February 2024 FarmSmart Newsletter

"Great Grain Gulper" meets the "Mother Ship" at the National Farm Machinery Show.

Dear Friend,

Nearly everything is bigger, faster, and more automated at this year's farm shows. But how fast will this "big hardware" pay for itself? Relying on MASA "big software" management accounting to compute your own internal operating costs and margins will give you the confidence to make those six-digit strategic decisions.

In this month's news:

February MASA Interim CEO update.
FBS/MASA Users in the news.
Countdown to Commodity Classic.
Q&A: Check Register and Reconciliation reports.
SDG

Interim CEO UpdateMore Than Software

When MASA raised funds to complete the purchase of FBS Systems and make additional investments, the intention was not just on software development, but also on additional service to users. During the current ownership transition period, we are evaluating how to help our users be more successful in implementing more features that currently exist in FBS. We are contemplating several options that we hope will lead to a greater ability to service our customers. Those include moving more broadly to a cloud platform, adding new help tools such as chat, search, and videos directly in the software, creating more structure around data location and backups, and adding personnel or third-party providers of support and consulting. Now is an important time as strategic decisions are being made, so if you have any suggestions for ways to improve the support experience, please send them to feedback@fbssystems.com.

The second task we are busy with is the release of version 12.1. This release represents the most dramatic and challenging upgrade to FBS software since MASA began rewriting the code four years ago. It involves a complete overhaul of the data structure into a relational database. This restructuring of data will allow for better connectivity, both import and export, to other software solutions. With 12.1, FBS is also moving to a more complete and robust cloud environment. This will ensure better ability to provide customer support and greater data security into the future. Version 12.1 is currently in beta testing because we want to be certain that it is working perfectly before we scale it out to customers. And because it is a big change, the process of rolling out the upgrade will take several months to complete. As users, you should expect and plan on a personal consultation with FBS before implementing version 12.1. We will be in touch.

Finally, as mentioned above, this period of transition in ownership to MASA involves a lot of discussion, evaluation, and strategic planning. If you have any thoughts or comments about FBS software and its future, please let us know. The email for this is feedback@fbssystems.com. Brian Watkins 3

Brian Watkins
MASA Board Member
and Interim CEO

(brian@kenton.com)

Editor's note: Meet Brian in the MASA booth at the Commodity Classic (see article below).

FBS/MASA Users in the News

DTN/Progressive Farmer's America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers program profiles Kasey Bamberger and Heath Bryant, Bryant Agricultural Enterprise, Washington Court House, Ohio.

Technology gives Bryant Ag the ability to conserve and to scale.

"There's a lot of talk around autonomous tractors and drone applications," Heath says. "But, I would say we are more heavily investing our time and energy in better understanding how we continue to push sustainability."