July 2015 WINES&VINES 41
TECHNOLOGY
new data-input system. This point must be as
accurate a reference point as possible.
Most of the vendors will suggest that you
carry on a dual set of books for one or two report-
ing periods to cross-check the old system with
the new system and catch systematic errors.
Help when you need it
One of the most critical parts of a software
vendor's services in this business is their sup-
port desk. You are going to need their help on
many occasions, so it is critical that you call
and ask questions to see how the help desk
solves problems. Many of the vendors have
embraced remote access to your computer.
That way you both are looking at the issue at
hand on your device, and you will not have to
describe something or miss an important point
that could be staring you right in the face.
Historic data
Most companies can import some form of data
from a previous digital system. The most com-
mon data import is from Excel spreadsheets.
Once the data is imported from a database, the
ability to import data becomes more difficult,
especially if the imported data is based on
transactional records. Therefore, when switch-
ing from one vendor to another, it may be dif-
ficult to import prior data as a bulk transfer
without a lot of custom programming effort.
That said, Vintners Advantage, Winemak-
er's Database, IVIS, Vintegrate and Brecken-
ridge all have import service functions that can
take various levels of historic data and upload
them into the appropriate places in the data-
base. Orion and Amphora require customers
to enter data manually.
One strategy is to enter historic data in a
more global manner than the transactional
level (i.e., by day, month, quarter or year). In
this way, a lot of the trends can be captured,
at some expense of detail. Then at a later date,
the more granular level of detail can be entered
into the database.
Updates
All vendors offer some form of updates to their
software. Amphora offers free updates for one
year after purchase, and then you must pay for
additional updates. Although, given the cost
WINE PRODUCTION SOFTWARE SUPPLIERS
Company Phone Website
Acrolon Technologies Inc. (707) 938-1300 acrolon.com
Advanced Management Systems (707) 539-7990 amssoftware.com
Breckenridge Software Technologies (303) 267-0024 breckenridgesoftware.com
Fermsoft - Amphora Wine Log (905) 257-6527 fermsoft.com
InnoVint Inc. (650) 743-5575 innovint.us
IVIS Software - Innovative Vinology Information Systems (503) 922-3300 ivissoftware.com
Orion Wine Software (877) 632-3155 orionwinesoftware.com
Vintegrate, a division of KLH Consulting Inc. (800) 487-3363 vintegrate.com
Vintners Advantage (866) 647-3757 vintnersadvantage.com
Wine Compliance Alliance (707) 320-8575 winecompliancealliance.com
The Winemaker's Database Inc. (831) 465-8310 wmdb.com
WineTracker Inc. (415) 378-1430 winetrackerinc.com
Zoho Corp. (888) 204-3539 zoho.com/creator
For more information about the suppliers listed above, visit winesandvines.com/buyersguide or see Wines & Vines' 2015 Buyer's
Guide.
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