Business Automation and Software Blog

Linda Baran

Linda Baran is in charge of the people side of PositiveVision. Linda’s background includes working in a variety of industries including investment, manufacturing, and information technology.

Recent Posts

Solving the Sage 300 ERP Bank Reconciliation Phantom Balance Issue

Posted by Linda Baran on Tue, Sep 09, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

After spending a lot of time troubleshooting, I finally cracked the code on a particularly stubborn Sage 300 ERP bank reconciliation problem. This issue goes beyond a simple bug and can completely block your month-end closing process. Here's what happened and how to fix it.

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Topics: Sage 300 ERP

Can ERP Software Help With Tariff Uncertainties?

Posted by Linda Baran on Wed, Jul 30, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

As ERP software (Chicago) consultants, we understand how uncertainties can rock manufacturers’ plans. Manufacturers like certainty. I think we all do. We like to know that our lives are predictable, and that goes for businesses, too. Manufacturers thrive when they can predict supply chain availability, pricing, shipping times, and more.

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Topics: ERP software Chicago

Driving Success: How SYSPRO ERP Helps Auto Manufacturers Tackle Tariff Challenges

Posted by Linda Baran on Wed, Jun 25, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

Bet you didn’t have “tariffs” on your 2025 bingo card. We didn’t, either. But tariffs are now a fact of life. Auto manufacturers in particular are grappling with the challenges of tariffs. The 25% tariff on imported automobiles and a similar one on parts has really been a bump in the road. 

Fortunately, SYSPRO ERP can help. It’s designed for automakers in a way that other ERPs aren’t. SYPRO ERP can help make your company more efficient, so you can avoid raising prices. If you can cut costs, you can maintain margins. SYSPRO ERP gives you a powerful tool to navigate the new world of tariffs.

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Topics: SYSPRO ERP

ERP Trends: Specialized Systems for Discrete Manufacturing

Posted by Linda Baran on Thu, May 15, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

Among ERP trends, one stands out that we believe is here to stay: tailored ERP systems built specifically for different types of manufacturers. 

Let’s be real—an ERP won’t solve all your problems overnight. The needs of a process manufacturer look different from those of a discrete manufacturer. Process manufacturers deal with formulas and recipes. Discrete manufacturers wrestle with BOMs, production schedules, assembly, and more.

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Topics: ERP trends

Can an ERP (SYSPRO) Remove Barriers to Adopting Smart Manufacturing Practices?

Posted by Linda Baran on Wed, Apr 09, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

An ERP (SYSPRO) can help remove potential barriers preventing companies from adopting smart manufacturing practices. Smart manufacturing practices are part of manufacturers’ overall digital transformation journey and encompass technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), IIoT, cloud and mobile applications.

 

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Topics: ERP SYSPRO

Integrating Manufacturing with Business Through an ERP Manufacturing System

Posted by Linda Baran on Thu, Mar 13, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

An ERP manufacturing system helps connect all aspects of a company for optimal visibility. Manufacturing is separate from operations, sales, and accounting in many companies. With an ERP manufacturing system, companies can integrate the entire manufacturing value chain, including material requirements planning (MRP), master production schedule, manufacturing operations management, engineering change control, and traceability.

 

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Topics: ERP manufacturing system

Addressing Productivity Challenges with an ERP Manufacturing System

Posted by Linda Baran on Fri, Feb 21, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

Manufacturers seeking productivity gains should invest in an ERP manufacturing system as the cornerstone of their digital transformation initiatives. A recent survey commissioned by SYSPRO and conducted by Frost & Sullivan highlights the need for technology enhancements throughout complex manufacturing processes. However, several challenges stand in the way of adopting all possible digital transformation initiatives. Let’s explore these challenges, examine the state of complex manufacturing today, and discuss why an ERP manufacturing system can solve many of these challenges.

 

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Topics: ERP manufacturing system

When Evaluating SYSPRO, Resellers Are Part of the Total Package

Posted by Linda Baran on Wed, Jan 08, 2025 @ 08:00 AM

SYSPRO resellers are business partners who provide end customers with valuable software and services. They become your main point of contact during the evaluation and purchasing process. If you’re looking for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and are considering SYSPRO, resellers should play an important role in your decision-making process. Here’s why.

 

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Topics: SYSPRO Resellers

Production Scheduling Made Better with an ERP Manufacturing System

Posted by Linda Baran on Sun, Jan 05, 2025 @ 10:12 PM

Production scheduling has changed significantly over the years, and companies using an ERP manufacturing system to handle scheduling benefit from the enhanced efficiencies such platforms provide. If you tried to use scheduling systems years ago but found them limiting, newer ones built into modern ERP manufacturing systems will be a pleasant surprise.

 

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Topics: ERP manufacturing system

How AI Is Reshaping Your ERP Manufacturing System—for the Better

Posted by Linda Baran on Wed, Nov 06, 2024 @ 10:00 AM

Your ERP manufacturing system already contains some form of AI. Certain types of artificial intelligence (AI) have been used for the past several years to augment ERP manufacturing systems, enabling them to process documents and transactions efficiently, and provide predictive analytics. What’s new to these systems is generative AI (GenAI), which provides intuitive, conversational interfaces. Integrating all three types of AI with your ERP manufacturing system brings many opportunities to tap into the data within the ERP to improve process efficiency, forecasting abilities, and automation.

 

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Topics: ERP manufacturing system