Over the past month we have been discussing the benefits, challenges and argument for using mobile business systems in the workplace. Up until this point, we have focused our discussions on using mobile devices and applications in the office (or for office-related jobs). Mobile technology, however, is not limited to the office or the people who work in the office. Mobile devices and business applications can be used in any environment, including manufacturing and distribution.

Manufacturing and distribution companies function a little differently than the traditional office environment. For starters, much of the work is completed in the warehouse, an environment that is fast-paced, inventory-heavy, and rugged in nature. From receiving inventory to shipping out orders and everything in between, manufacturers and distributors have a lot to manage and cannot be tied down to a desk or computer. For this reason, mobile business systems are not only beneficial to the business, but they are necessary for today’s modern warehouse to survive.

Mobile Business Systems Solve Challenges for Manufacturers and Distributors

Manufacturers and distributors face a unique set of challenges. In addition to finding ways to manage inventory cost-effectively, they also have to ensure the operation is running seamlessly in order to keep customers and business leaders happy. This can be a tall order for many manufacturers and distributors, and keeping your employees tied down to a computer to enter inventory and warehouse management data can result in the loss of valuable time and money in the distribution and manufacturing process.

Out of all the unique challenges faced by manufacturers and distributors, the following are the most common (and most burdensome):

• Data entry errors leading to inventory inaccuracies
• Wasted space in the warehouse leading to longer order fulfillment times, higher overhead costs, and low productivity levels
• Manual and/or redundant processes leading to inefficient processes and longer order fulfillment times
• Limited warehouse data visibility leading to delays in decision-making

Mobile enterprise software and business systems provide manufacturers and distributors with the ability to solve the above challenges by streamlining processes, automating manual tasks, and offering access to business-critical information. By adopting mobile devices into the warehouse environment, companies can improve their efficiency, increase their awareness of what is going on across the business, and address challenges as they arise instead of waiting until after the fact. All in all, mobile business systems make manufacturers and distributors more effective and more informed, improving their chances of overall business success.

IWI Consulting offers mobile enterprise software solutions to help organizations improve their productivity, achieve total business efficiency, and remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. Mobile enterprise software is not just a technology trend that will be here today and gone tomorrow. It is the technology of the future, and if your business is not incorporating mobile technology into your business now, you are sure to fall behind your competitors. 

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

Today’s companies are more mobile than ever: traveling from city to city for various meetings and conferences, making sales calls, and walking through warehouse and distribution centers. In addition, today’s businesses are facing more competition than ever and business leaders need to be able to make important decisions on-the-go. In order to do this, however, they need access to business-critical information from the company’s business systems. Without it, you and your employees do not have the tools you need to do the job well in this highly mobile world.

Luckily, when it comes to mobile business systems, there are plenty of options from which to choose. In fact, we can work with you to obtain mobile access to all of the business systems we sell and support so you are always connected to the information you need – when and where you need it. For the sake of this article, however, we would like to highlight the mobile capabilities of Sage X3, the software of choice for businesses in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution.

Sage X3: Providing Companies with Seamless, Mobile Business System Connectivity

Sage X3 provides companies with mobile access to their most important business information and data. The solution is built for the web, meaning all you need to access the system is a mobile device and an Internet connection. Whether you are using a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC, you get the same consistent look and user-experience no matter what methods you choose to access the system.

In addition to its web-based interface, Sage X3 also offers a mobile app that can be downloaded directly to any iOS, Android or Windows device. The app allows users to connect instantly to the system and its data, updating, viewing or changing information as needed. With the Sage X3 mobile app, users can:

• Create new expense entries, add notes and review history
• Access customer information, orders, and credit status.
• Inquire on orders, quotes, shipments, invoices and, returns.
• Approve or reject purchase documents
• View real-time inventory status and availability
• View prices and quantity for specific customers

Your employees are no longer tied down to the office, so why should you expect your business systems to be? With Sage X3, you can experience for yourself the difference a fully mobile ERP solution makes.

IWI Consulting offers mobile enterprise software solutions to help organizations improve their productivity, achieve total business efficiency, and remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. Mobile enterprise software is not just a technology trend that will be here today and gone tomorrow. It is the technology of the future, and if your business is not incorporating mobile technology into your business now, you are sure to fall behind your competitors.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

Over the last couple of weeks we have been discussing the benefits, challenges and reality of moving your enterprise software to a mobile platform. Just as with any business solution, mobile enterprise software requires a great deal of forethought before making the investment and implementing the software. If your company has decided to adopt mobile technology into the workplace, it is crucial to create a strategy detailing the goals and plans you have for your mobile investment.

Without an effective strategy, the execution of mobile ERP applications on your mobile devices can be challenging, to say the least. There are many things that need to be taken into consideration before implementing mobile business systems, and with the right strategy, you can navigate this process seamlessly. Here are a few tips to help you develop a solid mobile business systems strategy:

1. Check your internet connection and network reliability. Most mobile business systems rely on the Cloud to sync information effortlessly from mobile devices to the company’s main ERP system, and a strong Internet connection is a must. If your company is having trouble with connectivity, you will need to resolve these issues before implementing your mobile business systems or risk having to spend more time on the implementation.
2. Make sure you have the option to work without an Internet connection. In the same vein, make sure the solution you choose has the option to use the business system even if an Internet connection is unavailable. If there is no connection to be found, your business system should allow you to enter and save information on your device to be later uploaded to the system once an Internet connection is found. To ensure information and data security, the data can then be wiped from the mobile device once it has been uploaded to the ERP system.
3. Establish a data security plan. The security of your business data should be a top priority. Develop a solid plan for how your company will handle data sharing across a number of personal and company-owned devices, and make sure your IT staff can wipe mobile devices in the case of stolen, lost or security hacked items. You and your IT team should also decide who will be able to view what data on the system and what measures your company will take should a security breach occur.
4. Train employees on the utilization of mobile business systems and devices. If your mobile applications are simply mobile versions of the software you already use, your employees will not need extensive training on the solution. However, it is always a good idea to ensure they are using the system and devices effectively.

IWI Consulting offers mobile enterprise software solutions to help organizations improve their productivity, achieve total business efficiency, and remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. Mobile enterprise software is not just a technology trend that will be here today and gone tomorrow. It is the technology of the future, and if your business is not incorporating mobile technology into your business now, you are sure to fall behind your competitors.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

Last week we discussed all the ways mobile enterprise software can help your business gain a competitive edge and reach its business goals. This week we’d like to guide you in the next step in the process. The implementation of mobile enterprise software can be a challenge for some businesses, and we want you to be informed of the challenges beforehand so you can navigate the implementation process with ease. If you’ve done your homework and decided mobile ERP is the right choice for you, the following information can help you escape the implementation process unscathed.

The Reality of Mobile Enterprise Software Implementations

While the actual implementation process of mobile enterprise software is not challenging in and of itself, its implementation does brings about other challenges that your business will need to address. These challenges include:

• Data security and information sharing
• The cost associated with transitioning to a mobile workforce
• Using employee-owned devices

Mobile devices bring endless gains, but they are not without their share of challenges. Enterprise software solutions contain a wealth of confidential information about a company and connecting employee-owned devices to company networks can put that data at risk. In order to adequately protect your company’s data, you will need to invest time in extensive up-front analysis and planning to ensure all parts (platforms, security and infrastructure) are working together to protect your business data.

What You Can Do to Prepare for a Mobile Implementation

If your company is planning to permit the use of both company-owned and employee-owned mobile devices for work purposes, you will need to create a data security and implementation plan. Involve your IT teams, auditors and other compliance personnel in the planning stage and ask for their input. They may see security and/or cost challenges that you are not seeing and work with you to create solutions to alleviate those challenges. By looking at your company’s unique technology situation and involving key decision-makers and IT personnel, you can ensure that the backend of your company is kept safe and secure.

In addition to including your staff in the process, you need to work with a knowledgeable mobile enterprise software vendor who can help you implement the solution to best fit your needs. IWI Consulting is a trusted ERP, CRM and HRMS vendor that offers mobile enterprise software solutions to help organizations improve their productivity, achieve total business efficiency, and remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. Mobile enterprise software is not just a technology trend that will be here today and gone tomorrow. It is the technology of the future, and if your business is not incorporating mobile technology into your business now, you are sure to fall behind your competitors. Y

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

Mobile devices are as commonplace in today’s technology landscape as the computer. Once a rarity that only a select few owned, mobile devices are now in the hands of most of the general public and have consequently changed the way people communicate, purchase products, and work. Mobile technology provides an instant platform on which you can virtually do anything you would do with a computer. From creating reports to checking email and your bank account, smartphones and tablets can do it all.

In the business realm, mobile technology is more than simply a convenience. It is a strategic tool used to improve business performance and gain a competitive edge. Employees are already using their mobile devices to do what work they can away from the office, so why not make it easier for them to be mobile? Mobile enterprise software can provide you and your staff with access to the same information you have in the office, so you can work when (and where) you need to work.

The Changing Business Landscape and How Mobile Enterprise Software

Today’s business landscape is changing. While software and technology has always played a small part in a business’ success, it was not always a necessity. Technology is now playing a crucial role in helping companies increase their efficiency and improve business performance in order to stay competitive in today’s global marketplace, and mobile solutions are becoming irreplaceable in the eyes of CEO’s, CFO’s, and other business leaders.

Here are three ways your organization could benefit from the adoption of mobile enterprise software:

1. Mobile solutions improve efficiency, which in turn reduces costs.
   Mobile enterprise software provides companies with access to information and functionality on the go, allowing you and your employees to work where you may have previously not been able. Whether you are the airport, at a hotel, commuting or at an off-site meeting, mobile enterprise solutions connect you effortlessly to your ERP system so you can carry out your job responsibilities while you are on the go.
2. Mobile solutions provide access to relevant and timely information as you need it.
   When you use mobile devices to connect to your ERP software, you and your business leaders can be made aware of emerging developments as they occur, gain visibility into the supply chain, and make important decisions faster.
3. Mobile solutions can help companies strategically improve business performance.
   Mobile enterprise software can be used just as you use the software on your computers. Employees can update, input, and change data on their mobile devices, improving the accuracy of data entry and eliminating the time it takes to gather data out in the field and re-key it into the ERP system back at the office.

IWI Consulting offers mobile enterprise software solutions to help organizations improve their productivity, achieve total business efficiency, and remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. Mobile enterprise software is not just a technology trend that will be here today and gone tomorrow. It is the technology of the future, and if your business is not incorporating mobile technology into your business now, you are sure to fall behind your competitors sooner rather than later.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

The Need for a Comprehensive Food ERP System

Your business is more than the manufacturing plant you use to manufacture your products and distribute it to consumers. While your focus may be food manufacturing, there is a lot more that goes into making your business a success. From back-office accounting to HR and payroll, these are standard business activities that must take place in order to ensure the smooth operation of your manufacturing facility.

Successful food manufacturers combine all areas of the business into one system to provide them with the insight and visibility they need to manage their business well. When you run disconnected systems, you receive disconnected data. Every part of the business relates to the other. If you are experiencing challenges in manufacturing a certain product, chances are those challenges are affecting one part of the business or another. By simplifying business management and using a comprehensive solution to manage both your manufacturing and office-related activities, you are setting yourself up for success.

Why Sage X3 is Our Top Pick for Food Manufacturing Businesses

Sage X3 is an integrated enterprise system that allows food manufacturers to have complete business control and maintain industry-specific compliance. From forecasting, scheduling, order management, and inventory control, the software enables food and beverage manufacturers to reduce overall costs of the business while at the same time improvement customer service. The features included in Sage X3 address the business as a whole, enabling food manufacturers to focus their time and attention on the things that truly matter.

Some highlights of this comprehensive food ERP software include:

• Automated data collection, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing data entry errors
• Advanced scheduling capabilities that can be adjusted for equipment using dedicated processing lines and side-by-side machines to avoid potential cross-contamination of products
• Recipe management that captures detailed item information and passes it on through the system to ensure the accuracy and coherency of product data
• Automated product traceability and tracking through all materials, levels and suppliers
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) so you can be alerted to any changes or problems within your business
• Financial management capabilities so you can stay on budget
• Automated compliance document generator
• Production planning for ingredient-specific plants and lines
• Careful matching of packaging
• Real-time reporting so you always know what is happening

Could your food manufacturing business use a comprehensive system that addresses your business as a whole rather than just part-by-part? IWI Consulting offers food industry ERP software to help food manufacturing companies adequately prepare for recall instances and any other related food and beverage “emergencies”. You can learn more about our food industry ERP software by visiting our Sage X3 page.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

The Answer to the Food Manufacturing Industry’s Worries

As a food and beverage manufacturer, the safety of your products should be your top concern and priority. While there are numerous regulations in place to ensure the safety of food and beverage products, food still gets contaminated, leading to costly product recalls along with process and facility overhauls. Earlier this month, we discussed how preparation is key to surviving product recalls and contamination issues. This week, we would like to expand on the idea of preparation and show you ways you can prevent contamination from the start.

Food ERP software is crucial in preventing, preparing for, and responding to product recalls and food contamination issues. Designed specifically with food manufacturers in mind, food ERP software contains advanced tracking and reporting capabilities that make it easy for manufacturers to keep a close eye on every step in the manufacturing process. Here are 3 ways food manufacturing companies can use food ERP to increase food safety:

1. The Prevention of Food Contamination
   Your main plan of attack when it comes to product recalls and food contamination should be prevention. If you can prevent contamination from occurring, then you do not have to spend extra time and money on food contamination problems. Food ERP software prevents contamination from the start by rigorously enforcing inspections to assure item conformance to required product characteristics and expected results. The inspections are conducted at key event points, such as during receiving or any other important stage in the production cycle. Any items that fail inspection are automatically quarantined or designated for further inspection or disposal to ensure they do not reach the hands of your customers.
2. Adequate Tracking in Preparation of Food Recalls
   While food ERP software contains specialized inspection capabilities to weed out products that fail to measure up to item conformance, it does not fully eliminate the chance of product recalls from occurring. Food ERP software does, however, help you create and maintain an effective plan of action should a recall occur sometime in the future. The system automatically keeps track of manufacturing processes and stores important information related to product ingredients and creation.Should a recall occur, you will have all the information you need to determine where the contamination occurred, how to fix the problem, and how to prevent it from occurring again in the future.
3. Cuts Response Time in Half
   When you are using food ERP software to manage your food manufacturing operation, you are better prepared to react quickly and address the problem before it causes more damage to your business. Because all of the information is readily available, you do not have to go digging around to find the facts. They are already there, allowing you to respond to problems in the supply chain immediately.You can also quickly determine which areas and processes need improvement so as to prevent contamination in the future.

Preventing contamination from the start can help you protect your business’ reputation, its customers and your end profit. IWI Consulting offers food industry ERP software to help food manufacturing companies adequately prepare for recall instances and any other related food and beverage “emergencies”. You can learn more about our food industry ERP software by visiting our Sage EM (formerly known as Sage X3) page.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

Food and beverage manufacturing is serious business. The FDA imposes strict regulations on food manufacturing businesses to protect consumers from the contamination or misrepresentation of products. While these regulations are ultimately in place to protect both consumers and manufacturers alike, they can be quite cumbersome to adhere to and require a great deal of attention to the manufacturing process.

This past year as seen even more changes to the food and beverage industry, and we expect it to only continue from here on out. Earlier this year, the FDA implemented the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), further tightening the regulations food manufacturers face. In order to remain in compliance and ensure that you are doing everything in your power to protect both your customers and your business, you need to have a system in place for tracking and maintaining critical information related to the manufacturing of your products.

Spreadsheets No Longer Work for Food Manufacturing Needs

We all love spreadsheets. They’re simple to use, don’t require extensive knowledge of a complex system, and are easy to update and change as needed. While certainly useful for many business tasks, spreadsheets are not an effective tool when it comes to food manufacturing. Spreadsheets are limited in the things they can do and the information they can provide. They are not easily searchable and finding related information is difficult unless it is all included on the same sheet. To top it off, data is entered manually, increasing the likelihood of data errors and inaccuracies.

When you are trying to track products and their individual ingredients throughout the manufacturing process, spreadsheets simply don’t work. Instead, you need a system designed to automatically track the manufacturing process from the start, giving you a clear picture of what’s happening in the food manufacturing process at any given time.

Why Food Manufacturing Software is a Better Fit for the Food and Beverage Industry

While there is no official FDA compliant business management system, there are solutions that can assist you in meeting FDA compliance and improving the traceability of your manufacturing processes. Food manufacturing software, such as Sage EM (formerly known as Sage X3), contains advanced food manufacturing features to stay up-to-date on consumer preferences, FDA regulations, and the happenings with your manufacturing facilities.

Spreadsheets only give you a limited view of your business. With food manufacturing software, you have a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that promotes innovation, tracks processes, automates tasks, and supports flexible supply chain management. So what are you waiting for? Contact us to learn how you can trade in those ineffective spreadsheets for a more capable solution today!

IWI Consulting offers food industry ERP software to help food manufacturing companies adequately prepare for recall instances and any other related food and beverage “emergencies”. You can learn more about our food industry ERP software by visiting our Sage EM (formerly known as Sage X3) page.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

No matter how you feel about it, recalls are an unfortunate reality in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Just turn on the news, and you will hear story after story about companies pulling products off the shelves due to contaminated ingredients or faulty labeling. If your company has been hit by recalls, you know the difficulty of the situation. In fact, for many food and beverage manufacturers, recalls are akin to a “state of emergency.”

Though the industry produces several billion dollars a year, it is facing increasing challenges, particularly in the area of food and beverage recalls. While it is almost impossible to know when and if a recall will occur, there is something food manufacturers can do in order to safeguard their business and limit the effect of recalls on production and profit. Recalls can never be predicted, but with a little preparation ahead of time, food manufacturers can prevent recalls from significantly affecting the business.

Recalls in the Food Manufacturing Industry: Why Do They Occur?

Recalls can occur for a variety of reasons. While the most common reasons for recalling food and beverages is the contamination of ingredients, recalls can be attributed to something as simple as a mislabeled package. No matter the reason, food recalls can wreak havoc on the food manufacturing industry, contributing to smaller profit margins and even going as far as to shut down a business temporarily.

Because the food manufacturing process involves many steps, it can be difficult to for companies to find the origin of the problem that lead to the recall. Without the proper systems and tracking in place, food manufacturers cannot determine if the problem originated at the primary manufacturing facility, during packaging, or with a third party. Not being able to pinpoint the exact location of the problem will lead to more time being spent on the investigation of the recall and less time allotted to regaining the profits lost from the recall.

Using Food Industry ERP Software to Prepare for Recall Situations

For companies whose profits rely upon the safety and quality of the food they manufacture, a solid recall action plan should be in place. Developing a plan and implementing the right technology ahead of a recall is key and can make all the difference in how your company bounces back from recall situations. With food industry ERP software, each ingredient can be coded, making it easily traceable should a recall occur and the product need to be pulled off the shelf. By automating traceability and simplifying identification, food industry ERP software can quickly point food manufacturing firms to the source of the problem so they can determine their next course of action.

IWI Consulting offers food industry ERP software to help food manufacturing companies adequately prepare for recall instances and any other related food and beverage “emergencies”. You can learn more about our food industry ERP software by visiting our Sage EM (formerly known as Sage X3) page.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of food manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.

Over the past month we have been discussing the benefits of using client relationship management (CRM) software to improve client relationships and streamline sales, marketing, and customer service processes. From accurate sales forecasting to providing companies with a complete sales order history, CRM software adds value to the organization in practically every area. As we discussed last week, even ERP software is strengthened by an effective client relationship management solution!

Earlier this year, Sage Software released the latest version of Sage CRM, Version 7.3. This new edition features several new features and enhancements, including a new suite of business accelerators for sales, email marketing integration, and mobile options. This upgrade extends the capabilities of Sage CRM, allowing businesses to further improve their client relationships and more effectively meet sales goals. By addressing the key business challenges busy sales departments face every day, Sage has created a client relationship management system built to last. Take a look at some of the most noteworthy enhancements:

Client Relationship Management with a New, Contemporary Look

Sage has improved user experience by giving Sage CRM a modern facelift. New navigation options and the new UI theme make navigating the software more intuitive and easier than ever before.

Business Accelerators for Sales Growth

Sage CRM 7.3 introduces a new suite of Business Accelerators for Sales. This new suite offers comprehensive sales-oriented data and insight, built-in alerts, dashboards, sales workflows, KPIs and new sales performance charts to provide businesses with more insight so they can make better decisions. Software users now have access to:

• Alternative quick sale workflow to suit shorter sales processes
• New KPI charts to help identify and measure the organization’s success in meeting sales performance goals
• New sales dashboards that display a wide range of charts and reports for better insight and trend analysis
• A number of preconfigured alerts and notifications to ensure managers receive real time updates on business KPIs as they happen

MailChimp Email Marketing Integration

Sage CRM users now have more choices for their email marketing needs. Version 7.3 includes integration with MailChimp, allowing users to easily create, send and track email campaigns for free (up to a list of 2,000 subscribers).

Improved Mobile CRM Experience

The final, and perhaps most exciting, enhancement made to Sage CRM 7.3 is the improved mobile experience. The mobile solution has been updated to include one optimized mobile experience for all modern devices, allowing businesses to access important CRM data anytime, anywhere and on any device. Improvements have also been made to the Sage CRM app for iPhone.

IWI Consulting offers client relationship management software to help you develop long-lasting relationships with your clients and continually meet your sales goals.

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge. As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.