Notes from the President

06 January 2021 khilton Notes from the President

Ken Hilton - President Red Wing Software

I hope everyone had a safe holiday season and are starting the new year on the right foot. Now is a great time to look back at 2020 and evaluate what we learned about how we do business. As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, I am a strong believer in zero-based budgeting, only using history as a guide. Budgeting for 2021 is a perfect example of why you would not necessarily want to use the previous year as a benchmark. The same process can be used for other aspects of the business.
We all probably made some unexpected changes in the way we operate our business and hopefully learned some important lessons. I will share a few of the lessons we learned at Red Wing Software, and maybe you can relate them to your own business.
We learned: while our team enjoys working together in an office environment, they can be at least as productive working from home. In fact, a few commented how they did not miss the commute through the little city of Red Wing to get to the office on the other side of town, especially our folks crossing over the river from Wisconsin.
We learned: meetings can be very productive using video conferencing, and it was surprisingly easy to get everyone up and running with that technology. Thanks to Larry, our awesome IT Manager.
We learned: we can get by with considerably less office space, but still need a place for shared resources like copy machines and postage equipment.
We learned: we can bring a new employee up to speed without being face-to-face in the same office, but it is much easier to transfer knowledge in a shared environment.
While we hope 2021 does not mirror the previous year, we will be starting with a blank page as we move forward, taking advantage of the lessons we learned in 2020.

2020 Year-End Tax Forms

16 December 2020 StephanieE Customer Information
As the end of 2020 approaches, we would like to suggest the forms, perforated paper, and envelopes that you may need to purchase for processing W-2s, 1099s, and ACA forms (for CenterPoint Payroll only). Forms, perforated paper, and envelopes can be purchased from Computer Forms, Inc. at redwing.computerforms.biz, by calling 800-458-0158, or by clicking the Order Checks and Forms icon on the Red Wing Software website. All 2020 forms are 25% off until December 31, 2020 (use promotion code RWCFITD when ordering).
From the Computer Forms, Inc. website, select Tax Forms, select the product you use, for example CenterPoint, Red Wing Payroll, or TurningPoint, and then select Order Laser W-2 Forms, Order Laser 1099 Forms, or Order ACA-1095 Forms (for CenterPoint only) to display the W-2, 1099 or ACA forms, perforated paper, and envelopes.
Note: The W-2 and 1099 forms (excluding the Federal Red Copy) can be printed on the same plain perforated paper (if you choose to order the blank perforated paper with no backer instructions) and use the same envelope. You can print the W-2 and 1099 forms on plain paper, but the IRS recommends the forms be printed on perforated paper. The W-3 can be printed on blank plain paper.

2020 Year-End Procedures

14 December 2020 StephanieE Customer Information
Software Program Year-End FAQ Document
CenterPoint Accounting Click Here
TurningPoint Accounting Click Here
CenterPoint Payroll Click Here
Red Wing Payroll Click Here
CenterPoint year-end documents can also be accessed directly from the Help section. From our website at www.redwingsoftware.com select Menu, under your CenterPoint product, select Help. In the Search bar, enter Year-end Frequently Asked Questions or by logging into our website at www.redwingsoftware.com from the My Account Home page, select End of Year.
TurningPoint Accounting year-end documents can be accessed directly from our How2 Documentation. Log in to the Red Wing Software website at www.redwingsoftware.com, select Menu > Legacy Products > TurningPoint > How2 Documentation, and then select End of Year > End of Year FAQ or by logging into our website at www.redwingsoftware.com from the My Account Home page, select End of Year.
Red Wing Payroll year-end documents can be accessed directly from our How2 Documentation. Log in to the Red Wing Software website at www.redwingsoftware.com, select Menu > Legacy Products > Red Wing Payroll > How2 Documentation, and then select End of Year > End of Year FAQ or by logging into our website at www.redwingsoftware.com from the My Account Home page, select End of Year.

Notes from the President

09 December 2020 khilton Notes from the President

Ken Hilton - President Red Wing Software

One of the things we enjoy at Red Wing Software is the extremely low turnover of team members. To illustrate that point, the average tenure of our entire staff is slightly over 20 years. I attribute this longevity to the fact that we have an amazing group of people working together focusing on “Creating the Best Management Software Experience” for our customers. The downside to all of this is when someone reaches the point they want to retire; they take with them a vast amount of institutional knowledge.
One such retirement will take place at the end of the year. Jim Long, our CEO/CFO, has decided it is time to move on to other passions. Jim started with the company in September of 1990, so he has over 30 years of guiding Red Wing Software and making it the company it is today.
I have always learned a lot from everyone I have ever worked with, and in Jim’s case, I could write a book on the knowledge he has shared with me. Anytime I was at the point of jumping off a cliff, I could count on Jim to talk me off the ledge and help keep me grounded.
In addition to Jim’s high-level leadership of the company, as CFO and a CPA, he was a valuable resource for anything financial. He also helped determine the direction for new software products and enhancements to existing programs. While he has done a great job of transferring knowledge to the next generation of team members, they will greatly miss his leadership.
We wish Jim the best in his new stage of life, playing golf, enjoying his grandkids, and doing whatever he likes in his newly found free time. When the country gets back to normal, and travel becomes a little easier, we hope to see Jim and his wife back in Red Wing for some golf and comradery. Please join me in thanking Jim for his leadership over the last 30 years.
With the holidays in full swing, now is a good time to remember all the important people in our lives. On behalf of Red Wing Software, I want to wish a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and prosperous New Year to our families, customers, co-workers, partners, vendors, friends, and especially all the people that help keep us safe and free.

Behind the Scenes - October 2020

16 November 2020 roxie-thoner Notes from the President
• Matt (Sales Consultant) and his wife Lizz spent a week visiting friends in Long Beach, MS.
• Carole (Staff Accountant) enjoyed a beautiful fall ride with friends.
• Ashley (Accounting Software Support Specialist) had an opportunity to try out her new snowblower earlier than expected and enjoyed a birthday manicure with daughter Paytin.
• Katrina (Customer Service Representative) surprised her friend Sheila in Arizona after not seeing each other for five years! She then went to a wedding in Las Vegas for her friends.