CPIM Certification Classes
Introducing the lowest cost (and fastest track) opportunity ever to get your CPIM certification. Hosted by PSSI, meeting on Saturdays to not interfere with your job, You can earn your certification in a fraction of the time normally invested in the program.
Don't Miss This Opportunity...
(For specific information about this training, call Jackie, Brian or Mike at 574-239-2444. But don't delay. Get in on the ground floor to help us with the planning.)
What Is CPIM?
CPIM or Certified in Production and Inventory management is a professional certification created by the Association for Operations Management. The program was founded in 1973.
To date, the CPIM program has educated more than 75,000 manufacturing professionals. CPIM designees learn essential terminology, concepts, and strategies related to demand management, procurement and supplier planning, material requirements planning, capacity requirements planning, sales and operations planning, master scheduling, performance measurements, supplier relationships, quality control, and continuous improvement.
Benefits Ted Myers will realize from becoming Certified in Production and Inventory Management
Benefits to Productivity Strategies & Solutions, Inc. from having CPIM people on staff
What is APICS? 
APICS, The Association for Operations Management, is a not-for-profit international education organization, offering certification programs, training tools and networking opportunities to increase workplace performance. It was founded in 1957 as the American Production and Inventory Control Society, and currently has about 77,000 individual and corporate members in over 25,000 affiliates worldwide. The organization is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
APICS defines operations management as "the field of study that focuses on the effective planning, scheduling, use and control of a manufacturing or service organization through the study of concepts from design engineering, industrial engineering, management information systems, quality management, production management, inventory management, accounting, and other functions as they affect the organization" (APICS Dictionary, 11th edition). While the main thrust of APICS' knowledge is on improving corporate profits by removing hidden costs, APICS is also considered an authority on business management systems such as MRP and ERP, Just In Time, and Zero Defects.
APICS awards three professional designations: APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management), APICS CIRM (Certified in Integrated Resource Management) and APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional). The CFPIM (Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management) has only been achieved by about 1200 masters of the APICS CPIM body of knowledge. The CIRM program will be discontinued in 2008 although the CIRM certification will continue to be recognized by APICS.
Call Jackie, Brian or Mike at 574-239-2444. But don't delay. Get in on the ground floor to help us with the planning.
About PSSI | Event History
November 17 , 2008: Getting Lean: Adopting Lean Practices in Your Business
(A seminar for Small Businesses)
Better, Faster,Cheaper: Leveraging the Success of Lean Principles in Your Business Today
To register, contact Erin Heldstab at the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce at: 574-234-0051 ext. 274
“Lean” has spread well beyond manufacturing, into all facets of business today, because all businesses profit from reducing waste, streamlining processes and eliminating the things that don’t deliver value to our customers.
At this seminar, learn how to apply lean principles coupled with the intelligent application of software to reduce waste and paper, streamline operations, and deliver better returns to your bottom line and more value to your customer.
We’ll explore the application of lean in departments like Sales, Production & Operations, Distribution, Order Entry, and Accounting – regardless of industry. While lean is particularly effective in manufacturing and warehousing (and those sectors will find this session of particular interest), the same principles have proven effective in a range of industries and companies.
Attend this two-hour session to gain understanding of how lean can impact your company. It’s sure to spark conversation about how you can start making meaningful improvements today!
This event is offered by the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, Advanced Performance, Inc., and PSSI.
The Getting Lean seminar slated for:
Monday, November 17th.
8:00 - 10:00 am
Chamber Briefing Center
The Commerce Center
401 E. Colfax Ave.
South Bend, IN
September 25 , 2008: ALERE Manufacturing & Accounting systems from TIW Corporation, Inc.
Key features within ALERE Manufacturing have the potential to help you significantly improve your manufacturing operation and reduce costs.
To sign up for this program, go to the TIW ALERE Seminar Registration page.
- If your company relies heavily on bills of material for products with features and options, then modular bills could have a huge impact on the management of those bills and the costs associated with them.
- If you have bills of material for products that are essentially the same except for components that have a variable quantity, then variable bills can greatly reduce the number of part numbers and bills you must create and maintain.
- Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is the heart of any system for controlling inventory intensive manufacturing processes. ALERE Manufacturing brings more than fifteen years of practical experience to this critical function.
- Finite Capacity Scheduling (FCS) takes each work order, assigns it a priority, looks at the route to build it, reserves time on the work centers it will use, and comes up with a date when it is expected be done.
June 19, 2008: ROUNDUP RETURNS. PSSI will host our 8th annual Roundup Customer Conference.
After a year's hiatus, PSSI is delighted to host our 8th annual Roundup Customer Conference. Learn about the latest in software technology innovations from many of the industry's leading names and providers.
Once a year, on one day, in one place Midwest companies can:
- SEE the leading business management technology & software solutions
- COMPARE choices from among the best manufacturing, distribution, barcode, webstore, warehouse, CRM, archive & security solutions available today
- LEARN from leading business consultants how to improve profits, reduce costs, empower your staff, eliminate waste, lean out your processes, improve tech ROI, and much more
For copies of the Presentations, in PowerPoint or pdf format, click on the following link to the : Presentation Request Form
And it’s all FREE at our 8th annual Roundup!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
8:00 am - 4:30 pmContinental Breakfast & Lunch Will be Served
6561 Lonewolf Dr., Suite 200
South Bend, IN 46628
Join us and area business owners & managers for a day that includes:
* 13 information-filled breakouts on topics of timely interest today
* Opportunities to meet with key technology provider executives
* Software demonstrations
* Private meetings
* Free continental breakfast, and free lunch
* Door prizes and giveaways
April 10, 2008: “Lean” Down as You Beef Up:
How to Use “Lean” Processes to Improve Your Business Performance
“Lean” is a process of breaking processes down, simplifying them, then recreating procedures for business improvement. As you implement a Lean philosophy you will realize more efficient production and improved customer service while requiring less time and labor and reducing costs.
At this half-day free seminar you'll learn about the basic "blocking and tackling" techniques that get results NOW ! You'll learn:
- What “Lean” means in the real world – YOUR world
- How to execute Lean in YOUR organization -- without upsetting the apple cart
- Why Lean is appropriate for any size business, not just the “big guys”
- The benefits you can realistically expect from Lean
- 5 Steps you can use today to implement Lean in your business
- How to advance the entire plant and system by focusing on people and processes
- ANSWER THE QUESTION: HOW DO WE DO IT HERE ?
With the help of Advanced Performance, Inc. -- professionals with over15 years of Lean implementation experience -- you will learn how to make it happen at your company – now! This will be an interactive session with room for give and take -- including a discussion of Advanced Manufacturing techniques that you can use to get bottom line results quickly.
Owners and general managers should attend this valuable (but free) seminar particularly if your firm:
- Engineers to order
- Makes to order
- Configures to order
Attendees at this seminar will also learn how to qualify for a no charge assessment at your plant.
When: April 10, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.
Where: PSSI Offices
6561 Lonewolf Dr., Suite 200
South Bend, Indiana 46628
Cost: No Charge
Includes Continental Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.Phone Registration: Call PSSI: 574-239-2444
Toll Free: 877-273-2444
October 30, 2007; 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. – MANAGING Your Business Using Microsoft Dynamics-NAV (Navision)
Microsoft Dynamics-NAV 5.0 will help you manage your business more efficiently and effectively.
Microsoft Dynamics-NAV (formerly "Navision") is the fastest growing ERP solution in the mid-market today. If you're a manufacturer, you owe it to yourself to attend this seminar and find out what thousands of manufacturers worldwide have already learned: that when it comes to MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS and gaining the competitive edge that comes from fast, flexible and powerful business intelligence ... Microsoft Dynamics NAV (i.e., "Navision") is the name to know!
Productivity Solutions is an authorized Microsoft Dynamics-NAV reseller and a Microsoft Small Business Specialist. We present this seminar in conjunction with our friends at Microsoft and Cost Control Software, Inc. (a certified Microsoft ISV Partner) in the interest of educating small to mid-size manufacturing and distribution companies on options available to you to better manage your business, with the premier business intelligence tools on the market today.
At this seminar, you'll learn what Dynamics-NAV can do for your manufacturing enterprise: the tool s ... the applications ... the role-based views of the enterprise ... the amazing drill-down and reporting capabilities ... it's all here! And like all PSSI seminars this one too is absolutely FREE. Even the breakfast is on us!
In today's environment, everybody contributes to the business' success -- now, learn how the "people-ready" approach to Microsoft Dynamics-NAV will enable your firm to lean out processes and maximize efficiencies straight down to the bottom line.
Topics to be covered include:
- Manufacturing, Job Shops and Microsoft Dynamics-NAV - How Navision helps you manage -- better!
- Mass Production and Microsoft Dynamics-NAV
- Distribution and Microsoft Dynamics-NAV
- Microsoft Office Integration with Microsoft Dynamics-NAV
- Business Intelligence – the competitive edge!
Date/Time/Location:
- Tuesday, October 30, 2007
- Continental Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
- Seminar: 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
- Speakers: Rick Baxter and Julia Baxter, Cost Control Software - Microsoft Certified ISV Partner and leading national Navision experts
- Location: PSSI's Offices
September 27, 2007; Noon - 5:00 p.m. – Maximizing Your Cash Flow and Profitability Using Scientific Methods and Principles
At this seminar you will discover how to:
Maximize Profitability
Determine what drives your profitability
Make management decisions that are aligned with your profitability goals
Increase profitability with no corresponding increase in expenses or capital investment
Discover 3 decision rules and 4 metrics that can be immediately put to use.
Achieve a Viable Vision
Use a process that leads to achieving rapid, substantial growth (a Viable Vision)
Make investment decisions that enable growth
Devise strategies that maximize profits and lead to a Viable Vision
Create an "Unrefusable" Market Offer
Use a technique to help you understand your capabilities, industry and customers
Develop a market offer that your customers would consider
The steps necessary to deliver an "unrefusable" market offer
Using The Theory of Constraints, as developed by the Avraham Y. Goldratt Institute, Dr. Donn J. Novotny helps companies build profits through the development, dissemination, and application of many powerful tactical solutions derived from this theory.
As President of The Goal Institute, Dr. Novotny does “results-based” consulting. 90% of his fees are based on results. And the fees are dependant upon actual bottom-line results, not just accomplishing tasks. If your sales and profits don't increase then you don't pay the bonuses. Period.
June 27, 2007 — Productivity Strategies & Solutions, Inc. Customer Appreciation Day
For nearly 20 years, the staff at Productivity Solutions has been serving the information processing needs in the regional business community - albeit organized as a different company. To show our appreciation to our customers, we are hosting a Customer Appreciation Day / Open House at our office on Wednesday, June 27th, from noon 'til 5:00 p.m.
Our Open House / Customer Appreciation Day is aimed at introducing you to the most valuable and current information on using software to run your business today. You may recall our previous Roundups of past years. This year, we’re doing a scaled down version specifically for clients of our solutions from Sage Software, Inc. In addition, we are holding the event at our offices, to make it easier to demo software, meet privately, and answer your questions.
Plus, this year’s event is only one-half day, jam-packed with the latest news and information to help you better plan, run and grow your business. We won’t waste your time, but we will help you grow your business!
March 15 , 2007 — Business Intelligence Benefits of Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 Version 4.2 and Visual Interrogator™
You and your staff invest hundreds or thousands of hours every year entering data into your computers. What is the value of the information coming out? Attend the Business Intelligence Benefits Seminar at PMI on March 15th to learn how to minimize data entry time and maximize your business intelligence output using MAS 90 and 200 Version 4.2 and Visual Interrogator.
Among the highlights of MAS 90 version 4.2 you will see are:
- The amazing Business Insights Explorer which will help you enhance customer interactions and improve operations monitoring, along with giving you a more efficient user experience
- A new grid-based user interface and improved personalization, customization, and integration capabilities for Accounts Payable completes the new Business Object Framework initiative for all core accounting applications
- New integrations with ACT! by Sage and SageCRM will provide you with more streamlined sales entry, easier data maintenance, more effective relationship-building tools, and more
Visual Interrogator is perhaps the most powerful, easy to use business information reporting and charting system on the market today, providing actionable information from Sage MAS 90 and 200, and other databases you may currently be using. VI provides you with additional capabilities which are especially powerful if you have data stored in multiple databases and different formats. See how you can quickly and easily unlock the potential of your business through flexible multi-database custom reporting.
February 22 , 2007 — Business Intelligence Benefits of Sage (Accpac) Pro ERP Version 7.4 and Visual Interrogator™
Whether you are currently using one of the versions of Sage Pro (a/k/a SBT Pro Series, Accpac Pro Series), or looking for an outstanding accounting, manufacturing and distribution system, you owe it to yourself to look at Sage Pro Version 7.4. In Sage Pro V7.4, Sage has introduced 90 functional enhancements. Additionally, there are 131 enhancements to the "user interface" and data management... features designed to make your job simpler and your life easier. Of course, Sage Pro ERP remains completely modifiable to precisely match your business needs.
Visual Interrogator provides you with additional capabilities which are especially powerful if you have data stored in multiple databases and different formats. VI allows you to quickly and easily unlock the potential of your business through flexible multi-database custom reporting.
January 16, 2007 — Unlocking the Potential of Your Business Data with Visual Interactions™
As a business executive, you understand that your company's sustained success rests heavily on the ability to convert data into actionable information in order to make informed business decisions. Ultimately, access to data and the ability to analyze it quickly assists you in your constant efforts to increase profitability.
Visual Interactions allows you to quickly and easily unlock the potential of your business by providing a complete end-to-end business analytics solution to retrieve, analyze and distribute data results. The Visual Interactions solution comes ready to use with your existing financial system and is quick to implement with everything needed for analysis, reporting, and decision making.
PMI Roundup August 17, 2006
PMI's 7th Annual Roundup, a day-long series of educational seminars on Business Policies, Procedures and Information systems, was held at the Windsor Park Conference Center in Edison Lakes, Mishawaka, IN, on August 17, 2006.
PLUS: Special Keynote Presentation by Dr. Donn Novotny:
Viable Vision: Turn your top line into your bottom line in four years
For our 7th annual Roundup event, we have put the emphasis on the issues that affect you in your efforts to grow, manage and improve your business.
This year’s three break-out session tracks will focus on:
- Business Strategy for today’s changing environment
- New Technologies to help you manage and grow
- Software Success Stories and Enhancements
May 25, 2006 Developing Life-long Relationships With Your Customers
PMI, in conjunction with Zig Ziglar Training Systems and Sage Software, sponsored an educational seminar on Maintaining Customer Relationships. The event, held at the PMI offices in South Bend, IN, drew a substantial crowd. The featured speaker was Krish Dhanam from Ziglar Training Systems. Krish is a true product of Ziglar Training Systems. Born in South India, Krish came to the United States in 1986 to achieve his dreams and fulfill his potential. By teaching and facilitating seminars across the globe Krish launched his professional speaking career. Today he has successfully spread the message of hope, preparedness and change in sixteen countries and forty states across America. Testimonials validating his superior presentation style, technique and humor have been received from the likes of Christian Dior, Lennar Homes, State Farm Insurance, Nortel, EDS and Weyerhauser. Krish is the author of The American Dream from an Indian Heart, released early in 2005, and was a contributing author to Top Performance, written by Zig Ziglar.
May 25, 2006, at the PMI Office in South Bend
7:30 Continental Breakfast
8:30 Seminar presentation by Krish Dhanam
10:30 Seminar wrap-up
November 29, 2005: Introduction to MAS 90 and MAS 200 Version 4.1
What can MAS 90 or MAS 200 Version 4.1 do for your business? During this free, three hour seminar, we will review the considerable enhancements to be found in Version 4.1. Sage Software, the publisher of MAS 90 and MAS 200, has called this the most significant version of the software since the release of MAS90 for Windows. This is your opportunity to learn about the enhancements, first hand. All attendees will receive a free copy of the Sage white paper: "Release Guide to Version 4.1"
Times: 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. on November 29, 2005
Refreshments: 30 Minutes prior to starting time
Location: The PMI offices at 6561 Lonewolf Drive, Suite 200, South Bend, IN.
September 29, 2005: PMI to Exhibit at St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo After Hours 2005
On Thursday, September 29, 2005, PMI will take part in the Michiana area's business-to-business networking event of the year: Business Expo After Hours 2005, presented by The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County. To be held at the Century Center in downtown South Bend, between 4:00 and 7:30 p.m., the Expo features 125 exhibitors and numerous business networking opportunities. We think you will enjoy the informal environment of the event; highlighted by good food from area restaurants, a cash bar and live music.
September 22, 2005 & September 26, 2005: Improved Accpac Financial Reporting with JetReports
Are you getting all of the information you need from your accounting software – in a format that works for you? Join our free on-line seminar to learn how to get better information, faster, automatically: Any Report. Any Way. Right Now
To see how JetReports can cut your costs and simplify your life, join PMI and Katherine Turner-Lawrence, PMI’s JetReports representative, for a free, web-based JetReports overview specifically for PMI’s Sage Pro ERP clients. You can attend the presentation from the comfort of your office at no charge to you. You can have as many of your staff watch the presentation as you want. All you need is a telephone for the audio portion and an internet connection for the video.
The Free Web Seminars will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. CDT (that’s South Bend, Indiana time, folks) or Monday, September 26, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. CDT. The two presentations will be the same, so choose the one that best fits your schedule. The JetReports seminars are free, but you must pre-register with us prior to the day of the event.
June 16, 2005: PMI Roundup — Seminars and Expo
PMI Roundup 2005 is now history. More than 150 people -- guests, vendor representatives and the PMI staff -- crowded the Windsor Park Conference Center for the day.
Among the comments received from our guests:
"First class job"... "Kudos to you all"... "First year -- loved it!"... "The Greatest" (speaking of keynote by Donn Novotny)... "Very enlightening"... "Great Roundup"... "Everything was very good"... etc.
The photo below shows of some of the PMI Roundup 2005 guests as they await the keynote address to be presented by Dr. Donn Novotny of The Goal Institute, Inc. (Dr. Novotny is seen at bottom right.)
For the sixth year, we have invited vendors from all over the country and local business partners to present their best solutions to you. With PMI bringing in talent from such companies as Microsoft, Best Software, TIW Corporation, and many others, this is your opportunity to take one day for a complete technology learning experience. During the day's event, there will be many breakout sessions on specific software products and technology issues that should be of interest to all of our clients and prospective clients. At any given hour of the day, we will have three unique sessions in operation. Additionally, many of our vendors will have displays set up so you may visit with them, ask product-specific questions of the factory representatives, and see demonstrations of their more recent products. This is also an excellent opportunity to meet the entire PMI staff and to learn more about future directions of our company.
When: Thursday, June 16, 2005 (7:30 AM to 5:30 PM)
Where: Windsor Park Conference Center, Mishawaka, Indiana
Why: Don't miss out! Mark your calendar now for a full day of education and networking!
Keynote Presentation: Necessary, But Not Sufficient
Featuring Dr. Donn Novotny, President & Founder, The Goal InstituteHear world-renowned speaker and adviser to Fortune 100 firms Dr. Donn J. Novotny talk about why software is necessary, but not sufficient, in solving today’s business problems and supply chain needs. Donn’s presentation, taken from the title of Eli Goldratt’s best-selling book of the same name, will focus on the planning and process requirements to make a software investment pay off. For 16 years, Dr. Novotny was a senior partner in the Goldratt Institute, before founding The Goal Institute. Goldratt’s books have sold over 5 million copies, and he’s been called an “iconoclast” by The Economist, a “genius” by Business Week, and a “guru to industry” by Fortune. Donn’s longtime affiliation with Goldratt and founding of his own firm has involved him in improving business processes for firms around the world, making him among the world’s foremost authorities on tactical business solutions.
Client companies across North and South America have prospered, attributing their success to Dr. Novotny’s practical Theory of Constraints . Companies enhancing their delivery performance and supply chain would include Daimler Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.
