...Continued

Previous to Lotus, the team implemented custom spreadsheet solutions with EDSand Caterpillar. In fact, in the mid 80’s, the team implemented the very first IBM Industrial Computer with a real time spreadsheet interface for cell control in various GM Plants.

When Lotus decided to phase-out internal support for vertical market products, the core manufacturing team, with representatives from industry and software/hardware companies, formed User Solutions, Inc. a private corporation, to fill the void for basic tools by providing spreadsheet-based template applications for Forecasting, Inventory Management, Material Requirements Planning, Production Planning, Facility Layout, Scheduling, Quality Control, and more. Lotus Development Corporation fully supported the transition of on-going product development to an independent company.

Thus, User Solutions became the first and only company dedicated to providing the manufacturing and operations management markets with a robust line of spreadsheet templates that will empower millions with sophisticated analysis tools to reduce operation costs, while improving efficiency and quality.

Our customer-driven approach enables us to bring sophisticated analysis techniques within the reach of all operations.

1992, User Solutions became a Lotus Business Partner and Lotus Selects began carrying User Solutions templates for resale.

1994, User Solutions announced Spreadsheet MRP, the first general purpose Material Requirements Planning product that ran with Lotus 1-2-3. APICS - (American Production and Inventory Control Society) reviewed Spreadsheet MRP and called it a "Unique and a Valuable Tool".

Responding to customer demand for an affordable and easy-to-use capacity planning and scheduling tool, User Solutions added routings and rough-cut capacity planning to the Spreadsheet MRP product and renamed it Spreadsheet Resource Manager.

1995, User Solutions became a Microsoft Solutions Provider and began converting the Lotus 1-2-3 macro based Spreadsheet Resource Manager to Visual Basic - Applications Edition for Microsoft Excel.

Also in 1995, Novell and User Solutions executed an agreement for including select templates with Quattro Pro and Perfect Office Suite.

1996, User Solutions announced Resource Manager (version 1) for Excel. A complete rewrite (Visual Basic) of Spreadsheet Resource Manager that was compatible with Excel version 5 and 7.

1997, User Solutions announced Resource Manager (version 2) for Excel97. This version recognized significant enhancements in Excel including a database that could hold 64,000 rows of information, and the first true, multi-user spreadsheet capability.

Also in 1997, User Solutions and General Electric Capital - Railcar Services inked an agreement for User Solutions to provide a customized version of Resource Manager, called "Noah" for planning and scheduling Railcar Service throughout their North American operations.

1998, User Solutions announced Resource Manager (version 3) for Excel97 adding the ability to feedback actual production information and regenerate scheduling, resulting in the first affordable and easy-to-use MRP2 system for small to medium sized manufacturers.

Also, Resource Manager 2001 new APS Module features detailed workcenter calendars that can be adjusted at any time. Now, inevitable labor fluctuations, workcenter downtime, and unexpected material shortages can be immediately accounted for, allowing the user to regenerate a schedule with new priorities - on demand. A secondary constraint has also been added, which permits Finite Capacity Scheduling, in either forward or reverse mode, subject to both machine and labor constraints. In addition, a Flow Manufacturing option has been added, allowing for variable transfer sizes for workcenter processing. New reports, which can be generated, sent, and received via e-mail, Palm-Pilots, and over networks, are ideal for communicating key portions of the master schedule, as well as receiving feedback directly to the main program.

Resource Manager 2001 is the only low-cost planning and scheduling solution that can be immediately implemented by all operations. Combining ease-of-use for small to medium sized firms with powerful reporting and open integration for larger operations, Resource Manager 2001 allows critical resources such as manpower, materials and work centers to be effectively managed in near real-time. For the first time, end users can use their familiar desktop tools to assist them in delivering products and services on-time, reducing cycle times and inventory shortages, planning labor and workcenter requirements, and tracking schedules.

2001: Responding to customer requests for a more upscale solution, User Solutions releases Resource Manager-DB. Written in Visual Basic and utilizing the Jet Engine run time database (same as Microsoft Access) and including Resource Manager for Excel as a flexible report writer, Resource Manager DB provides the user unsurpassed flexibility for leveraging Excel on local PCs, and sharing data across a network. To facilitate easy and automatic integration with other systems, Resource Manager-DB offers flexible Data Integration Wizard.

In January of 2002, User Solutions, Inc., announced immediate availability of Resource Manager DB. By combining the best features from the award winning Resource Manager for Excel with the best ideas from customers, Resource Manager DB enables most any operation to immediately improve their planning, scheduling, and tracking capabilities. Written in Visual Basic and utilizing the Jet Engine run time database (same as Microsoft Access) with Microsoft Excel as a flexible report writer, Resource Manager DB provides the user unsurpassed flexibility for leveraging Excel on local PCs, and sharing data across a network.

User Solutions becomes an Exact North America Complementary Software Provider with their Macola Link. Through a partnership with Instruments for Industry (IFI), User Solutions adds Lean Manufacturing to Resource Manager-DB. Orca Technical Services (a subsidiary of IFI) enters into a Business Partner Agreement and opens an East Coast Lean Training Center for Resource Manager-DB.

Finally, the user can achieve their goal of an affordable planning and scheduling solution that quickly adapts to their needs. Combining ease-of-use for small to medium sized firms, with powerful reporting and open integration for larger operations, Resource Manager DB enables customers to efficiently manage critical resources such as labor, materials and work centers. For the first time, users can leverage their intuition and knowledge combined with the familiar Microsoft OfficeTM platform to assist them in managing one or more of: capacity planning, customer orders, purchasing, delivering products and services on-time, reducing cycle times and inventory shortages, MRP and WIP, planning labor and workcenter requirements, tracking and all schedules. The product features on-the-fly configuration and rescheduling, allowing the user to see the benefits almost immediately, without any complicated analysis or set-ups.

2003: User Solutions continues to add additional functionality and integration to Resource Manager-DB. Also, User Solutions announces agreement with Beacham Consulting to manage Business Partner Network. Now, a network of highly qualified manufacturing system professionals are available worldwide to help clients as needed. Also, User Solutions has become a Microsoft Partner and is developing Resource Manager for SQL Server, as well as a Web Based version on .Net.

2004: User Solutions, Inc. appointed as exclusive North American Reseller of Catalyst Manufacturing Software. Ideal for smaller manufacturers that are looking for implementing a traditional APICS MRP2 System, Catalyst contains the high-end features at an affordable price. Compatible with MS Access, Catalyst complements User Solutions product line of MS Office compatible and affordable solutions.

2005: User Solutions, Inc. releases new versions of all core products, Resource Manager for Excel, Noah Workcenter Scheduling, and Resource Manager-DB (RMDB). RMDB now is offered with a choice of back end databases, MS JET (same as Microsoft Access uses - a MDB format) or SQL Server. Also, significant improvements in the Advanced Planning and Scheduling component of RMDB have been made due to an increase in customers and their respective input. Finally, complementary MS Office products have been added to on-line store, providing all manufacturing customers a one-stop-shop for easy to use, MS Office (Excel) compatible solutions.

2006: User Solutions, Inc. celebrates 15 years in business, serving thousands of customers worldwide with affordable and flexible Excel compatible manufacturing and business solutions.

For over 15 years User Solutions, Inc. has been the easy choice for thousands of companies worldwide..

Easy to try
Free trial software and / or detailed walk through demos, combined with a 30 day money back guarantee, ensures quick implementation and success without any risk.

Easy to buy:
All major credit cards, Company PO’s, and checks cheerfully accepted. Download Links and e-mail for instant delivery. Real people to help with phone orders plus CDs and printed manuals shipped within a day.



Easy to use
Familiar, open, Microsoft Office design requires minimal configuration and upkeep. In addition, our technical support is the best you will find anywhere. Hear what other users have to say in our Success Stories section, then Call US to schedule a personalized web demo of Resource Manager-DB and see for yourself!