Knowledge is power. For small and midsized manufacturers, knowledge is also efficiency, productivity and strategy – as long as that knowledge is integrated and all-encompassing.  Today, integration is no longer a nice to have, it’s a must have for manufacturers with a desire to remain competitive. KeyedIn™ Manufacturing is one of a few providers of cloud-based business software with specific functionality for small and midsized manufacturers that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks for a complete view of the business through a single source. The Key to True Integration? Leverage the Power of QuickBooks QuickBooks users are invested in the functionality, processes  

Anyone else feel like Punxsutawney Phil, the weather forecasting groundhog, took a bit more heat than necessary for inaccurately predicting the beginning of spring this year? Though, I suppose if there had been enough heat he wouldn’t have gotten into this mess in the first place. The beginning of spring for me is when the roses start to bloom and flourish again – emerging from their stark, thinned winter pruning. You’ve seen a pruned rose bush I’m sure: totally barren of blooms, leaves and extraneous stems. Properly pruned roses get trimmed right down to the stalks. Lovely to look at?  

Estimating impacts so much of the day-to-day and strategic operations in today’s small and mid-sized manufacturing companies. When the estimating is accurate, the quotes are reliable. When the quotes are reliable the pipeline is straightforward and comprehensive, and a comprehensive pipeline gives sales the best shot at hitting their forecasts. A manufacturing  estimator will likely tell you their job is part science, part art. Underestimating a job quote will negatively impact scheduling, inventory and the bottom line. On the other hand, the impact of overestimating a job could mean losing the business to a more competitive bid.  Many manufacturing companies  

In the early 1990’s, Sylvester Stallone gave a breathtaking performance in a little movie called “Cliffhanger.” Not breathtaking in the sense of virtuoso, Oscar-buzz-worthy acting, but literally scenes that made you hold your breath because he appeared to be hanging over a 4,000 foot drop by four fingers. At this point, I think we are all weary of the phrase “fiscal cliff.” I half expected to wake up on January 1 to bank runs and bread lines. While, of course, nothing nearly that drastic has occurred, I’ve noticed a collective cautiousness in the air. For manufacturing companies and job shops,