In the June 2015 issue of The Farmer, Dorrich Dairy, a CenterPoint Accounting and Payroll customer, was featured in the article, “Dorrich Dairy Wins 2015 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award”. Congratulations to Dorrich Dairy on your award!

CenterPoint Accounting and Payroll customer Don Jensen, of Lawnhurst Farms, was featured by the Brighton-Pittsford Post for the farm’s use of an anaerobic digester.

Laurelbrook Farm, a CenterPoint Accounting and Payroll customer, was featured in the May 25, 2015 issue of Progressive Dairyman, in the article, “Laurelbrook Farm raises calves to produce 100-pound average.” Owner Cricket Jacquier discusses the changes the farm has made to increase the productivity of the dairy farm.

Check out Red Wing Software customer, Indy Family Farms, who will be honored at the Indiana State Fair. They are the single Indiana State Fair representative for Produce Day as they highlight various ag-related disciplines. Click to read the full story at their local paper, the Daily Journal.

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/local_story/FAIR-TO-HONOR-INDY-FAMILY-PROD_1433982480

Rob Richards and sons Eric and Aaron Dave Charrlin Photography

Summer is now in full swing. I was reminded of this recently while enjoying one of my favorite summertime outdoor activities, golfing. We were finishing the thirteenth hole when we heard thunder in the distance. I quickly grabbed my smartphone and checked out the radar for the area. A thunderstorm that had not been there ten minutes earlier was now just to our north and heading southeast. It appeared we would be spared, so we kept playing. As we finished the last hole, the sky let loose and everyone scrambled for a safe place to spend the next hour.

I mention this as a reminder of how fast storms can erupt, and how important it is to make sure you’re prepared for unexpected events. Do you have a safe place to retreat to in a hurry when things get dangerous? Does everyone in your organization know how to recognize when to take action? Is all your important information backed up and stored off-site? Do you have a disaster recovery plan in case it is needed? I certainly hope you never have to deal with a serious emergency, but it is always a good idea to have a plan.

On this Independence Day, and for our friends to our north, Canada Day, please celebrate safely.

Red Wing Software has released a new feature with CenterPoint Payroll that allows employers to track and report required ACA information for tax filing purposes.

The new feature allows employers to track ACA information so it will appear on forms 1094-C and 1095-C. Current CenterPoint Payroll users can now download and install the newest version, 9.18, even though the final versions of forms 1094-C and 1095-C will not be available until the week of December 21, 2015, when Red Wing Software releases the end-of-year tax forms and tax table updates. Customers will automatically be prompted to perform an update when the forms are ready.

If you do not currently use CenterPoint Payroll but are interested in purchasing it, please call 800-732-9464.

Our beloved 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, had an amazing way with words. Let’s have a look at some of his best quotations, and how they can apply to your accounting software search.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” -- Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln understood the importance of preparation. This quote can also apply to your software search. The most important part of a software search is not in the free demo trial or your conversation with the vendors (though those things are important). The most important part is in the research you do before even looking at any software. It used to be easy finding an accounting system because there were very few to choose from. Now, there are hundreds of software packages available, each of them unique, ranging from ‘FREE’ to $100k+. Do your research about various software companies. Find out whether their features, service options, training, etc. will enhance your processes. Look at their web site and marketing materials, and read customer reviews. Then you can narrow your search down to a short list of vendors and be confident when making that first call.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” -- Abraham Lincoln

These famous words from Lincoln lend themselves well to an accounting software search. When selecting a new accounting system, be sure to gather input from everyone who uses or is affected by the system. Without asking for everyone’s input, how would you know that the shipping team needs a new kind of packing slip, the warehouse team needs a better way to track inventory, or the accounts receivable team needs a better report for collections? By including everyone in the search process, you will gain knowledge that results in a system that would be beneficial to everyone. After all, a company divided by accounting software may stand, but it won’t be pleasant, and it won’t run as efficiently as it could.

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” -- Abraham Lincoln

Once you have selected an accounting software system, you should feel confident in your choice (as long as you’ve put in the time and effort to research carefully). Installing a whole new system can be challenging at times, but it will be worth the additional time and energy to solve the problems that led you to your search in the first place. So if there are problems to solve along the way, stand firm in your decision, and encourage other users to do the same. Also be sure to trust in the help provided to you by your new accounting software vendor. They work with new customers often, and are a vital resource to help get you through the transition.