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For over 25 years the leading pallet and sawmill magazine in America. |
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Individual Software Reviews The following is a basic review of various sawmill software technologies that fall into the ERP category. In a later issue, the Enterprise will do similar coverage of pallet-focused ERP and inventory systems. Some are complete ERP systems with detailed inventory and data collection capabilities. Some are not. Given the difficulty in comparing all the features and differences, the following information may not be complete. You should use this as a starting point for your personal research. A feature may be offered by a supplier even if it is not listed. Most offer customization and are willing to work with clients to integrate various solutions to meet individual requirements.
DMSi For more than 20 years, DMSi has produced software solutions for both hardwood and softwood companies. While it has systems for sawmills, DMSi has a stronger customer base on the wholesale distribution and remanufacturing side of the business. Agility is DMSi’s lumber ERP system. DMSi has nearly 400 customers with about 1,200 locations. Monte Jensen, Agility sales manager, said, “Developed software functionality that we think is deeper than other companies in terms of sophistication and tools to ultimately make our customers more profitable and efficient.” Agility has its own accounting module, which provides complete integration throughout the system. One benefit is that Agility allows reconciliation between purchase order and accounts payable invoices. This helps users compare what was shipped to a customer and what the invoice indicates. Additionally, Jensen said that having a built-in accounting system provides for complete real time credit checking and credit analysis. DMSi has very small clients all the way up to large users with multiple locations and hundreds of users. Agility has a tool that allows customers at an end user level in a point and click environment to develop custom reports very quickly.
Key Features • Viewing tool allows customers to drill down for visibility at key points in the system. • Extensive e-commerce functionality including EDI capability, online catalogs, customer portals, etc. • DMSi has a sales system that can be accessed from wireless devices, such as a Blackberry or PDA. • Agility is available as either a completely hosted solution accessed via the Web or a client server application. System Type: Either client server or Web application Ballpark Price Range: Price based on number of concurrent users. Some optional extras can impact the price, such as e-commerce options, the hardwood lumber module, etc. Software is priced on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum. The total cost can run from $20,000-100,000 plus over the life of the service. DMSi charges an up front implementation fee plus a monthly license and maintenance fee. Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: NA Typical Implementation Schedule: NA Headquarters: Omaha, NE Web Site: www.dmsi.com Phone: 402/330-6620
Exact Modus Some of the technology and executives behind Exact Modus, have been around the forest products industry for almost 20 years. The company itself started about five years ago. Exact Modus is not an ERP. It specializes in tracking data as wood is processed on the line to generate the most real-time information possible. This helps companies address any problems on the line before it starts to cost big money. Exact Modus uses a decidedly different approach than the other companies covered in this review. Larry De Smet, oversees U.S. hardwood sales for Exact Modus. He said, “Our system allows you to be very proactive at understanding what is going on in the mill and helps identify bottlenecks early in the process.” Gladys Chamberland, marketing coordinator, said, “We are in between sawmill optimizers on the mill and ERP solutions and tally systems. We have the same claims that they do. We just go about it in different ways.” With the Smart Lumber Grading Solution, lumber is measured as boards go down the chain. This allows for exact dimensions taken immediately versus tallying at the end of the line. This approach uses scanners, limit switches, sensors to measure. It also marks boards on the line too. Automating these tasks allows the inspector to focus on grading, improves real time accuracy, eliminates double handling a bundle and can improve overall quality by allowing the inspector to be more focused on getting the right grade or improving the grade of the product. Exact Modus is currently marketing its software solution to hardwood mills in the United States. Also, it has softwood solutions actively being used in Canada.
Key Features • Tally board on the production line not at the end. • Is not an inventory system or ERP. It is a production module that collects information off the production line and imports into other companies ERP. • Smart Lumber Grading eliminates repetitive tasks and allows the inspector to be more focused on just getting the right grade. • Facilitates faster, truly real-time information to management. • Improves controls and monitoring on the line. • ROI in a year or less according to Exact Modus customers. System Type: Client server solution Ballpark Price Range: For software and equipment can vary from $100,000 to $250,000 Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: NA Typical Implementation Schedule: Depends on line requirements needed to singulate board Headquarters: Quebec City, Quebec Web Site: www.exactmodus.com Phone: 418/266-6142
Forestry Group Software LLC Forestry Group Software has developed and is beta testing WebTally, an inventory management system for the hardwood lumber industry. The system should be ready by the end of March. Scott Marcus, the founder of WebTally, was originally with River City Software, the developer of the Picture Tally system. He broke off to develop this inventory management product that efficiently integrates with Picture Tally. WebTally is positioned for mid-size companies, typically $6 million plus in sales per year. WebTally is a Web-based system that can be accessed anywhere in the world using a basic Internet browser. It does not have a built-in accounting system although it does integrate with Quickbooks. Additional accounting integrations are on the drawing board.
Key Features • Incredibly configurable users can create own attributes about a bundle of lumber and develop own cost tables. • When you make a purchase order, it doesn’t assume that what you receive is the same quantity that you ordered. In fact it assumes that it isn’t because when you order 5,000 board feet of something, you never get that 5,000 board feet. You get what is in the run. • Complete integration with Picture Tally. According to Marcus, only with WebTally will you see the picture of the end of the bundle of wood or be able to do a yield analysis or metric tally. • Every bundle can be tracked as far as location and status, which helps monitor cost. • Bank system to help keep track of FSC credits, makes it easier to store and process FSC records. • Export paperwork tracker to reduce burden of international shipping/ System Type: Web-based system can be stored on WebTally server or client Web server Ballpark Price Range: Purchase $40,000 or subscription is $5,000 upfront fee plus $1,200 per month Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: Quickbooks, Picture Tally Typical Implementation Schedule: about two weeks plus customization Headquarters: Portsmouth, NH Web Site: www.fgsw.com Phone: 603/766-1922
Forestry Systems Inc. A pioneer in the handheld tally market, Forestry Systems has developed a strong reputation in the hardwood industry. It has handheld and ERP solutions for hardwood and softwood lumber, pallets, remanufacturing, logs, flooring even mulch. Pat Jinks, president of Forestry Systems, said, “We literally address every facet of manufacturing and support every type of tally known.” The Yard Master can calculate based on block, layer, length/width, surface layer, linear footage and export tally. Jinks added, “The depth of our systems is unique. We are getting ready to release a brand new lumber system that will be fully metric.” Eighty percent of its business is in the hardwood industry. Like many others in the market, Forestry System does not offer its own accounting package. Instead, it will integrate with other popular programs. Yard Master does everything except accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll.
Key Features • System tailored to complex tally requirements and practices of the hardwood industry. • Industry leader in technology since 1987. • Vision Tally system offers the only environmentally sealed, handheld unit that has a five megapixel color camera built in. System Type: Client server application not Web-based system Ballpark Price Range: All systems are modularized. Log, lumber and pallet systems are sold separate. Lumber system sells for low teens (single user) to just under $100,000 without handheld. Vision Tally units usually cost about 25% more than typical handheld devices. Pallet systems sell for low teens to the mid-$30,000s. Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: Great Plains, Mas 90, Macola, Crystal Reports Typical Implementation Schedule: Never spent more than two weeks installing a system Headquarters: Summerfield, NC Web Site: www.forestrysystems.com Phone: 800/868-2559
ISIS Wood Product Solutions Inc. Another fairly new player on the scene, ISIS was launched by former managers from Lisa Technologies Inc. The company has quickly developed a solid customer base with over 40 installations since launching in 2004. ISIS solutions cover remanufacturing, all facets of sawmill operation and wholesaling. Strong customer support is ISIS’ greatest selling point according to Terry Neal, director of sales and marketing. Additionally, all of the key personnel at ISIS come from the forest products industry mill accountants, lumber wholesale and IT sawmill operations. ISIS offers its own accounting package and will do integration with other products. It has partnered with 3 Logs as its preferred log system, eLIMBS as its primary handheld tally and grading system and InterDyne for software integration and business process review. ISIS started out focused on the softwood market and now offer solutions for hardwood mills.
Key Features • Mill maintenance module to help keep track of maintenance, part inventory, etc. • Remote desktop allow users to access system from other workstations/locations. • Uses Microsoft Office® look-and-feel for a very easy to navigate • Each user can customize screens, reports, tables with drop and drop • Less report driven and more search driven – allows users to drill down • Can easily customize fields to fit the terminology of each customer. • Interfaces electronically with popular market report data. • Faster, fixed price implementation. System Type: Client server application not Web-based system Ballpark Price Range: $50,000 sawmill, $35,000 remanufacturer – plus hardware and customization. Accounting, data collection and mill maintenance modules sold separate. Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: Microsoft Great Plains, Mas 90, Quickbooks Crystal Reports Typical Implementation Schedule: 60-90 days depending on customization Headquarters: Burnaby, British Columbia Web Site: www.isiswood.com Phone: 866/878-8809
Logical Systems Inc. Since 1984, Logical Systems has provided handheld solutions and software to help lumber companies manage production and inventory. It has an older character-based system that has been widely used. Currently, Logical Systems is redeveloping its Sawmill Manager lumber system with a modern Window-based environment. The new version is set to be ready sometime this summer. The older system had accounting built in whereas the new one will integrate with standard accounting programs. Logical Systems will offer an accounting package for those customers wanting one-stop shopping. The Sawmill Manager software was developed in the 1980s by five Northeast mills that joined forces to develop a program to meet their needs. Currently, it has about 250-300 users.
Key Features • Longstanding industry reputation. • Developing new system based on latest technology. • A completely integrated application – don’t have to make multiple entries no matter where is entered into the system. • New system will allow lumber grading and end tally data to be incorporated. • Integration with various production equipment such as drop sorters. • Recognized new technology and is adapting. System Type: Client server/single user application not Web-based system Ballpark Price Range: Modules sold separately – log, lumber, and accounting. All of the applications would run $40,000-50,000 Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: NA Typical Implementation Schedule: Headquarters: Yarmouth, Maine Web Site: www.sawmillmanager.com Phone: 207/846-3669
Moore SSI Kevin Moore started out as a software contractor in 1997, and he started his own company called MOORE Software Solutions Inc. a few years later. Today, MOORE SSI has about nine different customers. The company specializes in mill operations and supply chain management for hardwood and softwood mills. MOORE LUMBERlink and MOORE LOGlink are the company’s two primarily solutions. A remanufacturing model is set to be released by the end of March. MOORE solutions integrates with a variety of grading systems, PLCs or other devices to capture data. The software does not have a built-in accounting package although integration is possible with standard accounting packages. New enhancements in development include a remanufacturing module, browser-based interface, report dashboard, and PDA/Blackberry interface.
Key Features • Focus on inventory management. • Uses latest Microsoft technology. • Minimal hardware requirements • Replication technology allows each site for a multiple location company to have a stand alone system that automatically updates all sites when a change is made at one location. System Type: Desktop or client server technology Ballpark Price Range: Price range – closer to $40,000 range. Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: Mas 90, Solomon, Great Plains, Goldmine, other CRM systems Typical Implementation Schedule: 2-3 weeks for smaller systems, could take 4-5 weeks if want changes or customization Headquarters: Coquitlam, British Columbia Web Site: www.mooressi.com Phone: 604/464-0434
OmniAdministrator A more generic contact management, sales and inventory system, OmniAdministrator has some functionality that is tailored to the lumber and pallet industries. More of a customer relationship management (CRM) system than an ERP, the software lacks the ability to integrate with handheld tally devices or barcode systems. However, it does offer an impressive array of sale and marketing and management features. OmniAdminstrator has a very clean interface and is a completely Web-based product. It comes with its own accounting system and does not link with other accounting programs. More of a fixed product, OmniAdministrator does not offer the customization of other companies. However, it is cheaper than other products and could be ideal for smaller companies. Reports are very clean and easy to understand while not as robust as what other programs provide.
Key Features • Functions include basic accounting, purchasing, sales, production, shipping/receiving, inventory management, HR, marketing. • Modules tailored for basic lumber and pallet inventory situations. • Complete HR functions allowing managers to monitor employee task progress, track time/attendance, calculate payroll, etc. • Marketing/sales lead tracking function. • Complete e-mail/Web site integration. • Allows non-technical person to update and make changes to company Web site. System Type: Web-based system Ballpark Price Range: Subscription sales model: 5 users - $195 per month, $18 per additional user. CRM only: 5 users - $65 per month, $6 per additional user. Everything but financial integration: 5 users - $130 per month, $12 per additional user. Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: NA Typical Implementation Schedule: NA Headquarters: Burgaw, NC Web Site: www.omniadministrator.com Phone: 910/338-0324
Progressive Solutions With clients ranging from small companies to Weyerhaeuser, Progressive Solutions is one of the market leaders. It has over 700 sites with 6,000 users. Started in 1989, Progressive Solutions offers a complete ERP system including integration with major accounting packages. Its Lumber Track system meets the needs of both hardwood and softwood mills as well as remanufacturers, lumber treaters, panel producers and wholesale operations. Another product, bisTrack serves lumber and building materials suppliers, especially pro-dealers, distributors and wholesalers. Progressive Solutions has Fiber Track, a log yard system featuring tract, contract, inventory and sales management. Completing its primary suite of products are Tag Track, an integrated tag creation and printing system, and data collection software that will integrate with most handheld tally devices. Last year, the company adopted a Microsoft Outlook style screen, making Lumber Track even easier and more powerful to use. Lumber Track has tally ability and functionality geared toward hardwood lumber industry.
Key Features • Bundle analysis including split bundles. • Software can interface with customer’s choice of handhelds. • System can work with RFID. • Each user can customize interface for menu bars, tables, etc. • Outlook layout design is new. • Custom integration with system like Picture Tally, PLCs in production machines, etc. • Does a business process analysis that looks at requirements by customer, especially data capture strategies and report requirements. • Holds annual user group meeting where customers can learn from each other and benchmark best practices. System Type: Client server application not Web-based system Ballpark Price Range: $60,000 - $100,000 and up Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: Microsoft® Great Plains®, Crystal Reports®, VSI-Fax Typical Implementation Schedule: 3-4 months depending on customization and analysis needs Headquarters: Richmond, British Columbia Web Site: www.progressive-solutions.com Phone: 877/746-4774
Scoopsoft Scoopsoft is a software program developed by Bell Business Solutions, a division of a major Canadian phone company. The first Scoopsoft module was developed in 1990. Currently, it has 1,200 users across approximately 350 sites. Scoopsoft has typically focused on the first transformation and second transformation stages of lumber production. Scoopsoft services softwood and hardwood sawmills, panel mills and engineered wood product companies. The system is a complete ERP solution with accounting, accounts payables, budgeting, finance, job costing, payroll, inventory management, HR functions, sales/customer management, order entry, plant operations, shipping and logistics, purchasing, etc. It starts at the log yard level and can integrate with any third party product that deals with log procurement and woodlands operations. Software is both – Traditional on premise mode where customer buys software and server. The second method is through Application Service Provider – rent monthly fee based on users – Web-based. It is the same software, not a reduced functionality for Web-based system. A built in accounting system allows every transaction to have a dollar value attached to it. Integrated accounting makes it easier to do cost per unit analysis in a snap. Scoopsoft will integrate with third party accounting packages if required.
Key Features • Complete ERP covering all aspects of your business. • Built-in accounting system allows for fully integrated financials. • Flexibility – traditional on premise mode where customer buys software and server. Or Application Service Provider method where customer rents software for a monthly fee and is remotely hosted. • Client customers can access information on order status via a Web portal. System Type: Client server or remotely hosted Web service Ballpark Price Range: Modular pricing depending on customer requirement. A full ERP with accounting is around $50,000. Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: Crystal Reports Typical Implementation Schedule: Conducting full business analysis could take a couple months Headquarters: Canada Web Site: www.scoopsoft.com Phone: 800/923-4229
Unique Data Solutions A relatively new supplier in the market, Unique Data Solutions (UDS) sells Lumber Gear, an inventory/ERP system serving both hardwood and softwood lumber operations. Lumber Gear is flexible enough to be used by wholesalers, kiln facilities, lumberyards, brokers, sales team, and lumber sawmills. Looking to serve small to mid-sized businesses ranging from $3 million to $50 million in sales, Lumber Gear has a very intuitive interface designed to eliminate key strokes. Lumber Gear does not currently have a mobile tally system although one is in development. Production data is either entered by hand or through touch screens in the facility. It does not have a stand-alone accounting system. As has become common today, Lumber Gear can interface with many standard accounting packages.
Key Features • Very intuitive and easy to use • Affordable solution for small • Ability to search for information really fast. Smart report use color codes to indicate inventory levels. • Customers can export data to Excel, text, Word, html files. • LumberCell service that allows for remote access to sales/order functions via Blackberry, PDA devices. • Offer ad-on barcode tag printing ability. • Use latest technology – based on Microsoft Sequel Server® 2005. System Type: Client server application not Web-based system Ballpark Price Range: Sold based on per user, 2 user is $5,000, 5 user is $10,000, 10 user is $25,000. Lumber Cell is $55 per month. Primary Integrated Third Party Solutions: Microsoft Great Plains, Quickbooks, Peachtree and Crystal Reports Typical Implementation Schedule: Two weeks to 30 days without customization Headquarters: La Crosse, Wis. Web Site: www.lumbergear.com Phone: 608/498-9582
Other Companies The following companies did not respond to our requests for information. This information was taken off the Web.
LISA Technologies Founded in 1988, LISA Technologies services almost 300 sawmills, reload operations, remanufacturers and lumber wholesalers. It has both large customers, such as Georgia Pacific and Canfor, as well as independent companies. LISA is an integrated lumber software that automates inventory management, order processing and customer relationship management(CRM). Headquarters: Richmond, British Columbia Web Site: www.lisatech.com Phone: 604-207-1363
Trade Tec TradeTec started as a developer of handheld scaling applications. It has developed a lumber sales and inventory system called TallyWorks™. It offers a complete solution for small, medium or large sawmills. Using barcode tags for unique identification of each mill-produced package, the system enables up-to-the minute inventory reporting and on-line error checking. The TallyWorks system works with your local-area network. The software was completely redesigned in 2004. It has a lite version for small operations looking for a powerful yet scalable lumber information system. Headquarters: Parksville, British Columbia Web Site: www.tradetec.com Phone: 800/278-1098 Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 |
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