Wednesday, July 17, 2013

It's News from TRI

There is something about running water especially in a brook running downhill. This is Scanlon Brook which runs into Still River in Sterling, Massachusetts and eventually falls into Thomas Basin which is the northern tip of the Wachusett Reservoir. The little brook runs strong in spring (when this was taken) and slowly dwindles to a mild trickle at end of summer. Although the volume of water changes with the season, it is always a source of peace and tranquility. In This Issue
July 2013

Calendars

robertmckayjones.com

Dropbox

Welcome to News from trif.com! First time readers, I am glad you're here! Returning readers, welcome back!

Greetings. Welcome to our Newsletter! We wanted to share the many photos we have taken of places, people and things throughout the country and beyond. Each month, our headline photo will be something new and different. The caption will present a small explanation. We hope you enjoy. We do not want to waste your time. Articles will contain generally less than 250 words. Please have a look and give us your feedback. By all means, forward to a friend using the link at the bottom of the Newsletter. Thanks. Questions? Send me an email!

Technology solutions are a part of doing business just like sales and marketing, It is an important component in servicing customers, managing costs and controlling operations. TRI has an uncanny ability to find affordable technology solutions for a wide variety of situations. Our capabilities bridge database design and development, Internet web-based programs, hosting and co-location services, network and computer sales and support, document imaging, bar code scanning, corporate communications, fax and email programs, mobile applications, cloud computing and help desk services. Interested in taking a step forward with technology? Looking to take advantage of the latest advances? Or just want to take advantage of your new computer?
Give us a call to discuss where you want to go - 978-422-7770 or email rmj@trif.com to discuss your opportunities. The first consultation is always without charge.

Using Outlook Calendars in Operations

Often times we provide software integrated with other applications. Accounting software comes to mind as one of the most often integrated applications. This month, I wanted to mention that we write software that communicates with Microsoft Office and in particular, Microsoft Outlook. Outlook is one of Microsoft's better applications, especially when it is tied to Exchange Online as we have been promoting for some time.

We can integrate our operational software with a shared Outlook calendar. It is a great way to collaborate on real-time events because everyone in your organization can open a shared calendar.

So whether it is to view expected deliveries or review new orders, a calendar is a great visualization tool. Think about how you view events. Appointments, equipment requirements, chassis returns, detention warnings, fulfillment requirements, etc. Having the ability to view these events in a monthly, weekly or daily calendar can be extremely helpful.

But entering this information can be a deal breaker. It is often just too much work. That is where we come in. We integrate your operational software with Outlook. We automatically post an event into a shared calendar based on some criteria that meets your needs. Maybe you need to have more than one calendar, for different types of transactions or different directions. That is no problem. You can have as many shared calender's as you need and we can pass events to each as needed.

So next time you are reviewing your work, consider how it might look cleanly displayed on a calendar.

My Personal Website

For a long time now, I have wanted to create my own personal website. Well, over the last few months, I finally made the time to Windows8do just that. I have created www.robertmckayjones.com so that I could have a place to display the many images I collect in my travels and in my life.

Some people keep a journal or a diary, some have a room where they keep the clay creations they made, some people have a room full of paintings, and others use the web to hold their private collection of whatever they created. That is where you will find the items I create, the photos and the digital sketches.

I have also done some playing around on zazzle.com. This is a site that allows you to create items for sale. Things that you can buy yourself or others can buy. I have created a US Postage Stamp with one of my pictures on it. I have created an iPhone case displaying one of my captured sunsets, a notecard with a black & white sunrise and even a clock with an amber silhouette.

I don't plan on becoming independently wealthy, but I do plan on growing my collection. As I say on my home page, I created it for me, but I hope you like it! If you have a mind to, please send me your feedback.

Social

Synchronizing Computer Files

I have been using Dropbox for personal and business applications for a couple of years and I would say I am a Dropbox DropBoxevangelist. Dropbox allows me to work in sync at the office, at home and in the field. I have 215gb of space available on Dropbox and it is installed on my office computer, home computer and on my laptop. If I change a file at the office, the file is immediately uploaded to the Dropbox cloud. Once it hits the cloud, it is downloaded to my home computer and if my laptop is on, it is also downloaded to my laptop. It manages synchronizing all my computers and all I did was put the file into my Dropbox folder.

Even more astonishing, Dropbox manages versions. Lets say I edited our personnel manual and accidentally deleted a section. I can log onto Dropbox.com and review prior versions of the manual and restore an older version if necessary. Dropbox is free for up to 2gb, but the real benefit comes when you buy an annual subscription. 100gb is about $100. Go to dropbox.com.

If any of the information here is of interest to you, please drop us a note. If you would like to see specific information on technology issues that affect you and your business, please let us know.

Robert McKay Jones
TRI
50 Leominster Road
Suite #3
Sterling, Massachusetts 01564

978-422-7770
rmj@trif.com


Copyright 2013
All Rights Reserved
All Photographs Copyright 2013 by Robert McKay Jones
Artists Sketch by Bruce Davidson
This document is provided for informational purposes only.
The information contained in this document represents the views of Robert McKay Jones and Transportation Resources, Inc.
All information provided in this document is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied.
The reader assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document.
Permission to use the words in this document for commercial purposes usually is granted. However, commercial use requires advance authorization.

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Transportation Resources, Inc. | 50 Leominster Road | Suite #3 | Post Office Box 452 | Sterling | MA | 01564