Integrating Business Process Tools & Techniques In Your Quality System

Todd Snover, Advisory Services Supervisor in the Business Process and Systems Group will be presenting at the ASQ-STL Fall Conference on Thursday, November 8, 2018 in UMSL's Millennium Student Center.

His presentation will show how including business process tools in your Quality System will enhance consistency, reduce cost, and promote a ‘process-focused’ culture that embraces continuous improvement. Topics covered will include process classification frameworks, BPMN process mapping, benchmarking, Theory of Constraints, and applications of key Lean Six Sigma tools.

To register, visit http://www.asqstl.org/saint-louis-quality-conference-2018/ 

New 2018 Mid-Year Supplement Guides Available

The 2018 Mid-Year Supplement Guides are now available. These guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12-page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information, including:

•  Detailed software company information
•  Vertical markets identified
•  Highlighted functions and technology features
•  New developments to the software package
•  Graphs of the user range
•  Basic entry price point
•  Sales channels (how and where the software is sold)
•  Company contact information

Visit the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services Distribution & Manufacturing Software Guides website to learn more about these services and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.

Webinar: ERP Software 101: Back to Basics

ERP software is designed to help companies manage the key components of their business - from sales and marketing to planning and production to inventory and finance - in one seamless experience. Real-time visibility into the business is perhaps the greatest benefit of ERP. When implemented properly, the right ERP system can provide business clarity, flexibility and operational agility. Do you know how to determine which ERP system is the best fit for your organization?

On October 10, Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Manager Henry Struckel and Taft Law Firm Partner Marcus Harris will host a webinar, "ERP Software 101: Back to Basics." Henry and Marcus will examine what ERP software is and the importance of an effective ERP system for businesses of all sizes and in all industries.

During the webinar, Henry and Marcus will discuss:

• Basics of ERP software
• Cloud vs. on-premise ERP solutions
• Key vendors in the ERP industry
• ERP implementation
• ERP contracts

This webinar qualifies for 1 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit hour.

CPE Information
Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CST
Location: Online/Live Webinar
Host/CPE Sponsor: Brown Smith Wallace LLP – www.brownsmithwallace.com
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
CPE Credits Earned: 1.0 total credit based on 50-minute hour
Fees/Costs: Free
Program Level: Overview
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Who Should Attend: Appropriate for professionals at all organizational levels
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None

Program Instructor(s):
Henry Struckel, Manager, Advisory Services, Brown Smith Wallace
Marcus Harris, Partner, Taft Law Firm

Statement of Standards for Continuing Professional Education
Brown Smith Wallace is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors on through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org

Cancellations
For more information regarding program cancellation policies please contact our offices at (314) 983-1200.

Featured in the 2018 Software Guides: Artificial Intelligence in Business - Beyond SciFi

by Jeff Gusdorf and Maggie Peters
 
Does Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business sound like the stuff of science fiction? For smaller companies it does, since the focus is on competing with technology heavy companies like Amazon.

How can AI be a realistic or useful way to optimize business intelligence and processes when most distribution companies are focused on replacing legacy ERP systems and implementing warehouse and e-Commerce solutions?

At the same time, leading tech companies are propelling businesses into the future with their current and upcoming implementations of Cloud technology, machine learning and AI. Distribution and Manufacturing companies need to understand how these advancements will impact them in the future and see how these new technologies will change their competitive landscape.

The 2018 Software Guides are the only software selection guide specifically developed for the unique needs of the distribution and manufacturing community. The new editions are designed to assist you, the Wholesale Distributor and Manufacturer, evaluate, compare and analyze software to determine which products fit your operation.

Learn more at: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

Todd Snover is presenting Applying Business Process Management (BPM) to Improve Quality and Lower Costs

Todd Snover, Advisory Services Supervisor from Brown Smith Wallace Business Process and Systems Group will be presenting on April 26, 2018 at 4:30pm at the 15th Annual ASQ Lean-Sigma Conference at SIUC.

In his presentation, Business Process Management (BPM) is introduced as an area of expertise that leverages tools and techniques from a number of quality methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, BPMN process mapping & simulation, metrics, benchmarking, VSM, and other process improvement activities.

To register go to: http://siumarketing.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9X49cODc5BVdXVz

New 2017 Mid-Year Supplement Guides Available

The 2017 Mid-Year Supplement is now available. This guide provides everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, this 12-page Supplement Guide provides valuable, independently researched information, including:

•  Detailed software company information
•  Vertical markets identified
•  Highlighted functions and technology features
•  New developments to the software package
•  Graphs of the user range
•  Basic entry price point
•  Sales channels (how and where the software is sold)
•  Company contact information

Visit the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services Distribution & Manufacturing Software Guides website to learn more about these services and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.

Featured in the 2017 Software Guides: How To Create a Digital Transformation Scorecard

by Jeff Gusdorf and Todd Snover


Digital Transformation is the use of technology to radically improve the performance and reach of enterprises.  Transformation means that digital usage enables new types of innovation and creativity rather than simply enhancing and supporting traditional methods.

There are three components to digital transformation (a) Improving and creating a consistent customer experience (b) automating or improving processes by using digital technology and (c) rethinking/recreating business models. Companies must tackle the customer experience and process automation together to be able to achieve digital transformation.

It is important for distributors to recognize that the technology landscape has permanently changed and they need to accept:

1) Old legacy green screen systems have out lived their useful lives and need to be replaced. The fact that your data entry clerks can slam in orders quickly doesn’t offset the training costs for new staff, costly, and inefficient screen churn, poor reporting capabilities, and a long, long list of other costs and limitations that are inherent in these systems.

2) Systems of engagement that are customer facing such as CRM/SFA, customer portals, and social media interactions must exist and must integrate with your traditional systems of record (ERP System). (Geoffrey Moore coined the terms “system of record and engagement” which have become accepted phrases. Google him to learn more.)

3) Access to email and business data from your mobile device is critical. This empowers your sales people with customer information at their fingertips or alerts your managers when specific events (late shipments, customer on credit hold, orders that exceed a specified dollar amount) occur. In an always connected world, this functionality is a must.

4) E-commerce is a critical component of your sales process and must include many B2C features that satisfy the business user. Integration with your ERP system must exist, so that product data can be standardized and transaction can be efficiently processed.

The 2017 Software Guides are the only software selection guide specifically developed for the unique needs of the distribution and manufacturing community. The new editions are designed to assist you, the Wholesale Distributor and Manufacturer, evaluate, compare and analyze software to determine which products fit your operation.

Learn more at: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx