Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/437909
58 Wines&Vines January 2015 grapegrowing and utilize as much of the important informa- tion as possible. IVIS' strong suit is its flexible and unique database, which provides great de- gree of customizability while maintaining access to archived information. AMS integrated winery information systems Founded in 1981, Advanced Management Sys- tems (AMS) is one of the early providers of fully integrated software for the wine industry. They support and sell a comprehensive suite of software supporting wineries from planting a vineyard to taking the customer's check to the bank to reporting back to investors and everything in between. They have 25 flexible and full-featured modules designed to work together seamlessly. It is important to note that AMS wrote the software and owns it, so it can be changed to meet the customers' needs. other softWare servIces This section includes two companies that have software for a special purpose. If your company philosophy is to create sustainable agriculture, then this software will help guide your process development to reach that goal and to make a profit along the way. IOS is the company that can fill in the gap if you cannot find the exact software to meet your needs, or if your company has a special software need and you want someone who understand the agricultural market that we embrace as part of the wine industry. SureHarvest SureHarvest's "five P's of sustainability" (prin- ciples, processes, practices, performance, prog- ress) is a method of aligning farming strategy with measurable progress to drive value. They have spent a decade in development of this strategic approach and wclaim to be helping organizations throughout the agri-food value chain become more successful. Their set of solutions pursue sustain- ability strategies—farming-management software, sustainability management soft- ware, sustainability consulting services and third-party sustainability certification— throughout the agri-food supply chain. Their clients span the agri-food value chain and benefit from SureHarvest's market ex- pertise and experience working with grow- ers, packer/shippers, processors, wineries and their trade associations. iOS Custom Vineyard Software Development IOS employees have been working in agricul- ture and/or software development since 1975. Their interaction with members of the agricul- tural community has fostered an awareness of the desire for systems that are powerful and fully functional without appearing complex or being difficult to master. In order to design a customized program, they devote time and resources to finding out what the customer wants while doing everything from working with field workers to holding meetings in cor- porate boardrooms. Conclusions Software for vineyards is diverse and complex, and picking the right software company should be a carefully thought-out process, as this deci- sion will be with you for many years. Flexibility and experience, but not the only ones. New companies can have just as big an impact since they are using newer technologies. The cost of that decision can be some difficulties in imple- mentation as problems are worked out with a newer company. The bottom line: Get your software sooner rather than later. It is not a question of if but when. richard Carey, Ph.D., is president of vitis Wine Center and winemaker for Tamanend Winery in Lancaster, Pa. He has written numerous articles about new technolo- gies for the grape and wine industry in Wine east and Wines & Vines magazines.