A wide range of suppliers now offer software systems specifically designed to manage and track winemaking operations. The subject was covered in detail by winemaker and contributing writer Richard Carey in the July 2015 issue of Wines & Vines. Since that feature was published, a few other suppliers have entered the marketplace, and some long-time vendors have updated their services. Some suppliers offer everything from a basic winemaking system that can later be complemented with modules for other operations to a complete winemaking system.

WINEMAKER’S DATABASE
Launched in 1983, the Winemaker’s Database system recently was updated and is now available as a cloud-based system or software to be installed on site. The software as service option can be complemented with a variety of modules such as custom crush, work orders and wireless bar coding allowing users to create a custom package. The Los Gatos, Calif.-based company also unveiled a new Scion version that allows users to change the program to any language, generate TTB reports, custom reporting, scheduling tools linked to Outlook, a simpler interface, flexible user security and updated barrel tracking. Price: Software as a service starts at $300 per month.
wmdb.com

VinPoint
Designed to manage all aspects of a wine business, VinPoint is a Microsoft-based system that was built by global software firm UXC Eclipse. Production functions include vineyard and cellar management, compliance, supply chain, bottling and quality control. Other capabilities include tasting room point of sale, e-commerce and customer relationship management. All data can be transferred to Excel or Word documents, and the system can be integrated with other programs. A “role center” dashboard can be customized for each user to create a single view of the operations pertinent to his or her role in the company. Price: Check with supplier.
uxeclipse.com

BRECKENRIDGE
Based in Colorado, Breckenridge Software Technologies serves a number of agricultural industries. The company has a full range of modules for all aspects of wine production as well as sales, inventory management and accounting. A basic setup for a winery would include lot tracking, production management, compliance reporting and blending. The company also has released a new program called Strinos, which it describes as the next step in the evolution of winery management software, and includes touch-screen access, new user interface and data insight form reporting. Price: A basic desktop BSTI program for winemaking starts at $90 per month.
breckenridgesoftware.com

VINTNERS ADVANTAGE
Developed by the data-management firm Modular Information Systems in Martinez, Calif., the Vintners Advantage program offers a winery operations module that includes work order management, barrel tracking with forest and country of origin, trial blends, sales, work order history reports, sample tracking and compliance. Optional modules include vineyard operations, financial management, tasting room, bottling and others. The software is based on the IBM UniVerse database and is designed to meet compliance requirements. Vintners Advantage Express is accessible via the web and can accommodate unlimited users. Price: The winery operations module has an initial setup fee of $200 and is $100 per month including service and updates.
miscorp.com

FLOWMATION
Originally developed as the in-house system for the Canadian brewer Molson, the Flowmation system was then adopted by the wine company Vincor International. Flowmation currently offers five Microsoft-based modules that cover winery, vineyard, quality control, finished product and packaging, plus a wine library and tasting system. The Winery Information System (WMS) includes work order creation and tracking, data reports, barrel management and tracking. Most clients buy multiple modules, and the supplier now offers a fixed price for wineries producing 5,000 to 50,000 cases of wine. Price: The license includes development, software, data loading and 20 hours of training for $550 per month or a one-time payment of $18,000. Maintenance and updates are included in the monthly price or 15% of license fee.
flowmation.com

FERMSOFT
One of the few software systems that works with the Mac operating system, Amphora Wine Log by the Canadian company Ferm­soft is a database and reporting program that also enables users to create charts and maps. The company offers a free trial as well as a new cloud-based data storage option. A multiple-user license allows up to 10 databases to be used simultaneously. Price: Access for a single user is $399, and the multiple-user system is $799. System updates are provided free for a year and after that cost $299 for the single user and $499 for the multiple-user system.
fermsoft.com

WINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
San Rafael, Calif.-based Wine Management Systems says it was the first to offer wine industry software as a service through the cloud. The company’s system is designed to handle all aspects of a wine business from vineyard data and cellar management to tracking, compliance and custom crush. Wine Management Systems offers a production-management module and system for wine club and point of sale powered by simplyCMS. The system can also link production data with financial accounting in QuickBooks. The latest version of the system includes an updated “drag-and-drop” interface, and the company is also developing voice-activated work orders for the winemaking system. Pricing is based on production volume and includes an implementation fee starting at $750 followed by a monthly rate starting at $250, which includes support.
winemanagementsystems.com

ORION WINE SOFTWARE
The core winemaking system offered by Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Orion Wine Software is called Blend Production and can be used for vineyard management, wine tracking, compliance and inventory. Additional modules include work order management, barrel tracking and tank monitoring. The company’s WiPS system is for larger companies managing multiple wineries in different regions. Orion also offers systems for managing point of sale, direct to consumer, e-commerce and wine clubs. Orion also is offering a web-based depletion-management system for monitoring depletions, market distribution and new, top and lost accounts. Price is based on production volume, but an initial “onboarding” fee starts at $1,000 with monthly maintenance starting at $300.
orionwinesoftware.com

ZOHO CORP.
A unique option to manage winemaking operations and record data is creating a suite of apps through the Zoho Creator system. The company has some template apps for businesses to use as well as providing the tools to allow users to create their own via a “drag-and-drop” interface. The apps are designed to automate workflows as well as provide insights through custom reports. Price: For one user, a basic service that allows for three apps costs $5; unlimited users and 100 apps starts at $199 per month.
zoho.com

VINTEGRATE WINERY SOFTWARE
Vintegrate is the winemaking program developed by the IT firm KLH Consulting, which is based in Santa Rosa, Calif., and was founded nearly 40 years ago. The company touts its program as the best and most accurate way to keep track of what it costs to produce a bottle of wine from the vineyard to the tasting room. The program is based on the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics and features three modules that cover production, management and sales. Vintegrate recently began offering the winemaking system as a stand-alone product, and it offers work order management for mobile devices, harvest tracking, inventory and blending management, compliance reporting and barrel tracking. The system also offers a complete billing and tracking program for custom crush that can provide service billing down to job-specific functions such as washing barrels or moving barrels with a forklift. Price: Monthly and per-user fees as well as up-front implementation fee based on client configuration and size of operation.
vintegrate.com

VINTRACE
A cloud-based option, Vintrace of San Francisco, Calif., offers three levels of service. The basic, or Essentials, system is designed for wineries producing up to 10,000 cases and offers recordkeeping and management for all key winemaking operations. A Professional level of service offers more features such as a reporting dashboard, trial blending, grower contracts and payments and cost analysis. The company also offers the Enterprise service for large wineries with multiple locations and a dedicated service agreement. Price: Essentials service starts at $195 per month, and the Professional package starts at $345.
winery-software.com

INNOVINT
The cloud-based InnoVint system launched in 2013 is based in Mountain View, Calif. The system is focused on wine production and designed to be managed and run through mobile devices. Work orders can be sent directly to users working in the cellar, where they can update wine and work order status. The system can toggle between different wineries and also offers user-based permissions so custom-crush clients or others can have read-only access for reporting or tracking purposes. InnoVint provides vineyard tracking as well as smartphone QR code scanning for barrels and other vessels. The company recently integrated its system with ETS Laboratories. The system can produce wine or juice sample labels, and when results are ready from ETS that data is automatically entered into the InnoVint system and matched with the right lots. InnoVint’s system is also integrated with FOSS analytical devices and any third-party lab companies using FOSS equipment. Other new features include a dry goods and additive inventory tracking and price calculation as well as full-cost tracking for a wine lot through its entire history. Price: Starts at $129 per month.
innovint.us

IVIS
Described by the supplier as a “work planning, tracking and analysis system,” Innovative Vinology Information System launched in 2002 in Lake Oswego, Ore. The company touts its unique database design and wide range of features that can track and monitor vineyard operations and winemaking as well as HR, tasting room sales, inventory management and other operations. Clients can request custom programming to coordinate vineyard and wine-production processes and recently added a quality-management function that integrates lab equipment data into daily production management data tracking. Price: Annual license starting at $1,500 per year depending on the complexity of software and production volume.
ivissoftware.com