Online Classroom Training

04 March 2021 connies
Red Wing Software has converted our in-person CenterPoint Classroom Training to an online format for 2021. Online Classroom Training sessions offer the same curriculum as the live Classroom Training seminars, which have been temporarily canceled due to COVID-19. The format has been altered to better suit online learning. Hours are limited to four hours per day and run from two to four consecutive business days (depending on the course). Attendees join a scheduled Online Classroom Training session with other Red Wing Software users. Sessions are presented by an experienced Red Wing Software instructor. Online Classroom Training is the most comprehensive way to learn how to use CenterPoint.
You can view and register for all available sessions by clicking here or click one of the individual session links below.
CenterPoint Accounting (Business)
This training is a four-part 16-hour live online session held on two sets of consecutive days for a total cost of $300.00 (4 hours/$75.00 for each part) and will be limited to 15 participants.
  April 13, 2021 – April 14, 2021
9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Cost: $150.00
AND
April 20, 2021 and April 21, 2021
9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Cost: $150.00
CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture
  June 15, 2021 and June 16, 2021
9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Cost: $150.00
AND
June 22, 2021 and June 23, 2021
9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Cost: $150.00
This training is a four-part 16-hour live online session held on two sets of consecutive days for a total cost of $300.00 (4 hours/$75.00 for each part) and will be limited to 15 participants.

Notes from the President

03 March 2021 khilton Notes from the President

Ken Hilton - President Red Wing Software

Unless you live in a bubble (which I am sure it has felt like the last few months), you know it has been cold in most of the country the last few days. It is interesting how all things are relative to some perceived standard. As I write this, it is thirty-nine degrees in MN and feels like summer. Last fall, when it was thirty-nine degrees, it felt like the middle of winter.
If you are in a seasonal business, the year’s busy times can feel like you are on an unstoppable roll, and the slow times of the year can feel like things are bad and can’t get any worse. That is when you need to step back and take a high-level look at the business and get the perspective on where the business truly is and when it will get better.
Doing some trend analysis over several years can give you a clearer picture of where you have been and the long-term direction of the company. You can accomplish this using the multi-year balance sheets, cash flows, and income statements available in your accounting software. Using the optional Ratio Analysis in CenterPoint® Accounting will give you a great visual trend of many financial indicators.
Whatever method you choose to get perspective on the business, it is important to make decisions based on all available information.

Behind the Scenes - January 2021

23 February 2021 rpalm Behind the Scenes
• Allison (Accounting Software Support Specialist) did a little fishing on the Mississippi River and caught six sauger fish.
• Julie’s (Implementation Consultant) son, Jackson, graduated from law school in December.
• Ashley’s (Accounting Software Support Specialist) daughter, Paytin, and dog, Bandit, had some snow-time adventures.

Notes from the President

02 February 2021 khilton Notes from the President

Ken Hilton - President Red Wing Software

I am certain you’ve heard more about viruses recently than you care to admit, but I want to remind you about a different type of virus.
Recently a long-time customer contacted us about an issue they had with ransomware. Ransomware is a malicious program that infects a computer when the user opens a file or clicks on a link in an email that comes from an unrecognized source or may have even been forwarded by someone you know. Ransomware typically prevents access to information on the machine until you pay a ransom to the individual that created the virus. The alternative to paying the ransom is to restore a backup from a time before the computer was infected.
I bring this up to point out the importance of regularly backing up your data and keeping your antivirus software and operating system up to date with current versions. As older versions of operating systems and software are phased out and not supported by the authors, updates that include code that attempts to prevent these attacks are no longer available. The cost of keeping your technology (hardware and software) up to date is far lower than the price of recovering from malicious activity. Another possible solution to protecting your accounting and payroll programs and data is to move them to the cloud. Hosted environments offer some added security and protection from viruses and malicious activity.
As you create your budget for the year (which should be complete for 2021 by now), in addition to the normal budgeted items, you should include a line item for keeping your technology current.