Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Our EVS Family to Yours

With the holiday season in full swing, we at EVS would like to take a moment to acknowledge those around us.

"As we come to the end of another successful year, we want to thank you for being a part of the EVS family.  In the spirit of the holiday season, EVS has made donations to the following deserving local charities on behalf of our clients and resellers.  May you have a blessed holiday season."

• Meals on Wheels of Boulder
• Children's Hospital of Colorado
• Heritage House
• Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras
• Denver Rescue Mission
• MaxFund

Again, thank you to all of our clients and resellers of process manufacturing ERP software, warehouse distribution software and Sage 500 ERP software.  To learn more about the charitable giving by EVS and their employees, visit www.evs-sw.com.

EVS Releases O2 Product Suite Version 7.40.5 for Sage 500 ERP Software

EVS has recently released the newest O2 Mobile Warehouse and O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software version 7.40.5 update for Sage 500 ERP software.  All O2 ERP software is available for download on the EVS website, and all questions regarding the update may be directed to the EVS Support page.

O2 Process Manufacturing software was designed specifically for process manufacturers.  The process manufacturing ERP software provides formula engineering/costing to production, regulatory reporting and security features and quality control functions.  This ERP software can eliminate the individual "islands of data" many process manufacturers find exist in different areas of their business.

O2 Mobile Warehouse distribution software was also developed specifically for Sage 500 ERP and offers real-time views of your inventory.  This warehouse management software utilizes patented Smart-Barcode technology and handheld scanners to manage your warehouse and inventory.

For full details on the version 7.40.5 update, view the overview document or visit www.evs-sw.com.

EVS Officially Releases O2 Mobile Warehouse .NET

After months of sneak peeks and information, EVS has made their O2 Mobile Warehouse .NET version available in a general release.  O2 Mobile is a warehouse distribution and barcode software for Sage 500 ERP software version 7.4 and above.

As a special promotion for the release, EVS is also offering a very limited time upgrade package for customers on earlier versions.  During this limited time offer, current users of the inventory management software will receive assistance with the installation of O2 Mobile .NET in a test environment, as well as one additional O2 Mobile .NET user.  The cost of this promotional upgrade offer for installation and additional license is $1,000 (a $2,200 value) and is available through February 2013.

To take advantage of the limited time installation package, customers should contact Scott Kameron, VP of Operations at skameron@evs-sw.com.  For additional information on this warehouse distribution ERP software module, visit www.evs-sw.com.

O2 Mobile Warehouse .NET Inventory Management Software for Sage 500 ERP Is Set to Officially Launch

Throughout this past year, I've told you about the new 500R2 ERP software that will be an entirely new .NET framework and rewrite of Sage 500 ERP software.  The 500R2 project encompasses a great deal more than just Sage 500.  In fact, it also includes O2 Mobile Warehouse (a warehouse distribution software suite), O2 Process Manufacturing (a process manufacturing ERP software suite) and Sage 500 ERP Cloud Hosting and Cloud Disaster Recovery solutions.

As you can probably guess, this project was a huge undertaking, but the time is almost here for the first official public release of O2 Mobile Warehouse in .NET, compatible with Sage 500 version 7.4 and above.  The conversion to the .NET framework will give the inventory management software better usability with an improved and modernized look and feel.  Users will now have the ability to personalize the warehouse management software to meet their of unique needs.

Along with the general release, EVS will be offering installation and overview training packages to customers.  Further details on the install and training will be made available shortly, so I encourage you to check back.  For more information on O2 Mobile Warehouse or the other ERP software products mentioned here, head over to the EVS website at www.evs-sw.com.

FDA's First Suspension of Food Manufacturer In Violation: A New Trend?

For the first time, the FDA has used a food safety law to suspend the operations of a food manufacturer (Sunland Inc.), due to salmonella found in multiple areas of the food processing plant. (Full article here.) This is a large step for the FDA, who before the food safety law was in place was forced to go to court to prove that the company in question was in violation.  Today, the shoe is on the other foot as they have the power to suspend a company's registration and make them prove their operations are safe.

How do you as food and beverage manufacturers feel about this shift?  For those facing violations of their own, it may be a little nerve-racking.  However, it's not only those in direct violation that need to worry.  As anyone in the food and beverage industry knows, contamination can occur at nearly every point of the supply chain.  While your plant may operate under strict conditions, the raw materials received from outside sources may not have followed the same regulations.

The only way to help this situation is to be as prepared for the unexpected as possible.  Having strict sanitation processes are obvious, but food and beverage manufacturers should also be prepared with documentation and alerts.  O2 Food ERP software provides tools for documentation, alerts and notification to partners in your supply chain.  Full lot tracking, HACCP management and one-click recalls are just a few of the tools available in this food manufacturing ERP software system.

For more information on this food and beverage ERP software and to learn how it can help your food manufacturing operations, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Reports of Food and Beverage Recalls Increasing Significantly - O2 Food ERP Software Can Help You During a Recall?

In a recent Food Business News article, it's been reported by the Food and Drug Administration that a 57% increase in recalls took place in the third quarter.  That's nearly 8.5 million units of food and beverage coming back off of the shelves and consumers hands.

As a consumer, this number doesn't really seem all that surprising since it seems as though every other day a public notice was going out to recall another product.  Do you as food and beverage manufacturers find this statistic to be surprising?

While food recalls can ultimately occur at any point in the supply chain, food manufacturers need to have the business tools, such as the appropriate ERP software to help them manage the processes during a recall.  For example, O2 Food ERP software provides users with important tools, such as cradle-to-grave lot tracking and one-click lot recall with mail merge.  Having a food manufacturing software program to aid the recall process can help you move quickly during a critical time.  Food manufacturing ERP software can also help you find important information quickly as everything is stored in a central location.

With recalls flooding the news and shining a spotlight on the food and beverage industry, it's important to give your company as many ways as possible to be prepared in the event that a recall involves your business.  For more information on food and beverage ERP software for Sage 500 ERP, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Finding The Right Food Manufacturing ERP Software for Small to Medium Sized Manufacturers

The search for ERP software can be a bit overwhelming at first given all of the options out on the market today.  It's important to narrow your search down based on some characteristics of your business.  For example, as a food and beverage manufacturer, you'd want to focus on process manufacturing ERP software solutions.  Drilling down even further, finding an ERP software system that is made for a small-medium sized businesses will also help to make sure you have the tools you need.

EVS is an experienced process manufacturing software developer and reseller of O2 Process Manufacturing for Sage 500 ERP.  Their process manufacturing solutions are broken down even further into specific industries, so as a food and beverage manufacturer you know you are getting a solution that was designed with your specific industry in mind.

So for those food manufacturers starting the search for food manufacturing ERP software, be sure to check out O2 Food ERP software.  For more information on the features of O2, visit www.evs-sw.com.

The End of Year End Physical Inventory Counts?

As we inch closer to the end of another year, many have visions of turkey, Christmas trees and ringing in the new year with friends and family.  Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite times of the year.

Some folks, however, aren't looking at the end of the year with such excitement and enthusiasm.  Why?  Five words - year end physical inventory count.  I can hear the collective groans as this time of year is sure to be on the bottom of the list of favorite things to do.

While keeping accurate inventory is critical to Materials Requirement Planning (MRP), production scheduling and order fulfillment, it doesn't need to be painful.  The O2 Inventory Cycle Count module for O2 Mobile Warehouse and Sage 500 ERP software is an example of how easy your inventory control can be.  The cycle counting module uses the O2 Statistical Calculator to calculate a daily list of items to count based on confidence levels.  Results are automatically documented in the system.

O2 Inventory Cycle Count is a great way to increase inventory accuracy, save on costs and with consistent use may negate the need for year-end physical inventory counts.  Now that is something a business can put on their list to be thankful for this time of year.

For more information on inventory management software for Sage 500 or the Inventory Cycle Count module, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Improving User Experience in ERP Software Systems with 500R2

User experience.  It's a term often talked about when discussing software.  However, this term can seem elusive when discussing the typical ERP software system. That's where EVS comes into play.  They are the developers of O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software and O2 Mobile Warehouse, both for Sage 500 ERP software.

As developers and also resellers who have been involved in many years of ERP software implementations, they've heard many comments about user experience.  One great analogy that I heard was that often times, using certain features can be "like a rock in your shoe."  In theory, a feature may be beneficial to the business and provide important data.  However, in order to generate this data the user has to perform so many clicks or steps that the user finds themselves wasting even more time.

Taking all of the comments from end users into consideration, EVS began work on a major project to re-write O2 and Sage 500 ERP software using .Net.  On top of the re-write, they also designed the new product, called 500R2, to be an amazing user experience.  Using the concept of current smart-phones, 500R2 allows users to customized their ERP software by downloading features as apps.

So, you may be thinking that customizations in ERP software systems have been around for years, and that is true.  However, using the app format not only allows a very personal customization, it also avoids the high costs of upgrading the software to a newer version down the road.

Just as you can update your phone operating system and your apps will continue to work, your ERP software can now be updated without the high costs and issues that plague a typical ERP software system.

For more information on Sage 500 ERP or the new 500R2 system, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Process Manufacturing Visibility Is Improved Using ERP Software System

One of the reasons process manufacturers, or really any manufacturer for that matter, look for better process manufacturing ERP software is that they are looking for increased visibility throughout their organization.  Visibility leads to more efficient operations and processes as well as clearer and more timely information about the operations.

In process manufacturing industries manufacturers face a number of unique challenges that make visibility critical to business success.  For example, food and beverage manufacturers have to manage strict regulatory requirements, sensitive product expirations, food safety and lot recall concerns to name a few.  These concerns are on top of the strong competitive environment, highly variable raw material costs that can easily affect margins.

Food manufacturing software, such as O2 Food ERP software, provides accurate and real-time information from all areas of your organization.  The visibility is also strengthened by providing real-time cost data for tracking raw material costs, labor, packaging and finished goods.  This food and beverage ERP software has effective inventory management tools to help organizations manage product expirations and quality control while also forecasting product demand and inventory levels.

It's clear that visibility within the entire organization and operations are extremely important to survival.  For more information on process manufacturing software in general, or more specifically the food manufacturing ERP software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

EVS Welcomes Another O2 Mobile Warehouse Distribution Software Client

EVS is excited to announce a new partnership with Chesapeake Energy and it's affiliate, Bronco Drilling as the newest O2 Mobile Warehouse client.

O2 Mobile Warehouse is a warehouse distribution and inventory management software system, developed specifically for Sage 500 ERP.  This warehouse management system uses patented Smart-Barcodes and handheld scanners to track inventory and provide real-time views of inventory levels.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is the second-largest producer of natural gas, a Top 15 producer of oil and natural gas liquids and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S.  Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on discovering and developing unconventional natural gas and oil fields onshore in the U.S.

EVS is looking forward to working closely with Chesapeake Energy and growing a strong partnership in the years to come.  For more information on this warehouse distribution software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Final 500R2 Update Webinar Scheduled for Tomorrow

October has been a busy month at EVS.  We've scheduled a series of webinar's called "What's New with O2" throughout the month in order to give clients and resellers a chance to see what these ERP software products will look like in the not too distant future.

With an extraordinary attendance and feedback during October, EVS has decided to add an additional session to accommodate those who have not been able to get on the call.  This session will take place Thursday, November 1st at 10:00am (MDT).  Registration is limited, so register early.

If you're unsure of what this webinar entails, it will be a short explanation of the new 500R2 project, which includes a re-write of O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software, O2 Mobile warehouse management software, Sage 500 ERP software and the addition of Sage ERP Cloud Disaster Recovery Solutions.

Are Current Manufacturing Safety Regulations Enough?

This is a tough question, but it's one that has probably crossed the minds of consumers recently.  Lately, there have been a number of  recalls, some with serious illnesses and others even involving consumer deaths that are making people think twice about the safety regulations we have in place.

One of the major concerns seems to be the knowledge of problems in facilities prior to recent recalls.  For example, the compounding pharmacy responsible for the meningitis outbreak had a "documented history of mold and bacteria problems."  According to this Washington Post article, "Federal health inspectors say staffers at the pharmacy linked to the meningitis outbreak over the past year documented dozens of cases of mold and bacteria growing in rooms that were supposed to be sterile."  This is sad situation that, it appears, should have been corrected and prevented.

There are a number of precautions organization should (and do) take to prevent these types of situations from getting out of control.  Having a trusted documentation system within your ERP software, process manufacturing ERP software recall procedures and built-in lot tracking and actually following the appropriate sanitary guidelines are just a few.

Recalls are an inevitable part of manufacturing due to a number of variables, but recalls of this nature damage the industry as a whole as consumers lose trust in organizations.  I'd love to hear what ideas manufacturers, regulatory agencies and consumers alike have to improve and prevent situations such as this from happening again.

What's New with O2 Webinar Series Is Coming to a Close

Throughout the month of October, EVS has offered a live webinar presentation to allows clients and resellers a chance to learn more about what's ahead for O2 Process Manufacturing software, O2 Mobile Warehouse and Sage 500 through the upgrade to 500R2.  With only three sessions remaining, we encourage anyone who has not had a chance to listen in and ask their own questions to register for one of these final webinar sessions.

During the webinar, the audience will learn some of the new key features being offered for the process manufacturing ERP software and the warehouse distribution software.  At the forefront of the upgrade is the new .Net framework, which will give users both a technology upgrade and a significant improvement in user-experience.  Further, the Sage 500 ERP software system is also being re-written in the .Net framwork, paving the way for the next technology advances.

One of the great new features for users will include the ability to customize their ERP software system by selecting "apps" that appeal to their business needs.  While the ability to customize ERP software isn't new, the "app" feature is a refreshing change.  What's the difference you may ask?  Simply put, it's something similar to your smartphone.  For example, we may have the same iPhone, but we all have different content downloaded on them.  One of the challenges of customizing ERP software, is that it can be tricky and costly down the road when upgrades are due.  However, with this new "app" approach, the upgrades will operate much like your smartphone, in that your operating system upgrade will not disable your apps.  An occasional tweak to the apps will occur to align them with the current upgrade, but overall it will be business as usual.

To get the full picture of the amazing new features coming available to Sage 500 ERP and the O2 family, be sure to register to attend one of the final three upcoming sessions.

O2 Pharmacetuical ERP Software Assists in Documenting Quality Control, Regulatory Requirements & cGMP

In a recent article from PharmaManufacturing.com, they noted that in early results of a survey that "cGMP Compliance is the pharmaceutical industries top manufacturing goal."  As pharmaceutical manufacturing operations increase in complexity due to regulations or processes, finding a way to monitor and track all aspects of operations in a central location becomes important.

O2 Pharmaceutical ERP software assists pharmaceutical and life sciences manufacturers with tracking and tracing quality and regulatory requirements, as well as monitoring cGMP.  This includes:

• CFR 21 Part 11 compliance
• formula security/management
• restricted lot hold
• enhanced implementation documentation 
• cradle-to-grave lot tracking

In order for pharmaceutical manufacturers to remain profitable while managing these key challenge areas, the pharmaceutical manufacturing software also provides:

• inventory forecasting
• inventory requirement planning
• multiple unit of measure calculations
• certificate of analysis (C of A)
• capacity resource scheduling

Finally, an area of concern for pharmaceutical manufacturers is risk and recall situations.  Pharmacuetical manufacturing ERP software, such as O2 Pharmaceutical ERP offers:

• cradle-to-grave lot tracking
• strong auditing and security features
• validation

While the pharmaceutical and life sciences manufacturing industry is extremely competitive and full of critical regulations, there are ERP software programs built specifically for the industry.  Having a pharmaceutical software system, such as O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software, will help you meet the industry challenges by providing clear, accurate and real-time information across your whole enterprise in a central location.

For more information about this pharmaceutical ERP software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Food Recalls and Food Safety In the Spotlight Again

There have been a number of large food recalls recently, and all have been fairly widespread. For example, the recent peanut butter recall has grown from peanut butter by a certain brand, distributed to specific stores to a much wider distribution that now includes brands of ice cream, dairy products, raw and roasted peanuts.  What started as a fairly general product recall has expanded to a variety of different brands and products throughout the supply chain.  The food manufacturing industry has been under the microscope due to the increasing number of recalls in recent history.

One of the more frustrating things, especially for consumers concerned about food safety, is that this company was marked by the FDA as having "objectionable conditions" two years before the recent outbreak.  (See the full article by Food Safety News here.)  Although the details of the objectionable conditions haven't been released, more proactive work may need to be done to prevent the widespread outbreaks like this from happening.

While it's important to have the proper industry regulations and inspections in place, it's also important for companies to help protect their production and company from the effects of a recall as well.  EVS works with the food and beverage manufacturing industry daily and work with customers to create products, such as food manufacturing software, that help aid in the food safety operations. As food ERP software developers, they understand the strict regulatory environment and provide a food and beverage ERP software that manages food safety concerns, including HACCP and lot recalls.

Having a food software ERP system that provides cradle-to-grave lot tracking and a one click lot recall is one way food manufacturers can help protect themselves.  For more information on EVS' food manufacturing ERP software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

500R2 Webinar: What's New with O2

As mentioned last week, EVS is presenting a webinar called, "What's New with O2" throughout the month of October.  I now have the official registration information, and you can head over to the EVS "Events" page to complete your registration.

Again, this webinar is to discuss technology and user experience upgrades for O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software, O2 Mobile Warehouse inventory management software and key areas of Sage 500 ERP, including the .Net project (500R2).  Each webinar will also conclude with a live question and answer session.

For more information on the webinar, or any of the ERP software products mentioned above, visit www.evs-sw.com.

The Road Ahead for Sage 500 ERP Software Leads to 500R2

With beta testing underway, we are moving much closer to the full release of 500R2, the next generation of Sage 500 ERP software.  As the developers of O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software and O2 Mobile Warehouse for Sage 500 ERP as well as 500R2, EVS knows many users will have questions as to what the future looks like for the O2 ERP software products as well.  Therefore, EVS is offering a webinar to give users and resellers an inside look at the new system.

Throughout the month of October, the webinar "What's Next with O2" will be available each Tuesday and Thursday morning.  During the webinar, presenter and EVS President, Evan Garber, will discuss:

• Technology and user-experience upgrades Sage 500 and O2
• Sage 500 .Net project
• Questions and answers from the audience

The dates and times are being finalized now, and I'll be sure to update everyone on here when registration becomes available.  In the mean time, head over to www.evs-sw.com for more information on 500R2 and Sage 500.

Is Your ERP Software Included in Your Business Continuity Plan?

Many businesses do not have enough resources or time to protect and maintain their critical data systems, such as their ERP software.  Often times, that means the ERP system is operated with a continuity plan.  A continuity plan, such as Sage 500 Cloud Disaster Recovery will properly protect your data in a managed, redundant, secure and off-site environment.

Let's say a disaster happens, either by natural causes or by human error.  What do you do now?  The Sage 500 Disaster Recovery solution allows you to continue day-to-day business operations while you are restoring your facility.  Decreasing downtime can mean the difference in saving your business or not saving your business.   Post disaster recovery cycle losses can have a significant impact on inventories, customer relations, revenue and cash flow.  Reducing the length of this cycle ensures minimizing the impact felt by your customers, suppliers and employees.

Unrecoverable data loss can be detrimental to many businesses and cost millions of dollars.  Recovering after a disaster can dramatically impact revenue as well as a brands reputation.  By implementing a plan like the disaster recovery solution by EVS, your business can be fully operational within an hour, thanks to a secure, redundant hosting facility.

For more information on this Sage disaster recovery solution for Sage 500 ERP software, visit www.evs-sw.com.  After all, your business survival may very well depend on it.

Avoid Business Disaster by Utilizing an ERP Software Disaster Recovery Solution

As the old saying goes, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail."  True words for multiple circumstances, including your business plan.  Many times companies are working hard to improve on efficiencies, processes and visibility within their organization.  Implementing an industry specific ERP software system can be a fantastic tool to do this.  However, once implemented the planning should not stop there.  Disasters happen more often than businesses realize, and a simple measure to protect your data can mean the difference in staying in business or going under.

For example, the Sage 500 Cloud Disaster Recovery solution provides Sage 500 ERP, O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software and O2 Mobile Warehouse software users with the protection necessary to overcome a business disaster, whether by nature or human error.  With this disaster recovery solution, your data will always be monitored and backups are performed in a fully managed and dedicated environment.

The statistics are pretty convincing when viewing the failure rate of businesses after being faced with a disaster.  Operating with a cloud disaster recovery plan will put your mind at ease and protect your business.  For more information on the Sage 500 Disaster Recovery Solution, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Food Processor Is Newest O2 Mobile Warehouse Inventory Management Client

EVS is excited to announce another new partnership with their newest client, McCall Farms, Inc.,  McCall Farms has selected the O2 Mobile Warehouse inventory management software system for Sage 500 ERP.

Operating a large farm and processing facility in Effingham, South Carolina, McCalls Farms processes tomatoes, okra, corn, squash, string beans, peas, potatoes, peanuts, peaches and a large selection of greens.  The warehouse distribution software system, O2 Mobile Warehouse, will help provide warehouse management, barcoding and inventory tracking.

O2 Mobile Warehouse for Sage 500 ERP software offers real-time views of your inventory using handheld scanners.  For more information on this warehouse management system or to read success stories from other O2 Mobile Warehouse clients, visit www.evs-sw.com.

ERP Software Disaster Recovery and Your Business

Often times, disaster recovery is just a distant thought.  Not much preparation goes into the planning stages until, unfortunately, a disaster strikes and your business is left trying to put all of the pieces back together.  I recently read in an article titled, Is Your Workplace Prepared?, that "according to a 2012 study of more than 1,300 U.S. workers, 75 percent of employees believe their company is not well-prepared for a natural disaster."

That's correct, a whopping 75 percent!  There are so many scenarios that could lead to a business disaster, this statistic made me wonder what business were doing to prepare for disaster in terms of their data too.  I'd venture to guess if many don't have simple plans in place for emergencies, their ERP software disaster recovery plan is probably a distant afterthought as well.  But, it doesn't need to be that way when there are simple and affordable plans such as the Sage 500 ERP Cloud Disaster Recovery Solution.

More times than not, however, business disasters result in massive data loss at the hands of a human error or a system(s) failure.  This type of disaster is simple to prevent using plans such as Sage 500 Disaster Recovery.  The Sage 500 Cloud Disaster Recovery Solution was developed specifically for Sage 500 ERP software and gives you a live standby copy of your production ERP environment in which you can fail over to and operate from in the case of a disaster.

With sobering statistics related to businesses surviving a disaster, it's important to do what you can to protect your business when you can.  For more information on this disaster recovery solution, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Growing Food Manufacturers Transition to Sage 500 Food ERP Software

As your food manufacturing business grows and becomes more specialized and dynamic, so must your ERP software.  At EVS, we've worked with food and beverage manufacturers that have grown out of their small accounting systems and need to move into something more robust in order to manage their growing business.

Many times, food processors find that growth highlights some problems in their operations.  For one, disparate systems can create a real reporting headache.  Not only do you have multiple systems to manage, but you also have multiple areas of data entry and reporting that can lead to discrepancies and human error.  This is all before realizing how time consuming it is to operate in this manner.

O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software for Sage 500 is the right move for growing food and beverage manufacturers in the mid-market space.  O2 Food ERP software can provide the tools and structure you need to manage your business from start to finish in a central location.  Here are some of the key areas improved by this food manufacturing ERP software:

• Research & Development: R&D in food manufacturing can require specific functionality such as percentage-based recipes, nutritional calculations, allergen tracing, product costing, etc.  With the O2 food manufacturing software, employees will be empowered with industry leading tools, which are completely integrated with the rest of the organization.
• Regulatory: Regulatory reporting is critical in food and beverage manufacturing.  With full lot recall capabilities for Bioterrorism compliance and nutritional labeling capabilities, the O2 Food ERP software will help you maintain all of your regulatory reporting data in one central location.
• Costing: Whether you product custom blends or your ingredients are commodities with volatile prices, this food software will help you better manage and forecast costs to help you maintain product margins.
• Quality Control: Quality plans are integral to the food manufacturing process, with our food manufacturing software system your quality system can now be integrated with your ERP.
• Real-time: In fast-paced food processing, shop floor data entry is critical.  The O2 Food ERP provides mobile warehouse bar coding for ease and accuracy of data capture as well as machine integration with PLC's, both facilitate real-time reporting for you.

If you find yourself outgrowing your current software or ERP software system, I encourage you to look at the food manufacturing software system by EVS.  Visit www.evs-sw.com and check out the brochures, short videos and even hear what other customers have to say about their success with O2 Food ERP software.

Is Cloud Hosting of Your ERP Software Right for Your Manufacturing Business?

Ah, the cloud.  These days, there are more options than ever and "to cloud or not to cloud" is frequently a hot topic.  Since not all companies are created alike, it's safe to say there is no straight forward and easy answer to that discussion.  However, it's important to note that there are a lot of great advantages found in the cloud.

EVS is a software developer in the ERP market space and their product portfolio includes process manufacturing software (O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software), warehouse distribution software (O2 Mobile Warehouse) and their current ERP software work in progress (500R2 for Sage 500 ERP).  While all of these solutions are available with standard in-house implementations, they are also offered as part of the Sage 500 Cloud Hosting Solution to give companies more options and better solutions to fit their business.

The Sage 500 Cloud Hosting Solution by EVS offers a number of benefits, such as:

• Lower Costs
• Lower Risk
• Quick to Deploy
• Scalable
• Secure
• Safe
• Fast
• Accessible

There are hundreds of examples of potential hidden costs and risk associated with self hosting your ERP software system.  By implementing a solution such as Sage 500 Cloud Hosting Solution, the costs become fixed and quantifiable and the risks are mitigated and liability is shifted.

For more detailed information on the cloud ERP software solution by EVS, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Manufacturer and Consumer Demands on Food Safety Could Mean Better Tools in the Near Future

As food safety regulations form various organizations and governing authorities increase, food manufacturers are looking for ways to improve on testing their products for food safety issues.  The food manufacturers are also facing pressure from the public as consumers demand fast and accurate testing of products going into the marketplace.

As mentioned in an article on MeatPoultry.com, food manufacturers are looking for solutions that provide accuracy and save on time and costs among other features.  As the industry moves ahead and technologies are introduced to help food manufacturers improve on safety concerns, it's also important to look at other ways to manage food safety.

For example, food manufacturing ERP software systems, such as O2 Food ERP software, offer manufacturers a number of industry specific tools to help manage the entire organization, including food safety.  This food software can manage HACCP, lot recalls and lot tracking all within a single system.

While technology is advancing making the food manufacturing industry safer, food processors can help themselves manage their entire operation along with the food safety concerns under a single system using food manufacturing software.

For more information on this food and beverage ERP software system, visit www.evs-sw.com.

EVS Welcomes New O2 Mobile Warehouse Distribution Software Client

EVS is excited to announce that they have just signed on another new client to their warehouse management software system, O2 Mobile Warehouse.  Implementing a warehouse distribution software solution can make incredible increases in inventory forecasting, warehouse management and overall operations.

O2 Mobile Warehouse was developed for Sage 500 ERP software and offers pallet tracking, cycle counting, pick-while-you-pack/ship and pre-shipment staging.  This inventory management software will also increase the speed and accuracy of your warehouse operations.  O2 Mobile uses handheld scanners and Smart-Barcode technology to maximize warehouse efficiency.

For more information on the new warehouse management system, visit www.evs-sw.com.

O2 Bakery ERP Software for Commercial Bakery Management

At EVS, we realize there are a number of options when it comes to selecting an ERP software for your commercial bakery operations.  However, when you dig down to see the tools that will really make a difference in your business, you can quickly see there are a some significant differences in software solutions.  Right off the top, you should start by reviewing process manufacturing ERP software solutions as they are made with your type of manufacturing in mind.  Here's where you need to dig a little deeper.  Not all process manufacturing software systems are created equal.

At EVS, we've developed O2 Bakery ERP software for Sage 500 ERP.  This process manufacturing system has tools that are tailored for your specific commercial baking industry.  You're not only getting the strong financial software from Sage 500, you're also getting a key process manufacturing system that understands the unique needs of your business.

As a bakery software, O2 Bakery ERP will manage the unique inventory requirements and constantly changing production planning and scheduling found in your facility.  Offering Bakers Percentage calculations, inventory forecasting, formula management and security and lot tracking are just a few of the tools this commercial bakery software will provide.

With competition high, regulatory requirements increasing and the costs of raw materials fluctuating, it's important to have a bakery management software system to give you the accurate and real-time information you need to make the best business decisions.

If you don't take my word for it, just visit the O2 Bakery ERP product page on the EVS website (www.evs-sw.com) and read some of their impressive success stories.

500R2 for Sage 500 ERP Software Enters Beta Testing

EVS is excited to announce that 500R2 ERP software, the future of Sage 500 ERP software, has entered the beta testing phase.  Currently, ten clients are participating in the beta testing that is underway.  This is a large step in the movement to have 500R2 become the next generation of Sage 500.

Many of the clients and VAR's that had a chance to see a sneak peek at 500R2 during this years Sage Summit were excited about the new Sales Order screen.  Some of the 500R2 features that will now be standard, include: instant grid search, auto-complete, instant search within the lookup itself, plug-ins to add functionality without changing the underlying source code and finally, the ability to customize the format of every grid in the system.

What's so different about 500R2?  The new technology brings a Microsoft .Net framework.  This platform for business systems will allow ERP software to be social, provide an improved user experience and offer advanced technology and expandability for the future technology upgrades.

For more information on 500R2, stop by the product page on the EVS website (www.evs-sw.com) and download the brochure.  I'll be sure to post updates on the beta testing as the project moves along.  As always, feel free to send me your comments or questions.

The Road Ahead for Sage 500 ERP Software Includes 500R2

After the announcement of 500R2 for Sage 500 ERP software during this years Sage Summit conference, there has been a great deal of buzz surrounding the project. So what does the road ahead look like for Sage 500?  It will definitely include the new 500R2.

One of the areas that many were excited to see is the new Sales Order screen. Have you had time to read about it? If not, I encourage you to head over to the 500R2 page on the EVS website to learn more. I also have a number of previous post on here giving a glimpse into some of the upcoming changes.

ERP software is changing and evolving with new concepts and new technology. 500R2 is no exception, offering the next generation of technology in a .Net platform that will lay the foundation for future enhancements. An exciting new feature included in 500R2 is adding a "social ERP" aspect to the system. Again, I encourage you to check out the web page to see what this involves.

However, even with all of the additional technology and enhancements, it is still the focus of EVS to improve the user experience. 500R2 will have features that improve efficiencies and increase the ease and speed in which you are able to find data in your ERP software.

Over the next month, EVS will be giving a few webinars to continue to give you insight into the new 500R2 system. Be sure to follow my blog to receive your notifications of when the webinars will be taking place.  In the meantime, give me your thoughts in the comment section.

For more information on 500R2 or EVS's other products, such as process manufacturing ERP software or their warehouse distribution software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Food Recalls Are on the Rise in 2012 - How Food ERP Software Can Help

According to a Stericycle ExpertRECALL report, which aggregates and tracks cumulative recall data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the FDA, "recalls were up 19% from the first quarter of 2012 and up 16% from the second quarter of 2011."  This is unwelcomed news for the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

According to the recent article discussing the report, "undeclared allergens or other allergen concerns remained the primary cause of recalls during the second quarter, accounting for nearly 40% of food recalls initiate...[whereas] foodbourne illness concerns accounted for an additional 40% of recalls during the quarter."

O2 Food ERP software by EVS can help food manufactures manage their food safety concerns.  This food manufacturing software provides nutritional database and labeling, which includes ingredient statements, allergen declarations and nutrient content.  Food manufacturing ERP software, such as O2, also manages food safety concerns, including HACCP and lot recalls with ease.

WIth the possibility of a food recalls coming from so many different directions and different reasons, food manufacturers need to have the proper food software in place to help manage all of the data along with managing the actual production.

For more information on EVS's process manufacturing EPR software or more information on this food and beverage ERP software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

500R2 for Sage 500 ERP Software Is Officially Announced

It was a fantastic week at the Sage Summit Conference and Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee.  As promised, EVS announced the 500R2 for Sage 500 ERP software project and it was received with a great deal of excitement.  For those who weren't on hand to see the demonstrations, I can now point you to additional information on our website.  Check out www.evs-sw.com/products/500R2.html to see all of the great features and ideas regarding 500R2.

Here is our infographic, showing the transformation over to 500R2 ERP software.

We are really excited with the feedback we received from all of the partners and clients at Sage Summit.  500R2 will now be entering Beta testing with a select group of customers.  As more information becomes available, I'll be sure to share it on here.  As mentioned before, this will be a large technology advancement for the Sage 500 ERP software system, and it will continue to integrate with EVS's O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software systems, which includes the specialty industries such as the food ERP software.  Head over to the 500R2 page to get more information and download the available brochure.  We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, so please drop us a line in the comment section below.

500R2 for Sage 500 ERP Software Is Set to Launch

Over the past few weeks, I've been showing some of the screen shots taken from the new 500R2 ERP software for Sage 500 ERP.  With only 3 days remaining until the official launch, I thought I'd add a few more screen shots and notes.  I also wanted to mention that 500R2 will also integrate with our O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software system for Sage 500 ERP software.  That means, for example, our food ERP software will be eligible for the 500R2 upgrade when it becomes fully available.  For now, let's take a deeper look at 500R2.

Here, you can see the "lookup" section.  In 500R2, all lookups also have instant search capability.

You say you don't want to use the lookup?  500R2 also allows users to find data without using the lookup by providing autocomplete.

As I mentioned, the launch is only a few days away and I'll be back to give you all of the details.  In the meantime, if you're interested in learning more about the food manufacturing software or other ERP software systems mentioned here today, check out our website at www.evs-sw.com.

Can Food ERP Software Systems Be Social?

Social media seems to be taking over so many aspects of every day life.  How would social media benefit a company as an internal application, more specifically to food and beverage manufacturers?  Sure, there are a number of programs right now that allow employees to collaborate, but what I'm talking about today is having the social media tools integrated as a part of your food ERP software system.

Wouldn't it be nice for your employees to collaborate and communicate about the inventory or manufacturing operations from within your food manufacturing ERP software?  Of course, we don't mean this will post inventory backorders on Twitter or past due invoices on Facebook.  This is a tool that would work in conjunction with your food manufacturing software.

Social ERP is a term that is on the rise.  At EVS, we think this is something that could help determine the next generation of ERP software.  We're working on ways to improve the user experience and we think that having social tools built into your food and beverage ERP software will be extremely beneficial.

There's likely to be much more discussion on this topic in the near future.  For more information on EVS' food software or other process manufacturing ERP software systems, visit www.evs-sw.com.  We'd love to hear your thoughts on how social media concept apply to an ERP software system, so drop us a line.

Food Manufacturing ERP Software System Provides Real-Time Cost Data

With material costs fluctuating and different variables coming into play, food and beverage manufacturers need to find effective and efficient ways to track these costs.  O2 Food ERP software was developed specifically for food and beverage manufacturers and offers cost tracking as well as number of other tools that benefit food processors.

This food manufacturing software gives manufacturers real-time cost data, which helps track material costs (including intermediates), labor, packaging and finished goods.  Having this type of real-time information will make your business decisions easier and clearer.  Facing strong competition, food manufacturers need tools specific to their industry to streamline processes and increase margins.  EVS's food ERP manufacturing software will provide accurate and real-time information across your entire organization.

For more information about this food software system, or other process manufacturing ERP software systems visit www.evs-sw.com.

Food Manufacturing ERP Software Aids In Effective Lot Tracking

Food manufacturers are constantly trying to find ways to stay compliant with industry regulations while also streamlining operations.  When a food manufacturer grows, some of the old processes really start to become an issue and drag down the efficiency of operations.  Often times, smaller food manufacturers may even perform manual processes.

For example, one of EVS's clients used to manually perform the mandatory lot tracking requirements, with mock recalls consuming hours of staff time.  Now, they have implemented EVS's O2 Food ERP software, which integrates lot tracking and Certificate of Analysis (C of A) functionality and have dramatically streamlined their operations.  According to the client, this food manufacturing software has really made the difference.  "In less than an hour we can trace any lot, identifying the source of the ingredients, the final products they went into, and who we shipped to the products to," says the food manufacturing ERP software user.

Food manufacturing ERP software provides food processors with an abundance of tools to help in all areas of their business.  The food ERP software client also said, "Using these tools we've centralized our data, cut our expenses and are making efficient use of our existing resources.  From purchasing to the production floor, to the warehouse and shipping operations, to the back office -- we have increased efficiency, control and accuracy."

For more information on this food manufacturing software or other process manufacturing ERP software systems, visit www.evs-sw.com.

500R2 for Sage 500 ERP Software Provides Instant Search Capabilities

It's officially "Summit Month" here at EVS, while we are busy getting last minute preparations ready for the Sage Summit Conference starting August 12th.  The big news this year has to be 500R2, developed by EVS.  This new ERP software provides more technology options Sage 500 ERP than ever before.

The next insider look at 500R2 relates to search.  Today, millions of people are finding information by search the internet.  Wouldn't it be nice to be able to search your ERP software system and data just as easily and quickly?  With 500R2, users have instant grid search.  Every grid in the system is searchable instantly as you type and every visible column is exposed to the search.

For more information on 500R2, check out a few of my earlier posts.  The full information will be made available during the Sage Summit Conference in just over a weeks time.  In the meantime, head over to www.evs-sw.com to see the process manufacturing ERP software and warehouse distribution software systems that EVS has also developed for Sage ERP.

500R2 (the Next Generation of Sage 500) Offers Customized Grids

In case you didn't read my last post, 500R2 is the next generation of Sage 500 ERP software, which brings a Microsoft .Net framework and sets the platform for the next technology upgrade.   As promised, here is another small glimpse at the new 500R2.  EVS is also the developer of O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software that completely integrates with Sage 500.  This means that even their O2 Food ERP software and other process manufacturing software systems will also be making the move to .Net and will benefit from the technology upgrade.

500R2 offers you the opportunity to customize the format of EVERY grid in the system, right from the grid itself.  As you can see from this screen shot, you have the several options available to make the grid your very own.

Let's face it, everyone would love to have the option to customize their screens, but in the past, this option wasn't offered.  Now, you can design your grid to highlight the information that is important to YOU, the end user.

For more information on 500R2, check back here over the next couple of weeks leading up the the official reveal taking place at Sage Summit 2012.  Then, we'll have a full web page and brochure available for more details at www.evs-sw.com.  You can also find more information on our food manufacturing software system and other process manufacturing ERP software systems there too.

Food ERP Software & Food Safety Management

Food recalls are, unfortunately, part of the food and beverage manufacturing industry.  Even when you are in compliance and take safety measure seriously, there are many variables from within your supply chain that can affect your products safety.  While you may not be able to control others in your supply chain, you can take steps internally to protect yourself and prepare as much as possible.

In a recent article on FoodManufacturing.com, they mentioned two important areas that manufacturers should utilize for creating a strong food safety system.  The first was technology, and specifically ERP software systems.  EVS has developed O2 Food ERP software, which has specific features that are important to food and beverage manufacturers.  These features include HACCP management, cradle-to-grave lot tracking and performs lot recalls with ease.  There are so many benefits provided by a food and beverage ERP software system, and food safety and recall management are high on the list.

The second item listed was traceability.  Traceability is a critical component to food safety, and with the  right program in place food and beverage manufacturers can help facilitate faster recalls.  Being able to pinpoint a source or a raw material and all affected products quickly will help all parties involved.  Again, EVS's food manufacturing ERP software has the tools to perform this important safety step.

For more information on this food and beverage software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Moving Into the Next Generation of Sage 500 ERP Software with 500R2

EVS is working on a few projects, but none quite as powerful as 500R2.  What is it?  500R2 is the next generation of Sage 500 ERP software. Technology is at the core of 500R2, which brings a Microsoft .Net framework and sets the platform for the next technology upgrade.  

In this sample shot of the Sales Order screen, it shows you how 500R2 provides built-in inquiries without having to leave the main screen.  Over the next few days, I'll be showing a number of different screens and some of the feature and benefits of moving to 500R2.

EVS has also developed the process manufacturing software that completely integrates with Sage 500 ERP, and includes O2 Food ERP software.  This food manufacturing software system will also benefit from the 500R2 technology upgrade.

The official reveal of 500R2 will be taking place at Sage Summit on August 12th, 2012.  For more information on the Sage 500 ERP software or related process manufacturing ERP software systems, visit www.evs-sw.com.  Once the launch happens, check back for full details including a new web page, brochures and additional screen shots.

Nutritional Labeling, Calculations & Reporting Found in O2 Food ERP Software

Nutritional labeling, calculations and reporting are important issues for food and beverage manufacturers.  Many times, especially in growing food manufacturers, this type of reporting is found in a third party application.  With O2 Food ERP software, the nutritional labeling, calculations and reporting are all part of the central system.

This food manufacturing ERP software's Nutritional Labeling module completely integrates with the USDA's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.  It also complies with the requirements for nutritional labeling defined by the FDA.

Some of the features in the food and beverage ERP software Nutritional Labeling module include:

• Seamless USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Integration
• Accurate, FDA Compliant Data for Standard O2 reports of:
• Nutritional Labels
• Ingredient Statements
• Allergen Declarations
• Nutrient Content and Health Claims
• Monthly Nutrient Database Updates via Web Service

For more information on this food software or other process manufacturing ERP software systems by EVS, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Formula Security & Formula Management Are Important Features in O2 Food ERP Software

Proprietary formulas are often guarded with extreme care in many process manufacturing businesses.  Food and beverage manufacturers are no different, often going to great lengths to make sure their "secret recipe" or "secret sauce" remains a secret.  So how do growing companies manage to keep their proprietary recipes under wraps?

O2 Food ERP software by EVS, operates the way food and beverage manufacturers require, including providing formula security and formula management.  This food and beverage software can provide formula management from a central location, which is especially important when opening additional facilities.  For example, one process manufacturing ERP software client said, "O2 has allowed us to manage our recipes from right here in Torrence, California.  That's a huge benefit to drive our consistency from one plant to the next.  This gave us the control we needed, which then allowed us to produce at a much higher level than initially expected at start-up."

The food manufacturing ERP software also allows companies to have greater security and control of their formulas.  One client said, "The security of our formulas is critical.  So the software's ability to tightly control access to who can view, edit and add data to the system is key.  We are able to assign appropriate security rights on a role and an individual user basis, and the software can track and audit transactions, increasing our confidence in the integrity of our data."

When proprietary recipes are critical to your business, you need a food software system that also provides the type of security and management you need.  For more information on this food manufacturing software or other process manufacturing software systems, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Growing Food & Beverage Manufacturers Thrive with O2 Food ERP Software

Growth.  It's an exciting time for any business as new customers come on board, new locations are established and new products are being created.  This can also be a stressful time for manufacturers as increased production can create bottlenecks and backorders.  What once were solid processes may no longer serve your business as well.  Often times, growing food manufacturers will also have data stored in multiple programs and forms (i.e. Excel spreadsheets, customer database, etc.).  Finding the basic information detailing your business operations can be time consuming, error prone and in the end not always current.

EVS has worked with many process manufacturers, and specifically food and beverage manufacturers, for over 10 years.  As the developer of O2 Food ERP software, EVS understands the unique needs of the food and beverage manufacturing industry.  By implementing a food manufacturing ERP software system, manufacturers can gain visibility into their entire operation.  Data and reporting will come from a central location and the information will be in real-time.  Food software has a number of benefits, but as our success stories show the benefits during the times of significant growth were a major relief for our clients.

If you are looking for a process manufacturing ERP software system that operates in the way you do business, take a closer look at the food and beverage ERP software by EVS.  Enjoy your growth phase while getting operations back on track and streamlined.  For more information on O2 Food ERP software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

FSMA Deadline Missed: How Food ERP Software Can Help Food Manufacturers Prepare for Compliance

Ah, the Food Safety Modernization Act.  My recent article FSMA Regulations are Still Stalled by White House Office of Management and Budget, it was discussed that the hold up could be due to the budget, as well as being an election year.  Now we know there has indeed been a hold up as the deadline has came and went.  While food and beverage manufacturers play the waiting game, it's important to realize there is something that can be done now, and that's adopting the proper technology.

Food safety is an issue that is constantly changing.  Technology, such as O2 Food ERP software can help food and beverage manufacturers manage their food safety and compliance issues with ease.  As regulations change, businesses will also need to change their processes.  Food manufacturing software will document items right down to the raw materials used.  Cradle-to-grave lot tracking and one click recall are just two of the features provided by the food software.  Having the appropriate documentation to support your manufacturing processes and materials will always be beneficial.

It's difficult to say when the FDA will implement the FSMA, but food manufacturers can and should take it upon themselves to prepare.  Food and beverage ERP software is a huge step in the right direction and will provide the documentation and visibility you need.  For more information on this food manufacturing ERP software or other process manufacturing ERP software systems, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Next Generation of Sage 500 ERP Software Is Around the Corner

Here at EVS, our developers are working hard on a "new" ERP software project.  Well, it's actually a large improvement to an existing product that will make it feel new as well as offer new features.  While I can't say exactly what it is quite yet, there have been a couple of clues released before the big reveal at Sage Summit 2012.

1 - .NET, not just a pretty face...but pretty none the less

2 - Plug-ins.  Personalize your Sage 500 ERP software experience kind of like you do with your iPhone

Any guesses out there?  These changes will also positively impact EVS's O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software and O2 Mobile warehouse distribution software systems, as they seamlessly integrate with Sage 500 ERP.  That's right, for example, your food manufacturing ERP software will operate faster, is more flexible and can now be personalized.  In the past, food ERP software users may have wanted to shy away from customizations and personalizations, however, with this new product customizations will be easily managed throughout your upgrades.

Stay tuned for more clues and details to come before the official announcement taking place August 12th.  For more information on process manufacturing software or inventory management software systems, visit www.evs-sw.com.

EVS to Show Process Manufacturing ERP Software and Warehouse Distribution Software at Sage Summit 2012

In just under a month, EVS will be exhibiting and presenting during several sessions at this years Sage Summit Trade Show and Conference.  EVS will have their O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software suite, as well as the O2 Mobile Warehouse distribution and inventory management software on display.

O2 Process Manufacturing ERP software was developed specifically for the process manufacturers, integrates seamlessly with Sage 500 ERP software and serves the following industries:

• food and beverage manufacturing - Food ERP Software
• commercial baking - Bakery ERP Software
• chemical manufacturing - Chemical ERP Software
• life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing - Pharmaceutical ERP Software
• nutraceutical and cosmetics manufacturing - Health & Beauty ERP Software
• metal milling - Metals ERP Software

O2 Mobile Warehouse is an inventory management and warehouse distribution software system, also developed to completely integrate with Sage 500 ERP software.  This warehouse management system helps businesses get real-time views of inventory levels and offers inventory management with the scan of a simple barcode.

EVS President, Evan Garber, has been selected to speak during the conference portion of Sage Summit.  His sessions are as follows:

• Monday, August, 13th - Sage 500 ERP: Updating the Look and Usability for Today's Customer
• Wednesday, August 15th - Sage 500 ERP: Roundtable Discusssion - Warehouse Management & Inventory Planning
• Thursday, August 16th - Sage 500 ERP: Warehouse Automation with Sage 500 ERP

While Sage Summit is the premier trade show and conference for current Sage customers and clients, you don't need to attend the event to learn more about their process manufacturing software or warehouse distribution software system.  For more information, visit www.evs-sw.com.