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Randy Smith

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CEO/Co-Founder, Vicinity Manufacturing

60 points

Co-founded Vicinity Manufacturing in 2001 after 15 years of sales and implementation of BatchmasterPFW. Considered an expert in formula manufacturing issues and implementation of applications to address that industries unique business challenges.

Randy Smith and 4 other people answered this question

Feb. 12, 2011

How should one weigh the pros and cons of going with an industry-specific vs. generic ERP or CRM?

I agree with Victor and offer up another possibility to consider. I see vertical apps vs generic erp as two extremes. I see a middle option here as well.
There are great examples out there of what might be considered generic ERP solutions that have ... more

Information Technology

Randy Smith and 17 other people answered this question

Oct. 5, 2010

Great Recession: hurt or helped your business?

We develop software to support the formula manufacturing industries (food, chemical etc - anyone with a recipe).
We have found that the chemical business has been down across the board but the food sector has remained strong. I attribute that to the notion that we ... more

Great Recession

Small Business Loans

Randy Smith and 15 other people answered this question

Sept. 14, 2010

What software do you recommend for managing a blog?

I have not used Wordpress but it is well regarded. I am using blogger by google and have been very happy. more

Randy Smith and 4 other people answered this question

Aug. 29, 2010

Who are the best SMB ERP vendors for paint and ink manufacturers?

We write software for this market segment and I can tell you in the $5-200million sales space the key competetors are as follows:
Vicinity Manufacturing with Microsoft Dynamics
Batchmaster Enterprise (not same as BatchmasterPFW)
Deacom
ProcessPro
Of course we think our is the best but ... more

Randy Smith commented on a brief

Aug. 20, 2010

Formula Manufacturers: Inventory Control Issues A Recipe For Disaster

I would add to your list.
- Backflushing is used to consume RM at standard rather than recording actual. Formulas are out of date and production folks are manually making changes to the batches or QC makes quality adds. These adds/changes are not being reflected ... more

Information Technology

Randy Smith and 3 other people answered this question

Aug. 8, 2010

Is ERP on the iPad a realitiy for a mobile enterprise?

We are looking toward the iPad as a data collection tool for a mobile QC technician out on the floor. From what we see right now it is a relatively low cost interactive clip-board providing real-time data collection into the server database.
I am certain ... more

Mobile Enterprise

Randy Smith and 6 other people answered this question

July 9, 2010

What are the benefits of an industry-specific ERP system over a standard ERP system?

As I see it there is another option to consider. We are currently talking about a Vertical ERP Application vs a Generic ERP Application and live with its functionality or customize. I think there is at least a third option - Generic ERP with Vertical ... more

Randy Smith and 2 other people answered this question

June 21, 2010

Health care overhaul- good for small businesses?

We have always covered our employees with health insurance. We are a professional services company so I think it is expected from our employees.
Our biggest issue has been finding carriers that will cover a small company in multiple states. That is not an easy ... more

Health Care Laws

Healthcare Suppliers

Randy Smith answered this question

May 23, 2010

Do you work with or for food and beverage manufacturers? Can you shed light on decision dynamics?

We develop software for food manufacturers so I can respond related to what I see at our clients.
The determination of what ingredients to buy tends to be with R&D/Food Science while the answer on who to buy from is with purchasing.
I would also ... more

Decision Influencers

Decision Makers

Decision Making Process

Randy Smith and 3 other people answered this question

May 16, 2010

What are some advantages vs. disadvantages of overseas manufacturing?

I agree with the above. Let me also add a more emotional - less economic reason. When you move your manufacturing oversees you potentially send US jobs with them. While optimizing profit is one part of the equation it must also be balanced with what ... more

Randy Smith and 5 other people answered this question

March 31, 2010

As a small business owner, what is the ONE problem which keeps you up at night?

My biggest challenge is finding staff that fill in my shoes. That is really more of an issue with me rather than them but when the client gets frustrated with the staff performance I hear it. So being flexible enough to give the staff room ... more

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