Notes from the President

06 May 2019 khilton Notes from the President

Ken Hilton - President Red Wing Software

As I pointed out in last month’s newsletter, when you have team members who have been with the company for many years, they eventually get to the point of a well-deserved retirement. At the end of May, we have two additional team members that have reached that milestone. Dick and Marlene Moore have decided to embark on a new phase in their lives.
Having worked with the two of them since the early 1980s, I could fill all the space on the internet with stories and lessons I’ve learned from them, but I will try to keep it relatively short for this newsletter.
In 1979, Dick founded Farm Management, Inc. that eventually became one of the companies that merged to form Red Wing Software in 2003. Over the last 40 years, Dick has led the development effort for many software projects, and his influence will last far into the future. Not only has his talent shaped the software you use today, through his participation in outside organizations, he has had a lasting impact on the financial standards of an entire industry. Don’t be surprised to see his continued influence even after retirement. Rest assured that Dick has done an excellent job of transferring knowledge to the rest of the development team and has mentored Aaron in his new role as Development Manager.
Marlene has touched the lives of virtually every user of our software. Most of you have had the opportunity to work with Marlene as you put your financial records in order. Marlene has served in several roles in the organization: accountant, support technician, classroom instructor, and most recently defining and recording educational videos for our products. She has been a mentor to many new team members as they get up-to-speed on our software and the industries we serve. Marlene’s influence on our software, team members, and customers will last for years.
I anticipate Dick and Marlene will spend much of their new free time on their passion of keeping up with activities of their many grandchildren. In addition, I’m sure you will find Dick enjoying his other passion in his new woodworking shop. (Come to think of it, I could use some new kitchen cabinets.)
Please join me in wishing them the best in their new phase in life. They will be truly missed.

Virtual Classroom Sessions - May 2019

03 May 2019 connies Customer Information
The online Virtual Classroom provides you with in-depth information and explanations that allow you to learn more about CenterPoint from any location where you can access the internet (high-speed internet connection recommended). The training sessions are presented live by one of our CenterPoint experts while you view the presenter’s computer screen, and you will also have the opportunity to ask questions. The sessions will be recorded and sent to you so you can refer to the information afterwards. The Virtual classroom offers the following training sessions:
Electronically Pay Vendors
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
9:30 am – 10:30 am Central Time
Price: $39.00
Note: This session is for all CenterPoint accounting programs and does not apply to CenterPoint Payroll.
Transaction Search for CenterPoint
Thursday, May 16, 2019
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Central Time
Price: $59.00
Click the links above or click here to register for these sessions.
The Virtual Classroom offers pre-recorded training sessions as well as live training sessions. This gives you the flexibility to access the training at any point after the original live session was offered. The pre-recorded sessions can be purchased with 30-day access and can be viewed as many times as you like during the 30 days.

You can view and purchase pre-recorded sessions from our web site at www.redwingsoftware.com.
• If logged into the web site, go to the My Member Account page (from the Welcome menu, select My Account Home), select the Training tab, and then select the Recorded tab.
Or
• Select Menu > Virtual Classroom Training (under ‘Services’ on the right-hand side of the menu), and then select the Recorded tab.
Or
• Select the Training button on the Main web site page, select Virtual Classroom Training, and then select the Recorded tab.

Customers in the News

19 April 2019 StephanieE Customers in the News
Red Wing Software Customer and Consultant to Farms and Agribusinesses: Wittman Consulting, Dick Wittman, Culdesac, Idaho
Story: Legacy Project: Smart Skills for Next-Gen Leaders
What the story is about: The importance of adopting key farm management proficiencies.
Red Wing Software Customer: Valley Springs Farm, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Story: They Added Revenue, Not Cows (Hoard's Dairyman)
What the story is about: Farms choosing to add additional income through unique business opportunities.
Red Wing Software Customer: Homestead Dairy, Plymouth, Indiana
Story: How Do 36 Robots Compare to a Double-25 Parallel? (Hoard's Dairyman)
What the story is about: Analysis about robotic milking and its viability for big dairies.
Red Wing Software Customer: Freeport State Bank, Freeport, Minnesota
Story: From Our Side of the Fence: Lenders: How are you working with your dairy clients? (Hoard's Dairyman)
What the story is about: Interviews with various lenders about trends in agriculture and banking.

Behind the Scenes - March 2019

16 April 2019 roxie-thoner Behind the Scenes
• Connie’s (Technical Writer) daughter, Jenna, was selected to dance on the MN All State Jazz Team and competed in the MN State Jazz and Kick dance competition.
• Katrina's (Customer Service Representative) daughter, Kyla, dressed up to attend the annual daddy daughter dance.
• Chad (Sales) and his wife had an addition to their family. Welcome Etta Lee!
• Ashley’s (Technical Support Specialist) daughter, Paytin, participated in the Bravo Regional Dance Competition.

 

Notes from the President

10 April 2019 khilton Notes from the President


Ken Hilton - President Red Wing Software

One of the many things that makes Red Wing Software a great company is the average length of time employees stay with the organization. Unfortunately, on occasion, one of those long-time staffers decides they have reached the point they think they are ready to retire.
Janet Polski has been in charge of helping customers renew their Customer Care Membership for over 15 years. When Janet indicated a few months ago she was thinking of retiring at the end of April, we knew we had big shoes to fill. My opinion is, nobody should retire until they have at least 30 years of service in. As usual, my opinion didn’t carry much weight in her decision-making process.
Janet has been instrumental in creating and streamlining our current Customer Care Membership renewal process. I’m sure many of you have had the opportunity to work with Janet over the years, and know how good she is at making the process quick and easy. We certainly appreciate her role in helping maintain our excellent rate of customer retention.
Rest assured the renewal process will continue as it has with Janet’s protégé, Katrina. Like Janet, you have probably talked to Katrina over the last few years as she, among other things, answered the phones for Red Wing Software. Katrina has been working under Janet’s tutelage for a few months now, and as of April 1st assumes the position full-time while Janet transitions to retirement on April 30th.
We certainly wish Janet the best in retirement as she takes care of her horses and various other animals on her “ranch” with her husband, Tom. Tom is also the Fixed Base Operator at the Red Wing Regional Airport, so I hope to run into Janet occasionally at the airport as I’m sure he will talk her into helping out.
While we never like to lose great team members, we certainly appreciate all the hard work and dedication they have provided over the years, and Janet has been one of the best.