Tracking and coordinating the wine bottling process – once reliant on individual staff members’ day-planners and disconnected filing systems – has leapt into the technology age with a new web-based application from WineTracker, Inc. The company’s innovative offering is currently being implemented by The Hess Collection of Napa Valley. The Hess Collection has installed the system to schedule bottling at several wineries.

Winetracker’s application provides practical and efficient solutions for multi-task oriented events that enable companies to meet production performance goals, improve product quality, maintain product integrity, reduce errors and save costs.

WineTracker, Inc., execs Kris Caceres and John Rowden say their program, WineTracker, “is the first system that allows everyone involved with the bottling process, including the winemaker, logistics manager, bottling supervisor, vendors, and marketing personnel, to track all of the bottling activity online. We save wineries and vendors time and money by ensuring that purchase orders are created correctly, with the appropriate lead times, and that the goods are delivered per spec prior to the bottling run.”

The web-based application uses information entered by winery personnel to create schedules, reminders, purchase orders and executive reports for label, carton, glass and capsule production. Among other convenient attributes, the application also includes an online purchase order system that links the winery with dry goods suppliers.

Beth Damron, Planning and Logistics Manager for The Hess Collection, commented, “We previously had several systems in place in which each staff member involved maintained his own records. The lack of continuity made the task of managing bottling events very complex. Now it is integrated in one system that we are all able to access. Email notifications are sent informing us of critical deadlines. We are thrilled to be using this system in 2009 and have already noticed improvements in timely delivery of materials. We anticipate fewer errors and increased savings due to WineTracker.”

WineTracker’s application is made up of three systems, or products: BottleTracker, VendorTracker and ReviewTracker.

BottleTracker schedules and tracks the bottling process and provides up-to-the-minute information with the click of a mouse. BottleTracker is also a purchase order system for ordering everything from glass and cork to bottling line parts. The integration of the purchase orders and the financial system allows users to have details down to the cost per case.

VendorTracker, lets wineries gain access to vendors through the business-to-business feature of BottleTracker. It provides a list of service and supply vendors, and, in turn, gives vendors a no-cost marketing opportunity to wineries. VendorTracker also creates combined financial reports which may be provided to vendors.

The third segment, ReviewTracker, performs like a high-tech clipping service. ReviewTracker stores and tracks acclaims of wines right as they’re reviewed, then stores technical information on those wines. That information goes to marketing, distribution and sales as support for the wine in a particular market. Users also receive secure internal or publicized news of wine reviews. A customizable work flow engine also offers users the ability create and track marketing items, such as case cards, shelf talkers, posters and varietal sheets.

The days of relying on scribbles in day-planners and cluttered file cabinets are coming to a close for wine bottling personnel, as WineTracker Inc. has introduced the technology age to this critical, but sometimes disjointed, process in the production of wine.

WineTracker’s web-based application is available and expandable to meet the needs of any winery, mobile bottler and/or custom crush facility. The price is scalable and relative to the wineries size. The company is located in Sacramento, California. Kris Caceres is President and John Rowden is Chief Financial Officer.

For information on The Hess Collection visit www.hess-family.com.