Abstract: Whether you’re familiar with the world of accounting or not, understanding the basic concepts and principles of accounting functions can give you an essential edge in the competitive manufacturing sector. This in-depth guide, complete with glossary, takes you through the step-by-step process of cost accounting for manufacturers—from prototype manufacturing, shipping, and full production, through to financial reports.

Abstract: Small businesses often become trapped by their outdated accounting systems, limiting their profits and arresting their growth. How can your business avoid this software trap? Planning and anticipating your business growth will help you minimize this costly mistake. Find the right accounting or enterprise resource planning solution to help your small business continue to expand and remain successful.

Abstract: Recent changes in accounting standards and compliance, along with greater emphasis on managing risk and value, have introduced new key measures of bank performance and made it more important to coordinate the internal and external reporting of financials and risk. To meet these challenges, banks must do their utmost to more fully integrate their accounting data and processes.

Abstract: Making a list and checking it twice is a particularly good practice when picking a finance and accounting software solution. If you don’t find the right product for your company, you’ll just pay for the mistakes on the back end. But first you need to know which features your small to midsize business must have and which you don’t want. Get some tips that will help you create your finance and accounting checklist.

Abstract: Old-world quality is great for a chocolate manufacturer, but old-style business systems are not. Hauser Chocolatier learned this the hard way, struggling for years with DOS-based accounting software. Needing a seamless flow of information from a system that would accommodate Hauser’s unique pricing structure, the company chose Sage MAS 90. Find out how Hauser uses this accounting solution for more than just accounting.

Abstract: Computerized numerical control (CNC) is crucial to the successful operation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) application, but the road to success is sometimes rocky. To surmount the challenges of meeting your CNC needs, learn how an on-demand (or CNC managed services) model can improve your return on investment, and streamline and standardize your business processes.

Abstract: SpectraSite is in the business of making wireless and broadcast communications pervasive. One process it was looking to improve, however, was its in-building antenna approval. The current process was time-consuming, and its faxing technology inadequate. But by implementing a business process management (BPM) solution, SpectraSite dramatically reduced the process cycle, from almost sixty days to a maximum of ten days.

Abstract: Not all integrated accounting and point of sale (POS) systems are created equal. If sales prices aren’t updated, or if on-hand stock isn’t managed properly, you will be at a major competitive disadvantage. Fully integrated accounting systems move information smoothly from one module to another—but what does integration as it applies to accounting and POS software really mean?

Abstract: For most companies, changing accounting software is a daunting challenge. Not only is transitioning the accounting function to a new software package tricky in itself, but it is usually catalyzed by one or more business challenges that are (hopefully) solved by the new system. Knowing that, how can you minimize the risks involved in selecting a new accounting application?

Abstract: Production based on the principles of lean manufacturing combined with Movex APP has been the key to significant improvements since the end of the 1990s at pump manufacturer APV Products in Horsens, Denmark. “By streamlining the many workflows, we have been able to cut out all the redundant processes. Thus we have seen an amazing reduction of delivery time, from twenty-five days to only a couple of days. At the same time our inventory turnover has increased, which means that our inventory has been reduced to a third. And last but not least, our productivity is higher.” Bjorn Sommer, Product Line Manager, APV Products.

Abstract: The Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002 (also known as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 0f 2002) was passed by US lawmakers to reinforce honest and transparent corporate practices in the wake of the various public accounting scandals and corporate failures of the 1990s. The Act, named after US Senator Paul S. Sarbanes and US Congressman Michael G. Oxley, has changed the way public companies do business. Although not specifically covered under the Act, non-public entities are also finding that bankers, investors, and acquisition candidates are now conditioned to expect increased transparency and real-time disclosures, in effect placing a greater accounting and reporting burden on companies that are not legally obligated to comply with this act. As with any far-reaching legislation of this magnitude, there is plenty of hype that has emerged in connection with this law. This document is designed to help companies large and small navigate some of the 'hype' that sometimes blurs the line between fact and fiction.

Abstract: Product development is a mission-critical process. And it can also be very expensive. But thanks to modern computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, many manufacturing companies now have the tools that allow better alignment of cost and value-add. This is what’s referred to as “global product development.” Learn more.

Abstract: Although students at the University of Nevada’s Reno campus were generally respectful of the campus’s computers and IT policies, entertainment or malicious software often appeared on computer hard drives. This made machines less stable or even disabled them entirely. To combat the problem of computer network security, UNR found a solution that enables automatic shutdown time and safer shared computer workstations.

Abstract: This reference guide provides insight into the accounting features and functions currently available on today's market for small to medium businesses (SMBs). It will help you determine which features your organization needs—and doesn't need.

Abstract: Caught between big-vendor ERP offerings requiring heavy customization, and off-the-shelf project management solutions that are easily outgrown, project-oriented organizations have special accounting needs. Find out more about those needs, along with recommendations for what solutions you should be taking a closer look at.

Abstract: I'm Larry Blitz, editor of TEC's Vendor Showdown series. Today's Showdown pits two major enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting for small to midsized business (SMB) vendors against each other, head-to-head: Exact Software North America (a division of Exact Software) and Infor.

Abstract: Computer Associates DecisionBase is an Extract/Transform/Load tool designed to help in the population and maintenance of data warehouses. First released in March of 1998, the product is geared towards large implementations with the need for metadata management. The current release is 1.9, which is the fourth release of the product.

Abstract: Computer Associates International, Inc. has announced the availability of Jasmineii Portal 3.0, the latest version of its portal technology. The product also functions as a front-end to the complete Jasmineii architecture, which is a fairly complete Application Integration framework. Why don't customers know CA does Application Integration? CA is still working on that one.