Computer \ Software issues for businesses
In this world of always wanting the latest "Thing", there
is a lot of discussion in the vehicle service industry when
shops are starting up or when existing businesses decide it
is time to upgrade their hardware. This is normally
not a problem unless it includes a change in the operating
system.
Software providers are having a lot of frustration when a
shop upgrades from an older operating system to the new"
Vista" platform. This operating system is, for lack of a
better word, in a "Beta” or “pre-release mode”.
While trying to use third party software such as
QuickBooks, or Management Systems, and working with network
configurations, the consensus is that most businesses should
wait at least one year so that most of the "unbearable"
issues have been addressed.
One of the main concerns for third party software is
that, although everything works well before upgrading, they
play the "Blame Game”, when changing operating systems and
to say that it is the third party software vendor’s problem.
They forget that, there was no problem before the upgrade
was completed, an dismiss it is a third party issue.
The new Vista operating system is brand new and
has not been out long enough to have most of the problem
issues handled. The key word if you are intent on upgrading
to Vista is "Patience" with all of the other software
vendors.
Software vendors tell us that “there is one area that
never fails to amaze them” and it is in the area of their
customers not "BACKING UP DATA FILES".
One story told to me was that there was a customer that
had a problem with a electrical outage and that when it
happened the database in the management system was wiped
out.
This particular customer had not backed up in three
years. Can you imagine trying to put three years of data
back into a software application??
Database issues are really miss-understood. If you search
Google for “database corruption”, there are hundreds of ways
that a database can become corrupt.
Vendors tell me “there is no code in a software
application that will cause corruption in the database”.
When I was doing research on the subject there was one
site that will "try" to fix your corrupt database. The
cost starts at five hundred dollars with "NO" guarantee.
Backing up daily should be the top priority. It only
takes minutes to copy a data base backup back into a
software application and you are back in business.
Marshall: Editor
Article:
The Bookends of Success
by Dr. John C. Maxwell
NASCAR drivers know the importance of starting in the
right place. Before a race even begins, they compete with
one another in the hopes of earning the best starting
position. At qualifying runs, held the week prior to the
official race, each driver speeds around the racetrack in a
timed performance. The driver with the fastest time earns
pole position - or the right to begin the race in front of
the other cars. A driver in pole position doesn't have to be
concerned about passing anyone in order to win the race. All
he or she must do is hold their position in order to win.
Conversely, a driver who does poorly in the trial run
must begin the race in the worst possible position - at the
very back of the pack. Stuck behind the other racecars, the
disadvantaged driver has virtually no chance of winning. To
finish first, he or she would have to pass every other car
on the track during the course of the race.
In addition to starting strong, a NASCAR driver
understands that his or her performance depends on finishing
well. In a 500-mile race, leading for 499 miles is
meaningless if a driver isn't in front at the checkered
flag. Regardless of a driver's skill maneuvering the car
early in the race, if he or she crashes or loses focus
toward the end, the driver will forfeit the lead and lose
the race. Nobody wins points for their position in the
middle of the race; rather, each driver is assigned a place
based on how he or she finishes.
THE BOOKENDS OF SUCCESS
Great leaders understand the two bookends of success:
starting and finishing. We generally think about them in
terms of doing a task or project. However, what's true in
our approach to projects is also true in our approach to
each day. How we spend our mornings and evenings has a
tremendous bearing on the course of our leadership.
I use my morning to set up a game plan for the day.
During this time, I allow no interruptions. I never schedule
breakfast meetings, and I isolate myself from distractions.
I do not permit myself to strategize years down the road or
to project my thoughts months into the future. Rather, I
narrow my focus to the upcoming 24 hours. I ask myself:
"Just for today, how can I be a success?" Viewing life in
24-hour increments, I place a premium on each day. I try to
make each one a masterpiece.
During the evening, I reflect on my day. By reflecting, I
translate my day's experiences into learning opportunities.
This process solidifies in my mind the lessons I've
discovered or bits of knowledge I've uncovered. Reflecting
also gives me the space to assess my progress on the goals I
made during the morning.
Relaxation is another important part of my evening
routine. I make a point to put my leisure time into
activities that replenish me by refueling my energy. For me,
such activities include spending quality time with my wife,
reading a book, or studying Scriptures. Relaxation puts me
in a good emotional state, lifts my spirits, and reminds me
of the joys of life.
When I neglect to carve out time in the morning to plan
my day, I notice adverse effects. First, I don't live my day
on purpose. Instead of choosing where to invest my time, I
cede control of my schedule to whatever circumstances happen
to arise. Second, I squander my energy. Since I don't
outline clear goals for my day, I float from one activity to
another without getting anything done. Finally, when I skip
my morning planning time, I feel overwhelmed. Since I'm
ambitious, I have a propensity to bite off more than I can
chew. If I don't focus my attention, the weight of my
numerous involvements begins to drag me down.
When I am not intentional about setting aside evening
time for relaxation, I encounter negative symptoms, too.
First, I get uptight. My times of reflection and relaxation
act like valves that release stress from my life. If I don't
guard those times, I get tense, my thoughts are more
negative, and my health suffers. Second, I lose passion. My
leisure times fuel me. If I am not intentional about putting
time into my favorite activities, then life loses its
luster. Third, I miss chances to grow. When I don't reflect
on the meaningful moments from each day, I rob myself of the
benefits of experience.
SUMMARY
Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is out of reach. That's
why today matters. Leaders who value each day know the
importance of starting well and finishing strong. In the
mornings, they focus their energies on key tasks, and in the
evenings, they replenish themselves. By mastering the
bookends of success, leaders position themselves to make an
impact every day.
Sponsor:
ShopController Shop Management Software
..........Free
Evaluation.........
ACS would like to announce the Newest version of
ShopController: a completely revamped application.
The last year has seen a complete revision of the software
including a lot of new additions.
ShopController developers have done an awesome job in the
changes that have been made includ-ing the upgraded fleet
module. they also have a special service to meet with you
online and do a "Gotomeeting" so we can help you evaluate
our software.
ACS has completed integrating the Wrencheads Nexpart
catalogue with online ordering into ShopController. We are
now a certified partner. In a few days we will also
have the integrated labor guide. We now have an interface to
the NexCat catalogue for parts pricing with aftermarket
pricing. Shopcontroller has the ability to bring this data
into its invoice and Estimates.
Next: WorldPac integration should be ready this
week.
ShopController has completed the Import Utility to bring
data from digital price lists and also data from Quickbooks
into Shopcontroller for Quickbooks users that purchase
Shopcontroller Software.
ACS has also upgraded the Carfax Vin Decoder
to include the full Truck information upgrade for large
trucks. The software now comes in(click to review)
four levels for the needs and budgets of the vehicle
service market. Visit
www.shopcontroller.com for more details or Click
HERE for a free evaluation of ShopController software..
ACS would like to mention a couple of things about the
desktop operating systems. Microsoft is having a lot of
issues with the Vista operating system. When putting
together a new computer, ACS reccomends that you buy it with
XP professional and when the bugs have been worked out, then
upgrade to Vista. If you do your research on the web you can
find out the issues that are causing problems.
Sponsor / Partner........ Discount Payment
Services
Discount Payment Services was
reccomended by ACS (ShopController Software) ACS gave us
this resource because they reviewed their merchant service
account and the review saved them several hundred dollars.
Part of the problem was that ACS did not do a regular review
and has changed how their merchant service is handled.
Payment Solutions
for Your Business
Discount Payment Services, LLC offers a comprehensive line
of payment solutions for your business.
Credit card acceptance, debit cards, and check acceptance - for all
types of businesses including retail storefronts,
restaurants, hotels, service companies, wireless merchants
and mail, telephone or internet order businesses.
DPS will even customize a merchant account to meet
your needs. Most merchant account providers are paid based
on the amount they charge above their cost.
DPS, on the other hand, are paid a share of the revenue earned from
passing our costs directly on to the merchant. That means we
don't markup our rates.
That's why they Guarantee their rates are the lowest in the
industry. They will even prove it.
How much does it cost? It's FREE. There is no cost to
establish a new Discount Payment Services merchant account.
And, there is no cost to reprogram your existing
point-of-sale (POS) system.
We'll setup your account for free and then you'll get a call from
one of our conversion/training specialists. They'll help you
program your terminals and train you on how to use them in
one call.
Click here for free comparison information.
