User Solutions Introduces SPREADSHEET MRP

Low cost, easy-to-use spreadsheet software for
Manufacturing Resource Planning of Materials, Labor, and Equipment.

February 22, 1994 -- South Lyon, MI: User Solutions, a prominent
spreadsheet enhancement and manufacturing software provider, today
announced immediate availability of Spreadsheet MRP V1.0 Designed for
production planners, purchasers, schedulers, inventory managers, and other
planning professionals, the seven integrated spreadsheet-based programs
provide a powerful set of tools to help users build efficient and accurate
purchase or production plans, reduce inventory costs, analyze historical
data, implement cost controls, and maximize cost savings

Broad-Based Appeal

Spreadsheet MRP is ideally suited for small operations moving from manual
methods to computerization because of its low cost and ease of use. It is
also ideally suited for large operations to complement existing systems
for flexible, ad-hoc reporting The program offers a number of unique
features, including standard costing, historical production reporting for
any time period, long range capacity planning, inventory management with
valuation, and seamless integration with most other software. Initial
installations indicate Spreadsheet MRP is applicable for a wide range of
markets, including: Job Shops and other custom manufacturers, Food &
Chemical Processing, and make-to-stock/forecast operations

Quick and Easy to Use

"We are phasing out a proprietary, rigid MRP System in favor of Spreadsheet
MRP", reports Jim Muraski, Production Control Manager of Assembled
Products Group, Wheeling IL "The other system required a significant
investment in training and upkeep - even for the simplest application. For
example, the old system took up 70 meg on the hard drive and you couldn't
easily call up an existing Bill-Of-Material to edit With Spreadsheet MRP
we remain completely in control of how much the system is used to support
manufacturing decisions. Our products are constantly changing and, for
only a few hours per month, Spreadsheet MRP provides the ideal format to
configure new Bills-Of-Material, prepare production schedules, and manage
our inventory Since we are already familiar with Excel, there wasn't even
a learning curve "

A Powerful, Flexible Tool

Central Gardens, of Lafayette CA, is using Spreadsheet MRP to assist with
standard costing, annual budget planning, production planning, purchasing,
and inventory management for over 175 end-items From redwood birdfeeders
to planters, Central Gardens has entered Bills-Of-Material information
that contains raw material requirements, sub-assemblies, cost data, labor
resources, and lead times By comparing production plans for 12 months,
they can maintain the optimal inventory levels for raw materials and
finished goods as well as balance labor requirements In addition, they
will use the program for cost controls by measuring and comparing actual
costs, for labor and materials, with projected costs

"This product is a logical first-step for us in implementing manufacturing
control software", according to Mark Cavanaugh, VP Operations. "At first
we purchased Spreadsheet MRP as an interim measure, something to help us
in the short term while we determined our long term needs for a higher
end, mini-based system. Due to the program's flexibility, we have been
able to do more and more with Spreadsheet MRP than we ever thought
possible " Mark continues, "Spreadsheet MRP is a quality product and User
Solutions is a first class company. Support is always prompt and courteous
"

A Familiar, Customizable Environment

Spreadsheet MRP will help customers maximize their existing investment in
software, hardware, and training Using familiar spreadsheet menus, users
create Bills-Of-Materials, also called Bills-Of-Resources, with product,
labor, and machine or workcenter information that can include amount
required, costs, routing, and lead times For these inputs, the user can
enter in a simple number, an equation, enter a link back to another
spreadsheet for desired data, or even download data from an existing
system, all from within the familiar spreadsheet environment.

Next, the customer can immediately experiment with various "what-if
scenarios", generating the most realistic and efficient multi-week or
multi-month planning for up to 18 time-periods At a glance the user can
determine if they have the capacity, for example, CNC machine hours, to
meet a specific schedule Once a schedule has been established, the user
can output a variety of reports, such as Gantt Charts, showing when each
Job or Production run is scheduled to begin, the quantity, routing
requirements, and estimated finish date Any changes to schedule, or edits
to Bills-Of-Material can be instantly made and a new schedule generated

Actual production can be posted with a single keystroke and inventory can
be managed, on a "perpetual" basis, including Work-In-Progress (WIP), from
a single screen All data can be sorted, formatted, and outputted per
individual preferences Included is the ability to integrate data with
other systems, for example updating a new master schedule on a main frame
or mini computer The spreadsheet's graphic capability enables quick and
easy presentation Additionally, the actual source code, referred to as
"macros", is included with each product, enabling customers to modify the
macros to further customize and enhance Spreadsheet MRP

Low Cost and Fully Compatible

Single user system is $744. Multi-user and network versions available The 7
templates operate concurrently with Lotus 1-2-3 (DOS, Windows, UNIX, OS/2,
Macintosh), Microsoft's Excel for Windows, and all compatibles Products
are guaranteed and available directly from User Solutions The toll fee
number is (800) 321-USER (8737)

User Solutions is a privately-owned software company headquartered in
Michigan. Founded in 1991, User Solutions specializes in providing
high-value software applications to manufacturers worldwide. In addition
to spreadsheet templates for MRP, Scheduling, Quality, Inventory and more,
User Solutions markets integrated manufacturing software for Job Shops and
other custom manufacturers.

User Solutions
11009 Tillson Dr, South Lyon, MI 48178
810-486-1934,  fax 810-486-6376

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