Are you tired? Tired of being jolted awake by the inhumane buzz of your alarm clock? Tired of you're spouse's alarm clock waking you up hours before you need to get up? Lark Technologies Inc. is tired of it too. They are introducing their new product, Lark Up, a new silent alarm system built to wake you up gently like nature intended.
Lark Up requires an iPhone in addition to the Lark Up docking station & wrist band. The band is placed on your wrist before you go to bed and at the specified time it will silently vibrate to gently wake you. This product was shown at TechCrunch Disrupt-San Francisco this week and was picked by CNN to be listed as one of the 6 company startups trying to change the world (to read the entire article please go to CNN.com). While Lark Up has not been released yet, you can pre-order yours or learn more information at OurLark.com.
Ashcom Technologies Inc. does not endorse Lark Up or Lark Technologies Inc.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
October Webinar Dates: Register Today
Have you wondered what upgrading from MaintiMizer Client/Server would do for you? Learn about the benefits and upgraded features you will experience using MaintiMizer Web Edition during our 10 minute free webinar. Choose & click on a date below to register;
Remember, space is limited, so register today. For more information please check out our website, www.ashcomtech.com, we'll see you at the webinar!
Friday, September 24, 2010
FCC Allows Use of Unlicensed Airwaves
Yesterday, the FCC's 5 member commission unanimously voted to open up the use of "white space" airwaves to the public for high-speed internet connections to be used by smart phones, tablets and computers. "White space" waves are found in between tv channel frequencies and currently have not had sanctioned use. This is an exciting time for innovators, the last time the FCC approved use of a spectrum of waves brought us garage door openers, baby monitors & more recently, WiFi.
But of course, this decision had it's opponents. Dolly Parton, along with several broadcasters and ministers were concerned that the use of this spectrum of waves would disrupt wireless microphones & television broadcasting. The FCC listened and has reserved two channels for wireless microphones.
I cannot wait to see what innovators will come up with that will use with this newly accessible wave spectrum. I'm sure that in the near future, I will not be able to live without something that will use this frequency. Not to mention the boost the economy almost always sees when restraints are lifted and people are inspired to try something new. FCC I salute you today!
Read a more in depth article at washingtonpost.com.
But of course, this decision had it's opponents. Dolly Parton, along with several broadcasters and ministers were concerned that the use of this spectrum of waves would disrupt wireless microphones & television broadcasting. The FCC listened and has reserved two channels for wireless microphones.
I cannot wait to see what innovators will come up with that will use with this newly accessible wave spectrum. I'm sure that in the near future, I will not be able to live without something that will use this frequency. Not to mention the boost the economy almost always sees when restraints are lifted and people are inspired to try something new. FCC I salute you today!
Read a more in depth article at washingtonpost.com.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Let the CMMS Software Do the Work for You
Running a big business is far from easy, even when you have the necessary skills to be a team leader. When your responsibility stretches beyond that of the company's personnel alone, you are left with the task of ensuring that everything is running smoothly. In a factory, that includes the equipment that does most of the work. This someone also needs to check these assets for good health and ensure that they're in perfect running condition. But as time has come to show, it does not have to be a someone, but rather, something. With the something, CMMS software, you'll have far less to worry about.
Of course the nature of the CMMS system you go for will determine how much work is taken off your hands. But speaking in a broad perspective, EAM software will at least ensure that your work orders are in place, the inventory is taken care of, and regular inspections are carried out to ensure normal functioning of the company's assets. One can only imagine how daunting a task this can be if it was left to human hands. Efficiency is improved, coupled with faster delivery time and reduced labor costs. For any profit-oriented business, that's sounds like a win right there.
When it comes to the purchasing of a CMMS program, it would be good to examine the needs of the company in detail. There are those programs that work under a web server, and those that do so, on a company's own in-house computer. Each has its pros and cons, as one would expect. If your business is spread over a large geographical area, as in with multiple locations, then a web edition CMMS would be the best solution. It would be a revenue saver, instead of getting individual programs for each branch with individual computers to accompany.
It can never be emphasized enough just how important an intuitive user interface is. While there is a sophisticated CMMS with the best CMMS tools you can think of on one side, there are also personnel and end users on the other side. Only a friendly UI can bridge this gap. Good vendors couple their CMMS products with education and training to ensure that the administrators understand every angle there is to know. Sometimes, this may come at some extra cost, but in the bigger picture, it saves time on learning how to use the software on your own.
Even in the scope of making things simpler, maintenance management software is not exactly the cheapest to find around, so it does help when it's included in the company's budget. But then again, that depends on the kind of deal that you come to with a viable software vendor. So many specificities are involved, like compatibility of the CMMS program with your existing hardware, the probability of future improvement on it, and so on. Ashcom Technologies is a reliable software developer that can get you all that you need in CMMS software. From affordable packages to highly sophisticated ones, you will have all your needs met, even beyond your expectations.
Ashley Combs
Of course the nature of the CMMS system you go for will determine how much work is taken off your hands. But speaking in a broad perspective, EAM software will at least ensure that your work orders are in place, the inventory is taken care of, and regular inspections are carried out to ensure normal functioning of the company's assets. One can only imagine how daunting a task this can be if it was left to human hands. Efficiency is improved, coupled with faster delivery time and reduced labor costs. For any profit-oriented business, that's sounds like a win right there.
When it comes to the purchasing of a CMMS program, it would be good to examine the needs of the company in detail. There are those programs that work under a web server, and those that do so, on a company's own in-house computer. Each has its pros and cons, as one would expect. If your business is spread over a large geographical area, as in with multiple locations, then a web edition CMMS would be the best solution. It would be a revenue saver, instead of getting individual programs for each branch with individual computers to accompany.
It can never be emphasized enough just how important an intuitive user interface is. While there is a sophisticated CMMS with the best CMMS tools you can think of on one side, there are also personnel and end users on the other side. Only a friendly UI can bridge this gap. Good vendors couple their CMMS products with education and training to ensure that the administrators understand every angle there is to know. Sometimes, this may come at some extra cost, but in the bigger picture, it saves time on learning how to use the software on your own.
Even in the scope of making things simpler, maintenance management software is not exactly the cheapest to find around, so it does help when it's included in the company's budget. But then again, that depends on the kind of deal that you come to with a viable software vendor. So many specificities are involved, like compatibility of the CMMS program with your existing hardware, the probability of future improvement on it, and so on. Ashcom Technologies is a reliable software developer that can get you all that you need in CMMS software. From affordable packages to highly sophisticated ones, you will have all your needs met, even beyond your expectations.
Ashley Combs
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
CMMS: The Benefits of Maintenance Management Software
Compiled by FacilitiesNet Staff
Very few companies relish the idea of spending money on computerized maintenance management software (CMMS). Maintenance departments are sometimes simply viewed as a cost of doing business, and in a difficult economy, maintenance departments are among the first to experience budget cuts.
Fortunately, computerized maintenance management software is one tool that can help mangers reshape the image of maintenance departments by showing how maintenance is valuable to the organization.
For example, improving equipment performance by reducing downtime is one important function of maintenance departments. This can be done by tracking the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), which has three components:
•Availability, or the percentage of time a piece of equipment is ready to work
•Utilization, which is the rating of the machine that is available from the manufacturer
•Quality rate, which is how well the equipment actually operates. Out of every 100 hours of operation, how many of them meet company standards and requirements?
Unfortunately, U.S. companies have an average OEE of only 40 percent, which is less than one-half of the acceptable level according to world-class standards. For example, assume for every hour of downtime, the organization loses $1,000. Since it is common for equipment to be down for a few weeks each year, assume downtime of 100 hours annually.
In this example, the company will lose $100,000 in the 100 hours of downtime. Multiply that by the pieces of equipment in the facility, and the losses could be staggering. If an appropriate PM program is in place, it can minimize downtime and save a great deal of money.
How Maintenance Management Software Can Reduce Downtime
Maintenance management software can help managers assure the high quality of both the equipment condition and its performance. So maintenance management software is not just a means of controlling maintenance. It is a primary tool for improving maintenance productivity. Key maintenance management software functions include: generating, planning, and reporting work orders; developing a traceable history; and recording parts transactions.
Managers can deliver a number of benefits through the efficient use of maintenance management software. Benefits include increased labor productivity, increased equipment availability and performance, and longer equipment life.
Of these, one of the most significant is increased labor productivity. If maintenance management software provides technicians with a planned job, the procedures, needed parts and tools, they should be able to work without delays or interruptions. They also should be able work more safely, since job plans would describe all of the required safety procedures.
The additional, tangible benefits of a maintenance management software include: reduced overtime; less reliance on contractors; reduced maintenance backlog; reduced cost per repair; improved morale; better service; less paperwork; and reduced follow-up required by supervisors.
Very few companies relish the idea of spending money on computerized maintenance management software (CMMS). Maintenance departments are sometimes simply viewed as a cost of doing business, and in a difficult economy, maintenance departments are among the first to experience budget cuts.
Fortunately, computerized maintenance management software is one tool that can help mangers reshape the image of maintenance departments by showing how maintenance is valuable to the organization.
For example, improving equipment performance by reducing downtime is one important function of maintenance departments. This can be done by tracking the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), which has three components:
•Availability, or the percentage of time a piece of equipment is ready to work
•Utilization, which is the rating of the machine that is available from the manufacturer
•Quality rate, which is how well the equipment actually operates. Out of every 100 hours of operation, how many of them meet company standards and requirements?
Unfortunately, U.S. companies have an average OEE of only 40 percent, which is less than one-half of the acceptable level according to world-class standards. For example, assume for every hour of downtime, the organization loses $1,000. Since it is common for equipment to be down for a few weeks each year, assume downtime of 100 hours annually.
In this example, the company will lose $100,000 in the 100 hours of downtime. Multiply that by the pieces of equipment in the facility, and the losses could be staggering. If an appropriate PM program is in place, it can minimize downtime and save a great deal of money.
How Maintenance Management Software Can Reduce Downtime
Maintenance management software can help managers assure the high quality of both the equipment condition and its performance. So maintenance management software is not just a means of controlling maintenance. It is a primary tool for improving maintenance productivity. Key maintenance management software functions include: generating, planning, and reporting work orders; developing a traceable history; and recording parts transactions.
Managers can deliver a number of benefits through the efficient use of maintenance management software. Benefits include increased labor productivity, increased equipment availability and performance, and longer equipment life.
Of these, one of the most significant is increased labor productivity. If maintenance management software provides technicians with a planned job, the procedures, needed parts and tools, they should be able to work without delays or interruptions. They also should be able work more safely, since job plans would describe all of the required safety procedures.
The additional, tangible benefits of a maintenance management software include: reduced overtime; less reliance on contractors; reduced maintenance backlog; reduced cost per repair; improved morale; better service; less paperwork; and reduced follow-up required by supervisors.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Cool Roofs: Reducing Global Warming while Saving you Money
There is a "Cool Roof" initiative slowly gaining speed around the country. Painting roofs white with a special reflective paint is proving that it can save money & minimize the amount of green house gases a building produces. The white paint reflects the sun's rays, reducing the temperature of the roof, as well as the inside of the building. The reduced inside temperature reduces summer cooling costs, lowering carbon emissions. Several studies show the emissions reduction to be significant and leave many wondering why this is taking so long to catch on, especially in cities where black flat roofs would be easy & relatively inexpensive to implement.
Cool roofs aren't just for large flat roofed buildings! There are roofing materials being manufactured that have reflective particles in the product. Buildings with pitched roofs don't have to sacrifice appearance for functionality and can reap the benefits of cool roof technology too.
Read more about Cool Roofing Technology at: Cool Roofs Rating Council or Berkley Lab.
Cool roofs aren't just for large flat roofed buildings! There are roofing materials being manufactured that have reflective particles in the product. Buildings with pitched roofs don't have to sacrifice appearance for functionality and can reap the benefits of cool roof technology too.
Read more about Cool Roofing Technology at: Cool Roofs Rating Council or Berkley Lab.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Cyberspace Security: A National Priority
Last year President Obama addressed the importance of protecting governmental & critical private computer networks. A year later and there is little evidence that we have made any strides in it's security. There is little opposition with the belief that federal computer systems are at risk from hackers and need to be protected. The problem seems to be that there is a disagreement on what to do to increase security, and how much security is within the governments jurisdiction.
Sure, security of government agencies such as the Pentagon, CIA/FBI, and the Social Security Administration are the government's responsibility . But the clear-cut line blurs when you begin addressing the security of privately held utility companies such as gas, water, electric & telecommunications. All of which need a certain level of security but who's responsibility is it really? Certainly it would be disastrous if a bug got onto the national power grid & crashed the entire system. I can see the panic & mayhem already, but can the government govern these companies? I'm sure the answer will not come quickly or easily, only time will tell what will come of the cyberspace policy review that is celebrating it's first birthday.
For a more in-depth look at this subject please read The Washington Post Article By Ellen Nakashima.
Sure, security of government agencies such as the Pentagon, CIA/FBI, and the Social Security Administration are the government's responsibility . But the clear-cut line blurs when you begin addressing the security of privately held utility companies such as gas, water, electric & telecommunications. All of which need a certain level of security but who's responsibility is it really? Certainly it would be disastrous if a bug got onto the national power grid & crashed the entire system. I can see the panic & mayhem already, but can the government govern these companies? I'm sure the answer will not come quickly or easily, only time will tell what will come of the cyberspace policy review that is celebrating it's first birthday.
For a more in-depth look at this subject please read The Washington Post Article By Ellen Nakashima.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Internet Explorer 9 Unveiled
Today, Microsoft introduced a new version of it's web-browser, Internet Explorer 9. IE9 will replace IE8 which debuted March, 2009. IE9 is an attempt to regain some of its market share in 2006 IE commanded 80+% of web-browser market share, compared to the 60% it currently has. The market for web-browsers has opened up and gotten more competitive. Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari are all throwing their hats into the ring to try to win market share. Microsoft has been slow in making huge leaps forward with newer versions of IE, IE9 is the exception.
IE9 has been behind in several innovations for web browsers. IE9 is trying to rival newer features in other browsers and also trying to move past competitors with even newer innovations of their own. These innovations do come at a price: IE9 was made to be supported on Windows 7. Windows Vista works but misses out on some of the newer features, and anything older than that simply isn't supported. I guess at some point Microsoft had to look into the future to become competitive with the other browsers out there, and in doing so they left the past behind....
Want to read more about IE9 specific features? Check out Edward C. Baig's USA Today article, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 a huge step forward .
IE9 has been behind in several innovations for web browsers. IE9 is trying to rival newer features in other browsers and also trying to move past competitors with even newer innovations of their own. These innovations do come at a price: IE9 was made to be supported on Windows 7. Windows Vista works but misses out on some of the newer features, and anything older than that simply isn't supported. I guess at some point Microsoft had to look into the future to become competitive with the other browsers out there, and in doing so they left the past behind....
Want to read more about IE9 specific features? Check out Edward C. Baig's USA Today article, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 a huge step forward .
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Need Faster Internet? Move to Chattanooga!
A recent study has ranked the U.S. as having the18th fastest broadband speed in the world. (Check out the broadband map to see how we size up.) The government has taken notice of this report & in March, The Federal Communication Commission announced that they have created The National Broadband Plan to increase speed to 100-megabit-per-second connections in 100 million American homes by 2020.
For some that isn't quick enough: both time-wise and speed-wise. Chattanooga, Tennessee began offering one-gigabit-per-second internet upload and download speeds Monday, September 13, 2010. The rate is 250 times the average internet speed in the nation. Chattanooga's mayor hopes that this will attract new businesses to the area looking for lightning-fast speeds that technology really isn't ready for, yet. Impatient web-serfers you may have found your Mecca!
Read the whole CNN article, Chattanooga Claims Fastest Internet in the U.S.
For some that isn't quick enough: both time-wise and speed-wise. Chattanooga, Tennessee began offering one-gigabit-per-second internet upload and download speeds Monday, September 13, 2010. The rate is 250 times the average internet speed in the nation. Chattanooga's mayor hopes that this will attract new businesses to the area looking for lightning-fast speeds that technology really isn't ready for, yet. Impatient web-serfers you may have found your Mecca!
Read the whole CNN article, Chattanooga Claims Fastest Internet in the U.S.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Cloudy with a 100% Chance of Enhanced Operational Efficiency
An Excerpt From:
A Brief Introduction to Cloud Computing by Jonathan Hakim
Software as a Service (SaaS), also commonly referred to as “cloud computing” or “on-demand services,” is sweeping through enterprises in just about every industry. With SaaS, a customer licenses an application for use as a service on demand, either through a time subscription or a “pay-as-you-go” model, rather than purchase the hardware and software to run a standalone application on their own.
In a SaaS model, customers need only a computer or a server to download the application and Internet access to run the software. While there is a considerable amount of hype around on-demand services, there are some very real advantages plants can leverage to enhance operational efficiencies, improve reliability and drive ROI up from their predictive maintenance and condition monitoring programs.
The catalyst behind increasing interest in on-demand services in manufacturing is plants’ requirements for services that deliver reliable information and analysis, accessible anywhere in the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. SaaS technology enables this “always on” business culture and removes the responsibility of implementing and maintaining IT infrastructure, which require hardware investments, software licensing and support costs. Rather than spending time managing an IT network, plant managers are free to take on critical projects that will help them reach their reliability and uptime goals.
The Cloud is Accessible to Everyone
One of the primary benefits of cloud computing is that only minimal PC and technical components are necessary because cloud computing resources remain on the remote data center site. In many cases, the web services deliver content to a thin client machine via a web browser. The client computer resource requirements are low, needing only a decent Internet connection to the data center and basic Windows components such as a Remote Desktop client and a modern web browser.The first question many manufacturing companies have when it comes to adopting a new technology like SaaS is whether it will require major up-front capital investments. Oftentimes, even if the application or operating systems themselves aren’t expensive, plants will need to prepare their current infrastructure for the new product’s integration, which can lead to unforeseen costs. SaaS, however, is not one of those technologies.
Look Beyond Cost-Savings to Business Benefits from the Cloud
Though SaaS has considerable cost benefits, plants that rely on the cloud solely for that reason are selling the technology short. The first, and most important, reason plants should evaluate SaaS for their IT infrastructure is because it enables managers and employees to better share the results of their maintenance and reliability efforts. Rather than sharing information amongst a small group in the engineering department, general machine condition health information can be accessed by all stakeholders in the enterprise or local plant. This way, the condition monitoring program does not operate in a bubble and is accessible to personnel from operations, management, maintenance and engineering who are then in a position to make informed decisions that affect plant production and outage planning. This sharing of information can ensure that the plant runs smoothly, and managers outside of the condition monitoring program always have the most current machine condition information.Remote access greatly enhances condition monitoring data analysis practices. Cost-cutting and lean manufacturing have led to a more distributed workforce including many remote employees. In this scenario, SaaS can have great benefits because isolated employees need only an Internet connection to perform a review or analyze work. For instance, ordinarily a technician would collect machinery health information on a data collector and download information at the end of the day to a terminal where it would then be stored for analysis. In a cloud computing environment, the worker can upload the information using a wireless network so remote engineers can review the data in near real-time, as well as store and retrieve data history and reports. This gives them the ability to accurately assess the situation on the ground rather than having to re-deploy a technician to fix a problem after they have come back from the field.
Tackling Fear of the Cloud
Fear of cloud computing has been widely publicized within the media. In fact, according to the ISACA IT Risk/Reward Barometer survey, nearly half of the 1,809 US IT professionals surveyed said that the potential risks associated with cloud computing outweigh its benefits and that 25 percent of respondents do not plan to use the cloud for any IT services. This data is misleading because SaaS is a relatively new technology for the manufacturing industry, and the benefits and risks have not been clearly defined as of yet. The technology is maturing, but is still in its relative infancy and many companies are currently evaluating the technology to see how it fits within their IT infrastructure. Many of the claims made against SaaS are groundless and rooted in a fear of the unknown. With the right education and partner, a plant can easily become more comfortable about the safety, security and reliability of its data in the cloud.The key to alleviating cloud fears is to evaluate the potential SaaS partner’s network and security model and see how well it maps to the plant’s infrastructure. The customer’s IT department should be directly involved in these discussions from the start. They are truly the experts and have a specific set of criteria for their own enterprise network. Here is a quick list of questions you should be asking that are helpful in appraising a cloud vendor’s security model:
• Do you clearly understand how the cloud computing offering
works from the SaaS vendor?
• Does the vendor meet the IT security model of your plant?
• Does your plant have the delegated ability to control access
to their system?
• Will your plant have clear lines of communication with the
vendor for sales and technical support needs? Does the
vendor have a structured change management and
patch management process?
• Can I obtain a copy of my data if I need to?
Flexible Cloud Deployment Models
An under-reported benefit to deploying cloud computing within your IT infrastructure is the flexibility it offers. While many companies wring their hands when thinking about sharing their sensitive information with a third party, SaaS technology has matured to the point where manufacturing organizations can put as much, or as little, data in the cloud as they are comfortable with at any one time.Admittedly, cloud computing is still at nascent stages of adoption for predictive maintenance and condition monitoring initiatives, so we strongly recommend “doing your homework” along with implementing a thorough evaluation of a potential SaaS partner. Customer support, uptime and security protocols should be at the forefront of your discussions when evaluating vendors, especially if this is your first foray into the cloud. A good SaaS partner is critical as it will be the key in helping your plant achieve the performance and budget goals that will catch the eye of senior management and keep your predictive maintenance and condition monitoring programs running smoothly.
To view the entire article please check out reliabilityweb.com or AshcomTech.com to learn about what MaintiMizer.com™ has to offer.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Lithium Ion Battery Plant Opens in Livonia MI
A123 Systems celebrated it's grand opening today as the country's largest lithium ion automotive battery plant. The Livonia Michigan plant is a welcomed addition during the current recession. The Bureau of Labor Statics listed Michigan as having the second highest unemployment rate at 13.1% (just below Nevada at 14.3%) in July 2010.
The plant currently employs 300 workers manufacturing prismatic cells; a thin rectangular battery about the size of a license plate. It produces 20 amp hours and 66 watt hours; 300 to 400 of the prismatic cells are needed for one electric car battery pack.The cost of a typical hybrid plug-in battery is currently $10,000-$12,000, though it's expected to be halved within 4 years, according to Jason Forcier, vice president of A123 Systems' Automotive Solutions Group division.
Perhaps this is the start of the "Green Movement" will help Metro-Detroit, and the rest of the nation rally from these hard times.
For more please visit The Detroit Free Press.
The plant currently employs 300 workers manufacturing prismatic cells; a thin rectangular battery about the size of a license plate. It produces 20 amp hours and 66 watt hours; 300 to 400 of the prismatic cells are needed for one electric car battery pack.The cost of a typical hybrid plug-in battery is currently $10,000-$12,000, though it's expected to be halved within 4 years, according to Jason Forcier, vice president of A123 Systems' Automotive Solutions Group division.
Perhaps this is the start of the "Green Movement" will help Metro-Detroit, and the rest of the nation rally from these hard times.
For more please visit The Detroit Free Press.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Healthy Drains Lead to a Healthy Environment
“Clean for Health” has long been the phrase used to describe the focus of the sanitation program in schools and hospitals across the country. Today, with the increased media attention on hospital acquired infections and foodborne illnesses, combined with societal efforts to become more environmentally conscientious, our sanitation programs must now incorporate a comprehensive drain maintenance program.
Organizations including the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programs and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) have helped to bring attention to the issue. “Healthy drains lead to a healthy environment.”
Past practices of pouring sulfuric acid down slow flowing drains to open them up or pouring bleach down the drain to knock down odors are being replaced with healthy concepts and programs that start by first identifying the source of the problem, not just the location and symptom. Schools and hospitals share a variety of environments that have similar types of drains and issues including foodservice or dietary, restrooms, showers, drinking fountains, and custodial closets. Further, in buildings that have multiple levels, there are additional laterals and trunk lines that are part of the building’s drain system.
Whether it is a kitchen drain backing up or a restroom drain emitting off foul odors, these simple drain situations can pose potentially serious health effects to visitors and staff alike.The issues and remedies do vary by area. And they must be reviewed separately first, and then combined together as a comprehensive drain program.
One of the biggest drain challenges for the facility is located in the dietary area. With food being processed and small chunks of waste being washed down the line, the staff may have to deal with as many as three different but related issues; slow or plugged lines, odors and unwanted pestilents such as rodents or drain flies.
The first line of defense for all three of these problems is prevention. By incorporating “best management practices” to limit the amount of the food waste that goes down the drain (pre-scraping the food off the plates and into the trash, eliminating the use of garbage disposals, and putting on drain screens to catch food particles), much of the food waste is kept out of the system. Not only does this help keep the drains clean, but it often helps minimize the wastewater bill through the reduction of the waste in the system.
After limiting the amount of food that goes down the drain through best management practices, the next step is to remove the waste that has entered the drain and become attached to the drain line. Removing the physical soil will usually also control related foul odors since the odors are primarily comprised of either amines or gases that are often released from the waste. Prior to removal of this waste, one must first identify the type of drain or drains located in the problem area. Dietary drains are usually one of two types, either a standard floor drain with some sort of drain screen or a trough like trench drain.
For a standard drain you should assess how much of a build-up is in the line. If the drain is plugged or almost plugged, to minimize cost and time, a mechanical means such as hydro-jetting or snaking the line is usually the fastest remedy. Today this process is the best way to handle drains that are in desperate need of deep restoration. If the drain flows slowly due to a partial build-up, there are a couple of additional remedies that maybe incorporated to eliminate the physical build-up. One method is to incorporate a regular routine of a natural biological solution that digests the sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats being dumped down the drain. These natural digesters are a great supplement as they generally do not cause downstream issues in the municipal systems and do not pose any significant health risk to the facility. Biological products are to the drain, what a toothbrush and toothpaste are to teeth.
In the kitchen, there is often the tendency to try to routinely treat the floor drains with an emulsifier similar to those found in D-limonene or sodium hydroxide based products. Be aware that most communities are now forbidding the use of these types of emulsifiers to treat the grease interceptors or traps since they defeat the purpose of the interceptor, which is to mechanically separate food waste from the water. This is important because the kitchen drain lines feed through these traps right into the municipal collection system. If it is apparent that the facility is going to use an emulsifier to routinely maintain kitchen drains, approval from the local sewer authority is highly recommended. Failure to do so could lead to a downstream issue that may drastically raise the sewer bill.
The second type of drain commonly found in the dietary area is the trough style trench drain. This drain allows for easier access to a larger section of the drain and the dumping of water from large pots, mixing bowls, etc. Because of its exposed area, the entire trench drain should be treated as part of the floor surface. It should be cleaned using the same procedures and products used to clean the entire floor surface. Be sure to remove the grates and clean the trough portion of the drain as well.
There have been studies conducted by universities that suggest perhaps an effective way to eliminate a drain fly infestation is by removing their food and breeding sources (the wet sugars and carbohydrates) in and around the drain. Last fall, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was very careful to clearly remind every supplier that if they want to make any reference to chemically or biologically achieving this goal, the product must go through the appropriate testing and registration process.
Restroom drains have long been a challenge for the maintenance staff as the issues range from the disposal of inappropriate materials into the drains (gloves, pens, diapers, and feminine hygiene materials) to odors coming from incorrectly plumbed pipes. For the inappropriate materials, today there is no safe substitute to the mechanical removal of the materials. For odors in pipes that have not been plumbed properly, the only relief is to keep it lubricated or wet (using water) until a proper drain or vent can be installed. Due to indoor air quality issues, the hazards of accidentally mixing bleach with other chemicals, and the violent reaction that may occur; it is not a good idea to pour bleach down the drain to control odors. If the pipes are well lubricated and the drain is still emitting an odor, if it can be determined that the odor is a gas or an amine coming from the soil in the drain, a proper biological material may digest that soil and eliminate the smell.
Shower drains are handled similarly to bathroom drains with the exception that often the shower drain will get loaded with a “hairball.” That is the clump of hair that over time has been tangled around soap that is in the drain. The remedy is to either mechanically remove the hairball or break the soap down that holds the hairball together. This can be done with either a small amount of a biodegradable degreaser or by using a biological product to break the clump down over time. As the soap is broken down, the hair will tend to slide down the drain and the shower will regain its capacity to drain.
The last set of problematic drains that are commonly found in schools and hospitals are the drains in the custodial closets. The biggest challenge here is that due to the drain being used to empty everything from buckets, extractors, and automatic scrubbers, the best way to prevent the plugging of the line and production
of foul odors is to simply rinse some water down the drain after emptying the last container of the group. This process will flush the residual debris and odor causing waste down the drain. If odors persist, a biological drain maintenance product is a safe, easy tool for this application.
Whether it is a kitchen drain backing up or a restroom drain emitting off foul odors, these simple drain situations can cause potentially serious health effects on visitors and staff alike. When deciding just how important a routine drain maintenance program is, keep in mind, “Healthy Drains are the next step to a Healthy Environment.”
John Schauff is the bioaugmentation manager for Maumee, Ohio-based Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. and is an ISSA Certified Expert (ICE) This article was originally posted at facilitymanagement.com.
Organizations including the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programs and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) have helped to bring attention to the issue. “Healthy drains lead to a healthy environment.”
Past practices of pouring sulfuric acid down slow flowing drains to open them up or pouring bleach down the drain to knock down odors are being replaced with healthy concepts and programs that start by first identifying the source of the problem, not just the location and symptom. Schools and hospitals share a variety of environments that have similar types of drains and issues including foodservice or dietary, restrooms, showers, drinking fountains, and custodial closets. Further, in buildings that have multiple levels, there are additional laterals and trunk lines that are part of the building’s drain system.
Whether it is a kitchen drain backing up or a restroom drain emitting off foul odors, these simple drain situations can pose potentially serious health effects to visitors and staff alike.The issues and remedies do vary by area. And they must be reviewed separately first, and then combined together as a comprehensive drain program.
One of the biggest drain challenges for the facility is located in the dietary area. With food being processed and small chunks of waste being washed down the line, the staff may have to deal with as many as three different but related issues; slow or plugged lines, odors and unwanted pestilents such as rodents or drain flies.
The first line of defense for all three of these problems is prevention. By incorporating “best management practices” to limit the amount of the food waste that goes down the drain (pre-scraping the food off the plates and into the trash, eliminating the use of garbage disposals, and putting on drain screens to catch food particles), much of the food waste is kept out of the system. Not only does this help keep the drains clean, but it often helps minimize the wastewater bill through the reduction of the waste in the system.
After limiting the amount of food that goes down the drain through best management practices, the next step is to remove the waste that has entered the drain and become attached to the drain line. Removing the physical soil will usually also control related foul odors since the odors are primarily comprised of either amines or gases that are often released from the waste. Prior to removal of this waste, one must first identify the type of drain or drains located in the problem area. Dietary drains are usually one of two types, either a standard floor drain with some sort of drain screen or a trough like trench drain.
For a standard drain you should assess how much of a build-up is in the line. If the drain is plugged or almost plugged, to minimize cost and time, a mechanical means such as hydro-jetting or snaking the line is usually the fastest remedy. Today this process is the best way to handle drains that are in desperate need of deep restoration. If the drain flows slowly due to a partial build-up, there are a couple of additional remedies that maybe incorporated to eliminate the physical build-up. One method is to incorporate a regular routine of a natural biological solution that digests the sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats being dumped down the drain. These natural digesters are a great supplement as they generally do not cause downstream issues in the municipal systems and do not pose any significant health risk to the facility. Biological products are to the drain, what a toothbrush and toothpaste are to teeth.
In the kitchen, there is often the tendency to try to routinely treat the floor drains with an emulsifier similar to those found in D-limonene or sodium hydroxide based products. Be aware that most communities are now forbidding the use of these types of emulsifiers to treat the grease interceptors or traps since they defeat the purpose of the interceptor, which is to mechanically separate food waste from the water. This is important because the kitchen drain lines feed through these traps right into the municipal collection system. If it is apparent that the facility is going to use an emulsifier to routinely maintain kitchen drains, approval from the local sewer authority is highly recommended. Failure to do so could lead to a downstream issue that may drastically raise the sewer bill.
The second type of drain commonly found in the dietary area is the trough style trench drain. This drain allows for easier access to a larger section of the drain and the dumping of water from large pots, mixing bowls, etc. Because of its exposed area, the entire trench drain should be treated as part of the floor surface. It should be cleaned using the same procedures and products used to clean the entire floor surface. Be sure to remove the grates and clean the trough portion of the drain as well.
There have been studies conducted by universities that suggest perhaps an effective way to eliminate a drain fly infestation is by removing their food and breeding sources (the wet sugars and carbohydrates) in and around the drain. Last fall, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was very careful to clearly remind every supplier that if they want to make any reference to chemically or biologically achieving this goal, the product must go through the appropriate testing and registration process.
Restroom drains have long been a challenge for the maintenance staff as the issues range from the disposal of inappropriate materials into the drains (gloves, pens, diapers, and feminine hygiene materials) to odors coming from incorrectly plumbed pipes. For the inappropriate materials, today there is no safe substitute to the mechanical removal of the materials. For odors in pipes that have not been plumbed properly, the only relief is to keep it lubricated or wet (using water) until a proper drain or vent can be installed. Due to indoor air quality issues, the hazards of accidentally mixing bleach with other chemicals, and the violent reaction that may occur; it is not a good idea to pour bleach down the drain to control odors. If the pipes are well lubricated and the drain is still emitting an odor, if it can be determined that the odor is a gas or an amine coming from the soil in the drain, a proper biological material may digest that soil and eliminate the smell.
Shower drains are handled similarly to bathroom drains with the exception that often the shower drain will get loaded with a “hairball.” That is the clump of hair that over time has been tangled around soap that is in the drain. The remedy is to either mechanically remove the hairball or break the soap down that holds the hairball together. This can be done with either a small amount of a biodegradable degreaser or by using a biological product to break the clump down over time. As the soap is broken down, the hair will tend to slide down the drain and the shower will regain its capacity to drain.
The last set of problematic drains that are commonly found in schools and hospitals are the drains in the custodial closets. The biggest challenge here is that due to the drain being used to empty everything from buckets, extractors, and automatic scrubbers, the best way to prevent the plugging of the line and production
of foul odors is to simply rinse some water down the drain after emptying the last container of the group. This process will flush the residual debris and odor causing waste down the drain. If odors persist, a biological drain maintenance product is a safe, easy tool for this application.
Whether it is a kitchen drain backing up or a restroom drain emitting off foul odors, these simple drain situations can cause potentially serious health effects on visitors and staff alike. When deciding just how important a routine drain maintenance program is, keep in mind, “Healthy Drains are the next step to a Healthy Environment.”
John Schauff is the bioaugmentation manager for Maumee, Ohio-based Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. and is an ISSA Certified Expert (ICE) This article was originally posted at facilitymanagement.com.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Google Introduces Google Instant
According to Google, the average web search takes 25 seconds; 9 seconds to type our the query, 1 second for Google to return the results, and another 15 seconds for the user to choose which link to click. Google boasts that their new system, Google Instant, will shave off 2 additional seconds off a web search.
I've gotta be honest with you, I didn't think it took too long to display search results, I thought things were fine. I also didn't think I needed a cell phone with a QWERTY keypad when they came out, how wrong was I! I can admit when I'm wrong, and maybe I'm wrong about this too.
Start typing your query in the search box, as you type Google Instant will immediately begin completing what you're typing and will display search results at the bottom of the page. Of course the more you type the closer the results will be. I think the coolest thing about Google Instant is that the results begin populating before you're even done typing, and that's where the real time savings comes in. Google has tried to safeguard this feature for children, for example if you are trying to search "pooh bear" and type in "po" google will not display the results for "porn". Google also gives you the option to disable Google Instant if you don't trust their safeguards or if you simply don't like Instant.
Only through using Instant can you make a determination of liking it or not. I think it's pretty neat & will try it out, at least for a bit. The only thing I don't like about it right now is that the search box on the home page is centered on the page, as soon as you begin entering something into the box it jumps to the top of the screen so that there is space to show the results. The "jump" is jerky and a little distracting. The fix, (& I know Google will resist this suggestion) Change the home page so that the search box is at the top of the page in the first place. Yes this will change their image drastically, the centered, uncluttered home page that we have grown accustom to and that has made Google so successful, but at some point you have to put function over fashion.
For now you can use Instant on Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari & Chrome. The product is expected to roll out to other browsers & countries in the future. For further information take a look at Doug Gross' article, New Google Instant Shows Search Results as you Type
I've gotta be honest with you, I didn't think it took too long to display search results, I thought things were fine. I also didn't think I needed a cell phone with a QWERTY keypad when they came out, how wrong was I! I can admit when I'm wrong, and maybe I'm wrong about this too.
Start typing your query in the search box, as you type Google Instant will immediately begin completing what you're typing and will display search results at the bottom of the page. Of course the more you type the closer the results will be. I think the coolest thing about Google Instant is that the results begin populating before you're even done typing, and that's where the real time savings comes in. Google has tried to safeguard this feature for children, for example if you are trying to search "pooh bear" and type in "po" google will not display the results for "porn". Google also gives you the option to disable Google Instant if you don't trust their safeguards or if you simply don't like Instant.
Only through using Instant can you make a determination of liking it or not. I think it's pretty neat & will try it out, at least for a bit. The only thing I don't like about it right now is that the search box on the home page is centered on the page, as soon as you begin entering something into the box it jumps to the top of the screen so that there is space to show the results. The "jump" is jerky and a little distracting. The fix, (& I know Google will resist this suggestion) Change the home page so that the search box is at the top of the page in the first place. Yes this will change their image drastically, the centered, uncluttered home page that we have grown accustom to and that has made Google so successful, but at some point you have to put function over fashion.
For now you can use Instant on Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari & Chrome. The product is expected to roll out to other browsers & countries in the future. For further information take a look at Doug Gross' article, New Google Instant Shows Search Results as you Type
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Press Release Wednesday: 2nd Edition
Here at the Advisor, the second Wednesday of the month is reserved for an installment series of Ashcom Press Release. We hope this keeps you in the loop of what's happening and what's new. Happy Reading!
Ashcom Technologies Strengthens Relationship with Ultra Dairy
Ann Arbor, Michigan (March 2, 2010) - Ashcom Technologies, Inc., today announces that it has significantly strengthened its long-term relationship with Ultra Dairy. Based in DeWitt, New York, Ultra Dairy has used Ashcom's MaintiMizer™ computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to manage its maintenance operations since 2004. Most recently, Ashcom held a three-day customized training session at the Ultra Dairy facility to help new maintenance personnel quickly learn how to use MaintiMizer™ efficiently and effectively.
Marvin Anderson, CMMS Specialist at Ultra Dairy, states, "Ashcom Technologies has always been there for us, going back to when our sister facility started using MaintiMizer™ in the mid-1990s. For example, they often check in just to make sure the system is doing what we want it to do. We knew our new maintenance personnel needed training, but with a 24/7 operation it was hard to schedule that training effectively. Ashcom knew our needs and found a solution-they brought their training to us at our location."
"We greatly value the loyalty of long-term clients like Ultra Dairy," says Timothy Good, president of Ashcom Technologies. "We're pleased that the MaintiMizer™ maintenance management solution has been a part of Ultra Dairy's success and look forward to a strong and successful relationship between our two companies for many years to come."
About Ultra Dairy
Opened in 2004, the Ultra Dairy plant is a 110,000 sq. ft. ultra pasteurization manufacturing facility in Dewitt, New York. The plant features investments in both Ultra High Temperature (UHT) and Extended Shelf Life (ESL) technology. Ultra Dairy is the sister company of Byrne Dairy. Established in 1933, Byrne Dairy bottles tens of millions of gallons of milk, cream, and ice cream annually, distributing its products throughout the entire Eastern Seaboard.
About Ashcom Technologies, Inc.
Since 1985, Ashcom Technologies, Inc., has been an industry leader in the development and installation of state-of-the-art systems and technology designed to help organizations save money, increase quality, and improve the bottom line. MaintiMizer™, Ashcom's flagship computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), is the choice of more than 3,000 customers in a variety of industries worldwide. For additional information, please contact info@ashcomtech.com or call toll-free (800) 366-0793 (outside the U.S., call +1-734-665-1780).
Enjoy this article? Can't wait for next month's installment? Read additional Press Releases from Ashcom Technologies today!
Ashcom Technologies Strengthens Relationship with Ultra Dairy
Ann Arbor, Michigan (March 2, 2010) - Ashcom Technologies, Inc., today announces that it has significantly strengthened its long-term relationship with Ultra Dairy. Based in DeWitt, New York, Ultra Dairy has used Ashcom's MaintiMizer™ computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to manage its maintenance operations since 2004. Most recently, Ashcom held a three-day customized training session at the Ultra Dairy facility to help new maintenance personnel quickly learn how to use MaintiMizer™ efficiently and effectively.
Marvin Anderson, CMMS Specialist at Ultra Dairy, states, "Ashcom Technologies has always been there for us, going back to when our sister facility started using MaintiMizer™ in the mid-1990s. For example, they often check in just to make sure the system is doing what we want it to do. We knew our new maintenance personnel needed training, but with a 24/7 operation it was hard to schedule that training effectively. Ashcom knew our needs and found a solution-they brought their training to us at our location."
"We greatly value the loyalty of long-term clients like Ultra Dairy," says Timothy Good, president of Ashcom Technologies. "We're pleased that the MaintiMizer™ maintenance management solution has been a part of Ultra Dairy's success and look forward to a strong and successful relationship between our two companies for many years to come."
About Ultra Dairy
Opened in 2004, the Ultra Dairy plant is a 110,000 sq. ft. ultra pasteurization manufacturing facility in Dewitt, New York. The plant features investments in both Ultra High Temperature (UHT) and Extended Shelf Life (ESL) technology. Ultra Dairy is the sister company of Byrne Dairy. Established in 1933, Byrne Dairy bottles tens of millions of gallons of milk, cream, and ice cream annually, distributing its products throughout the entire Eastern Seaboard.
About Ashcom Technologies, Inc.
Since 1985, Ashcom Technologies, Inc., has been an industry leader in the development and installation of state-of-the-art systems and technology designed to help organizations save money, increase quality, and improve the bottom line. MaintiMizer™, Ashcom's flagship computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), is the choice of more than 3,000 customers in a variety of industries worldwide. For additional information, please contact info@ashcomtech.com or call toll-free (800) 366-0793 (outside the U.S., call +1-734-665-1780).
Enjoy this article? Can't wait for next month's installment? Read additional Press Releases from Ashcom Technologies today!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Discovering the Nature of Your CMMS Package Needs
Never has there been a simpler solution to your maintenance needs than a CMMS System. It's simplicity, convenience, reduced costs and maintenance management all wrapped up in one neat package that is designed to meet your needs. Computer Maintenance Management Software is not exactly the latest breakthrough in the software development market, but its one that has come to change how maintenance departments operate in any given facility.
When you are out looking for maintenance management software, you are guaranteed to find many options. Unfortunately, not all of them can adequately apply to your situation without falling short on one or two of the standard CMMS tools. That is why the very first step to buying a CMMS program is to understand your needs. This will help you narrow down on the kinds of EAM software the market has to offer. The next step is more important though, and that is learning the nature of the package you get.
How big do you want the CMMS program to be? Is it going to be operating in a small facility with little maintenance needs or is it going to service a huge company with hundreds or thousands of employees? This is the first question that begs to be answered as the kind of software you get has to handle all the work you throw at it without it slowing down or developing faults. Is said facility/company going to have its own server or is it going to depend on the vender for keeping the system going. There are pros and cons to having a web-server and a personal server to hold the software. If your company is spread across different locations, a web server is the best choice, since the internet will allow for geographical flexibility. That means that the same system can be accessed from different points as long as there is the availability of the internet. But if the facility is centrally located in one place, then you can have your own server and in turn, complete control of your CMMS software.
How does the maintenance management system handle the work orders? Intuitive handling of this specific component will ensure fluidity in the operations. When a scheduler carefully indicates or dispatches info on where someone is supposed to be and at what time, more work gets done. A friendly user interface with little complexities helps end users get more accustomed to using the program as well. Does the package you get offer you comprehensive coverage of your inventory? And does the preventative maintenance tool guarantee you detailed data about the equipment you are using? These are important questions to ask as you proceed with learning the nature of the package that you are in the market for.
A good vendor should understand your needs first before presenting you with the products they have. They should take your hand and guide you through their programs so that you can choose the best one. At Ashcom Technologies, that is precisely what you are guaranteed, and much, much more.
Ashley Combs
When you are out looking for maintenance management software, you are guaranteed to find many options. Unfortunately, not all of them can adequately apply to your situation without falling short on one or two of the standard CMMS tools. That is why the very first step to buying a CMMS program is to understand your needs. This will help you narrow down on the kinds of EAM software the market has to offer. The next step is more important though, and that is learning the nature of the package you get.
How big do you want the CMMS program to be? Is it going to be operating in a small facility with little maintenance needs or is it going to service a huge company with hundreds or thousands of employees? This is the first question that begs to be answered as the kind of software you get has to handle all the work you throw at it without it slowing down or developing faults. Is said facility/company going to have its own server or is it going to depend on the vender for keeping the system going. There are pros and cons to having a web-server and a personal server to hold the software. If your company is spread across different locations, a web server is the best choice, since the internet will allow for geographical flexibility. That means that the same system can be accessed from different points as long as there is the availability of the internet. But if the facility is centrally located in one place, then you can have your own server and in turn, complete control of your CMMS software.
How does the maintenance management system handle the work orders? Intuitive handling of this specific component will ensure fluidity in the operations. When a scheduler carefully indicates or dispatches info on where someone is supposed to be and at what time, more work gets done. A friendly user interface with little complexities helps end users get more accustomed to using the program as well. Does the package you get offer you comprehensive coverage of your inventory? And does the preventative maintenance tool guarantee you detailed data about the equipment you are using? These are important questions to ask as you proceed with learning the nature of the package that you are in the market for.
A good vendor should understand your needs first before presenting you with the products they have. They should take your hand and guide you through their programs so that you can choose the best one. At Ashcom Technologies, that is precisely what you are guaranteed, and much, much more.
Ashley Combs
Monday, September 6, 2010
Happy Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City under the supervision of the Central Labor Union. Over the next few years the idea grew and it spread across our country. In 1894 congress passed an act making the first Monday of September a nationally celebrated holiday, Labor Day.
It was supposed to be a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. It was supposed to be a time of comradery, esteem, and gratefulness. A time where families could spend time together, watch the parade & relax. For me this congers up a romanticized view of Labor Day, one I'd really like to view for myself. Maybe I've missed the deeper meaning of Labor Day since I can't remember ever having one to celebrate (I have worked every labor day since I was 15). Maybe there is hope out there & people do get to watch the parade with their families & BBQ with friends. I just can't help but think there are people who are like me, they work on Labor Day. Our country of consumerism has encouraged stores, shops, & businesses to open earlier, close later, and be available at all times. This trend has lead to fewer & fewer holidays celebrated by companies. It started small, staying open on Labor Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents Day, & New Years Day and has started engulfing larger holiday's like Thanksgiving, Easter, & even Christmas.
Let's bring back the importance of the American Holiday! Congress thought they were important days so why don't we? This is my call to action: get organized & ready for holidays ahead of time so you don't have to go to the store on said holiday. Don't be a part of forcing someone to work on a holiday, we all could have a day of fasting from consumerism! It might even prove therapeutic!
I'm sure someone reading this thinks the economy needs every cent it can get so how dare I suggest cutting off spending, even for one day, but the truth is a movement like this isn't going to change things overnight (or even the next decade) businesses are going to be open, someone will have an emergency and will need a store or hospital. And that's okay. Lets just remember it is Labor Day for the clerk behind the counter. At the very least you could take the time be cordial, smile & sincerely thank them.
Read more about the history or Labor Day at The Department of Labor.
I'm sure someone reading this thinks the economy needs every cent it can get so how dare I suggest cutting off spending, even for one day, but the truth is a movement like this isn't going to change things overnight (or even the next decade) businesses are going to be open, someone will have an emergency and will need a store or hospital. And that's okay. Lets just remember it is Labor Day for the clerk behind the counter. At the very least you could take the time be cordial, smile & sincerely thank them.
Read more about the history or Labor Day at The Department of Labor.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Recieve a Free* iPad upon Completion of an Entire Week of MaintiMizer Training
Are you ready to take your MaintiMizer™ skills to the next level? We've just released our newest class schedule for MaintiMizer™ training. Make MaintiMizer™ work harder so you don't have to! Below are the current classes offered & their corresponding dates. Register for a 3 course sequence & receive a FREE* Apple iPad!
MaintiMizer™ Client/Server Edition Courses
Configuration & Utilities Sept. 13, 2010
Equipment/PM Work Order Management Sept. 14-15, 2010
Inventory Management & Purchasing Sept. 16, 2010MaintiMizer™ Web Edition Courses
Configuration & Utilities Sept. 27, 2010
Equipment/PM Work Order Management Sept. 28-29, 2010
Inventory Management & Purchasing Sept. 30, 2010
Visit Ashcomtech.com for more detailed course information. Don't be left behind, class size is limited, Register today!
*Must register and pay in full for all 3 courses/4 days of training (priced at $2590) to receive free iPad. Offer valid for first attendee pricing only. Offer good while supplies last. Void where prohibited. Cannot be combined with any other sale, discount, or offer. Offer valid for training courses offered September 13-30, 2010 only. Units may be factory reconditioned or open box. iPad may be shipped after completion of classes.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
One more Reason to Dislike Hand Dryers
If you're like me, you've never been a fan of bathroom hand dryers. The reasons can very greatly from being loud, to drying out your skin, to being too hot or too cold, or for making you feel like you just stood in the path of a jet engine. Well, you can add one more item to that list & science will back you up! A recent study showed that drying your hands with paper towel is more hygienic than using electric dryers. In fact, the study said that dryers actually increased the amount of bacteria on hands. YUCK!
Lets think about this, it does make sense, and is it really rocket science? No it isn't, it 's junior high school science. I mean, didn't you ever grow bacteria in petri dishes? Bacteria + Food Source + Warm, Moist Environment = Visible Bacteria Growth.So i guess that we've been pampering our bacteria for all these years. We give them a nice warm shower, then put them in the even warmer sauna (& who doesn't like a sauna?), and sit back while they multiply like rabbits. If we got out a microscope it might look like spring break on our hands (another equally gross thing to think about)!
I guess the bottom line is if you've had a hand dryer on the fritz, maybe this is a good reason to get rid of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all for paper towels either. They may be less germ filled but they also fill up land fills...what's wrong with wet hands anyways, at least you have proof you washed!
For a more in-depth article about this check out Study Finds Electric Hand Dryers Do More Harm Than Good, by Lenard Zilkowsky
Lets think about this, it does make sense, and is it really rocket science? No it isn't, it 's junior high school science. I mean, didn't you ever grow bacteria in petri dishes? Bacteria + Food Source + Warm, Moist Environment = Visible Bacteria Growth.So i guess that we've been pampering our bacteria for all these years. We give them a nice warm shower, then put them in the even warmer sauna (& who doesn't like a sauna?), and sit back while they multiply like rabbits. If we got out a microscope it might look like spring break on our hands (another equally gross thing to think about)!
I guess the bottom line is if you've had a hand dryer on the fritz, maybe this is a good reason to get rid of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all for paper towels either. They may be less germ filled but they also fill up land fills...what's wrong with wet hands anyways, at least you have proof you washed!
For a more in-depth article about this check out Study Finds Electric Hand Dryers Do More Harm Than Good, by Lenard Zilkowsky
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Case Study: 2nd Edition
The first Wednesday of the month is reserve for case studies. We hope our case studies showcase how MaintiMizer™ can be the CMMS solution you are looking for!
Cultural Change For Success: A Lumber Mill's Renaissance
By Rod McKay, Kenora Forest Products
In the spring of 2000, Kenora Forest Products (KFP), a Prendiville Industries company located in Kenora, ON, was a moderately successful lumber mill. Our workforce consisted of approximately 10 maintenance personnel and 80 production personnel, one maintenance superintendent, and one electrical/instrumentation supervisor. Mill output was approximately 52 million board ft/yr of spruce, pine, and fir studs and fencing products. Our mill workforce was very capable and knowledgeable. Knowledge, as I use it here, is defined as the capability for understanding and being able to use information and processes. As mill manager I knew, based on full run capacity, that our output could be increased substantially; holding us back was the combined effect of a multitude of relatively minor (individually) problem areas that produced frequent production stoppages. In less than one year, the KFP mill, through work process improvements only, increased output to more than 80 million board ft/yr. How was a stud mill able to increase production by 54 percent without capital equipment or plant expansion? Through a complete cultural renaissance within the mill's workforce.
Pre-Renaissance
The KFP workforce possessed an embedded, almost instinctive, knowledge of the mill's established routines and processes. Within the maintenance organization these processes were basically reactive. The plant culture, its mindset gained through long-term practices, was to react to failures, fix broken equipment, and, in general, respond to production slowdowns and stoppages. Our "repair-focused" culture was typified by attitudes that production runs it until it breaks and the maintenance crew is simply responsible for fixing the problem, without looking at its cause. This approach led to repetitive fixing of symptoms rather than resolving the problem causes. The general condition of our equipment was steadily deteriorating.
We did not have a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and the storeroom was snarled with a multitude of parts being ordered daily for jobs to be completed in the current week or even the current day. The parts that were in stock were not uniformly identified or systematically stored. Solving such a multitude of smaller problems, which had created this repair-focused culture, was a question of finding a solution that addressed as many of the problem areas as possible. Our renaissance began in that first spring of the new century when a wellspring of change was created at KFP. The employee's enthusiasm, combined with the logic of the information, led me to conclude that the Maintenance Excellence philosophy must be applied to KFP's maintenance operation and to the overall cultural mind set of the mill's workforce. That day, we set out to reshape the mill in the form of the Maintenance Excellence model.
The path to cultural renaissance
The process for change began with a maintenance assessment to:
Following the assessment, they performed an analysis of the gap between existing work processes and the best maintenance practices of maintenance excellence. The purpose of the analysis was to identify and prioritize the areas where changes were required. Based on the maintenance assessment report and analysis, a master plan of action (MPOA) was developed to organize for and apply the Maintenance Excellence model within the mill.
Major action items in the plan included:
This document has served as a reminder for all on how business would be conducted from that day on. Next, applicable parameters and measurement/tracking methodologies (performance metrics) were identified to monitor, measure, and track the progress toward achieving maintenance excellence.
The pursuit of several of the major action items was facilitated through the creation of focus teams, staffed by both operations and maintenance personnel and provided with designated team leaders, to develop the details of individual action plans. The objective of the focus teams was to move promptly into implementation and execution as soon as the detailed action plans were approved.
The Renaissance
One focus team was chartered to select and implement a CMMS. It was provided coaching and technical expertise from Ashcom. Through the use of a proven CMMS vendor selection process, three systems were identified and evaluated. Based on responses, budget, and vendor demonstrations, Ann Arbor, MI,-based Ashcom Technologies, Inc. MaintiMizer™ was selected and implementation activities were initiated. A detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed to ensure all process and utilization decisions were documented and standardized. The SOP would later become KFP's "Maintenance Bible." A reliability focus team was chartered to address equipment reliability issues, which included evaluating and, where necessary, upgrading equipment condition and performing general restoration activities. The team also developed the EMP, making use of the current knowledge level and conditions observed during the equipment reliability evaluations and condition upgrades. The EMP would be the basis for development of the mill's planned PM program.
The reliability focus team's activities accomplished a number of positive results:
Almost immediately, this action resulted in a significant improvement in parts availability. Total cost of inventory was reduced dramatically and costs for emergency parts procurements were nearly eliminated. Later, the implementation of bar coding, integrated into the CMMS, further enhanced the efficiency of storeroom operations. I felt that one final action item was needed to thoroughly imprint the change of culture within the mill. We instituted mill-wide training on the newly established workflow and all new work processes as well as CMMS operation and utilization, root cause failure analysis, storeroom procedures, and, through utilization of the metrics of maintenance effectiveness, the constant improvement process. This served not only to educate, but also to emphasize the importance of every employee in the mill for the success of the cultural change.
The Renaissance Completed
Within a few months of implementing these initiatives, the measures of maintenance effectiveness were visibly showing us that, through the performance of planned maintenance, more work was being accomplished and equipment reliability was improving steadily. Even more significant were the increase in production and the resulting climb in total sales revenues. With improved maintenance, the mill was able to start a third operating shift over the weekend.
The combined effects boosted annual volume by 54 percent to 80 million board ft and reduced the operating cost per board foot produced dramatically. Within 2 years of adopting the maintenance excellence culture at KFP, the results were more dramatic. The return on investment of the cost of implementation was nearly 10-fold. Today, I am convinced that, had Kenora Forest Products not embraced the tenets of maintenance excellence, the mill would not have survived the volatility of the lumber market and the increasing burden of tariffs imposed upon the company.
Enjoy this article? Can't wait for next month's installment? Get a jump start and read future case studies yet to be featured in the Ashcom Advisor Case Study Series at: www.AshcomTech.com.
Cultural Change For Success: A Lumber Mill's Renaissance
By Rod McKay, Kenora Forest Products
In the spring of 2000, Kenora Forest Products (KFP), a Prendiville Industries company located in Kenora, ON, was a moderately successful lumber mill. Our workforce consisted of approximately 10 maintenance personnel and 80 production personnel, one maintenance superintendent, and one electrical/instrumentation supervisor. Mill output was approximately 52 million board ft/yr of spruce, pine, and fir studs and fencing products. Our mill workforce was very capable and knowledgeable. Knowledge, as I use it here, is defined as the capability for understanding and being able to use information and processes. As mill manager I knew, based on full run capacity, that our output could be increased substantially; holding us back was the combined effect of a multitude of relatively minor (individually) problem areas that produced frequent production stoppages. In less than one year, the KFP mill, through work process improvements only, increased output to more than 80 million board ft/yr. How was a stud mill able to increase production by 54 percent without capital equipment or plant expansion? Through a complete cultural renaissance within the mill's workforce.
Pre-Renaissance
The KFP workforce possessed an embedded, almost instinctive, knowledge of the mill's established routines and processes. Within the maintenance organization these processes were basically reactive. The plant culture, its mindset gained through long-term practices, was to react to failures, fix broken equipment, and, in general, respond to production slowdowns and stoppages. Our "repair-focused" culture was typified by attitudes that production runs it until it breaks and the maintenance crew is simply responsible for fixing the problem, without looking at its cause. This approach led to repetitive fixing of symptoms rather than resolving the problem causes. The general condition of our equipment was steadily deteriorating.
We did not have a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and the storeroom was snarled with a multitude of parts being ordered daily for jobs to be completed in the current week or even the current day. The parts that were in stock were not uniformly identified or systematically stored. Solving such a multitude of smaller problems, which had created this repair-focused culture, was a question of finding a solution that addressed as many of the problem areas as possible. Our renaissance began in that first spring of the new century when a wellspring of change was created at KFP. The employee's enthusiasm, combined with the logic of the information, led me to conclude that the Maintenance Excellence philosophy must be applied to KFP's maintenance operation and to the overall cultural mind set of the mill's workforce. That day, we set out to reshape the mill in the form of the Maintenance Excellence model.
The path to cultural renaissance
The process for change began with a maintenance assessment to:
- Identify and prioritize the maintenance process problem areas
- Define the solutions and goals of changed processes
- Establish a base line of the maintenance effectiveness of the existing organization so that progress toward achievement of maintenance excellence could be accurately gauged.
Following the assessment, they performed an analysis of the gap between existing work processes and the best maintenance practices of maintenance excellence. The purpose of the analysis was to identify and prioritize the areas where changes were required. Based on the maintenance assessment report and analysis, a master plan of action (MPOA) was developed to organize for and apply the Maintenance Excellence model within the mill.
Major action items in the plan included:
- Selection and implementation of a functional CMMS
- Performance of equipment condition upgrade and restoration activities on critical, failure-prone equipment
- Identification of key maintenance effectiveness metrics (what data to collect, analyze, and track that could measure-and quantify-the impact of process changes on the effectiveness of maintenance activities)
- Development of equipment maintenance plans (EMP) to provide the foundation of a formal planned preventive maintenance (PM) program
- Development of bills of material to serve as the basis for determining storeroom stocking parameters
- Creation and establishment of the maintenance planning and scheduling function.
This document has served as a reminder for all on how business would be conducted from that day on. Next, applicable parameters and measurement/tracking methodologies (performance metrics) were identified to monitor, measure, and track the progress toward achieving maintenance excellence.
The pursuit of several of the major action items was facilitated through the creation of focus teams, staffed by both operations and maintenance personnel and provided with designated team leaders, to develop the details of individual action plans. The objective of the focus teams was to move promptly into implementation and execution as soon as the detailed action plans were approved.
The Renaissance
One focus team was chartered to select and implement a CMMS. It was provided coaching and technical expertise from Ashcom. Through the use of a proven CMMS vendor selection process, three systems were identified and evaluated. Based on responses, budget, and vendor demonstrations, Ann Arbor, MI,-based Ashcom Technologies, Inc. MaintiMizer™ was selected and implementation activities were initiated. A detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed to ensure all process and utilization decisions were documented and standardized. The SOP would later become KFP's "Maintenance Bible." A reliability focus team was chartered to address equipment reliability issues, which included evaluating and, where necessary, upgrading equipment condition and performing general restoration activities. The team also developed the EMP, making use of the current knowledge level and conditions observed during the equipment reliability evaluations and condition upgrades. The EMP would be the basis for development of the mill's planned PM program.
The reliability focus team's activities accomplished a number of positive results:
- Identified the repairs, modifications, and upgrades required to restore the mill's equipment to optimum operating condition.
- Built a backlog of maintenance that would be required for proper planning and scheduling.
- Very quickly began to influence operations through steadily increasing production output.
Almost immediately, this action resulted in a significant improvement in parts availability. Total cost of inventory was reduced dramatically and costs for emergency parts procurements were nearly eliminated. Later, the implementation of bar coding, integrated into the CMMS, further enhanced the efficiency of storeroom operations. I felt that one final action item was needed to thoroughly imprint the change of culture within the mill. We instituted mill-wide training on the newly established workflow and all new work processes as well as CMMS operation and utilization, root cause failure analysis, storeroom procedures, and, through utilization of the metrics of maintenance effectiveness, the constant improvement process. This served not only to educate, but also to emphasize the importance of every employee in the mill for the success of the cultural change.
The Renaissance Completed
Within a few months of implementing these initiatives, the measures of maintenance effectiveness were visibly showing us that, through the performance of planned maintenance, more work was being accomplished and equipment reliability was improving steadily. Even more significant were the increase in production and the resulting climb in total sales revenues. With improved maintenance, the mill was able to start a third operating shift over the weekend.
The combined effects boosted annual volume by 54 percent to 80 million board ft and reduced the operating cost per board foot produced dramatically. Within 2 years of adopting the maintenance excellence culture at KFP, the results were more dramatic. The return on investment of the cost of implementation was nearly 10-fold. Today, I am convinced that, had Kenora Forest Products not embraced the tenets of maintenance excellence, the mill would not have survived the volatility of the lumber market and the increasing burden of tariffs imposed upon the company.
Enjoy this article? Can't wait for next month's installment? Get a jump start and read future case studies yet to be featured in the Ashcom Advisor Case Study Series at: www.AshcomTech.com.
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