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SME Software, Inc. today announced that the current version of its application, SMARTer Manager, works with Windows 7 to offer customers enhanced security, as well as innovative user interface features and reliability improvements. SMARTer Manager is a user-friendly configurable enterprise software solution suited for job shops, repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers, including all functionality needed in the manufacturing business.

“Our ISV community is alive with innovation, and we’re committed to helping our partners drive the next generation of software experiences,” said Ross Brown, Vice President of ISV and Solutions Partners for the Worldwide Partner Grop at Microsoft. “Adding compatibility for the latest Microsoft operating systems helps ISVs to stay ahead of the competition and give their customers access to cutting-edge technologies.”

“SME Software, Inc. is excited to have SMARTer Manager be compatible with Windows 7,” said Ramona Grissom, President of SME Software, Inc. “Making our application compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 helps us offer our customers compelling benefits, including improved security and reliability features, tools to keep them connected to data stored on the web, full support for multi-core processing, and flexible access administration to improve mobile working.

SMARTer Manager is remaining ahead of the competition with this Windows 7 version of SMARTer Manager. SMARTer Manager provides manufacturers with a complete manufacturing management solution with a highly modular, scalable and configurable design that is ideally suited for job shops, repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers. Features include Estimating, Sales Order Processing, Production Control, Job Costing, Inventory Control, Bill of Materials, Real-Time Labor Tracking, Finite Capacity Planning, Bar Coding Technology and complete Accounting.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Hayden, Idaho, SME Software, inc. is the producer of SMARTer Manager manufacturing management software. SMARTer Manager is a leading provider of manufacturing management software for repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers, addressing the unique needs of the small to midsize enterprise market. For more information, call (888) 676-2787, or send an email to marketing@smartermanager.com. We can also be found online at www.smartermanager.com and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SMARTerManager.

SME Software, Inc. today announced that the current version of its application, SMARTer Manager, works with Windows Server 2008 R2 to offer customers enhanced security, as well as innovative user interface features and reliability improvements. SMARTer Manager is a user-friendly configurable enterprise software solution suited for job shops, repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers, including all functionality needed in the manufacturing business.

“Our ISV community is alive with innovation, and we’re committed to helping our partners drive the next generation of software experiences,” said Ross Brown, Vice President of ISV and Solutions Partners for the Worldwide Partner Grop at Microsoft. “Adding compatibility for the latest Microsoft operating systems helps ISVs to stay ahead of the competition and give their customers access to cutting-edge technologies.”

“SME Software, Inc. is excited to launch this version of SMARTer Manager,” said Ramona Grissom, President of SME Software, Inc. “Making our application compatible with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 helps us offer our customers compelling benefits, including improved security and reliability features, tools to keep them connected to data stored on the web, full support for multi-core processing, and flexible access administration to improve mobile working.

SMARTer Manager is remaining ahead of the competition with this Windows Server 2008 R2 version of SMARTer Manager. SMARTer Manager provides manufacturers with a complete manufacturing management solution with a highly modular, scalable and configurable design that is ideally suited for job shops, repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers. Features include Estimating, Sales Order Processing, Production Control, Job Costing, Inventory Control, Bill of Materials, Real-Time Labor Tracking, Finite Capacity Planning, Bar Coding Technology and complete Accounting.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Hayden, Idaho, SME Software, inc. is the producer of SMARTer Manager manufacturing management software. SMARTer Manager is a leading provider of manufacturing management software for repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers, addressing the unique needs of the small to midsize enterprise market. For more information, call (888) 676-2787, or send an email to marketing@smartermanager.com. We can also be found online at www.smartermanager.com and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SMARTerManager.

SME Software, Inc. today announced that the current version of its application, SMARTer Manager, works with Windows Server 2008 to offer customers enhanced security, as well as innovative user interface features and reliability improvements. SMARTer Manager is a user-friendly configurable enterprise software solution suited for job shops, repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers, including all functionality needed in the manufacturing business.

“Our ISV community is alive with innovation, and we’re committed to helping our partners drive the next generation of software experiences,” said Ross Brown, Vice President of ISV and Solutions Partners for the Worldwide Partner Grop at Microsoft. “Adding compatibility for the latest Microsoft operating systems helps ISVs to stay ahead of the competition and give their customers access to cutting-edge technologies.”

“SME Software, Inc. is excited to launch this new version of SMARTer Manager,” said Ramona Grissom, President of SME Software, Inc. “Making our application compatible with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 helps us offer our customers compelling benefits, including improved security and reliability features, tools to keep them connected to data stored on the web, full support for multi-core processing, and flexible access administration to improve mobile working.

SMARTer Manager is remaining ahead of the competition with this Windows Server 2008 version of SMARTer Manager. SMARTer Manager provides manufacturers with a complete manufacturing management solution with a highly modular, scalable and configurable design that is ideally suited for job shops, repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers. Features include Estimating, Sales Order Processing, Production Control, Job Costing, Inventory Control, Bill of Materials, Real-Time Labor Tracking, Finite Capacity Planning, Bar Coding Technology and complete Accounting.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Hayden, Idaho, SME Software, inc. is the producer of SMARTer Manager manufacturing management software. SMARTer Manager is a leading provider of manufacturing management software for repetitive and mixed-mode manufacturers, addressing the unique needs of the small to midsize enterprise market. For more information, call (888) 676-2787, or send an email to marketing@smartermanager.com. We can also be found online at www.smartermanager.com and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SMARTerManager.

We are proud to sponsor Manufacturing Monday on KXLY, our local ABC-TV affiliate. Every Monday morning, weather reporter Mark Peterson visits a different local manufacturing shop and shows viewers some of the processes that take place at each shop. Recently KXLY launched a Manufacturing Monday page on their website, and each week they are sharing a clip from that week’s broadcast. To watch the clips click here.

Click the links below to visit some of the locations featured on Manufacturing Monday.

** NI Log Furniture Website

** Rizzuto Foods Website

** Buck Knives Website

** Skip’s Awnings Website

Schwab's Screw Machine, Lapwai, Idaho

Schwab’s Screw Machine, located outside Lapwai, Idaho on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, is a manufacturer of CNC and screw machine parts. They are a small, family-owned job shop that manufactures parts per their customer’s specifications. The company was established in 1984 and incorporated in 1986.

Since 1987, SME Software, Inc. has been solving the pains of small to midsized manufacturers by pro

Some Parts Produced by Schwab's Screw Machine

viding the best in manufacturing management software. SMARTer Manager is a complete manufacturing software solution with everything needed to measure and manage every aspect of the manufacturing business, from estimate creation to posting the general ledger and everything in between.

Before SMARTer Manager, Schwab’s Screw Machine faced several challenges. Without accurate data, job costing was a guessing game. Without accurate tracking, keeping track of where jobs were in the system became a nightmare. With the company’s business growing by leaps and bounds, Schwab’s Screw Machine turned to software to keep data accurate and help with the day to day operations, beginning with software better suited for retail.

A bandsaw at Schwab's Screw Machine

In 1999 it was time to make the switch to manufacturing management software, and after researching several software programs, Smart Manager was selected to replace the old software and carry Schwab’s Screw Machine into the future. In March, 2010, Schwab’s Screw Machine upgraded to SMARTer Manager manufacturing management software.

To address the challenges faced by Schwab’s Screw Machine, the SME Software team showed Schwab’s employees how to accurately track parts and job costs by implementing their business processes in SMARTer Manager, and keep a better handle on inventory. Floor managers could track jobs without leaving their offices, giving them more time for day to day operations. The team at Schwab’s found great value in the fact that production orders, job costing, inventory and accounting were fully integrated within one system specifically designed for manufacturing. They were also pleasantly surprised to learn that the program was much easier to use than they expected. Employees are able to be quickly trained to use the portions of the program that pertain to their jobs.

SMARTer Manager has improved all aspects of business at Schwab’s Screw Machine. It has allowed the company to grow rapidly by condensing the time needed for data entry, and allowing them to do more with fewer people. By reducing the number of employees needed to handle office tasks, the software was able to pay for itself within a year. In addition, sales have increased and the company is now able to carry a larger customer base.

Hardinge Mill at Schwab's Screw Machine

Instead of having to find the answers and call their customers back, Schwab’s is able to answer questions with a few clicks of a mouse. Thanks to information on the production orders, over-runs of product are few and far between, which keeps production costs low and has simplified operations. SMARTer Manager will definitely be a part of Schwab’s Screw Machine’s plans for the future, whatever it may hold.

Visit Schwab’s Screw Machine online at www.schwabssm.com

SME Software, Inc., producers of SMARTer Manager manufacturing management software, is excited to announce Chamber of Commerce membership in four cities.

SME Software, Inc. is now a member of the Chambers of Commerce in Hayden, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, Idaho, as well as Greater Spokane Incorporated in Spokane, Washington. Being a member of the local Chambers of Commerce will give the company a unique opportunity to interact and get involved in the community in a new way. “We are eager to get involved,” says Laura Beyer, marketing department at SME software. “We are excited about the possibilities opening up to us as members of our local Chambers.”

Did you know that Microsoft is ending support for several of its operating systems? From their website:

Support is ending for some versions of Windows

• Support for Windows Vista without any service packs ended on April 13, 2010.

• Support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) will end on July 13, 2010.*

If you’re running one of these versions after support ends, you won’t get security updates for Windows.

Make sure you are prepared and find out more information by visiting their website for all the details.

This is a great video that was posted on Manufacture This. From their blog: ”

“The online premier of AAM’s newest video, “Manufacturing the Future of America,” shown at this week’s 2010 “Good Jobs, Green Jobs” National Conference.”

Check it out. . .and enjoy!

Here at SME Software, we want to promote manufacturing and raise awareness of the many different forms of manufacturing, and interest a new generation in becoming manufacturers. How Everyday Things Are Made provides a great overview of the manufacturing of everything from airplanes to jelly beans, chocolate to soda bottles, plastic caps to denim, and so many other products. As a bonus, both kids and adults alike will find it interesting.

Pass it on –it is a great way to promote manufacturing and to inform others about the many different shapes and forms of manufacturing!

SME Software, Inc., is excited to announce a partnership with Spokane ABC affiliate, KXLY ABC 4 HD, as sponsor of their “Manufacturing Monday” broadcast.

Every Monday morning during Good Morning, Northwest and Good Morning, America, Mark Peterson will be broadcasting from different manufacturing facilities in the Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho area. Besides broadcasting  the local weather forecast, he will also be sharing with viewers about the basic processes that occur in each manufacturing shop.

SME Software is very excited about this sponsorship opportunity, and about forming a relationship between SMARTer Manager and KXLY’s “Manufacturing Monday.” The company views it as an excellent way to share their love and support of the manufacturing industry with those in the KXLY viewing area.

“Besides supporting the manufacturing industry for 23 years by reducing their lead time, cutting costs and increasing productivity, SME Software shows support to local and U.S. manufacturers through their partnership with KXLY, our local ABC affiliate,” says Ramona Grissom, CEO of SME Software. “We want to support both local and U.S. manufacturing, beginning with building relationships between manufacturers with local, state and federal agencies, whether educational, private or governmental. Ideally we would like to create one regional web hub for all news and events targeted at manufacturing, ” says Grissom.

As part of the sponsorship, KXLY will be broadcasting SMARTer Manager endorsements, also viewable on the SMARTer Manager YouTube channel, found at www.youtube.com/smartermanager.

Local manufacturers in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho who would be interested in having Mark Peterson visit their shop to broadcast “Manufacturing Monday” are encouraged to contact Laura Beyer at SME Software by calling (208) 762-7788 or sending an email to marketing@smartermanager.com.

Good Morning, Northwest airs from 5:00am to 7:00am, followed by Good Morning, America from 7:00am to 9:00am, Monday through Friday on KXLY ABC 4 HD.