Synchro never sleeps. Well, not quite true - but almost. The team at Synchro32 is the hardest most dedicated team that I have ever had the pleasure of being associated with. Reminds me in many ways of my earliest days at Electronic Data Systems under Henri Ross Perot (Pea-row) - the can do - will do almost anything attitude to get the job done. The customer support of Synchro32 has set the metalcasting industry standard for the way it should be done. Beyond customer support - the software itself and the intuitive ease of use - coupled with the ease of installation and the thoroughness of the training make Synchro32 the defacto WORLD WIDE standard for foundry and metalcasting SPECIFIC software. This isn't just some piece of software that was dusted off the shelf and "made to fit" the industry - the industry has "fit" the software. Synchro32 knows metalcasting. Supporting literally a worldwide customer base of Synchro32 users means that Synchro32 "almost never sleeps" as Synchro32 customers span the globe and the timezones. From the horn of Africa, through Oceania, Europa, Eurasia, and the Americas - Synchro32 is there...
Even though it's Sunday evening in North America, the North American Customer Support Team is constantly monitoring the customer support system for our customers "Down Under" where it is Monday morning on the other side of the world where the water flows counterclockwise down the drain the sky is much different than the Northern hemisphere. Many of the Oceania Synchro32 customers have been away for four to six week on holiday - and Synchro32 wants to make sure they have no problems starting back up from the shutdown. Remember, it's Summer time down under... Christmas and New Years in the Summer. What a strange concept for those of us in the Northern hemisphere - of course, to some one down under, I'm sure the concept of Christmas and New Years in the Winter is alien to to them too.
So, since the Northern hemisphere tends to say "down there" - do those in the Southern Hemisphere tend to say "up there"? What about those in the equatorial regions of the world - how do they refer to the Northern and Southern regions of the world "that way"?
Monday, 19 January 2009
Ode to a Friend...
To a longtime adviser, mentor, and friend. Out of respect to your privacy, I am not publishing your name - all that matters is that to the person who has recently entered into the care of hospice - I just want you to know that you made a huge difference in my life through the the course and direction it has taken - through your guidance and advice. Thank you. You have made a difference in this world and will be leaving it a much better place. There is no doubt that you have provided the same guidance, advice, and words of wisdom to those that you have counseled over the years. God Speed. Warmest Regards, Shane Allen SFASU 1985 and 2001
Friday, 16 January 2009
In Search of a Light Bulb.
This reminds me of a internal video produced by my former employer, EDS - Electronic Data Systems, you know - Ross Perot's company. The video clip was about how an entire company was brought down by not having a paperclip. Paperclips can be essential to business as the function of a paperclip, if you think about it, is to keep things organized. If things are not organized, then there are missed opportunities. Anyway, in the clip a person can't find a paperclip and goes outside with important papers and the wind picks up and blows them all away. The competition picks up some of the papers, industrial espionage at it's finest, and ruins the company.
Well, this is sort of along those lines and also relates to a prior post I did on doing business internationally. SEE: http://shaneallensynchro.blogspot.com/2008/10/doing-business-internationally.html
Anyway, who would think that finding a UK light bulb in North America would be difficult or impossible? Come on, this is the world wide global economy - the Internet at it's finest. This shouldn't be a chore. Well, guess what, I've determined taht trying to find a UK bulb stocked in North America doesn't exist. Yes, I could order one from the UK and pay international shipping, but I shouldn't have to. All I needed was a special halogen light bulb 150watt 240volt and a certain size. The fate of Synchro32 hinges on this! (not really, just joking folks - move along now). Actually, I just wanted spare bulbs for our expo stand used at the metalcasting trade shows. I try to "be prepared" even though I was never a Boy Scout. I do not want to get to a trade show and find out a bulb has burned out and I need to "hunt one up". Nope, I'd rather have spares on hand. I try to prevent problems before they happen - I subscribe to the philosophy of the 4 and 5 P's - PPPP-perfect planning prevents problems or
PPPPP-piss poor planning promotes problems.
Well, in the end I didn't find exactly what I was looking for - perhaps close enough and it's being shipped right now from within North America. If it doesn't work out, then I'll get the Synchro32 corporate office to mail me one from across the pond.
That's all for now folks. Comments always appreciated.
Nope, no pictures in this issue...
Well, this is sort of along those lines and also relates to a prior post I did on doing business internationally. SEE: http://shaneallensynchro.blogspot.com/2008/10/doing-business-internationally.html
Anyway, who would think that finding a UK light bulb in North America would be difficult or impossible? Come on, this is the world wide global economy - the Internet at it's finest. This shouldn't be a chore. Well, guess what, I've determined taht trying to find a UK bulb stocked in North America doesn't exist. Yes, I could order one from the UK and pay international shipping, but I shouldn't have to. All I needed was a special halogen light bulb 150watt 240volt and a certain size. The fate of Synchro32 hinges on this! (not really, just joking folks - move along now). Actually, I just wanted spare bulbs for our expo stand used at the metalcasting trade shows. I try to "be prepared" even though I was never a Boy Scout. I do not want to get to a trade show and find out a bulb has burned out and I need to "hunt one up". Nope, I'd rather have spares on hand. I try to prevent problems before they happen - I subscribe to the philosophy of the 4 and 5 P's - PPPP-perfect planning prevents problems or
PPPPP-piss poor planning promotes problems.
Well, in the end I didn't find exactly what I was looking for - perhaps close enough and it's being shipped right now from within North America. If it doesn't work out, then I'll get the Synchro32 corporate office to mail me one from across the pond.
That's all for now folks. Comments always appreciated.
Nope, no pictures in this issue...
Yum!
Everything I think of Yum, I have to think of Ferby who always says Yum when he's being fed. Come on, you remember Ferby. The sensational toy hit several years ago - the toy that was banned from the halls of the American National Security and Central Intelligence agencies.
I whipped up some good Tex-Mex food last night, enchiladas, refried beans, and rice. Those are jalapeno peppers on top! Yum. Enchiladas - ground beef or chicken or pork rolled into a flour tortilla with cheese and sauce. YUM!
Only thing, I "forgot" sour cream to go with it! "The Horror"!
Nope, the dog, Doc Holliday, the little big Min Pin gets none, no matter how much he begs, whines, and barks... Nada, zero, zilch.
I whipped up some good Tex-Mex food last night, enchiladas, refried beans, and rice. Those are jalapeno peppers on top! Yum. Enchiladas - ground beef or chicken or pork rolled into a flour tortilla with cheese and sauce. YUM!
Only thing, I "forgot" sour cream to go with it! "The Horror"!
Nope, the dog, Doc Holliday, the little big Min Pin gets none, no matter how much he begs, whines, and barks... Nada, zero, zilch.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
The Austin Office
Austin is a beehive of activities these days as the streets, sidewalks, restaurants, bars, and clubs are jam packed. The State of Texas Legislature has started meeting in the Capitol city of Texas. As they only get together every two years for about 140 days, legions of legislatures, their staffs, lobbyists, observers, protesters, and activists have descended up this fair city - not to mention the news and wire services. As the Synchro32 is within spitting distance of the capitol, traffic at our end of Congress Blvd. is also very heavy. Fortunately, I don't spend much time in the Synchro32 North American office as I'm generally on the road visiting clients, attending expositions, or working from other remote offices.
Want to know what is going on in Austin?
www.statesman.com
Want to see what the weather is like with Webcams?
http://www.news8austin.com/Content/Weather/Weather_Stations/Station1/?FrID=69&CatID=4
http://weatherbonk.com/weather/camDetail.jsp?id=_wc_1145547078400
http://www.kxan.com/subindex/weather/tower_cams
http://ausits.dot.state.tx.us/its-cameras/?Speed=High
Here are some pictures I recently took of the Synchro32 North American office.
Want to know what is going on in Austin?
www.statesman.com
Want to see what the weather is like with Webcams?
http://www.news8austin.com/Content/Weather/Weather_Stations/Station1/?FrID=69&CatID=4
http://weatherbonk.com/weather/camDetail.jsp?id=_wc_1145547078400
http://www.kxan.com/subindex/weather/tower_cams
http://ausits.dot.state.tx.us/its-cameras/?Speed=High
Here are some pictures I recently took of the Synchro32 North American office.
Monday, 12 January 2009
It's that time of the year...
It's that time of the year for Synchro32 to get ready to embark on "traveling the road" from expo to expo with the traveling Synchro32 road show. The last show I did in Dallas, there were some problems with the booth - missing magnets, etc. So, as there was no room in the Austin office to set it up and perform some repairs, I took it home and set it up in the dining room. All in a days work at Synchro32. I snapped a few pics while I was doing this.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
What' I'm Reading Now..
Oh this one is exciting. Snore. NOT. "Becoming a Middle School or High School Teacher in Texas" "A Course of Study for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES.
Let's be clear about one thing, I'm not going anywhere! I've got the best job in the whole wide world @ Synchro32, although my buddy Matt up at UT Tyler disagrees and believes he has the best job in the world being a PhD and teaching and having an inordinate amount of time off. I still prevail.
Back when I was transitioning from Citation Lufkin Texas Foundries to the unemployment line to a job at Stephen F. Austin State University, SFASU, I took up and completed the college course work for becoming a technology high-school teacher in Texas. In the USA, President Bush came up and endorsed this plan called NCLP - No Child Left Behind. What it basically means is that no child is left behind with regards to education. So, the Federal Government and the State and Local governments took up the challenge of insuring that all teachers are well qualified. As such, in order to become a teacher in Texas, you have to complete x hours of college level education courses and pass several exams.
I have already passed the technology exam and need to complete teh TExES PPR. Well, as it turns out there is a limited amount of time between course work and taking the exam before you are deemed ineligible. In Texas, not anyone can just take the exams. The universities and colleges are "protective" of their track record and success rates and only individuals that are approved by the university or college can sit for an exam. Thus, you can not just pay your $120.00 take and pass the exam and be certified to be a teacher. No. The process forces the perspective teacher to take the course work and then be "allowed" by the univeristy/college to sit for the exam. At SFASU, they go so far as requiring students to take and pass "pre exams" before they will allow you to take the state exam. There is a maximum of two years at SFASU between completing the course work and sitting for the exam. If you exceed the two years, then SFASU will convine a special education board to decide what to do with you - either allow you to sit for the exam, take some remedial courses, or recomplete the entire program.
Mind you, these university courses were anything but cheap. Even though I have an undergraduate degree in computer science, a masters of business administration - I was required to reapply to the graduate school at a fee, then apply for the education program for a fee, then take fifteen graduate level hours, five three-hour courses, and then pay more money to take the exams, etc. Even though all of the course work was online, at about $900 per class, plus books, etc. my total "investment" approaches $6,000. This is for a STATE OF TEXAS PUBLIC UNIVERSITY. The deregulation of state colleges and universities in Texas is the subject for another blog.
So, SFASU has allowed me to take the PPR TExES on Saturday Jan 31st 2009 at 8am w/o having to do any redmedial work, pay more money, take more classes, fight the system, etc. I want to get this out of the way and have the paper to prove it, even though I never plan on using it. It's like a doctoral student that does all of the course work, but never completes the discertation - it's known as a PhD ABD - all but discertation - and of course the discertation is the "hard part" of getting a PhD. One can not call themselves a PhD that is an ABD. I don't want to be in those shoes and complete what I started out and invested $ in - at a time when I was unemployed and underemployed.
Of course, the reason I didn't take the exam back when I finished the course work is that I was graced with the appearance of Synchro32 in my life and taking the exam was not a priority :)
Wish me luck on the exam so that I can put that behind me, hang the certificate on the wall, and move on down the road. Normally, on exam like this I would just walk in "cold" and take it and if I passed it great, if not, study and take it again. There is sooooo much beuracracy involved in this process that I don't even want to think what would be required if I didn't pass. I'm not about to go and retake all the courses, etc. It's not that important. This is basically a one shot deal and do it right the first time.
I'll be glad to getting on to read something more exciting... Suggestions?
Cheers Everyone.
ShaneA
Let's be clear about one thing, I'm not going anywhere! I've got the best job in the whole wide world @ Synchro32, although my buddy Matt up at UT Tyler disagrees and believes he has the best job in the world being a PhD and teaching and having an inordinate amount of time off. I still prevail.
Back when I was transitioning from Citation Lufkin Texas Foundries to the unemployment line to a job at Stephen F. Austin State University, SFASU, I took up and completed the college course work for becoming a technology high-school teacher in Texas. In the USA, President Bush came up and endorsed this plan called NCLP - No Child Left Behind. What it basically means is that no child is left behind with regards to education. So, the Federal Government and the State and Local governments took up the challenge of insuring that all teachers are well qualified. As such, in order to become a teacher in Texas, you have to complete x hours of college level education courses and pass several exams.
I have already passed the technology exam and need to complete teh TExES PPR. Well, as it turns out there is a limited amount of time between course work and taking the exam before you are deemed ineligible. In Texas, not anyone can just take the exams. The universities and colleges are "protective" of their track record and success rates and only individuals that are approved by the university or college can sit for an exam. Thus, you can not just pay your $120.00 take and pass the exam and be certified to be a teacher. No. The process forces the perspective teacher to take the course work and then be "allowed" by the univeristy/college to sit for the exam. At SFASU, they go so far as requiring students to take and pass "pre exams" before they will allow you to take the state exam. There is a maximum of two years at SFASU between completing the course work and sitting for the exam. If you exceed the two years, then SFASU will convine a special education board to decide what to do with you - either allow you to sit for the exam, take some remedial courses, or recomplete the entire program.
Mind you, these university courses were anything but cheap. Even though I have an undergraduate degree in computer science, a masters of business administration - I was required to reapply to the graduate school at a fee, then apply for the education program for a fee, then take fifteen graduate level hours, five three-hour courses, and then pay more money to take the exams, etc. Even though all of the course work was online, at about $900 per class, plus books, etc. my total "investment" approaches $6,000. This is for a STATE OF TEXAS PUBLIC UNIVERSITY. The deregulation of state colleges and universities in Texas is the subject for another blog.
So, SFASU has allowed me to take the PPR TExES on Saturday Jan 31st 2009 at 8am w/o having to do any redmedial work, pay more money, take more classes, fight the system, etc. I want to get this out of the way and have the paper to prove it, even though I never plan on using it. It's like a doctoral student that does all of the course work, but never completes the discertation - it's known as a PhD ABD - all but discertation - and of course the discertation is the "hard part" of getting a PhD. One can not call themselves a PhD that is an ABD. I don't want to be in those shoes and complete what I started out and invested $ in - at a time when I was unemployed and underemployed.
Of course, the reason I didn't take the exam back when I finished the course work is that I was graced with the appearance of Synchro32 in my life and taking the exam was not a priority :)
Wish me luck on the exam so that I can put that behind me, hang the certificate on the wall, and move on down the road. Normally, on exam like this I would just walk in "cold" and take it and if I passed it great, if not, study and take it again. There is sooooo much beuracracy involved in this process that I don't even want to think what would be required if I didn't pass. I'm not about to go and retake all the courses, etc. It's not that important. This is basically a one shot deal and do it right the first time.
I'll be glad to getting on to read something more exciting... Suggestions?
Cheers Everyone.
ShaneA
The Shack
Happy new Year to you and yours. The holidays are behind us and it's a brand new year. All is well with Synchro32. I was afforded the luxury of having a two week holiday and took full advantage of it. Didn't do my usual of heading to West Texas and the Big Bend region. I'm planning on being in Big Bend in march. Did go camping with some mates down at Double Lakes and went to Dallas Christmas shopping and saw some more mates. Then went to Austin and saw a dear friend of mine who was in from Colorado and visited more friends down in New Braunfels who bought a new true Texas spread - five acres just outside of town - very rustic. It's good to have a lot of friends. You can never have too many. It's also good to have a lot of free places to stay when traveling.
It's going to be an incredibly busy year at Synchro32. The entire team has a lot on it's plate. Lee, the task master, keeps me on track and chained to my desk with my porta potty :). Simon will be on the road a lot in North America the first quarter of the new year - business is good at Synchro32 and he has many installs to complete. Barrie is fully up to speed at Synchro32 and is a highly valued member of the team and is handling a lot of the custom programming work that customers require. Of course, the leadership team of Barbara and Chris are doing well and keep everyone on task and up-todate. Chis is extrememly busy on development work and wrapping up the work on the exciting new shop floor data collection module. Barbara has her plate full keeping Chris on task :) and also heading up the marketing and sales effort for Synchro32. All in all, Synchro32 is composed of a lot of great people that I have the privilage to be associated with. Lee, well I can't say enough good things about him. He is a fantastic boss, best I've ever had - hands down, and he is also a great mate that I can talk to and he is also my Wingboss and I'm his Wingman. We look out for each other, watch each others 6 O'clock, and keep each other on task. It's just too bad I don't get to see him more often - I'd really like to drag him across the pond to North America during 2009 so he can experience some Texas hospitality and enjoy the night life of Austin Texas where the home office of Synchro32 North America is located. Well, that pretty much covers the management side of Synchro32 - the remainder of the Synchro32 team that stays pretty much hunkered down hard at work is also doing very well.
My dance card is full for the first several months of the year. I'll get to take off my shoes many times at the security checkpoints - heading to the blizard frigid conditions of Milwakuee for the AFS Wisconsin Regional in February, then off to the land of Seattle in March for the AFS NW Regional - I've never been to Seattle so it should be a real treat, then in April I get to go back to one of my fav haunts - Las Vegas - the town of "Lost Wages". It's really a wild town, a town that never sleeps - and you can have a great time even if you are not into gambling. Las Vegas is also the town without clocks. The proprieters don't want you to know what time it is so that you will stay out and spend your hard earned money. Vegas involves lots of "hiking". I've walked end-to-end on the strip many times. Good shoes are essential. A mate of mine is going to be in Vegas at the tail end of the trip so I'll catch up with him and spend a few extra days after the show. As soon as I get back, then I'm off to Fort Worth for the Texas Regional Expo in Fort Worth. Finally, a break in the action, but don't tell Lee, until September/October when I will go to the land of down under for the Australian Victoria show in Melbourne. Always wanted to go to Australia so I could see the southern night sky and see the water flow down the drain in the "opposite direction". Then, I'm back for the final expo of the year up in Indianapolis. Hopefully at least once - maybe even twice - I'll get to head over to the home office over in the UK to catch up with everyone.
The Shack - an outstanding read - a real page turner that I just finished it up. I shan't spoil the story for you - but in a nutshell a man experiences a horrific tragedy and spends a weekend in a shack with god. If you read the book you will know why the letter g is in lower case. :) That's all I'm going to say.
Well, until next time, I've got to get back at it before Lee notices I'm not hard at work. :)
Cheers,
ShaneA
BTW - here are some pics from my holiday activities. http://tinyurl.com/8bp46q
It's going to be an incredibly busy year at Synchro32. The entire team has a lot on it's plate. Lee, the task master, keeps me on track and chained to my desk with my porta potty :). Simon will be on the road a lot in North America the first quarter of the new year - business is good at Synchro32 and he has many installs to complete. Barrie is fully up to speed at Synchro32 and is a highly valued member of the team and is handling a lot of the custom programming work that customers require. Of course, the leadership team of Barbara and Chris are doing well and keep everyone on task and up-todate. Chis is extrememly busy on development work and wrapping up the work on the exciting new shop floor data collection module. Barbara has her plate full keeping Chris on task :) and also heading up the marketing and sales effort for Synchro32. All in all, Synchro32 is composed of a lot of great people that I have the privilage to be associated with. Lee, well I can't say enough good things about him. He is a fantastic boss, best I've ever had - hands down, and he is also a great mate that I can talk to and he is also my Wingboss and I'm his Wingman. We look out for each other, watch each others 6 O'clock, and keep each other on task. It's just too bad I don't get to see him more often - I'd really like to drag him across the pond to North America during 2009 so he can experience some Texas hospitality and enjoy the night life of Austin Texas where the home office of Synchro32 North America is located. Well, that pretty much covers the management side of Synchro32 - the remainder of the Synchro32 team that stays pretty much hunkered down hard at work is also doing very well.
My dance card is full for the first several months of the year. I'll get to take off my shoes many times at the security checkpoints - heading to the blizard frigid conditions of Milwakuee for the AFS Wisconsin Regional in February, then off to the land of Seattle in March for the AFS NW Regional - I've never been to Seattle so it should be a real treat, then in April I get to go back to one of my fav haunts - Las Vegas - the town of "Lost Wages". It's really a wild town, a town that never sleeps - and you can have a great time even if you are not into gambling. Las Vegas is also the town without clocks. The proprieters don't want you to know what time it is so that you will stay out and spend your hard earned money. Vegas involves lots of "hiking". I've walked end-to-end on the strip many times. Good shoes are essential. A mate of mine is going to be in Vegas at the tail end of the trip so I'll catch up with him and spend a few extra days after the show. As soon as I get back, then I'm off to Fort Worth for the Texas Regional Expo in Fort Worth. Finally, a break in the action, but don't tell Lee, until September/October when I will go to the land of down under for the Australian Victoria show in Melbourne. Always wanted to go to Australia so I could see the southern night sky and see the water flow down the drain in the "opposite direction". Then, I'm back for the final expo of the year up in Indianapolis. Hopefully at least once - maybe even twice - I'll get to head over to the home office over in the UK to catch up with everyone.
The Shack - an outstanding read - a real page turner that I just finished it up. I shan't spoil the story for you - but in a nutshell a man experiences a horrific tragedy and spends a weekend in a shack with god. If you read the book you will know why the letter g is in lower case. :) That's all I'm going to say.
Well, until next time, I've got to get back at it before Lee notices I'm not hard at work. :)
Cheers,
ShaneA
BTW - here are some pics from my holiday activities. http://tinyurl.com/8bp46q
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)