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Microvellum 2014 R3 Webcast – Recording

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Experience a unique webcast event where we will demonstrate the power of Microvellum’s end-to-end solution for design, takeoff, estimating project scheduling, project time tracking, engineering, custom product creation, optimization, reporting, CNC code, and more featuring our NEW 2014 Technology.

This webcast will showcase multiple presenters synced to a single database, performing real world tasks throughout a typical project life-cycle. This is your chance to see the power of Microvellum in action and experience the benefits.

 

 


Microvellum 2014 R3: Australia & New Zealand Webcast Event

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Microvellum, Inc., a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies, announced that on July 30th, 2014 they will host an educational webcast to launch their new Microvellum 2014 technology to the Australian and New Zealand marketplace.

“We feel it is important to have as many of our customers as possible participate in this unique webcast event. We hope that hosting this webcast for our Australian and New Zealand territories will open up the door for more people to see what we have been working on…” says Dave Peel, President of Microvellum, Inc.

“Our commitment to providing innovative solutions utilizing a One Database, One Solution has helped us create some pretty amazing new tools for our customers.  We are very excited to launch Microvellum 2014 and present the new tools on July 30th .” continued Peel.

Microvellum has been delivering innovative and time-saving solutions for woodworking professionals with one goal in mind: simplifying daily tasks to achieve maximum performance and profitability.  Their latest release, launched June 30th, includes new features and enhancements designed to improve daily tasks related to creating products and manufacturing projects such as increased performance, faster processing times, and new features for optimization, nesting, solid model feature recognition and MicroManger.

The 1 hour webcast will feature live software presentations to showcase the following:

  • Toolbox 2014 – New User Interfaces, Increased Performance, New Tools
  • New Optimization Tools – Stay Down Nesting, Enhanced True Shape Nesting
  • Blueprint Analyzer – The power to take your project bids from takeoff, estimating, and submittal drawings, straight to production in one connected software
  • Solid Model Analyzer – Automated feature recognition technology allowing you to convert your solid model designs into CNC-ready Microvellum products.
  • MicroManager – Redesign, New Tools for Project Scheduling, Purchasing
  • Fluid Designer – New Blender-based Design Technology

To attend this informative Webcast featuring Microvellum 2014 technology, please click the following link register:

http://www.microvellum.com/event/microvellum-2014-r3-australia-new-zealand-webcast-event/

Microvellum Toolbox 2014 Software Review

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WEBCAST EVENT – JULY 23 @ 11:00 AM PDT

Microvellum, Inc., a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies, announced that on July 23, 2014 they will host an educational webcast to showcase their new Microvellum Toolbox 2014.

Microvellum has been delivering innovative and time-saving solutions for woodworking professionals with one goal in mind: simplifying daily tasks to achieve maximum performance and profitability.  Their latest release, includes new features and enhancements designed to improve daily tasks related to creating products and manufacturing projects such as increased performance, faster processing times, and new features for optimization, nesting and solid model feature recognition.

The 1 hour webcast will feature live software presentations of some specifics features of Toolbox 2014:

    • 2D & 3D Drawing
    • Submittal Drawings
    • Product Data Creation & Maintenance
    • Custom Product Creation
    • Solid Model Analyzer (New feature recognition technology)
    • Processing Projects & CNC Machine Code Generation
    • True Shape Nesting (Updated & Enhanced)
    • Stay-down Nesting (New)

 

To attend this informative Webcast featuring Microvellum 2014 technology, please visit their site and register:

http://www.microvellum.com/event/microvellum-toolbox-2014-software-review/

Microvellum’s Micromanager 2014 Software Review

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Microvellum, Inc., a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies, announced that on July 29, 2014 they will host an educational webcast to showcase their new Microvellum MicroManager 2014.

In this webcast you will learn how Microvellum’s Micromanger can help your projects stay on-time and on-budget by seamlessly connecting each department within your shop with one software. You will learn how mobile technology connected to MicroManager can help your business operate more efficiently and provides you the insight to make sure projects stay informed, on-time and on-budget.

The 1 hour webcast will provide you a complete demonstration of MicroManager 2014. Here are a few areas we will focus on:

  • Mobile Payroll Time Clocks
  • Mobile Activity Tracking
  • Mobile Job Site Photos, Video, Documents
  • Reporting
  • Project Scheduling
  • Part and Product Labeling
  • Purchasing
  • Capacity Planning

To attend this informative Webcast featuring Microvellum 2014 technology, please visit their site and register:

http://www.microvellum.com/event/microvellums-micromanager-2014-software-review/

Microvellum Toolbox 2014 Software Review – Recording

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In this webcast you will take an in depth look at Microvellum’s Toolbox 2014 software. You will see demonstrated some of the new and exciting features added to Toolbox 2014 in the R3 release, demonstrating how with one software you can go from design to manufacturing.

This is your chance to see the power of Microvellum Toolbox 2014 in action and experience the benefits.

New Mobile Technology from Microvellum Offers Enhanced Jobsite Data Collection

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Central Point, Oregon – August 6, 2014 – Microvellum Inc., a leading cabinet and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies, announced new mobile technology for their MicroManager ERP software.

Have you ever been on a job site and needed to send important information about a project back to the office? New technology in MicroManager 2014 allows you to upload important content to your project database such as pictures, video, documents, receipts and more… right from your iPhone, Android, or Windows mobile device.  This allows you to keep your project sensitive content organized and in One Database for viewing or reporting. As a result, your mobile or remote employees can be more productive on their tablets and phones, while retaining a connection to a central database.

Mobility is a top priority for many industries and Microvellum is taking the lead in mobile connectivity for wood product manufacturing. With new activity tracking tools available in MicroManager’s mobile platform, your team can clock into specific project tasks such as field dimensions, shop drawings, CNC machining, assembly, install or any other user definable project activity right from their mobile device.  You can even use the mobile time clock for your payroll time clock and track the exact location where the clock in occurred.

“Microvellum’s new mobile technology is perfect for companies looking to provide access to project information in the field, but has also been designed to collect time from specific activities related to projects.” Says David Fairbanks, Director of Operations for Microvellum, Inc.

“This allows our customers to analyze project activity data and refine project bids with accurate prices based on actual time spent performing each task.”  Fairbanks continued.

Mobile Technology Features:

  • Contact Management
  • Payroll Time Clock
  • Project Time Clock
  • Activity Time Clock
  • Project Documents – images, video, DWG. PDF, Doc, etc.
  • Vendor Contact Information
  • Google Maps Connectivity
  • Geo-location Tracking

If you want to see this technology in action and experience the benefits of this new connected mobile technology for yourself, contact us today for a demonstration or visit us at the AWISA trade show in Brisbane, Australia or the upcoming IWF 2014 trade show in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

About Microvellum

Founded in 1991, Microvellum Inc. is a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies. Microvellum is headquartered in Central Point, Oregon and has offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Microvellum offers a single-source solution for 2D & 3D drawings, production reporting, labeling, job management, estimating, nested optimization, direct g-code generation and more.  For more information, visit Microvellum.com.

Microvellum to Preview Fluid Designer with Oculus Rift DK2 at IWF 2014

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Central Point, Oregon – August 6, 2014 – Microvellum Inc., a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD-based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies and Blender-based design software, announced that they will be showcasing Fluid Designer and the new Oculus Rift DK2 Virtual Reality headset at IWF 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Visitors to the Microvellum booth at IWF 2014 will be able to experience a kitchen design, built in Fluid Designer, Microvellum’s new Blender-based interior design software, in full 360 degree reality through the use of the Oculus set.

The Oculus Rift is a new virtual reality headset that lets users step inside their favorite games and virtual worlds.  The Rift uses custom tracking technology to provide ultra-low latency 360° head tracking, allowing you to seamlessly look around the virtual world just as you would in real life. Every subtle movement of your head is tracked in real time creating a natural and intuitive experience.  It creates a stereoscopic 3D view with excellent depth, scale, and parallax.

“This new headset from Oculus is like nothing I’ve seen to date and we are excited to be able to showcase our new technology paired with this new cutting-edge virtual reality technology at IWF.” says Clay Swayze, Microvellum’s Director of Marketing.

The Oculus Rift provides an approximately 100° field of view, stretching the virtual world beyond your peripheral vision. Your view of the scene is no longer boxed in on a screen and is only limited by what your eyes can see. The combination of the wide field of view with head-tracking and stereoscopic 3D creates an immersive virtual reality experience.

The Oculus Rift consumer model is not available to the general public yet and is still being developed by Oculus, a company that was recently acquired by Facebook.

“Only a few thousand people in the world have access to this latest model of the headset. If your curious and want to know what the future of interior design looks and feels like, come by the Microvellum booth (4547) and experience it for yourself.” continued Swayze.

About Oculus Rift?

Oculus VR® was founded by Palmer Luckey, self-described virtual reality enthusiast and hardware geek. The company launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund development of their first product, the Oculus Rift, a ground-breaking virtual reality headset for immersive gaming. With the support of top video game companies including Valve, Epic Games and Unity, the Kickstarter was an enormous success, raising over $2.4 million in funding from project backers and supporters around the world.

The team is currently developing the Oculus Rift in an effort to revolutionize the way people experience interactive content.

About Microvellum

Founded in 1991, Microvellum Inc. is a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies. Microvellum is headquartered in Central Point, Oregon and has offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Microvellum offers a single-source solution for 2D & 3D drawings, production reporting, labeling, job management, estimating, nested optimization, direct g-code generation and more.  For more information, visit Microvellum.com.

Microvellum Announces New Financing Program for the US & Canada

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Central Point, Oregon – August 6, 2014 – Microvellum Inc., a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD-based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies and Blender-based design software, announced the availability of new financing options for customers within the United States and Canada.

Microvellum makes it quick, easy and affordable to get the new tools and equipment you need to stay competitive. Their new financing programs now offer the flexibility to finance 100% of any software, service, support, and even equipment purchases.

“We are thrilled to offer such comprehensive financing options to our customers.” Said David Fairbanks, Director of Operations for Microvellum, Inc. “With the deferred payment program we have running right now, customers can start realizing the efficiency improvements and cost savings by implementing our solution, before they start making payments.” Continued Fairbanks.

Microvellum Financing allows customers to have the purchasing power they need combined with convenient low monthly payments.  From now till December 15th, customers can take advantage of deferred payments, paying only $99 per month for the first 6 months.  With competitive interest rates, flexible payment terms, and quick approval process, Microvellum is making it easier than ever for customers to start realizing their dreams and maximizing their potential.

  • In partnership with Ascentium Capital (a privately funded company, receiving major investment capital from Paul Allen – co-founder of Microsoft)
  • Financing terms ranging from 12 to 84 months
  • Competitive interest rates
  • No prepayment penalties
  • Deferred payments for 6 months

For more information regarding Microvellum’s financing options, visit http://www.Microvellum.com/financing/ or contact your nearest Microvellum representative today.  Interested in finding out how much your monthly payments would be?  Try the Finance Calculator.

About Microvellum

Founded in 1991, Microvellum Inc. is a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies. Microvellum is headquartered in Central Point, Oregon and has offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Microvellum’s technology is well suited for Kitchen & Bath Cabinets, Commercial Casework, Store Fixtures, Office Furniture, Closets and so much more. Microvellum offers a One Solution for 2D & 3D drawings, production reporting, labeling, job management, estimating, nested optimization, direct g-code generation and more.  For more information, visit Microvellum.com.


Proximity Furniture Setting New Standard in the Contract Furniture Industry

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Customer Spotlight

Proximity Furniture, North Carolina, USA

  • Market: Office & Healthcare Furniture
  • Employees: 26
  • Shop Size: 50,000 sq. ft.
  • Website: proximityfurniture.com

Twenty four years ago, Brian Frazier founded Proximity Furniture with the dream of changing the standard of custom furniture available to the custom office and healthcare furniture markets.  His goal was to build products that offered the ultimate in comfort, flexibility and functionality to his clients.  

“The contract furniture industry has been plagued with the lack of available tools to be able to quickly modify furniture. It seems like furniture design is always playing catch up to the fast paced needs in the market place.” Says Brian Frazier, President of Proximity Furniture.

“By utilizing our AutoCAD-based Software from Microvellum, we have overcome this obstacle and can provide our clients customized solutions that take minimal time to engineer, customize and produce.” continued Frazier.  

“In 2007, we started searching for software to help us improve our production and drive our new Komo Mach One Router.  Since we already used AutoCAD, we were looking for a solution that would complement our existing software and tooling. After evaluating several potential systems, we found Microvellum to be the perfect fit.”

“The open architecture, ease-of-use and outstanding product support and service really set them apart from others.  We love the open architecture of the program. The parametric logic is easy to understand and it did not take long for my team to be proficient.” 

After the first 90-days, we started noticing major improvements. Our design and engineering time was much shorter than before and the flow of project data to the shop floor for production was much smoother and more precise.  We’ve spent quite a bit of time and effort to refine our product catalog in Microvellum and so far, the return on our efforts has been exponential.” 

One of the key elements to Proximity Furniture’s model is, to give the client what they want; furniture to fit a new technology, to adapt to the needs of diverse employees, and to maximize desk space in the confines of modern office interiors. They have designed their product lines with sensitivity to human support requirements and environments.  They focus on comfort, flexibility, and reliability; making ProximityFurniture for the way you work.’ 

“Microvellum has done an outstanding job at helping us deliver quality products to our clients. We are not your typical cabinet shop, and because of that our product line it quite unique.  Their support team has gone above and beyond to help us solve unique challenges our model presents.”   “Microvellum is a cornerstone in our in our engineering and manufacturing processes and has proved to be the best return for my investment.” 

Today, Brian and his 26-person team operate out of a 25,000 sq. ft. production facility in Clayton, North Carolina complete around 240 projects per year. They are currently in the middle of 25,000 sq. ft. expansion project.  

For more information about Proximity Furnitre, visit their website: proximityfurniture.com

Want to see an example of their product flexibility in action, check out their video…

Microvellum 2014 R4 Webcast Event

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Microvellum to Host Webcast Featuring New 2014 R4 Software

October 1, 2014 – Central Point, Oregon – Microvellum, Inc., a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies for the woodworking industry, announced the release of their 2014 R4 suite of software products. This release offers many changes to the foundation of their products that help improve functionality, decrease processing times, and enhance their ease-of use.

“Our team has been working diligently to delevop, test and deliver our R4 suite of products” says David Fairbanks, Director of Operations for Microvellum, Inc. “As I’ve said before, our customers inspire our innovation and we appreciate the feedback we received on our last release.  We’re bringing even more advancements and speed enhancements with R4.” continued Fairbanks. Microvellum offers this update free of charge to users with a current Support & Maintenance Subscriptions. 

To learn more about Microvellum 2014 R4, register and attend their webcast event scheduled for October 16, 2014 at 11:00 AM (Pacific Time) 

  • Where: Online Webcast
  • When: October 16, 2014 @ 11:00 AM (Pacific Time)
  • Cost: Free
  • Who Should Attend: Business Owners, Project Managers, Engineers, Designers 

Register Now

Learn More About the 2014 R4 Update

About Microvellum

Founded in 1991, Microvellum Inc. is a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies. Microvellum is headquartered in Central Point, Oregon and has offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Microvellum’s technology is well suited for Kitchen & Bath Cabinets, Commercial Casework, Store Fixtures, Office Furniture, Closets and so much more. Microvellum offers a One Solution for 2D & 3D drawings, production reporting, labeling, job management, estimating, nested optimization, direct g-code generation and more.  For more information, visit Microvellum.com.

Microvellum Customers Make the Wood 100

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THE REBOUND CONTINUES, as evidenced by the success of North American wood products manufacturers highlighted in Woodworking Network’s Wood 100. The following Microvellum customers illustrate the strategies put in place by this year’s WOOD 100 class, as they continue to survive — and thrive — in today’s economy.

Learn more about the Wood 100

Category: Top Marketing Initiatives

Organization is key to developing an effective marketing plan. Whether it’s growing their own businesses, or helping franchises market theirs, these WOOD 100 firms are experts at promoting their goods and services.

Tischlerei Fine Woodworking LLC, Salina, KS — The future is bright for Tischlerei Fine Woodworking. A manufacturer of custom cabinetry and millwork, the company sells its products through kitchen and bath dealers in the Midwest.

Read about Tischlerei’s strategy and how it grew 133%

Premium Woods LLC, Lincoln, NE — Communication between customers, vendors and staff has been key to obtaining and retaining business, says Bob Long, president of the laminate and wood casework firm. “Implementing systems that create uniformity,” he adds, also “increase customer satisfaction and a better work environment.” Sales grew 18.4% in 2013 and look to be even better in 2014 with key purchases including a Giben edgebander and Gannomat drilling/insertion machine.

Category: Go-To Market

There’s no countering the fact that these savvy marketers find ways to separate themselves from their competitors.

Quantum Windows & Doors, Everett, WA  — Online marketing has helped this wood and aluminum window and door firm’s sales grow 27.5% in 2013, and the company is not done yet, says Stephanie Carr, marketing coordinator. “Top architects and contractors regularly rely on Quantum to provide the highest level of design expertise and engineering. This collaborative approach helps Quantum exceed customer’s expectations regardless of the complexity or size of the project,” she adds. www.quantumwindows.com

Category: Business Strategies

The path to success is not the same for every wood products company. Business strategies used by this year’s WOOD 100 range from outsourcing to insourcing, to expansions and training of workers.

Wisconsin Built, Deerfield, WI The architectural woodworking and restaurant/retail fixture firm attributes its success to its employees, including customer service and productivity skills. 2013 sales rose 5.8% and the custom manufacturer looks for sales to be even higher this year. www.wisconsin-built.com

Read more about Wisconsin Built’s business strategies

Colony Cabinets, Longview, TX  — The firm added a new warehouse, part of a $1.3 million capital expansion program resulting from its growing healthcare casework. – http://www.ccigroup.com/

Category: Productivity Enhancements

Getting the right pieces in place is a key ingredient in improving the productivity — and profitability — in the woodworking shop.

Stevens Industries, Teutopolis, IL — A full-line manufacturer of TFL and HPL casework and millwork, Stevens continues to focus on reducing scrap, lean manufacturing and improving quality. Its efforts have already paid off, with 2013 sales growing 8.8% – http://www.stevensind.com/

Read more about Stevens’ lean manufacturing and other strategies for growth

Category: Technology Integration

Technology can transform small-sized firms into production powerhouses, and enables large firms to batch-one process quickly and easily. The right route for success often involves ensuring that the proper technology is in place to meet the needs of the project.

Rodgers Wade, Paris, TX  — The fixtures and millwork maker revamped its 275,000-square-foot plant for high-speed production, including adding an SNX contour bander. For its efforts, it won the WMIA’s 2014 Wooden Globe for Commitment to Excellence through Technology. “We have had constant growth due to the commitment from our ownership, sales and entire staff,” says Darren Hamner, Director of Client Solutions. “In the past five years we have averaged 100% growth each year due to these commitments.” http://www.rodgerswade.com/

Category: Customer Service

Good employees are the first line of engagement when it comes to offering effective customer service — before, during and after the purchase is made. Good or bad, the experience can change the perception customers have of your entire business.

Antique & Modern Cabinets, Jacksonville, FL  — Quality control and customer service are integral components to the millwork and cabinet firm’s longevity and success, says Ben Patterson, vice president. “Meeting deadlines with a quality product is what sets us apart from our competitors,” he adds http://www.antiqueandmoderncabinets.com/

Quest Engineering, Richfield, WI  — A full service provider of casework, closets and more, sales for the company grew 64.9%, says Chris Lefeber, president. http://www.questcabinets.com/

Komponents Laminated Products, Oconomowoc, WI  — On-time delivery, at an affordable price, has ensured steady sales, says President Dave Keck. The firm is an international manufacturer of miter folded fixtures, furniture and more.  http://www.komponents.com/

Quantum Windows & Doors, Everett, WA  — Online marketing has helped this wood and aluminum window and door firm’s sales grow 27.5% in 2013, and the company is not done yet, says Stephanie Carr, marketing coordinator. “Top architects and contractors regularly rely on Quantum to provide the highest level of design expertise and engineering. This collaborative approach helps Quantum exceed customer’s expectations regardless of the complexity or size of the project,” she adds. www.quantumwindows.com

To view these and other 100 strategies of success finalists, please visit: www.woodworkingnetwork.com

Creating a Custom Product with Fluid Designer

Connect Fluid Designer to Manufacturing

Microvellum Announces Compatibility with AutoCAD 2015

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Microvellum Announces Compatibility with AutoCAD 2015

Central Point, Oregon – August 11, 2014 – Microvellum Inc., a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD-based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies and Blender-based design software, announced that Microvellum Toolbox v2014 is officially supported on full version AutoCAD 2015 and is also available as an OEM 2015 product.

The new release of AutoCAD 2015 offers enhanced graphics and includes an all new user interface; more command previews; galleries; new and improved text commands; a new lasso selection tool; and many other impressive new additions.

Autodesk really brought together an impressive new feature set and modern redesign with AutoCAD 2015.  We’re very impressed at what Autodesk has produced with this release and like where their development is headed…” Says Daniel Peel, Product Manager for Toolbox at Microvellum, Inc..

Key new enhancements include:

  • Dynamic Blocks. Users gain the ability to create and edit Dynamic Blocks—a capability previously limited to Windows users. This feature enables them to insert one block that can change shape, size, or configuration instead of inserting several static blocks.
  • Data Linking. Users who need to link a table to data in a Microsoft Excel file can use the new Data Linking feature, and their table will automatically update as external changes are made. This feature is especially helpful when managing large amounts of information about things like materials or fixtures.
  • Quick Select. The Quick Select tool allows users to quickly select objects based on query criteria, enabling users to easily select exactly what they need in their drawing. The Quick Select tool also includes a “preview” option so that users can see what they’re about to select before they commit to the selection.
  • Lasso Selection. The new Lasso Selection tool allows you to click and drag in the drawing window to create a lasso completely free-form selection method around only the objects you want in a very busy drawing area.

“This release has some rich new features but at its core, it is about eliminating dead ends that prevent people from being as effective as they can be when working together on design projects.” Said Amy Bunszel, Vice President of AutoCAD products at Autodesk.

For more information about Autodesk or full version AutoCAD 2015, visit Autodesk.com.

About Microvellum

Founded in 1991, Microvellum Inc. is a leading cabinet design and manufacturing software provider, specializing in AutoCAD based CAD/CAM/CIM technologies. Microvellum is headquartered in Central Point, Oregon and has offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Microvellum’s technology is well suited for Kitchen & Bath Cabinets, Commercial Casework, Store Fixtures, Office Furniture, Closets and so much more. Microvellum offers a One Solution for 2D & 3D drawings, production reporting, labeling, job management, estimating, nested optimization, direct g-code generation and more.  For more information, visit Microvellum.com.

Les Construction Expands From the Wood Shed to the Wood Shop

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Les Construction Expands From the Wood Shed to the Wood Shop

TWELVE YEARS AGO, Phil Cerbu and his Dad Les, decided to put the family shed in the back yard to good use. They had an old panel saw, an edgebander, a calculator, a pencil, a ruler and the drive to build a successful joinery shop.

Today, that once small-time operation has transformed into a highly competitive and profitable business, completing 50-60 projects per year, ranging between 60k to 750k each.

We sat down and spoke with Phil to learn a bit more about his company and his success.

MV: Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with us. We’ve heard a lot of good things about your company and wanted to learn a bit more to uncover the secret to your success.  So, how long have you been in your new facility?

Phil: We moved into our new factory about 2 years ago, around the same time we purchased Microvellum.  At that time, we only had 4 employees, but we wanted to plan for growth.  We have about 680 sqm now, quite a bit bigger than our backyard shed I’d say…

MV: Honestly, that’s quite amazing to hear that you started your business out of your backyard.  So, you had 4 employees two years ago, how many are you up to now?

Phil: When we moved to the new factory we added a fourth employee, but since then we’ve added even more. We are up to 18 full time employees. We have 2 designers, doing nothing but producing designs for clients, 6 installers out onsite most of the time and the rest of the factory is just buzzing with people. We even have the CNC running shift work just to keep up with the workload.  We could not have done it without Microvellum.

MV: Why did you look to Microvellum as solution for your shop?

Phil: We had multiple software systems in place before Microvellum came along, spent quite a bit of money that didn’t get us anywhere. We decided to invest in a single solution for our shop, one that would allow us to work with a single source for service and support.  We were a 4-man shop then, and thinking about implementing software such as Microvellum did seem a bit beyond our immediate needs, but we decided it was better to make the investment and get the best we could get.  Since then, we have not had the need to purchase any other software. In fact, we had to hire more people to keep up with the amount of work flowing out to the shop.

MV: I can definitely understand your frustration in dealing with separate software. I know you work with architects, so how important was an AutoCAD solution to your business?

Phil: Let’s just say that, if Microvellum was not based in AutoCAD, I would have had to run a second software system and it would probably be in the bin with all the other software we tried.  We work with a lot of architects and the people that I hire need to have backgrounds in AutoCAD, not necessarily cabinet making. It’s much easier to teach people how to use the software system to build cabinets, than it is to train them in AutoCAD.

MV: You certainly knew what you wanted when you set out on your search for software for your growing shop. What about flexibility? Do you feel that the software is easy enough to use and is flexible?

Phil: I know we’re probably not using Microvellum to the fullest and it’s capable of doing more for us, but honestly… it meets our needs daily.  We create detailed designs, renderings and can create custom products all day long and push everything to the shop flawlessly.  You know, at first, you may be intimidated by it, but once you’ve used the system for a while you start learning and developing new techniques that improve your workflows and design time.  Training will reduce the learning curve for sure. In fact, I think the training that we had was a good reason we were able to master the software. Without it, we would have been forced to learn the ins and outs the hard way.

MV: Let’s talk about the return for your investment. How long would you say that it took before you started realizing noticeable production improvements within your business?

Phil: It took about a week to become comfortable with the software, but in terms of real improvements in the shop, I’d say about 4 to 6 months.  Once the contractors in our area saw that projects were getting done quickly and efficiently, without any problems, word spread quickly.  One contractor spoke to another, and another and before too long, our work just exploded.  To this date, we have not done one bit of advertisement, just word of mouth.  Our growth has sort of been uncontrollable. Now, we are doing projects for builders that I would not have even had the opportunity to approach, all because of our capacity to get the work done.

MV:  Do you have a recent project that you might be able to discuss with us?

Phil: Yeah, sure… we had one a while back that was a curved feature wall with helix panels made out of laminate.  There were six different colors all together.  There were six other joinery shops bid for that project, but we got the project because of the software that we have. Actually, outside this job, there were several others that we got because of our software capabilities.

We had a builder contact us and ask for a feature wall. We looked at the plans, studied them and decided it could work, but we knew we had to work closely with the architect to ensure we were on track. We got a few DXF files from the architect and began our work in the software, creating each part that needed to be manufactured.  We packaged all the pieces together and took it to the site for installation and to everyone’s surprise, 2-days later it was installed.  It fit like a glove and went up perfectly the first time. Soon after the project was installed, I got a call from the architect who stated it was one of the most impressive pieces of joinery that he had ever seen.

I was confident to take on that job because I knew that I had Microvellum backing me. Without my Microvellum software, I would never had even bid on the project.

MV: What about the software made the difference for you to complete this job?

Phil: I would have to say that one of the biggest advantages we had with this project is that our solution is AutoCAD-based. Being able to communicate with the architect directly, working from the same program they do to pull the DXF files from their drawings into our system to create renderings and cut parts is such a benefit for us.  We’re able to see the project in 3D to verify tolerances and trust that when the wall was built, it would actually go together onsite.   Then, when we were ready to manufacture it, Microvellum created the machine code for my Holz-her CNC and the rest went together flawlessly.

MV: After reviewing the photos of that project, I must say that is one impressive piece of joinery.  Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

Phil: We have a lot of opportunities coming in the near future. Times are changing and to stay competitive you have to keep up with changes. I know just five years ago, you could get by without a CNC and maybe even without software.  Now, no one would even take you seriously if you didn’t have at least one CNC being driven by software like Microvellum.

MV: Thanks for your time today and congratulations on all your success! We appreciate the opportunity to play our part and wish you the best in all your future projects.

Profile

Company: LES Constructions Pty Ltd, Melbourne, AU

Contact: Phil Cerbu, Project Manager

Employees: 18

Shop Size: 680 sq. meters

CNC: Holz-her

More Customer Spotlights


What Every Business Owner Needs to Know About the Section 179 Deduction

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What Every US Business Owner Needs to Know About the Section 179 Deduction

THE SECTION 179 TAX DEDUCTION means it’s advantageous to purchase new or used equipment, vehicles, and/or software for your business.

In years’ past, Section 179 has gotten a retroactive boost, but to take advantage of the current deduction and any retroactive raise, you must buy the equipment or software before 12/31/2014. Use Form 4562 to claim your deduction.

What is Section 179?

Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves.

Today, Section 179 is one of the few incentives included in any of the recent Stimulus Bills that actually helps small businesses. Although large businesses also benefit from Section 179 or Bonus Depreciation, the original target of this legislation was much needed tax relief for small businesses – and millions of small businesses are actually taking action and getting real benefits.

When your business buys certain items of equipment, it typically gets to write them off a little at a time through depreciation. In other words, if your company spends $50,000 on a machine, it gets to write off (say) $10,000 a year for five years (these numbers are only meant to give you an example).

Now, while it’s true that this is better than no write off at all, most business owners would really prefer to write off the entire equipment purchase price for the year they buy it.

In fact, if a business could write off the entire amount, they might add more equipment this year instead of waiting over the next few years. That’s the whole purpose behind Section 179 – to motivate the American economy (and your business) to move in a positive direction. For most small businesses (adding total equipment, software, and vehicles totaling less than $500,000 in 2013), the entire cost can be written-off on the 2013 tax return.

What qualifies for the Section 179 Deduction?

All businesses need equipment on an ongoing basis, be it machinery, computers, software, office furniture, vehicles, or other tangible goods. It’s very likely that your business has purchased many of these goods during the past year, and will do so again and again. Section 179 is designed to make purchasing that equipment during this calendar year financially attractive.

Please keep in mind that to qualify for the Section 179 Deduction, the equipment listed below must be purchased and put into use before December 31, 2014.

  • Business equipment of all types including machinery, computers, office furniture, storage tanks, signage, and any other commercial equipment.

  • Vehicles designed for commercial-use such as 9+ passenger seats, cargo area of at least 6′, or fully enclosed driving compartment with no body section protruding more than 30″ ahead of the windshield.

  • Vehicles with 6,000+ pounds GVW (gross vehicle weight) qualify for Section 179 but are limited to a $25,000 deduction… basically certain heavy SUVs.

  • Off-the-shelf software readily available for purchase by the general public

  • Storage facilities and/or structures utilized for agricultural / horticultural purposes (Small disclaimer: main buildings / plants / offices don’t qualify. Think movable structures, grain silos, and the like.)

The equipment listed above need not be new – it can be used (but new to you). Almost any “portable” (non-permanently installed) piece of business equipment will likely qualify. If you have any questions on whether something you wish to lease or finance will qualify for Section 179, contact a certified tax professional.  Microvellum is not responsible for advise related to your company’s tax situation.

Does software qualify for Section 179?

For basic eligibility, the software must meet all of the following general specifications:

  1. The software must be financed or purchased outright by you.

  2. The software must be used in your business for income-producing activity.

  3. The software must have a determinable useful life.

  4. The software must be expected to last more than one year.

Yes, Microvellum Software qualifies for the Section 179 Deduction.

What are the deduction limits?

The Section 179 Deduction is currently $25,000 for 2014, with a “total equipment purchased” threshold of $200,000. This means businesses can deduct the full cost of equipment from their 2014 taxes, up to $25,000.

Section 179 is a true small to medium business tax deduction. If a business buys more than $25,000 worth of equipment, the deduction is unaffected until $200,000 is reached (where it then decreases on a dollar for dollar basis.) This means, at current limits, if a business buys $225,000 worth of equipment, their Section 179 deduction is reduced to zero.

With only a short time left before December 31st, consult a certified tax professional to learn more about this tax deduction that could help you get the tools you need to stay competitive in the new year.

Mission Bell Manufacturing – A Technology Company that Works with Wood

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A Silicon Valley Technology Company that Works with Wood

MISSION BELL IS A CALIFORNIA-BASED COMPANY that specializes in quality architectural woodwork, millwork and custom casework. Their work extends from the most intricate one-of-a kind quality woodwork fixtures to standard production cabinets. In addition to that, they also source and stock unique reclaimed and salvaged wood with great stories.

Originally named “Morgan Hill Millwork,” the company was founded in 1959 by Leonard Scianna and his wife Marjorie, along with two other business partners. In 1963, the company was incorporated and moved from Morgan Hill to a larger building in Santa Clara.

Mission Bell operates the largest custom millwork manufacturing facility in Northern California.

Equipped with high volume, computer-controlled production and machining systems and capable of double shifts, they have more capacity to process large jobs, or turn-around quick schedules, than any other millworker in the region. They prepare custom panels in their immaculate veneer processing lab and operate multiple spray booths for finishing. In 2012, they added a state-of-the-art IntelliStore material handling system, one of only a handful of such systems west of the Mississippi.

Their San Francisco Showroom is equally unique.

Conveniently located in the heart of the Financial District, it is an ideal place for customers and design/build professionals to touch and see a wide variety of wood veneers and treatments in person. Whether you come for a “Lunch & Learn” session, or meet for a private strategy session with one of our design professionals, the SF Showroom is a place you’ll want to visit. The Showroom is also staffed by Estimators and a Project Management Team, making it an ideal operational base for jobs located in the City.

  • An established showroom in San Francisco’s Financial District, in close proximity to many architectural and general contracting firms.
  • Featuring thirty species of veneer laid up on 24″ x 84″ panels, one side bookmatched center balanced, the reverse side slip matched, illustrating the possible design nuances in various lay-up techniques.
  • A library of dissimilar materials, as well as Reclaimed Recycled Material, that is typically incorporated into millwork assemblies.
  • The showroom features all FSC® green material used in the fabrication of our showroom paneling, and various millwork assemblies, and is used to illustrate and discuss millwork detailing, constructability and material specifications with our clients’ design teams.
  • A collaborative space for Design Assist on projects and an excellent space for project management for ongoing jobs.

Reclaimed Wood

Mission Bell leads the local millwork industry in acquisition and installation of reclaimed and recycled wood products. They periodically acquire quantities of rare, high quality reclaimed wood which can be easily incorporated in your green project.

Their expertise in sourcing unique materials and manufacturing with them can help ensure that your next project is a success. They can recommend reclaimed veneer or solid stock applications that will leverage the material and keep an eye on the budget at the same time.

There is a richness and warmth that comes from using wood that has been previously used or has been saved from being discarded. Most reclaimed or salvaged wood has unparalleled architectural quality and character – and often an interesting story that makes it especially attractive for projects.

For more information about Mission Bell Manufacturing, visit their website: missionbell.com

Mission Bell – Making News Headlines

Engineering and Technology Drive Commercial Millwork Producer

Article by: Karl D. Forth, CabinetmakerFDM

Mission Bell Manufacturing specializes in custom millwork and casework for commercial customers, primarily in California’s Bay Area.

“We design, build and install products for health care, technology, educational, hospitality and tenant improvement projects,” said Mission Bell’s Glenn Ripley.

“We manufacture custom millwork and casework at our shop in Morgan Hill, California. Our capabilities include in-house lay-up of custom veneer, CNC machining, and custom finishing.

“We routinely manufacture and install unique architectural features for high-tech clients in Silicon Valley and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Many of these items combine unique materials and require exacting standards. Large lobby features in office buildings are often unique and challenging due to their size or placement.”…

“We added the IntelliStore and a new Homag edgebander in 2012,” Ripley said. “We are now in the process of expanding our IntelliStore, and acquiring a new panel saw, router and roll coat finishing line.”

The IntelliStore system stores sheet goods (4 x 8 and 5 x 10 sheets) in a space-efficient manner, kits up custom bunks for processing as engineering releases work to the shop, and tracks usage of all materials for inventory and management reporting of activity…

““We believe changes in technology and manufacturing will revolutionize the high-end millwork trade in coming years. Competition will continue to be fierce, but companies who understand and adopt leading-edge engineering and manufacturing processes will emerge as the dominant players.”

Continue Reading at CabinetMakerFDM-digital.com

Glenn Ripley - Mission Bell Mfg

Profile

Company: Mission Bell Manufacturing, Morgan Hill, CA

What They Build: Architectural Millwork, Custom Casework

Contact: Glenn Ripley, President

Website: MissionBell.com

Employees: 190

Shop Size: 80,000 sq. ft.

Employment Opportunities: Seeking Skilled Engineers – Learn More

More Customer Spotlights

Microvellum Year End Savings

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Take advantage of up to 20% off all products, modules and licenses from now, until December 31st.

This is your opportunity to save BIG on software that can put your company on the path for success in 2015! If you already own Microvellum, now is the time to add additional users, additional modules or upgrade to the latest AutoCAD OEM 2015.

If your considering purchasing Microvellum for the first time, now is the time to invest in new design, engineering, and shop management solutions for your business. We know purchasing software that controls your shops daily functions and production can sometimes be overwhelming and time-consuming – which is why we do our best to provide you with customized demonstrations (not canned) to help you fully understand our capabilities and match them to your needs.

Don’t miss out on this savings opportunity… Contact Us today to set up your consultation.

Learn how you can implement new software for your business and not make a payment for 6 months. With the average return on investment being 6 to 8 months, you can recoup your software costs before you’ve even made your first payment.

Learn more about our deferred payment options

Have you heard about the Section 179 Deduction? Learn how your investment in software technology can be deducted from your taxes. (Applies for USA)

*Year end savings promotion does not apply to services. Offer valid for purchases completed between December 6 – 31, 2014. Promotion expires on December 31, 2014.  Maximum promotional discount of 20%. Offer varies per country.

MicroManager 2014 r4 Demonstration

Congress Passes Expanded Limits for Section 179

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IMPORTANT NEWS ALERT:

Congress voted on and passed the “Tax Extenders Bill” on December 16th. This Bill extends the previous $25,000 section 179 tax limit (applies to US businesses) that has been in place all year to $500,000!  Only this 2014 tax year will be covered by this measure. To make the best of this revised tax rule, you will need to complete your purchases before midnight on 12/31/2014.  This new provision does NOT cover the 2015 tax year, you must act now to take advantage.

 

Get the tools and software you need to gain a competitive edge in 2015 – act now and deduct your investment from your 2014 taxes!

For more details about the Section 179 Tax Rule and the “Extenders Bill”, visit: Section179.org

What is Section 179?

Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves.

Today, Section 179 is one of the few incentives included in any of the recent Stimulus Bills that actually helps small businesses. Although large businesses also benefit from Section 179 or Bonus Depreciation, the original target of this legislation was much needed tax relief for small businesses – and millions of small businesses are actually taking action and getting real benefits.

When your business buys certain items of equipment, it typically gets to write them off a little at a time through depreciation. In other words, if your company spends $50,000 on a machine, it gets to write off (say) $10,000 a year for five years (these numbers are only meant to give you an example).

Now, while it’s true that this is better than no write off at all, most business owners would really prefer to write off the entire equipment purchase price for the year they buy it.

In fact, if a business could write off the entire amount, they might add more equipment this year instead of waiting over the next few years. That’s the whole purpose behind Section 179 – to motivate the American economy (and your business) to move in a positive direction. For most small businesses (adding total equipment, software, and vehicles totaling less than $500,000 in 2013), the entire cost can be written-off on the 2013 tax return.

What qualifies for the Section 179 Deduction?

All businesses need equipment on an ongoing basis, be it machinery, computers, software, office furniture, vehicles, or other tangible goods. It’s very likely that your business has purchased many of these goods during the past year, and will do so again and again. Section 179 is designed to make purchasing that equipment during this calendar year financially attractive.

Please keep in mind that to qualify for the Section 179 Deduction, the equipment listed below must be purchased and put into use before December 31, 2014.

  • Business equipment of all types including machinery, computers, office furniture, storage tanks, signage, and any other commercial equipment.

  • Vehicles designed for commercial-use such as 9+ passenger seats, cargo area of at least 6′, or fully enclosed driving compartment with no body section protruding more than 30″ ahead of the windshield.

  • Vehicles with 6,000+ pounds GVW (gross vehicle weight) qualify for Section 179 but are limited to a $25,000 deduction… basically certain heavy SUVs.

  • Off-the-shelf software readily available for purchase by the general public

  • Storage facilities and/or structures utilized for agricultural / horticultural purposes (Small disclaimer: main buildings / plants / offices don’t qualify. Think movable structures, grain silos, and the like.)

The equipment listed above need not be new – it can be used (but new to you). Almost any “portable” (non-permanently installed) piece of business equipment will likely qualify. If you have any questions on whether something you wish to lease or finance will qualify for Section 179, contact a certified tax professional.  Microvellum is not responsible for advise related to your company’s tax situation.

Does software qualify for Section 179?

For basic eligibility, the software must meet all of the following general specifications:

  1. The software must be financed or purchased outright by you.

  2. The software must be used in your business for income-producing activity.

  3. The software must have a determinable useful life.

  4. The software must be expected to last more than one year.

Yes, Microvellum Software qualifies for the Section 179 Deduction.

With only a short time left before December 31st, consult a certified tax professional to learn more about this tax deduction that could help you get the tools you need to stay competitive in the new year.

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