As Nate mentioned in his article, we’re testing the batch scan capabilities of Viewpoint.  In the end, we feel it will be an effective tool in allowing a person to research and print from their office with no digging through a file or box just to find one invoice.  Plus, all the approvals (signatures), coding (general ledger accounts) and supporting documents, is on the invoice or attached. 

     Another project was the billing of Metro’s ready mix tickets.  To make a long story short, we changed a couple of procedures instead of the whole process that allows Metro to review their invoices before they are actually sent out.  This small but very effective change has made Metro’s billing process more timely and efficient.  Congratulations go out to Doug Harms and Donna Smith on a job well done.

     During January, we had an AR / Collections policy meeting.  The results were proactive in allowing us to make a more informed decision before extending credit to a potential customer thus saving time and money in the collection process.  Also, we added a $25 service charge on all Non-Sufficient-Funds (NSF) checks.  Like anything we do, time will tell how effective this will be and if any other adjustments need to be made but it’s a step in the right direction.  Kudos to these committee members on the time and attention they placed on these issues. 

     With Ada Spooner out on maternity leave from January to June, Vickie McDonald needed assistance with contract administration.  The help came from two fronts.  First, a meeting was held with all of our outside offices that deal with contracts and agreed to have each of them to set up their own projects within Viewpoint.  Second was Sue McCoy who stepped up and added her assistance, too.  Is there any job Sue hasn’t done?  Thanks for everyone’s participation.  As of the printing of this newsletter, Ada and the unborn child are happy and healthy.

     A committee is looking at a bar-coding system that is integrated with our accounting system -Viewpoint.  Even though our long-term goal is to have this working for us in receiving and allocation of parts from purchase orders to work orders, the product has a few deficiencies that need to be addressed before we’re on board.  Plus, this needs to be coordinated with the other projects that are currently a work in process such as the work being done by Will H. and Patsy P. setting up inventories at our outside shops and our subsidiary, L.L. Pelling’s conversion to Viewpoint.

     At the end of March, we hope to have the trial in Independence between Manatt's, Inc and the county assessor behind us.  The issue is the assessment of our ready mix plant for property taxes.   This event should have been resolved but weather and other circumstances have delayed it until now. Even though the trial will be over, the ruling from the judge will follow some four to eight weeks later. This will have implications for all ready mix plants in the State of Iowa and when the verdict is announced it will be discussed in the next Manatt’s Mirror. 

     In closing, while preparing the projections for our bank application meeting scheduled for April 4, I feel good about the 2005 construction year.  I do understand that Mother Nature plays a big part of what we can and can’t do but it’s ultimately our responsibility to perform our job in a safe manner so that we don’t place anyone at unneeded risk and the ability to have a GREAT CONSTRUCTION YEAR.