In this NEWS we discuss:
ACCLIPSE BENCHMARKIT/RED SKY SINGLE SOFTWARE SOLUTION
We are approaching a release in New Zealand & Australia of our new joint venture software solution with Acclipse BenchmarkIT. The final stages of fine tuning and testing have taken much longer than we expected and we thank you for your patience. Everyone has been keen to launch the software at the earliest possible date although it is essential that we have all the bugs ironed out prior to release. We are currently testing the integration of Red Sky with BenchmarkIT so that data can be passed seamlessly between the programs for final report generation. This is now in it’s the final stages and all significant development work is now complete. We will notify you as soon as we have a firm release date.
NEW ‘PICTORIAL’ FARM BUSINESS ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANALYSING FARM BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
Over time we have continued to shorten our reports so that they are easier for everyone to interpret. The latest development of this has been the removal of all numbers and their replacement with a pictorial depiction of a small number of KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) and KPD’s (Key Profit Drivers). The layout of this report makes it straightforward for anyone (farmer or rural professional) to identify the areas in a farm business that should provide the most significant improvements in profit.
We have developed these reports for dairy, sheep & beef businesses. There are also versions for accountants who complete the “Financial Only” version of Red Sky as well as consultants who complete “Financial & Physical”. Some examples of these reports are available from our website under “Reports Produced – Dairy” and “Reports – Sheep Beef …” and are listed as “Dot Assessment”.
INNOVATION & ONGOING DEVELOPMENT WITH RED SKY IN 2006
We are maintaining an ongoing software development program in response to our clients’ feedback. In addition we are keen to develop innovative solutions for users of Red Sky and Acclipse BenchmarkIT. This has resulted in substantially shorter data collection sheets (effectively half a page for accountants reporting on a dairy farm for example), automation and integration of data input, and new developments with the reporting format. We are also available to conduct in-house training on Red Sky/BenchmarkIT operation, as well as seminars on report interpretation and business analysis.
Some additional areas of development have included new Irrigation reports, updated Budget and Cash Flow reports that help track the movement of all cash transactions, and revised Cropping reports that are more in line with industry standards.
AUSTRALIAN 2004/05 DAIRY BENCHMARKS AVAILABLE
We have recently released our 2004/05 Victorian and Tasmanian benchmarks. The Victorian benchmarks are split between Gippsland, Northern Victoria and South-Western Victoria. Although levels of profitability are sharply higher in all regions given improved milk prices, there are a host of interesting trends within the various districts. All Australian benchmarks are listed at www.redskyagri.com/links/redsky_1_137.php
TASMANIAN 2006 DAIRY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The winners of the 2006 Tasmanian Dairy Business of the Year were announced recently. We would like to congratulate Stephen & Karen Fisher of Togari, along with all the other award winners. Red Sky is proud to be involved as a major sponsor of the awards. All participants have their farm performance data entered into Red Sky, with benchmarks produced both for the competition participants as well as for the wider industry.
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN 2004/05 DAIRY BENCHMARKS AVAILABLE MID-2006
We have been contracted to provide PIRSA (Primary Industries & Resources South Australia) with an analysis of their dairy industry over April-June 2006. This will result in us providing benchmark performance for the South Australian dairying industry, which would then be available to the wider industry by June/July.
AUSTRALIAN 2004/05 MERINO, CROSSBRED SHEEP & BEEF BENCHMARKS TO BE RELEASED SHORTLY
We will shortly produce merino, crossbred sheep & beef benchmarks for the Southern Tablelands (NSW) thanks to our involvement with the highly skilled and committed team at Boyce Chartered Accountants. We will also produce merino, crossbred sheep & beef benchmarks for South-Western Victoria. All Australian benchmarks are listed at www.redskyagri.com/links/redsky_1_137.php
NEW ZEALAND 2004/05 DAIRY BENCHMARKS AVAILABLE
Our 2004/05 New Zealand (all districts) benchmarks have been complimented with some Waikato & Taranaki benchmarks. We will shortly have benchmarks for Canterbury, Northland, Manawatu/Wairarapa and Southland. Also recently released are our 2004/05 NZ (all districts) 50/50 Sharemilker benchmarks. There is a host of interesting information within these benchmarks, both from a comparative basis when comparing to previous years as well as when looking forward to the next few years. All NZ benchmarks are listed at www.redskyagri.com/links/redsky_1_85.php
NEW ZEALAND 2004/05 SHEEP & BEEF BENCHMARKS AVAILABLE
We have recently released our 2004/05 New Zealand (all districts) benchmarks, which also provide interesting insights into the ongoing progress of sheep & beef farming in New Zealand. The accuracy and relevance of our sheep & beef benchmarks are in large measure due to the exceptional work of the team at Baker & Associates. All NZ benchmarks are listed at www.redskyagri.com/links/redsky_1_85.php
SOUTH AFRICAN 2004/05 ‘DRAFT’ DAIRY BENCHMARKS AVAILABLE TO RED SKY USERS
Our initial ‘draft’ South African dairy benchmarks (based on the data presently entered into Red Sky) are available to Red Sky users. We have not yet reached sufficient use in South Africa to justify the calculation of publishable benchmarks. If you would like more information on any aspect of our business in South Africa then please contact us at feedback@redskyagri.com.
If you would like further information on any matter relating to Red Sky then please contact us at feedback@redskyagri.com