Welcome to the Ascend Software Blog!
Welcome to this first edition of the Ascend Software Blog. In future posts we will keep you up to date on our development progress and cover other topics of interest. 2011 has been a very busy year for us. In March we released Ascend Version 2.0. Since then over 550 locations...
Read MoreAscend Version 2.2 Preview
The next update to Ascend will be available this month. We’re very excited about the new features in Version 2.2: We’ve totally revamped the On Sale process in Ascend. We’ve created a new screen for adding items to an On Sale. Dealers with multiple locations will now have the...
Read More'Tis the Season for Inventory
Before we talk about inventory, here’s another plug for Version 2.2. It’s due out this week. Register for a webinar to get a detailed overview of the new features. Check out Dexter for the details. If you can’t make it, watch the recording. If you’re already on Version 2 this will be...
Read MorePower your business with Ascend and Analytics
Before we talk about Analytics, here’s another plug for Version 2.2. Since we released it last Monday, over 250 locations have updated. If you didn’t attend one of our webinars, click here to view a recording. Please note that 2.2 has an upgraded PIN pad interface. It does not support...
Read MoreLooking back at 2011 and ahead to the future
We end the year with a look back at 2011 and a look ahead to the future. Version 2 released – base camp reached On March 22nd, we released Ascend Version 2. On the surface it operated much the same as the Version 1. But underneath the hood was a...
Read MoreAscend's Day of Autonomy #1
Last April Steve Novoselac, our Development Team Manager, introduced us to the “Day of Autonomy”. It was a takeaway from an RSA Animate short he watched entitled “Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us”. Click here to read his blog post and watch the video. The idea is simple: Give our development...
Read MoreIntroducing Ascend Online Reports (again)
Back in September we introduced Ascend Online Reports; a realtime reporting system you can access from anywhere with a web browser. Based on the number of dealers we’ve talked to recently that didn’t know about them, we figured it would be a good time to tell you about them...
Read MoreAscend Inventory Fantasy Camp #1
Last week we hosted 11 bike shop employees from Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Brunswick, Canada for our first ever Ascend Inventory Fantasy Camp. Why on earth would they travel from all over the country, in January, to the frozen tundra of Wisconsin for an...
Read MoreAscend Version 2.3 Preview – Part 1
Ascend Version 2.2 Critical Update: Tonight (1/23) we will be posting an Ascend service release to update our integrated email service. If you’re on Version 2 you must upgrade by January 30th. If you don’t, you will not be able to send email messages from Ascend after that date. About...
Read MoreAscend Version 2.3 Preview – Part 2
Ascend Version 2.2 Critical Update: An Ascend service release is available now to update our integrated email service. If you’re on Version 2 you must upgrade by Monday, January 30th. If you don’t, you will not be able to send email messages from Ascend starting Tuesday, January 31st. About a...
Read MoreAscend Version 2.3 Preview – Part 3
Ascend Version 2.3 Preview Continued: We’re in the final two weeks of programming for the next major release of Ascend. It will be available to our “early release” dealers in mid-February and available to everyone in mid-March. Two weeks ago we presented Part 1 of our preview and last...
Read MoreAscend Version 2.3 Preview – Part 4
This is the fourth and final part of our Ascend Version 2.3 preview. If you missed any previous parts, click these links to view Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3. Version 2.3 will be available for our early release group next week on Monday night, February 20th. Contact...
Read MoreOur 20 Mile March
In his most recent book, Great By Choice, Jim Collins introduced the concept of the 20 Mile March. It’s based on the story of Amundsen and Scott; two expedition leaders racing to the South Pole. Amundsen’s team finished easily. Scott’s party died in the brutal arctic cold. Both started...
Read MoreAscend's eCommerce Integration
Before we get into today’s topic, here’s a quick Version 2.3 update. To date, nearly 60 locations have upgraded as part of our Early Release group. All is going well and we plan to make it available to everyone the week of March 19th. In case you missed our preview,...
Read MoreVenturing into the unknown
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...
Read MoreDas ist cool!
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...
Read MoreHappy Birthday Version 2
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...
Read MoreSpring Ahead to 2.3!
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...
Read More"Where are my Analytics?" and "Where did these work orders come from?"
“Where are my Analytics?” and “Where did these work orders come from?” We’ve been hearing these questions often. Here are the answers. Waiting for Ascend Analytics: Over the last several weeks it’s been taking longer and longer for the previous day’s numbers to appear on Analytics. Most recently it was...
Read MoreVersion 2.3 Issues and Analytics Update
We’ve recently discovered two issues with Version 2.3 that you should be aware of. Trekfest on sale not importing: Dealers running Version 2.3 cannot import the Trekfest on sale using the Trek Sale Wizard (Desktop > Integration > Trek > Sale Wizard). The problem is related to the attribute...
Read More2.3 Critical Update and 2.4 Release Schedule
2.3 critical update Last week I told you about two recently discovered issues that you need to be aware of. Click here to read the details. They are critical enough that we don’t want to wait for version 2.4 to fix them. We will be releasing an update to Version 2.3 to...
Read More2.4 Preview – More Receipt Improvements
We’re putting the wraps on Ascend Version 2.4. It will be available for our Early Release dealers on May 14th and for all dealers on June 11th. More Receipt Improvements In Version 2.3 we spent time improving customer receipts. We added the ability to specify your own custom footers and to...
Read MoreWhy are you working on that?
We at Ascend are lucky. We work for a great company (Trek). We support a great product that helps hundreds of cycling retailers around the world. And we have passionate and involved customers that want to help make Ascend the best system it can be. I’m often asked: “Why...
Read MoreThe Ascend "Best Support" Program
If you’ve been with Ascend for a while, you’ve heard me say “Best System. Best Support” many times. We provide the best support to help you fully utilize Ascend and implement it into your business. The investment we make to provide this level of support is significant. We encourage you to...
Read MoreVersion 2.4 – Early Release Update
Today we previewed and released Ascend Version 2.4 to our Early Release Team of dealers. We will make it available to all dealers next month on June 11th. Here are some highlights of what we previewed for them today: When you choose to unreconcile a category, Ascend now asks if you want...
Read MoreAscend Version 3 – To the Cloud!
We’re excited to announce that work on Ascend Version 3, our next major platform, is underway with an expected release date of Q2 2013. Before then you will see two more major upgrades to Version 2. Version 2.4 will be released next month on June 11th. Click here for...
Read MoreJoin us for our Ascend Version 2.4 Webinars
On Monday night, June 11th, Ascend Version 2.4 will be available for you to download in your stores. Please join us on Tuesday, June 12th, at 9am CST or Wednesday, June 13th, at 11am CST for an overview of the new features. To register for the Tuesday session go...
Read MoreAscend Version 2.4 Update
Ascend Version 2.4 was released last night. We have temporarily halted the upgrade because of the discovery of a critical bug. When old work orders are being deleted, Ascend is not properly putting the items back into in inventory. We will have a fixed version out shortly and will resume...
Read MoreThe Re-Imagination of Nearly Everything
In the winter of 2004 I, along with other managers at Trek, read Re-imagine! by Tom Peters. The premise of the book was that businesses need to constantly evaluate and re-invent themselves. Peters emphasized how the web would dramatically change all businesses. Not long after reading the book, Trek decided to...
Read MoreComing Soon: SMS messaging in Ascend
SMS (a.k.a. Text) messaging is very popular. I know that’s not a big revelation for anyone. When my 75 year old mom started texting me this past year, I knew we were reaching technology saturation. Recent statistics bear this out as well: Some 83% of American adults own cell phones and three-quarters of...
Read MoreAscend Mid-Year Update
As we enter the second half of 2012, here’s an update on the major initiatives we’re working on at Ascend. 1. We’re winding down work on Ascend Version 2 We’re putting the finishing touches on Version 2.5. It’s the last planned update for Version 2. It will go to...
Read MoreVersion 2.5 – Early Release Update
On August 20th we will make Ascend Version 2.5 available to our Early Release dealer group . We will make it available to all dealers next month on September 17th. Here are some highlights of what’s included: You’ll be able to text message your customers from Ascend. See my previous...
Read MoreRed Shield Integration in Version 2.5
With Version 2.5 we’ve made it easier to sell and register Red Shield extended warranty contracts. Previously, to register the contracts you had to get out of Ascend and go into Dexter. That either slowed down the sales process or meant that the contracts had to be entered later...
Read MoreGo Back to School at Inventory Fantasy Camp.
By now, all of us with school age kids have sent them back to school. Now it’s your turn. Last January, we hosted our first ever Inventory Fantasy Camps at the Trek Stores of Madison, Wisconsin. Click here for a recap. After the success of those camps, we’ve scheduled six...
Read MoreVersion 2.5 Release Scheduled for October 1st
We’ve rescheduled our release of Version 2.5 to October 1st. With every new version of Ascend, we schedule a “Release Candidate” phase. One month before our scheduled release date, we give the latest version of Ascend to a large group of dealers to use in their stores. If we...
Read MoreVersion 3 Project Update – Milestone Alert!
We’ve reached a major milestone in our project to take Ascend to the cloud. This week we started internal testing on the first release of Ascend Version 3. It took me four steps to get set up: Get the web address from our fantastic development team. Open up my...
Read MoreJoin us for our Ascend Version 2.5 Webinars
On Monday night, October 1st, Ascend Version 2.5 will be available for you to download in your stores. We want you to make the most of this new release. With features like integrated SMS text messaging and Red Shield integration, you’ll want to update soon. Please join us on...
Read More"Das ist cool!" Revisited
Last March I blogged about my Ascend dealer visits in Germany (read Das ist cool!). The short version of the story was a German dealer was very excited to see the new feature to print special order receipts at receiving time. The bad part of the story was they could...
Read MoreChrome Is It!
With a nod to the old Coca-Cola campaign, I’m officially announcing that “Chrome Is It!”. Google Chrome is the official web browser of Ascend Version 3. Why only one browser? My decisions regarding the development of Ascend are guided by the following principles: We will maximize the time we...
Read MoreSpread the Word!
We need your help spreading the word about our weekly blog. With Ascend Version 3 on the way, it’s important that you and your fellow employees stay informed. Once we release Version 3, it’s our goal to get everyone on it as soon as possible. We want it to...
Read MoreAscend and Windows 8
Windows 8 is coming on October 26th. Here’s what you need to know about Ascend and Windows 8. Ascend and all of our certified peripherals work fine on Windows 8. Our Ascend installer, however, does not run on it. We had to install Ascend on a Windows 7 PC...
Read MoreYour End of Year To-Do List
As we approach November, it’s time to dust off your end of year to-do lists. Here are 4 things to add. Prepare for your holiday sale: Make sure to use the On Sale function in Ascend to set your sale prices. Also check to see that you have enough...
Read MoreWhat is your Ascend back-up plan?
To our customers living in the wake of Hurricane Sandy: We hope you’re safe and sound and your lives are returning to normal. If there’s any way we can help, please let us know. Earlier this year my neighbor’s house was gutted by fire. Fortunately they were well insured...
Read More5 Steps to Prepare for Your Year-End Inventory
Some of you have already finished your year-end inventory. Most of you will do it sometime after the new year. We’ve led and assisted with countless inventories. From our experience, here are 5 steps to take now to be ready then. Pick a date and publicize it. Let...
Read More4 Ways to Collect More Customer Email Addresses
By our estimates bike retailers have email addresses, on average, for about 20% of their customers. Many have more than that. Some retailers have over 90%. Here are 4 simple things they do to collect more addresses. Ask: As my mom always told me, you don’t get something unless...
Read MoreUpdate: Ascend and Windows 8
Windows 8 was released on October 26th. Here’s what you need to know about Ascend and Windows 8. Ascend and all of our certified peripherals work fine on Windows 8 Pro Edition. For the latest installers, go to the Downloads page on our website at www.ascendrms.com. We now have...
Read More2 Steps to Start Getting Ready for V3
Our progress continues on Ascend Version 3. As with most major projects we’ve had some surprises and things are taking longer than expected. We’re focussing all of our energy on providing a fast and reliable system to carry us all into the future. We’re targeting the 2nd half of 2013 for...
Read MoreHappy Holidays from Ascend!
On behalf of the entire Ascend Team I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for a wonderful 2012. Together we’ve accomplished some great things. We’re looking forward to an exciting 2013. I’ll Have A Blue Christmas Because of You Back...
Read MoreA Belated Happy "Blue" Year and 2013 Budgets
Greetings and a much belated Happy New Year to all of you. As I reported in my last blog post, the Ascend Team met a challenge I issued to them last year. With your cooperation they got over 90% of our locations to upgrade to version 2.5. It was no...
Read MoreAscend Analytics Upcoming Improvements
Our work to bring you the next generation version of Ascend continues. It’s a huge undertaking and it’s taking longer than we expected. In the meantime, we want to keep delivering valuable improvements to help you with your business. One of the most valuable tools we offer is Ascend...
Read MoreAscend Analytics Improvements Release
Last week I blogged about a new improvement we were making to Ascend Analytics. We have now released this update, and the Category Health Summary Report is displayed on the new “Reports” tab within the main pages of Ascend Analytics. Please login to check it out when you get...
Read MoreAscend Business Update
Welcome New Customers! It’s been a busy year getting new customers online with Ascend. So far we’ve welcomed nearly 100 locations to the family. We’re glad to have you with us. Ascend Version 2.6: We’re happy to announce that Version 2.6 will be available for early release on Monday...
Read MoreOn Sale Improvements & Release Update
Last week we announced we’re back to providing you improvements in Version 2. See below for more details about what’s coming your way. On Sale Improvements: The On Sale function in Ascend has always been a great tool for you to automatically discount specific products at point of sale...
Read MoreThe End of Cash Drawer Carpal Tunnel
For years employees have been closing the Ascend cash drawer at the end of every transaction, whether they actually needed to put something in the drawer or not. With Version 2.6, those days of “Cash Drawer Carpal Tunnel” are over. You can now define which payment types will open...
Read MoreSuccess Stories
We’re Collecting Success Stories: There are many great stories out there about dealers that, with the help of Ascend, have produced great business results. We want to hear from you. Your stories are learning tools and inspiration for your fellow dealers. We’d like to tell them here on this...
Read MoreThe End of the Road for Windows XP
On April 8th, 2014 Microsoft will stop supporting Windows XP. Why? Microsoft supports their operating systems for 10 years. XP’s 10 years are up. What does end of support mean? Microsoft won’t spend any more time on XP. They won’t have any new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support...
Read MoreThe End of "Oops!"
Currently in Ascend, when you open a product record, it goes right to the Quantity field. On occasion this leads to people mistakenly changing the quantity on hand. When they do, there’s no trace of what happened except for an inventory adjustment that says “Changed quantity within Product Editor”....
Read MoreThe Best Productivity Enhancement in Years
“Best productivity enhancement in years!” That’s what one our customers told us when describing this new feature. You be the judge. Scan Serial Numbers at Receiving: Starting in Version 2.7 you can configure Ascend to automatically prompt you to scan a bike’s serial number immediately after scanning its UPC barcode. This...
Read MoreTop 5 #TrekWorld Topics
We had a fantastic time at #TrekWorld visiting with our great customers. Here were the Top 5 conversation topics: Financial Discipline: The seminar of the week was John Burke’s “7 Keystone Habits for Successful Dealers”. Keystone habit #1 was “Financial Discipline”: You should have a 2014 budget by the end...
Read MoreDon't Discount Your Service Labor Charges
If you don’t discount your service department’s labor charges, Ascend has just made your life easier. If you do, perhaps this new feature will change your mind. New “Exclude Labor Items” Checkbox: We’ve added a new Exclude Labor Items checkbox to the Discount Calculator form. When you open the...
Read More4 Simple Steps to Start Selling Trek Care Plus in Ascend
Trek Care Plus, the new product protection program, will be available in the U.S. to sell to consumers on September 3rd. Follow these four simple steps to make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running: Sign up: Contact your inside rep to get set up as an official Trek Care Plus...
Read More3 Tasks To Improve Your Business This Week
As Autumn approaches you may find yourself with some extra time to focus on improving your business. Here are 3 simple tasks you can complete this week: Download our new QuickBooks Health Assessment: Download this new assessment tool and answer the questions to determine how well you’re managing your Ascend...
Read MoreIntroducing Ascend Version 2.7
We’re excited to announce that on Tuesday night, September 17th, we will release Ascend Version 2.7. Register for a webinar: We’re hosting webinars to give you an overview of the new features in this release. There will be one on Tuesday the 17th at 9am Central Time and another...
Read MoreThe Top 4 Reasons to Update to Version 2.7
There are many great reasons to update to Ascend Version 2.7. Here are the Top 4: Join the Crowd: Nearly 200 locations have already updated. You should join them. Save Time: Reduce the time it takes to receive your bike orders and scan in serial numbers. Save Money: Don’t...
Read MoreImprove Your Inventory Scanning Speed and Accuracy
With the full store inventory season approaching we’ve made many improvements for you. Our goal is to make this critical business process simpler, faster and more accurate. New Inventory Scanner: We’re now selling the new Motorola MC2180 scanner. It has a 2.8 inch color touch screen and plenty of...
Read More3 Prep Steps for Your Upcoming Continuous Improvement Event
With Fall upon us and Winter approaching, now is the time to take a step back, to evaluate your business and to set an action plan for the coming year. A continuous improvement event with Trek is the perfect format to do this. Here are 3 steps to get...
Read MoreTurn Your Old Inventory Into New Cash
Identifying and removing the oldest and slowest moving products from your stores is an important and never-ending task. To help you, we’re introducing a new Aged Inventory Report in Ascend Version 2.8. We Simplified the Report Before there were two reports called “Aged Inventory by Vendor and By Date”...
Read MoreThe Fine Print You'll Actually Want to Read
With every new release we, like most software companies, tout the big new features. But buried down in the fine print of the release notes are many small changes worthy of your attention. We understand if we only focus on big projects, small but necessary improvements get neglected. So with every release we’re devoting a...
Read MoreExtreme Makeover: Ascend Inventory Edition – Episode 1
In case you couldn’t tell, we’re sticklers about inventory control. This is how we see it: Your inventory is THE major asset of your business. We must give you the tools to maintain an accurate inventory, to keep turning it and to make it as profitable as possible. This was our focus...
Read MoreExtreme Makeover: Ascend Inventory Edition – Episode 2
In Episode 1 we introduced our new Reconcile Inventory feature. In today’s episode we’ll introduce you to the new and improved Reconcile Inventory grid. Stay Right Where You Are: Sometimes products you scan need fixing. They may have a duplicate record. Pricing may be below cost. Or maybe they...
Read MoreExtreme Makeover: Ascend Inventory Edition – Final Episode
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Episode 1 and Episode 2. Today we wrap up our overview of Ascend’s new Reconcile Inventory Feature. What did you forget to count? Sometimes when you do an inventory you miss a few products. Sometimes products are gone. Previously you had to wait...
Read MoreTrek Care Integration is Here!
The new Trek Care Program was introduced this past August. Integration with this new program is available now in Ascend 2.8. It is available now for early release. Otherwise, it will be available to everyone on December 10th. No Duplicate Data Entry: When you add a Trek bike to a sale,...
Read MoreMore Fine Print You'll Want To Read
We understand if we only focus on big projects, small but necessary improvements get neglected. So with every release we’re devoting a portion of our time to small improvements. We’re also making sure to select ones that have a significant positive impact. There are several small improvements that you’ll get in Version 2.8 (due out...
Read MoreThe End Of Unreconcile
With the new Reconcile Inventory process we’ve changed how you handle products that you missed counting. Previously you took care of these products, also known as “Unreconciled Inventory”, after reconciling. Now you must take of them before you hit the Reconcile button. Why did we change this? The previous process was very confusing. It...
Read MoreOut With the Old and In With the New.
It’s time to replace the Windows XP PCs in your stores. Here are 3 great reasons why: You can get a great deal on new PCs right now. The end of the year is the best time for deals on new computers. Contact our Ascend Sales Rep, Pat Gronemus, at sales@ascendrms.com for a quote. Support...
Read MoreUpgrade to Version 2.8 for QBP Integration
For the past several weeks we’ve shared many great reasons to update to Version 2.8. Here’s another: In the near future QBP integration won’t work from any previous version of Ascend. Temporary Integration Shutdown: QBP is moving to a new website. The move is scheduled to begin on December 30th and...
Read MoreAre You Ready for the New Year?
End of Year Checklist Take a few moments this week to knock some important items off your To Do list. Here are some Ascend-specific tasks to help ensure you start off 2014 the right way. Take a year-end backup. Of course, you’re already doing this at the close of business...
Read MoreOrdering and Registering Electra Products in Ascend
In case you haven’t heard, Trek acquired Electra. Here’s what you need to know about ordering and registering Electra products in Ascend. Update Your Product Records Electra bikes are included in our Trek product update that was posted this morning. If you already sell Electra and have their products and UPCs...
Read MoreQBP Integration Update
Here’s an update on Ascend’s integration with the new QBP website: I apologize for the problems with the new integration. We understand that ordering from one of your major suppliers is temporarily more difficult than it should be. It’s our goal, with all software updates, that they work without...
Read MoreWhat You See is What You Get
WYSIWYG (pronounced WIZ-ee-wig) is an acronym for “What You See is What You Get”. In Ascend Version 2.9, due out on March 18th, we’re delivering WYSIWYG to your receipts. What You See is What You Get: When ringing up a sale, many of you scan items in a specific...
Read MoreMake Your Bookkeeper Happy
In Version 2.9, due out on March 18th, we’ve made a change that will really make your bookkeeper happy. Fewer Files = Less Time Currently, if you integrate Ascend with QuickBooks, you need to import one IIF file per day for each location. For example, if you have two locations, for one week you’ll need to...
Read MoreYour Gateway to Success
We try to incorporate all the tools you need for your business into Ascend. We understand it’s efficient to have everything in one place. But sometimes it isn’t possible or practical. When it isn’t, we want to make sure Ascend is an easy gateway to those tools. In Version 2.9,...
Read MoreFuel Your Marketing Program
Customer data is the lifeblood of your marketing program. To drive customers back into your stores, you need to be able to contact them. To target them with specific messages, you need to know what they purchased. In Version 2.9, we’re introducing a new Customer Panel to help collect more data and fuel your marketing...
Read MoreWhere Everybody Knows Your Name
Last week we introduced our new Customer Panel. We continue our tour of the Customer Panel this week. Since you’re fueling your system with so much great data, your store can be the place “where everybody knows your name” and even more. New Information: We’ve added some new information...
Read MoreThe XPocalpyse is near. Are you ready?
It’s time to replace any of the remaining Windows XP PCs you have in your stores. Here’s why: You can get a great deal on new PCs right now. Contact our Ascend Sales Rep, Pat Gronemus, at sales@ascendrms.com for a quote. Support Ends on April 8th. Microsoft won’t support XP after this date. ...
Read MoreIt's Time for Your Ascend Health Checkup
Many of us wouldn’t know it from the weather, but Spring is just around the corner. Before Spring arrives, make sure your Ascend database is healthy and ready. We’ve added a new Ascend Health Checkup report in Version 2.9 to help you. Accessing & Running the Report: To access the report,...
Read MoreSpring has Sprung!
Spring has sprung and so has Ascend Version 2.9! We released the latest version this past Tuesday night (3/18). Over 400 locations have updated. If you haven’t yet, there are plenty of reasons to do it now. Read All About It: We’ve been blogging about the reasons to update...
Read MoreThe Gift That Keeps On Giving
Last week, we released version 2.9. Less than a week later, it became the most installed version of Ascend in the world. And the best part is, we weren’t even done yet… What Gets Measured Gets Done Those of you that have updated are already using the new Customer...
Read MoreAttention Buyers: Your Life Just Got Easier
The job of the retail buyer is a challenging one. Figuring out what to buy to keep a store stocked with profitable products isn’t easy. It’s even harder if you’re a buyer responsible for multiple locations. If that’s you, we’re happy to announce that life just got easier with Ascend Version 2.9 and the new...
Read MoreMore Customer Data at your Fingertips
With Ascend Version 2.9 we introduced our new Customer Panel. The new panel puts a wealth of information about your customers right at your fingertips in the sales screen. In Ascend Version 2.10, due out on June 10th, you can look forward to even more. Totals for All Locations: Many...
Read MoreWhat's an .rpt file? Upgrade and you won't care.
In version 2.10, we’ve made some replacements and additions we think you’re going to love. Replacements We didn’t want XP to be lonely in retirement, so we decided to get rid of some older file formats, too. When you email a receipt, you’ll be sending a .pdf file instead...
Read MoreAre You Capturing More Customer Data?
In Version 2.9, we introduced the new Customer Data Capture report. It tells you, by employee, how well you’re doing at getting contact information from your customers. With version 2.10, we’ve made some improvements. If you’ve run the Customer Data Capture report in the last week, you’ve seen a new “Address” column to...
Read MoreYou're Just Days Away From A Better Customer Record
When you upgrade to Version 2.10 next week, you’ll enjoy these updates we’ve made to the customer record. Send Messages On Demand We’ve added Email and SMS buttons to the customer record. They become active once an email address or mobile phone number is entered for the customer. Click these buttons to launch...
Read MoreKeep Up With Your Inventory This Summer
On June 10th we released Version 2.10 and several hundred locations have already updated. If you’re not one of them, here are a few more reasons you should upgrade today. Fix What You Need To Now The Remove Duplicate Products tool is a great way to keep your product records clean. We’ve added...
Read MoreYour Trek World To-Do List
We’re looking forward to seeing many of you next week at Trek World (8/4 – 8/6). If you’re attending, here’s your Ascend to-do list: Bring your questions to our lab: Our Support Team will be available in full force in the Ascend Lab. Please stop by during our scheduled...
Read MoreOn Sale Labels are here!
Version 2.11 is just around the corner! It went out to our Early Release dealers last week and will be released to all dealers on September 2nd. Over the next few weeks, we’ll preview some of the new features coming your way. Put a List of Items On Sale You’ll see a new “Product List...
Read MoreOn Sale Keeps Getting Better
Version 2.11 is just days away! It will be available to all dealers on September 2nd. Click here to register for our release webinar at 10:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, September 3rd. We’ll also continue to review new features in upcoming blog posts. Below we’ll cover some additional On Sale features...
Read MoreCustomize Your SMS Defaults
Version 2.11 is now available! If you haven’t already, upgrade today and join the hundreds of dealers already taking advantage of Ascend’s new features. Customize Your SMS Defaults A few versions back, we added SMS integration to Ascend. (Do you remember which version? We’ll send a small care package to the first person who...
Read MoreIt's the Little Things…
It’s been just over a week since we released Version 2.11 and the majority of you have already upgraded. If you haven’t yet, make plans to upgrade soon (it only takes a few minutes). When you do, you’ll be able to start enjoying these small changes that have a big impact...
Read MoreVersion 2.11 Update
We’ve had a busy few weeks here at Ascend. Here’s what’s been going on. Hotfix Recap On September 2nd, we released Version 2.11. Two weeks later we discovered a bug. Though the bug was limited to a very specific scenario, it affected inventory levels and we immediately halted upgrades to...
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