The TM Group Blog

A Smarter Approach to Microsoft Licensing and Upcoming Changes

Ken Jacobsen — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:40:06 GMT

Did you know that TMG can handle all your Microsoft licensing, helping you plan ahead, avoid surprises, and lock in the best options for your organization?

We also want to make sure you are aware that Microsoft has announced a global pricing and packaging update for commercial Microsoft 365 suites, effective July 1, 2026. This update is independent of Dynamics 365 and does not impact any Dynamics 365 SKUs.

Existing Microsoft 365 customers will see the new pricing at their first renewal after July 1, 2026. If your renewal occurs before that date, you can renew or upgrade and lock in current pricing for the full subscription term. Impacted SKUs include Office 365 E3/E5, Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Business, Frontline, EMS, Windows, and related suites.

If you would like help reviewing these changes or want to discuss having TMG manage your Microsoft licensing, please contact your account manager or submit a meeting request through our contact form.

QuickBooks to Dynamics 365: How an Asset-Based Lender Scaled with Cloud ERP

Ken Jacobsen — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:19:40 GMT

Founded in the early 2000s, this asset-based lending organization provides working capital solutions to small and mid-sized businesses. As the organization grew, it required a financial system capable of supporting more sophisticated reporting, stronger internal controls, and scalable operations without slowing the pace of the business.

ERP Evaluation: 5 Core Considerations

Ken Jacobsen — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:22:15 GMT

Selecting the right enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a high-stakes decision that can materially affect an organization’s growth. However, missteps during evaluation can result in poorly aligned solutions that disrupt operations rather than improve them.

To maximize outcomes, organizations need a structured, disciplined ERP evaluation process. Read on as we outline the core considerations for evaluating ERP systems, from defining clear requirements to systematically comparing options.

A Smarter Way to Serve: Transforming Michigan’s Mental Health Through Cloud ERP

Ken Jacobsen — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:48:54 GMT

Serving residents across a wide rural region in northern Michigan, this community mental health organization wanted to modernize its financial operations and move away from aging on-premises systems. Partnering with The TM Group, they implemented a cloud-based ERP solution thus creating a modern, connected platform designed for efficiency, accountability, and growth.

ERP Upgrades: 8 Tips | TMG

Ken Jacobsen — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:35:29 GMT

Upgrading an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system represents a significant undertaking that every growing business eventually encounters. ERP software often has a long shelf life, but maintaining an aging system increasingly strains resources.

ERP system modernization can unlock efficiency gains and new capabilities. However, inadequate preparation can disrupt operations or cause the upgrade to fail.

A structured approach helps avoid common pitfalls. The following eight tips outline how to improve the likelihood of a successful ERP upgrade.

TMG Joins TMC, Expanding Our Depth, Scale, and Long-Term Vision

Ken Jacobsen — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:07:17 GMT

The TM Group (TMG) is proud to announce that we are now part of Technology Management Concepts (TMC), a highly respected Microsoft partner recognized for its leadership, deep technical expertise, and long-standing commitment to client success.

Both firms share a long history of putting clients first and delivering deep ERP and CRM expertise across the Microsoft application stack. By coming together, we are expanding our bench and capabilities to better support clients across the entire Microsoft Cloud ecosystem while strengthening long-standing client relationships.

To learn more about TMC and this exciting next chapter, visit their website and read the official announcement on their blog.

From Customization Chaos to Scalable ERP Success with Business Central

Ken Jacobsen — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:11:48 GMT

Modernizing complex legacy systems is never easy, especially when years of customization and workarounds have become embedded in daily operations. That was the situation facing this client, a safety equipment assembler and distributor serving government entities across the Great Lakes region. Running on a heavily customized legacy system, they struggled with inefficiencies, unreliable processes, and mounting risks.

How to make the right ERP selection: A practical guide

Ken Jacobsen — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 20:42:40 GMT

Selecting an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is an important decision. The right ERP will unify your core processes and support growth for years to come. However, with many options on the market, finding the right solution can feel daunting. Choose poorly, and you risk significant cost and disruption.

Read on as we break down why choosing the right ERP matters and provide steps to help you navigate the selection process with confidence.

Mastering ERP Transformation: Best Practices for Modern Enterprises

Ken Jacobsen — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 19:50:50 GMT

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) transformation is one of those initiatives that looks like “a software project” on paper — right up until it starts reshaping how your teams plan, buy, build, ship, bill and report.

Done well, an ERP strategy becomes the backbone of growth: cleaner data, faster decisions enabled by artificial intelligence, tighter controls. Done poorly, it becomes an expensive digital paperweight..

This guide breaks down what ERP digital transformation really is, what a strong strategy includes and how to measure improved efficiency, so you can modernize with confidence.

ERP Integration: 8 Best Practices To Get It Right the First Time

Ken Jacobsen — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:38:44 GMT

If you’ve ever googled your enterprise resource planning (ERP) software’s brand name alongside the term “integration,” you’re probably in one of two camps: You’re either hesitant to invest in a new system or integration, or you’re already facing that one mismatch no listicle describes.

ERP software can be a broad field, and depending on the vendor, it might include or integrate features for anything from finance and asset management to manufacturing and sales.

Knowing the ERP solution’s full capabilities when you’re first choosing and its data integration capabilities are essential because the real value of an ERP platform shows up once it no longer lives in a silo. Modern organizations rarely run a single application. Operational efficiency often depends on fully integrated CRM, e-commerce, payroll, warehouse management and other critical business applications that may or may not be provided from your ERP software vendor. So, how does it all play together, and how can you design or update different systems to avoid future headaches? Let’s find out.