Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/561374
here are many ways your winery or vineyard can grow. You may be looking to expand, either geo- graphically or by incorporating new varieties. You might be considering opening a tasting room, changing distri- bution channels, or acquiring another winery, vineyard or related business. In addition to these outward-look- ing strategies, you're probably looking closely at your business itself, identifying ways you can get better at what you do – perhaps increasing your profitability or investing in infrastructure. These investments are just as critical to your growth. One topic that's bound to come up as you grow is your IT systems. As your business has evolved over the years, you've probably made software purchases along the way to accommodate an immediate need or sud- den market change. Like most growing businesses, you may find your business is demanding more than its old, disparate and disjointed software programs can deliver. Point of sale, inventory management, production management, direct-to-consumer order tracking, Outdated technology can be more costly than an upgrade Do Your Winery's Software Systems Need to Be Replaced? BY GARY VOLLAND + Many winery and vineyard owners are finding that their businesses need more than their old, disparate and disjointed software programs can deliver. + Wineries commonly amass separate systems for everything from point-of-sale to production management to financial accounting. + A company's ability to effectively manage and ana- lyze mission-critical information can mean the dif- ference between survival and growth. + As your software becomes obsolete, staff members begin accomplishing important tasks outside of the company's software systems – and that's not good. AT A GLANCE 9 4 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | S e p t - O c t 2 015 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m