FBS RELEASES "V8" UPGRADE

ALEDO, ILLINOIS - FBS Systems, Inc. has released the Version 8 upgrade, which promises unmatched performance and convenience for users of its integrated accounting/production/budgeting agricultural software line.

Performance is enhanced through direct integration with Microsoft Excel® graphs, connections to SQL databases, data importing from a wide variety of sources, real-time budgeting and unit-based monitoring, and automated multi-company dashboard reports.

Convenience is provided through customizable program shortcuts, user-defined cue-cards linked to input options and reports, scores of "hot keys," and streamlined managerial accounting processes.

"A majority of the hundreds of improvements we've incorporated into "V8" came from user suggestions," says FBS Systems president, Norm Brown.  "We're here to serve our clients and provide them with the best software experience and performance possible."

Version 8 is FBS's tenth Windows upgrade, and FBS Systems is completing its twenty-eighth year providing software for leading producers, accountants and professional farm managers.  Major integrated modules include TransAction Plus accounting, Crop Audit, Smart Feeder and LifeCycle Budget and are available for single computers, networks or over the Internet.

FBS VIP and Corporate Service clients have already received their Version 8 upgrade CDs.  The upgrade will be shipped to Priority Service clients in November and Basic Service clients in December.

Make sure that you've renewed your FBS Service Agreement so that you won't miss these benefits or access to technical support.  If you're unsure whether you qualify, call 800.437.7638 or e-mail sales@fbssystems.com.


Overview

Continue to increase power and flexibility
•	Integrated graphing
•	More database options
Emphasis on speed and ease of use
•	Shortcut menus
•	Improved help menus
•	Customized, interactive documentation
•	More automated functions
•	Tighter, expanded integration

General

User-defined Shortcut Menu

Text	Icons

User-defined Help ("Cue Cards")

Accounting Entry	Report Macro

Can save report macros after running reports


Added Hot Keys to Help Menu


Can create, save and recall FBS "native" and Excel graphs automatically from reports

•	Added "Create WIP Center" prompt to Center Setup
•	Option to allows connecting with any ODBC database (SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL for $750 per work station)
•	All modules (except Payroll) shipped on single CD and activated remotely (see this month's Software Q&A for details)
•	Various Vista™ enhancements
•	· Supports Universal Naming Convention for data paths on servers

TransAction Plus

•	Select Macro now forces vendor to top of window so vendor's macros are visible
•	Voided invoices reverses quantity/weight
•	Added new detail line type to A/R statements (type 33), which included quantity and running balance
•	Can now map Ledger Accounts, Centers and Division from a single Excel column in Import/Export module
Added check field to print contact or vendor (if no contact)
Optional Asset Register
•	Alternative to Inventory Register
•	Can purchase and sell assets through TransAction Plus
•	Updates Market Value Balance Sheet
•	In High Security Network can now disable Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Trial Balance by user
•	Description column "frozen" in Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Ledger Summary during right scroll
•	Fixed date cash exchanged bug for partial payment of negative invoice
•	Treat invoices for zero dollars as paid on invoice date (for date cash exchanged)
•	Can globally update Standard Cost allocation = "Actual" from Standard Cost/Vendor Monitor Report

Consolidated Cost Analysis

•	Changed CCA/Ledger Comparison Report to sort chemical/seed/fertilizer/feed to end of report
•	Can drive Quantity Produced through "unlinked" ledger entry
	•	For eggs and other products
	•	Set by custom preference
•	Added switch to not print acres/units in total column center by farm

Packer Interface

•	Added warning message for 'Build From Actual' when table is full
•	Added JBS Swift
•	Excel/Cargill additions:
	•	Sale weight classes
	•	Trait for "Ticket Price"
	•	Switch to map tattoo to feeding location
•	Added switch on Tyson interface to use tattoo # as location and entry number

Commercial Feed Mill Interface

•	Changed handling of split sales (between owners) to match feeding report (takes integer of quantity)
•	Changed WEM interface to use field AE (Batching Order Number) for mill location
•	Added option to save Feed Mill Manager file into Smart Feeder file (useful if exporting from Feed Office Pro)
•	Added option for United Feeds to use map description instead of ingredient number

Crop Audit Plus

•	Added Crop Macro input to Crop Audit CE
•	Added Harvest Worksheets to Digital Pen interface
•	Option to allocate seed when calculating harvest acres
•	Added Active Ingredients to chemical file
•	Added Percent Split to Crop Task Report
•	Added Time Finished to Chemical Application input

Chemical Applications Report

•	Added Time Finished column
•	Added scouting and long description
•	Added Field FSA Number to Crop History Report
•	Increased Cost Analysis Report line limit from 400 to 500

Smart Feeder

•	Invoice Pricing option for Input/Edit Feed by Ration (requires Feed Invoicing module)

New Feed Purchase Order entry module

•	Accessed through Feed Delivery Schedule
•	Reported through (Detail) Feed Budget Report

Farm Feed Mill Interface

•	Expanded Agtronix capacity t to 100 rations
•	Increased ration field size from 8 to 24 characters
•	Modified Detail Inventory by Group, Ingredient Summary and Drug Summary to exclude totals if beginning inventory is negative and rest of totals are zero
•	Added Trait Range to Open/Closed Group reports
•	Increased capacity of Detail Inventory Report
•	Feed Delivery Report skips groups closed before ending date
•	Added running total died by group in Input History Report

User Define Report

•	Can move calculated lines without losing line references
•	Added 3 new values to Sales/Moved Out
	•	Animal Days
	•	ADG
	•	Days on Feed
•	Changed quantity for income/expense lines from integer to 2 decimal places
•	Added Trait Range (see example from Open/Closed Groups)
•	Added Rate of Gain Table description

Feeding e.CLIPSE

•	Changed handling of split sales (between owners) to match feeding report (takes integer of quantity)
•	Added PigCHAMP Care interface (optional module)

Feeding Planning

•	Globally updates all budgets when Sales Prices are saved
•	Incorporated LifeCycle Budget into Cost Analysis Report

Smart Breeder

Input

•	Added Genetics and Origins to Breeding setup files
•	· Added ability to print Feeding Location and adjust printing options to Add Sow/Boar
•	Changed entry of Aborted Litter to not reset sow status if next mating has already been entered
•	1000 Day Calendar added to setup

Data Conversion from:

•	Dekalb Insight
•	PigCHAMP Care

Input by Sow

•	Added 1000 day calendar
•	Can edit/delete history
•	Can display (but not edit) baby pig death loss

Breeding Input and Sow History Reports

•	Added Group to mating records
•	Production Report new options:
	•	Print by Sow Genetics
	•	Can select first or last report period

Farrowing Rate Summary new options:

•	Date bred
•	Date farrowed
•	Group number
•	Can select first or last report period

New First Service Report



Sow Report Generator added fields for length of gestation
Sow Cards

•	Added generic PigChamp sow card
•	Added Gestation sow card

Technician Report added Total Pigs Born



Mating/Services Report

•	Modified to more closely match PigChamp
•	Added drill down by column
•	Added Average Total Born

•	Can build from non-calendar accounting year
•	Can update budget income and expense schedules from year-to-date accounting records
•	More efficient loan schedules processing when rolling over
•	Added incremental (installment) purchase flag in the Inventory Register
•	Added budget-to-actual unit comparison in TransAction Plus Account Summary
•	Allows budget options to TransAction Plus Income Statement

Automated Dashboard

Optional Multi-Company Batch Report

•	Combines FBS data from multiple companies into a single Excel worksheet
•	Or automatically creates identical reports for multiple companies

New Hosted Dashboard Service

•	Real-time graphical analysis and alerts sent to your web browser or smart phone
•	Now includes SQL data mining with Tableau™

For more information on FBS Version 8, call 800.437.7638 or e-mail sales@fbssystems.com.

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Join us for live overviews of FBS Version 8 on Monday, November 3, and Monday, November 10, at 10 am CST.  If you'd like to attend either of these meetings, e-mail norm@fbssystems.com by 8:00 am on the day of the webinar to receive login instructions.

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We're excited about the timely coverage management accounting is receiving in the farm press.  Farm Journal's October 2008 Top Producer magazine has just joined the game with the article, "Solve the Profit Puzzle."  FBS user Ron Swanson is mentioned in this timely story on making sound decision in the era of market volatility, rising input costs and new break-even thresholds. Click on the link below to read on-line:

http://www.agweb.com/get_article.aspx?src=&pageid=146098

FBS has pioneered management accounting for crop and livestock producers with its e.CLIPSE module.  For more information, call 800.437.7638 or e-mail sales@fbssystems.com.

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SOFTWARE Q&A – WITH Q'S FROM YOU, OUR CLIENTS! Send us your questions/problems–be they short, long, simple or downright frustratin'!–about SeRVware and we'll handle them right "on the air" for the benefit of all. This month's question covers the new way FBS Version 8 activates additional program modules or network user licenses. Q. How do I activate the optional modules available through FBS?  Also you used to ship a Network disk with your upgrades, but that wasn't included with my V8 upgrade. A. Version 8 includes an Activate Options function found on the Utilities Menu.         When you wish to add a new function, contact FBS at 800.437.7638 or sales@fbssystems.com.  Once your order is processed we'll e-mail you a software key.  Launch the Activate Options screen by clicking on Utilities | Activate Option and insert you FBS V8 CD in your CD drive.  Highlight the key code from the e-mail we sent, right-click on it and select Copy from the Windows menu.  Then move your cursor to the Activate Options window, right-click and select Paste.  Finally, push the Update Options button and you're ready to go. Note that you don't need to do this if the options are already running on your computer, even when you're installing a new version from a CD. You do need to go through this step if you move your FBS programs to a different directory or install FBS on a new computer. Here's a list of options that can be activated this way:      •  Additional Network licenses for major modules      •  Change from Standard to High-Security Network      •  Additional Feed Mill or Packer maps      •  Scanner Module*      •  Contract Module*      •  Inventory Register*      •  Feeding/Crop Inventory Valuation (e.CLIPSE)      •  Feeding/Crop Lower of Cost/Market      •  Standard Cost/Vendor Monitory & WIP Inventory Change Reports      •  Dashboard/Batch Reporting Interface      •  Data Import/Export module      •  Accountant Transfer      •  Intercompany A/P and A/R      •  Digital Paper Interface      •  Pocket PC Interface      •  Crop Yield Interface      •  MACH 2 (FODM) Crop Interface      •  Invoice Feed Sales      •  Point of Sale Top of Page         sales@fbssystems.com 800.437.7638

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©2008 FBS Systems, Inc.