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Archive for August, 2011

Innovative Fire Simulator Software Released by Action Training Systems

August 30th, 2011

Many fire service trainers are faced with having unreliable resources to produce relevant and competency based classroom training for their fire officers and firefighters. StageIT is an innovative product created by Action Training Systems, which provides realistic training in tactical decision making. It allows training officers to use photos or video clips of actual buildings and sites located in their response area. Its realistic quality and capacity to create multiple stages for an incident allows the training officer to change the fire conditions in the classroom based upon the tactical decisions made by company officers and their crews.

Fire service trainers now have the tool to create real world situations which will enhance your student’s tactical decision making ability and help prepare pre-incident planning for fire, HAZMAT, terrorism and WMD situations. StageIt can also be used for promotional testing.

If the fire scene can be visualized, StageIT can build it. This is both a cost-effective solution for creating simulations for the classroom and an affordable networking solution. It is now possible to keep response areas staffed while training by remotely running simulations out to networked locations. The instructor will have the ability to change the student’s simulation screen and view what the student is seeing on the instructor module. StageIT also allows you to project a full-screen image of the scenarios without the instructor controls being visible to the student. This keeps the student focused on the scenario presented to them instead of being disrupted by what the instructor is doing behind the scenes.

StageIT Effects: Module I (Advanced Smoke and Backdraft) is an enhancement that adds even more realistic effects to the simulation. Module I includes backdraft explosions, directional fire, column smokes with added colors, puffing smokes and added glass effects. A remarkable 40 additional animations and seven still effects in all!

The properties of each effect in StageIT may be layered to blend effects, edit them for size, transparency, speed or fade in and out giving you an almost unlimited ability to match the effects to your photos.

This training simulator is as close to reality as you can get. That’s what makes this software so unique – its authenticity and the realism in the training content with actual photos of local buildings and sites and as well as the ability to import your own video and sound files. With StageIT’s Windows based file and folder design, you simply drag and drop effects, making it simple to use.

Another feature which makes StageIT a flexible training tool is the ability to use scenarios in PowerPoint® presentations. The separate stages of a scenario are automatically published as independent Windows Media Video [.wmv] files, which are easily imported into PowerPoint presentations. No additional software is needed to import a movie created in StageIT into a PowerPoint® presentation.

Action Training Systems provides high quality video demonstrations on DVD and interactive CBT (computer based training) programs and simulator programs on the Iluminar Learning Management System (LMS) software platform. All programs are reviewed by renowned subject matter experts aiding in content creation through the production of multimedia training tools, which is why ATS has been recognized for their high standard of exceptional real life content.

Source:http://www.prweb.com/releases/firesimulator/firesimulationsoftware/prweb8755667.htm

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Tags: Software Systems

Accounting software infrastructure ‘can bring out the best in staff’

August 30th, 2011

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Far from being marginalised by the arrival and installation of accounting software, staff in the financial departments of British firms can be revitalised by the improved infrastructure such technology creates.

Randolph Johnston, executive vice-president of K2e.com, said employees typically learn to adapt to new demands and requirements that crop up as a result of the software’s use.

However, it is very rare that workers are no longer required as a result of the technology’s presence.

“One key message to convey to staff before, during and after an accounting software implementation is that things will change and they will be asked to do new or different activities,” the expert stated.

But Mr Johnston appeared to suggest this is not something to fear, instead focusing on the benefits of this switch, which he said can be “more productive”.

Terry Forsey, a software sales and marketing coach, recently said accounting software is a must for firms as it allows staff to work in almost any location.

Source:http://www.codestone.net/news/story/accounting-software-infrastructure-can-bring-out-the-best-in-staff/800712953/

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Tags: Accounting Software Staff

Expro’s integrity software supports Tullow globally

August 30th, 2011

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International oilfield services company Expro, is undertaking a contract to provide its SafeWells integrity management software system globally to Tullow Oil Plc.

Expro Well Services has been awarded a contract to provide SafeWells to Tullow in support of centralising Tullow’s management of well integrity.

Tullow is a major independent oil company with operations in Africa, Europe, South Asia and South America.

SafeWells has been specifically developed to deliver an effective well integrity management solution. The bespoke software system monitors and reports well integrity performance in real time, highlighting problems and prompting remedial actions as issues arise. It has been deployed successfully by major operators globally.

Like many major oil companies, Tullow’s operating environments are diverse and the range of well types equally broad. Over the coming years, the wellstock will include onshore, platform and subsea wells, both oil and gas, with a wide range of flow rates.

A plan was implemented in Tullow’s wells engineering department to review the corporate approach to well integrity and put in place a centrally managed well integrity system.

This process would provide management with a retrospective position for the integrity of all wells and effectively ‘raise the bar’ on the operating standards of all assets. SafeWells is critical to this plan.

The SafeWells implementation process was launched on the Bangora Gas Field in Bangladesh and was followed with UK and Ghana operations.

Simon Copping, Expro client account manager, said: “It is great to see the hard work of the team starting to pay off. We have a fantastic software system in SafeWells that really complements Tullow’s well integrity strategy. I’m excited about the future and building on the foundations of the Bangladesh success as we continue to roll the software out to the rest of the business.”

Simon Sparke, well integrity focal point of Tullow Oil said: “SafeWells is to be used throughout Tullow and is being rolled out company-wide. With 10 different wells types in challenging engineering and cultural environments, having a software package that was user friendly, flexible and working seamlessly in the background was crucial. So far this product and the team supporting it have fulfilled all my expectations.”

Source:http://www.youroilandgasnews.com/expro%E2%80%99s+integrity+software+supports+tullow+globally_67705.html

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Tags: Software

Move into the cloud with Office 365’s powerful enterprise software

August 30th, 2011

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I saw something new this past weekend: A laptop at the head table of a wedding. I was at my niece’s wedding and the master of ceremonies had a laptop to keep his agenda flowing smoothly and to come up with interesting games and tidbits to share with the guests.

This is Generation Z and they only know a life in which they are connected electronically — anywhere. And let’s be honest, the rest of us aren’t far behind them. Monolithic Microsoft understands this and doesn’t want to be left behind by the likes of Sun and Google, which is likely one reason they introduced Office 365.

Often, new business technology has been out for a while before customers start asking about it, but we started receiving inquiries about Office 365 as soon as it was released on June 28.

At first blush, Office 365 looks like it is just Microsoft’s cloud version of Office, but it is much more than that. And thanks to three senior IT analysts — Mike Hatfield, John Patterson and Shaun Hughes — I got to understand how.

It does in fact include a full version of Microsoft Office — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. — which you can access online using a web browser, if that’s all you want. You pay a fee for usage, starting at $7 per user per month, and you do not need to buy any software. Besides bypassing the up-front capital cost, you also benefit from being able to share files online.

If you’ve already invested in training for Microsoft Office, this is a low cost way of moving into the cloud without having to re-train your staff. That is an advantage Office 365 has over competing products, simply because many people already use Microsoft products on their desktops.

You can also create your own basic website using Office 365’s design and layout templates, themes, clip art, stock photos and backgrounds. It won’t be the same as getting a professional web design firm to do it for you, but it will get you online.

But the driving reason for moving to Office 365 probably lies in the higher-end products like Exchange, SharePoint and Lync. With these products now being offered in the cloud, you can share calendar data, organize and conduct video meetings, implement business workflows, build team websites and manage documents, all online. These are powerful enterprise products that used to need expensive servers to run, but now can be utilized without that large investment in hardware.

One of these products, SharePoint, can bypass the Office 365 web limitations. It allows for websites that go far beyond what is offered in Office 365, so it offers the possibility of building sophisticated websites and then loading them up on Office 365.

Also, if you have a mobile device with Wi-Fi connectivity, there are a number of web applications you can use to access your Office 365 data.

A few weeks ago, Microsoft announced at its Worldwide Partner Conference that Customer Relationship Management is going to be part of Office 365 before the end of the year, so CRM functionality such as maintaining client records and sales pipelines will be part of it as well.

But it does come with two important caveats: The Internet is not always available, and it is not always secure. Your online data is behind a user ID and a password, but it does not have the higher-end security elements such as Virtual Private Networks. It is in fact as secure as any website can be, but the trouble is that compared to a laptop, for example, there are a lot more people who can be attempting to hack their way in.

Office 365 does come with virus protection, spam filtering, 99.9 per cent up-time guarantee and robust backup facilities. And it is behind a secure sockets layer — like online banking sites, for example, which encrypts data while it is being transmitted. You don’t have to worry about security patches or upgrades. Also, online security issues are being addressed by all vendors of cloud-based systems and they will be solved with such things as hardware keys, for example.

Most people typically use only the products mentioned above in a run of a day. All that remains are the enterprise-specific computer applications and Enterprise Resource Planning or accounting systems; move those into the cloud and pretty soon tablets might be all the equipment people will need.

Office 365 comes in a Professional subscription for organizations with fewer than 25 people, an Enterprise subscription and a special plan for educational institutions.

Using the software could be as simple as using such things as Word and Excel online, but if you are thinking of using some of the enterprise products mentioned above, that’s a whole new game and you’d do well to get reputable consultants to advise you.

Source:http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1260772.html

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Tags: Cloud Office Software

Anti-monopoly appeal against Microsoft India

August 30th, 2011

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New Delhi-headquartered law firm Singhania & Partners has filed an appeal against Microsoft Corporation India in the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) for abusing its dominant position for its Windows and Office software.

Earlier, antitrust watchdog Competition Commission of India (CCI) had rejected the law firm’s appeal on June 30, due to lack of evidence. According to the law firm’s submission to CCI in August 2010, the Microsoft products ‘Windows Vista’ operating system and ‘Microsoft Office 2007′ though were sold in different licence versions (Volume Licence or OEM Licence) were identical products except for the costs.

The firm claimed Microsoft product dealers sold both the licence versions to different customers as per the demand. However, Microsoft forced the dealers to sell the more expensive licence to large customers. In case large customers wanted to buy the less expensive (almost half the price) OEM licence version of the two software, they were required to buy new computers also along with it.

Microsoft in Volume Licence version of Microsoft Windows Vista Business software was being force-sold to customers for Rs 9,300, whereas, in OEM licence version it was being sold to consumers through its dealers only for Rs 6,350. When contacted, Manju Mohotra, CEO of Singhania & Partners, confirmed the development about going for an appeal to COMPAT. An email query sent to MCIL did not fetch any response till the time story went in into print.

The law firm, in its submission, alleged that the Indian subsidiary of the Redmond-based software giant is selling its software package under two different categories original equipment manufacture (OEM) and Volume Licence, even though the products are by and large the same. “The company charges much lower prices for new PCs, but charges up to double of that for software purchased separately for old PCs.” The majority order rejected the law firm’s appeal.

CCI said that it could not find any material against the software company which could indicate that because of the dominant position and its agreements with OEM manufacturers, it has driven any competitor out of market. The law firm, in its appeal, has contended that their case was not about Microsoft driving out competitors, rather it was a case of abuse of dominant position and tying and bundling.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/software-services/Anti-monopoly-appeal-against-Microsoft-India/articleshow/9794993.cms

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Tags: India Microsoft

Windows 8 imminent as Microsoft reveals more stuff

August 30th, 2011

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The imminent arrival of Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system could not be clearer as the software giant shows off yet again more new features – this time new features of Windows Explorer.

Steve Sinofsky is at it again. In a blog post last night he included an outline of new features by Alex Simons of the Windows 8 program management team on some of the changes we can expect in the pivotal Windows Explorer tool.

“Windows Explorer is a foundation of the user experience of the Windows desktop and has undergone several design changes over the years, but has not seen a substantial change in quite some time. Windows 8 is about reimagining Windows, so we took on the challenge to improve the most widely used desktop tool (except maybe for Solitaire) in Windows,” Sinofsky wrote in the Windows 8 blog.

This is the third gushing revelation of new features Sinofsky et al have outlined in the last couple of months – the fact that Windows 8 will run on both Intel and ARM platforms, that Windows 8 will come with its own App Store and today a new ribbonised style of using Windows Explorer.

My gut tells me this could only mean Windows 8 will come sooner than we think, certainly this side of Christmas.

Sinofsky et al’s excitement is palpable and certainly from what I can tell it looks like an even more ambitious upheaval of the Windows operating system since XP.Why? Because it seems top down and ready for new platforms like media slates and obviously will correspond with the Microsoft ecosystem’s three screens’ vision – smartphone, computer, TV.

It also makes sense to me that if a new version of Windows Phone 7 (Mango) is due soon that it should launch in concert with a new computing OS. Heck, maybe they’ll call it Windows Phone 8?

After taking us through a history of file management in Windows, Simons said: “Over the years, Explorer has grown to support a number of different scenarios, many unrelated to file management – launching programs, viewing photos, playing videos, and playing music, to name just a few. We wanted to know which of these capabilities customers were really using. Using telemetry data, we were able to answer the question of how the broadest set of customers use Explorer in aggregate. As a reminder, the telemetry data is opt-in, anonymous, and private, but it does represent hundreds of millions of sessions from all customer types.”

He said Microsoft’s data shows that even though there are over 200 commands in Explorer, customers use a small number of them with any real frequency: the top 10 commands represent 81.8pc of total usage. Additionally it shows us that people overwhelmingly use Explorer for core file management tasks – the top 7 commands (72.2pc of usage) are all for managing/manipulating files.

“Only 2 of the top 10 commands customers invoke in Explorer are available in the Command bar, the main UI element for invoking commands. This further reinforced our thinking that there was a big opportunity here to improve Explorer by making common commands more readily available. A clear user interface design principle is that frequently used commands should be easy to get to—clearly we had not yet accomplished that with existing designs.”
The ribbon returns

He said that the biggest category of feedback was requests to bring back features from Windows XP that were removed in Windows Vista, especially things like bringing back the “Up” button from Windows XP, adding cut, copy, & paste back into the top-level UI, and for providing a more customizable command surface. Also frequently requested is the need for more keyboard shortcuts.

“We evaluated several different UI (user interface) command affordances including expanded versions of the Vista/Windows 7 command bar, Windows 95/Windows XP style toolbars and menus, several entirely new UI approaches, and the Office style ribbon.

“The ribbon would allow us to create an optimised file manager where commands would have reliable, logical locations in a streamlined experience. The flexibility of the ribbon with many icon options, tabs, flexible layout and groupings also ensured that we could respect Explorer’s heritage.

“We could present a rich set of commands without removing access to previously top-level commands, something we knew was really important to our customers. As it so happens, while not primarily a touch interface, the ribbon also provides a much more reliable and usable touch-only interface than pull-down menus and context menus.

“We definitely know there is a lot of interest but also want to make clear that we know how important keyboard and mouse scenarios are to power-user scenarios of file management.”

This level of openness from Microsoft ahead of a new OS launch is really a sign of the times we are in and software companies large and small see blogs as a pivotal way to prepare the way for major changes ahead.

While Windows 7 has undoubtedly been Microsoft’s most successful OS, it is clear that XP which debuted a decade ago had many usable features that users still hanker for.

Source:http://www.siliconrepublic.com/strategy/item/23318-windows-8-imminent-as/