October Almost Slipped Away

Howdy from Texas,

October almost slipped away from me without a single blog posting!  Apologies to one and all.  No excuse, except that the entire Synchro ERP team has been as busy as a one armed paper hanger!  It has been a whirlwind of a month, but a good month at that as we have continued to add new customers to the fold!  Customers come first at Synchro ERP!  I've actually got writers cramp from signing so many quotes as the software only for metalcasters is that good.

At this years show, our MD/CEO demonstrated the future of metalcasting software with Google Glasses for "Shop Floor Vision".

This is a a picture of Leland and his lovely wife.

The team met up at the ICI 2014 Expo where we said goodbye to Leland Martin as he is entering into the wonderful world of retirement.

 

I really enjoy the ICI as so many of our investment casting customers stop by for a visit and tell us all of the good "stuff" they are doing with the software and how it has really helped move their business along.   

 

I have a new camera and got to play with the panoramic feature which I really like!

 

As per usual, some people see fire hydrants, Corvettes, and man hole covers, being a foundryman, I see CASTINGS.

 

It is always good to catch up with our MD/CEO Chris Collins and Global Implementation Manager Simon Adlington.  We make quite a team!

 

I myself am a man of many talents as I hoover the floor....  Reminds me of a chimney sweep.

 

After the ICI, Simon and I hustled over to Palm Springs California for the NFFS show, and boy what a time we had.  Jared and his folks know how to put on a spread.

 

The Synchro booth, as usual, per the hard work of our Sales & Marketing Director Barbara Nolan Collins and her right hand Bianca Catherall, the booth looked great.

 

A good time was had by all, and we did sign yet another contract as a result of the show!

Of course, while Simon and I were sipping wine and eating posh steak, the support crew of Lee Mahon, Jon Mapp, and everyone else were doing the "per standard" bang up job of keeping the support desk humming along.  Without their tireless dedication and vast knowledge, none of this would be possible.  And of course, while all of this was going on, Jean-Marie was in the Oceanic region for the AFI! 

Well, I will leave you with just a smidgen more of some pictures from Palm Springs and until next time, see you down the road in November. 

Shane Allen

Head of Syncrho ERP NA Operations  

 

And a Great Time Was Had by All!

Greetings and Salutations from Texas,

Last week I had the distinct honor of representing the Synchro ERP team at the 15^th  AFS Texas Regional held in Arlington Texas, which is also known as the "metroplex" or the D/FW area (Dallas/Fort Worth).  Arlington is right smack dab in the middle between Dallas and Fort Worth and is home to the Dallas Cowboys billion dollar American football stadium, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team, Six Flags amusement park, and many other fun attractions.  I actually lived in Arlington for a time many years ago when I was helping H. Ross Perot (PEA ROW) run EDS - Electronic Data Systems.

The speakers and the sessions held were top shelf with topics including green sand casting defects, cold box information, government affairs, NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), and many others.  Of course, the people are what makes AFS and the AFS Texas Chapter worthwhile.   I had the pleasure of meeting up with several Synchro ERP customers and even got to first hand observe our software in action as a customer was remoted into their server and was discussing weights, yields, and materials, while viewing pictures, with one of their suppliers!   

The event came off without a hitch, as far as I am aware, and is a testament to the fantastic planning and organizing by the AFS Texas Chapter and AFS National.  The weather was made to order for the golf tournament and the baseball game and couldn't have been better.  I always enjoy meeting up with everyone in the metalcasting industry, I suppose one could say it's in my blood; I must have a high "iron count". 

As a supplier to the metalcasting industry, I believe that these gatherings are critical to the continued success of Synchro ERP.  The reason for continued education is that the more we learn about the needs and issues facing the industry, be it green sand defects or the impact of OSHA reporting requirement changes, the more we can focus the software and development on meeting these needs and understanding the complexities that our customers face day-in and day-out.

I am proud to be a card carrying member of the AFS!   Until next time, see you on down the road.

Shane Allen 

Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

Castle Wolfenstein?

I was reminded today of the early PC game Wolfenstein.  It's still one of my favorite PC games.

 

 

Whatever it is, it has a heavy duty padlock, reminds me of  another early PC word game, ZORK.  I bet big gamers like Lee Mahon and Jon Mapp have no clue as to what ZORK was all about.  Probably Wolfensten for that matter...  Of course, to be fair, I have zero clue about today's games.  I grew up with Intelivision and Commodore 64 and early IBM PC's.

 "Open Lock with Magic Key"

 Lets see what we have here?  You never know what is behind the door when playing Wolfenstein...

 

Oh my goodness, it the Synchro ERP storage shed of exhibition material.  It must be time for the Investment Casting Institute and the NFFS exhibitions. 

 

An example of one of my favorite Economic terms "Dynamic Comparative Advantage" or "learning by doing".  It's always easier to get the packing straps in place prior to loading the pallet.  Comes from doing this for almost seven years...

It might be September in Texas, but it's still hot, even in the early morning...

 

Well, got that container all packed and ready to go...

 

Now, lets get the new shipping straps in place, lovely blue don't you think?

 

Job well done Shane, and dang, you do look hot and sweaty.  Time for a shower...  Certainly can't go back to work looking like that!  It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

 

Ok, the Castle Synchro is safe and secure again.  No telling what will jump out next time it is opened...

Until next time, see you on down the road at the AFS Texas Regional.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

 

Join the AFS Texas Chapter, AFS National, and Synchro ERP for America's National Past Time.  Hotdogs, Apple Pie, and Baseball. A good safe time to be had by all.

Don't delay, sign up now!

Until next time, see you on down the road...

Shane Allen

Head of Synchro ERP 

North American Operations

Say, What Do We Have Here?

Hello from Texas where the days are getting noticeably shorter as we rush into the fall season.  When I talk to our customers on the other side of the world in the Oceanic region, we often discuss the weather and also how their days are also getting noticeably longer.  I still have a hard time grasping the concept that in Australia, Christmas is in the summer.  Oh well, as the world turns...

Anyway, I love getting packages in the mail.  Received one today and it's not Christmas, nor my birthday, so what could it be?  The box sure is heavy.

I haven't ordered anything online as of recent, so what could it be?

Perhaps it is my lottery winnings or maybe a gift from a secret admirer?

Looks shiny, perhaps gold from Fort Knox? 

Ah, it's from my friend Leo Baran and the fine team at the AFS, American Foundry Society!  What a pleasant surprise! 

Synchro ERP is a proud to be a  corporate member of the American Foundry Society promoting metalcasters through education, government involvement, and industry support.

The American Foundry Society is the leading U.S. based metalcasting society, assisting member companies (metalcasting facilities, diecasters and industry suppliers) and individuals to effectively manage their production operations, profitably market their products and services and equitably manage their employees. The American Foundry Society also promotes the interests of the metalcasting industry before the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. With the direction of its volunteer committee structure, the professional staff of the American Foundry Society provides support in the areas of technology, management and education to further the economic progress of the metalcasting industry.

I'll get to see Leo very soon at the AFS Texas Regional.  

Until next time, see you on down the road.

Shane Allen

Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations