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EPA Guidebook for Automotive Repair

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Automotive Repair and the Environmental

Online Manual for Pollution Prevention

Online Schools Offering Automotive Technology

AutoShopNews Newsletter - Editorial:

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.

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“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

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