Turning Chaos into Clarity, Together
We focus on intentional innovation, continually driving the horticultural industry to stay on the cutting-edge of business
Weâre excited to share the latest evolution of iQ Grower ERP: version 1.34 â đ§đ”đČ đŠđœđČđČđ±, đŠđđżđđ°đđđżđČ & đđđčđłđ¶đčđčđșđČđ»đ đ„đČđčđČđźđđČ!
This update is all about creating a smoother, faster, and more intuitive experience across your growing and fulfillment operations. From lightning-fast order screens to strengthened fulfillment workflows, every enhancement is designed to support the way horticulture teams actually work.
Hereâs a snapshot of whatâs new:
âïž Faster performance on key screens, including a redesigned đąđżđ±đČđż đđ»đđżđ đđżđ¶đ± that handles even the largest orders with ease
âïž Expanded đšđŁđ đđđœđœđŒđżđ for both Plant Products and Other Products
âïž The next phase of our đđđčđłđ¶đčđčđșđČđ»đ đđżđźđ°đž, đ¶đ»đ°đčđđ±đ¶đ»đŽ đ»đČđ đđđđČđșđŻđčđ đȘđŒđżđž đąđżđ±đČđżđ to bring value-added tasks together in one place
âïž GRM officially renamed to GFM (Growing & Fulfillment Master) to reflect its expanded role
âïž New đđČđșđźđ»đ± đđčđčđŒđ°đźđđ¶đŒđ» đźđ»đ± đŠđ”đ¶đœđœđ¶đ»đŽ đŁđ”đźđđČđ features that give clearer visibility into real-time readiness
âïž Extended support for đđ¶đđ through Fulfillment and Invoicing, plus the ability to quickly swap kit components
This release continues our mission of đ”đČđčđœđ¶đ»đŽ đŽđżđŒđđČđżđ streamline processes, gain clarity, and manage complexity with confidence.
https://t.co/FWQGABlzDN
Wrestling with inventory clarity vs. timing?
đą New Insight from Tony Van Oort
Tonyâs latest article, đđżđŒđș đđ§đŁ (đđđźđ¶đčđźđŻđčđČ đđŒ đŁđżđŒđșđ¶đđČ) đđŒ đ„đ§đŁ (đ„đČđźđ±đ đđŒ đŁđżđŒđșđ¶đđČ), walks through how availability in iQ Grower is evolving â from knowing đ”đŒđ đșđđ°đ” you can sell (ATP), to understanding đđ”đČđ» đźđ»đ± đłđŒđż đđ”đŒđș plants are truly ready to ship (RTP). This shift isnât just technical, itâs transformative for growers who need precision around seasons, lifecycle phases, and customer expectations.
Whether you lead operations, sales, or supply planning, Tony breaks down why this matters and how itâs set to reshape how the industry thinks about readiness. Dive in and join the conversation!
đ Read the full article here: https://t.co/hom5Kx0PJ0
Weâre excited to share that Aster Software was highlighted in Salesforceâs latest announcement on opening đđŽđČđ»đđłđŒđżđ°đČ đŻđČđŹ to builders! đ
As a Salesforce partner, weïżœïżœïżœre building and scaling AI-powered solutions on Salesforceâs trusted foundationâhelping horticulture businesses turn chaos into clarity, together. đ±âš
Read the full story here: https://t.co/iTwQZyZbBj
đïžđđżđŒđș đđźđđź đđŒ đđČđ°đ¶đđ¶đŒđ»đ: đđŒđ đđ đ¶đ đ§đźđžđ¶đ»đŽ đ„đŒđŒđ đ¶đ» đđżđČđČđ»đ”đŒđđđČ đąđœđČđżđźđđ¶đŒđ»đ - New Rhyzone Podcast Episode!
Artificial intelligence isnât just for tech companies â itâs starting to take root in the greenhouse industry too. đż
In this new episode, William Klaassen sits down with Brian Sparks, Editor of Greenhouse Grower, to explore how growers are thinking about AI â where to start, what to watch out for, and đ”đŒđ đđŒ đșđźđžđČ đ±đźđđź đđżđđčđ đđŒđżđž đłđŒđż đđŒđ.
From automation and analytics to creative problem-solving, this conversation breaks down the buzz and focuses on whatâs practical, possible, and already happening inside greenhouses today.
đ§ Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or at: https://t.co/1a6HdaK5Mr
đïž đ đźđžđ¶đ»đŽ đđđ âđđŒđżđ¶đ»đŽâ (đźđ»đ± đȘđ”đ đ§đ”đźđâđ đź đđŒđŒđ± đ§đ”đ¶đ»đŽ) - New Rhyzone Episode!
EDI isnât glamorousâbut thatâs exactly the point. In this episode, William sits down with Grace Sharkey from @orderful to demystify electronic data interchange (EDI): what it is, why it still powers retail in 2025, and how growers can start simple and scale confidently.
They unpack what happens behind the scenes when your data flows reliably (and predictably), why âboringâ is the best compliment your EDI can get, and how modern platforms are making it easier than ever to connect with major retailers.
đȘđ”đźđ đđŒđâđčđč đčđČđźđżđ»:
đ± How EDI actually works (beyond âemailing PDFsâ)
đŹ Why retailers require itâand what that means for your business
â How to reduce chargebacks, automate cleanly, and scale with confidence
đ Where APIs and EDI meet for faster, more transparent integrations
đ° How clarity in your data pipelines leads to better cash flow
Tune in to learn how making your data connections reliable (and yes, a little boring) might be the smartest business move you make this year.
https://t.co/SXYnQppncp
đČ đĄđŒđżđđ”đČđżđ» đđźđșđ¶đčđ đđźđżđșđ đđ đ„đđ»đ»đ¶đ»đŽ đŒđ» đ¶đ€ đđżđŒđđČđż đđ„đŁ đČ
Weâre proud to share that Northern Family Farms, a multi-generation leader in the horticulture industry, is now fully operating on iQ Grower ERP, including iQ Growerâs EDI capabilities for its diverse wholesale customer base.
With over 400 acres in nursery production and thousands more dedicated to Christmas tree production, this Wisconsin-based family business has been setting the standard in the Upper Midwest and beyond for over 70 years. From ornamental trees and shrubs to a full Christmas tree program serving retailers across the greater MidwestâNorthern Family Farms is now powered by a future-proof, modern ERP built specifically for horticulture.
By choosing đ¶đ€ đđżđŒđđČđż, Northern Family Farms gains:
âą A tightly integrated ERP + CRM platform (built on Salesforce)
âą Powerful reports and Dashboards that bring the data alive
âą EDI workflows that bring precision and clarity to high-volume retail relationships
But more than just functionality, đđ”đČđâđđČ đ·đŒđ¶đ»đČđ± đź đŽđżđŒđđ¶đ»đŽ đ°đŒđșđșđđ»đ¶đđ đŒđł đ”đŒđżđđ¶đ°đđčđđđżđźđč đ¶đ»đ»đŒđđźđđŒđżđâa network of forward-thinking growers who use iQ Grower ERP not just to run their business, but to push the industry forward.
Derek Ahl and Ashley Ahl, along with the entire team at @Northern Family Farms LLP have been an absolute pleasure to work with during this past year of transformation. Weâre excited about the road aheadâand honored to be part of their journey.
đđČđâđ đđđźđżđ đź đ°đŒđ»đđČđżđđźđđ¶đŒđ» đźđ đđźđżđđČđđ.
In the nursery world, the strongest partnerships grow from genuine connection.
The same is true with technology. Choosing an ERP isnât just about the tools you use today â itâs about who will walk alongside you in the years ahead, adapting and growing with your business.
At Aster Software, we believe the best way to begin is with a real conversation. The Farwest Show in Portland is a chance to sit down together, hear your story, understand your vision, and explore how we might support your long-term success.
đĄđŒ đźđŽđČđ»đ±đźđ. đĄđŒ đœđżđČđđđđżđČ. đđđđ đœđČđŒđœđčđČ đ¶đ» đ”đŒđżđđ¶đ°đđčđđđżđČ đđ”đźđżđ¶đ»đŽ đ¶ïżœïżœïżœïżœđČđźđ, đŻđđ¶đčđ±đ¶đ»đŽ đđżđđđ, đźđ»đ± đđČđČđ¶đ»đŽ đđ”đČđżđČ đđ”đźđ đșđ¶đŽđ”đ đđźđžđČ đđ.
Will you be there?
đ Farwest Show â Booth 12007
đ August 20â22, Portland, OR
Letâs talk about the future youâre building.
Tony Van Oort shares what a no-show at McDonald's taught him about trust â and how that lesson still applies in our industry today.
Trust is everything.
Whether youâre growing plants or picking your next software partner, the stakes are high â and broken promises hurt.
Read Tony's full article at https://t.co/wjUKirDWo8
iQ Grower 1.32 is here â đ§đ”đČ đđČđșđźđ»đ± đđčđčđŒđ°đźđđ¶đŒđ» đ„đČđčđČđźđđČ
Weâre building a community of growers who believe in pushing the boundaries of whatâs possible in horticulture â together. Every feature comes from real conversations with real growers dealing with real problems. You speak, we listen, we build. And the result? Tools that actually work the way growers think.
Version 1.32 introduces three powerful upgrades that bring clarity, flexibility, and control into sharper focus:
đđżđŒđđČđż đđŒđżđČđ°đźđđ: Planned production batches now utilize the Grower Forecast and will automatically show up on availability by grade. As you produce the crop you will be able to see the end grade output compared to your grower forecast and fine tune next seasons Grower Forecast allowing sales teams to start selling by grade from the moment a crop is planned.
đŁđ”đźđđČđ & đ„đČđźđ±đ¶đ»đČđđ: Phases allow you to track your plants transitions between natural growth phases during the shipping window. Plants grow, bloom, and move through phases on their own timeline, dependent on weather and many factors. Phases are the mechanism we're using to drive visibility into readiness. Readiness functionality helps your team see at a glance whatâs at its peak, whatâs coming on, and whatâs past its prime and no longer available. Powerful functionality for cycle growers & cut flower growers, but also for nursery growers who want to ship plants to customers at a particular readiness phase!
đ đźđđ đđČđșđźđ»đ± đđčđčđŒđ°đźđđ¶đŒđ»: Remember spending hours moving demand (orders and shipments) around in spreadsheets when everything changed or a grade was short? This was followed by hours of manual order and shipment updates in the ERP... No more. With Mass Demand Allocation, you can now view and reallocate demand from a single screen â fast, visual, and intuitive. This screen layers in the Grower Forecast and Readiness functionality to allow growers to rapidly shift supply and demand based on clear insight into what's unfolding in the weeks ahead.
The foundations of the functionality released in 1.32 have been building over the past several releases, and how it transforms massive complexity is magical!
đŠđșđźđčđčđČđż đđœđ±đźđđČđ đ¶đ»đ°đčđđ±đČđ± đ¶đ» đ.đŻđź:
Better Pull Lists, smarter order and shipment imports, support for the new (and very modern) Salesforce UI, and various other fixes.
Thank you to the community, both internal and external, as well as our incredibly talented development team worldwide, who helped shape and build release 1.32. Youâre the reason Aster is turning chaos into clarity!
đ„đČđźđ± đđ”đČ đżđČđčđČđźđđČ đ»đŒđđČđâlink is in the comments.
Weâre proud to welcome đđčđŒđŒđșđźđžđČđżâa truly distinctive floral companyâto the Aster Software community! đ·
Based in Virginiaâs Shenandoah Valley, Bloomaker specializes in premium đ§đđčđ¶đœđ and đđ¶đźđ»đ đđșđźđżđđčđčđ¶đ, imported from Peru and Holland, then artfully transformed into long-lasting, eye-catching consumer experiences. They donât just sell bulbsâthey đșđźđ»đđłđźđ°đđđżđČ đłđčđŒđżđźđč đźđđđČđșđŻđčđ¶đČđ that are as creative as they are elegant, delivering beauty, convenience, and longevity into homes across North America and beyond.
Behind that artistry lies real operational complexity. Bloomakerâs sales model revolves around đœđżđŒđ±đđ°đ đžđ¶đđâpre-defined combinations of bulbs, vessels, and media that come together during final packing. These kits must be assembled at the last minute, making đ¶đ»đđČđ»đđŒđżđ đđ¶đđ¶đŻđ¶đčđ¶đđ absolutely mission-critical. The Sales team needs to see, in real-time, not just the number of kits availableâbut whether đźđčđč đ°đŒđșđœđŒđ»đČđ»đđ are on hand and ready to ship.
Even more important? đđ»đŒđđ¶đ»đŽ đđ”đźđâđ đđżđđčđ âđ„đČđźđ±đ đđŒ đŠđ”đ¶đœ.â In a world of highly perishable, timing-sensitive products, raw inventory numbers donât cut it. Tulips and Amaryllis must be in optimal condition to leave the greenhouse. Thanks to iQ Growerâs đŁđ”đźđđČđ đłđđ»đ°đđ¶đŒđ»đźđčđ¶đđ, Bloomaker can now distinguish between general inventory and whatâs ready to go todayâgiving them the clarity they need to deliver on time, with confidence.
By implementing đ¶đ€ đđżđŒđđČđż đđ„đŁ, Bloomaker is making a strategic investment in a đłđđđđżđČ-đœđżđŒđŒđł đœđčđźđđłđŒđżđș that combines deep đ”đŒđżđđ¶đ°đđčđđđżđČ-đđœđČđ°đ¶đłđ¶đ° đłđđ»đ°đđ¶đŒđ»đźđčđ¶đđ with the power of integrated CRM. Itâs a perfect match for a company so committed to excellence at every step of the floral journey.
Weâre thrilled to be building alongside this incredible team. Welcome, Bloomaker! đ·
đ¶đ€ đđżđŒđđČđż đđ„đŁ đ¶đ đ»đŒđ đčđ¶đđđČđ± đŒđ» đŠđźđčđČđđłđŒđżđ°đČ đđœđœđđ đ°đ”đźđ»đŽđČ!
Weâre proud to announce that đ¶đ€ đđżđŒđđČđż đđ„đŁ đ”đźđ đŒđłđłđ¶đ°đ¶đźđčđčđ đœïżœïżœïżœïżœđđđČđ± đđ”đČ đŠđźđčđČđđłđŒđżđ°đČ đŠđČđ°đđżđ¶đđ đ„đČđđ¶đČđ and is now live on the AppExchange!
This moment is more than a milestoneâitâs a đżđ¶đđČ đŒđł đœđźđđđźđŽđČ. The Salesforce Security Review is no small feat. Itâs intense, comprehensive, and designed to ensure enterprise-grade standards. Passing it validates our architecture, discipline, and obsession with quality.
Today we celebrate our incredible đđđđČđż đ±đČđđČđčđŒđœđșđČđ»đ đđČđźđș â a truly global effort spanning Canada, The Netherlands, and India. Theyâve tackled countless security tests and poured in many hours to make this a reality. Weâre proud of our product â and even prouder of the people behind it.
There really is no shortcut to trust and this partnership with @Salesforce and the AppExchange ecosystem solidifies our foundation â and with this success, the full horsepower of our team can now be focused on what we love most:
đđđ¶đčđ±đ¶đ»đŽ đđŒđŒđčđ đđœđČđ°đ¶đłđ¶đ°đźđčđčđ đłđŒđż đđ”đČ đ”đŒđżđđ¶đ°đđčđđđżđČ đ¶đ»đ±đđđđżđ đźđ»đ± đđđżđ»đ¶đ»đŽ đ°đ”đźđŒđ đ¶đ»đđŒ đ°đčđźđżđ¶đđ đłđźđđđČđż đđ”đźïżœïżœïżœ đČđđČđż!!
Letâs grow! đż
https://t.co/R3f4mPXuTT
If youâre a greenhouse or nursery grower whoâs đŒđđđŽđżđŒđđ» đđœđżđČđźđ±đđ”đČđČđđ â or worse, stuck wrangling a rigid ERP that was clearly designed for manufacturing widgets, not plants â come chat with us at Cultivate25!
đ What if⊠your whole team could work from đŒđ»đČ đđŒđđżđ°đČ đŒđł đđżđđđ”?
đ What if⊠your sales team đ»đČđđČđż đ”đźđ± đđŒ đđźđ âIâll get back to youâ again?
đż What if⊠your growers were supported by a system that đ°đŒđ»đ»đČđ°đđ đźđčđč đ±đČđœđźđżđđșđČđ»đđ?
At Aster Software, weâre not just building ERP software.
Weâre growers too.
We know the chaos. Weâve lived it. And weâre building tools that turn the chaos into clarity â together.
đ§± đđđ¶đčđ đŻđ đŽđżđŒđđČđżđ, đłđŒđż đŽđżđŒđđČđżđ
đ§ Powered by Salesforce
đ€ Backed by a growing community of horticultural innovators
Whether youâve never seen iQ Grower ERP before, or youâre already following us â Tony and Daniel would love to connect with you in Booth #3632.
See the software in action.
Ask your toughest questions.
đ Book a time to meet:Â https://t.co/uiGhYVhiw1
đđđđđŒđșđČđż đŠđœđŒđđčđ¶đŽđ”đ: đđ”đČđđźđœđČđźđžđČ đĄđđżđđČđżđ¶đČđ đ±
Weâre thrilled to welcome Chesapeake Nurseries to the iQ Grower ERP community!
Since 1962, Chesapeake has earned deep respect in the horticulture industry for one thing above all: đŸđđźđčđ¶đđ. Chesapeake continues to raise the bar. Their relentless focus on customer satisfaction has fueled steady expansion, a testament to the teamâs excellence and trust built across the Northeast and Midwest.
This new software partnership reflects a bold step forward in their journey. By investing in a modern, scalable, and future-ready ERP system, Chesapeake is ensuring its team has tools theyâll love using â and creating a single source of truth to support even smarter decisions, smoother operations, and stronger customer outcomes.
More than just a software upgrade, đđ”đ¶đ đ¶đ đź đ°đŒđșđșđ¶đđșđČđ»đ đđŒ đ”đŒđ»đŒđżđ¶đ»đŽ đđ”đČđ¶đż đčđČđŽđźđ°đ đđ”đ¶đčđČ đČđșđŻđżđźđ°đ¶đ»đŽ đđ”đČ đłđđđđżđČ. Weâre grateful to play a small part in their next chapter.
Hereâs to continued growth, clarity, and customer delight. đż
Weâre Hiring! Join our team as an đđșđœđčđČđșđČđ»đđźđđ¶đŒđ» đđŒđ»đđđčđđźđ»đ đ»
Weâre seeking a detail-loving, customer-championing, software-savvy Implementation Consultant to join our growing team.
If you have experience implementing software solutions â especially on the Salesforce platform â and love making a real difference in peopleâs daily work, this is your chance.
At Aster Software, weâre helping horticulture businesses thrive with iQ Grower ERP, and weâre BUSY doing it! Youâll be right at the heart of helping new customers get up and running, tailoring our software to their unique operations and cheering them on through change.
This role is perfect for someone who:
đ± Loves problem-solving and working directly with customers
đ„ïž Has Salesforce or software implementation experience
đ Enjoys collaborating with a global team
đ You'll connect with customers across North America. Some travel included â because on-site discovery is how we truly understand our customers' businesses
đž Have horticulture experience? That's a bonus!
Join a team that values curiosity, deep care, excellence, and collaboration.
đ See the full job description and apply on Indeed:
Letâs revolutionize horticulture tech â together. đȘ
#hiring #salesforce #horticulture #ERP #implementation
âđđźđ» đ đœđżđŒđșđ¶ïżœïżœïżœïżœđČ đđ”đČđș đđ”đČ đœđżđŒđ±đđ°đ đŒđż đ»đŒđ?â
Thatâs the question I keep asking â and half the time, Iâm waiting on someone in the office to get back to me.
By the time I finally hear backâŠ
đŠ The customer has moved on.
đž We lost the sale.
đ€ Iâm left thinking, âThere has to be a better way.â
Guessing at whatâs available to sell shouldnât take a spreadsheet, a scavenger hunt, and a prayer.
And yet â every week, we miss opportunities because I canât get a straight answer fast enough.
But now?
iQ Grower ERP solves this pain completely.
Its real-time Available to Promise (ATP) dashboard pulls together every factor â orders, production, purchase orders, shrink, deliveries, internal needs â and gives me a clear, up-to-the-minute answer.
No more waiting.
No more guessing.
No more âweâll get back to you.â
Now I can say yes (or no) with confidence, on the spot.
đ Read more: https://t.co/pGkEI8dQuT
#Inventory #AvailableToPromise #HorticultureSales #iQGrower #NurseryIndustry #GreenhouseGrowers
New Rhyzone Podcast Episode Alert đïž
"đđŒđčđčđźđŻđŒđżđźđđ¶đŒđ» đąđđČđż đđŒđșđœđČđđ¶đđ¶đŒđ»: đđŒđżđđ¶đ°đđčđđđżđČ đĄđČđČđ±đ đź đĄđČđ đŠđŒđłđđđźđżđČ đŠđđŒđżđ"
Why is software still getting a bad rap in our industry?
Why do implementations so often fail?
And how can we actually move from frustration to functionality?
In this fresh episode, William Klaassen sits down with Adam van Wingerden of Silver Fern for a behind-the-scenes look at the software side of horticulture. đż
This episode is packed with real talkâfrom âpink chainsawsâ to codifying grower intuitionâall wrapped in a shared ethos: đđ”đźđ đđ”đČ đżđ¶đđ¶đ»đŽ đđ¶đ±đČ đŒđł đŽđŒđŒđ± đđČđ°đ” đđ”đŒđđčđ± đčđ¶đłđ đČđđČđżđ đŽđżđŒđđČđż.
đ§ Whether you're a grower, C-suite leader, or tech partner, this one's worth the time.
đ Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or at https://t.co/vzqey0dn5b
#RhyzonePodcast #HorticultureLeaders #HorticultureIndustry #SoftwareThatScales #SilverFern #AsterSoftware