Thymly Products Enhances Operations Control With xTuple

Thymly Products, Inc., is an East Coast dry mix manufacturer specializing in food ingredients and bakery blends for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Thymly needed greater control over their operations (accounting, purchasing, CRM, manufacturing, inventory and distribution) which was not possible through their current legacy accounting software.

After much investigation and consideration, Thymly chose xTuple because of its rate of implementation, affordability and customer support in the ever-changing areas of government restrictions and regulations in the food industry.

In making the switch to xTuple, Thymly shut down its previous accounting system and went live with Linux-based xTuple software the very next day with a full integration with Thymly’s other software and production equipment. As a result, cost savings were realized within three months in inventory control. Traceability also improved as Thymly is able to tag each product with a weight and lot number and track it through the entire supply chain. In addition, the company can now respond within minutes, greatly exceeding industry norm, during an FDA recall. Lastly, accounts receivable control has been enhanced allowing for improved collections by automating invoicing and receivables follow-up.

To read more about the Thymly case study and xTuple's suite of open source accounting, Corporate Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, visit the xTuple News blog.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

Acumatica Wins 2014 Business Intelligence Award

Acumatica, a provider of cloud-based accounting software, recently announced that the company has won the top award for "Case Study of the Year" in Business Intelligence’s 2014 BIG Awards.

The BIG Awards annually recognize top-performing companies and organizations. The organization’s proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above their peers.

Acumatica’s winning case study focused on Youngevity, a health products distributor with over 100,000 customers. By implementing Acumatica, the company was able to go global while managing their continued growth. Chris Nelson, Youngevity’s CFO, said the cloud-based system was best equipped to support the company's double- and triple-digit growth rates.

Acumatica, which recently launched beta of its latest version 5.0 in August earlier this year, was also a finalist for Business Intelligence’s Product of the Year award. “We’re really excited to win a BIG Award,” said Jean Gea, Acumatica’s Director of Product Marketing and Chief Customer Officer. “Acumatica wants businesses to take control, empower their people, and play to their strengths. It’s gratifying to win for a case study that showcases how we help our customers.”

A complete listing of BIG Awards winners is available at www.bigawards.org. To learn more about Acumatica and the Youngevity award-winning case study, visit the Acumatica Newsroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

Phocas: 5 Questions To Ask About Business Intelligence Software

Are you feeling as if your business is operating half blind, without free and easy access to the sort of business-critical data that employees need – not just at the very top, but across all of the different levels and departments? Once you’ve decided to investigate implementing a business intelligence (BI) tool, consider these hints and tips:

Q: Where to start looking?
A: Start with one of the authoritative surveys of Business Intelligence (BI) solutions. There are two main ones to consider: BARC Research and Gartner. These highly respected research organizations publish annual comprehensive surveys of the world’s main providers of business analytical tools.

Q: What outside sources should I review?
A: There are numerous places to go looking for that advice - both through professional contacts and online. These might include your company’s suppliers or customers. The same applies to sister/group companies. These contacts probably have a good idea about your company’s character and so will be well placed to give advice about their experiences with BI.

Q: What about my ERP provider?
A: If you're worried about issues of BI compatibility with your ERP/accounting software, be sure to involve your technical team in the discussion. The best BI programs will need to be fully compatible with your ERP in order to be effective.

Q: Which employees should I involve?
A: BI lives or dies by who uses it and how widely. Early version of BI were often skewed towards Sales use but nowadays other departments such as Marketing, HR, Commercial, Accounts and Inventory realize benefits from using BI. Be sure all departments are considered and/or consulted on the issue.

Q: What other issues might come up?
A: One of the most frequent issues that can arise is internal resistance to the idea of BI. Access to company data has, in many companies historically been tightly controlled by a very privileged group. The most common answer to this issue is to make BI Champions key drivers of your project: staff who have successfully shown that freeing up data delivers tangible benefits.

To learn more about BI preparations, and how Phocas Software can help meet you company's business intelligence needs, visit the Phocas News Blog.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

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Lightlife and Epicor Informance Optimize Operational Performance

Lightlife Foods started in 1979 when Michael Cohen sensed an opportunity to introduce the Indonesian staple, tempeh, to the American dinner plate. In 1985, Lightlife launched Tofu Pups, a healthier, veggie alternative to the hot dog and the seeds of a veggie revolution were planted. Lightlife utilizes Epicor's Informance enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) system in its Turners Falls, Massachusetts manufacturing facility for collecting real-time production data automatically from seven different operating lines and eliminating inaccurate and time-consuming manual data collection. Operators on the shop floor use touchscreen technology to gauge production performance, such as downtime, cycle time and product defect rates, allowing operators to respond immediately to problems or improve performance on the spot.

Because it is a food manufacturer, Lightlife is governed by strict FDA standards. Informance provides the manufacturing intelligence Lightlife needs to effectively control product quality and safety. Informance also records product defect rates to help Lightlife understand the rate at which defects occur and put a time stamp on the event to help investigate root cause analysis.

Within the first three years of using Informance, Lightlife grew its overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) for batch processes by 50% and improved overall plant efficiency 40% by using the tools and real-time plant analytics inside Informance. The company has been able realize continuous improvements in operational performance and product throughput through real-time product information.

To read more about the Lightlife Foods Informance implementation, visit the Epicor News blog.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

  

Efraín Nuñez Selects Blue Ridge to Improve Profitability

Blue Ridge, a Cloud-based supply chain planning solutions provider to retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, recently announced that Efraín Nunez Inc. will implement Blue Ridge's demand forecasting, planning and replenishment solutions.

Efraín Nuñez is an importer, warehouser, and broad line distributor of bakery products for the manufacturing and retail sectors in Puerto Rico. The company also offers onsite technical service in the areas of baking, decorating, pastry, and other related areas. The company expects the implementation to enhance customer service levels while increasing profitability.

Efraín Nuñez saw strategic value in the ability to maintain and enhance world-class customer service levels. The distributor was also motivated to use enhanced demand planning capabilities in order to increase the efficiency and profitability of its supply chain planning operations. Blue Ridge solutions are configured to automatically fulfill demand in the most profitable way possible, taking into consideration current inventory, logistics costs, freight, and other factors thus allowing the business and sales team to focus on strategic objectives and fully take advantage promotions, trends and other business opportunities. By optimizing product availability, inventory, and logistics costs, companies such as Efraín Nunez can increase cash flow by 50% or more and improve sales by double-digits, while stabilizing or even reducing inventory up to 30%. In addition, Blue Ridge's solutions can be implemented in as little as 90 days and scaled to the most complex supply chains.

To learn more about the Blue Ridge implementation at Efraín Nunez, visit the Blue Ridge News blog.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

  

Infor M3 Supports Filippa K Expansion

Infor, a provider of business application software serving more than 73,000 customers globally, recently announced that Filippa K, a Swedish fashion label, has selected and deployed Infor M3 to support rapid business growth due to the company's shifting business model. The Infor M3 application will help Filippa K to boost productivity, drive efficiencies, and support expansion as it opens new stores and launches an international online presence.

As a dynamic fashion company, Filippa K's production and distribution processes are complex, and it had outgrown its previous system. In order to support international growth and move into a wholesale/retail business model, the fashion business required a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

After evaluating a number of applications against criteria including flexibility; scale; functionality; local presence; value for money and total cost of ownership, Infor M3 was selected. The application will serve as the backbone of the company, integrating fully with Filippa K's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), third party logistics (TPL), point of sale (POS), e-commerce, Business Intelligence (BI), and HR & Payroll systems. The efficiencies will free up staff resources to focus on identifying market opportunities and growing the business.

To learn more about the Filippa K implementation, or receive details about Infor M3 for Fashion, visit the Infor Newsroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

  

Shaw Industries Selects NetSuite for China Expansion

Shaw Industries, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, turned to NetSuite for its launch of a new 210,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Nantong, China designed to produce carpet tile for Asian markets.

By selecting NetSuite OneWorld, Shaw saved significant time and capital expense and gained visibility and control over the China plant and 10 international subsidiaries in countries including China, India, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. In addition, the company needed a solution that also supported the Mandarin language, spoken by employees across the manufacturing plant, and multi-currency conversion that would enable Shaw to seamlessly transact in the Chinese renminbi and Australian dollar.

Using a two-tier ERP model, Shaw was able to link OneWorld for international operations to the company's custom-developed systems at its headquarters in Dalton, Georgia. This allowed for integration of subsidiary financials with global financial consolidation, while gaining on-demand transparency into international operations.

In addition, Shaw was able to streamline production by taking advantage of NetSuite's manufacturing capabilities including work orders; work in process, lot control and standard costing. By utilizing NetSuite's Advanced Inventory, multi-location warehousing and distribution of commercial carpet tile to customers in China and across Asia received full support in positioning the Nantong plant to meet its global initiatives.

To learn more about the Shaw Industries implementation, or receive details about NetSuite's OneWorld, visit the NetSuite Manufacturing Newsroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx