Here are the questions and answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you don't see yours on the list, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Software FAQs
What industries does your software work best with?
Our Shop Floor and MRP Suite were designed for the paper and printing industries. The defined fields and functions work best for these industries.
Can your software run in the cloud?
No, at this time our software is not cloud-based, but our reporting dashboard is web-based.
What can I customize?
We do offer some user-defined fields to be customized. Our MRP item master allows for custom terms.
Can you integrate with my ERP?
Yes, we do integrate with existing software and programs, such as SAGE or QuickBooks. These integrations are quoted separately as projects, and not included in the price of our licenses or implementation costs. Fields and data integrations vary based on the program and its capabilities.
Can we have a demo/sample to test before we buy?
We do not have a trial version, but are happy to provide live demos to you and your team as needed. You can schedule a demo here.
What team members are required at each step of the implementation process?
We recommend at least one dedicated team member to oversee this project on your end. Other team members involved in implementation typically include: customer service, scheduler, operations manager, accountants (if integrating finances), IT, controls team/maintenance.
If we are integrating our software with another pre-existing software, you may also need to connect us with 3rd party team members to make those integrations possible in the back-end configurations.
How much involvement from my team is required?
Your dedicated HawkPoint project manager will schedule recurring meetings to discuss progress and answer questions throughout the project. We typically meet over audio or video calls every two weeks.
Which HawkPoint team members will be involved in the implementation?
You will have a dedicated project manager that will be your go-to contact for all questions. They will keep the project on track, report progress and answer all your questions along the way. Throughout implementations, we typically utilize team members from software development, IT support and professional services.
Can we get reports on our phones?
Because your reporting dashboard is web-based, you can view it from any device, anywhere you have access to the company network.
How long does it take to go live?
Software implementation time varies based on several factors. We know this can be a very frustrating answer, but no two customers, implementations or timelines have ever been the same. There are several variables that can affect the installation/go-live timeline, and below are the most common ones we see.
Variables That Impact the Shop Floor Implementation Timeline
- Number of machines (installation time per machine)
- Machine type (sheeters and rewinders or a mixing station?)
- Full infrastructure wiring
- PC setup
- Hardware purchases
- Schedule conflicts & delays in information gathering
- Additional professional services projects utilized (such as process engineering or business analysis)
- Employee training
- Integration with any 3rd-party software (such as ERPs or MRPs)
- Scope changes/new requests
Variables That Impact the MRP Suite Implementation Timeline
- Server setup
- User-defined fields setup
- Integration with any 3rd-party software
- Additional professional services projects utilized (such as process engineering or business analysis)
- Employee training
- Scope changes/new requests
Can we have an example of what the project plan would look like?
For both Shop Floor and MRP Suite implementations, the general phases are:
- Discovery and information gathering
- Hardware orders placed
- Configurations
- Hardware installations
- Software installations
- HawkPoint testing
- User testing
- Employee training
- Go live
Can we install Shop Floor on a tablet?
Yes, you can use a Windows tablet for our Shop Floor. If you’re interested, we can provide you with the exact specifications required to operate our Shop Floor on a tablet.
Do I have to buy a Shop Floor license for every computer?
Licenses are needed per computer per machine.
IT and Managed Services FAQs
Is it OK to buy computer and network equipment from a local retailer?
In short, no. Business and manufacturing environments require professional-grade operating systems, hardware and security. Professional equipment will provide productivity savings and enhanced security. We can help you source the right equipment for your needs.
Do you work on Macs?
Yes, we support both Mac and PCs.
What is included in your managed services plans?
We have a few different plans that are inclusive of different services. Please view our comparison chart for more details.
Should I safely eject my USB flash drive?
The short answer is, it depends. If all you’re doing is working in Word or Excel, chances are you can pull the drive safely after you’ve closed out of Excel or Word and that will be just fine.
If you’re working with really sensitive data, though, that’s where I always want to safely eject it. That way we can ensure that Windows isn’t accessing any of the files so you don’t lose any data.
If Windows won’t safely eject it, that’s where you restart the computer and then during the boot process you can pull the flash drive out safely, no problem whatsoever.
Do I need to turn my computer off every night?
Leave computers running 24/7 if possible.
Windows computers behave better when they've been restarted on a regular basis. If you're leaving work on a Friday at 5, restart your computer on your way out to get a fresh reboot. It also ensures you're logged out.
This method also allows Windows to install updates over the weekend, to prevent interruptions during working hours.