This month, I want to share some observances made on a recent business trip. First, it’s a long drive from Red Wing, MN to Sheridan, WY, but the landscape and sites along the way are something everyone should experience at some point, and the destination is breathtaking.

Several speakers shared their experiences on how their businesses are structured and how they use financial information to manage decision-making processes in their operations. It was refreshing to see so many Red Wing Software users, and users of other software, take advantage of the capabilities in their choice of products to really analyze their situation and make sound decisions to improve profitability.

It was clear our hosts for the meeting held everyone that worked at the company to a very high standard, and likewise treated everyone in the organization like family. We should all strive to live up to the standards that were exhibited by their management team.

Finally, as part of the meeting, we attended a rodeo. When I see the physical condition that these cowboys and cowgirls must be in to execute their chosen profession, and the danger they put themselves in, it makes me feel fortunate to be in the software business. About the only time someone at Red Wing Software gets hurt is if they slip on the ice between their car and the office.

I want to congratulate Chad in our sales department on the arrival of their newest addition to their family. A beautiful baby girl.

- Ken Hilton, President

Crist Brothers Orchards featured in Fruit Grower News

Crist Brothers Orchards, a Red Wing Software customer, was featured in the July 2016 issue of Fruit Grower News. The story, entitled Modern Storage, describes how Crist Brothers Orchards and the Crist family use energy-efficient storage to improve the quality of their apples.

Willow Bend Farms featured in Farm Journal's MILK

Red Wing Software customer Willow Bend Farms was featured in the July/August 2016 issue of Farm Journal’s MILK publication. In the article, Banking on Dreams, John Mueller of Willow Bend Farms explains how they help employees build equity and build their own dreams.

• Julie's (Sales Consultant) son Joey graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. He was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, graduated Cum Laude and voted “Most Inspirational” by his track teammates. Celebrating in the picture with him is brother Jackson, two cousins, and Julie.
• Tony (Programming) has two goals for this summer:
  1. To wear pants as infrequently as possible (i.e. shorts only).
  2. To not put the roof back on the Jeep until Halloween coincidentally, his dogs, Arthur and Bertie have the same goals.
• Mark (Business Development) has been happily keeping busy with grandkids’ activities:
  • Alissa was awarded MVP of her high school softball team; she was also a team co-captain.
  • Ronan caught his first fish while in his pajama pants. He was in a hurry to get fishing.
  • Seager caught nine keepers for a fish fry later in the day.
  • Jeremiah Jr. wrestled in the state regional tournament.
• Jada’s (Support Technician) daughter Ava is part of Universal Music Center, who recently performed at the city of Red Wing’s "Concert in the Park" series. Ava shared both her singing and guitar talents.
• Cori (Quality Assurance) and Ryan's (Marketing) daughter Maggie celebrated her first birthday last month. The cake was a hit!

Dutch Hollow Farms featured in Progressive Dairyman

Red Wing Software customer, Paul Chittenden, of Dutch Hollow Farms, was interviewed and featured in the June 12, 2016 issue of Progressive Dairyman, in the story A Passion for Jersey Cattle and Mentoring is Key to Dutch Hollow Farm’s Success. The story covers the history behind the farm’s success, and how the family has grown the farm successfully over the years.

Dorrich Dairy featured in The Farmer

Red Wing Software customer, Dorrich Dairy, and the entire Vold family, were featured in the story Team Effort at Dorrich Dairy, in the June, 2016, issue of The Farmer magazine. The story focuses on the efforts of the entire family and the use of consulting services, and how they’ve proven successful on their farm.

With the relatively recent heavy rain storms and flooding in the southern and eastern United States, and the wildfires in the west, it is a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for a disaster. I sincerely hope all of our customers are getting through the unexpected events and/or recovering from the effects safely.

I have previously mentioned the importance of having your business information protected by storing data backups off-site and in places the data would be available to restore if the need arises. In the event of a disaster, Red Wing Software will do everything we can to help get your business back up and running by helping reload programs, etc., but we can’t help recover your financial information if you don’t have access to a good backup. Please don’t hesitate to call on us when you need disaster recovery assistance. One way to eliminate worrying about storing data backups off-site is to use the Red Wing Cloud Service which gives you access to your CenterPoint program and financial information in the cloud so it can be accessed anytime from anywhere.

I’ve heard the recent “Brexit” vote described as an “Independence Day”. As we enjoy Independence Day in the United States, and Canada Day in Canada, we wish the best of outcomes for our friends and allies in Europe. Please celebrate safely.

- Ken Hilton, President