tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56921206203357634932024-03-05T16:04:45.377-08:00Steve Ninnes CMMS esThese words may help you with your CMMS, your life, your love, or 'all of the above'Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-70501540834596357882013-09-17T19:05:00.001-07:002013-09-17T19:06:45.482-07:00<br />
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<span style="color: #17365d;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Many little things add up to a big thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We at MEX are having an interesting year in making changes
in MEX and FleetMEX, making it better for all our users. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">None of these things are enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are little things that our users want
changed or made better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we have been
slowly implementing them to make our products do what customers want MEX to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we are starting to notice that
all of these little things make up a bigger thing that can work so much better.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the changes, with some having already been done and
released, include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quick edit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This allows for the fast editing of work orders if there are a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has already been added and is available
in 14.0.3.0.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast print.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where a very fast method of printing a work order, purchase order or
invoice can occur. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Test and tag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the user conference this year we discussed and even designed
something around this and hope to have it in MEX.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On line ticketing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A ticketing system for all customers to track
there bugs, issues and requests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again,
partially designed at the user conference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">New reports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have added a few in this year already but have more coming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Photos and videos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greater use in the requesting and work
orders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On line catalogues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Creating a way for any user to link on line
catalogues into the MEX catalogue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A new lot of standardised security groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In process now and should be released soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of these little things add up to simplicity and
efficiency in using our products. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And if you have any ideas on further things to do, then
contact me and lets discuss little things that add up to big things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-7223197498712191682012-01-15T19:57:00.000-08:002012-01-15T19:57:10.619-08:00Steve's Serious Maintenance Tips for 2012<div class="MsoNormal">According to the Mayan calendar, the 21<sup>st</sup> of December 2012 is the date it all comes to an end. So before our world crumbles, I feel that it’s a good time to think about what myself, and other maintenance professionals should be doing in their last year on Earth. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First up, I wouldn’t prepare any notes about my equipment, explaining what they actually do, where they are, and how much has been spent on them. I definitely wouldn’t keep track of breakdowns, issues, maintenance, wear, or even tear!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As far as shutdown planning goes, I wouldn’t organise parts, labour or time estimates, especially around tax time. All I would do, is find a nice comfy couch where I can put my feet up.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If someone asks me to do something this year, I’ll smile and nod (to keep them happy). But obviously I’ll have no intention of completing their request. I just want to keep up appearances until December. Surely there couldn’t be any harm in that?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think I’ll also start promising my staff great pay rises for 2013, along with a handsome Christmas bonus! Of course I’ll still need them to work hard throughout the year, and if they do I will guarantee great wealth and prosperity in 2013! The best part is… there probably won’t be any repercussions for me! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, there is one caution I must provide you with if you do follow my maintenance tips for 2012. If those Mayans are wrong, and this whole end of world thing turns out to be a big lie, then you better have a damn good resignation letter ready for December 22<sup>nd</sup>. <o:p></o:p></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-7707017118365632552011-12-05T19:58:00.001-08:002011-12-05T19:58:37.968-08:00Steve Ninnes’ Maintenance Industry Predictions for 2012<div class="MsoNormal">2011 has been a turbulent year for Planet Earth. Consumers and businesses have felt a renewed anxiety following new and unstable financial situations, both at home and abroad. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Despite all of this, technology has continued to steamroll forward. One example is the iPad and how it has shown itself to be a triumphant business tool in many industries, including the maintenance and facilities sectors.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) are now available on a multitude of devices including; computers, laptops, Windows phones, to Apple iPhones, iPads and iPods.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Over the next 12 months we will see CMMSs continue their move to mobile. Greater functionality and usability in mobile devices will be key demands, with automatic connection to servers, scanning abilities and greater connectivity being the crucial features.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Following the shift to mobile, there will be a move for our desktop software to become cloud-based. Maintenance professionals will demand the same flexibility and ease-of-access in their desktop system as their mobile application. These web and browser-based systems will allow customers to interact much more closely with their system and the people who built it, on any computer.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As devices and systems become more mobile, so will the demands of the workforce. The engineering industry is currently experiencing a skills shortage, which limits their capacity to hire and train local apprentices. This requires firms to source cheaper skilled workers from overseas. Companies will need to become more multilingual, as will the systems they use.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A wildcard prediction for 2012 is a push for ‘gamification’ of management and maintenance systems. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gamification is the use of game design techniques to engage audiences. Typically, gamification applies to non-game applications and programs to encourage people to adopt them. The technique can encourage people to perform chores they would normally consider boring, by showing them a path to mastery and autonomy, and by taking advantage of a human’s psychological predisposition to engage in gaming.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In terms of gamification’s relevance to the maintenance industry, we may see systems emerge, promising increased attentiveness and more measurable results for both maintenance and actual staff management.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">However I think consumers should be wary. Staff may become more involved with the system, but may end up trying to beat the game, rather than actually concentrating on the maintenance and safety aspects of their job.<o:p></o:p></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-24008458841225870922011-11-06T19:47:00.000-08:002011-11-06T19:47:55.453-08:00Part 4: What should be on the CEO/CIO checklist when it comes to outlining the business outcomes these systems should deliver?<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When looking at an ERP, ensure web integration is included, what elements can be shared or what are shared as part of the package. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The points to look for are: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Can the ERP communicate with the company website.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Can social media feeds be built into the ERP.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Can the ERP post directly to the social media. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Can consumers log into the web system and deal directly with the company. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Future proofing?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Can the system evolve as needs of the interaction-age change? What is the next equivalent of Facebook, and how possible is it for the ERP to adapt to these new technologies? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-87407651158857020262011-11-06T19:46:00.000-08:002011-11-06T19:46:01.567-08:00Part 3: What are these customer systems like, compared to five years ago?<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">ERP systems are becoming increasingly interactive; a consumer can now directly place an order for a product through the system. Very soon, a customer will simply talk about a product or problem and it will be supplied or fixed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The input of the consumer is growing rapidly, it is very likely that consumers will soon influence management decisions much more directly. In order for management to make these decisions, suppliers will need to view data from all information sources. This data will be displayed, reported on and analysed, to ensure management and the suppliers are making the right decisions. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The consumers are almost getting inside the suppliers systems to help foster better decision making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-51494829739376578102011-11-06T19:44:00.000-08:002011-11-06T19:48:35.222-08:00Part 2: What does this do to customer data? It can no longer live in silos, so how can it be integrated to give a single customer view?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Customer data will continue still survive in its own domain, however, much more data will be stored to retain the link these entities have. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The main task ERP systems will need to achieve is to correlate data from social media sites with data inside the ERP. The outcome is; much more data needs to be related. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Some form of reference must be kept. A record must be created in the ERP to aid in data retention and accounts. The use of Application Process Interfaces (API) to communicate with social media platforms will become paramount.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">This does not mean that the data will be stored any differently. However, it will require additional space, increased volumes and links to external sources that were not even in existence 10 years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-31455384603573748442011-10-30T19:37:00.000-07:002011-10-30T19:39:20.286-07:00Part 1: How has enterprise software evolved to manage complex customer service environments? (ie, phone, telepresence, social media etc)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">One of the biggest challenges </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Enterprise Resource Planning</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(ERP) systems face today is keeping up-to-date with the multitude of communication channels used by consumers. Social media is especially topical at present as businesses rush to utilise the mediums word-of-mouth capabilities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Over 10 years ago, Business to Business (B2B) deals began to dominate the world of ERPs. During this phase it became apparent B2B transfer between different ERPs would become the typical model. Efficiency and cost saving was the name of the game and multiple stakeholders got involved and created ERP software allowing this to happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As the use of the internet became more widespread, a more direct Business to Consumer (B2C) approach became the norm in ERP’s. As consumers started doing their banking, ordering groceries and purchasing services online, the need to integrate these elements into an ERP system became important. The ability to manage the flow of products, deliveries and billing – direct from the consumer – caused a secondary shift.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Today, a new change is occurring. Over the past four years, the use of social media as a communication tool for business has grown exponentially. Which - you guessed it - has created a new avenue for ERPs to discover and explore. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and others are specialised, targeted communication mediums which are a direct, visible channel to speak with consumers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Consumers currently have the ability to interact with ERP systems. However, social media provides a greater level of interaction. ERP systems will need to integrate social media into their framework to continue to be competitive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Integration can come in the form of:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Data collected from consumers through their social media accounts<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Data going out to consumers through our social media accounts<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The level at which social media will be utilised within the ERP system <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In simple terms, social media is bringing interaction with the consumer to all parts of the decision making process and at a much faster rate than previously seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Consumers want results now. They expect a company will answer their questions/concerns in the next 24 minutes, not 24 hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Products will be evaluated and reviewed in hours instead of days or weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">If a product does not deliver, disgruntled customers can quickly and easily let their negative word of mouth spread. This is where companies need to be on the ball, effective management of unhappy customers can actually build a better relationship than if nothing bad had happened at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">An example of ERP integration could be as follows. A consumer inquires about a product on a social media site. This could be picked up by the ERP as a potential request/work order/purchase order etc. A company representative then jumps on and responds to the inquiry, which in turn is viewed by other potential consumers. And before you know it the effect of social media multiplies the simple management through the ERP system. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">This is the next generation ERP system, it is a system that can track and monitor consumer enquiries, raise work and purchase orders, give feedback and join conversations. It is a system that has evolved to meet consumers’ needs in the past, and will continue to do so in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As you can see, the changes to ERPs will be significant, the use of the ERP is now going to utilise a two way street of input and interaction, directly with the end user. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-65827962722408868742011-10-24T15:21:00.000-07:002011-10-24T15:21:02.536-07:00Four part response to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Social media<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Over the next week or so I will be releasing my response to questions about Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and its future within the Social media landscape.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">The response was used in a trade magazine for my company, MEX - <a href="http://www.mex.com.au/">www.mex.com.au</a> </span></span>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-15984699606646673882011-10-19T21:25:00.000-07:002011-10-19T21:25:08.828-07:00Google and Facebook… Fight!<div class="MsoNormal">We’ve all watched the rise and rise of Google. <span> </span>It has gone from our gateway to the internet, to a word we use in everyday conversation - there is no denying, Google is a powerhouse.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, I recently read an <a href="http://www.smorepages.com/why-facebooks-browser-is-googles-worst-nightmare">article</a> that may have Google shaking in their boots.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Up until Google+ was released, you wouldn’t have thought Facebook and Google were in direct competition.<span> </span>Sure they both fight for internet time and advertising dollars, but they were free to do so without stepping on each other’s toes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now it seems the gloves are off, both companies see an end goal and it’s not far off total internet domination.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Complete social integration throughout the web offers the host network almost unlimited potential.<span> </span>Especially in terms of advertising revenue, data acquisition and subscriptions.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Facebook has an amazing head-start in the race, which would most likely see the winner be the only one to actually finish.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This <a href="http://www.smorepages.com/why-facebooks-browser-is-googles-worst-nightmare">article</a>, suggests that if Facebook were to develop its own browser, with Facebook integration, it would change the user perception from a “destination” on the internet to an “internet platform”.<span> </span>It will represent a new way to access the internet, with your friends ever-present at every stop.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.rockmelt.com/">Rockmelt </a>has attempted to provide the “Facebook Browser” before Facebook has, with reasonable success. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If Facebook were to follow suit, and then develop a better “social search” functionality, they could well be on the way to knocking Google off the top spot very quickly.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-67116985724918084812011-09-27T17:06:00.000-07:002011-09-27T17:07:40.959-07:00What is Preventative Maintenance?<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Last week I was at a client’s worksite, speaking with the foreman about what we considered to be good Preventative Maintenance. We went back and forth, differing on some details, however we both agreed it is an issue of great importance for the longevity and management of company assets. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Most companies practise some sort of preventative maintenance – or, at least, try to – however, this is usually limited by distractions in the workplace. Servicing, routine change outs, manufacturer specifications and shut downs at Christmas affect the regularity maintenance can be carried out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">To combat this I’ve come up with a small, easy to remember piece of advice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“If something has a repetitive cycle of failure, use preventative maintenance.” It’s that simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here’s a quick’n’easy example. A pin on an actuator arm falls off every week or so, which requires the mechanic to be called to repair. Thus, the preventative maintenance solution is to replace the pin weekly. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here is another example. If a motor overheats every three months due to rubbish build-up, then, every month the engine must be cleaned down. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Preventative maintenance is looking at what causes failures and applying the remedy proactively. It is about minimising loss. These losses can occur through; downtime, double handling, decreased customer satisfaction, operational health and safety and asset damages.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Your program should be revisited constantly to assess what is working and what is not. This becomes a balancing act of maintenance versus cost. Which, in time, can be perfected through experience, testing and automated services.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-35407828785097085692011-08-31T19:37:00.001-07:002011-08-31T19:40:35.084-07:00Maintenance ain’t Maintenance<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’ve been in the maintenance game a long time, I’ve seen a few things that didn't make sense, so I’ve always stood by the view that maintenance ain’t maintenance. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Let me explain this to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">A couple of months ago, the airline industry was going through a rough patch. Not a week would go by without a scare, a close shave or the last minute grounding of a plane that was damaged, had lost a part or had something fail five seconds before take-off.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">With equipment and machinery, especially complicated and involved assets such as planes, it all comes down to effective maintenance. I am not saying the planes aren’t maintained to their legal standards, but perhaps not to the level they could be.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">To give you an example; many years ago I was working at a power station, general chit-chat turned to the topic of turbine maintenance. The engineer on site then proceeded to explain filter plates to me. The method of maintaining these plates was to take a hose and blow out the filter. This is compared to the old way, which was to remove the plates completely and then clean them by hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Both of these techniques sound like good methods to achieve an accountable result. Is one method better than the other? The answer is yes. These filters, as was explained to me, have a large impact on the overall efficiency of the unit - the better the clean the better the efficiency. Blowing-out the filter is only a cursory effort, it does the job, but will not provide the best possible performance from the unit. Proper cleaning is a better solution and will actually save you time and money in the long run. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Relating that back to airplane maintenance. Yes, you can maintain the airplane so it meets all regulatory requirements, but is this maintenance as good as what it could be? I am not convinced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-80879321230218311332011-08-29T21:12:00.000-07:002011-08-29T21:12:22.231-07:00Gold - in the form of Preventative Maintenance.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">Dragging his feet, the engineering manager trudged across the building to the CFO’s office.<span> </span>As he struggled to keep his temper in check, hewondered why this pencil pushing nerd from the ‘other side’ couldn't just leave him alone. <i>As if things weren’t busy enough already, I have to deal with his issues as well!</i> he thought to himself.<br />
<br />
A battle emerged as they discussed the outcome of the latest cost updates, they both argued their points with vigour and intensity. Neither side backing-down, until in exhaustion they both pulled their miserable selves apart and returned to their quarters. <br />
<br />
The CFO, happy to vent, but unhappy with the result, took a walk around the building, on his travels his noticed a golden glint from below a compressor. He stopped and stared at it. <i>What is it?</i> he thought. He got closer, as if approaching a lion in the wild. Scared that it could leap out and attack him; bending low, he looked closely and realised that it was a leak! He wiped at it with his finger, and realised it was gold!<span> </span>Actually it was gold coloured oil, dripping slowly from a gap between two steel plates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
He rubbed the fine liquid between his fingers, looked at it and felt disheartened and dejected, he realised that this was another equipment failure waiting to happen.<br />
<br />
He paused to think. <i>What should be done? Why is this occurring? Why hasn’t anyone else found it? It seems so obvious</i>. The thin line of oil traced all the way down to a blackened drain, hiding behind the corner, as if to say, "don’t look here.”<br />
<br />
Looking into the darkness he realised something had to be done. He straightened, looked back to the engineering office and then, with resolve in his heart, walked back to his office. Calling a local contractor to repair the compressor, he sat back and contemplated what would become of them if they could not reduce costs and increase production.<br />
<br />
Within hours, the contractor came through to the CFO’s office after checking out and fixing the leak. He then told the CFO how lucky he actually was. If another few hours had passed, the compressor would have been out of action for weeks. <br />
<br />
What did they just save? A missed $20 fix could have cost his company $10,000 in repairs and put it out of action for days, which in turn would have cost them $100,000s. <span> </span>All because of a little drip of oil coming from below the compressor.<br />
<br />
Feeling ecstatic with himself for defeating a potential failure, he went home with the feeling of success, taking him back to the days when he played chess at school. He could remember the overwhelming joy of beating his opponents with wit and cunning. It felt good to know that he had succeeded as his mind raced off into the night.<span> </span><br />
<br />
The new day dawned and the ‘athlete in the CFO’ came out. He arrived at work early, his mind sharp. like the keen edge of a sword, he went in search of potential problems that he could capture and stop.<br />
<br />
He had a vision and clarity that he had not noticed before, he started seeing glints of gold in all shapes and forms. From air and oil leaks, through to dirty edges on his machines. He chased the idea of grabbing every opportunity and acting on it - knowing that he was making money every step of the way. <br />
<br />
Within days the CFO instructed the engineering manager to assemble a team, their role would be to fix, clean, tighten and service machines, all day, every day.<br />
<br />
From machine to machine they moved, closely examining and testing each one, not leaving until all was well, each time claiming a little more success. With each step the plant looked cleaner and things stopped breaking down. Instead of the peace and quiet of complete shutdown, there was a continuous hum of producing. More and more occurred until the whole plant shone. They were back!<br />
<br />
Months later, the CFO peered over a report and drifted across the courtyard to the engineering office. Slightly pushing at the door with the tips of his shoes, he saw a view he had never seen before. No operators, no chaos. The secretary’s desk was orderly and organised, the engineering manager had his feet up and was enjoying a cup of coffee while reading his book. <br />
<br />
It looked so peaceful that the CFO decided against saying a thing. Instead he closed the door and revelled in his own joy at the success he had found. <br />
<br />
He stared at the compressor and realised that it was really gold that he saw that day. Gold in the form of Preventative Maintenance. <o:p></o:p></span></div></span><br />
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-23510630393661737642011-08-22T17:10:00.000-07:002011-08-22T17:53:50.371-07:00I missed my friend's 30th birthday!<div class="MsoNormal">I missed the 30<sup>th</sup> birthday of an acquaintance/work collegue/entertainer/teacher/study partner and, in recent times, friendship coordinator.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How could I miss such a milestone in their life? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Simple, I was playing on my iPad.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The official 30 year anniversary of the personal computer was celebrated on the 12<sup>th</sup> of August. I, like many, didn’t realise the humble PC was quite so mature. Aside from business purposes, or my sons gaming enthusiasm, the personal desktop computer hasn’t gained too much of my attention over the last couple of years. I use my laptop daily, my iphone by the hour and my iPad whenever I’m not using the other two! Well it seems that way sometimes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This realisation put me into research mode, and due to the relevance of the iPad to my business, I figured it was time well spent.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I found, in this <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2011/08/11/personal-computers-becoming-obsolete-says-ibm-pc-architect/">Forbes Magazine article,</a> that iPad sales are now digging directly into computer sales for PC companies and even Macs! It’s great to see the iPad is taking hold, especially after only 15 months in the market.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Seeing stats and figures like these, give me confidence in my decision to develop MEX CMMS for the iPad. As businesses utilise the iPad more and more, acceptance, and the ‘want’ to use it in new ways, increases.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Feel free to share your first computer stories!</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-44072885349083700282011-08-10T22:43:00.000-07:002011-08-10T22:43:54.308-07:00Keepin' CMMS green<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">In these times of increased environmental awareness, carbon taxes and the ‘hot’ topic of global warming, companies are crying out for green solutions for all parts of their business.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Paper is old news, I like trees and want them to live long and happy lives.<span> </span>In my business, more and more we are trying to find ways to cut back on paper usage.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Did you know that just by using one less ream of paper per day you can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2000kgs and save 25 trees per year!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With that in mind we have started putting forward our <a href="http://www.mex.com.au/Products/MEX-for-iPad.aspx">MEX CMMS iPad application</a> as a ‘green’ alternative.<span> </span>It negates the need for paper-based log books and gives our customers the opportunity to embrace a greener way of working that can hopefully carry forward into the rest of their lives! <o:p></o:p></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-45060648165879818132011-07-01T14:20:00.000-07:002011-07-01T14:20:03.195-07:00Facebook accounts exposed to hulu usersWell, just read an article on gigaom about how hulu accounts were letting people into anyone's Facebook account. <br />
Have a <a href="http://gigaom.com/video/hulu-facebook-disconnect/">read</a>. <br />
<br />
Thankfully <a href="http://www.hulu.com/">hulu</a> stopped the service.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-19672564814740440802011-06-29T23:20:00.000-07:002011-06-29T23:26:29.867-07:00More on founders and who they areI wrote recently about the company being the person in charge. Well twitters founder is now leaving. And, who knows what impact that will have.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://gigaom.com/2011/06/29/tech-founder-departures/">Click here to view</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com">Twitter</a> is an interesting thing. Quirky, silly, but addictive.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-342773556967197532011-06-28T15:25:00.000-07:002011-06-28T15:25:42.112-07:00If you cannot describe it, it will die!The world abounds in software created by millions of geeks trying to get a slice of the market and rocket there way to stardom.<br />
<br />
However, geeks also have the innate ability to be prone to make software that no one can understand or use. And if you ask them to explain to you what it is, they struggle. Um, arrr, it sort of does this. <br />
<br />
At this point I turn away, ignore and move on. If you cannot explain your product in a few short sentences then do not make it, do not promote it and do not try to sell it. Because it will not be promotable and not be sellable. <br />
<br />
This is not a new phenomenon, it has been around since inventing started. However, due to he clustering of geeks in their bedrooms this has reached a fever pitch. Where software is created, lauded as being the next next, but lacks any real use.<br />
<br />
Point in hand was a piece of software a friend of mine made years ago. I used to ask what he was working on. He would start telling me about it. No clear definition. Then I would ask why and how I would use it. Being a friend I thought I should at least be nice and ask relevant questions. The answer he gave was always so convoluted that I never really could understand what I would use it for. Sadly, it went nowhere on release and I cannot even find it on the net anymore. <br />
<br />
And the sad thing is the software that this friend created was brilliant. Great technology, great ideas. And groundbreaking in many ways. But there was no one to sell to, because it could not be easily described. <br />
<br />
One of my programmers went to a conference last about Microsofts Sharepoint. Now, I have always been intrigued by it, and had heard a few things about what it can do. But as you will see from my next few sentences I cannot describe it, and cannot tell you what it can do. <br />
<br />
I ask my programmer, on his return, to explain this all to me. Much um ing and Arring later he showed me a website made from it. He then said it was cool but was not sure what it did.<br />
<br />
I walked away knowing that this piece of software is probably brilliant, but will never be used by me. <br />
<br />
If you cannot explain it, it will die!Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-62881344232456113502011-06-19T19:19:00.000-07:002011-06-19T19:19:22.821-07:00Mr Steve Balmer, get Bill back now!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">About 2 years ago, I got a Media company in to do an analysis of what and who my company was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My company is MEX, Maintenance Experts, with 30 staff, and we have been in business for 18 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in software.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is not important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was important is how these consultants described us.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">After asking us a myriad of questions, going away and analysing it, they came back and presented to us who they thought we were. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And in summary we are low key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not believe we are the best and that we undersell ourselves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were many other things said which all fell in line with this overall definition of us.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">As they spoke, my little mind was just going crazy thinking about what he had just said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">This definition that he was giving was not about the company, they were describing me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">My company is me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My company is an outcome of the efforts of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been shaped and moulded by me and operates like me. The personality of the company is mine. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I was excited and shocked, at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To think that my company is just an extension of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a representation of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the company and I have the same personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, that is why we get on so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am the sort of person that does not oversell themselves and flies under the radar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not want all the attention. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And how does the company become me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I am the person who makes all the big decisions, I am the one who has final say, I am the one who says yes to the direction we are going in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so, it is an extension of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, as I have created and grown my company it operates like I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite an eye opener to realise this.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The people I get in as consultants, the managers that are here will all have an impact and shape the company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But ultimately, the company is me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, after finding this out I then turned towards other companies and what they were.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">For example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this comes down to the title of the story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill is Microsoft. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Bill Gates just wants people to look up to him, he wants power, he cannot stand anyone else winning. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Why? That is who Microsoft was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under Bill they were a predatory company.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Now, the other side is that there are also good points about Bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is fiercely determined, not great with detail and will be a winner. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">In saying he is not great with detail makes me laugh, as I am still waiting for Microsoft to fix problems with their software that appeared 16 years ago. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And how it has changed since Bill left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steve Balmer is now the CEO and I think the company has changed a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Market share is evaporating, and they appear to be being left behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Steve is a quieter guy, and does not need the limelight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Steve, it may be time to get back Bill. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And as I go through other companies it shows me who that person is charge is like. For example, Apple, Google, and any of the other top companies out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And to those companies that are greedy, not helpful and to be honest just bastards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, to that CEO, we know who you truly are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, what did I learn:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">The person in charge is very important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The company is them</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To change a company either change the CEO, or they have to change themselves.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Consultants really do not change the company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can do whatever they like as long as it aligns with what the CEO is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">This is my observation, and the more I look to other companies, I find out it is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, take your time, and if the company operates good, bad or indifferent, will be a reflection of who that owner or CEO is.</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-66855126141750184322011-06-16T20:27:00.000-07:002011-09-27T17:42:34.493-07:00MEX and Ideablade<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0hSqvVah3Wrnwk7eJhLmtFN2GB7OgZSVTPiKZ9kqcSReW-jL4kd9qowkWZpw-wMf4AYmrqY8JaA-VfAfY8BSAhHc7cd9CjgYUYOtOvoARKHfcHCIxdEAN4Qcwg91sxmO9YtZxKDwlkE/s1600/ideablade.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0hSqvVah3Wrnwk7eJhLmtFN2GB7OgZSVTPiKZ9kqcSReW-jL4kd9qowkWZpw-wMf4AYmrqY8JaA-VfAfY8BSAhHc7cd9CjgYUYOtOvoARKHfcHCIxdEAN4Qcwg91sxmO9YtZxKDwlkE/s320/ideablade.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Australia’s most trusted CMMS solution uses DevForce to get their application to their customers—no matter what the client technology.</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></strong></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">MEX’s business spans dozens of industries and thousands of users. In order to reach them all, MEX has developed products that can work on the desktop, the web, phones, and other mobile devices. MEX currently runs on all of the following client platforms: ASP.NET, Microsoft Access, Silverlight, Windows Mobile, and WinForms, and now iOS on the iPad. <br />
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You’d think MEX would need a small army of developers to code for so many clients, but they did it all with four developers … and DevForce. <br />
<br />
Matthew Calcutt, Products Manager at MEX, explains, </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">“All the time we invested into server-side coding we wanted to be re-usable in the future with any front-end. DevForce allowed us to upgrade our current business object layer and create a re-useable data layer for basically any client platform needed.</span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Without DevForce, we would have had to do a lot of data calculating at the database level in views/stored procedures or else client-side (which doesn’t lend itself to re-usability). Using DevForce’s custom properties, all the labor is done server-side, which is normally the more powerful side, and keeps the client-side simple and adds to re-usability. </span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">The DevForce OData API side of things really came into its own and ensured that all client requests flowed through the same server-side security, validation, and other business logic as our .NET clients. We took advantage of this to transmit business objects—extended by our own custom properties—rather than have to deal with raw database data.”</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br />
By building their infrastructure with DevForce, MEX was able to reuse their client-side code with multiple front-end clients, so no matter what platform their customers want to use in the future, be it iOS, Silverlight, or HTML/JS, they'll be ready.<br />
<br />
Read the full article and learn how Matthew and the team used DevForce to put <a href="http://app.en25.com/e/er.aspx?s=1020&lid=281&elq=892122f2f1de40afaaac8539b6d3692c" title="http://app.en25.com/e/er.aspx?s=1020&lid=281&elq=892122f2f1de40afaaac8539b6d3692c"><span title="http://app.en25.com/e/er.aspx?s=1020&lid=281&elq=892122f2f1de40afaaac8539b6d3692c">MEX on the iPad</span></a>.<br />
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Protect your business from costly rewrites in today’s rapidly changing world. Download <a href="http://app.en25.com/e/er.aspx?s=1020&lid=282&elq=892122f2f1de40afaaac8539b6d3692c" title="http://app.en25.com/e/er.aspx?s=1020&lid=282&elq=892122f2f1de40afaaac8539b6d3692c"><span title="http://app.en25.com/e/er.aspx?s=1020&lid=282&elq=892122f2f1de40afaaac8539b6d3692c">DevForce Universal 2010</span></a>, get the infrastructure right, and drive multiple client UI technologies.<br />
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Have questions? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help. Call 510.596.5100 or email <a href="mailto:sales@ideablade.com" title="mailto:sales@ideablade.com"><span title="mailto:sales@ideablade.com">sales@ideablade.com</span></a> </div></div><div><img src="http://img.en25.com/eloquaimages/tinydot.gif" /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div></div><img src="http://img.en25.com/eloquaimages/tinydot.gif" style="display: none;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-70276768164544314902011-06-15T21:12:00.000-07:002011-06-15T21:12:21.393-07:00The next boom.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It is getting scary in Neverland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Ipo’s are going crazy in the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">US</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new dot com boom has arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have no idea why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The only reason I can think of is because all the other markets in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region> are dead, that they need something to have fun with. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is property, share market in general, industry, dollar, health,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wait just about everything in the Us at present is up the shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Arnie and all those other buffoons getting in trouble with girls. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Facebook is maybe, you never know, might sometime, almost there, going to list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they expect it to be a frenzy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did here the term mania being used. And I am happy either way.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">But they are expecting a number of other dot com companies to float on the stock exchange very soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And I am wondering how they are going to make money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears society learnt nothing 10 years ago with the original boom,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and are now going to wipe out any money we have left in the next craze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh dear, time to start burying my head in the sand again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot watch to see people lose all the remaining part of their savings on a new get rich scheme. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">But they will. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, my parting words to your cash are “goodbye, so long, and we will never see you again.”</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-86801727158129172722011-06-07T23:31:00.000-07:002011-06-07T23:34:52.441-07:00Colour of the year 2010. (click here)Click on the heading to see the results. <br />
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Just had to share this it is the colour of the year for 2010. <br />
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And I love colors. Now being Australian, it shows that I was orange for 2010. Which I can handle. Complimentary to my balding greying red hair.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-42780811967688378722011-06-07T19:15:00.000-07:002011-06-07T19:15:13.781-07:00Technology is going so fast.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">5 years ago Twitter did not exist and Facebook was in its infancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we are surrounded by their incessant gibblings and gobblings about everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Protests are organised via them, house parties go crazy, every new article has comments, tweets and tweeted everywhere within the known electronic universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And it is only going to keep on going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are we going and what will happen next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social media will progress at its continual unending way, taking over everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may not be too long before we actually tweet a waiter at a restaurant to get a drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may even start tweeting the kids at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“time for dinner, please unplug, and download into the dining room.” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">We at MEX are developing further into this area, and making inroads into all the new technology around and will be coming out with some new and exciting products in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are in relation to MEX, and do not want to tell you exactly, but let you wait and salivate over what our offering swill be. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And if you do want a sneak peak of these then I would recommend coming along to the user conference in august at the Gold Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because that is where I will unveil these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-856921315164494742011-06-06T19:04:00.001-07:002011-06-06T19:04:54.532-07:00How do Free websites Make Billions?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It is all about numbers!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Simple as that. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If you have 10,000,000 users, then you have a large audience that some other company will want to get there hands on, so that they can influence them and make them buy there products or services. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And once you have the audience, then you can start marketing to them or start charging them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ebay started as a free site and then started charging because of the cost of running the site was getting higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>E Bay now generates about $ 9,000,000,000 a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Once you have the audience then you can either start advertising to them or start charging them. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Good examples of this are Google, Facebook and Ebay.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">When Google started out they had no adwords, nor did they own half the world as they do now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were a pure search engine, no gimmicks, no other plays,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it was refreshing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Any of us who were around in the late 90’s would remember how atrocious the search engines were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dial-up connections that were very slow and their was so many images on every page of the search that it would take forever to load. Along came google,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no ads, one box and a button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speed increase in using google was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They revolutionised search engines. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">But initially, they had no income, only expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they got the numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The numbers were frightening large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like a bear trying to eat a house in one bight,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It exploded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, in this case Google got its user base and then started to look at how to make money. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Should this model be applied to everything? </span></em></h2><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Absolutely not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have read many articles and blogs about web sites which are free and the author ponders how they make money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a very good question!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">This model only works with a generic user system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, if you made a website up that is dedicated to providing legal advice on divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The market is a lot smaller than the general market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the potential of getting a huge user base is also quite low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, to do this for free, could entail a lot of work and no income. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">My Caveat</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">However, when you think about it though,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>any web site, if it generates enough interest and gets a significant user base can be very powerful for that owner, and that is what big companies are after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>User Bases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more active users of a site then the greater the demand for them. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">What could be made free?</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I am surprised that no one has attacked Ebay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">On Ebay you have to pay when you sell something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, why has no one gone out to attack this market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somoene like Microsoft, IBM, Google could go out and make one of these quite easily and promote it very easily and do it for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I will leave this one with you, as it now has me intrigued!! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-85609996171008220772011-05-30T15:42:00.001-07:002011-05-30T15:42:30.423-07:007 Steps to Make that killer App<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Not a month goes by without someone spruiking an idea, concept, product that they believe I have to make, that will make me a fortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when people get into this mode then there is no way to talk them out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have passion, have a vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I sit there and listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I apply my own test to this product as we are talking and decide fairly quickly whether or not it could make money or will be a waste of my time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, in today’s blog I am going to write about a simple test I apply to all these ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a way to just evaluate a product or idea and is just common sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And as part of this evaluation, instead of talking theory, I will use an idea we ha, then went and created, only to find out it was a bad idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This idea was a rental web site, like a version of Ebay, except for rental, instead of sale. It sounded good at the time, but was never going to make it, without a lot of hard work. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Step 1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Listen</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Listen to what people want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though people will come to me with ideas, I am always listening to what peoples issues are and trying to determine if there is something that could be made from this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the best comments are when someone is complaining about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because, this is when those little light bulbs can go off. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">This also means keeping up to date in what happens in IT,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as any knowledge you have will help you decide on a product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, a lot of reading is required.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">This is actually market research and the first thing in product development is knowing what people would love to have in their lives and willing to use your product and pay for it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Step 2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How hard is it to make it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Or more to the point how much money will it cost to make this product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the day, it comes down to how much return for the investment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, you need to ascertain how much money it will cost to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are a sole operator you still need to work out how many hours it will take and what that hourly rate is. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Ultimately, what I am trying to achieve is bang for my buck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Least amount of effort for greatest return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the least amount of money that needs to be spent on this the better. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The rental site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had decided to do it in MS Silverlight, as a training exercise, and was going to require 1.5 programmers for 3 months to create.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Step 3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Has anyone else done this?</span></em></h2><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If this product has already been made by someone else, what mkes you think that you can do it better? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If it is new, then great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe even look at a patent to protect it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If it is not new, then if there is nothing new and funky about it, then forget it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">For the example of the rental web site!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there are a few rental websites that are already out there doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not appear to be going that flash either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this is a concern.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It appears that they all rely on heavy advertising budgets to get users to their sites and use their services. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, why would anyone use this new product, if one already exists? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">There is no good reason, as this site would be very similar to the others out there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Step 4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who would buy this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></h2><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">How many people would be interested in this product?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">What will this product do for them? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">For the rental system!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unsure of the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be a big market, but there are many issues about this market that are completely unknown.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The factors to look at include laziness to get up and use this, the fear of not getting your stuff back, the inconvenience of having to pick it up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Handling freight, pickups, returns, damage done. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It would be for anyone who wants to penny pinch and save some money.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Another risk is will people trust each other with this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Step 5 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How much money could we make?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">How are you going to sell it?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">What is the unit volume?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Has anyone else sold it this way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, how well have they done? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">For the rental site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be a commission based sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For each rental made then we receive a 10% fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The money could be enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Step 6<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What are the key factors to make this sell?</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">What is the advertising that would be used to promote this product?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it viral, web, door to door, etc</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">An advertising program must be worked out before coding starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is no use making something if we cannot sell it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">For the rental site!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Advertising!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the key factor with this product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A market analysis would be required to see who would be the potential users, longevity of users, risks associated etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">But for the rental site, I know of one other company that ran a TV campaign for a rental site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They spent a large amount of money and in looking at their site, it does not appear to be doing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On their site there is a lack of items up for rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which in turn will discourage customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they should have more than this because of the money they have spent on advertising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Step 7<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Does it excite you? </span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">For the rental site! Not really. Seems like a faded version of Ebay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And I always have to believe in what I am doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it do not then I will not make it work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">There would be a good market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this could be hard work for the users and I referred to this being a penny pinching market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, they are not going to want to part with their cash unless they have a really good reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may even by pass this and just go to the neighbour and ask them and see if they can get it for nothing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I am not going to jump at this idea, I will leave it in the background and then one day will use it to write about it in a blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">My analysis was quick and easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outcome is that this requires a lot more analysis before it will be given the go ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I will just forget about it and move onto the next idea. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">However, the reality is that we made this, as a training exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I knew it would never fly and be a killer, but it is just one of those things that we do, and we learnt a lot from it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Epilogue</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">You may think you are having just discovered something absolutely amazing that if you turn it into a product it will make money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the chances are it will not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An idea is the start of the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">To make a killer app, all of the above points must be covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is worth being critical at the start, rather than being broke and disheartened at the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692120620335763493.post-78981504089533158142011-05-26T17:22:00.001-07:002011-05-26T17:22:33.531-07:006 Rules to making money from software<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I live in the world of software, and to me it is simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I follow some basic rules and in the majority it has always allowed me to make good money from them. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, here are 6 basic rules to follow to make money from software. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Be new </span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If you have a product which is new and exciting and no one has done before then go for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Be better</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Do not make something which has been done before and expect to get great results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first company that made it, released it, it did well and now that company probably owns a small pacific island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, when you come along and make something exactly the same,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>well it is not going to go as well as what it did for that pacific island reclining company.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, if you are going to make something make sure it is better than what they made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Be different </span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Make it different. Have a twist to it that the other system doesn’t have and from this it will make it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(PS I will talk about determining how to select a product to create in a later blog).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, a game that already exists but make it so it can connect to all my facebook friends and play with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe this has already been done,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I am only using this as an example. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Make sure it is usable</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">When a person opens your software application for the first time, make sure it is easy to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have seconds to make them feel at home and realise that they can use this with very little effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I will talk more about this at a later date as this is one of my favourite subjects and often talk about it to staff.</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Marketing </span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Do not rely on the internet to do wondrous things if you just put a web page up and expect sales to come through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work out your marketing and advertise to get sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If you do not then you will not get sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen many a great product over the year die a slow and painful death because a company does not know how to market it. </div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Don’t give it away</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If you have made something new, better or different then do not give it away.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I have been reading through the stats of sales from apps sold through I-Tunes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there are very few examples of people who have made it rich by giving away a free version. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">My theory is, </div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">If it is good enough then people will buy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">People’s expectations when something is free are not very high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">People do not upgrade from the free version to the paid version if the free version is good enough. </li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">An example of my own</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I own a Maintenance Management System called MEX.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I released it in 1995, and at the time I was better, different and also more cost effective than the others on the market. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to say cost effective, it is just a nice way to say cheaper. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">At the time,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>companies were getting sick of paying ridiculous prices for software that really did not do that much,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came along with software which did the same job for a fraction of the price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And literally over the next 5 years consumed the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And it is funny I have had 2 staff who have worked for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In both cases they left and believed they could do a better job than me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, they basically rewrote my software and put it into the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And, if I look at the steps I have just written about, neither of these had a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of these systems was better or different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Potential customers asked why would they buy this software over MEX, and could not find one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, they stuck with what they knew was tried, reliable and respected in industry. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And on the money, these competitors also dropped their price significantly lower than MEX, and still could not get sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmm, customers are not dumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ask themselves why they are discounting;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is so cheap it cannot be any good. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Early days and price</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">When I first released MEX we sold a single user licence at about $1,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sales were good, but not strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, after 6 months, I doubled the price, and sales quadrupled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">At $1,000 the price was too low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At $2,000 it was acceptable as being a credible and worthwhile product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">These rules have been based upon my experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have made some absolute clanger decisions over the years and regretted them,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but always learnt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I hope this will be of use to you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761109574235181033noreply@blogger.com0