The year 2023 was a great one for the Unanet Community. I ended the year attending the 4th Quarter Huntsville Unanet Users Group (HUUG) Meeting, where there was an Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition that I didn’t win. HUUG is such a unique group of Unanet Users in the Huntsville Community. If you are a Unanet user in the Huntsville area and have not already joined, I recommend you do. Reach out to me, and I can provide you with the contact information to get added to the group. If you are outside of the Huntsville area, look for Unanet user groups near you to connect with a peer group for a sense of community, networking and support. I think you will find it beneficial.
Let’s talk about what we can look forward to this year with Unanet.
Multi-Legal Entities
Last year, Unanet released some great new features, and I am excited about the plan for 2024. I know many users who utilize multi-legal entities will be thrilled to hear that Unanet will be releasing a default legal entity to user profiles. There is nothing more aggravating than working in a system with multi-legal entities setup and always getting this message.
Users will be able to select which legal entity they would like as the default in their user profile. Yes, you can do the happy dance now! Make sure you stay tuned for that release this year, as well as some others in GovCon ERP.
Additional Unanet Product Updates Expected
- Additional wizards - Added to the subcontractor portal
- Additional roles - Cost Pool Owner and Bank Reconciler
- Property Settings - Apply at entity level
- Will assist with Commercial and GovCon
- Unanet Financials Automation
- Use of AI to scan bills for AP processing
- Improve compliance, reporting and analytics
- Enhance Time & Expense module for employees and subcontractors
- Improve analytics performance
Unanet Experience Center Community
Many Unanet users are familiar with the new look of the Unanet Experience Center. There have been multiple enhancements for users to have more self-serve capability. Users can now update contact information for their organization, add new contacts, and flag contacts no longer working for their company.
The Unanet Experience Center Community will be a new feature this year and is currently in the pilot stage. This social platform is designed for Unanet users and partners to collaborate and share ideas, tips, tricks, and information. Some users and partners were asked to take part in early adoption and I’m excited to see the future of the new Unanet Community. It reminds me a little of LinkedIn because there’s a news/post feed, each user will have their own profile, you can join groups, like comments and respond and more. Users will receive badges based on certifications, likes, posts, comments, etc. I think it will be a great opportunity to engage in the Unanet Community with users all around the country.
Unanet CRM by Cosential
Let’s talk about Unanet CRM by Cosential. We have more and more clients implementing Unanet CRM by Cosential because this product can be linked to their Unanet ERP, and the systems can talk. Companies wanting to track accurate past performance of contracts, long-term, are really setting themselves up for success in the future by utilizing this tool. Five years down the road when you need to provide past performance information with your proposal, you will have the value, POP, experience, and key personnel at your fingertips with the click of a few buttons. Unanet CRM by Cosential had numerous product updates last year and my favorites were with the Mobile App. Unanet added a Mobile Card Scan which is perfect for your management team after then attend a conference and have over 200 business cards in their coat pocket. Instead of having to enter contacts manually there is now a scan feature. It’s amazing! They also added a Mobile Maps & Mobile Caller-ID feature.
There are so many new features planned for 2024 that I am excited to see, but the key to any successful CRM product is user adoption. Companies can have a great product, but are they actually using the product to its fullest capability? The key to obtaining precise data, forecasting revenue, tracking overall opportunities, and pulling accurate past performance is to make sure your CRM is being utilized by the end users. Redstone GCI would love to assist your team by making sure they are utilizing Unanet’s CRM tool to its fullest capabilities. We have Unanet implementation experts certified in GovCon ERP as well as Unanet CRM by Cosential and we work with companies to ensure their Unanet systems are well implemented, and users adequately trained to take advantage of all system capabilities.
How Redstone GCI Can Help?
- Our team of experts can implement your new GovCon ERP or Unanet CRM by Cosential system from the ground up.
- We can assist your team with trouble shooting any system or configuration issues you may be experiencing.
- Our certified Unanet experts can help redesign your existing system due to company growth, acquisition or other business changes.
- We offer training and education to your team to ensure they are comfortable in utilizing Unanet’s dynamic capabilities and you are getting the maximum benefit from your systems.
- Our accounting outsourcing services can provide you with the accounting resources needed, due to staffing changes, growth or other additional needs.
- Our experts can build custom reporting to enhance your end user experience and provide management with the very specific reporting tools needed to perform their roles more efficiently and effectively.
Katherine (Katie) Donnell serves as the Director of Unanet Practice Services at Redstone Government Consulting, Inc., where she leads the firm’s Unanet consulting practice in delivering expert implementation, optimization, and compliance support to government contractors. With extensive expertise in DCAA-compliant Unanet Time & Expense Tracking, Project Portfolio, and Financials, Katie plays a vital role in helping contractors build and maintain compliant, efficient financial and project management systems. As one of the first Unanet Certified Implementers, Katie was part of Unanet’s initial pilot certification program for non-Unanet consultants, investing over 300 hours in training, system development, and rigorous testing to obtain her certification. She holds Unanet Advanced Project Management training credentials and is also a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Her technical expertise and real-world implementation experience make her a trusted advisor, frequently called upon by Unanet’s internal teams to support implementation projects as an external expert. Katie is also responsible for the continued growth and strategic oversight of Redstone GCI’s Unanet Practice, ensuring that quality of service, client support, and consultant development remain at the highest standard. She is committed to advancing the professional development and expertise of Redstone GCI’s Unanet consulting team, ensuring they stay at the forefront of industry best practices and evolving compliance requirements. At Redstone GCI, Katie serves as a primary point of contact for numerous small business clients, providing ongoing government cost accounting and compliance support. She regularly assists with monthly accounting close processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting for program management and executives. Her unique combination of software system expertise and compliance knowledge allows her to provide strategic, hands-on guidance to government contractors navigating complex regulatory and financial landscapes. With extensive experience in government contract accounting and compliance, Katie has assisted contractors with DCAA audit readiness, including SF1408 pre-award accounting system audits, provisional billing rate submissions, forward pricing rate development, and incurred cost submissions. She also helps clients design and implement compliant policies and procedures to support an adequate DCAA-approved accounting system. Prior to joining Redstone GCI, Katie worked in public accounting and government contracting, gaining operational experience with Unanet, QuickBooks, SpringAhead, Deltek T&E, ADP, Paychex, and QB Payroll. Her extensive background in accounting, compliance, and financial systems ensures that Redstone GCI’s Unanet clients receive the highest level of technical and regulatory expertise.