Nursery FAQs

How can we see the SLICEplus software work?

We have found the most convenient way for you to see SLICEplus software is a “live” real-time demonstration, via an internet connection, with one of our sales representatives or at one of the many trade shows we attend.  Please see our Trade Show schedule for the show nearest you.  Instead of using demo disks, which are often confusing and complicated, we connect your computer to ours, then walk you through the SLICEplus system right from the comfort of your own desk.  If you would like to see SLICEplus in action, call or email us and we will be happy to set up an appointment for a demonstration.

Do I need other software packages to use the SLICE system?

Actually, SLICEplus is a fully integrated software package, which gives you a more powerful system and saves you countless hours of dual entry.  Why not use one package instead of struggling to get 3 or 4 different software packages to work together?  SLICEplus was designed by Green Industry veterans and it handles all of your daily operations.  SLICEplus offers a fully integrated accounting module that is seamlessly connected to the operations module.  Then we give you an internal report generator and allow you to use any of the 300 standard reports, modify an existing report or create your own custom reports.  SLICEplus enables you to do all of your business in one system, saving you time and money.

Will your software help my business run more smoothly?

SLICE is actually not just a software system; it is a business plan. SLICE has over 100 years of combined green industry experience and is an active member of many national and state associations. We are green industry people, not just software people. Because of our history, we understand what you do day to day. This gives us the ability to not only help you set up your software to run more efficiently, but to aid you in establishing policies and procedures that help your business run more efficiently. SLICE gives you the tools to help your business prosper and provides you with proven methods to make it happen.

We have several different operations and profit centers. Can SLICEplus keep track of my different operations and give me multiple profit and loss statement for them?

Yes, SLICEplus can allow you to run each part of your business as a separate operation and still have one accounting system.  We give you the flexibility to share any part of the program, inventory or customers for example, or any other information you desire between operations, divisions or companies.  This allows you to have as many profit and loss statements as you would like per operation and still have one general ledger and balance sheet.

How is SLICEplus different from other programs?

The thing that we hear most from our customers is how well SLICEplus fits their business.  Unlike some software that was written by computer people with no hands-on green industry experience, SLICEplus was designed and written under the guidance of the Thornton family in 1983.   Thornton Gardens was founded in 1946 as a retail garden store and nursery.  They later added landscape and maintenance divisions and SLICE was developed to run all of the operations for each of the Thornton divisions.  So we don’t just sell software, we understand your business.  With our experience and knowledge of the industry, we can get you on a proven track for success.

Do you provide upgrades for your program?

SLICE is continually enhancing our software.   Updates are provided to clients as they become available.  Having worked in this industry for 50 plus years, we know is it is always changing and strive to keep current with the needs and wants of our customers.  We strongly encourage our clients to submit enhancement ideas as a majority of our modifications and revisions come from their requests and inquiries.  You are not only a customer, but also our advisory and development board.

How many people can use SLICEplus at one time?

SLICEplus is a true multi-user system.  With SLICEplus, you could have your accounting people doing their work at the same time your purchasing people are receiving inventory and sales people are entering orders.  This ensures that you will be able to take care of all of your operations without delay and allows your people to be more efficient at their jobs. 

How does SLICE train us on the software?

We realize that software programs offer a higher return on investment if they are used effectively.  That means training.  SLICE has several methods to train users.  Clients can choose “on-site” training at your location, “on-line” training via the internet and our tech support 800 line.  Other resources like tutorials, integrated program “help text” and user manuals are also provided.  We believe our best asset is a happy and well-trained user.

What kind of support does SLICE provide?

Experienced SLICE support personnel are available to assist you if the need arises.  We offer Monday through Friday 800-line support, plus weekend pager support.  You can always reach a support person for those unexpected problems even on the weekends.  We are capable of either answering questions over the phone or dialing into your system to fix any issues.  If the help text in the software or the manual does not provide you enough of an answer, call us on our 800-line and we will help you out.  Our experienced support staff is dedicated to making the use of SLICEplus an enjoyable experience.

What kind of information can I get out of SLICEplus?

SLICEplus comes standard with over 300 different reports in each of the programs.  Whether you are looking for real-time accounting information, customer information or accurate and up-to-date inventory information, SLICEplus has a report for it.   SLICEplus provides more accurate and up-to-the-minute information than any other industry package.   And yes, you can combine or customize any of our standard reports or create your own with the provided report writer. 

How long does it take me to get up and running on SLICEplus?

Naturally, implementation time varies depending on the company size, divisions and software purchased.  We provide detailed instructions and personal assistance to get you up and running as quickly as possible with as little disruption to your daily business

Does SLICEplus handle payroll?

Clients can choose to use our fully integrated 3^rd party payroll solution or export payroll data to several external payroll services.   Whether you do payroll or not does not affect what the program can do for you.

Can I track the sales performance of my sales people in SLICEplus?

Yes. You can track not only revenues generated, but profit by salesperson in each of the SLICE packages.  This allows you to maximize profits and stay on track to a profitable year.

Can we use our current computers with SLICEplus?

SLICE requires you have a Windows platform (2000, 2003) for the network, and Windows XP PRO or 2000 on computers for the workstations.  A network is not required to run SLICEplus as a single user system

What do I get with the SLICEplus Wholesale Nursery package?

With the SLICEplus Nursery package, you get accurate, efficient order entry, inventory management, sales reports, purchasing, invoicing and a fully integrated accounting module.  SLICEplus also gives you a complete shipping package, including our tag printing program and 300 standard reports so that you can get the information you need to run your business more efficiently.

Can I track the cost of producing my nursery stock from the time I plant it to the time I sell it in SLICEplus?

Yes. SLICEplus has a nursery production package built into it.  You can not only track your costs, but you can track what needs to be done to the plants, as they are being grown.  When you are ready to sell them, you can move them to sellable inventory at the cost they took to grow.  We have taken our 50 plus years of growing experience and put it into the SLICEplus package.

Can I print a sales catalog out of SLICEplus?

Yes. Not only can you print the catalog, but you can also customize the design.  With our report generator, you have the ability to produce a professional-looking catalog you will be proud to put in front of your customers.

We have several pricing levels. Can SLICEplus help me?

SLICEplus provides it’s users with an easy to use pricing matrix.  Pricing can be calculated by type of customer (wholesale, retail, contractor) or special pricing can be given to a specific customer.  We also allow you to offer volume discount and quantity break pricing to your customers.  Once you have the pricing in the computer, the software automatically calculates discounts for your customers.  This makes accurate order entry quick and efficient.

Does SLICEplus track inventory?

SLICEplus gives you real-time data on your inventory and also a complete history of who bought what, when they bought it and how much they paid.  SLICEplus will also help you decide what you need for the future by looking at what you have sold in the past.  It not only tracks sellable inventory, but gives you ready dates for inventory being grown in the field.  We also make it easy to move inventory from one size to another or to a different physical location.  If you want accurate, up to the minute inventory and availability information, SLICEplus is the package for you.

We have several different locations for inventory. Can SLICE handle that?

Yes. SLICE gives you multiple locations for inventory so you can have several locations of the same plant and still have an accurate count by total or by location.  Regardless of whether you keep your stock in one or 100 different locations, SLICEplus is the package for you. 

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