Wishing you all the Best in 2014!

From my house to yours, I wish you all the best in 2014.  It's been a great year. 

and yes, I have purposely shed quite a few pounds this year.  Started the year at 186, woke up this morning at 143.  Not a diet mind you, a food intake change.  Few carbs, lots of fruits and veggies.  Virtually no "fast food", limited eating out, limited, sweets, etc.  Still looking to shed 8 more lbs.

Till next year... Hopefully @130 - 135lbs...

 

Shane Allen

Head of Synchro ERP

North American Operations

and his true and trusted companion, Wyatt Earp (the dog)

Just don't tell him he is a dog... :)

December already?

Can you believe were in December already and only have 20 days till Christmas?!

November passed extremely quickly for me and I do need to apologize for not getting a Blog out, Lee and I had quite a shock when our latest addition decided to arrive 7 weeks early! 
Oliver wasn't due till Xmas eve but decided to arrive on the 12th November instead so firstly I would like to introduce to you all our Son ...

Now onto business and i have a few exciting things to share with you - Firstly I want to share our Xmas FaceBook competition, You need to enter quickly as it ends on Monday 9th! Go to our FaceBook page to write your caption....

The Marketing Department have been very busy as always and have had a 2014 Synchro calender made - Here's a sneak peek ...

We were delighted to welcome 4 new customers last month - Everyone has been working very hard, The implementation team have been all over setting up new customers including visits to China and Australia, Support has been its usual productive department and the Development Team have been busy too.

One of our MD's took an Easyjet  flight out of Liverpool UK recently and wanted a coffee it was so awful she wanted to share the experience with you all - Here's what she said... 

"I was offered a tea bag Ooops No a coffee bag; yes...I had to squish the bag, set the time...and eventually taste it. You know when an experience is so awful it is just not worth the description. Mmmm well just don't bother. It was dire"

Looking ahead to 2014 I will be adding some old Synchro Team pictures to FaceBook to see if you can guess who they are! Here's one to start with ....

Keep an eye on the FaceBook page in the new year to find out the answer and see some more old pics!

To conclude 2013 has been a very busy year for Synchro ERP and every member of the team has worked exceptionally hard to ensure we deliver 150% and no less to each and every customer.

We would all like to say a huge thank you to you all and look forward to continuing to work closely with you in 2014.

Getting To Know You - Linda Beckett

Getting to know you!

Name: Linda Beckett                 Job Title: Head of Accounts

How long have you worked for Synchro ERP?  

Just over one year.

What is the best part of your job?   

Working with a great team.

Describe yourself in 3 words:  

Determined, Nice, Helpful.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?  

Skipped it!

What is your favourite food?     

CHOCOLATE or Chinese or Thai style cooking.  

What do you dislike most?   

Unnecessary Rudeness.

Who is the most precious person to you?  

My other half Tony.

Who is your famous idol?  

Don’t have one.

What is your favourite book?  

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.

What is your favourite film?   

Lots of classics- but, It’s a Wonderful Life is my favourite.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

New Zealand, looks to have spectacular landscapes.

       

Getting to know you - Daniel Alcântara

I hope this Blog finds you all well? 

It's that Getting to know you time again and this month its all about Daniel Alcantara ...

 

 

 

 

Name; Daniel de Alcântara Lopes (Daniel Alcântara)

 

Job Title; Training and Implementation Manager

 

How long have you worked for Synchro ERP?

I worked using Synchro for 4 years and have now worked for Synchro since 02.01.2013.

 

What is the best part of your job?

International experience. That’s my dream since I was young.

 

Describe yourself in 3 words;

Obstinate, a little bit Shy and friendly.

 

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Cheese Bread and Coffee.

 

What is your favourite food?

Rib eye steak.

 

What do you dislike most?

The politics of my country.

 

Who is the most precious person to you?

My Parents and my Wife.

 

Who is your famous idol?

Greek philosopher Socrates.

 

What is your favourite book?

Thus Spake Zarathustra - Friedrich Nietzsche.

 

What is your favourite film?

Dead Poets Society.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

Rome – Probably one of the most beautiful places in the world.

 

 

 

      

Some Catching Up To Do

Hello from the Office in Texas,

Lee asked me the other day if I knew what my office looked like, as I have been on the road hot and heavy as of late.  But, before I go any further, please allow me to be the first to wish you a great holiday season!  Hey, why not, all of the retailers that I have been into lately are in full swing with Christmas trees and ornaments.   I fear that come Friday, November 1st, the Christmas music will be in full swing.   A big box retailer in DIY stuff has had their decorations up now for about six weeks!  I'm actually tempted to "protest" by going ahead and putting up my yard decorations!

Yes, I have been a traveling man as of late.  October is always a busy month at Synchro ERP, but this year even more so.  I made several sales calls during the first part of October to Pennsylvania and Wyoming to secure new customers for our crack implementation team to get up and running.

This was followed right on the heels of the ICI-Investment Casting Institute Exhibition in Pittsburgh which was a fab show.  Leland Martin and his crew always have a posh affair.

I was back in the office for two days after the ICI and flew out to Phoenix for the NFFS-Non Ferrous Founders Society meeting. 

I swear that Simon needs to have a Harley as he sure looks like a biker.  Needs some tats too!  Maybe a huge Synchro ERP logo on his arms.  Also, his home address on his chest as he is always on the road that he may sometimes forget where home is at!

The NFFS show was most outstanding.  This was our first foray into the event and it was most profitable.  In the words of Douglas MacArthur, "We Will be Back".  Simon likes the accents of the deep south, so next years even is right up his alley with the event taking place in Hilton Head South Carolina.

Right on the heels of the NFFS, I slipped away from the office yet again to attend the AFS Texas Chapter board and general meeting at the Choctaw Indian Resort and Casino in Durant Oklahoma.  I have the distinct honor of representing Synchro ERP on the Board of Directors of the chapter.  The meeting was outstanding, as par for the course.

Well, until next time, believe it or not, we are headed full force into November.  I have a lot of traveling to do in November and December with sales calls.  Plus, I have a ton of vacation during the final months.  End of the Year is always a good time to take vacation, from a sales standpoint, as metalcasters start to focus on the holiday season, shut downs, and preparing for the new financial year.  So, until next time, see you on down the road where ever my travels take me.

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations 

Synchro ERP Runs Under WIN8

The end is near.
The world is ending.
The Apocalypse is at hand...
The Four Horsemen have departed Redmond WA
The finger is on the nuke button.
The Sky is Falling.  The Sky is Falling...
Actually, WINDOWS are falling..  Windows are falling..
It's 9/11 all over again.
Airplanes will quit working and fall out of the sky.
Nuke plants will be out of control.
Cars won't work
The financial system will collapse.
Y2K all over again.

Windows XP is going bye-bye...

End of Support for XP

HUGE market and opportunity for computer talent out there.  BIG MONEY TO BE MADE!  Teaching new Windows 8 classes, installing new software on people's XP machines, migrating software to the new platform, etc.  Many people will need new PC's to run WIN8. 

Ok, what is the downside to just staying with XP?  Well, no patches means that any security holes that are found opens you up to all sorts of problems.  Any new software that you want to use will not be backward compliant to XP and may not run on your XP machine.  It's going to really benefit software and hardware companies that they no longer have to be able to run under XP.

It's time to let go of XP.  Like a very good Scotch, Windows XP is 12 years old.

Ok, nothing to see here.  Time to move along now...

Until next time, see you  on down the road.

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

Busy October ....

Hope this Blog finds all our readers well, Can you believe how fast 2013 has gone? 

Crazy to think its only 64 days till Christmas!

October has been super busy for Synchro so far we have had 3 Exhibitions already and still have one to go!

First up was the - ICI 60th Technical Conference and Expo 2013 

This was a really successful show for Synchro ERP and i thought we would share some pics .. with you ....

This is how the content and set up arrives ...  Finally its all ready to go ...

Shane is looking really well ..

Our Smiling CEO - Christopher Collins ...

Next up was the - NFFS 2013 

Looks like the men had great fun especially while taking part in the Team Building events ....

A little tidying perhaps??

Looks Yummy and fresh...

Organizing, Tasting or both? !!

Style and substance ...

Synchro's Simon Bandito!!

Here's Shane's write up from this Exhibition ....

Captains of Metalcasters

Synchro ERP wishes to thank Chip from Erie Bronze for encouraging us to attend the Non Ferrous Founders Society annual meeting.  Chip has been after us for a number of years to attend this important event.  With low expectations, Synchro ERP listened to a very valued customer and attended.

Synchro ERP should have been attending a long time ago!  In just a three words, the meeting can be summed up as “Captains of Metalcasters”.  The quality of the attendees is most outstanding as they are the all important decision makers.  I was talking with a decision maker today who said “decision makers make mistakes, make mistakes that are far reaching and have long term consequences”.  He tries to instill this into his employees that they may make mistakes, but their mistakes can also have far reaching consequences.  This is the reason that they must have software in place to limit the consequences of mistakes, from the employees and the “top dogs”.

The meeting is low key and casual, thus everyone is free and welcome to exchange ideas and thoughts.  Even more important than the table top exhibits is the interaction and team building events.  Simon and I attended the events and interacted.  We have been made very welcome and everyone knows who we are and what our names are.  We are on first name basis with everyone. This is how business is done. 

The NFFS staff has been most welcoming and accommodating and has done everything possible to insure that we were welcomed into the fold.  This just isn’t lip service or “being nice”, no sir; this is sincere and focuses on our success at the event.  Simon and I will be there next year at the NFFS 2014 in Hilton Head South Carolina representing the global Synchro ERP team.  We make a fantastic team, Simon and I.  We “mesh”. 

Team Synchro ERP is coming away from the NFFS 2013 with quality leads and already two on-site visits scheduled!  Quality over quantity.

The splendor of the venue is very conducive to doing business in a casual atmosphere, and these NFFS folks know how to put on a show.  Posh food and beverages, top shelf beverages.

Synchro ERP looks forward to increasing our foot print with the NFFS.  In fact, I just met with Jarrod from the NFFS who wanted to know immediate feedback.  This is a top shelf group.

Thank you Chip! Until next time, see you on down the preverbal road…

As you can see Shane and Simon really enjoyed this Exhibition, They obtained valuable leads,

There were lots of Team building events as you can see from the photos.

Everyone visits each table as they have a sign in sheet in the guide that everyone wants to complete so they can enter into a contest to win a $500 gift card which Synchro think is a great idea.

They said everyone was beyond friendly - The staff and the participants all made them feel very welcome and it wasn't just out of courtesy it was truly genuine.

Jean-Marie has also attended the FENAF - 15th-18th October 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The next exhibition will be the - 49th Annual AFI Conference - 20th-23rd Oct 2013 In Perth for more information or to meet us there please CLICK HERE

Everyone back at Synchro HQ have been just as busy this month to ;

Jean-Marie has been in China negotiating a new agent Deal - Hopefully we will be able to tell you more in the future.

Daniel had been in Mexico installing a Trial System.

We have had 2 new signed contracts one in Brazil and one in UK!

Everyone would like to say a HUGE congratulations to Support Team Member Jon Mapp and partner Becky on the Birth of there beautiful Baby Boy Indiana Efan Tomos Mapp ..

We have also reached a whopping 202 likes on our FaceBook page this week and chose a random liker to win a laptop bag - Well Done to David Rose for winning this.

We are currently working on a FaceBook Competition for Christmas which will be released in November - More information will follow so keep your eyes on the FACEBOOK page so you can take part.

The Synchro Calender which is being produced from our Summer Photography Competition is also in production and we should have some images by the time we write our next blog.

Until then keep following us and we wish you a great week.

Next BLOG - Oct 31st - Getting To Know You. Who will it be this month???

Synchro ERP Remains Open for Business!

Hello from Texas,

In the wake of the US Government shutdown, Synchro ERP is pleased to report that all operations are operating operationally normally.  There has been no impact on Synchro ERP.  

The ICI, NFFS, and AFI expositions will go on as planned.  The show must go on.
Upcoming Synchro ERP Exhibitions

Our thoughts are with the metalcasting industry, the employees, and the businesses and their employees that do business with metalcasters.  The industry as a whole maybe severely impacted by the government shutdown, especially the metalcasters that are involved with government contracts and also work with government contractors and of course the housing market, construction industry, infrastructure, defense, aerospace, etc.

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

A Banner Month @ Synchro ERP

Howdy from Texas,

It's been a banner month at Synchro ERP with many new customers to welcome aboard. 

Right now, all eyes are turned toward the upcoming Investment Casting Exposition in Pittsburgh and the NFFS show in Phoenix.  Then, on to an AFS Texas board meeting in Oklahoma, go figure...

Unfortunately, when I was growing up the medical community didn't think it was wise to remove the tonsils.  I managed to pick up tonsilitis on my recent sales trip to Wyoming and have been battling it since Friday and even with the best medical care, haven't been able to shake it.  Oh well, this to shall pass. 

I do hope you are planning on meeting up with us at one of the upcoming shows.

Be sure to check out our schedule at Synchro ERP Exhibition Schedule

Had an interesting time in Wyoming and learned a lot of things about luxury automobiles of all things.  Due to the massive Colorado floods, all of the rental cars and trucks had been procured from Casper Wyoming and sent to Colorado.  People without reservations for a rental car were left stranded, fortunately I did have a reservation. All they had left was an Infinity which they upgraded me to at no charge.  I had never driven a "key less" vehicle before, and it took me for ever to figure out the proper sequence to get the thing started in the first place.  PRESS THE BRAKE AND THEN PRESS THE BUTTON, NO, NOT THE PARKING BREAK, THE REAL BRAKE AND PRESS IT HARD!  Then, when I was filling it up with gasoline-petrol, I couldn't figure out how to open up the fuel door.  I must have sat ten minutes at the gas station trying to find the switch or lever, feeling like a real idiot.  No bueno.  Sure glad I wasn't low on gas or stuck out in the middle of no where.  Went back to the hotel and fired up the old Wild West Web and learned that pressing the key fob for the door unlock multiple times while standing near the fuel door and then pressing on it would open it.  It worked.  Of course, there were no user manuals in the vehicle or any notes or anything.  I noticed that the fuel door was somewhat "bent", so I'm sure I was not the only one trying to figure it out.

Had a great visit with our newest customer in Wyoming and they really have a sharp and clean operation.  They will get a huge bang out of Synchro ERP w/o the buck!

Anyway, until next time, I will see you next month down the road in Pittsburgh.

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

Getting To Know You - Jon Mapp ....

Its that Getting To Know You time again and this month its all about Technical Support Team Member Jon Mapp ....

Name; Jon Mapp                            Job Title; Customer Support Technician

How long have you worked for Synchro ERP?

1 Year.

What is the best part of your job?

Lee will probably kill me if I don’t mention my fantastic Mentor and Boss. Apart from that, when issues are resolved and we get the thank you notes.

Describe yourself in 3 words;

Short, Geeky, Musical

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

A salad (with meat to make it big and manly)

What is your favourite food?

Currywurst

What do you dislike most?

Bad grammar.

Who is the most precious person to you?

Going to have to split this one between my Mummy and my Girlfriend Becky.

Who is your famous idol?

Eeep. Tough one. Robert Downey Jr perhaps. Or Bruce Dickinson

What is your favourite book?

Far too many to think of. 

Shortlist would be neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Night Watch by Terry Pratchett, Good Omens by Neil Gainman and Terry Pratchett, if you want to make me look intelligent.. war and peace.

What is your favourite film?

Again, too many to mention. My dvd collection has just hit around 400 titles / box sets. Robocop, Top Gun, Casablanca, Total Recall, Demolition Man, The African Queen, Minority Report.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

Get on a steam train across Europe and just relax.

I hope this Blog finds all our readers well?

Just thought I would give you a mid September update from Synchro HQ ...

Firstly we would all like to wish Support Manager - Lee Mahon a ...

We have been extremely busy the Implementation teams have been working really hard and travelling all over including; Mexico, India, USA (six states) South Africa, Dubai, UK and Spain !!

Jean-Marie had a very successful visit to India with our Indian Agents ..

Daniel Alcantara had a great visit to Prima Industrial Holdings and we would like to thank William and Tanny Price for there kind hospitality.

We have had 3 new signed contracts already this month - All in the USA.

We are very proud that a  Tyco Valve Company – Emirates Techno Controls FZE have selected Synchro ERP as their ERP of choice. 

Emirates Techno Casting is one of the largest and fastest growing Steel casting foundries in the world. 

Implementation is well underway. 

http://www.tyco.com/      

Some of you may have already seen our new bags on the FaceBook page - We think they are really nice.

A lot of our followers have commented that they would like one so we have decided to give 1 away when our page reaches 200 LIKES so dont forget to SHARE our page and ask your friends to LIKE us and you could win.

Click Here ..

 

All the Team are also busy prepping for the up coming 

ICI 2013 - 5th - 8th October 2013

Wyndham Grand Downtown, Pittsburgh PA

Booth # 65

If you would like more information or to arrange to meet us there please - CLICK HERE

I wish you all a great couple of weeks ahead and will be back with another BLOG soon. 

The next blog will be a Getting To Know You one but which Team member will it be this month???