VAI Named To Software Magazine’s Software 500 List

VAI, an independent mid-market ERP software provider, recently announced its inclusion in Software Magazine’s Software 500 ranking of the world’s largest software and service providers. VAI was recognized for product excellence and customer adoption on the annual list of the top high-growth companies for the third straight year. VAI’s S2K ERP software facilitates customer communication, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency for mid-market companies. “We are thrilled to once again be recognized by Software Magazine for our continued commitment to advancing the ERP market,” said Bob Vormittag, CEO of VAI. “At VAI, we strive to deliver the best customized analytic, mobile, and cloud capabilities to help our mid-market customers succeed and grow their businesses."

Now in its 33rd year, the Software 500 is a revenue-based ranking of the world’s largest software and services suppliers, targeting medium to large enterprises, their IT professionals, software developers, and business managers involved in software and services purchasing. The ranking is based on total worldwide software and services revenue from the 2014 fiscal year. This includes revenue from software licenses, maintenance and support, training, software-related services, and consulting.

VAI is headquartered in Ronkonkoma, NY with branch offices in Florida, Illinois and California. To read more, and learn about their mid-market ERP solutions, visit the VAI Newsroom.

New Software Research Guides Available Finding that you cannot keep up with all the changes in the latest software? Want to know how the software's features and functions can assist you? Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

Read our 2015 Mid-Year Supplements. 

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and the Brown Smith Wallace Consulting Group, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

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Twin City Hardware Improves Efficiency With ContractERP, Access IT

Twin City Hardware Company, a commercial, architectural, and residential construction provider based in Oakdale, MN was facing growth challenges. The company's expanding national presence required one ERP system and one data source. The patchwork of disparate applications was difficult to manage and required costly and time-consuming maintenance, integrations and troubleshooting. Additionally, many process required data to be re-keyed causing mistakes and taking excessive time resulting in company-wide inconsistencies between projects and project managers.

To remedy these challenges, Twin City chose to implement contractERP® at all five of its locations to better support unified inventory, growth, and business expansion. Founded in 1993, contractERP®, Access IT, provides Enterprise Business Software Solutions for mid-range companies in the distribution, manufacturing and service industries. The full integration at Twin City Hardware provides financials, inventory, order management, third-party warehouse partnerships and other core business processes and most importantly, supports rapid changes in work orders and materials - reducing inconsistencies, saving money, and improving the customer experience.

As a result of the implementation, Twin City Hardware experienced the following benefits:
•60% decrease in time and resources consumed manually typing part numbers and creating sales orders.
•Nearly a 50% decrease in data-entry errors measured by credits issued while improving data integrity and reliability.
•Fully integrated solution increased efficiencies of large projects and provides full visibility into all activity enhancing results for high-value and special-needs clientele.
•Real-time tracking and reporting across entire company enables quick decisions and actions.

To learn more about contractERP®, Access IT, visit their Customer News portal.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2015-16 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

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Best Mid-Market Business Award for Pronto Software

Australian business management software company, Pronto Software, has won the BRW GE Capital Mid-Market Momentum Award for Best Mid-Market Business in the $50 million to $100 million revenue category.

Pronto is an Australian software developer of next generation Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software that integrates with advanced Business Intelligence (BI) solutions. With in-built intelligence, flexibility and an easy-to-use interface, its flagship product, Pronto Xi enables users to discover rich business insights. Pronto Software prides itself on actively listening to customers and adapting its services to meet their needs to reveal the best solution.

The BRW award acknowledges innovation and leadership in an industry sector, high performance in revenue, profit and employee growth. The past year has been a time of innovation and growth for Pronto Software with a major update to its flagship ERP and BI solution, Pronto Xi 710, released in May. The company opened new offices in Perth and Adelaide, and a North American operation launched in Dallas, Texas. Pronto Software is currently demonstrating the latest updates to Pronto Xi 710 via a Pronto Connect Roadshow, meeting customers in 10 cities around the world between August and November.

For more information visit the Pronto website. 

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

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2013 Distribution Software

2013 Manufacturing Software

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Acumatica Wins People's Choice Award for Favorite Financial Management Solution

Acumatica, a provider of cloud-based ERP solutions to small and medium-sized companies, recently announced that it won the People’s Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Financial Management Solution in this year’s American Business Awards. This is the second Stevie win for Acumatica this year. The company also won the bronze Stevie Award for Financial Management Solution in the new products category.

More than 20,000 votes were cast in the nationwide poll to decide the winners in 34 product categories. The American Business Awards, now in its 11th year, is the country’s top business awards program and honors a spectrum of American business people and organizations — from non-profits, start-ups, public companies and government agencies, to C-level executives, product developers, marketers and development teams.

Founded in 2007, Acumatica is a provider of highly customizable, cloud-based ERP applications for small and midsized businesses, offering financial management, distribution, CRM, and project accounting suites.

Acumatica's recent version 4.1 release includes updates to the customer portal, improved functionalities, and better usability.

To learn more about Acumatica's products and solutions, visit their Customer Portal.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.

2013 Distribution Software

2013 Manufacturing Software

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Mid-Sized Manufacturer Gains Productivity With Acumatica

AME Corporation is a mid-sized manufacturer specializing in rubber and plastic components and sealing solutions. The company wanted a user-friendly ERP to enable it to bring all its business information and processes online in a secure environment, and selected Acumatica 4.0 as the best fit for their needs.

Challenges faced during the implementation included:
•the need to move all business processes to the cloud, so that worldwide staff can easily access information and collaborate
•the need to integrate with company’s online content sharing platform, Box
•the need to realize maximum productivity
•wanting to progress toward fully green, paperless environment

The solution resulted in AME utilizing:
•Acumatica 4.0 Distribution Management Suite
•Automated inventory replenishment suggestions
•Acumatica 4.0 Customer Management Suite
•Acumatic-Box integration
•Acumatica Studio
•Acumatica 4.0 Financial Management Suite

To read more about the case study and download the whitepaper, visit the Acumatica website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

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2013 Distribution Software

2013 Manufacturing Software

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VAI Delivers Integrated S2K CRM Solution for Mid-Market ERP Customers

VAI, a leading provider of ERP software, recently announced the release of a new joint solution with Riva CRM Integration, an advanced CRM integration platform for Microsoft Exchange, Office 365, IBM Domino, and Novell GroupWise. Users can now seamlessly synchronize their CRM and email systems and access CRM data on all leading mobile devices, including IOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets.

VAI believes this joint solution will immediately boost productivity and accountability for mid-market organizations. By synchronizing all relevant customer service and sales information and making it visible across multiple devices and platforms, high-performance organizations will be better informed with reliable CRM data required to make important business decisions, close sales and serve customers regardless of their location.

The joint solution can be configured to drive one-way or two-way integration with VAI S2K ERP, and S2K CRM to email systems. Riva also allows users to track emails against organizations, contacts, and other CRM objects. The new solution is available immediately.

To learn more, visit the VAI website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

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2013 Distribution Software

2013 Manufacturing Software

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Pronto Xi 710 Provides Better Insights for Faster Decision Making

Pronto Software has recently announced that in its latest release of Pronto Xi 710, Pronto has made significant updates to its core business management software, now providing growing companies - particularly those in the mining and services sectors, and others seeking international or US expansion - with easier access to multiple currency reporting, including Functional Currency. For businesses reliant on distribution and supply chain driven operations, Pronto’s statistical forecasting and wave picking features deliver the tools to enable much more strategic planning to supply and support the changing demands of this sector. Pronto is the system of choice for many mid-market and enterprise businesses including Funtastic, The Co-op, Wallace Bishop, Officemax, Parragon Publishing, Nike (via Retail Prodigy Group) and Hirotec. To learn more about the new features of Pronto Xi 710, visit the Pronto website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.

2013 Distribution Software

2013 Manufacturing Software

You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

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Sage ERP X3 Recognized as a Leader by Nucleus Research

Sage North America recently announced its inclusion in the Nucleus Research 2012 second half Technology Value Matrix for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) with Sage ERP X3 named a Leader. Sage ERP X3 is a powerful and flexible business management solution for mid-market companies and subsidiaries of large groups looking to grow a competitive business with limited IT resources.

Sage is a leading global supplier of business management software and services for small and midsized businesses. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs more than 13,500 people and supports more than 6 million customers worldwide. Nucleus Research is a global provider of investigative, case-based technology research and advisory services that provide real-world insight into maximizing technology value.

To read more about Sage's inclusion in the Nucleus Research Technology Value Matrix, visit the Sage blog.

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Specialized Services with Sage ERP X3 Version 6.5

Released earlier this fall, Sage ERP X3 Version 6.5 provides specialized services from the cloud, introduces new electronic document management and delivery features, and boasts an impressive range of enhancements for financial, sales, and inventory modules such as better tracking of inventory movement, more control over accounts payable and accounts receivable terms discounts, and the ability to add free-form notes and images to inventory records.

Sage ERP X3 is a powerful and flexible ERP solution by for mid-sized and larger companies looking to grow a competitive business in a cost-effective way, with limited resources.  To learn more about the specific features available in this release, visit the Sage ERP blog.

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NetSuite Expands Lead in Vertical Suites by Leveraging Core Strength In Wholesale / Distribution to Tackle Demands of Light Manufacturing

NetSuite Inc. (NYSE: N), a leading vendor of on-demand, integrated business management software suites for the mid-market enterprise and divisions of large companies, today announced a new vertical suite for manufacturing companies. NetSuite for Manufacturers, which includes new functionality for Assembly, Work Order and Bill of Materials, takes aim at SAP's core market and seeks to exploit the prolonged delay of SAP's Business ByDesign product roll-out, providing mid-sized manufacturers with an integrated on-demand solution they can put to work today.

" NetSuite has been offering vertical suites for the wholesale / distribution industry for a while with a proven track record," said Bruce Richardson, Chief Research Officer, AMR Research. "Manufacturers have been longing for SaaS offerings to build better overall total cost-of-ownership. Until this release from NetSuite, there haven't been any broad SaaS product offerings that include financials, CRM, Ecommerce and manufacturing. The on-demand suite approach — pioneered by NetSuite — could prove to be a major market accelerator."

Today's new release leverages the core strength of the NetSuite Wholesale / Distribution Edition — launched in April 2006 — and is a natural progression of NetSuite's leading role in delivering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business suites designed to address the specific requirements of vertical industries. NetSuite's offering for manufacturing, initially aimed at the light manufacturing sector, is also the latest example of how NetSuite's SaaS-based business management technology has evolved to address more complex processes in industries long dominated by on-premise vendors such as SAP. The company's rapid move into manufacturing comes at a difficult time for SAP, as they have struggled to deliver their own on-demand offering, Business ByDesign, to address customer requirements in their core market. NetSuite for Manufacturers now gives SAP customers and others an option they can purchase and deploy without delay. For more information about NetSuite for Manufacturers, please visit www.netsuite.com/manufacturing.

Manufacturers Have Varying Challenges

Light manufacturing businesses typically overlap with wholesale / distribution and span a huge spectrum of categories from apparel to furniture to small electronics. Regardless of which category a light manufacturer is in, the challenge has always been the management of the bill of materials, assembly build and work order process for both production orders that add to general stock levels, as well as special orders built uniquely for one customer. Software traditionally used by mid-market light manufacturing companies encompasses dozens of on-premise silo applications — one for accounting, one for customer relationship management, one for work orders, one for inventory management, one for warehouse management. The list goes on. This fragmented approach can add large IT cost, introduce a high rate of errors throughout the business process, provides little visibility on available-to-promise inventory, and decrease business efficiency and accuracy.

Enterprise Power at Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership

NetSuite for Manufacturers provides companies with essential visibility into the key build processes that light manufacturers need to compete effectively in the market. Since NetSuite's delivery model is SaaS and all functionality and data is within one system, the total-cost-of-ownership is greatly reduced and light manufacturers gain the following benefits:

1. Greater insight into production processes — from inventory, to assembly, to demand based replenishment;
2. Real-time visibility throughout the entire organization — from sales to warehouse operations to invoicing;
3. Minimal integration hassle — NetSuite provides one system to manage the end-to-end business life-cycle;
4. Cost savings — reduced IT costs, reduced labor costs and reduced errors;
5. Reduced risk — instant information can help reduce time to respond to change;
6. Stay competitive in the ever competitive global economy for light manufacturers.

Powerful Functionality Key to Light Manufacturers

NetSuite adds a myriad of important functionality that is key to running a light manufacturing business. The new features unveiled today include:

• Assembly Management — building on NetSuite's core strength in inventory and warehouse management, assembly items have been extended specifically for light manufacturers which enable companies to more effectively manage component quantities and multi-level assemblies. Assemblies are closely tied with work orders and allow for multi-level assemblies to be built one level at a time, or all at once.
• Work Orders — new work order capabilities allow light manufacturers to readily manage the build process for production work orders to replenish standing inventory levels of finished goods or special order work orders built to exact specifications for a particular customer. For example, a furniture light manufacturer may have standard sized wood or glass-top dining tables they build on an on-going basis, but they may also offer custom-sized dining tables as a special order for individual customers.
• Bill of Materials (BOM) — any build process requires a bill of materials that outlines what components are required to successfully build the finished good. BOMs are tightly coupled with both assemblies and work orders and cover the components required for a single assembly plus all the components required by a particular work order. Assembly instructions can also be included in the printable BOM in PDF format.
• Demand-Based Inventory Replenishment — light manufacturers can now dynamically set re-order points and preferred stock-levels for both components of assemblies as well as finished goods based on a variety of factors including average lead time, historical or seasonal sales demand, and number of days from supply to stock. Work orders drive the demand for components as they are completed, thereby automating the replenishment of source materials and components.

"Today's launch of NetSuite for Manufacturers validates our strong commitment to vertical industries by delivering functionality designed to drive greater efficiencies and competitiveness," said Mini Peiris, NetSuite's VP of Product Marketing. "NetSuite enables manufacturers to automate complex business processes without the cost and complexity of cobbling together multiple business applications, and numerous spreadsheets. As a result, customers can stop wasting precious resources and start focusing on increasing customer service levels, cutting costs, and growing their businesses."

Pricing and Availability

NetSuite for Manufacturers is available now at $999 per month and $99 per user per month.

For more information about NetSuite Inc., please visit www.netsuite.com.