Shane Allen - Synchro32

Lots of Good Stuff...

2010-08-09T22:37:00.000+01:00

I don't have as good of news as "daddy" Lee Mahon has with his new "hatchlings", but things are rocking along just as well here in the North American office of Synchro32.

Simon will be stateside shortly making the rounds and we are already scheduling a follow-on visit for Richy in the early September timeframe. Chris and Simon will both be joining me at the Investment Casting expo in October in Dearborn Michigan. Afterwards, Chris will be venturing into Mexico to practice his Spanish at several new installations.

Hot is the word here in Texas - blazing hot and little to no rain. By hot, I'm looking at the outside thermometer right now, in the shade, and it's showing 106.3f or 41.3c and it's only 16:30! The hottest part of the day is yet an hour away. No real new pictures to share or anything - I guess I could show you the grass at my house burning up - I'll be able to bale the yard into hay before long.

Lots of good stuff going on at Synchro32 - the development team is hard at work with many new and exciting features that are being rolled out almost weekly. At Synchro32, there is no need to wait a year or more for releases and enhancements.

Too hot for me to go camping right now, my camper is just itching to go. I figure my next trip will probably be in November with the camper. Unfortunately, by then the days will be much shorter, but it will be massively cooler.

All is well in Texas - hoping we can escape another year without any hurricanes.

Until next time, see you on down the road.

ShaneA

I Don't Get It

2010-07-13T17:33:00.001+01:00

I don't get it or understand it. Some businesses out there just don't seem to get the power of the Internet or as I like to refer it as the Wild West Web.

Three weeks ago, I emailed a local appliance dealer that I normally do business with, asking for the price on a new electric dryer and if they would just deliver it to my house. My old dryer had bitten the dust and was no longer drying. Although it was only about five years old, the cost for a repairman and a new heating element along with probably a few other things made it more prudent to purchase a new one. Why dump $300 into a five year old dryer when I could have a new one for $450. Cost benefit analysis.

Alas, I have yet to receive an email reply back. That is NOT good customer service. I guess they don't check their email even though itt's listed on their website. I ended up having to drive to their store and place the order. Would have been so much easier to have done it by email. I knew exactly the brand, model, and features I wanted. I forgot to ask them if they ever checked their email.

I've also been shopping for a new car for my mother. I searched and searched the Wild West Web for the dealer I wanted to use and to search their inventory, but alas I could not find it. I found an email address for their other dealership and emailed them asking where there website was at. This is the response I got.

Good morning! I'm sorry you were unable to find our website. It is relatively new and does not yet show up on the search engines as readily as we would like. Is there a particular model that interests you? I will be happy to help in any way that I can, so please let me know if you have any trouble on our site or if you need more information. Thanks for your interest in xyz.

Come on, this is 2010, and an auto dealership has not had a website up and running for the past ten years? How much business have they lost by not having a website? How much has this cost them in business. I maybe what marketers label "an early adopter", but by now just about everyone expects to be able to get information off of the Wild West Web.

Synchro32 invests a lot of money and resources into our website and the internal workings of our tracking system. We have a modern customer resource management system that allows the entire global Synchro32 team to view the information in real time and respond accordingly.

I am also amazed and concerned by the number of metalcasters that do not have a web presence. A simple webpage is very inexpensive and gets your name and logo out in front of the world. A single webpage with your companies name, logo, what you do, and how to contact you is all you need for a start. Be forewarned, if you embark on an ambitious website of current news, events, newsletters, etc. you must keep it updated all the time - stale websites show a lack of interest and commitment.

What email address do you use? There are quite a few metalcasters that rely on "global" email addresses of Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN, Google, or your internet provider. Is this displaying the professional image you want the world to see? An email address can easily be coupled with your webpage to provide a seamless image. JANEDOE@metalcastings-r-us is much more professional than JANEDOE@GMAIL.com

Synchro32 is proud of our commitment to customer support and the embracement of technology.

Back when I was working on my MBA, the team I was assigned to had a group project. This blog post reminded me of that.

Till next time, see you on down the road.

Synchro32 - A Safe Harbor for Your Metalcasting Operations

2010-07-07T16:24:00.004+01:00

The Synchro32 global team has done it again by having an article published in the July 2010 issue of Modern Casting. Although my name is listed as the lead author, trust me, this was truly a collaboration of all of the Synchro32 team members and is dedicated to them.

Synchro32 knows metalcasting. (Period)

Here is a link to the article.
Prevent Problems Through Perfect Planning Modern Casting July 2010

Hot here in Texas, although we are in a bit of a respite due to all of the tropical rain that has been flowing in. Keeping my fingers crossed that there are no major hurricanes this year, but there is one brewing in the Gulf of Mexico right now.

My favorite is always the Mariners 1-2-3 rule as it gives that old world feel to storms and of course the term "safe harbor" which of course has evolved into financial terms as well.

The Mariners' 1-2-3 Rule, or "Danger area", is indicated by shading. The 1-2-3 Rule, commonly taught to mariners, refers to the rounded long-term NHC forecast errors of 100-200-300 nautical miles at 24-48-72 hours, respectively.

Let Synchro32 become a "safe harbor" for your metalcasting operations by arranging for a demonstration today!

Generally speaking, a "safe harbor", besides the obvious of a place where mariners go to weather a storm, is also a legal term that reduces or eliminates liability as long as it is done in good faith. This applies to foundries and metalcasters that make financial projections and forecasts as long as they were done in good faith. If the metalcaster has a modern ERP/MRP system and a top notch accounting software program that is linked with the ERP/MRP system, then the financial projections/forecasts would be made in good faith. NOTE: I'm not a lawyer nor a CPA - some might call me a "paralawyer" if you are up on your John Grisham books (Rainmaker). :)

Until next time, see you on down the road...

TIMBER!

2010-06-28T18:51:00.009+01:00

Just in time for hurricane and severe storm season in Texas! "Timber - the yell from loggers as a tree is felled". It was an industrial sized exercise in safely removing the huge 110' water oak tree from my backyard. The tree had a good life and was here long before I walked the face of this earth. However, all good things must come to an end and the tree was riddled with structural weakness. Although the tree had weathered many a storm and I'm sure kids of this house grew up playing hide-an-go-seek around the trunk and families enjoyed the shade as a respite from the brutal Texas summers, alas she is no more.

Many thanks to my friends and neighbors who pitched in and hauled off all of the sawdust. Oak makes really good mulch. It was back breaking work to haul it all off then to haul in some dirt to level it all back out. Whew. Glad that is behind me. My next door neighbors hauled off two full truck loads of the stuff.

The tree service that took down the tree was most outstanding and I was very impressed with their professionalism and commitment to safety. Like any good company, customer service is what it is all about. At Synchro32, the global Synchro32 team is committed to legendary platinum level customer service that exceeds all expectations. Period.

As illustrated in the final pictures of Doc Holliday the MinPin - as a foundry person you can rest well at night knowing that Synchro32 is hard at work and that you are using the the best metalcasting specific software.

As you are looking at the following pictures that animate the tree removal process, look at all of the heavy duty metalcastings that went into the manufacturing of these awesome machines. I'm a boy and like Bob Vila, I like big boy toys. That crane had some stout castings on it and check out the teeth of the stump grinder. I would really have liked to take that crane for a ride. I worked seismic survey in the Louisiana , Krotz Springs, Opelousas, and Port Barie area of the Atchafalya Basin, during my college years and I got to drive many cool off-road vehicles. Nothing like being knee deep in an alligator and water moccasin infested swamp by 7am!

Until next time, see you on down the road...

Back from Wisconsin...

2010-06-23T19:14:00.001+01:00

Hello from blazing hot Texas! The green text at least makes me feel cooler! It's been a scorcher already this year and officially, Summer has just commenced.

Chris Collins, MD/CEO, of Synchro32 and I met up in Wisconsin for the AFS Wisconsin Regional 2010. By the way, MD refers to Managing Director and not Medical Doctor. First time I met up with Chris during the hiring/interview/ phase, I had no idea as to what an MD truly was - I really thought he was a medical doctor! Seemed like a strange combination of being a sawbones and involved with the metalcasting industry.

Although one would say that the regional conference was anything but a stellar success, Synchro32 still firmly stands behind and supports the AFS Wisconsin Chapter. For whatever reason, the attendance was shall I say dismal. The venue location was changed to Oconomowoc at the Olympia Resort and Spa from the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. The event was also shifted from bitterly cold and totally unpredictable February to comfortable and more predictable late Spring.

Synchro32 has absolutely no doubt that the AFS Wisconsin Chapter will pull it all together and make the necessary changes to have the next expo/meeting a resounding success.

However, there were many positive things that came out of this regional conference. Chris and I got to spend a lot of time together and discuss the entire company, our operations, growth projections, what we are doing right and what we need to do moving forward. Additionally, Chris, Phil Laney of B&L, and Steve Hoppe of Guardian Software all got together over dinner to discuss the state of the industry and to get to know each other. Furthermore, Synchro32 met up with a lot of our vendor friends and also made new industry friends. These are all hugely important components of an expo and is immeasurable. One can not always judge the success of an expo based on the number of sales leads obtained and converted.

Well, I've put my traveling cases in storage for a while. Next up, and not until October, is the Investment Casting show in Dearborn Michigan! http://www.investmentcasting.org/events.asp Leland Martin and the team at the ICI always do a bang up job each year. I've already got my flight booked! Hope to see all of you investment casters there!

Till next time, see you on down the road.

Say Yah to Da Up eh?

Its Not To Late!

2010-06-11T20:20:00.004+01:00

I can assure you, that the 2010 release of the AFS Wisconsin Regional will NOT be ground to a halt, at least not due to blizzard conditions!

It's not too late to make your plans and head on over to Wisconsin for the AFS Regional Conference! I will be meeting up with the Synchro32 CEO/Managing Director Chris Collins next week. If you are in attendance at this important show, be sure to make plans to attend the presentation by Chris and Tom on Wed morning at 9am sharp!

The weather looks great for next week, if you place much stock in weather forecasting! One thing is for sure, the temperatures should be a lot more moderate than what we are currently experiencing here in Texas. As I look at my thermometer, it is a pleasant 98.9f (37.2c) outside right now. Temps in Wisconsin should only reach the 70's!

For more information on the AFS Wisconsin Regional at the new venue of the Olympia Resort - please see http://www.olympiaresort.com/ and http://www.wisconsinafs.org/1006/1006.html

In advance, the entire global Synchro32 team wants to thank Donna Nagy, Tom Schell, and everyone else involved for bringing this all together. It is no small feat in pulling this important conference off year after year. Synchro32 also wants everyone to know that we give three thumbs up to having this Conference at a new location that is less expensive, easier parking, no bottlenecks at elevators (theory of constraints), and in a more relaxed atmosphere. Synchro32 also wants to say that we really appreciate and approve of rescheduling the event to a, shall I say, more favorable time of the year. Synchro32 is a very cost conscious company and the "blizzard" of Feb 2008 made the AFS Wisconsin show a very expensive endeavor for us as we received only one lead and I was a full day late in arriving due to airport closures. As illustrated by the opening photo of this blog entry, I saved the newspaper from 2008.

Please be sure to visit Synchro32 in booth #28. The show kicks off on Wednesday and finishes up on Thursday.

Till next time, see you on down the road...

Shane

Is Your Metalcasting Facility in a Hole?

2010-05-27T21:18:00.002+01:00

Synchro32 is a friendly company to work for and to do business with. I must say, I get along smashingly well with the entire global team. It's the first place that I've ever worked at where there is "peace and harmony". We "sing" (just like Provo's Privy - It Sings) - can you name that legendary movie from long ago? This of course makes it very easy to do business with Synchro32 and become a customer - using the global platinum standard for metalcasting specific software. Customer support is everything to the company - before the sale and long long after the sale. That's why every license of the Synchro32 comes with unlimited support for trained users. What more can be said...

Here is a story, borrowed from the WestWing, that really enforces friendship for me and also what Synchro32 can do for your metalcasting facility - anywhere in the world!

"This guy's walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get out.
: "A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
: "Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on
: "Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.'"

So, if your metalcasting facility is in a hole, call on Synchro32 and we will all jump in the hole with you - we know the way out!

Till next time, see you on down the road...

Oh No, Say It Isn't So - INVEST90

2010-05-21T17:38:00.004+01:00

Oops, I was just joking about a tropical storm or a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico - the official season hasn't even started yet! The Atlantic Hurricane season starts on June 1st - and already there is a "disturbance" in the Gulf of Mexico showing signs of growt and is moving WNW.

It's probably time for some extraordinary measures to cap the well in the Gulf. It's been readily apparent that all of these solutions are "shots in the deep" and the thing is still spewing.

First named storm of the year will be Alex.

This might not be good news for the Gulf of Mexico and the Texas Coast.

If this forms into a tropical storm or hurricane, it is coming from the East and would blow all the oil to the West towards Texas. Plus, as the storm picks up water with oil from the surface, oily ran will fall back down on the cities and your house and streets, rivers and streams.

I say NUKE it. The Ruskies did the same thing on a run away gas well back in the 50's-60's.

Probably 1kt or less is all that would be needed - min. radiation hazard and no fall out.

Soviet Union Nuking a Gas Well

Nuke Depth Charge

I mean, we did all kinds of nuke experiments under the PlowShare program - peaceful use of nukes for oil exploration, canal building, lake building, etc. That's why we had nukes explode in Alaska, Mississippi, and Colorado. I've stood on the edge of Sedan Crater, quite amazing...

Project Plowshare: Operation Storax: Shot Sedan: NTS-Nevada Test Site July 6 1962

All is well at Synchro32. Richy is back from an extended road trip to the trans Oceanic region and is more than happy to be home. I don't think he still knows what day/time it is - the jet lag on this is beyond brutal. But, he's a trooper extraordinare and will be back at full steam soon.

Simon is touring around North America as I type this - a person who never unpacks.

I myself am gearing up with Chris Collins for the AFS Wisconsin region in mid June. Really looking forward to seeing Wisconsin during the spring/summer as opposed to the winter. We Texans are not built to endure the harsh winters up that way.

Till next time, see you on down the road...

June 1st is Almost Here...

2010-05-13T23:01:00.001+01:00

June 1st marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. All eyes are already on the Gulf of Mexico with the massive oil spill messing things up along the gulf coast, killing wildlife, destroying economies, and generally making an oily black mess of things.

I was pondering on the front porch yesterday about what would happen if a hurricane should spring up in the Gulf of Mexico and over run the oil slick. Not only would the oil really get washed ashore with the tidal surges, but the hurricane would pickup the oily water from the Gulf of Mexico and drop it down all over the place in the form of rain - making beyond a huge environmental disaster!

Well, I'm doing my preemptive strike on hurricanes. I've got a 70+ year old water oak in my backyard that is starting to show it's age. It's got large knot holes in it and although it has survived hurricanes Rita and Ike, it's time for it to come down. Should a storm spring up and the ground become water logged or very high sustained winds, the tree would literally split the house and who ever was in the house at the time in half.

So, sometime in the next couple of weeks I'm doing my part in supporting the local economy by having it reduced to wood chips.

Need some good mulch?

Till next time, see you on down the road...

For Immediate Release: Chris Collins & Tom Renk to Speak at AFS Wisconsin Regional

2010-05-03T20:17:00.007+01:00

Chris Collins, CEO and Managing Director, will be making a presentation titled “Why ERP for Small and Medium Sized Foundries”. A short abstract of this presentation is:

A short talk on the importance of specific ERP/MRP software systems for the modern day foundry. Including historical context, main areas of concern, and roles of past and current technologies, the impact of global communications, tips of systems acquisition, and a glimpse into the future...

The talk with focus on the specific needs of small and medium sized metalcasters, making them aware of the need in the 21st century to revolutionize their operations through modern ERP/MRP systems. Chris will provide information on what composes an ERP-Enterprise Resource Planning and MRP-Material Requirements Planning system and why it is so essentially necessary to implement a system.

Affordable solutions are available to all sizes metalcasters and this presentation will focus on the specific needs and concerns of small to medium sized metalcasters. The goal of the presentation will be to enlighten metalcasters that industry specific ERP/MRP solutions are available for the specific metalcasting industry segment and will highlight that metalcasting is vastly different from all other forms of manufacturing and production.

Joining Chris for the presentation will be Tom Renk, President of UMF-United Machine aand Foundry of Winona Minnesota. Tom will specifically address the needs of metalcasters in today’s fast paced global “Wild-West-Web”,“speed to market”, “customer sensitive” environment that is replete with quality and cost conscious issues. Tom will lend personal credence to his experiences in implementing, managing, and using on a daily basis a modern ERP/MRP system and how such system has improved his all important bottom line.

Please join the AFS Wisconsin Chapter, Synchro32 and United Machine and Foundry on Wednesday June 16th 2010 at 9am CDT for this enlightening, upbeat, and informative presentation on how all sizes of metalcasters can compete with the titans of the industry on a global basis.

WISCONSIN CHAPTER
AMERICAN FOUNDRY SOCIETY
JUNE 15-17, 2010 / OLYMPIA RESORT
http://www.wisconsinafs.org/1006/2010Conference.pdf
http://www.wisconsinafs.org/

Chris Collins is founder and CEO of Synchro32, creators of the production control ERP/MRP software system Synchro32. With more than twenty-five years of experience in the design of production control systems specifically for the cast metal industry, Collins has personally contributed towards three complete ERP/MRP software suites, including the complete design and creation of Synchro32. With a background in both engineering and software design since 1984 Chris Collins has played a pivotal role in the form and functionality of modern day foundry specific ERP systems.

Tom Renk is President of United Machine and Foundry and has been with them for fourteen years. Tom has a degree in manufacturing engineering from Iowa State University. Tom cut his teeth in the metalcasting industry working for the American Foundry Society, AFS, in the early 1990’s writing computer code and was introduced to the Synchro32 legacy System DEWTEC at that time. Tom has over twenty-one years of experience in the metalcasting industry.

Synchro32 is the global leading provider of metalcasting specific software for managing the ERP/MRP needs today’s metalcaster. Synchro32 is literally a metalcasting operation in a software box. Synchro32 maintains offices in North America (Austin Texas), the United Kingdom, South America (Brasil), Europe, and Spain. On the web at www.synchro32.com and by email at sales@synchro32.com

Enterprise Planning

2010-05-03T17:38:00.004+01:00

Hello from bright and sunny Texas USA. Spring is well past sprung and before long we will be in the midst of the blazing Texas summer. It was already in the 90's this past weekend - that's 32c.

I'm pleased to announce something that has been in the works for sometime,

AFS Wisconsin Chapter

Enterprise Planning for Small & Medium Sized Foundries

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
9:00 am – 11:00 am

Olympia Resort and Conference Center located in Oconomowoc,
Wisconsin

http://www.wisconsinafs.org/1006/2010Conference.pdf

Chris Collins -CEO and Managing Director - Synchro32
Tom Renk President - United Machine and Foundry

Chris and Tom will discuss the concepts and importance of Enterprise Planning (ERP) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems in a modern foundry, focusing particularly on the needs of small and medium sized foundries. Practical experiences with the use of these systems to improve the bottom line in a foundry will also be presented.

I'm already hard at work getting everything organized for this Expo in the new location. Check out where Synchro32 will be at http://www.olympiaresort.com/

Things are going exceedingly well at Synchro32 and April 2010 was a most outstanding month with many new installations. May has already taken off and Simon will be making a mid month swing through Canada, the USA, and Mexico with new installations. I'm already working on booking his June and July trips. Richy remains in the "land down under" with new installations and will be returning home to the UK before long. I am also working on a trip to North America for him in the early July timeframe and a return to the trans-Oceanic region for late July.

Other news, Richy will be attending the AFI, Australian Foundry Institute Conference/Exposition
which will be held in Adelaide, 17-20th October 2010 at the Stamford Grand Hotel, Glenelg Australia. See
http://www.afiaustralia.org/html/conference_2010.html for more details.

Finally, although GIFA it is not until next year, the Synchro32 Sales and Marketing Department has already reserved a spot and we are gearing up for the premier global event. I am definately planning on being there.
http://www.gifa.com/

Obviously lots of good stuff going on at Synchro32.

Till next time, see you on down the road...

Shane Allen

Ramblings from the Front Porch

2010-04-18T16:11:00.010+01:00

Hiya, coming to you once again from the front porch this Sunday morning with a cup of joe in hand, coffee -black and strong - nothing worse than weak coffee. I drink a 50/50 mix of regular and decaf. Really can't imagine why anyone would want to ruin a good cup of joe with cream and sugar - I really like the taste of strong coffee and sometimes will buy the Louisiana blend with Chicory in it.

Sir Doc Holliday enjoying bone on the front porch.

Speaking of Louisiana, went over to H-town yesterday, Houston, to do some shopping. Had a wonderful meal of shrimp etoufee, a traditional Louisiana dish, and visited my tailor for some more shirts and ties. Just a day trip. I like driving - always have. Distances don't bother me. They shouldn't, as Big Bend is a solid 600 plus miles from hear and can do it in a day.

So, the topic this morning is the worldwide impact that mother nature is having with her version of 9/11. Air traffic is snarled from that volcano in Iceland. Chris was due to fly from the office in Spain to the UK office this weekend - not going to happen. Richy is in Sydney Australia, due to begin a holiday during his Oceanic and Trans-Asia Synchro32 business trip, but alas his GF can't make it there. The best laid "planes" gone awry. :(

The impact of mother natures 9/11 on the global economy is cause for worry. Not only will the airlines be impacted and the millions of people unable to travel, but think of the shipping companies, overnight delivery companies, postal service, etc. There is a huge huge global impact that will negatively impact the economy. As a direct result of the USA 9/11, the US instituted something known as Check 21. This law allows banks and merchants and financial institutions to convert paper checks into electronic checks for easy processing. During the days after 9/11, billions of dollars in paper checks were stuck in the belly's of planes that were idly sitting on tarmacs around the world. Mind you, there is a lot more to Check 21, but I shan't go there as I degree with several of the provisions.

Now I understand that the airlines, already struggling from the "great recession" are testing out flying in this muck. I for one wouldn't want to be on a plane even if they say it is "safe". Unacceptable risk in my book and I am a risk avoidance type of person.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them under control. I trust you are not in too much distress.

In 1982, a British Airways flight encountered volcanic ash. Fortunately, the story ended positively. The front windshield had been "sand blasted" and the engines all fouled up.

So, I'll close on this note that "Mother Nature Always Wins" and there is not a darn thing we can do about it - so sit back and relax. No point in getting balled up over something well beyond your control.

Till next time, see you on down the road...

By the way, it's Spring time in Texas - the Azellas are in full bloom and Sir Doc Holliday really enjoys in basking in the glow of the warm Texas sun.

Seventeen Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Seven

2010-04-14T18:47:00.005+01:00

17167

Nope, that's not the number of Synchro32 world wide licenses in effect, close, but not quite.

Nope, that's not the number of "beers" on the wall either.

Nope, that's not the year that the United States was founded either.

17,167 just happens to be the number of days that I have been so graciously allowed to walk this planet.

If my feet hit the floor, it has to be a good day. It's not good when you stop having birthdays. So, I plan on being around quite a while longer encouraging metalcasters all over the world to join the rank and file of those that are already reaping the harvest of planting Synchro32 in the fields of their operations.

Here's to the next 17,167 days!

From my good friend Helen.

Till next time, see you on down the road...

Bells are a ringing...

2010-03-31T20:53:00.002+01:00

Just a quick note from the Synchro32 North American office, Synchro32 has introduced a new metalcaster to the extraordinary world of Synchro32 - software for metalcsters only! Didn't see Synchro32 at CastExpo, well, then give me a ring to arrange a free no-cost - no obligation demo specifically customized to YOUR specific needs.

By the way, did you know that the "Great Recession" is over with? You got to be prepared for the "Great Recovery" by getting Synchro32 installed before the land slide of orders hit your order books!

Until next time, see you on down the road - gotta run, I'm getting typers cramp for issuing all of the quotes that have resulted from CastExpo.

Survey Says!

2010-03-24T17:20:00.012Z

Survey Says, the Winner of the Digital Prism 3.5 Inch Handheld Digital LCD TV, drawn by
the fair and impartial Alfred T. Spada, Editor in Chief, of Modern Casting is...

Drum Roll Please...Blair Dierckens of Monarch Industries!

Congratulations Blair. Your TV will be in the mail today!
Please be sure to watch the Synchro32 channel on your new digital TV!

On behalf of the entire World-Wide Synchro32 team, we wish to thank everyone involved with pulling off a wildly successful CastExpo 2010. Special kudos go to Alfred Spada, Joe Murphy, Rolf Petersen, and Leo Baran - along with everyone at AFS, Modern Casting, NADCA, and everyone that stopped by the Synchro32 booth - and most of all to all of the global Synchro32 customer base who make this possible everyday - all day...

Chris Collins, the Office Jr. preparing brochure packages... :)

Till Next Time, see you on down the road in San Marcos Texas for the AFS Chapter Meeting April 16th-17th at the Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel Spa and Convention Center with a Golf Tournament at the Quail Creek Country Club... For more details, please see the AFS Texas Chapter website for more details...

Last Call

2010-03-23T01:27:00.004Z

Tuesday is the last call for CastExpo 2010 and then it will be in the record books and what records it will have set. Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed that Synchro32 would have had the success it has had at this show. It has been a great show and Simon, Chris, and I make the perfect team of introducing metalcasters the world over to the joys and outstanding benefits of Synchro32.

Looking ahead, I'll be heading over to San Marcos Texas to the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in April for the Texas AFS meeting and dinner - followed by golf. I'm a duffer, but I like to play golf. My foot wedge is the best club in my bag. Then, next up on the agenda will be the Wisconsin Regional in June. June will be perfect in the Milwaukee area. Shouldn't be nary a chance for snow or frigid temps!

Here are some pics from Mondays CASTEXPO 2010 extravaganza.

The Pros from Dover

2010-03-22T19:39:00.006Z

Hello from the AFS CastExpo in sunny Orlando. While Chris and Simon have been working hard, I've been lounging on the beach at Daytona... NOT! :)

One word describes the success Synchro32 has had here - WOW! Metalcasters from around the globe have been flocking to the Synchro32 booth - to check out and sign up for the legendary metalcasting specific software.

Sorry, must get back to the beach, err - stand. More later.

Here are a few pics for you...

Till next time, See you on down the road.

Wish You Were Here!

2010-03-19T23:56:00.010Z

Hello my friends and metalcasters of the world, I hope you are attending CastExpo 2010 here in sunny and warm Orlando Florida USA! If you are not attending, wish you were here! Chris, Simon, and I all arrived almost simultaneously yesterday at the airport - that's Synchro32 for you - great planning - what else would you expect from the gloabl leading provider of metalcasting specific ERP/MRP software.

It is so good to see both Chris and Simon. I saw Simon a month or so ago in Birmingham Alabama, but have not seen Chris in person for about eighteen months!

We spent today getting everything primed for the opening bell at 9am Saturday morning, tomorrow. So, as the show continues daily until Tuesday at 2pm, there is no need that you can't just jaunt on over here.

Keep your eyes on this blog for updates from the show and also a special Synchro32 team building exercise that we will be partaking in.

The Synchro32 roadshow is on the road and we are all pumped and primed to do outstanding business at the show, greeting current customers, catching up with old friends, and most of all introducing metalcasters from all over the world to the benefits of the affordable, intuitive, user friendly, and most of all powerful software there is.

Until next time, see you on down the road at the show... The Show Must Go On!

ShaneA

The Wizards of Synchro32

2010-03-17T17:58:00.006Z

Hello my metalcasting friends, it's almost time to travel to Orlando for CastExpo 2010! I'm off to see the Wizards of Synchro32 Chris Collins, Managing Director/CEO, and Simon Adlington, Worldwide Implementation Manager.

Be sure and stop by booth# 2101 to visit the Synchro32 team.

Weather looks to be great and Spring Break will be in full swing...

You can check out some webcams of Orlando Florida at http://www.orlando-webcams.com/
and at http://gatorland.com/gatorcam.php

Weather @ http://tinyurl.com/weather-orlando and http://tinyurl.com/weather-orlando2

Until next time, see you on down the road in sunny and warm Orlando!

Top 100 Websites

2010-03-15T13:41:00.005Z

Hello from Texas,

I hope this blog finds you and finds you well!

I read and interesting article on the BBC webpage @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8562801.stm

As you can see, the leader of the pack is Synchro32!
The preferred favorite of metalcasters around the globe!

Ok, so I took a little "creative license" with the data, but give Synchro32 a year and this will ring very true!

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. If the USA, we went through the "twice a year" ritual of changing our clocks. I do believe that the vast majority of Americans wish that we would stop this horrid habit. We "sprang forward" an hour and I went through the motions of changing all the clocks. Just think of all the time "wasted" by everyone in the USA having to change all the clocks. What is really frightening is the amount of money it costs businesses in "changing time". I saw a website page at CISCO a while back, and when the USA decided to change the date of the time change a couple of years ago, it was a massive undertaking for companies to reprogram software, routers, switches, etc. See http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk648/tk362/technologies_tech_note09186a00807ca437.shtml for an idea on how big of a challenge this is.

Time waits for no man. Time is fleeting. Time is an economic resource that once lost, can never ever be recovered. Time can't be stored for a future date and has an instant expiration date. Let's get out of this ridiculous ritual of changing time 2x a year and stick with one time.

Tis all for now. See you on down the road in Orlando Florida for CastExpo. Be sure and check out the platinum standard for metalcasting software at booth #2101 - Synchro32. Come and shake hands with Chris Collins, Managing Director/CEO, Simon Adlington, Worldwide Implementation Manager, and Shane Allen, North American operations!

Look forward to seeing you there.

Until next time...

Easier to Get into Fort Knox

2010-03-09T18:35:00.006Z

I've never in all of my life seen a security system in place such as the one that the United States Department of Treasury has. This system is used to access your personal accounts at Treasury Direct on the internet.

Let's face it, the wild west web has revolutionized how we all do our business and access data. Money is literally nothing but binary 0's and 1's anymore - floating all around the world. However, there are certainly perils with doing business, especially involving money, on the Internet. It is unfortunately common occurrence anymore that "undesirables" break into accounts, attempt to glean private information, steal userid's, passwords, and credit card information. One has to use due diligence at all times not to compromise their safety and privacy. You can never let your guard down as people will go to extreme measures to break your confidence.

I am old fashioned in one way and have not embraced the debit card craze. Yep, I'm the one in line at the super market that is writing out a check, holding up production and creating a bottleneck. Oh sure, I do use online banking and pay all of my bills electronically, but for everyday use I'm still a check writing cash-and-carry type of guy.

Here are some screen shots of the extraordinary security measure that is implemented at the Treasury Department. It will be interesting to see if such measures become more widespread in the coming years. It is a pain and it is a hassle to access account information and whether it "really works" or not is yet to be seen. However, I do feel that they have gone to great lengths to insure that only the authorized person can access the information.

Who knows, we will probably have home based retinal scanners and DNA verifiers before too long. I myself have a finger print reader at home that I use to access my accounts. :)

Till next time, see you on down the road in Orlando for CastExpo 2010 - Synchro32 Booth# 2101.

http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/fun_facts/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=fun_facts13

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/fort-knox-depository.htm

Musings From the Front Porch

2010-03-07T15:06:00.004Z

Hello, coming to you from the front porch where I spend a lot of my non-working hours these days. I did a total remodel as you may recall from prior posts and now that the weather is changing to spring, it is my fav place to kick back and solve the worlds problems with my friends. My buddy Doc Holliday is on the porch with me this early Sunday morning as I have a big cup of black coffee and write to you from my netbook.

Netbooks are great - so much more portable than a laptop. I got a really sweet deal on mine and although it is not near as powerful as a full blown laptop, it works just fine for most things that I need to do from the front porch! The eight hour battery life is most outstanding - especially since it is only about two pounds total. Amazing that they have everything crammed into it and don't need a fan to turn to cool things off - hence a lot lighter.

Sitting here thinking about CastExpo and how I will be meeting up with Chris and Simon. I haven't seen Chris since Nov 2008, but we talk and SKYPE video almost daily. Just a few minor details to attend to and then it's off to Orland a week from Thursday. I am really looking forward to meeting all the metalcasters that will be visiting the booth and those that have said to reserve them a slot for an on-the-spot demo. Of course, meeting up with the multitude of foundry men that I have gotten to know over the years is an added benefit. It is so neat to watch the expressions of metalcasters as they go through a demonstration of Synchro32 for the first time - all the functionality, all modules, all support, all updates for a low monthly fee of only $100 per user/month - and it is concurrent licensing. Nothing complicated about it. Synchro32 is literally a foundry in a software box from the front gate to the shipping dock and everywhere in between.

Well, time to take Doc Holliday for a hike and get busy I suppose, probably time I started working on 2009 taxes. I could sit here all day telling you about the virtues and benefits of Synchro32, but seeing is really believing. I am looking forward to shaking your hand in Orlando!

Until Next Time, see you on down the road...

Can You Hear That?

2010-03-04T16:40:00.017Z

If you step outside right now, you should be hearing a bell ringing. The bell that I was presented with at the AFS Birmingham meeting has been "ringing away". I've started a new tradition at Synchro32 of "ringing the bell" when new customers sign on the dotted line and partner with Synchro32 to make the Synchro32 software their global premier platinum standard ERP/MRP software provider - improving and streamlining their operations, reducing costs, improving quality, and in the end saving money on their software needs and improving the all important bottom line.

Can you hear it?

Already more North American and Oceanic Trans Asian trips are in the works to meet the customer demand of existing Synchro32 customers and installations at the newest metalcasting locations that have made the positive choice of Synchro32.

Simon Adlington and Chris Collins will join me at CastExpo 2010, just a short time from now, and Simon's diary is chocked full after the show.

Richard Raine will be embarking to the "land down under" with stops in the Eurasian region for customer visits and new installations!

Haven't seen Synchro32 yet? Contact me to arrange for a no-cost - no-obligation - no high pressure sales pitch customized demonstration of the affordable metalcasting specific Synchro32 software that is installed around the world. Synchro32 is now priced in Australian Dollars.
This link will take you to the demonstration request form http://www.synchro32.com/customer_evaluation.htm. At Synchro32, every demonstration is different as we focus on what "matters most" to you and your facility. Each demonstration is tuned into the type of metalcaster you are and we listen to your needs, roles, and goals.

How about letting me ring the bell for your metalcasting facility? Selecting a new ERP/MRP system is a huge decision and Synchro32 realizes that. It takes time, effort, and precious capital resources. We are ready to ring the bell when you are!

Australian $ AUD
North America $ USD

UK, Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Polar, Moon Mars & Stars £ GBP
Until Next Time, See you on Down the Road at CastExpo 2010! Booth #2101!!!

So Simple Even a Cave Person Could Do It

2010-02-24T21:18:00.007Z

I was reminded today about another one of the superior aspects of the Synchro32 software system. The Synchro32 development team released another huge batch of software updates that further expands the functionality and ease of use of the Synchro32 software system. So far in 2010, there have been a total of thirty-six feature enhancements/improvements to specific modules of the Synchro32 software contained in six distinct releases.

At Synchro32, we listen to our customers and also on-going sales prospects for improvements and expansions to the software. Not only do we listen to our customers, but internally the world-wide team is devoted to the continual "revolution" of the software by suggesting improvements and keeping our eyes on new trends and business practices. A customer in the Oceanic market may request some new feature or enhancement. Once quickly implemented, the entire worldwide Synchro32 customer base has access to this new release. A new trend or idea in Australia will quickly be available the world over. With Synchro32, it's like having your fingers on the pulse of the entire world and the entire world is at your finger tips.

There are no forms to complete for enhancements, changes, or even ideas. The Synchro32 development team actively communicates with the customer base on an on-going basis. What you need is really what you get! And, to top it all off - Synchro32 customers do not have to wait a year or more for the enhancements to be included in a release! There is no "it would be nice to have this "today", but have to wait a long time for it to be rolled out and perhaps even be voted on. Smaller metal casters have just as loud a voice when it comes to enhancements as do the mega giant metalcasters.

The Synchro32 software system was designed from the get-go to be modularized and easy to apply updates to. The entire update process to a release is so simple, effortless, and quick that "even a cave person could do it".

At Synchro32 the entire team is committed to exceeding the customers needs and expectations - every day - all day.

See you at CastExpo 2010! I'm getting excited about this.

Till next time, see you on down the road.

Bouncing Down the Road

2010-02-23T21:08:00.004Z

The Synchro32 show crates are on their way to Orlando, bouncing down the road on a big 18 wheeler. Did you know it's only twenty-five days until show time? I do hope you have made an entry into your PalmPilot/Iphone/Day Planner and have made your stage coach reservation as well as lodging at the LongBranch for CastExpo 2010! Do make a note to visit Synchro32 in booth number 2101. Chris Collins, Managing Director/CEO, Simon Adlington, Synchro32 Worldwide Implementation Manager, and myself are looking forward to meeting you on the show floor!

Till next time, See you on down the road...

100th Post! Back In Lufkin

2010-02-22T19:49:00.010Z

Hello and welcome to my 100th post here on my blog. I do hope you enjoy reading this sometimes useful information with brief glimpses into my rather exciting life. If you have any comments, please be sure to post them.

Friday night I traveled over to Lufkin in Deep East Texas to attend the AFS Texas meeting. There was a good crowd on hand to hear a presentation on the electrical grid in Texas. Food was most outstanding as was the fellowship. I ran into many people that I knew from having worked in Lufkin for twelve years at TF - Texas Foundries (Citation Lufkin). Unfortunately, Citation shuttered Texas Foundries a year or so ago and there will never be a metalcasting facility on that tract of land again.

Until Next Time, See you On Down the Road...

Writers Cramp Signing Drop Slips

2010-02-17T23:06:00.004Z

I was reminded today of a dear friend of mine, a former college professor, PhD type (you know - Piled Higher and Deeper). I remember long ago when he came into the evening COBOL class, yea, I'm that old - I cut my teeth writing COBOL, and said that he was tired and had writers cramp from signing drop slips. Drop slips, meaning students withdrawing from his brutal class. The last day before the "drop deadline" was always tough on professors as they would have to sign many drop slips.

The reason I was reminded of this today was that since the start of the year, I've had a constant "typers cramp" of issuing quotes and this week has been especially brutal. But, trust me, I'm not complaining! I really like introducing new metalcasters to the world of Synchro32 - the worlds most affordable metalcasting specific software with the legendary support! What is unique with Synchro32 is that our quotes are extremely straight forward and easy to produce. All of our prices are highly visible in plain sight - so visible that a blind man could see the prices in an instant. http://www.synchro32.com/pricing.htm At Synchro32, we call it "clarity of pricing". There are no hidden prices, massive upfront fees, yearly maintenance fees, pricing by CPU class, etc. Nope, it's all there for the world to view. We have nothing to hide. What you see is what you pay and Synchro32 has not had a price increase in quite a while. The Synchro32 licensing is unique to the industry as well - all modules are included - there is nothing to "pick and choose from", it is concurrent based licensing that is not tied to a specific machine or user. Sign up for 25 user licenses and install it on 100 PC's - only 25 can be active at once. Simple, straight forward, flexible, and most of all fair. The new industry revolutionary SFDC - Shop Floor Data Collection Module only uses 1/3 of a license on a shop floor data collection work station.

The economic recovery is in full swing globally and New Zealand and Australia and the USA are leading the pack. All of the Synchro32 customers I have spoken with recently are seeing a very strong uptick indicator of orders on the books and the tonnages and numbers are pretty strong.

If you haven't taken a demo of the Synchro32 system, now is a perfect time to arrange one before you go to 24/7 work shifts and I will be more than pleased to scrunch up my fingers and give you an on-the-spot quote.

Till next time, see you on down the road...

To the Ends of the Earth...

2010-02-16T19:01:00.004Z

Customer support before and after the sale is extremely important at Synchro32 and is constantly monitored for quality improvements. The entire Synchro32 support team under the very competent direction of Lee Mahon, Technical Support Manager, does their very best to provide legendary - outstanding - the benchmark that all others are measured up against - platinum support!

With Synchro32 not only do you get rapid response and NOT just a "blind email" saying "we have gotten your request and are processing it. Nope, nada, zero, zilch of that automated garbage. Each and every support request is handled individually and personally by a bona fide real live person. Synchro32 also does not have a voice mail maze for you to negotiate through to obtain assistance.

Synchro32 is a global company with support centers around the world providing nearly 24/7 coverage. The Synchro32 support desk is even monitored on weekends and holidays as we realize that when customers, our most valuable asset next to our people, need support - they can't wait until the next day. With customers spanning the globe with a multitude of locales, customs, and differing holidays, Synchro32 realizes that the needs of the customer must be supported. Customers in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries can expect to receive support on the traditional Western weekend of Saturday and Sunday as in these countries these days are working days and Thursday and Friday are their days off. New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia, all celebrate different holidays and festivals. Synchro32 is there to support them as well.

What brought all of this up is that a Synchro32 customer in the Oceanic region got in touch with support today. Let me illustrate a time line of how support responded

Initial Support Request: 2010-02-16 at 18:28:51 GMT
Synchro32 Resolution Response: 2010-02-16 @ 18:34:11 GMT
Reply From Customer: 2010-02-16 @ 18:56:11 GMT

"All fixed and now going OK.
Thanks for the prompt response."

Reply from Synchro32 Support 2010-02-16 @ 18:59:21 GMT

Glad to be of assistance. Support is taken extremely seriously at Synchro32 and we all do our best to provide rapid support - even on the other side of the world.

Mind you, this customer was fifteen time zones away from North America where it was actually very early Wednesday morning.

Elapsed time from initial support to resolution response was less than six minutes!

At Synchro32, we hear from customers all the time thanking us for the rapid response to their issues, however minor it maybe. You see, we don't just have a "dedicated" support team - everyone in the company takes support seriously and constantly monitors the worldwide support system that everyone has access to. The above example is a typical response.

Synchro32 has the latest tools to monitor support and sales worldwide.

When thinking about software for your metalcasting operation, check out Synchro32 first and then benchmark all the rest against us.

Synchro32 support above and beyond the rest...

Till Next Time, See You on Down the Road...

To You It Might Look Like a Fire Hydrant

2010-02-05T18:49:00.018Z

Ok, I admit it, I'm a little bit off the wall. I have this "power of observation" and a habit of making note of castings. Metal castings, you know, the kind that metalcasters manufacture. I was in Birmingham earlier this week to make a presentation with the Synchro32 WorldWide Implementation Manager Simon Adlington on costing and estimating to the AFS Birmingham Chapter. While I was at the hotel, I captured some images of castings in action.

Some see a fire hydrant or a storm water grate - common everyday objects that are often over looked and ignored. However, at Synchro32 we see METAL CASTINGS. These everyday objects are important in our world and are vital to the functioning of cities and municipalities. If your house was on fire, you certainly wouldn't want a fire hydrant to fail or if you walked across a storm water grate you wouldn't want for it to either crack and break or to be so loose fitting that you fell into the void.

Not only do I notice the castings themselves, but I look to see which metalcaster, perhaps a Synchro32 customer, made the item and try and decipher the heat/date code. If the metalcaster is not a customer of Synchro32, I wonder why not - why are they not using the most affordable metalcasting specific software in the world - whose support is 2nd to none. Synchro32 knows metalcasting. The Synchro32 software is lengendary and has been around for many moons with installations spanning the globe and if there was a metalcaster on Mars, then there is no doubt that Synchro32 would be the planetary software of choice.

Think you can't afford the best metalcasting specific software there is? Think again - just like with a fire hydrant that didn't work or a metal grate that came crashing down - you can't afford not to be using Synchro32.

Till Next Time, See you on down the road and I'm willing to bet you notice the next fire hydrant you see or storm water grate you cross - and when you do - think of Synchro32.

The Bell Tolled in Birmingham

2010-02-02T03:46:00.007Z

Simon and I "rang the bell" whilst in Birmingham Alabama for the AFS, American Foundry Society, chapter meeting tonight! Both of us were presented with this most outstanding bell for being speakers at the February 2010 meeting! But in actuality, the bell rang for the entire worldwide Synchro32 team and our customer base. Because without the input and support of the Synchro32 team and the legions of Synchro32 customers, this visit would not have been possible. At Synchro32, it is truly a team effort day-in and day-out and there is certainly no "I" in team!

The course of study at the meeting was on costing and estimating and how to improve your bottom line. It was a most outstanding honor to be invited to this meeting and I met up with a number of old friends from days gone by.

Thank you Mark Cotton and the entire AFS Birmingham chapter for affording us this opportunity!

Here are a few more pictures of the meeting.

By the way, I'll be announcing our next road show stop in the coming weeks.
as the plans are firmed up. This is one presentation you will not don't want to miss!

Till Next Time, See you on down the road...

WOW! Most Outstanding News!

2010-01-29T16:17:00.003Z

Hello from Texas! I've got most outstanding news to report today! I had to break away from my normal routine to post this short update.

"US GDP EXPANDS AT 5.7%" and yes I am shouting!

Mission is NOT accomplished yet with the recovery, but it is apparent that the economic recovery is in full swing. Consumer confidence and the Purchasing Manager Index are expected to show strong upticks. There are still a lot of people in the world that are unemployed or underemployed and until they secure suitable sustaining employment, the recovery will not be complete. People matter most.

Just a brief primer on GDP - GDP is a trailing indicator that measures a countries Gross Domestic Product - the sum total of all FINAL goods and services produced within a country and the GDP can be used benchmark country vs. country and also is used to define recessions and expansions. Two consecutive quarters of declining GDP is the typical definition of a recession.

You may note that I'm not in Houston for the AFS Texas meeting. The stage coach to Houston today didn't make the run because of the vile weather in the state. I'm at the point in my life of not taking unnecessary risks and driving in this kind of weather - sloshing my way to Houston is not an acceptable risk. There will be other AFS Houston meetings to attend and I'd like to be around to attend them. I tend to be a "risk avoidance" type of person.

Till next time, see you on down the road in Birmingham Alabama!

Stage Coach to Houston Please

2010-01-28T20:11:00.003Z

I'll be making a quick run to Houston Texas USA in the morning to attend the AFS Texas Chapter meeting. Just a one day trip by stage coach - there and back - but I shall be gone all day. Not to worry, Synchro32 sales and support are on constant vigilance!

Been a busy week and will be a busy weekend. Simon and I have been prepping for the Costing/Estimating presentation in Birmingham Alabama on Monday evening. I even took some work home last night to prepare and get materials ready to hand out. I rarely take work home, but the girlfriend was out of town last night on business, so it was a good opportunity to get caught up on Synchro32 work.

I took a picture of the production line I setup to prepare materials for the presentation.

I do hope to meet up with many of the Synchro32 customers and sales leads in Houston and in Alabama... Here is the February 2010 newsletter of the AFS Birmingham Chapter. http://www.afsbirmingham.org/downloads/afsfeb10.pdf

Till next time, see you on down the road...

How Cold Was It?

2010-01-26T19:14:00.005Z

Just to illustrate how cold December and January were in Texas - the graphs says it all... BURRR - temps down as low as 13f (-10c) and we stayed below freezing for several days in a row! BURRRR...

Right now, we are in the midst of a "false" Spring. Temps have been hovering around 70f (21c) and Sunday was absolutely wonderful for outdoor work. I've even noticed some trees starting to bud out - but it is not spring yet - as we were down near the freezing mark the last two days. Talk about a temperature swing of 38 degrees!

Speaking of swings, things are really hot and swinging at Synchro32 these days. The economic recovery is obviously in full swing. Even though last year was a swinging year business wise with new customers partaking in the incredible Synchro32 software, 2010 is starting out like a run-away locomotive! Not to worry, Synchro32 is actually driving the run-away locomotive and we know what we are doing and we are enjoying every minute of it - there is nothing like introducing new customers to the world of Synchro32! Customer support is always paramount at Synchro32 - the industry leading "gold service standard" that all others are bench marked against.

Until next time, see you on down the road...

Seven Days...

2010-01-25T20:35:00.004Z

Synchro32 - the undisputed worlds leading premier provider of metalcasting specific ERP/MRP software will be at the AFS Birmingham Alabama chapter meeting on Monday evening February 1st 2010. Simon Adlington and myself will be discussing the importance of costing and estimating. For more details and information, please see http://afsbirmingham.org/wp/?page_id=149

Remember, Synchro32 is AFFORDABLE for all metalcasters, irregardless of size. Be sure to check out the Synchro32 pricing at http://www.synchro32.com/pricing.htm At Synchro32, no upfront investments are required and you won't need a capital request for funding! That should put a smile on your face and make the owner, general manager, and controller pleased! Become the company hero, schedule a demonstration of the vast capabilities of Synchro32 - all module inclusive - nothing else to purchase, ever!

Till next time, see you on down the road...

I've Seen the Future and its...

2010-01-20T18:53:00.002Z

I've seen the future and it's in 3D. I actually got to see a movie well before my cohort Lee, who is usually on the front row seat as soon as a movie opens! Avatar. Simply amazing the technology at work - if you see it - you must see it in 3D and if you've already seen it - you need to go back and see it in 3D. Just for the pure experience of what 3D technology has evolved into is well worth the money. Hopefully one day, the 3D technology will "improve" so that you don't have to wear glasses. But, this is definitely the future of movies, television, etc. Now, I want to see Avatar in IMAX 3D!

With the Synchro32, your metalcasting operations can have the future now! Synchro32, the worlds most respected, intuitive, and affordable metalcasting specific software brings you the cutting edge of computer software technology to your desktop. The software enable you in real time to monitor the shop floor operations from your desk, through the ground breaking SFDC module - shop floor data collection.

I have no doubt that one day in the future, Synchro32 will be the first metalcasting specific software to offer it in a 3D version! Just imagine the possibilities of having software in 3D! WOW! What a concept and you heard it here first! That is thinking way outside of the box and might even be an original thought! That's the Synchro32 team for you, thinking way ahead and anticipating your needs.

I understand that some major cable television networks are planning 3D channels and televisiono manufactures are scrambling to roll out affordable models. Sony anticipates 3D televisions to make up 50% of their market, up from 0% today, by 2013!

The future is so bright at Synchro32 that we need our shades on! Come get on the bandwagon and join the Synchro32 family of satisfied customers. Be sure to visit the Synchro32 booth at CastExpo 2010 in Orlando Florida - booth # 2101!

Until next time, see you on down the road...

Synchro32 Won't Give You a Cardiac Arrest, but this Breakfast Might...

2010-01-19T18:08:00.004Z

Don't go there - I actually do my best to eat right, get my vegies, exercise, sleep well, etc. - but, every once in a while I digress and have something "bad". Like this morning, I woke up early and had a hearty Texas-Southern Style breakfast - a real artery clogging cardiac arrest waiting to happen. As I said, I only have this every couple of blue moons.

Southern style biscuits, link sausage, hash browns, and all slopped with sausage grease gravy with lots of pepper - but no additional salt. Never been much for salt - I find everything "too salty" as it is. I don't even know if I have a salt shaker in the house. Yum. As my late great uncle Charles Barnes, Charles Barnes realty fame of OKC would say, "GOOD CHEWIN". Rest his soul. Way ahead of his time.

You see, at Synchro32 you can have the world's leading software specific for the metalcasting industry without going into cardiac arrest over the price. At Synchro32, there are no "smoke and mirrors" on the pricing and no software upfront costs - no CAPX is required!

What I'm Reading This Week...

2010-01-16T20:23:00.010Z

A good friend of mine, Tom Alex, just got published and I'm reading his book - hot off the press.

Tom is the park archeologist at Big Bend National Park, http://www.nps.gov/bibe in far West Texas. Tom is also a distinguished alumnus from my alma marter Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches Texas. www.sfasu.edu His wife Betty is the park botanist.

Here's a pic of Tom and his lovely bride Betty at a friends wedding I attended several years ago in the shadow of Casa Grande at Big Bend National Park. I'm actually one of the very few that have made it to the top of Casa Grande. A few years ago, a park ranger buddy of mine and I made it to the top. Talk about a magnificent view. At Synchro32, we climb the highest mountains to provide our customers with outstanding - legendary - industry leading - the benchmark by which all others are measured against - customer support BEFORE AND AFTER the sale!

Big Bend National Park and Vicinity Author(s): Thomas C. Alex
http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=9780738578538

Book Description:
The Rio Grande makes a large bend into Mexico and forms the “boot heel” of Texas that is the Big Bend. Big Bend National Park nestles inside this meander, and its history is as much a part of Mexico as it is of Texas. The remote border location is historically replete with rich cultural diversity, including nomadic bands of Native Americans, Spanish explorers, Mexican and Anglo farmers, ranchers, miners, military men, and entrepreneurs. In the 1930s, a handful of people saw the Big Bend’s majestic ruggedness as a place where all Americans could touch the Creator in nature and appreciate the alien qualities that both test and console the human spirit. This remote frontier still draws the souls of those seeking wide-open vistas and crystal-clear night skies.

Author Bio: Thomas C. Alex has lived and worked in the area for almost 30 years during which he has collected stories of the Big Bend. Images found in this volume were provided by families who settled the area, the National Park Service, and visitors who found the enchantment of the Big Bend irresistible. The Archives of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, also holds an immense treasure trove of images and documents detailing the rich human history of this area.

Reviews of the book

Destined for the top spot on the New York Times Best Seller List, soon to be named Pulitzer Prize winning
author Tom Alex has crafted a literal masterpeice in his acclaimed work "Big Bend National Park and Vicinity". The Postcard book of this area is also a must have. Crafted in legend and lore, Tom Alex brings to life the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region and the people that lived, worked, worshiped, and died here.

Accolades and reviews keep pouring in...

Roberta Roberts from the Stillwell Sentinel writes, "A literary masterpiece ranking up there with Hemmingway"

Sam Slade from the Redford Reporter writes "If I had three thumbs, they would all be up!"

Becky Slidell from the Shafter Chronicle writes "Bravo Tom Alex"

Sally Simmons from the Candellera Light writes "A new light on Big Bend"

Homer Hopfe of the La Linda Review writes "Wow! A literary classic!"

Raymondo Ruez of the Boquillias Post writes "Tom Alex has done it again!"

Sister Sue of the Santa Elena Harold writes "Everyone who loves Big Bend should read this!"

Another review...
http://www.bigbendgazette.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/6/4422948.html

First impressions, it arrived by pony express today...

Postcards - magnificent gift for the Big Bend aficionado - first impression - gotta get these framed...

Book - lotso pictures with maps and drawings...

and it just keeps getting better...

Our copy arrived yesterday and was up all night reading it...could not put it down. Understand every book store in Dallas is on backorder....nothin g like it has been seen since Confederacy of Dunces. The question on everybody's lips: When will see his next book? With this type of notoriety, it may be hard for Betty and Tom to continue their reclusive lifestyle in Terlingua Ranch....it may have to be turned into a gated community.

Tom and Betty are unique. They live totally off the grid, sans a phone land line, and generate their own electricity using wind and solar power. There house is constructed of straw bales and is very nice. They capture water through water catchments. The toilet facilities are composting. They do have all the comforts of home, sans an air conditioning unit - too much juice to when living off the grid. Summers in the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region are brutal too - 115f is not uncommon. But, with the home construction and fans it is not too bad.

If you ever want to know more about the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region, check out http://www.bigbendchat.com where I am a frequent contributor and one of the founding members.

BTW - I personally receive no special considerations or enumerations or monetary incentives from this promotion campaign. I have had the pleasure on many occasions of breaking bread and having some good libations with Tom and Betty Alex - fine people.

$601.25 and counting...

2010-01-15T21:48:00.014Z

Health care and insurance costs in the good ole USA are beyond out of control.

Back in early December, I was in a rush late one night and grabbed a box of heat and serve tacos from a local grocery store, I know - anything but healthy - a real artery clogger guaranteed to shorten my life by thirty minutes for each one I consume! I had partaken in these tacos many times over the years w/o incident. As I got finished eating these tacos, I noticed my eyes rapidly swelling shut and my lips swelling like a bloated fish. Egg Allergy? But I hadn't ate anything but the tacos? The tacos couldn't contain eggs - I'd had them before - many times! I rushed downstairs and grabbed the box out of the garbage and lo and behold - EGG WHITES had been added to the concoction. OH MY GOSH, HARD LEFT, CLOSE ALL WATER TIGHT DOORS, SOUND BOTH STATIONS, AND GET OUT A MAYDAY! YES, I SAID MAYDAY!

You see, since I first emerged on the planet earth as person 3,245,333,001 (population in the year of our Lord 1963 was around four billion souls), I have been deathly allergic to eggs - all forms of eggs - irregardless of how they are prepared. I figure when I get married soon, if the wife ever wants to knock me off, this will be the method of choice - slipping me some eggs in a meal while out camping in the wilds far far away from civilization. :) I can hold eggs in the shell in my hands for a brief time and my hands turn red and itch. At Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, the esteemed allergist told me that he had never seen someone so allergic - he had given me a allergy skin test and the egg portion caused major problems - you know, just a pin prick of egg on the back. I figure it's because of the revenge of the chickens as my father was so fond of eggs - any type and any form - that and lard sandwiches (you'd have to be back in WWII England to understand).

So, the night in question, a dark and stormy night mind you, I rapidly gave myself an auto-injection of epinephrine through my Twinject www.twinject.com, took 150mg of over the counter Benedryl, and rushed to the ER.

Funny thing at the ER, as this has happened before, when you say anaphylactic reaction and that you have already self administered a shot, they don't mess around and get you right back to triage. No horsing around - go straight to the head of the line - cutting in front of everyone else. They swing into action, get your clothes off, start an IV drip, draw blood, get you hooked up to an EKG monitor and a blood pressure monitor, get O2 standing by, get the wrist band on, another shot of epinephrine, a shot of Benedryl, not your over the counter Benedryl either and then, play the waiting game. As in past instances, the swelling subsided and they gave me a huge shot of a steroid to prevent a "rebound" reaction and sent me non my way to have a rough night in a Benedryl haze with the after effects of epinephrine.

I've had some close calls in the past. Trust me, I know virtually everything that has or might have egg - all the usual culprits. I stick to the basics, especially when traveling - and especially when out camping/backpacking. I even mandate that any cooking at camp must be done in a virgin pan - a pan that has never cooked eggs in it. Pizza got me one time up in Colorado - you know, one of them swank places that make homemade pizza - I had told my ski buddies that we really should go to a chain, but they brushed me aside. Really messed up my ski trip for the first two days - this happened on the night of arrival. We had the pizza delivered and when I called them up once I started having symptoms, they refused to tell me if they used eggs in their ingredients - until a lawyer that was traveling with us got on the phone! Another time, a national chain Mexican restaurant put eggs, raw eggs, into the frozen margarita mix. That one was a very close call. I was red and having breathing problems in the 5 minutes it took to get to the ER. Moral of that story, never ever drink margarittas outside of the house! Moral II - I always read ingredients and question servers and even cooks when eating out. However, over time one lets the guard down. So, I'm in the mode now of reading every ingredient on everything - from peppermints, to hot coco, etc. No chances - bordering on paranoia - self destroya... Even last night, a waitress tried to get me to order the chili relenos, even though I kept declining, she is very cute and good at what she does, but I had to decline. She just couldn't understand that chili relenos are battered and fried and I've never ever had one on my life - they contain eggs in the batter. She finally "got it". I've never had Angle Food Cake, juevos rancheros, scrambled eggs, eggs sunny side up or sunny side down for that matter, potato salad or cole slaw. Fine, very fine, wine, is often filtered through egg whites as is ceiling shelf Tequila.

Well meaning friends have tried to "cook" for me in the past, and that has also ended up in disaster. Marshmallows don't have eggs in them. Marshmallow creme does.
One co-worker insisted and insisted I try her cooking - promising me it was egg free - all except forgetting that mayonnaise has eggs in it.

So, $1.99 box of heat and serve tacos has ended up costing me $601.25 out of pocket, haven't met my deductible yet. This does not even include the cost of the Twinject autoinjector replacement at about $200, ER physician fees that are billed separately, plus the next day visit to my primary care physician at $35.00 my part for another steroid shot and steroid pills. All told, these $1.99 or so tacos will have cost me out of pocket at least $1,000.00 for a one hour visit to the ER.

Now, yes, mind you - they in effect "saved my life" - although I could have probably ridden it out by taking massive doses of Benedryl and another shot and monitored it... But, come on, we are talking real money here that puts a serious crimp on my budget.

Of course, on the other hand, you might not be reading this BLOG as my cremated remains might be greeting guests for all eternity from the side of the road at the entrance to Big Bend National Park! Good thing it didn't happen out backpacking or camping in the wilds of the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region - where medical care might be 4-5 hours away at best w/o ushering in a helicopter for a dust off.

Fortunately, with the Synchro32 software - affordable for all sizes of metalcasters with the industry leading no-up-front-cost or huge investment pricing plan that requires a capx. Nope, nada, none of that. All of the Synchro32 prices are publised in plain view on our website at http://www.synchro32.com/pricing.htm

With the Synchro32 software, it's a lot cheaper than a single visit to the ER and it is hands down the best and most respected metal casting specific ERP/MRP software - used around the world by hundreds of metalcasters!

See you on down the road, a bit poorer on my part...

and I'm Complaining About the Weather...

2010-01-14T17:11:00.008Z

Here I am all sitting in my nice spacious office with central heat and air - running water - a bathroom that works - vending machines just down the hall - I pick up my phone and it works - food establishments galore - hammering away at the computer, looking out the window as it's 57f 14.c with a partly cloudy sky, some light rain making phone calls around the world to sales leads and support of the world-wide Synchro32 customer base - while just a 1,782 air miles (2,868 kilometers) from here the world has fallen apart and a major human disaster has already taken place and is getting worse. People are literally dieing in the streets due to the absence of medical care and the survivors and "walking wounded" are scrambling for the most basic necessities of Mazlow's hierarchy of needs.

We have it very good in North America - we have it so good that most of us can't even begin to appreciate what we have.

As the tragedy unfolds in the coming literally seconds, minutes, and hours - lets not even talk about days and weeks and months and years to recover somewhat from this - let us be constantly reminded of how truly blessed we are to have what we have and that it can all be gone in a millisecond.

I have to admit I was out of the loop until last night, lots going on in my little world - my circle/sphere of influence - and I knew there had been a earthquake in Haiti, but until I glanced at the TV last night, I had beyond no idea as to the magnitude of this. All I can say is that I am proud that my country is rushing to the aid and that many others of the global community are doing the same - pulling out all the stops. That's all that really matters isn't it - at the end of the day - people matter most. Put aside the differences of "the big issues" and focus on what matters most - as Stephen Covey says "Put First Tings First" and that always has to be people.

See you on down the road...

Things are Heating Up @ Synchro32

2010-01-13T18:46:00.003Z

WOW! Just like the Texas weather, it's currently 56.8f/25.4c here at the office and I do have the AC running as the bright sunshine is warming things up. Synchro32 is starting the New Year off hot and heavy. Everything is on the front burner, not the back burner. It is most outstanding when you have sales leads calling you saying they want the product and don't even want/need a demo! It's all hands on deck at Synchro32.

See you on down the road.

I Must be In Texas

2010-01-12T21:53:00.002Z

In Texas, we have a saying, if you don't like the weather, wait thirty minutes as it will change.

For the last several long weeks, it has been frigidly cold, by Texas Standards, here. The last several days have been brutal and I'm taking out a 5th mortgage on the house to pay the electricity bill from keeping the heater running non stop for over a week. When cold, I mean to imply well below freezing into the mid/low teens.

You see, here in Texas we are not prepared for this type of weather. Not at all. Perhaps the Texans in North Texas and the Panhandle are prepared - but along the coast road and in Central Texas - no bueno. Our houses, water systems, trucks, etc. are just not built for this. Everything grinds to a halt. Pipes freeze, trucks won't start, schools are closed due to lack of water, etc.

The reason I bring this up is yesterday in the office I had the heater cranking to keep it a reasonable 75 degrees and it was struggling to keep up. Today, I have the air conditioner on as it is 60f degrees outside and with the bright sun shining into the office, it's over 80f at my desk!

If your going to live in Texas, better get used to the weather...

See you on down the road.

The Answer is 68 Days

2010-01-11T19:36:00.003Z

What is "Cast Expo" Alex?

You ought to be making plans to attend the world renowned CastExpo 2010 in beautiful sunny and warm Orlando Florida. See www.castexpo.com for more details. Entrenched in a bitter and unseasonably cold winter here in Texas, a respite in Florida sounds majestic.

The Synchro32 Exhibition Team will be staying at:
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
ORLANDO - International Drive
7276 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819 USA
Phone#: 407-535-4100
http://www.hiexpress.com/h/d/pc/1/en/hotel/mcocd#

If you are a Synchro32 customer or want to become a Synchro32 customer, or just want more information on the World's Leading Metalcasting Specific Software Synchro32 - then stay at this hotel and we can meet up for the free breakfast!

NOTE: This is NOT an officially "sanctioned" hotel of CastExpo. Synchro32 has no connections with and receives no enumerations, special considerations, or monetary incentives for staying at a Holiday Inn Express.

Now providing complimentary direct shuttle service to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and the Orange County Convention Center
Our hotel is near Orange County Convention Center, and we're also located close to the most popular Orlando attractions on International Drive, including Universal Studios® Theme Park.

Until Next Time, See You on Down the Road...

DIY Customer Support

2010-01-07T21:09:00.004Z

I seem to be on a "streak" of finding customer support lacking these days. I believe it results from expectations being out of touch with reality. When a company such as Synchro32 provides the metalcasting industries leading customer support, by which all overs are bench marked against, one comes to expect this level of support and dedication from other companies.

I've been trying to order a gate for my front porch which I'm in the process of remodeling. Front porches are an important part of the fiber of social networking in the neighborhood here in Texas. Neighbors and friends stop by often to chat in the evenings and weekends, when the weather is good. I'm putting a railing/fence/gate on my front porch to keep the dogs where they belong w/o having to be on a leash. This is an animal friendly porch and friends bring their dogs by too.

Anyway, right after Christmas I got in touch with a local store of a huge national chain of DIY stores to special order a gate, custom made to my specifications. After pointing the sales associates in the right direction as they didn't even know they carried the product, they promised they would get in touch with the manufacturer and get back to me with a price. I had even done the leg work for them and given them the phone numbers, contact names, part#,etc. Several weeks later, nada, zip, zilch, zero, not a word and nary a peep out of them. I had to go and track them down and "force the issue" so to say - a gentle reminder - didn't have to go to the whip. Magically, I got my quote today and the gate is on order. I really shouldn't have had to do the leg work again. It's called due diligence and following up - or dotting the i's and crossing the T's - or even connecting the dots. All of these traits are characteristics of outstanding, even legendary support. This is the kind of outstanding, even legendary, customer support that you can expect to receive from Synchro32 - a dedicated support team that actually cares.

Until next time, see you on down the road...

Wake Up World - It's All About Customer Support!

2010-01-06T18:53:00.004Z

Synchro32 - we earn our stripes in providing legendary industry leading customer support everyday all day 20/7 364 a year (yes, we do let our hair down on Christmas Day). Synchro32 is the undisputed worldwide leader in state of the art - cutting edge - metalcasting specific software. What can we do for you? At Synchro32, we never rest on our laurels of what we did yesterday or 5 minutes ago. Customer support is provided almost 24 hours a day - we do have a short "gap" of coverage of a few hours in the Oceanic region of the world. The dedicated Synchro32 team even monitors the support and sales desks on the traditional weekend of Saturday and Sunday and customers and sales prospects can expect a rapid response. I say "traditional" weekend as customers in predominately Muslim countries work on Saturday and Sunday as Thursday and Friday are their weekends with Friday being the day of prayer and the Khutbah.

The reason that I bring up how outstanding and legendary that Synchro32 support is because I am currently experiencing very poor customer support from a very large multinational computer manufacture that used to pride itself on providing outstanding customer support.

I purchased a NetBook back in November. The hard drive failed on December 25th and I had not kicked it, dropped it, tossed it across the room, gone swimming or skiing with it, nor parachuting or bungy jumping nor even shot it with my Barrett M82A1.

Since calling customer support on December 26th, I have yet to have receive anything but excuses. The first shipment of a new disk drive contained only a mounting bracket and no disk drive. I have yet to receive a second shipment. The company continues to "promise" two day delivery and resolution. Well, that was about 9 days and four phone calls ago at 45 minutes each on average. Called again today, said the shipment was delayed and it would arrive in guess what - two business days...

Now, they have retreated and are telling me that they can not send me a preloaded hard drive, net books don't have CD drives, for sometime and that I will need to purchase a CD drive at my own expense and reload the blank hard drive, after I install it myself, or that I can wait 12-14 business days for a preloaded hard drive to be delivered or I can ship the unit to a service station for repair within 14-21 business days. Not what I would call legendary customer support. I am anything but a happy customers.

Went to have Tex-Mex the other night, the marquee outside the window said "extraordinary customer service". Our service was anything but extraordinary. I was told that the service was "substandard" as they were short handed during the holiday season. That is NOT the hallmark of good customer service - providing excuses.

At Synchro32, you can count on the entire worldwide team to provide legendary customer support w/o excuses.

See you on down the road...

Lets Start off the New Year on the Right Foot

2010-01-04T01:57:00.002Z

Why don't we make 2010 the year of the "Law of the Farm". You ask - what pretail is the law of the farm? Well, simply put, the "Law of the Farm" is doing things in the correct order and not "rushing through them". This is another one of Stephen Covey's "Principals". You see, it works like this - in farming the farmer can't all of a sudden "wake up one day" late in the Spring and realize that he needs to get busy if he will have a Spring crop. He can't wake up on Monday morning and decide to till and turn over the soil and prepare it for planting, plant the seeds at noon, fertilize, water, and nurture them in the afternoon and expect to harvest them the crop on Tuesday morning. There are certain things that have to be done in the correct order and they take time, effort, and planning. Hence, the first three habits set the foundation for everything else. - 1-Be proactive, 2-Begin with the end in mind, and 3-Put first things first.

The farmer must be proactive and prepare and turn the soil in the early spring. Essentially, the farmer must "begin with the end in mind" - the end being that he wants to have a crop to cash in to support himself and his family. Putting first things first admonishes the farmer to do the farming in the correct order - the farmer just can't simply plant one day and harvest the next. It is a simultaneous combination of the first three habits that lead to a bountiful crop.

In real life, I have one friend in particular that always tries to "circumvent" the law of the farm. This friend does little "preplanning" or giving any thought to to "where he wants to go in life" and often times wakes up in a brave new world everyday. He is often very frustrated, mad, and at odds with the world when he runs into roadblocks and complications when he wakes up in the morning and decides to "plant the crop" and then learns that he can not "harvest the crop the next day". Rules, regulations, procedures, frustrate him to no end. Mind you, he is a very dear friend of mine, but it is often comical to watch the predicaments he gets himself into by not obeying the law of the farm.

I had the great pleasure of teaching undergraduate micro/macro economics at a university as an adjunct. You know - supply and demand curves and my favorite part being elasticity. It's an interesting picture of human characteristics, talents and traits in observing the students. Some students start at the first day keeping up with assignments, studying, asking meaningful questions and contributing to the discussions. At the other end of the extreme, there are the students that don't "crack a book" until the night before the exam and wonder whey they did so poorly - thinking they could violate the law of the farm and "cram it all in" in one night. Then there is the occasional unfortunate student that didn't crack a book or attend class all semester and right before the comprehensive final, the student would "plead" for mercy and "understanding" as to why they had done so poorly and "had to pass" the class. It instantly became "my fault" that some other "activity" coincided with the class time in the evenings and they just "couldn't attend class". There is no free ride under the law of the farm and the law can not be violated.

Interestingly, a good friend of mine who is a PhD (piled higher and deeper), illustrated the point recently. Students were given an opportunity to do an extra credit assignment - that was optional - voluntary - they didn't have to do it. Towards the end of the semester, the student came pleading to the professor for additional opportunities of "extra credit" as she had not done the assignment as she thought she could "get by" without it. Fortunately, my PhD friend did not violate the law of the farm. Under the law of the farm, there are no special considerations.

Yes, it's a tough cruel world out there.

So, let us make our resolution for this new beginning that we refer to as a "New Year" that we "Obey the Law of the Farm" and not try to cram the crops in...

See you on down the road...

Closing the Circle on Customer Service Appreciation...

2009-12-19T18:43:00.003Z

As indicated before in prior blog posts, good outstanding, even legendary customer service just doesn't happen... I'll go ahead and reveal the company name here as they deserve credit where credit is due.

Shane,

As you requested, Pam forwarded the e-mail to me. Thank you for the kind words on our customer service. People usually only take the time to give us negative feedback. Thank you for taking the time to let us know when you had good customer service. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you.

Todd A. Gilpin

President

Gilpin Inc.

Now that is class, the Prez of the Company responded back...

See you on down the road...

Showing Appreciation...

2009-12-17T20:57:00.002Z

As a follow-on to yesterdays blog posting regarding outstanding and legendary customer service, I received another email from the company with a follow-up to another question.

Hello,

Thank you so much for the information and this was very helpful. As I will be ordering through ___, "how" do I specify the #655 gate size and ID? Any estimate on what the cost would be?

Thank you again.

Regards,

Shane Allen

___ would need to do a “manual” order and fax it to us. That way they can write dimensions on the order. If you are certain that it is 45-1/2” from inside post to inside post then that measurement would need to be on the order. We do not sell direct, so I don’t have any retail pricing.

Hi,

Thank you for the GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! Be sure to send this email on to your boss as you have done a bang up job and EXCEEDED my expectations. You need to be at the top of the list for a huge bonus and raise! I really expected the company to come back and say "we don't do design work - or not our problem or hire a contractor".

Thanks again.

Regards,

Shane Allen
Thanks, I’m forwarding it to my boss as I type.

Good customer service just doesn't happen. Outstanding customer service is a function of the culture of the company, hiring the "right people", and the overall dedication and belief in the product or service. It results from "within" and instilled from the top down.
One of my "mentors" is Stephen Covey of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Principal Centered Leadership. Covey espouses on customer service over and over and how outstanding legendary customer service is not an accident.
1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw
I've even got these on my office wall as a constant reminder of "What Matters Most".
Until next time, see you on down the road...

Every So Often...

2009-12-16T20:59:00.009Z

Every so often you come across a company, like Synchro32, that provides outstanding legendary customer support before and after the sale. Basically, my entire career spanning my days where I cut my teeth at working for H. Ross Perot, Henri to his friends :), at the EDS - Electronic Data Systems, to Texas Foundries Citation Lufkin, Stephen F. Austin State University as an adjunct economics professor and Asst. HUB, Historically Underutilized Business, Coordinator, and now of course Synchro32 - I have been involved with customer service.

Synchro32 is only as good as our customers and sales prospects perceive us to be. Synchro32 straps on our metatarsals every day , don our hardhats and other personal safety equipment, and head out to provide the best support possible in the industry. We never rest on our laurels and the "report card" starts afresh everyday. It's like an old mentor of mine used to say, "What Have You Done for Me Today".

Anyway, I've been working on a DIY project around the house and am adding porch railing. Mind you, I am no Bob Vilia or "Men in Toolbelts" AKA "The Furniture Guys". I needed some assistance in determining what I needed to order and how many of what. So, I found the manufactures website and took some pics and measurements and sent it to them - hoping that I might get a reply other than "we don't do design work" or something like that.

Hello,

Shane Allen of Texas. I'm wanting to rail in my porch and have a gate. I've been looking at your supplies via. your website and ___ website, but I'm really unsure how to proceed in determining what I need, lengths, etc. I want to go with the steel Windsor plus.

Please see attached pictures. Any assistance you could provide would be most appreciated.

Regards,

Shane Allen

Well, after a very short wait, I received this...

The Windsor Plus comes in standard sizes of 4’ and 6’ sections. It mounts at 32” tall. It comes only in black.
The gate would be #665. We can make it to fit your rough opening as long as we have the ID when the order is placed. There would be an increase in cost. The gate comes with hinges, a latch and a keeper. It could attach to your existing wood columns.

For the 50-1/2” section you would get 1 - #575 6’ rail; 1 – pkg. #438 You can cut the rail to fit with a hacksaw. The fitting sets connect the railing to your existing columns.

We do not make a rail 82” so you could order 2 - #573 - 4’ rails 1 - #577 – 36” post; 1 - #579 flange for mounting the post; 2 - #438 fitting sets. You could cut the railing down to fit your opening. You would cut the railings to approximately 40”. The post is 1-1/4” in diameter so it would take up the balance of the area.

Thank you for your inquiry. Hope this was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Now, that is an example of the type of legendary customer service that you will receive when you join the Synchro32 family.

On the flip side of this, if you don't provide legendary customer service, then bad - very bad things can happen.

A musician named _____ recently had difficulty with ___ airlines. ___ airlines apparently damaged his treasured ___ guitar ($3500) during a flight. ___ spent over 9 months trying to get ___ airlines to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom ___ guitar. During his final exchange with the ___ airlines Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for youtube exposing their lack of cooperation. The Manager responded : "Good luck with that one, pal".

So he posted a retaliatory video on youtube. The video has since received over 5.5 million hits. ___ airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: "Good luck with that one, pal".

___ Guitars sent the musician 2 new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has lead to a sharp increase in orders.

Here's the video .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo&NR=1

Now, I always check my "facts" regarding such things, the Wild West Web is full of pranksters, so my due diligence took me to this... (I'm a connect the dots kinda guy)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/24/united-breaks-guitars-did_n_244357.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/chris_ayres/article6722407.ece

and, here is one circulating around right now...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/184815/Fake_Steve_Jobs_Takes_On_The_Real.html?tk=rss_news

BTW - you may ask yourself why I did not post the company name or the persons name that provided me the wealth of information through outstanding customer service. Due to litigation tendencies in this country, I have found it best to NEVER EVER mention another companies name in a BLOG or anything else w/i public view - even if it is positive. Positive comments can sometimes be "misinterpreted".

Merry Christmas from AFS Milwaukee 2009

2009-12-13T18:49:00.009Z

I had the great pleasure of representing the worldwide Synchro32 team by attending the AFS Wisconsin Chapter's Christmas party this last Friday night in Milwaukee. A great time was had by all. What an event! Hats off to Donna Nagy and Mike Czaplewski for pulling off this great and worthwhile event. The food was outstanding and the company great! I had a blast, met up with a lot of old friends and contacts and although the temperature was biting at 9 farheneit or so, at least it wasn't snowing. :)

Here are a few pics to share with you.

See you on down the road...

WOW! Has it really been TWO YEARS?

2009-12-01T18:29:00.006Z

What can I say, December 1st 2007 - a day in which my life changed forever and for the far better! It was two years ago today that I "officially" joined the ranks of the Synchro32 team and opened up the North American office. It's been a wild ride the last two years. The first year was heavily spent in training and learning the Synchro32 "way" and getting the North American office up and running.

Just a quick history lesson on how this came to be - either through Divine Intervention, the Alingment of the Moon, Sun, and Stars, or just extraordinary good timing and a measure of luck. Of course, a good friend of mine says that it happened "because good things happen to good people" and because of my nature and personality, no stone goes unturned. It all happened when I was reading a Modern Casting magazine and saw an advertisement for Synchro32. I had been unemployed for nine months from Texas Foundries of Lufkin Texas due to the demise of the auto industry and had been reemployed at a local university as an Assistant HUB - Historically Underutilized Business coordinator for just a few months. At the time, I didn't realize it, but it was "good" that I had been downsized from Texas Foundries as the facility no longer exisits. I got out while the getting was good and came away with a generous severance package.

Anyway, I saw the Synchro32 Modern Casting advertisement and sent them an email congratulating them for offering competition in the North American market. I had never seen or heard of Synchro32, but being the capitolist that I am, I think competition is good and the more competition is even better. The furthest thing from my mind was obtaining employment with Synchro32 as they are based in the UK and even though my dad grew up and fought the great WWII in England, I had no desire to relocate there. Bitterly cold and wet winters, hight cost of livings, etc. Burr. I wanted to stay in Texas close to my family and friends. That is why I rode out nine months of unemployment.

Continuing on, I got an email back from Chris thanking me for the email and asking if I was interested in employment opportunities. Funny thing was, I got the email back almost instantly from him and it was the weekend - a testiment as to how good the Synchro32 support is! Heck yes I was interested, as long as it was not in the UK. Having been at Texas Foundries for just a week shy of tweleve years and intimately familiar with ERP/MRP computer systems, the foundry process esepcially in costing/estimating and production, I desperately wanted to get back into the metalcasting business. I had given up hope of ever smelling burned sand, walking through grit, and seeing "liquid metal" again. I sent Chris a resume and we chatted on the phone one day. I had a really really difficult time understanding Chris and his Welsh accent. At the time, I had no vacation time available to have an on-site interview in the UK, but Chris and Barbara were in no rush and we scheduled a visit for October 2007. Synchro32 wanted to establish a North American presence. All of this took place in either June or July of 2007.

Well, I arrived in the UK in October 2007 and were met by Barbara and Chris at the airport and we hit it off immediately. Chris and I have a lot in common. I met Simon and Lee for a company meeting. Lee was gracious enough, to let me stay at his house for several days and ferried me around while he taught me the ropes of Synchro32 support and sales.

The rest shall we say is history? Of course, history is still being written. "Tomorrow is promised to no one" - can you name that movie? My dad's favorite quote is:

"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That's why it's called the Present"

See you on down the road....

They Musta Been Smoking Something...

2009-11-20T00:27:00.004Z

If anyone had of told me almost two years ago that I'd be talking to China on the phone via. Skype touting the worlds leading ERP/MRP software package - Synchro32 - I'd have thought they were smoking some of that wacky weed or belonged in the loony bin with the padded walls and straight jackets with some good doses of Thorazine. (hey, I started out as a psychology major and switched to a psychology minor in college, so I know all about this stuff :) - I also do brain surgery on the weekends :) )

It's true. I call around the world, and not in 80 days, all the time. Synchro32 is the ONLY metalcasting specific software that is literally installed around the globe. If you are seeking metalcasting specific software, then contact the experts at Synchro32. Synchro32 knows metalcasting.

Till next time, see you on down the road...

The Synchro32 Road Show...

2009-11-10T20:15:00.012Z

Hello again! 2010 is shaping up to be another banner record-breaking year and we haven't even closed the books on 2009 yet!

Simon and I will be taking the costing/estimating article that was published in Modern Casting on the road and will be giving presentations to AFS chapters. Right now, we are slated for a command performance at the Birmingham Alabama USA chapter of the American Foundry Society on February 1st 2010.

This will not be a dog and pony show and Simon and I both promise that it will be entertaining. Come one - come all...

The meeting will be at the Wynfrey Hotel, in Hoover, AL (southside of Birmingham)
http://www.wynfrey.com/

The paper that Simon and I will be discussing can be read online at
http://tinyurl.com/ygs875r

Synchro32 encourages everyone to attend this meeting. We are expecting a sell out crowd! For more information on the AFS Birmingham Chapter - please see http://afsbirmingham.org/wp/

Synchro32 wishes to thank Mark Cotton, AFS Birmingham 1st Vice Chairman for arranging this.

Synchro32 will be making other pit stops around North America discussing the importance of costing and estimating in the metalcasting industry segment in this new millennium.

In closing, here's a pic of my dad and his little buddy, my little buddy too, Doc Holiday - the minpin.

Cheers from Texas and see you on down the road. (by the way, IDA fizzled out for the most part and didn't come close to Texas...)

It's Christmas Time....

2009-11-09T16:58:00.008Z

A take off on the old song, Do They Know It's Christmas, performed during Band Aid way back last century in 1984 written by Bob Geldof

Anyway, at Synchro32 we know Christmas and the end of the year are rapidly approaching by the number of clients and customers that are seeking the services of Synchro32. Seems a lot of companies have hoarded cash during the year and with the end of the year approaching, are letting loose their tight grip on the financial s just a smidgen. Companies are eagerly awaiting the New Year with new opportunities and a robust economy. A smidgen is all it takes to get the undisputed worlds leading provider of metalcasting specific software for managing the business and production of the shop floor and the front office. I've already booked the Synchro32 training manager Richard Raine for a two week swing though of North America in early December and am looking at booking a return visit by Simon Adlington, Implementation Manager, also in December. Simon is already currently in "the colonies" with customer training and software implementations.

I will be traveling to Milwaukee Wisconsin to help "ring in the season" at the

The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Foundry Society is pleased to announce our:
Annual Christmas Party, Friday, December 11, 2009
Bluemound Gardens, 11703 W. Bluemound Road
Cocktails, Cash Bar-6:00 P.M. Dinner beginning at 7:00 P.M.

I do hope to see you at this great annual event! Please make plans to attend now! You can obtain the form reserving you a spot @ http://www.wisconsinafs.org/0912/0912.pdf

Please tell Mike Czaplewski that you heard it from Synchro32 - a proud supporter of the AFS Wisconsin Chapter Christmas Party!

See you on down the road...

Say Hello to Ida

2009-11-05T21:17:00.006Z

Hurricane Ida hits Nicaragua

Hurricane Ida intensified at one of the fastest rates on record, and plowed ashore this morning in central Nicaragua as a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds. It took just 24 hours from when the first advisory was issued for Tropical Depression Eleven until Ida reached hurricane strength. Since reliable satellite measurements. http://tinyurl.com/ida-a001

Who knows where Ida will go - it might not even survive going over South America. It is very unusual to have one of these dang things this late in the year. However, the Atlantic Hurricane Season does not cease until the end of November.

I don't want to meet Ida and I don't want you to meet her either. I'll be keeping a very close watch on this over the next several days.

All is well @ Synchro32. Simon will be in North America next week on his final swing for 2009. We are still planning on Richard making one more swing through North America in December.

See you on down the road...

The Day After...

2009-11-02T05:51:00.005Z

Ah, Friday October 30th 2009 - the day after the massive rains in East Texas... I grabbed some videos showing how things are normally.

Friday was also moms 56th wedding anniversary and I got her a flower arrangement with a big bear for hugs. It's on her dining room table. 56 years - not bad at all- quite impressive really - especially seeing as dad and mom only dated for four weeks before tying the knot. Her family and my Pappy and Grammy weren't too keen on all of this - nor were her four sisters - being swept off of feet by a bloody limey. Well, needless to say - it worked out well and there is such thing as true love. Reminds me of one of my fav movies - The Princess Bride "As You Wish"...
Pretty soon, I'll be having my 2nd anniversary with Synchro32. My, how time flies. Things are going well at Synchro32. Simon will be back in the saddle this week after a weeks off for a very well deserved vacation / holiday. He has certainly been the road worriers this year. He'll be over in North America next week, making his final swing for 2009 with new installs and customer visits to install and train on SFDC - the industry standard for shop floor data collection. Between he and Richard, they have have certain been the road worriers this year. No telling how many miles they have covered - and it hasn't been the path least traveled either.

Here are some videos of "The Day After"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBOhNypZYz8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZQU7LQGw0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z93m-ZOE24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfHHpCiRJNc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF7PPocVk0M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQuCPMhwixA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24porjK94LU

It's Raining, It's Pouring, the Old Man is Snoring

2009-10-30T19:26:00.018Z

I've been in Nacogdoches Texas the last few days following up on some business and also visiting my alma mater SFASU - Stephen F. Austin State University where I obtained my sheeps skin with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and minor in Psychology back last century in 1985. I also got my Masters in Business Administration from here in 2001. During my stay in Nacogdoches, the heavens opened up and there was a good ole East Texas downpour of sheets of rain. It was quite incredible and also scary.

The scary part is that around these parts, the massive oak and pine trees will come crashing down on houses, cars, and people without warning and without any wind. The ground becomes so saturated with water that the weight of the tree just shifting the ground a minute bit causes it to all come tumbling down.

Funny thing about my degree in computer science is that I never wanted to be a programmer or involved with computers. I grew up with my dad being an early computer programmer with Chevron GeoSciences and he would often get calls in the night that something had abended. Some delta deck of punched cards had failed. I was often amazed at the punch card machines - the way that the cards traveled all around the building on mini conveyors. He was an early programmer with a specialtiy primarily in PL/1 working on the 1st and 2nd generations of IBM computers - most notably the IBM 1401 autocoder. Thus, in college I shyed away from computers - I was going to be a shrink, a psychologist, that is until I took the course in Physiology of Psychology - how the brain works - the axons and dendrites and the sodium potassium pump amongst other things. I had a great professor, Dr. Heinz Gaylord, who had worked closely with NASA on developing the gold face plate for the Apollo 11 astronauts that would go "walking on the moon one day". Uh. Also, the thought of having to endure many more years of schooling for a PhD lost it's luster. I happened to take one course, BASIC, in Computer Science and realized I was good at it. Thus, the rest shall we say is history.

During a brief lull, I happend out to grab a few videos to share with the world.

http://tinyurl.com/ygwegz3

http://tinyurl.com/yje4mtb

http://tinyurl.com/yful9ox

http://tinyurl.com/ygmrsqc

http://tinyurl.com/yhtdjlw

http://tinyurl.com/yhmpp28

There are also some pictures of the radar screen as the storm was descending upon this little hamlet behind the pine curtain.

All is going well with Synchro32 and everyone is "all hands on deck" supporting our customer base and expanding it with new sales worldwide. Sychro32 has certainly become the undisputed world wide leading provider of metalcasting specific software. Simon will be making a sweep through North America in early November and it appears that Richy will be following up this trip with a repeat performance in early December. I am already in the process of working on the first two trips of the new year. My how time flies at Synchro32, soon it will be my two year anniversary. Seems like only yesterday that Chris Collins and I were chatting on the phone.

See you on down the road, and no, I haven't forgotten to finish the Colorado story...

do-gooder

2009-10-25T15:29:00.007Z

A dear long-time friend of mine paid me a wonderful compliment that I thought I would share with the world. Thank you PCH - I really appreciate it.

This made me think of you, you do-gooder, you.

pch

It's from an email that is circulating the WWW-Wild West Web.

Dear Friends,

Being retired and all with little to nothing to do, I foolishly joined an animal rescue group and have been assigned to protect the African Antelope. Well, last week was my first real action, and fortunately my efforts were captured on the attached video. I hope you enjoy it. This type of work is rather tiring for a man of my age, but it is most rewarding. But even so, one rescue a day is all I can handle right now.

http://tinyurl.com/Save-the-Antelope

Yep, no doubt about it I'm a "do-gooder". I am doing my best to leave the world a better place - in everything I do. I help others, go the extra mile, when I'm out and about either walking the dog or camping, backpacking, hiking - I always pick up trash that I find - (a real pet peeve of mine - although I will not pick up spent baby diapers that have been rolled up and left in the parking lots - gross - got out of my truck one day and inadvertently stepped on one - beyond gross!). I once spent an inordinate amount of time and risked life and limb to pickup an errant coke can at the bottom of a deep ravine at a place known as Indian Head at Big Bend National park - an archeologicaly sensitive area.

Synchro32 is also a "do-gooder". As a company we support various philanthropic charities.

Synchro32 is also a "do-gooder"when it comes to the entire world-wide metalcasting industry.

Synchro32 is "doing good" by assisting metalcasters the world over with the industries leading metalcasting specific software that greatly assists all metalcasters with the tools needed to process orders, cost/estimate the production costs accurately, easily schedule their production optimally and identify-resolve bottle necks, ship-on-time, monitor production and scrap reducing PPM, and support their customers in the best way possible. A Synchro32 customer recently achieved a coveted quality certification. The Synchro32 software is an invaluable asset in assisting metalcaster in obtaining these quality certifications that are so essentially necessary in doing business today. All of this is possible through the Synchro32 software that is extremely affordably priced for any size of metalcaster, the support is legendary, and the software is fantastic being intuitive to use, constantly updated to meet the ever-changing demands of metalcasters, and is user friendly. Synchor32 is literally a metalcaster in a software box.

Why not arrange for a free - no obiligation - no pressure online remote demonstration today at http://tinyurl.com/synchro32-demonstration

Synchro32 - the "do-gooder" company.

Synchro32 - it's that good!

See you on down the road...

He Should Thank Me.

2009-10-24T18:13:00.002+01:00

If you have been keeping up, you will remember last week when I returned from ICI that a tree crashed down - almost taking out a car. There had been a truck parking illegally, No Parking Anytime, in front of the telephone pole. I had asked him repeatedly not to park there as it blocks the view of an elderly widow lady when she is backing out of her driveway (I'm a good guy, I look out for my neighbors). So, the other night I'd gotten tired of him parking there - so I had him ticketed and towed. I don't think he was too happy as it was about $200+ to get his truck back.

Well, could have been a lot more money he would have to have spent repairing his truck . He should be thanking me.

Today, a lame telephone pole, that hadn't been removed yet - came crashing down. It's a telephone poll that had been "bent out of shape" during last years hurricane IKE. I imagine it would have done a lot more than $200 worth of damage to his truck. We've had a lot of rain in Texas lately, like a monsoon, so trees are getting uprooted from the ground being saturated, etc. In the last 24 hours alone, we have gotten almost 3" of rain.

Sorry the pictures are a little blurry, it was hosing.

Here is a pic of me and my little buddy Doc Holiday. The Min Pin who can. I got him a new toy recently that he really enjoys - although he is trying to bite the eyes off of it.

152

2009-10-20T20:08:00.009+01:00

WOW! Believe it or not, CastExpo 2010 is rapidly approaching - and as usual, the entire Synchro32 team is gearing up for this. At Synchro32, everything we do we plan ahead for - because those without a plan are lost. I've always subscribed to two different methodologies of planning and quality (and these are my original thoughts)
The 5 P's - Piss poor planning promotes problems and
The 4 P's - Perfect planning prevents problems.

THERE ARE ONLY ONE-HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO DAYS to the start of CastExpo 2010 in beautiful Orlando Florida - home of such attractions as Walt Disney World, Epcot, Universal Studios, etc. - and not too far from NASA at Kennedy Space Center I believe. In fact, I'm thinking about staying over after the show to partake in the local festivities as I have not been there since the 1960's - just before Walt Disney World had opened. Dad took us there, as there were reports that it was open - unfortunately we missed the opening by a few weeks and it was still under construction at the time. Mind you, this was long before DARPA invented the internet as we know it today. Never the less, we had a wonderful family vacation.

Being a personality type of ENFJ - Extroverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, and Judgemental - ENFJ's are planners by design. http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFJ.html

Anyway, at Synchro32 - we do everything possible to control and reduce costs. By doing this, Synchro32 can offer the hands-down worlds best metalcasting specific software at a fantastic low price. Synchro32 always "shops around" for the best hotel, air travel, etc.

In keeping with this philosophy, Synchro32 generally stays at hotels that offer a free breakfast and free internet. Not endorsing them or anything, but saving money on just these two items saves Synchro32 a lot of money over time. Additionally, the Synchro32 road warriors generally stay at these lodgings to reduce costs and to accumulate "perk points". It's a fringe benefit of the job of globe trotting around the world in doing Synchro32 installations and customer support and customer training.

I had been concerned about obtaining hotel rooms in Orlando - as this is at the tail end of Spring Break and by all indications, I talked with Rolph Peterson of Modern Casting at the recent Investment Casting Show in Indy, this upcoming CastExpo should be a blow out!

Thus, for our outstanding and loyal customers, I highly recommend making your hotel reservations now. If you were to stay at the:
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
ORLANDO - INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
7276 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
ORLANDO, FL 32819
UNITED STATES
001-407-5354100

Perhaps we can meet up with you our customer for breakfast or around the hot tub as we soak our bodies from a long day on the stand.

(*** IMPORTANT: Synchro32 is NOT endorsing any particular hotel and we have no financial ties or receive any considerations as such) The hotel listed above is NOT an official sponsoring hotel of CastExpo 2010. Please see http://www.castexpo.com/Housing.asp for a list of housing options for CastExpo as provided by CastExpo ***)

Be sure to visit the CastExpo 2010 website at www.castexpo.com

Synchro32 will be in booth #2010.

5' 3" Tall, Bullet Proof, and Invincible

2009-10-16T20:09:00.006+01:00

A friend of mine recently sent me these pics from his brothers wedding I was in way back in August of 1993 - last century. I was thirty years old then - five feet three inches tall, bullet proof, and invincible. At forty-six now, I'm still five foot three inches tall, bullet proof and invincible... (I'm the short one in the pics...)

Synchro32, the worlds leading provider of affordable business and production management software, especially for the metalcasting industry, is 10 feet tall, bullet proof, and invincible. Call or email today for a free no obligation - no pressure - no commitment - online demonstration today! Demonstrations are customized to each specific metalcasters need and is not some "canned" demonstration. Synchro32 is literally a metalcaster in a software box!

Viva Synchro32 and ICI 2009 (It's That Good!)

2009-10-15T00:28:00.031+01:00

Welcome to the World of Synchro32, the global preferred provider of metal casting specific ERP/MRP software - at the Investment Casting Institute Expo in Indianapolis Indiana USA October 2009. Synchro32 - literally an investment caster in a software box! Software for metalcasters - from the front gate - through the shipping dock and everywhere in between! Production control, quality, scheduling, costing/estimating, and of course shop floor data collection - the whole gamut. Synchro32 knows metalcasting! Synchro32 is a proud member of the ICI.

WOW! Last Years ICI, Investment Casting Institute 2008 in Dallas - the international edition was a resounding success for Synchro32 with many sales as a result and of course extremely satisfied customers. 2009 ICI in Indy was going to be a hard act to follow-up as it was not the international show. The ICI has been very good to the Synchro32 team - as many investment casters have come to understand that Synchro32 is synonymous with software for the metal casting industry. I didn't have high expectations for 2009 - global recession, a much smaller show, etc. Boy, was my crystal ball wrong! The Synchro32 team almost pulled off a first by inking a contract at the show! The investment caster I was talking to had heard about Synchro32 from a friend of his and was most impressed. Richard Raine and I make a hell of a team on the show floor - but it's not just us at the show - it's the entire Sychro32 team behind us - legendary support, development, and everything else that goes into greasing the wheels of a successful organization. In fact, the person I was speaking with doted on Synchro32 as everyone he had talked to said how outstanding the global support is! Support is more than just help desk functions, it also involves the sales teams and the development team and the reporting team and the back office functions of running a company - administration/payroll and of course the all important marketing and sales. It takes a lot of hard work to grease the skids and keep the locomotive running. There will be a lot of new contracts signed this month for installation before the end of the year and many more in the coming months. Synchro32 is that good.

What makes Synchro32 so good - well, besides the support and development efforts - the software is extremely affordable for all sizes of metal casters, includes all modules up front - including the stunning SFDC - Shop Floor Data Collection - and there is no pick and choose or "different packages". Additionally, customers do not have to wait a year or more for new releases - enhancements are constantly being pushed out to our customers so that they can immediately take advantage of new features to grown and run their metal casting operations. We met with one group on Tuesday morning in a special off-site meeting for a full demonstration - that ended up lasting three hours - and they were literally blown away - especially with two of their hot buttons - costing/estimating and scheduling. They were literally floored by the power and simplicity of both modules. Synchro32 doesn't do financials, doesn't do payroll, and certainly doesn't do HR. Synchro32 links to popular software packages for the ancillary functions. As a global company, Synchro32 would be faced with the daunting challenge, and spending all of our time on it, doing these important ancillary functions that are different in each region of the world. Sychro32 knows metalcasting - and only metalcasting - and we can prove it!

A customer that Synchro32 signed up last year as a result of the 2009 ICI show came by the booth - it always gives me a warm feeling when they say what a great choice / decision they made and that they are extremely happy. That goes a long ways for keeping the entire team motivated. Several other of our customers stopped by also - singing the praises of Synchro32 and checking out the new SFDC-Shop Floor Data Collection module. As a result of the demand for SFDC by the existing Synchro32 customer base, we setup several more installations and training visits during the show. It's that good!

Special thanks must go out to Leland Martin and the entire ICI team for putting on another stellar show. The Synchro32 team is already gearing up for the CASTEXPO 2010 in Orlando in March and of course the 2010 ICI show in Michigan a year from now. Synchro32 already has our booth inked in also! Leland and the ICI team - keep up the outstanding work!

Another neat thing about these expos is that I get to catch up with the many friends I have met at the past expos. Expos are like a circuit, (that's how the US circuit courts got their name - they traveled around) and I see many of the same exhibitors and attendees at each show. I have become good friends with many of the suppliers and vendors and look forward to catching up with them. I'm a people person and just love to get out on the show floor and introduce everyone to Synchro32 and "press the flesh" - shaking hands. If there were babies, I'd kiss them too! As Synchro32 is a truly global company, I like to talk to the people from all corners of the globe. This show in Indy had investment casters from Brasil, Venezuela, the UK, New Zealand, Australia - and the list goes on and on...

Here are some pics from the show. Richard will have more and better pictures to post to his BLOG. And, I'll let him fill you in on the details of the posh dinner we had.

See you on down the road...

Almost a Disaster

2009-10-14T23:35:00.018+01:00

Hello, just back from the incredibly successful ICI - Investment Casting Institute 2009 Expo. I'll post another blog with some pictures from the show and a commentary.

I got home today, after an incredibly early start - waking up at 3am for a 5am flight after three full days of the Investment Casting show/expo and meeting with customers and potential customers. Richy and I were really "knackered" this morning - fortunately I cam on home. As Synchro never sleeps, Richy was off to customer locations for installations and training. . The reason I like to take "first am flights" is that these days, there is so much uncertainty in air travel - over booking, flight delays, ground delays, weather, etc. - that I always like to have "alternatives". I met a girl in Houston at the airport on Sunday who had been waiting over a day to get home. She had started in Vegas, was changing planes in Houston - going to Indiana - and the flight had been canceled on Friday. She spent Friday and Saturday nights in the airport, the airline wouldn't pay for her a room for some reason, and all of the flights were over booked - no room to get her on. She finally got out on Sunday - the flight I was on. She also got airsick at the back of the plane right as we were landing - got up and went to the restroom - much to the displeasure of the flight attendant. The flight attendant actually had the plane stopped on the tarmac until she came out of the restroom. I understand the back of the plane was a royal mess. (fortunately I was up front on the 1st row - no, not 1st class - one of them tiny jets with a seat on one side and two on the other - with virtually no overhead storage.) Embraer RJ145 (made in Brasil)

Anyway, I had gone to lunch when I got back in town and when I came back, all hell had broken loose as a huge tree limb across the street from me, on my neighbors property, came crashing down and almost took out a car that was illegally parked in the first place. It must have just happened as I was the first to call the emergency services as there were live electrical lines on the ground. Like Gilligans Island - no lights, no phone, no internet - not a single luxurary. And of course, it was quite warm and humid today. I'd been after the home owner for several years to take down the tree as it was mostly dead. The limb must have been 40' long and about 3' around. It took out a huge pecan tree limb on my property. The limb was so big that it knocked out all the wiring on both sides of the street. Had the police, fire department, city work crews, AT&T, and Oncor energy on site. Cable company got the line repaired, but there is much work left to be done as when the tree limb went, it pretty much pulled down several telephone/electric poles. The car that was right under the limb that was being held up by a single electric line was in serious danger of being crushed. The girl that came to get her car later was none to pleased as she had been given a ticket for illegally parking and her car was towed. She's lucky that she had a car intact to be towed. Anyway, power is back on and everything is up and running at home. Here are some pictures from today's events. Unfortunately, the dead tree is still standing and if it comes crashing down, it will take out a large portion of my house. Actually, the house has another tree that is in very poor shape with a huge honey bee nest in it. We have been blessed with much rain lately, I understand about 4" since I've been in Indy, and the tree limb had gotten water logged. This was not as bad as it was when IKE the hurricane rolled through last October when it was a spaghetti mess of downed lines, down poles, etc. Trees are sure nice and they provide nice shade, but dang they can be a pain.

My Caravan...

2009-10-09T20:01:00.073+01:00

Barrie of Synchro32 fame has a new "caravan" that he recently shared with the world on his BLOG http://barriejohnsonsynchro.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-finally-happened.html - so I thought I'd share a few pics of my "caravan". Caravan - he British term for a camper pulled behind a vehicle. I personally like ALL the comforts of home - and I mean ALL! Nothing like going off into the wilds of Texas - especially the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region - and roughing it. By roughing it, I mean - warm dry bed to sleep in, if it gets too cool - turn on the mattress pad warmer. Keep the heater going during the winter and the chilled air going during the summer. Then, nothing like having a nice HOT shower in the evening to dust off the grunge from hiking all day - and then having a toilet for when nature calls. Dinner time - well of course we have a microwave and a full electric kitchen. Then, there is a fridge to keep the wine at the proper temperature. Of course, in the morning - breakfast being the most important meal of the day, must have a pot of coffee to go with the meal.

Nicest thing about my camper, is it's all mine - paid for and I have the note to prove it! Took me five years to pay it off - but it's nice to have. It's a Starcraft 11RT for off-road camping. I've also got a huge 3000 watt Honda generator to provide the electricity when out in the field. - It's WHISPER quiet too! The way the economy devastated my 401K, this will probably be my retirement home.

Only bad thing about the R2D2 - (that's it name R2D2) - hey boats have names - why not campers :) - coined by a good friend of mine - is that it causes the Avalanche to guzzle petrol. Normally on the open road w/o R2D2 bringing up the rear, the Avalanche gets about 18mpg until I hit the 85mph stretch of Interstate out towards Big Bend. However, with R2D2 coming along for the ride, 8mpg is what I figure. Back when petrol was topping $4 bucks a gallon, it takes about 4 tanks of gasoline at about 25 gallaons or so per fill-up - well - you can do the math - to get to Big Bend - that's one way. YIKES!

I've selected some pics of my caravan to share with you. I typically do things in a big way - especially camping. (remember, all the comforts of home) Now, mind you when I strap on a back pack, then it's ultra light and every 1/10th of an ounce matters (even tear out the tags in my clothes to trim weight).

These pics are from a variety of trips over the years. If you are really in-tune - you can figure out where they were taken at or at least the region of Texas...

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/

I've got a real yearning to hit the open road and head to Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Black Gap Wildlife Management area, and of course my fav at Balmorhea (where the water is always crisp and cool). Perhaps over Thanksgiving.

Even Doc and his girlfriend Scout love to go camping...

Not to worry, I just got a tad bit sidetracked here and I'll pick back up on the Colorado trip before tooooo long...

See you on down the road - perhaps in the R2D2...

A Great Story...

2009-10-07T18:38:00.014+01:00

Howdy from Texas! Getting ready to hitch up the horse and buggy and head to the stage coach stop so that I can get to Indianapolis Indiana, the mid-west of the United States - also known as the rust belt. The rust belt refers to an area of the United States where a great deal of the heavy manufacturing was located. It came about in the 1970's when many of the manufacturing and mining operations closed due to the collapse of the economy and refers to the abandoned facilities that are "rusting away". Fortunately, many metalcasters survived the downturn and still have their facilities in this area. Synchro32 is expecting a huge turn-out at the Investment Casting show and we have a number of customers and sales leads that will be on-hand specifically to see and test drive Synchro32 and the newest module - SFDC - Shop Floor Data Collection. Richy and I are looking forward to meeting up with everyone.

Did I say we were busy at Synchro32? If you look up the definition of busy at Wikipedia or Urban Dictionary, you will see the Synchro32 logo! Chris just got back from a whirlwind almost around the world trip with stops in Brasil, New Zealand, and Australia. He's back in the UK office now. Simon is still standing on his head "down under" with Synchro32 oceanic customers and new customer installations. The AFI Melboure (Australian Foundry Institute) show was a stellar success! Richy is preparing to head to the colonies for the investment casting show in Indianapolis and several new customer installations and visits. Richy is a world traveler too having made a recent Synchro32 installation trip to Malaysia. I've already got Simon booked for a return trip to the colonies in November for more new customer instalations and customer training visits. Looks like I will be booking up a December trip back to the colonies for Richy with additional new customer installations. Everyone and I mean everyone at Synchro32 is as busy as a swarm of killer bees - it's all hands on deck and everyone is enjoying every minute of it! Are you a metal caster - then you need to contact Synchro32 as you need the undisputed worlds leading metalcasting specific software Synchro32! Don't worry that we're busy, we have room in our schedule for you too - very quick turn around on installations and training - hallmarks of Synchro32. The Synchro32 software is so easy to use, even a caveman could use it! Synchro32 is literally a metalcaster/foundry in a software box!

Here's a great WWII story for you about my dad - the WWII hero that flew many a mission over France, Germany, Russia, etc. as a bombardier on a Lancaster. Many years ago, back in the mid-80's - I had the great opportunity to visit the UK with my mom and dad and explore his old roots - where he grew up at in the Halifax area of Yorkshire, the Lake District where they had a home, visit his old RAF base, attend an RAF reunion, and also to meet up with my aunt and uncles and many cousins. I still stay in touch with a number of the cousins. I learned to drink beer "room temperature" and also to enjoy some outstanding bitters. I also got to visit the Allen family fire brick works in the Halifax region. It had a mine and produced refractory bricks for the metalcasting industry. Dad would tell me stories of how he grew up working in the mine driving a team of donkeys I believe hauling up the ore from the ground. The Allen works are long gone and the mine flooded. I also got to visit the boarding school where dad attended for many years. We went up the road - up a massive hill - and cars back then did not have enough of a forward transmission to make it up - so everyone drove up the hill in reverse.

Picture of the company sign from the Allen brickworks... (now hanging on the door to my study at my casa)

Visiting England was very nice. I got to enjoy the finer foods of the world such as kidney pie, pork pie, grouse, prawns, and of course my favorite black pudding for breakfast with bangers and crumpets. The Fish and Chips are also to die for. Some of the best were up where my aunt and uncle lived in Skipton - Bizzy Lizzys. Yum. We actually found a place back in the 80's that was still serving fish and chips the old fashioned way wrapped in newspaper.

One thing I can never figure out about the UK is why they drive on the wrong side of the road! It constantly confuses my brain. Even though I do not drive while I'm there, when I return to the states I'm somewhat "confused" about which side of the road to drive on. When we visited in the mid 1980's, dad had no problem remembering how to drive on the "wrong side of the road". We rented cars for the yearly trips we did and toured the backroads of the UK. It was great fun. I have many fond memories of it.

Here is a WWII story that he penned many years ago and was included on the BBC site.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/99/a8997899.shtml

Of course, I have to post a picture of me and my buddy Doc Holliday...

On the Road Again...

2009-09-30T15:20:00.005+01:00

Howdy from Texas and the North American Office of Synchro32! Not to worry, I haven't forgotten, only neglected, to continue my tall tale of my travels to Colorado. My cup runneth over these days here at Synchro32 - one can easily tell that the economic recovery is in full swing - worldwide. Richy just returned from another Synchro32 successful implementation in Malaysia and Chris and Simon are in the Oceanic region with the AFI Melbourne exposition and also made a detour to New Zealand for two demonstrations. Perhaps these world travelers will share some pictures on their blog. I've always wanted to go to the "land down under" - always reminds me of the wonderful early 1980's song by Men at Work... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNT7uZf7lew

Ok, I'm "unusual". No doubt about it and the many will testify to it. :) My main reason for wanting to go to Oceania (Oceania - always think of George Orwell in the legendary book 1984) is to personally verify that when the water goes down the drain, it goes down counter clockwise as it is south of the equator. I also want to see the southern night sky and view the southern cross. I love gazing at stars - one of the main reasons I just love going to the Big Bend Region of Texas - to stare at the vastness of the universe - and see the Milky Way... Plus, I talk with and have gotten to know all of the Synchro32 customers in the Oceanic region and would really like to put a face with the name and the voice. You see, at Synchro32 we are a personable company - and we get to know our customers, their facilities, and their processes on a personal level. When you call Synchro32, you do not get voice mail hell - you get a live person.

Well, very shortly my bags will be packed and Richy and I will be up in the wonderful city of Indianapolis for the Investment Casting Show. Please be sure to stop by the Synchro32 booth #35. For more details, please see:
http://www.synchro32.com/exhibitions/future_exhibitions.htm

Always got a picture for you, here's a picture of my dad with the dog Doc Holliday - his little buddy... We call Dad the "treat man" as Doc always goes looking for him to get a treat...

See you on down the road...

At the End of the Road and Rambling About

2009-09-04T15:03:00.018+01:00

Join us down at the end or the road - the dead end of the main road running around Gunnison National Forest past Taylor Late. Our campsite #8 was setup at Dinner Station campground.

After doing some fishing, we decided we'd do some sight seeing. I like riding the roads and we went down to the dead end - where the road terminates. Some fantastic wilderness campsites down this way. Next time, this is where I would like to setup R2D2 - my popup offroad camper.

There is a great link on the USDA-US Department of Agriculture - USFS - United States Forestry Service website with a zoomable map.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/recreation/map/vis_maps/gmug/gunnison-nf-north/index.shtml

Heres a few ground level pics from the end of the road - the dead end...
Next time I'm at Taylor Lake and the surrounding area - you will find my campsite setup down here at the dead end.

See you on down the road...

The Girl from Paderborn Germany

2009-08-31T15:21:00.017+01:00

We started off our first full day at Taylor Park with a visit from a very cute Jr. Ranger type from Paderborn Germany. She was doing a survey on the national forest and recreation activites. We were more than happy to spend time talking to her and answering her questions. She was going to some university in Germany and was in the USA on a summer intern program. Her command of the English language was very good.

Our campsite was just opposite the river and there were some commanding views. The water pump, obviously a casting made by some foundry long ago, was in use and provided cool clean water that was potable. I'm not sure what foundry made the pump, perhaps it was a Synchro32 customer. You never know.

Although the campground did not have any showers, there was an outhouse that the campground host kept well stocked with TP and clean. Not sure where the campground host was from, he had been doing gigs such as this for many years - being a campground host all across the USA and even Alaska. It's actually a job, if you an call it that, keeping the campground clean, the firepits dugout, selling firewood, etc. He receives a nominal amount of money each month to cover his living expenses. I don't recall the name of the website that he used to secure the job. Perhaps if I was a college professor I would spend my summers being a campground host somewhere.

Of course we had breakfast and of course I took a few pics of it. Some good pan sausage and biskets. I'm constantly amazed by how well the Coleman oven works - it really does a bang up job on cooking things over the camp stove. We even managed to use it w/o burning the bottoms of the biskets - which is normally what happens.

After breakfast we headed out to go do some fishing. That is after someone untangles the fly fishing line...

Down by the river, walking on water, we encountered these strang looking beasts. We were down fishing at the point where the river runs into the lake. The water was very cold and very clear. I'd actually brought my swimsuit in hopes of taking a plunge, err - too cold even for me.

Tred caught and cleaned the first fish of the trip.

After the fishing, we decided to do some sight seeing. I'll pick up the story there later on. See you on down the road at the end of the road...

Welcome to Taylor Park Colorado

2009-08-31T01:38:00.037+01:00

As we were driving into our destination, we stopped at the "scenic view" spot overlooking Taylor Lake. There were some women there from Crested Butte and we all took turns taking pictures. One of the ladies was visiting from the windy city, Chicago, and the other one lived in Crested Butte and had unfortunately lost her job at some resort through corporate downsizing. They went on their way and we went on ours.

We have arrived at our ultimate destination. I personally had no idea of what to or not to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised - this was awesome. Typically I'm a Big Bend kinda guy - www.nps.gov/bibe or www.bigbendchat.com (where I currently have 9392 posts). I like the desert and the solitude of the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region - the cactus, the dry air, the Rio Grande river, and the Chisos mountains. I'd been to Colorado many times to go skiing, before blowing my knee out on the Vagabond run, first run of the day, at Steamboat Springs www.steamboat.com - I'd also done some day hikes up with my friend Emily up at Rocky Mountain National Park http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm but had never been camping in Colorado.

As you can tell, we arrived late in the day at Taylor Park which is part of the vast US Forest Service Gunnison National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/ We had been taking our sweet time getting here and had done some sightseeing on the way in, had to stop for groceries and a late afternoon lunch in Gunnison, and finally make our way on in.

There were Brazillions of ATV's, (all terrain vehicles), 4 wheelers, and motorbikes here. Obviously no sign of recession in these parts as people were partaking in vacation in record numbers. There were also Brazillions of recreational vehicles too - toy haulers, campers, pop-up campers, and extravagant motor homes. http://coloradoadventurerentals.com/atv_rentals/index.html

We secured our fishing license, I've never understood why one has to have a fishing license - other than it's a revenue generator for the state, but never the less I purchased one at the Taylor Park Trading Post http://www.taylorparktradingpost.com/
Many will be shocked by Shane having a fishing license - I'm not much of a fisherman and not a hunter at all. I probably hadn't dunked a hook in the water since my days in undergraduate college way back in the early-mid 1980's

We quickly went in search of our campsite. Lucky for us, there was one site still open where Tred had been intending on us to camp at. He's been camping here for a long time so he obviously knew the area. Nice campground. The campsites were not "on top of each other" as is often the case at TPWD campsites in Texas, Texas Parks and Wildlife www.tpwd.state.tx.us. The campsites are closer together than Big Bend National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park, but it was no problem.

I was tent camping for the first time in more than five years, sans backpacking tent camping. Ever since I had purchased a Starcraft 11RT off-road pop-up camper, I had forsaken tent camping for all the comforts of a home on wheels. In the UK they call these caravans. Fortunately, I still had a cabin tent to use.

As I tend to snore like a runaway freight train, Tred had wisely brought his own tent.

We were truly roughing it as each of us had either a cot or an air matress.

I was truly roughing it as I even had a tent heater - which unfortunately didn't work for some reason. It would light, stay lit for a while, then go out. Fortunately, I had my zero degree sleeping bags and never really needed the heater.

After quickly establishing the campsite, we sat down for more important things.

I got on this gin and tonic craze the last time I was in the UK at the home office of Synchro32 in November 2009. In the UK, the proper way to drink a gin and tonic is with a lemon twist - as opposed to a lime twist in the USA.

Didn't have to worry about Tred absconding with the gin as he is a Shiner Bock kinda guy - brewed in Texas in the metropolis of Shiner. I used to drink Shiner Bock, then I found out that I'm kinda allergic to beer, brewers yeast, so I haven't had a beer in over 3 years! Manged to lose a lot of weight by giving up Budweiser and Shiner Bock in exchange for gin and tonic too!

Of course, we had to have a campfire. Fortunately, the camp ground host was selling wood as we did not have any room in the Avalanche to haul any. That Avalanche was stuffed to the gills. So stuffed it was I had to use the "hitch extender" platform at the rear to haul the ice chest and water canteen along.

Tred took over the cooking duties, I cooked the beans :) and we had an outstanding feast of BBQ chicken. Yum. Chicken legs are the best part of the chicken - they are easy to cook and even easier to eat! We had a mess of chicken!

In addition to taking pictures of food, I have this annoying habit of often take pictures of people devouring the food as well. It was an outstanding meal.

Funny thing about camping in the great outdoors, after a few Shiner Bocks or one, two, or maybe even three gin and tonics, - it's generally time for bed. There are no "clocks" in the wilderness. One goes to bed and rises when ever they feel like it. I do know after two days of hard driving we were both tired and called it an early night. It was a pleasant night too - chilly, but not cold. Nothing like a warm campfire.

See you down the road tomorrow on day three of this mission extraordinaire.

Boys and Their Toys...

2009-08-23T21:23:00.026+01:00

I'm a boy and I like my toys. As I've grown older, I seem to like the more expensive electronic toys like my Garmin GPS 60CS On the Colorado trip I took along two new toys - a SPOT GPS satellite PLB, Personal Locator Becon, and an Iridium 9505A satellite phone rented from www.roadpost.com

The SPOT GPS PLB is really neat. The prices of PLB's have really come down in recent years and the people at FINDMESPOT have made it very affordable.

Below is my Garmin GPS unit - I've had it for a number of years and it works great. It's not the latest generation and doesn't have many of the new bells and whistles like FM/Sirrus radio and weather satellite images - but it does the job and works nicely with the computer in uploading and downloading the information. The two biggest drawbacks to this unit is that it chews up batteries driving the color screen, even lithium batteries, and it does not have a user accessible memory card. The latest generation units do have standard memory card slots. My dad got me my first GPS device many years ago - a Garmin GPS12. It was the first generation of civilian GPS units and it got me hooked. Whatever you do, stayaway from the Garmin ETREX Vista as it was a piece of junk - very hard to acquire and maintain signals.

By the way, our max speed is incorrect, when the unit sometimes slides on the dash, it interprets that as a very high speed. I've seen speeds in the hundreds of miles from it sliding around. The top left was our altitude at the time, our overall moving average, moving average, distance to the next destination, what the next destination was. and the final time we would arrive at the final destination. I'd setup a huge GPS track using the Garmin Mapquest software so we could follow our journey and locate nearest towns, etc. It's something to keep you occupied during a long trip such as this.

One thing I do dislike about Garmin is that all of their accessories and cables are horridly expensive and they seem to change between unit releases.

The FINDMESPOT is the orange device on the dashboard. The other device is the Garmin GPS. They are not interconnected or anything.

What the FINDMESPOT does is you can use it in multiple modes:
1. 911 - in the 911 or emergency mode, it will send out a distress signal to the central dispatch center and they will contact the local authorities of where you are at to come to your rescue.
2. OK - All is well. This just sends out a signal with a predefined message saying that everything is OK or - All is well. This can be sent to up to ten email, mobile phone, or SMS accounts.
3. TRACKING - in the tracking mode, the device sends out a TRACK update of your current location every 20 minutes. This appears on a webpage using GOOGLE EARTH so that contacts you have provided the URL to can see where you are at and how you are progessing on your trip.

www.findmespot.com

The unit works relatively well, although I have sent it back for warranty repair as the OK button tends to stick. This is obviously an early device and a precursor of better things to come. I tend to be an early adopter of new toys so I'm used to things not working just quite right.

The unit works as advertised - although we had no need to try the 911 mode. The biggest issue is that you never really are sure if you are in the tracking mode or not. In order to be in the tracking mode, you have to press two buttons at once and look at the flashing lights. You also can not be in the tracking mode and send an OK message. I'm sure future revisions will add one more button for tracking and OK. Also, there is no way of knowing if your messages are being received by the satellite or not. In the OK mode, you have no idea if the OK message was received or not - so I had the OK message going as a text message to my mobile phone - which was great when we were in cell tower range. The inability to determine if your message got out or not could be really important if you were in an emergency situation. Another issue is that the TRACKING mode only attempts to transmit a signal every twenty minutes - it would be nice if you could change it to as little as one minute or even five minutes. One can cover a lot of ground in twenty minutes at 80mph. The device worked well sitting on the dash and sometimes when obscured by trees, etc. The lithium battery life was outstanding.

I actually got my FINDMESPOT free as there was a promotion if you purchased two years of TRACKING and standard service upfront, they would reimburse you for the unit price upto $150. The two year account I setup was about $300. You can only purchase in full year increments.

Here is some screen shots of our track log. I'd gone to a friends house in Dallas to pick him up and begin our journey (first two pictures).

The second and third pictures are a zoomed in view of our track in Colorado.

Even with the early limitations of the device, I will still give it five out of five stars ***** as it is cool and it does work and most importantly, it is relatively inexpensive.

Just think of the fun you could have violating peoples privacy with this! Put one in the back seat of your girlfriends or wifes car and find out where they are really going to! Want to know where your teenage kids are at - make them carry a spot. Do you own a business with delivery trucks, then mount a spot on it to find out in real time where they are.

The second "toy" I brought along was a satellite phone. I rented the phone as they are very expensive to purchase and the airtime minutes start at $1.79 per minute. This is not something that you'd want to use every-day-all-day in place of your mobile phone. I have always wanted to try one of these as I often times do very remote trips where the nearest phone could be as long as two-three hours away. In the Blackgap Wildlife Management Area of far West Texas, adjacent to Big Bend, if you have setup camp down by the river, then it is a very very long ride back to the main road over gravel roads. Then, once you even reach the main road you are another 10-15 miles from the nearest payphone - if it is working - at the Stillwell store. Thus, even in a minor situation such as multiple flat tires, something like this could really be useful. I've always wanted to go canoeing down the lower Rio Grande from La Linda to Lake Amistad - a journey on the river of about seven days. During this time, you are totally cut off from civilization and there will be nary a cell phone signal.

The rental costs on the phone are incredibly reasonable of less than $10 per day. They ship the phone to you via Federal Express and you ship it back to them by two day Federal Express. That is really the largest expense of the entire setup - the postage. I did use the phone to check in with the folks at home and kept the calls very short - less than a minute. My entire bill, for the entire eight day trip was just $104.00. $89.90 in rental and shipping and $14.32 for usage fees.

Motorolla, sometime ago, got into the satellite business and launched enough satellites to cover the earth and provide satellite phone coverage. The idea was to replace mobile phones with this and make it affordable. Unfortunately, the cost of launching satellites is very expensive and Motorlla ended up getting out of the satellite phone business. I'm not sure who owns the Iridium satellites now, I believe it is owned by the US DOD, Department of Defense, and they allow usage for civilian satellite phones.

The package arrived on time just as promised a day before I was to leave for Colorado. It arrived fully charged and ready to go. It is somewhat bulky and heavy, the newer generation Iridium satellite phones are much smaller and lighter and would be perfect for remote backpacking. I never really got the hang of setting up or checking the voice mail and it did take me a few times to place a call - as the way you place a call is an international call with a dialing prefix of a country code of "outer space". I was able to receive calls with no problem. One of the neat things about the setup is that it arrived with a magnetic antenna for the roof of the truck. The satellite phone must have a very clear view of the sky to work. The call quality was outstanding and there was no noticeable delay that sometimes makes conversations difficult - especially seeing how the phone bounced the signal upto a satellite orbiting the earth, then down to some central station, then across the telephone network to it's ultimate destination in Texas. The unit came complete with a carrying case, a 12volt battery charger for the vehicle, electrical charger, and international electrical adapters. It also fortunately came with a "cheat sheet" instruction sheet that made operation reasonably easy.

Overall, I'd rate the Irridium Satellite phone with five out of five starts. ***** I see no downsize to this and the rate is incredibile. If you need to use the phone for conversations that last more than a couple of minutes, then you can purchase additional minutes upfront at a reduced rate. They also offer monthly plans. I even gave the phone number to the support team at Synchro32 - just in case they wanted to call me and tell me we'd landed several new accounts or needed assistance with anything. Lee left me alone to enjoy my holiday. Synchro32 never sleeps.

Almost There...

2009-08-18T03:49:00.014+01:00

Ah, at last, we are almost at our destination in Colorado! It sure is nice to have someone who can share the driving too - someone that doesn't scare the be jezers out of you while cruising down the road.

Ah ha - our first view of snow capped mountains in Colorado! This is what it was all about - escaping the blazing heat of Texas. Snow on the mountains in July!

Then we made it up to Monarch Pass and the Continental Divide. What was really cool about Tred driving was that I got to view all the scenery out the window - especially the long winding road up and down from Monarch Pass.

When we arrived in Gunnison Colorado, we had to stop and do the shopping for the trip. I think we spent a little over $100 on food - plus probably another $100 on liquor and beer. Tred learned that there are two types of beer in Colorado - the kind they sell in grocery stores is 3.2 alcohol content and you get the "good stuff" from liquor stores.

Gunnison is a nice little town. Might not be too bad to live there - during the summer. I imagine the winters are frightfully cold and bitterly snowy.

We're getting really close now... Narrow windy roads.

Well, we're almost there... See you on down the road...