FAQ

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Farm Business Software. Systems Integration that works.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I'm looking for the right accounting software. What do you offer and why is it different?
  2. I spend more time loading information than I do analyzing it. How could you and your software make a difference?
  3. I'm thinking of expanding but need to minimize risk. Can your software make the difference between right and wrong decisions?
  4. I worry about staying competitive in a fast-changing, high-risk environment. Should I adopt new technologies? Become more specialized? Expand?
  5. Satisfying everyone's demands--my landlords, lender, CPA and the government--has become next to impossible. Software that could help here would make a world of difference!

Question 1

Q. I'm looking for the right accounting software. What do you offer and why is it different?

A. FBS Systems offers accounting programs at two different levels. Which is right for you depends largely on: 1) the scope of your operation; 2) your plans for future growth; 3) what you expect from your software--both now and in the future. TransAction Plus, our top-of-the-line accounting module, is more system than program, setting the standard in ag accounting for nearly three decades. Unmatched power and flexibility blend with a myriad ease-of-use features. The results are performance and efficiency that have made TransAction Plus the most preferred among ag-specific programs. TransAction Plus will integrate with25 other programs to provide the exclusive benefits of simplified data entry and comprehensive cost analysis and profit-tracking. TransAction Lite, is designed for the smaller operation with one major business entity. It has most of TransAction Plus's features, but it's limited to one farm file and twodivisions. It has no integration capability but can be upgraded to TransAction Plus.

Question 2

Q. I spend more time loading information than I do analyzing it. How could you and your software make a difference here?

A. You should never have to load a set of data more than once! But if you're operating several programs, say production records, an accounting module and a spreadsheet all stand-alone this won't be the case. When you make an entry in one, you must repeat the step for the other two. It's time-consuming and unnecessary. If those programs were integrated, they would automatically share information. For example, when you record a sale in accounting, the entry simultaneously updates your production inventory. Multiple modules. One entry. While you'd be cutting keyboard time by weeks through the year, your records would be more complete and accurate. And you could access them instantly at any time for urgent decisions. FBS Systems pioneered integrated software30 years ago and has taken it to levels that may never be matched. Another way to melt minutes in front of the monitor is Electronic Data Interchange, widely used in manufacturing, distribution and services industries to trim time and cost of doing business. FBS Systems offers you this service to link with your buyers and suppliers and automate the recording of grain and feed tickets, as well as livestock and milk sales. The right input is always the key to good records. But simply loading the data is more mechanical than mental. Because records analysis is the step closest to your final management decision, it demands your prime attention. Systems Integration and EDI will speed you through the preliminaries, leaving you more time for the essentials.

Question 3

Q. I'm thinking of expanding, but need to minimize risk. Can your software make the difference between right and wrong decisions?

A. Sound plans are built on solid histories. Your production and financial histories are documented (or should be) in your records system. Complete and accurate record-keeping is imperative for viable projections. The right records enable you to identify your most profitable enterprises, farms or practices. You'll know which ones to discontinue or expand ... and how much to expand for optimum returns. Software from FBS Systems gives you the right records for the right decisions.

Question 4

Q. I worry about staying competitive in a fast-changing, high-risk environment. Should I adopt new technologies? Become more specialized? Expand?

A. Staying healthy and growing in a challenging industry are easier if you know how you stack up against competition. FBS Systems can help you through selective benchmarking conducted by firms, such as Latta, Harris, Hanon & Penningroth and Agri Stats, which haveaccess to production costs of some of the swine industry's leading producers. By comparing your costs with these operations, and use of other criteria, they can keenly evaluate your competitive status and set guidelines for future stategies. Coupling this expert counsel with in-depth histories you can only get from FBS integrated production/financial software would give you the strongest base possible for decisons on new technologies, re-deployment, expansion, etc.

Question 5

Q. Satisfying everyone's demands--my landlords, lender, CPA and the government--has become next to impossible. Software that could help here would make a world of difference!

A. One thing will answer everyone's needs and make that "world of difference". That's a good set of production and financial records. In 20 years of client service, we've turned Management Information Systems into Management Information Solutions. We've done it with the broadest selection of ag-specific software on the market, including modules that conveniently integrate for cost analysis and profit tracking . All your information is in one place. All the reports you'll ever need are complete, accurate and reconciled. Don't expect this from an accounting program you'd use only to balance a checkbook. Ask yourself, are you just managing information ... or using information to manage? Satisfy everyone, including yourself.