D-Tools Hosted Solution

The D-Tools Hosted Solution – Powered by Amazon Web Services is a “plug and play” option for users that seek mobility and cloud-based storage of D-Tools SIX 2013 Server data. This new feature set enables remote access and secure offsite storage for the entire System Integrator community and delivers an easily accessed and utilised extension of the system for use anywhere or any time it is needed. The D-Tools Hosted Solution will be unveiled during CEDIA EXPO 2013 being held September 26th – 28th at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

With the D-Tools Hosted Solution, customers have their very own D-Tools Server Instance powered by the latest generation Windows Server 2012. It includes the D-Tools SIX 2013 Server Management application and comes completely configured with SQL Server 2012. With the D-Tools Hosted Solution, users now have the option to host their Server Instance in the cloud, thereby facilitating a lower cost of entry and eliminating the need for costly in-house servers and expensive IT infrastructure. Combined with D-Tools Software Assurance program, which includes Gold Support and Data Subscription, this compelling combination of features and benefits ensures that users are always on the most current version of the D-Tools System Integrator platform.

Because the D-Tools Hosted Solution is powered by Amazon Web Services, it features the highest possible level of scalability, security and performance. Not only does the pre-configured firewall only allow traffic from the D-Tools application, it can only be accessed from ports 9010, 1433 and 1434. For added security, the connection to those ports can be tied to a specific IP address, enabling only the computers registered on the user’s network to connect to the associated cloud server. For ease of implementation, the D-Tools technical support team performs the installation and setup for each user.

“The D-Tools Hosted Solution is ideally suited to companies that are just getting started or those who are migrating to a service-based model for their IT infrastructure because it offers users a flexible choice of deployment and the ability to migrate to an on-premise solution over time as their needs change,” says D-Tools president and founder Adam Stone.

“Not only does it (the D-Tools Hosted Solution) offer users cloud-hosted access to the D-Tools SIX 2013 server, it also provides a connection to the D-Tools SIX 2013 Client without a VPN or expensive standalone servers.”

DTConnect

DTConnect provides highly valuable integrated analytics and communication systems for manufacturers and the D-Tools user community from within the D-Tools System Integrator software environment. DTConnect enables timely pricing updates, special offers, and other information relevant to users of D-Tools’ SIX 2013 platform.

A highly valuable enhancement, D-Tools DTConnect provides significant benefits for MVP Program partners:

• Download Statistics: DTConnect lets MVP Program partners (MVPs) track how many dealers are downloading product data by day, month, or year, and also which specific products are being downloaded most often.

• Dealer Contact Information: DTConnect allows MVPs to identify integrators that are downloading product information in order to spot trends and better serve customers.

• Direct Messaging: DTConnect gives MVP partners the ability to create and send messages directly to dealers through the D-Tools SIX 2013 Data Browser, publish dealer pricing, inform dealers of the latest product news, or post completed system designs to make dealers even more effective.

• Product Catalog Management: DTConnect allows MVPs to review and make simple changes to their product catalog, or download their entire catalog and send detailed changes to D-Tools.

• Update Company Profile: DTConnect enables MVPs to update their company logo, boilerplate message, and social media links. Changes made will be seen by D-Tools users across the platform, including on the D-Tools website and in SIX 2013.

DTConnect is also an effective tool for D-Tools MVP Program partners to enhance and accelerate their sales and marketing strategies in the following ways:

• Includes MVP product data in D-Tools SIX 2013, a powerful and effective sales solution now being used by more than 4,400 system integrators worldwide.

• MVPs can transmit accurate, up-to-date dealer pricing information to authorized dealers downloading product data to use within D-Tools.

• MVPs can communicate directly to dealers through the D-Tools Data Browser, to help generate new business for their products.

SIX 2013 companion app

Available in Q4 for partners worldwide, this new release adds mobile quoting capabilities that enable commercial and residential AV integrators to generate quotes natively on an iPad then bring them into SIX 2013 for further project design and management. Delivering on D-Tools’ commitment to streamline product updates and enhancements by consolidating them into an annual release, this new companion app will immediately extend the highly functional D-Tools workflow to mobile sales and specification teams.

A native IOS application, the D-Tools iPad app leverages D-Tools’ extensive manufacturer product library by enabling integrators to access and integrate product category and package data from their SIX 2013 catalog while working with customers in the field. Integrators can enter client and contact information into the iPad app, then walk prospective customers through available installation scenarios in order to create a quote for approval. Once complete, the resulting quote can then be imported into SIX 2013 for additional design work and synchronisation. The iPad app utilises many of D-Tools’ workflow concepts, including the specification of locations and systems, which allows integrators to provide packages or pre-configured systems for inclusion in the quote. Labor and general pricing will be calculated to give the customer an accurate proposal, which can then be signed off for approval on the spot.