Customer expectations are evolving faster than your old IVR menu can say “Press 1 for frustration" -- if your contact center still feels like a relic from the dial-up era, it’s time for an upgrade... Enter Dynamics 365 Contact Center aka "D365 CC" D365 CC is Microsoft’s Copilot-first, cloud-based solution that’s here to make customer service smarter, faster, and much easier to understand. Featured Photo (left) by Michal Biernat on Unsplash Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash Think of D365 Contact Center as the Swiss Army knife of customer engagement...

ERP Reviewed & Optimized Recently? If Not, Get a CKS Real-IT Check! Is your IT environment working for you - or just working against you? Every business today depends on technology - from ERP & Accounting Systems to CRM, E-Commerce, and Marketing Tools. But as systems evolve and business needs change, it’s easy for gaps, inefficiencies, or outdated tools to creep in unnoticed. That’s where the CKS Real-IT Check comes in. What Is the CKS Real-IT Check? The Real-IT Check is a structured yet straightforward review of your Business Systems, Processes, and Workflows - designed to help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.

In today’s dynamic retail landscape, where omnichannel experiences are no longer optional but essential, the newly announced partnership between CKS Cloud Solutions and POS ONE A/S marks a significant milestone for retailers seeking seamless, modern retail systems operating in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central ("BC") ERP ecosystem. Why this Partnership Matters Retailers today face a host of complex challenges: disparate systems across online and offline channels, real-time inventory demands, customer expectations around checkout speed and flexibility (think click-and-collect, mobile POS, offline fallback), and the need to tie it all back into core finance and operations.

Excel Turns 40 — Still a Business Essential, but Time to Think Beyond the Spreadsheet This week marks 40 years of Microsoft Excel, one of the most transformative tools in business history. Introduced in 1985, Excel revolutionized how people organize, analyze, and visualize data — and it’s still going strong. At CKS Cloud Solutions, we love Excel. We use it daily for reporting, data analysis, modeling, and quick calculations. It’s fast, familiar, and endlessly flexible — a true classic that remains indispensable even in 2025. Photo by Rubaitul Azad…

If your business is still running on legacy systems like Great Plains (GP), we’ve got one question for you:Should you stay, or should you go? 🎸 Spoiler alert: Microsoft already made the decision for you. GP is being deprecated, and the cloud isn’t just the future - it’s the now. Don’t worry, we’re not here to scare you into migrating. We’re here to guide you through it, step-by-step, with a strategy that’s as smooth as your favourite music playlist. TL;DR: GP is on its way out, and cloud migration isn’t optional anymore - it’s essential.

Photo by Arawark chen on Unsplash (on left) At CKS Cloud Solutions, we’re often asked where ERP, PLM, and Planning & Forecasting fit in the fashion and apparel industry. Recently, while working with one of our fashion clients, the question came up directly: “Which system handles what—ERP vs PLM vs Planning & Forecasting?” We decided to research the topic in-depth so we could provide detailed, accurate information—not just for that client, but also for others who may be evaluating these platforms. The result was a clear breakdown of the different solution components, how they complement one another, and how CKS can help fashion companies put the right mix together.

Photo by Alexander JT on Unsplash By 2028, Microsoft Dynamics GP will officially reach End of Support, with Security and General Updates ceasing by 2031. For many organisations still relying on GP, this isn’t just a technical sunset — it’s a strategic crossroads. The longer businesses wait, the more exposed they become to operational risk, compliance gaps, and competitive disadvantage. Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash Microsoft Business Central (BC) is the direct successor to GP, offering a modern, cloud-based ERP platform that’s scalable, secure, and future-proof. But migration isn’t just about flipping a switch — it’s about…

New York Fashion Week returns September 11–16, 2025 with a packed calendar across Manhattan—anchor venues and off-site spaces—showcasing the Spring/Summer 2026 collections. The CFDA’s preliminary schedule notes Michael Kors launching the American Collections on Thursday, September 11, and the week concluding Tuesday, September 16. (CFDA) Key NYC Locations & Moments Spring Studios (Tribeca) remains a heavily used hub for shows and presentations, with public-facing activations and livestreams expanding access to the week. (NYC Tourism) Across Manhattan (and occasionally Brooklyn): many designers stage site-specific productions—museums, rooftops, waterfront warehouses—shaping each collection’s storytelling.

Ever been wowed by a software demo, only to find the real thing doesn’t quite fit your business? You’re not alone. In today’s world of endless tech options, knowing the difference between a quick o…

Let’s face it—automation can feel like a buzzword that’s been stretched thinner than your Monday morning patience. But when done right, it’s not just a tech upgrade—it’s a business revolution. That’s exactly what’s happening in the new partnership between CKS Cloud Solutions and Experlogix. Together, we’re making automation practical, powerful, and dare we say…enjoyable. Experlogix’s Configure, Price, Quote or "CPQ" solution isn’t just another tool—it’s a turbocharger for your sales engine. Whether you’re in manufacturing, retail, or any industry where quoting gets complicated, Experlogix simplifies the chaos. With CPQ, your team can build accurate quotes in minutes, not hours, and sync them directly into your CRM or ERP.

On July 26, 2025, Russ Murray, VP of Fashion & Agency Solutions at CKS, had the privilege of exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s powerful exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, housed in the Anna Wintour Costume Center. Opened in spring 2025, the exhibit charts the rich history of Black sartorial expression; from Regency dandies and post‑Civil War urban elegance to contemporary designers reinterpreting classic tailoring and luxury. The show pays tribute to how cloth, cut, and silhouette have been used to define identity, resistance, and refined artistry. Celebrating Black Dandy Fashion at the 2025 Met Gala…

The food and beverage industry faces mounting pressure from every direction - shifting consumer demands, global supply chain disruptions, tighter regulatory scrutiny, and sustainability expectations. Producers, distributors, and processors must innovate quickly to stay ahead. That’s why CKS Cloud Solutions offers the Aptean Food & Beverage ERP solution, purpose-built for this complex industry, on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and the Azure Cloud. CKS brings deep ERP expertise, digital transformation leadership, and hands-on implementation experience across industries—including food and beverage. Paired with Aptean’s industry-specific capabilities, the result is a fully integrated solution that helps companies…

Our "Cannabiz Matrix" division provides world-class software, systems and support for the cannabis-hemp supply chain — technology solutions to manage and optimize your business from Seed-to-Sale — business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C). Technology for the Cannabis Supply Chain CKS' Cannabiz Matrix delivers complete solutions for companies which: MAKE IT = Grow, Farm, Produce Raw Materials & Finished Goods. MOVE IT = Distribution & Logistics for Raw Materials & Finished Products. SELL IT = Dispensary Retail-POS & Inventory Management. CKS solutions for the cannabis industry offer full accountability, traceability & compliance.

As we move through 2025, Microsoft continues to evolve its product ecosystem—retiring legacy platforms and introducing modern, cloud-first solutions. This fall, several widely used Microsoft products will reach their official End of Support (EOS), marking a pivotal moment for organizations still relying on them. According to Microsoft’s official lifecycle announcements, October 14, 2025, is a major milestone. On this date, the following products will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support: Windows 10 (Enterprise, Education, Home, Pro, IoT Enterprise, LTSB 2015, and Team/Surface Hub editions)

Too many have seen firsthand how fragmented data systems can slow down decision-making, obscure insights, and create operational drag. That’s why we’ve embraced Microsoft Fabric—and why I believe every organization should be asking the right questions before diving in. At CKS, we’ve developed a discovery framework that helps companies cut through the noise and get straight to what matters: aligning Fabric’s capabilities with your business goals. Microsoft Fabric isn’t just another data platform. It’s a unified analytics solution that brings together Power BI, Azure Synapse, and Copilot AI into a single, integrated experience.

Photo by Jacob Lund on Adobe Stock For years, Microsoft Dynamics GP has been a reliable workhorse for businesses across industries. But with Microsoft shifting its focus to the cloud-first, AI-ready Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC), the time has come for companies to consider their next move. The good news? You don’t have to make that leap alone. At CKS, we’ve partnered with EBizCharge to make the transition from GP to BC not just seamless—but strategic. Photo by fauxels on Pexels GP’s sunset isn’t just a technical milestone - it’s a business opportunity.

A New Phase for Model and Talent Agencies On June 19, 2025, the New York Fashion Workers Act (FWA) went into effect, establishing critical protections for models and new responsibilities for model …

Featured Photo by James Baltz on Unsplash You’re not running an average business anymore. Sure, you still rise with the sun, check on the crops, and wrangle the occasional runaway order, but these days, you do it with a tablet in one hand and a dashboard full of data in the other. Whether you’re managing a 500-acre corn or soybean farm, a high-tech hydroponic greenhouse, or a full-scale horticulture operation, CKS has the perfect Dynamics 365-based systems and solutions to help any agribusiness run better and more profitably. Photo by…

Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels Non-profits are built on purpose, passion, and people. But let’s face it—today’s mission-driven work also demands tight operations, real-time data, secure systems…

Title Photo by Emma Fabbri on Unsplash In today’s high-stakes world of professional sports, every inch matters — on the field and off. Whether you’re managing a franchise, running a stadium, or cal…

CKS Connects Any Microsoft ERP to Anything and Everything Else Needed to Run Any Company or Organization of Any Size. In today’s fast-moving, data-driven world, no business system operates by itself in a silo, or floating alone in the vacuum of space-time. Instead, whether you’re running an e-commerce brand, a global nonprofit, a restaurant chain, or a model agency, you depend on a constellation of specialized platforms -- HR, POS, CRM, shipping, and more.

CKS Will Guide Your Company or Organization Through a Complete Operational Transformation In today’s unpredictable business environment, many companies find themselves at a crossroads -- aware they must modernize; a digital transformation is necessary and inevitable -- but unsure where or how to begin. That’s where CKS Cloud Solutions comes in! We help companies and organizations of any size to confidently plan and navigate the full journey of digital transformation, with a structured, proven, and collaborative approach.

As a seasoned Microsoft Partner, we've navigated the ever-evolving tech landscape, but the recent surge in tariffs feels like a seismic shift. Drawing parallels from the fashion industry's experience, as highlighted in K3 Fashion Solutions' recent blog post, it's evident that tariffs aimed at reshaping industries, often lead to unintended consequences. The Trump administration's imposition of up to 145% tariffs on Chinese goods has sent ripples through the tech industry.

Still relying on Microsoft Great Plains (GP) to manage your medical or life sciences company? That’s like using a stethoscope to fix a server issue -- great tool, wrong job. It’s time to modernize your operations with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (aka "BC"), a cloud-based ERP system designed to handle clinical-grade complexity, ensure compliance, and give you data-driven decision-making…