Frequently Asked Questions

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Accounting Software:

I already have all the software for my accounting and record keeping so why would I need your software?

Computer Skills:

I'm not very good on a computer.  How hard is it to run the software?

Time Limitations

I would really like to use your software, but it is the wrong time of year and I don't currently have time to be setting up a new program on the computer?

Internet Access:

Does the program need internet access to work properly?

Spreadsheets:

I currently use a spreadsheet for my marketing, I really don't know how your software could help me?

Trial Version:

Do you have a trial version of the software?

I already have all the software for my accounting and record keeping so why would I need your software?

Accounting programs are great for recording income and revenue when they have occurred but most lack two critical things needed to manage risk in today's competitive environment.

First, accounting programs aren't designed to do "what-if" scenarios across a broad range of unknown yields and prices.  The best opportunities for marketing come when we know the least about what will happen in the future.  Our software is designed to calculate the outcome of such events, and quantify your risk in relation to crop insurance and marketing decisions.

Secondly, most accounting done for farming operations is based on a cash based method of accounting and done to manage tax liability.  Those records don't match up with your crop and marketing years very well.  For example, you may pay for expenses in 2004, grow the crop in 2005, sell most of it in 2006 and even carry some over to sell in 2007.  Most farms end up touching 3 or 4 tax years for every crop they grow.  Our software helps separate out that information and manage your marketing plan based on crop years not tax years.

I'm not very good on a computer.  How hard is it to run the software?

The software is designed to be simple and easy to run since it is menu driven.  It is also designed by a farmer so it follows the decision process of how a farmer thinks.

If you can get the markets off the internet, program a spray controller, or use a yield monitor you probably have the skills needed to run the software.

I would really like to use your software, but it is the wrong time of year and I

don't currently have time to be setting up a new program on the computer?

Most farmers are pressed for time and the program was designed by a farmer in the same situation.  The software doesn't require a lot of time to get is set up and running and to use it for some scenarios.  Most farmers with some help from the technical support staff can have a sample farm up and running in about 30 to 60 minutes.  Total time to watch the videos and set up your farm will vary depending on how well you know your numbers and information needed for the program.  Most customers will spend 1 to 4 hours total to get to the point of being comfortable with running the numbers for their farm.  On average, we spend about 45 minutes on the phone with the customers helping them set up their initial farm and files for their operation.

The software is also designed to not need updating all the time.  Once your numbers are in place, you can print the reports and follow the futures prices up or down the chart and know where you are at all times.  When you feel it is time to make a marketing decisions, simply go and run some new scenarios.  That may be next week or three months from now.

Many customers purchase the software and then install and use it during the next rainy day or when they get some free time.  By having it on hand they can take advantage of it as soon as time permits.

Finally, running what-if scenarios for the markets is a year around opportunity.  I have found that any time I spend on marketing and improving my decision making process usually pays me as well or better than time invested elsewhere.

I currently use a spreadsheet for my marketing, I really don't know how your software could help me?

The biggest thing that farmers find who add our program to their operation is that it allows them to run scenarios and combinations of decisions that they weren't able to do before.  Most spreadsheets don't integrate all the crop insurance products and scenarios into the marketing process in a way that they are dynamic and change as prices change in relation to futures, options, and marketing strategies.  Our program has several thousand lines of computer code embedded in it that allows it to do things that a spreadsheet can't possibly do alone.

Generally, our program doesn't take away from anything you have already been doing, but only enhances and lets you utilize that information in new and more powerful ways. 

Does the program need internet access to work properly?

No, future versions will allow you to check the internet for available updates, but the current version was designed to be able to run as a stand alone product.

Do you have a trial version of the software?

Currently, we provide a money back guarantee for those who try the software.  If you try the software and within 90 days are not satisfied, return it for complete refund.

Most trial versions of software are packaged in such a way that certain features are disabled or limit a persons ability to get full use of a program.   This presents a challenge to decide what parts of the program to disable for the trial period (futures?,Options?, Insurance?).

Additionally, it requires additional programming expense, administrative and sales expense to track the trial customers, and limits the features of the program.  All this would add considerably to the cost of the program for customers who do purchase the software.

We have chosen to allow the customer to purchase the program and utilize all its features, not limited ones, and then decide if they want to keep the program.  Less than 1% of customers have returned the software and asked for refund.