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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)