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Interesting Topics for Today's Business

August 25, 2010 - SYSPRO Welcomes Proposed FDA Regulations

About SYSPRO

SYSPRO, the leading provider of visionary, pragmatic ERP software, today announced that the company is highly confident that the SYSPRO ERP solution will enable pharmaceutical manufacturers to meet the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations being proposed by Congress. The Drug Safety and Accountability Act of 2010 will strengthen quality pharmaceutical standards with stringent oversight on suppliers, manufacturers and their supply chains. The bill would require manufacturers to establish additional procedures to ensure the quality of safety drugs and drug components. It also would require companies to document the components in the drug manufacturing supply chain. The new Act is follow-through on the part of FDA executives who promised to strengthen inspection and quality requirements for drug makers who outsource to suppliers. As a result of these changes, many pharmaceutical manufacturers are looking to companies like SYSPRO to supply them with ERP systems to facilitate both the management and meeting of these new standards.

Traceability functionality is the key component required to assist in the meeting of these new standards. SYSPRO ERP software offers extensive traceability capabilities as well as other functionalities that facilitate the ability of manufacturers to trace products from origin, through the manufacturing process, to their ultimate destination, fully maintaining assurance certification and tracking expiration dates.

SYSPRO optionally allows specific traceable components to be reserved for specific work-orders, as well as providing the flexibility of specifying the parent traceable numbers at the beginning, during or the end of the manufacturing process.

SYSPRO lot traceability and serial tracking functionality afford extensive visibility up or down the chain, as well as providing specific component to parent tracking, thereby providing the means to expedite recalls, should the need arise. In fact, so extensive is the traceability aspects inherent in SYSPRO software that they extend to Landed Cost Tracking which provides visibility of imported goods and tracks all associated cost, which is another area to which the FDA is applying more stringent regulations.

According to SYSPRO USA President Joey Benadretti, “Safety remains a serious concern, and SYSPRO will continue efforts to enable its software to assist customers by providing users greater visibility and control over quality and tracking in industries such as food, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, where quality and regulatory conformance are particularly crucial.”

May, 2010 - RTE Customer Lakeshirts, Inc. Wins Progressive Manufacturing 100 Award (updated)

RTE today announced that its customer, Lakeshirts, Inc., has been honored by Managing Automation Media with a Progressive Manufacturing 100 Award. The PM100 recognizes 100 projects that have achieved distinction in at least one of the eight core disciplines defined by Managing Automation Media as critical to business success in the years ahead. Lakeshirts’ achievements were applicable to several categories, including: Business Model Mastery; Customer Mastery; Data & Integration Mastery; and Operational Excellence. Lakeshirts is now eligible to win the Progressive Manufacturer of the Year Award.

Chris Sieben of RTE and Twila Aslesen of Lakeshirts, Inc. (pictured right) received the PM100 Award on May 5, 2010 at the Manufacturing Leadership Summit Black Tie Gala held at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Congratulations!

Read More  Updated

April, 2010  - R&D Tax Credit for Minnesota Companies

Black Line Group, a leading provider of R&D Tax Credit services, is pleased to announce that as a part of the Minnesota "Jobs Bill" signed into law on April 1st by Governor Pawlenty, there are some significant enhancements to the Minnesota State Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit. For companies with qualifying R&D activities, the highlights are as follows:

• S corps, Partnerships and Individuals can now claim a Minnesota State R&D Tax Credit. Previously, only C corps could benefit.

• The tax credit has been increased from 5% to 10% of the first $2,000,000 of qualified research expenses over the base amount, and 2.5% on all of such excess expenses over $2,000,000.

• The Minnesota State R&D Tax Credit is now Refundable for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009. Now, even companies without tax liabilities may be able to benefit!

The definition of Research and Development (R&D) is much broader than people realize. Activities and costs associated with developing or improving a product and/or process can potentially generate both federal and Minnesota State R&D Tax Credits.

Manufacturers of all kinds, including those that design and develop their own products, as well as those companies (i.e. metal stampers and fabricators, precision machinists, mold builders and plastic injection molders) that make parts for their larger OEM customers, often do not know or believe that they are doing R&D. In addition, there can be significant R&D going on in software development and technology companies.

Your company may qualify for a R&D Tax Credit even if it is located outside of Minnesota. Contact Scott Schmidt at Black Line Group for more information. Read More

Missed our "R&D Tax Credit" webinar presented by Blackline Group? View the recording here.

October, 2009  - Catallia Mexican Foods chooses RTE and SYSPRO

After looking at multiple software options, Catallia opted for SYSPRO ERP. “The other systems didn’t have the functionality, support, and track record that SYSPRO has. We took comfort in the fact that SYSPRO has continuity with an excellent reputation in the food manufacturing industry. In addition, we felt SYSPRO reseller RTE could best provide the required support,” says Gooch.

Read more about Catallia's decision

11/17/09  - RTE hosts seminar on Physical Inventory

RTE and Dave Mowrey of The PIM Group offered a seminar "Physical Inventory" on November 17th at the Marriott Minneapolis Southwest. Participants in this half-day event received a draft of a phase schedule that they will use to conduct their own successful physical inventory.

RTE looks forward to scheduling many more live educational events featuring quality presenters like Dave Mowrey in addition to the educational webinar programming already offered by RTE.

10/20/09  - RTE hosts seminar on Inventory Accuracy

RTE and Dave Mowrey of The PIM Group offered a seminar "Building a Strong Foundation with Inventory Accuracy" on October 20th at the Marriott Minneapolis Southwest. This half-day event was well received, the 40+ attendees left with long lists of improvements they could implement immediately to improve record accuracy in their companies.

RTE looks forward to scheduling many more live educational events featuring quality presenters like Dave Mowrey in addition to the educational webinar programming already offered by RTE.

8/25/09 - RTE Wins SYSPRO ERP Contract with Electrical Products Supplier

Engineered Products Company Selects SYSPRO to Boost Sales, Productivity; SYSPRO Chosen Over Epicor, Infor, SAP

SYSPRO, a provider of visionary ERP for the manufacturing pragmatist, has today announced it has won a new contract with Engineered Products Company (EPCO), a Minnetonka, MN-based supplier of specialty lighting and wiring products for the commercial construction market and power distribution cable assemblies for data centers. SYSPRO prevailed in a direct compete against Epicor, Infor and SAP via SYSPRO reseller RTE of St. Cloud, MN. In addition to superior SYSPRO software functionality, the SYSPRO/RTE total team approach was a primary factor in the selection of SYSPRO ERP.

Read entire press release

Manufacturing Production Shifts into Forward

August 14, 2009

Largely due to a surge in motor vehicle production, the Federal Reserve reported today that manufacturing output increased by 1.1 percent in July, the first increase in nine months and the fastest upturn in production since December 2006.

While a 20.1 percent surge in motor vehicle production accounted for more than 80 percent of the increase in manufacturing production last month as automakers resumed production at many plants that were shut down for much of the second quarter, the Fed report contained other positive news. The fact that 12 of the major 19 manufacturing sectors posted production gains in July, up from three in May and six in June, is an encouraging sign that positive momentum is building in the manufacturing sector.

Still, production gains in most of manufacturing last month were modest. Outside of motor vehicles and selected high-tech industries, manufacturing production edged up just 0.1 percent in July. The Commerce report earlier this week on weak consumer demand continues to be an ongoing concern and could constrain the positive momentum that has been building in the manufacturing sector over the past several months.

On the flip side, positive news on the international front with respect to improving economic conditions in Europe could be a needed shot in arm for American manufacturers. Since nearly a quarter of U.S. manufactured products are exported, improving demand abroad could bolster production in the second half of the year.

Source: www.shopfloor.org. http://www.shopfloor.org/2009/08/14/manufacturing-production-shifts-into-forward/

Minnesota Manufacturers Show Confidence in Future

From the June, 2009 issue of Manufacturing News: 

Despite the potential ravages of a severe international economic downturn, Minnesota's manufacturers remain confident in their companies' future prospects, according to the State of Manufacturing, a major survey research project sponsored by Enterprise Minnesota and partners.

A full 79 percent are "confident" about the future of their firms, even though a solid 56 percent predict America's recession will continue throughout 2009. The full results of the State of Manufacturing were revealed at a series of briefings with manufacturers, business leaders and policymakers throughout Minnesota.

Pollster Rob Autry, from Washington D.C.-based Public Opinion Strategies, conducted phone interviews with 400 manufacturing executives, representing a geographically proportional cross-section of Minnesota, over two weeks in December. The poll has an error rate of 4 percent. The research was complemented by seven focus groups of manufacturing executives conducted throughout Minnesota in December and January. The focus groups were conducted by Mason Public Affairs, Inc., a Minneapolis-based public affairs firm, which also managed the entire project.

Partners for the State of Manufacturing include Bremer Bank, LarsonAllen LLP, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and RJF Agencies. Bob Isaacson, director of communications, analysis and research division at Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development, provided ongoing input and support.

"Manufacturers are an optimistic bunch because they've been through tough times before," said Bob Kill, President and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota. "It's not unbounded optimism. They know the economy is challenging, yet they also know that downturns are full of opportunities. It's a chance to reposition, become more competitive and invest in future long-term growth."

While manufacturers are optimistic about their long-term health, they are more reserved about short-term projections. Only 23 percent believe that their firm's gross revenue will increase in 2009, 17 percent believe that their profitability will increase, and 19 percent say that their capital expenditures will increase.

Other Results:
The credit crisis: Just nine percent of executives say that any constraints on credit have had a "significant" or "modest" impact on their businesses. Just 13 percent say they are "very concerned" about the availability of capital.

Health Care: Despite bad economic news, the rising costs of health care remains the number one concern of manufacturers. Fully 64 percent say they are concerned about health care costs. Even companies that have been harmed by a constriction of credit say they are more concerned about health care.

Employee Relations: Manufacturers said "stability" (35 percent) is the most important factor in retaining employees. Stability was followed by "pride in the company" (20 percent) and "pride in their work (19 percent). Remarkably, wages (15 percent) and benefits (six percent) were ranked last.

Wages: Despite the volatile marketplace, 41 percent of manufacturers expect wages to increase over the next two years; 34 percent of those who expect the recession to last through 2009 expect wages will increase during that period.

Kill said the relatively optimistic attitudes of manufacturers should represent cautiously good news to communities who worry about jobs. A recent study DEED found that more than one in ten Minnesota jobs are in manufacturing. Each one of these jobs supports another 1.3 related jobs-meaning that nearly 800,000 jobs in Minnesota are associated with the manufacturing industry. That equals 29 percent of the state's workforce. These manufacturing jobs pay higher than average salaries. In 2007, a manufacturing employee in Minnesota received an average $1,005 weekly wage, compared with $853 for all industries combined.

Full results, cross tabulations, analysis and transcripts of the focus groups is available at www.stateofmanufacturing.com.

Enterprise Minnesota is a 501(c) (3) non-profit consulting organization that helps Minnesota manufacturing enterprises grow profitably. Chartered by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987, Enterprise Minnesota is an affiliate of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Enterprise Minnesota offices are located in Minneapolis, Bemidji, Moorhead and Owatonna.

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7/16/09 -  SYSPRO Summer Special

Manufacturers have "become dramatically more competitive and dramatically more productive", according to Dan McElroy, DEED commissioner. They are taking advantage of the economic slowdown to assess their technology, infrastructure, training, and much more.

View Entire Special

9/16/08 - RTE Hosts the 2008 User-Driven Conference.

On September 16, 2008, RTE hosted the 2008 User-Driven Conference at the Holiday Inn. More info

3/21/2007 - RTE Launches riteSCAN Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO™

RT Enterprises (RTE), an award winning business solutions provider, today announced the launch of riteSCAN Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO™, the warehouse management component of its riteNOW™ suite of real-time mobile solutions for SYSPRO ERP.

View press release

2/1/2007 - RTE customer featured at SYSPRO website

Lakeshirts Takes Out the Wrinkles with SYSPRO

...Lakeshirts has also achieved very dramatic time-savings through the implementation of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). RT Enterprises utilized SYSPRO e.net solutions, one of the first component-based architectures to leverage the Microsoft .NET Framework, to automate and tie together process. For example, automated order entry is enabling Lakeshirts to reduce labor costs and also enhance order accuracy by eliminating human error...  Link to Full Article

1/7/2007 - RTE is featured as Company of the Month in the Tri-State Manufacturer's Association newsletter.

RTE has been featured as the Company of the Month in the Tri-State Manufacture's Association newsletter for January 2007.
Read Full Article               

Learn more about the TriState Manufacturer's Association

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