled “Overcome Your Cybersecurity Fears.” This expert-led session will provide actionable strategies to help you and your team stay protected. It’s no trick—we promise this webinar will be a treat!
At Bennett/Porter, “People Inspiring Solutions” is more than just a tagline – it’s the driving force behind everything we do. Our personable approach and exceptional customer service make us the ideal partner for your business, providing tailored digital solutions for your enterprise, HR, and IT needs.
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Acumatica News
Acumatica 2024 R2 Delivers the Latest Innovations
Here at Bennett/Porter, keeping our customers ahead of the curve is at the heart of everything we do, and the release of Acumatica 2024 R2, we’re proud to say, is another step forward in Acumatica’s commitment to being future-proof. With over 350 enhancements directly influenced by customer feedback, this update is designed to help small and mid-sized businesses thrive in a competitive landscape. Whether you’re in manufacturing, retail, or distribution, Acumatica 2024 R2 provides industry-specific improvements—like AI-powered margin analysis in distribution or Amazon returns integration for retail—that streamline operations, boost accuracy, and elevate customer satisfaction.
One of the standout features of this release is Acumatica’s revamped user interface (UI), making it easier than ever for teams to customize and share their workspace layouts. In addition, the system’s enhanced security measures give you peace of mind, knowing your data is protected against evolving threats. By staying current with Acumatica’s latest updates, your business gains access to cutting-edge tools while securing the best possible support and future growth opportunities. Regular upgrades ensure your ERP system grows with you—keeping you agile, secure, and equipped for success. Future-proof, indeed!
Now’s the time to embrace the future with Acumatica 2024 R2. With Bennett/Porter as your trusted implementation partner, we’re here to help you transition smoothly and maximize the benefits of this powerful ERP upgrade. Whether it’s seamless integration or unlocking new efficiencies, we ensure you stay ahead in an ever-changing business environment.
Reach out to us today to discover how Bennett/Porter and Acumatica will give you the tools to grow and transform your company.
Sage 100 News
The TERRORS of Invoice Manor: A Sage 100 Horror Story
It was a dark and stormy night at Invoice Manor, the accounting department of Sage 100. The team had just closed another quarter, and everything seemed calm—too calm. Little did they know, the scariest night of the year was about to unfold.
Suddenly, the lights flickered, and an eerie chill filled the office. The department ran out of 7 digit Customer Numbers in the Accounts Receivable module. They suddenly had more customers than they had Sage Customer numbers available!
Meanwhile, deep in the P/O laboratory, something even more terrifying was brewing. A cursed Request for Quote process caused delays in orders. The purchasing team tried to summon quotes from vendors, but their requests seemed to vanish into thin air—just like ghosts! With deadlines approaching and supplies dwindling, they feared the worst: missed orders AND upset clients.
Suddenly, the clock struck midnight. Was it the end for the accounting and purchasing teams?
No! A light appeared in the distance—Bennett/Porter had arrived letting clients know that there is a checkbox in first screen of the Accounts Receivable Setup menu option to expand the Customer Number up to 20 digits. And with the new P/O Request for Quote feature coming out in the 2025 version, the purchasing team’s cries were heard, and quotes would be flowing faster than a witch on a broomstick!
The accounting team sighed in relief as Bennett/Porter made the haunting horrors of Invoice Manor a distant memory.
So, this Halloween, remember: The scariest thing that can happen in Sage 100 is running into a problem without a solution. But with the upcoming Sage 100 2025 update—and your trusted partner, Bennett/Porter—you’ll be ready to face any fright that comes your way! The new Sage 100 features are coming in April 2025, and Bennett/Porter will be right by your side to ensure you’re prepared for every twist and turn.
YEAR-END WEBINARS ARE BACK
Year End is approaching and will be here before you know it! We’ll be offering a couple of Sage Webinars in December and January that we wanted to give you a heads up about. We will address processing Accounts Payable 1099 Printing and the changes in the 1099 Vendor information this year. We’ll also describe which 1099 form you should be using and do a demo of the process for printing those forms.
As always, we will also be hosting a year end Payroll webinar that will address both ACA Reporting as well as Year End Payroll processing.
We haven’t yet set the dates for the webinars, but we hope to have those posted in the November newsletter.
As always, we can process both your W-2s and 1099 Forms for you if you don’t want to process your own forms, and we simply bill you hourly to do so. The service includes sending “test prints” for you to confirm numbers before the filing is done, as well as delivering final forms to the government and a final copy to you. If you are interested in this service please contact Carina Sims in our office (carina@benpor.com) and she can send you authorization forms for us to help you with those pesky little year end forms.
People Savvy HCM News
THE HAUNTING OF YEAR’S END
October 31st is obviously the spookiest day of the year. But as payroll and HR professionals know, the scariest time of every year is year-end. Without some help and guidance, the approach of year-end can make you feel like a nineteen-year-old walking slowly backwards in the dark near the old barn to investigate a strange noise you heard. Our trick in this case is a good one: People Savvy HCM can make completing year-end tasks a snap. But if you don’t have that, at least let us offer you the following treats. Here’s an essential list of tasks to help you get started and make the season less frightening.
🎃 Verify Employee Information – Not everyone named Freddy lives on Elm Street. So validate employee names and addresses for accuracy early in order to prevent delays in receipt of W-2 forms. Make sure you have correct addresses for employees terminated in the last year as well (no, not that kind of “terminated”). Confirm all Social Security numbers or federal employer identification numbers (FEIN) to avoid penalties with the IRS. If you utilize People Savvy HCM, we can help you create reports which make auditing the information easier than slicing into a pumpkin. Or better yet, how about a checklist that employees can use review and validate the information in the system themselves?
🎃 Handbook Updates – Do you need to clean some old skeletons from the closet? Compliance and policy updates throughout the year can quickly make your employee handbook operate as poorly as a rusty old Texas chainsaw. But there’s no need to hide. By utilizing HR Sidekick’s handbook builder, you’ll walk easily through the updating process and make sure you don’t miss a single requirement. People Savvy HCM can also be utilized to distribute the handbook to employees electronically and have them sign off on the acknowledgment form. There will be nowhere for them to run.
🎃 ACA Reporting – Even though Pinhead is in desperate need of healthcare, he still hates ACA reporting. Applicable Large Employers (ALE’s) are required to offer affordable healthcare and meet reporting requirement for the IRS and applicable states. Employers must track eligibility, enrollment, and affordability of coverage to complete the required Form 1094-C and 1095-C reporting. It’s a good idea to audit this information throughout the year, so when the year ends it’s one less thing on your plate. With People Savvy HCM’s real-time tracking, this prickly task can easily be done as frequently as you like. Forms are auto-populated and all ready for distribution at the close of the year. Now there’s something to scream about!
🎃 Tax Updates – Who is scarier than Jason, Freddy, and Michael combined? It’s the IRS (queue Psycho theme)! Tax updates are critical for both the employer and employees. Make sure employees have taxes deducted as expected by verifying that all Form W-4s are up to date. All tax rates, including workers’ compensation, should be communicated to your payroll software provider as early as possible. Otherwise, a stranger might come knocking.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can help you make year-end tasks less terrifying. And Happy Halloween from our People Savvy HCM team to you!
Managed IT Services News
October is Cybersecurity Month
In today’s world, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, making it essential for every organization—big or small—to stay educated and prepared. One of the most critical defenses in this ongoing battle is ensuring that everyone in your business is informed about common cyber threats like phishing, ransomware, and insider attacks. At Bennett/Porter, we’re committed to making this education accessible and engaging. We’re offering so much this month.
Weekly Cybersecurity Blog Posts
Each Tuesday this month, we’ll release a fresh blog post designed to keep you informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and how to protect yourself. From understanding phishing scams to preventing ransomware attacks, our blog posts will provide practical tips and actionable strategies that you can apply immediately. This month we’re starting it off with an excellent listicle curated by our very own IT experts: The Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats of 2024
Test Your Knowledge with Our Phishing IQ Quiz
Think you’re savvy enough to spot a phishing scam? Cybercriminals are getting trickier by the day, and even the most experienced professionals can be caught off guard. That’s why we’ve created a free Phishing IQ Quiz for you and your team to take. It’s a quick and interactive way to test your ability to detect phishing emails and risky links—because it only takes one click to put your business at risk.
Ready to see how well you can recognize cyber threats? Take the quiz and challenge your colleagues to do the same!
Join Us for Our Free Webinar on October 31st
We’re wrapping up Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a special treat: a free webinar titled “Overcome Your Cybersecurity Fears,” happening on October 31st at 10:00 AM Pacific. This expert-led session will cover the top cyber threats businesses face and provide you with practical strategies to protect your organization. Whether you’re battling phishing attempts or concerned about insider threats, this webinar will give you the confidence and tools to take control of your cybersecurity.
It’s a session you won’t want to miss—and it’s completely free! Feel free to invite your team, colleagues, or anyone else who might benefit from a deeper understanding of cybersecurity. Just be sure to register in advance, as we expect this event to fill up quickly.
Make This October About Cybersecurity
This month, make cybersecurity a top priority for your business. With so many tools, resources, and insights available to you, there’s never been a better time to get ahead of cyber threats. From our Phishing IQ Quiz to our blog series and webinar, we’ve got everything you need to build a more secure digital environment.
Stay safe, stay informed, and remember—when it comes to cybersecurity, knowledge is your best defense!
Reach out to us today to discover how Bennett/Porter’s Managed IT Services will give you the tools be prepared for whatever life has in store.
