|
|
in this issue
· The Space Between Applications
·
User Group Conference Approaching
·
FACTS® Map Density: Digital Mapping
Application Available
·
Welcome New Clients
·
Tip of the Month
·
Calendar of Events
|
Dear Ken,
Welcome to
the February 2007 edition of "Trucking with CLI." This month our
feature article is written by David Olson, director of Enterprise Solutions
at Progress Software. In layman's terms, David informs us of the
ever-increasing importance of connectivity, which is how various software
systems communicate. It's an interesting read that I think you'll find
valuable, so valuable in fact, that David will be writing a follow-up article
for a future newsletter.
You'll also
find updated information on our User Group conference, which is being held on
April 19 and 20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains, NY.
If you haven't registered, I encourage you to do so today. I also recommend
that you look at our Map Density digital mapping module. Just a few of the
many benefits are outlined in the article; if you'd like to learn more, you
can request a demo to experience all of the "bells and whistles"
firsthand.
Finally,
CLI welcomes new clients Cal State Xpress and SuperVan in this edition,
offers a tip on dealing with the earlier daylight savings start this year and
keeps you up-to-date with the latest calendar of events.
Enjoy the
issue.
---Ken
Weinberg
The
Space Between Applications 
By David
Olson, Director, Enterprise
Solutions
Progress Software
There are a
number of us in the industry that have been around long enough to have gray
hair and, if you are one of those people, you'll remember a long list of
approaches to make applications work together. From simple batch file
transfers to comprehensive integration middleware we've probably seen or done
it all. Dealing with application integration isn't new, but the heightened
expectation around integration as a key business support area is. Regardless
of the technology or methodology, as businesses seek greater agility and
efficiency, they are increasingly turning their attention to the space
between applications.
The space
between applications is where technologies, architectures and practices come
together to try to make it easier to integrate the business processes between
applications. The space between applications is where we look at how we can
transform batch processing into real-time transaction processing. The space
between applications is where we can improve business processes by modeling
modern process flow instead of simply implementing older paper forms. The
space between applications is where we can improve supply chain management
and reduce transaction costs. The space between applications is where we can
easily add new or change existing business logic according to market or
customer demands. The space between applications is where the next wave of
competitive advantage is coming from. From the business perspective, it is
the space between applications that will yield the greatest returns in
efficiency and competitive advantage.
We all hear
terms like SOA, ESB, SOBA, BPM and so on, but I'll let you in on a secret:
All of those letters are a means to an end. None will bring you joy,
happiness, agility or competitive advantage unless you use them to change the
way you or your customers do business. Now is the time to take a hard look at
your market and determine if there are new services or processes that you can
create to drive change in your business. Once you do that, you'll quickly
realize that you already have the starting points for those changes locked up
in your business applications. The secret, of course, is to liberate your
business logic, create some services and get them into the space between your
applications. Once there, there is much we can do - we'll talk about that
next time.
Progress Software Website
|
|
User Group
Conference Approaching
|
|
|
|
 The annual CLI
User Group Conference is being held April 19 and 20, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza
in White Plains, NY. This is an excellent opportunity for
CLI customers to get up-to-speed on all aspects of CLI software components.
They'll learn not only from subject matter experts but from their business
peers as well.
The
meeting begins first thing on Thursday morning with an opening keynote
session. There'll be structured seminars, separate breakout sessions
devoted to Operations, Administration and IT tracks and opportunities to
meet one-on-one so attendees can get answers to their most pressing needs
and questions. New this year: We will set up a computer lab where
participants can sit down with CLI staffers and work through actual
programs to learn how to maximize their use of the system. The program
continues on Friday, ending by noon.
This
program is FREE to attend and will be very interactive so
registrants should come prepared to participate. Please click the link
below for a registration form, fill it out and return it to CLI ASAP to
hold your place. Space is limited - Register today.
Click Here for a Fact Sheet & Registration Form
»
|
|
|
FACTS® Map
Density: Digital Mapping Application Available
|
|
|
|
 CLI 's Map Density
is a digital mapping tool that will permit you to view and grid your routes
online replacing the "paper map process." Not only does it let
you analyze your historic trends, it will let you slice and dice existing
routes electronically and upload the new routes directly into the FACTS
system.
With or
without GPS tracking, we can trace the history of your existing drivers and
their routes to see current structures, train you on how to analyze them,
look for trends, etc. and ultimately let you revamp your route plans to
improve productivity.
You can:
- Reveal patterns and
trends in your data that may otherwise be impossible to see
- Perform sophisticated and
extensive data analysis of existing route structures
- Manage
geographically-based assets, such as customers, drivers and equipment
- Show driving distances
between stops
- See where all your
drivers are in real time
- Visualize and redefine
your grid routing for your P&D routes
- Create highly detailed
maps to aid in improved route planning
- View stop by stop driving
directions
- Use this tool in all
departments to maximize efficiencies in sales, marketing, accounting,
etc.
CLI's digital mapping tool interfaces with the Dispatching
Module to improve delivery/pickup routing and driver management. The tool
enables you to make better and more profitable sales, marketing and
strategic planning decisions by applying geographically-based analytical
software to visualize customer locations and thereby effectively plan
P&D route areas. You will also be able to prioritize your current
market, identify key geographical areas for business development and better
understand your customer base at each facility.
In the end,
this essential mapping application will improve your "street"
visibility for the driver all the way over to the sales team.
|
|
|
Welcome New
Clients
|
|
|
|
 CLI is pleased to
announce the addition of two new clients to its ever-growing roster of
customers. Cal State Xpress and SuperVan have both chosen FACTS®, the total
freight management system, to help increase efficiencies and streamline
processes.
Cal State
Xpress, located in South Gate, California, is an ISO 9002-certified motor carrier
providing LTL and truckload service within California. They have service centers
(terminals) in Oakland, San
Diego, Fresno and South Gate (Los
Angeles). LTL shipments are serviced on a next-day
basis to most points and they offer truckload service to all points within California. In
addition, they have both Interstate and Intrastate common and contract
authority. Founded by Michael Wichert, president of Cal State Xpress, the
company recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
SuperVan
Service Co., Inc. was originally founded in December of 1980, operating out
of a four-door facility in St.
Louis, MO. Since
then, SuperVan has grown into a multi-million dollar company, operating out
of five locations. SuperVan operates via a network of major marketing
partners, allowing premier full state coverage in 31 states. This network
is complemented through an EDI system providing online tracking and
communication capabilities. CLI's installation of FACTS will help boost an
already superior commitment to excellent customer service.
Welcome Cal State Xpress and
SuperVan.
|
|
|
Tip of the Month
|
|
|
|
 As you may be
aware, beginning this year, Daylight Savings Time (DST) is changing.
Instead of starting the first Sunday in April and ending the last Sunday in
October, DST will begin the second Sunday in March and last until the first
Sunday in November. This means you must set your clocks ahead one hour
beginning March 11. With that in mind, we thought we'd bring you a timely
tip -- how to reset your system clock.
When updating/correcting
the system clock of the database server, first ensure the FACTS Progress
database(s) have been shut down to prevent data corruption resulting from
the time adjustment.
If you're
setting the system clock forward (i.e. it was slow/behind), you may restart
the database immediately after changing the system time.
If you're
setting the system clock backward however, you must first make sure you
preserve the sequence of activities logged in the application before you
restart the database. If you bring it up too soon, a later transaction may
show a time stamp that is earlier than a prior transaction. Do not restart
the database until enough time has elapsed to allow the new system time to
'catch up' with the time stamp when it was shut down. If this is not a
concern, the database may be restarted at once.
You
should also check and adjust the timing of any pre-set or Cron jobs before
updating the system clock.
|
|
|
Calendar of
Events
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quick Links
|
|
|
|
