Many little things add up to a big thing.

We at MEX are having an interesting year in making changes in MEX and FleetMEX, making it better for all our users.

None of these things are enormous.  They are little things that our users want changed or made better.  And we have been slowly implementing them to make our products do what customers want MEX to do.   And we are starting to notice that all of these little things make up a bigger thing that can work so much better.

Some of the changes, with some having already been done and released, include:

·         Quick edit.  This allows for the fast editing of work orders if there are a lot.  This has already been added and is available in 14.0.3.0.

·         Fast print.   Where a very fast method of printing a work order, purchase order or invoice can occur.

·         Test and tag.  At the user conference this year we discussed and even designed something around this and hope to have it in MEX.

·         On line ticketing.  A ticketing system for all customers to track there bugs, issues and requests.   Again, partially designed at the user conference.

·         New reports.  Have added a few in this year already but have more coming.

·         Photos and videos.  Greater use in the requesting and work orders.

·         On line catalogues.  Creating a way for any user to link on line catalogues into the MEX catalogue.

·         Security.  A new lot of standardised security groups.  In process now and should be released soon.

All of these little things add up to simplicity and efficiency in using our products.

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.

Steve's Serious Maintenance Tips for 2012

According to the Mayan calendar, the 21^st 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.

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!

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.

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?

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!

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^nd.  

Part 4: What should be on the CEO/CIO checklist when it comes to outlining the business outcomes these systems should deliver?

When looking at an ERP, ensure web integration is included, what elements can be shared or what are shared as part of the package. 

The points to look for are:

• Can the ERP communicate with the company website.
• Can social media feeds be built into the ERP.
• Can the ERP post directly to the social media.
• Can consumers log into the web system and deal directly with the company.

Future proofing?

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?

Part 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?

Customer data will continue still survive in its own domain, however, much more data will be stored to retain the link these entities have. 

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. 

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.

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. 

I missed my friend's 30th birthday!

I missed the 30^th birthday of an acquaintance/work collegue/entertainer/teacher/study partner and, in recent times, friendship coordinator.

How could I miss such a milestone in their life?

Simple, I was playing on my iPad.

The official 30 year anniversary of the personal computer was celebrated on the 12^th 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.

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.

I found, in this Forbes Magazine article, 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.

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.

Feel free to share your first computer stories!

Keepin' CMMS green

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. 

Paper is old news, I like trees and want them to live long and happy lives.  In my business, more and more we are trying to find ways to cut back on paper usage.

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!

With that in mind we have started putting forward our MEX CMMS iPad application as a ‘green’ alternative.  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!