Remember when payroll was processed by hand and tax forms were typed up on a manual typewriter? Well, as you know those days are long gone. Payroll software companies emerged, and software has since evolved into an indispensable tool for companies processing payroll. Instead of calculating deductions by hand, the software does it for you each time payroll runs are calculated. Instead of writing out checks, you simply print them from your computer. And no more worrying about tax calculations since the software computes them for you. Most businesses will attest to the fact that payroll software has made their lives much easier. However, a much more complex issue is finding a system that is right for your business. There is a wide variety of companies that produce and distribute payroll software. Here are some main differences among them, to help you choose the right company and software for your business.

Pricing Structure

Not all payroll software pricing structures are created equal. Some products seem affordable at the start, but quickly become expensive when you realize you need to purchase additional modules to go along with the software. Before you purchase anything, be sure to ask for a comprehensive quote for the first year, and the year after. Ask your sales representative to include things that are often forgotten: direct deposit, electronic tax filing, multiple state tax calculations, multiple companies, multiple users, support, training, and enhancements. Pricing for software can be complex, and varies greatly among software vendors. It is important to consider your needs at the start and get a comprehensive quote, so there won’t be huge surprises later.

Support and Training

Most payroll software companies provide support for their customers. A wide range of support methods exist, including telephone, e-mail, online, community forums, and more. Training may be provided in live classes in person or via the internet. Some companies provide learning documents and videos on their site for their customers to learn at their own pace; other companies even give the option of onsite training. Think about which method of support and training you prefer, and ask your vendor if they offer that method. Since there is a great variation of support and training options, you will be surprised what some companies offer that others don’t! Be sure to inquire about the cost of these options as well, since some companies include it in one cost, and others charge additional fees.

Software Upgrades and Enhancements

Payroll software companies must keep their products current due to ongoing state and federal tax rate changes, changing payroll regulations, and more. Many software companies also make ongoing improvements to enhance the function of their programs. How can your business get those changes? Some companies charge separately for them, and some include them in one price. Be sure to find out the costs of upgrades and enhancements, since you will need them both at some point. The least you will need for payroll processing are the tax updates, so be sure to get that information ahead of time.

Payroll software companies definitely offer a wide variety of options when it comes to pricing, support and training, upgrades and enhancements. Dig deeper and get the details on these options before purchasing your new Payroll software, so there won’t be surprises as time goes on.

Have you seen this new icon popping up on the Web sites you visit and also in the Google search results? In case you were wondering, this is the new Google +1 button. According to Google, the +1 button is shorthand for "this is pretty cool" or "you should check this out." When you are signed in to your Google account, you will see this button appear next to organic and paid search results, and you may also see it on the Web sites you visit. By clicking on the icon, you are letting others know that you approve of the page or search result. You are also letting Google know that you have given that search result or Web site your vote of confidence, which Google in turn takes into consideration within the placement of search results. You will see the +1 icon on the Red Wing Software home page, next to our other social networking icons. If you like us, why not give a click on the +1 button? We sure appreciate it!

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Keeping your inventory counts accurate not only increases profits, it also reduces frustration and saves time. Here are some simple tips to keep your inventory numbers accurate.

• Start doing random checks of three to four items, every other day for a couple of weeks, or until discrepancies are found. The main reason for inaccurate inventory count is that not all transactions get into the system. By doing checks every other day, the transactions are fresh, and you can remember the transactions that might have been forgotten or missed.
• If an inaccuracy is spotted, start tracking where that item went. Normally, you will find that the item was used internally, or it was used to fix another part, or someone picked it up and the sale wasn′t written down. Check those places first!
• Make spot checks a part of your internal processes. This will enlighten you and those at your company as to where changes need to be made.

Once you make spot checks for inventory part of your ongoing processes, you will find that your inventory accuracy improves, frustrations are minimized, and less time is spent resolving end of year physical inventory counts. It′s a win-win situation for everyone involved!

Ever notice that some of life’s best lessons aren’t learned in the classroom? Think about where you learned how to ride a bike and how to hit a baseball! Ok, so the lessons I am talking about probably don’t have as fond a memory, but they can still have a remarkable impact on your life. I am talking about computer command shortcuts. These shortcuts are not really taught in any class. There is a HUGE list of shortcuts available for use with Microsoft Windows. However, I am going to focus for this blog post on the ones I find the most useful.

Once you learn and use these shortcuts, you will shave time off each and every action you complete on the computer. If you get into the habit of using them, your computer use will go much more smoothly and take far less time! Here are some of the most popular shortcuts.

CTRL+C:

Highlight with your computer mouse whichever text or image you wish to copy. Hit the Control key marked ‘CTRL’ on the bottom left or right of your keyboard, and then hold down the letter ‘C’ key at the same time. This is a shortcut for ‘copy’. You can copy text from one place in your program and paste it to another place. Copy also works from application to application. So, you can copy some text or a photo from the internet and paste it into an email or Microsoft Word document. (Note: only copy and use information you are allowed to use!) Once you highlight and copy text, you won’t be able to tell whether it’s been copied because it remains copied behind the scenes in your computer on something called the ‘clipboard’. But you will know when you go to paste it somewhere, which is the next shortcut.

CTRL+V:

Click with your mouse on the place where you wish to paste something . Hit the Control key marked ‘CTRL’ on the bottom left or right of your keyboard, and then hold down the letter ‘V’ key at the same. This is a shortcut for ‘paste’. (Of course, you will have needed to first copy something.) You can paste text or photos within your program or from application to application.

CTRL+Z:

When you have completed an action on your computer you wish to reverse, use the CTRL-Z function to quickly ‘undo’ what you’ve done! Simply hold down the ‘CTRL’ key along with the letter ‘Z’ key and you will see what you’ve recently done become instantly undone. Perhaps you’ve just deleted two paragraphs of text in a Word document or inadvertently replaced the contents of a cell within Microsoft Excel by accident. CTRL+Z can save you in so many cases by undoing mistakes in an instant! (Note: the opposite of ‘undo’ is ‘redo’, which can be done by clicking on CTRL+Y.)

Windows Symbol+D:

This shortcut is a bit obscure and a well kept secret that is extremely useful once known. When using Windows, most people use many different programs at one time: e-mail, Word, Excel, the internet, and the list goes on! If you have a multitude of programs open and want to minimize them all at the same time, click on the ‘Windows’ key (next to the CTRL) plus the ‘D’ key at the same time. This minimizes all of your programs without closing them and brings you right to your computer desktop.

As with so many functions within the Windows operating system, there are several ways to perform the cut, past, undo and minimize all functions, whether it’s right clicking or using the icons at the top of your screen. Personally, I find the command shortcuts much easier and faster to use!