Primary Research

User Solutions’ rivals use an updated website. For today’s target market, the brand is
attractive. Competitors have an advantage thanks to social media advancements by adopting
what can appear as unconventional advertising methods. An example can be using Instagram and
TikTok.

Manufacturing and scheduling are the two fields where User Solutions works. You would
think that User Solutions would have the ability to stay current, yet the contrary is true.

One of the main competitors is EC Solutions. Their mission statement is “At EC
Solutions, the key to project success is in-depth knowledge of products and distribution
processes. This is precisely where our Epicor ERP professionals excel. Our experts have years of
experience in business processes, change management, training, implementation, consulting, and
technology integration.

We believe that our customer-centric approach and deep expertise enable us to deliver
customized Epicor ERP solutions that perfectly fit each company’s needs. We also recognize that
implementing an ERP system can be complex. That’s why we offer comprehensive support to
help our customers maximize their investment.”

User Solutions sets the tone for competitors by Advanced Planning and Resource
Optimization. Real-time visibility into production processes provided by the software enables
proactive decision-making and lessens production bottlenecks. Users may efficiently organize
resources, increasing production output while lowering expenses.

Because User Solution cares about its clients’ success, its staff spends a lot of time getting
to know each client’s specific needs and implementing customized solutions. This guarantees that
manufacturing firms can adjust to market changes, boost production effectiveness, and always
deliver on schedule.

Secondary Research

Based off of Secondary Research, here are some other methods that may improve clients
current and future success. User Solutions Inc.’s goal, vision, products, services, and any latest
updates or announcements, is in the companies official website. By learning about the company’s
top executives, revenue, and history, look up User Solutions Inc. in business directories like
Bloomberg, Hoovers, and Dun & Bradstreet.

The key is to look at other companies and see what minor changes can be done, or see
what can set the company apart. Looking for any User Solutions Inc.-related news stories, press
releases, or media coverage can help exposure and can describe more about the company’s most
current initiatives, alliances, and market presence.

Another method is to examine the annual reports, 10-K filings, and other financial
statements of the company to assess its financial standing. These reports may be accessed

through websites like the EDGAR database of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. To
monitor User Solutions Inc.’s social media profiles and online presence in order to assess
consumer feedback, brand reputation, and engagement with its target audience can be beneficial.

Company Analysis

User Solution Inc. was founded in 1991 as an independent spinoff from Lotus
Corporation in South Lyon, Michigan. In later years, User Solution released new spreadsheet
models for scheduling, as well as the integration of Spreadsheet QC and StatMax, as well as a
vast library of templates.User Solution had became an amazing commercial partner and had
created the first all-purpose Material Requirements Planning software that worked with Lotus
1-2-3, Spreadsheet MRP.

1995: As a Microsoft Solutions Provider, User Solutions began converting the Lotus
1-2-3 macro-based Spreadsheet Resource Manager to Visual Basic – Applications Edition for
Microsoft Excel. In addition, Novell and User Solutions agreed to provide certain templates with
Quattro Pro and Perfect Office Suite.

For the first time, a customer may deploy robust planning and scheduling that is totally
turn key for less than $10,000. This is the same capability, consultation, and integration that has
usually cost the market $50,000 – $500,000 or more.

Customers can access local demonstrations, training, and integration services for the
popular Resource Manager for Excel product through a nationwide network of MEPs. This
arrangement results in a valuable combination of products and services that benefit the customer
directly. Resource Manager 2001 includes a new Data Integration Wizard to help clients read in
Bills-Of-Materials, Routings, Orders, Inventory Levels, and other data from a variety of ERP
systems, including MAPICS, JD Edwards, SAP, Macola, and others.

1999: New Equipment Digest readers chose Resource Manager as the winner of the
Excellence in Innovation award for software. User Solutions have continued to improve
Resource Manager with an upgrade that allows it to function with Excel and Office 2000, as well
as connectivity to the popular QuickBooks and Peachtree Accounting solutions.

In order to enable connectivity with other systems, User Solutions offered supplemental
services and utilities to its flagship Resource Manager for Excel product in 2000.

2001: In response to customer requests for a more upscale solution and to overcome
Excel’s constraints (real multi-user, data integrity, and so on), User Solutions introduces
Resource Manager-DB. Resource Manager DB, written in Visual Basic and employing the Jet
Engine run time database (same as Microsoft Access), as well as including Resource Manager
for Excel as a customizable report writer, gives the user unrivaled freedom for leveraging Excel
on local PCs and sharing data across a network. Resource Manager-DB has a versatile Data
Integration Wizard to permit easy and automatic integration with other systems.

2008: New versions of Resource Manager-DB are still being driven by positive user
input. Customers are increasingly seeing the value in a system that suits their way of working
rather than the other way around. Customers are discovering that by adding new capabilities in a
way that they can be quickly turned on and off, they can tailor Resource Manager-DB to perform
precisely how they want it to with minimal effort and upkeep.

2010: New versions of Resource Manager for Excel and Noah that are compatible with
Office 10 and above are released. Resource Manager for Excel is the fastest MRP engine on the
market, with a million rows now available! User Solutions, Inc. has also announced its
participation in the Peach Tree/Sage development program.

2011: A new dashboard add-on for Resource Manager-DB created in.NET for delivering
stunning graphical reports of production scheduling information is announced. Executive
Information Systems (EIS) is a system that may be set up independently of RMDB and used to
integrate data from several systems into a single graphical panel. Additional Resource
Manager-DB applications that are linked with popular ERP systems such as Fourth Shift, Infor,
JD Edwards, and others have been successfully deployed.

SweetRP, the first economical and simple-to-use Cloud Based Resource Planner, is
announced in 2014. Users can manage Workcenters (people, machines, and workcenters) as well
as resources required for production scheduling. KISS (Keep It Simple Scheduling) is included,
which uses a simplified version of finite capacity scheduling for everyday use.

User Solutions and FC Modular collaborate in 2015 to adapt Resource Manager-DB
(RMDB) to the Modular Construction Industry. Using Office/Excel 365 on Tablets, Resource
Manager-DB generates reports for each foreman on which jobs to accomplish, in what order, and
with quality checks, and all of that data is automatically loaded back into the database to meet
Brooklyn Building Code standards. The technology provides real-time status on the progress of
each apartment and floor (26 units per floor, 34 storeys in building) via touch screen updates
directly on ruggedized tablets. Furthermore, advanced scheduling options for critical path
mapping and resolution have been included.

User Solutions, Inc. celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2016. User Solutions, Inc. was
chosen as one of just 25 businesses changing the ERP space by CIO-Applications. Product
development includes interaction with OpenSolver (Optimization Software compatible with
Excel), allowing User Solutions to give the first combined offering for optimization and
production scheduling in a simple package. Other upgrades to their primary product, Resource
Manager-DB, include a sliding display that shows what is operating by hour and workcenter, as
well as the option to report downtime. Enhancements to MRP Lot and Serial Tracking
capabilities are also included to meet Pharmaceutical and other sector standards.

User Solutions, Inc. introduces EDGE (Enhanced Drag-and-Drop Graphical
Environment) for its flagship software, Resource Manager-DB (RMDB), in 2022. EDGE may
run on any network PC and connect to RMDB to monitor and interact with schedules using rich
graphical and calendar capabilities. The user has the ability to drag and drop job parts from one
workcenter to another, as well as set new start and finish dates. The time scales span from a few

minutes to a year. User Solutions now introduces Visual Scheduler for the Cloud, which merges
the prior SweetRP solution with Visual Schedler.net. This service combines a single
environment/screen with a robust Gantt Chart for project planning and an easy way for worker
assignments, all while operating within finite capacity limitations.

Here is the citation

“Company-History.” User Solutions, usersolutions.com/company-history/. Accessed 22
Oct. 2023.

Competitive Sales and Pricing Analysis

In the manufacturing software industry, understanding the sales strategies and pricing
models of competitors is imperative to inform strategic decisions. User Solutions Inc, as a
provider of production scheduling and supply chain management solutions for manufacturers,
faces competition from companies like Fishbowl which offers similar inventory and
manufacturing optimization products. Performing an in-depth analysis of Fishbowl’s customer
base, pricing structure, and target markets provides useful insights for User Solutions to
strengthen its competitive positioning in the industry.

Fishbowl currently serves over 700 customers, demonstrating an extensive client base for
its manufacturing and inventory management software solutions. The companies using Fishbowl
range from 10 to 50 employees in size, classifying them in the small to medium-sized business
categories. The industries represented include not only manufacturing but also retail, food and
beverage, oil and energy, and beyond. This indicates Fishbowl has expanded its target market
across multiple sectors with small to mid-sized companies. In contrast, User Solutions
concentrates more specifically on manufacturing firms and production scheduling, with less
presence in other industries.

Expanding User Solutions’ potential clientele to small businesses in varied sectors
represents a major growth opportunity. Offering tailored solutions beyond just manufacturing
could allow User Solutions to compete with the broader value proposition and larger customer
base of Fishbowl. There are over 30 million small businesses in the United States across all
industries, showing the sizable addressable market (Johnson, 2023). Capturing even a fraction of
this demand could substantially increase User Solutions’ customer pipeline.

Fishbowl utilizes an annual software subscription model priced at $4,395 per year. For this
fee, clients gain access to a wide array of integrated services including inventory tracking, order
management, accounting system integrations, manufacturing scheduling, and analytics on
efficiency. This end-to-end solution provides extensive value beyond production scheduling
alone. In comparison, User Solutions pricing ranges from $490 to $5,000 in licensing costs for its
scheduling-focused software, plus associated implementation and training services.

While User Solutions competes well on depth of scheduling functionality, Fishbowl
provides a full operational suite. Developing a layered pricing structure with premium
capabilities like inventory management, analytics, and accounting tools offered at higher price
points could help User Solutions compete on the breadth of value. Tiered solutions tailored to the
needs of different manufacturing firms allows capturing clients at diverse budget levels.

Additionally, microbusinesses like independent artisans and makers have a need for
production scheduling but lower complexity requirements than industrial manufacturers.
Targeting niche microbusiness clients with pricing and solutions customized to their needs
presents an untapped market for User Solutions to penetrate. With calculated enhancements to
target customers, product mix, and pricing strategy, User Solutions can strengthen its competitive
position against substitutes like Fishbowl. A nuanced competitive analysis informs strategic
marketing and product decisions to optimize market share.

References
Johnson, D. S. (2023). Exploring Improved Operational Strategies in Small Businesses

Through Process Innovation: A Qualitative Case Study (Doctoral dissertation,
Trevecca Nazarene University).