Thursday, February 28, 2013

A Barcode System for Sage 500 ERP Software

With a new year comes new business goals.  Now is the time to take action and improve your warehouse operations by adding a barcode software system such as O2 Mobile Warehouse for Sage 500 ERP.  O2 Mobile provides fast, accurate and real-time views of your inventory using Smart-Barcodes.  With this warehouse management software, you'll be able to fully utilize and automate your Sage 500 warehouse management.

In working with a variety of manufacturers and distributors over the years, EVS been able to help those companies significantly improve their warehouse speed, inventory accuracy.  For a closer look at this Sage inventory management software, visit the O2 Mobile Warehouse page or www.evs-sw.com.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tips on How to Select a Manufacturing ERP Software System

Selecting a manufacturing ERP software system can seem like a challenge during the beginning stages. However, by answering a few key questions you can get your search off to a great start as discussing in this recent article.

EVS not only offers an accounting and manufacturing software system in Sage 500 ERP, but they have also developed a process manufacturing ERP software system and a warehouse management software system to integrate with Sage 500.  So if you are a process manufacturer, don't limit your manufacturing software to those that are created with any type of manufacturing in mind.  Solutions such as O2 Process Manufacturing and their industry specific solutions (i.e. food manufacturing ERP software) offer the same great accounting and financial tools, but also have additional tools that address your industry specific needs that arise in process manufacturing.

You'll also want to look at the inventory management software solutions.  Finding a barcode software system that integrates completely with your system will increase warehouse efficiency, give you accurate and real-time inventory readings and further automate your entire operation.  Sage warehouse management software solutions, such as O2 Mobile Warehouse, can really transform your business.

For more information on ERP software solutions, process manufacturing software or warehouse distribution software systems, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Friday, February 22, 2013

New Live and Recorded O2 Mobile Warehouse Management for Sage 500 ERP Webinars Now Available

O2 Mobile Warehouse for Sage 500 ERP Webinar Sign
EVS is offering a few live O2 Mobile Warehouse webinars in the coming weeks to give Sage 500 ERP software users a closer look at the warehouse management system (WMS).

For an up-to-date listing of the live webinars, head over to the EVS website "Events" page.  You'll also find a page dedicated to this inventory management software where you can download brochures, read client success stories from users in your manufacturing/distribution industry and view a quick overview video.

We also realize that these dates and times won't work for everyone, so if you can't make a live webinar we invite you to check out a recorded webinar.  This webinar will demonstrate and discuss:

  • How you can improve operations with real-time inventory for your Sage 500 ERP
  • Save time and money with lean warehouse operations
  • Get immediate results with quick employee training and adoption

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The New O2 Mobile Warehouse for Sage 500 ERP Software Video

EVS has just released a new O2 Mobile Warehouse for Sage 500 ERP software overview video.  I invite you to take just a few short minutes to watch and discover how this warehouse management system works.  If you have questions or would like additional information, visit the O2 Mobile Warehouse page on the EVS website (www.evs-sw.com).


Friday, February 15, 2013

In the Midst of New FDA Proposed Regulations, Washington Warns of Food Safety Cuts

Recently, the FDA proposed two new regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and would be a large overhaul of food safety system and impact the entire food manufacturing industry.  According to a Food Manufacturing article, "The primary burden created by these requirements will be, for many manufacturers, merely a concern over adequate documentation.  Large processors likely have GMPs, HACCP plans and the like in place and functioning.  The trick could simply be ensuring that these plans are sufficiently documented according to regulatory standards."

As discussed on previous posts, one way food manufacturers can prepare for these documentation related requirements is by using an industry specific program such as O2 Food ERP software for Sage 500.  This food manufacturing software system has tools in place that help manufacturers manage food safety concerns, including HACCP and lot recalls.

At the same time, the White House released a memo stating, "...one of the consequences of the federal budget cuts, known as sequestration, would be 2,100 fewer food facility inspections by the FDA...[and] cuts are set to take effect on March 1."

It appears as though the regulations are growing and tightening, and the funding is shrinking.  At the end of the day, it looks as though food processors will be responsible for staying in compliance by having the appropriate plans and documentation in place.  For more information on the food and beverage ERP software discussed above, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Current Good Manufacturing Practices in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry Under Focus

In the wake of the recent recall, illnesses and deaths stemming from contaminated medications received from the compounding pharmacy New England Compounding Center, pharmaceutical manufacturing regulations and compliance issues are coming into focus.  According to a news briefing from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, the top areas of focus for the DOJ this year will be drug safety, in particular misbranding and adulteration of drugs.

Frimpong states, "In the area of misbranding, when companies make promotional claims that are not truthful and balanced, or when they do not disclose all relevant safety information to FDA and doctors, they place patients at great risk of harm because neither doctors nor patients can make informed choices about their drugs.  Similarly, when companies fail to follow current good manufacturing practices, they often place patients at great risk of harm that neither they nor their doctors have any way of mitigating or even recognizing."

For pharmaceutical manufacturers, having systems in place to manage all of the regulations and compliance issues will be important.  EVS's O2 Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical ERP software system for Sage 500 ERP was developed with the strict quality and regulatory requirements, including Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).  This pharmaceutical manufacturing software system also:

  • Manages CFR 21 Part 11 compliance
  • Offers Enhanced Implementation Documentation (GAMP 5 Requirements for Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Software)
  • Formula Security & Management
  • Cradle to Grave Lot Tracking
  • Auditing & Security
  • Validation

It is clear that more regulations and a more watchful eye will be looking over the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.  The more ways those manufacturers can be prepared and have systems in place to manage these challenges the better.  For more information on the pharmaceutical manufacturing ERP software, visit www.evs-sw.com.


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Food Supply Chain Tracking and Tracing Importance

It appears as though the complex supply chain found in at least part of the food manufacturing industry in Europe is proving to be a challenge when problems arise.  As the horsemeat scandal continues to spread further throughout European nations, the problem seems to be getting more complex, rather than narrowing down the responsible party.

So I ask the question, what if something similar to this situation happened here in the U.S.?  As a food manufacturer, would you have the proper documentation to track all of the sources of your raw materials?  While this situation looks to be more on the lines of fraud versus food safety, the fallout could still be enormous for any company involved who's integrity is involved.

Food processors have a high number of regulations to follow, and those regulations are often changing. In order to keep track of the sources of raw materials used in production, as well as managing regulations many food manufacturers rely on programs such as O2 Food ERP software for Sage 500.  This food manufacturing ERP software provides cradle-to-grave lot tracking and manages food safety concerns such as HACCP and lot recalls.

Having a food software system in place that helps you track sources and manage your food safety concerns is a must for those in the food manufacturing industry.  While food recalls, especially those of the magnitude facing many countries in Europe thankfully aren't seen everyday, food processors can never be too prepared.  Things can go wrong at so many levels of the supply chain that it's important to have the appropriate documentation for all raw materials.  I'm sure many European manufacturers are finding out as they track their supplier sources in order to clear their name.

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





Friday, February 8, 2013

Inventory Cycle Counting for Sage 500

Physically counting inventory levels can be extremely time consuming and costly for businesses with large warehouses.  In order to effectively manage inventory, accurate stock levels need to be gathered on a regular basis.  However, accurate levels don't necessarily need to be done by the way of physically counting inventory.

EVS's O2 Inventory Cycle Count for Sage 500 ERP software uses a statistical calculator and proven methodology of targeted cycle counting to increase inventory accuracy, save on costs and avoid the need for a full physical inventory count.

One of EVS's clients had the following to say about their experience using the inventory management software system:
"The biggest financial benefit that we have seen since implementing O2 has been the inventory accuracy.  For a while we were doing physical inventory counts every month, which were costing us about $75,000 due to the amount of people we had involved. Today, we are only checking inventory once a year so that is an enormous cost savings for us."
For more information on O2 Inventory Cycle Count software, visit www.evs-sw.com.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Finding the Right ERP Software Implementation Consultants Will Make the Difference

Often times, the thought of implementing any type of ERP software system into a business can cause unease and worry.  There are many "what if" questions that may play over and over in your head, particularly if you've had a poor experience in the past.

That's understandable, but one huge difference is they type of implementation consultants you are working with on the project.  At EVS, they pride themselves in making their clients happy, and it shows by the many success stories and videos.  One of the reasons is that EVS doesn't just offer consulting and implementation services.  They are also the software developers, which gives them the added advantage of knowing the ERP software from the inside out.  For example, one of their warehouse management software system (O2 Mobile Warehouse) clients said:

"We went live in one weekend and never went back.  This rapid implementation was possible because EVS responded in a quick, efficient way no matter what time of day it was.  A big reason for the success of the project was that EVS worked with us as a team and was able to understand the big picture of our implementation."

Another client recently said:

"We have always felt EVS has the best, top-level individuals.  I can now say that EVS has the best implementation team I've work with so far." -- "In the past, ERP software implementations have always been difficult and frustrating.  This went right on schedule and right on budget.  EVS was always available to help us out with any issues.  The relationship we have with the EVS team really makes O2 work for King's Hawaiian."

These are just a few of examples of clients that are more than pleased with their warehouse distribution software for Sage 500 ERP implementation through EVS.  For more information on warehouse automation or ERP software implementation practices at EVS, visit www.evs-sw.com.