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

Synchro ERP to Sponsor Lunch @ AFS Texas Trouble Shooters 2015

Howdy from Texas,

I am pleased to let you know that Synchro ERP has reaffirmed their commitment to the metalcasting industry and to the Texas chapter of the AFS by sponsoring lunch for the January 2015 Texas Trouble Shooters meeting. 

The Texas Trouble Shooters meeting has become so important in providing continuing education to metalcasters on technical topics. 

As more details emerge on the topic and whom the speaker will be for the meeting, I will keep you posted. 

On another note, the upcoming AFS Texas Regional is just a few short weeks away, so if you have not registered, please by all means take the time and be there.

Until next time, see you on down the road and be careful out there!

Shane Allen

I'll leave you with a few pictures of  the recent Labor Day celebration at a State Park with a group of close friends.

Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

Supporting the AFS Plains States Chapter

Howdy from Texas where we are getting ready to celebrate the "traditional" end of Summer with the Labor Day weekend.  Schools are already back in session and the teachers are scratching their nails on the chalk boards trying to maintain order.  The college kiddos have flooded back as well.

Sandy Salisbury Linton, secretary - treasurer, of the AFS Plains States Chapter has sent me details on their upcoming meetings and other information.  Oh, by the way, Sandy, Jim, and Tonkawa Foundry are great customers of Synchro ERP and have been for a number of years.

So, here is some publicity for the AFS Plains States Chapter.  At the end of the day, we are all metalcasters, be it in Texas or in the Plains States, so supporting metalcasting with education, advocacy, and innovation is so so important.   

So, without further adieu, and until next time, see you on down the road and have a very SAFE Labor Day weekend.  BTW, Synchro ERP will be providing full support on Monday, as the other offices will be open as they do not celebrate the USA Labor Day.  Just another reason why Synchro ERP is unique...

So, from Indian Territory, North of the Red River...

Oh, 100 points if anyone can tell me why the Cimarron River is named as such?  Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents who lived in the Cimarron Valley and whose parents actually participated in the land rush and were "probably" Sooners.  Everytime we would cross the Cimarron River, my Pappy and Grammy would always tell me about how the Cimarron River got it's name...

Oh, finally, and without any further adieu ...

Congratulations are in Order

On behalf of the global Synchro ERP team, we want to again congratulate Jack and his fine team at ARISTOCAST on achieving the AFS 2014 Metalcaster of the Year.  The article appeared in the June 2014 Modern Casting and was republished in this months INCAST.

Speaking of INCAST, it shan't be long until the Investment Casting Equipment Show in October.  Details are at 2014 ICI Covington KY

Then again, speaking on INCAST, it shan't be long till Simon and I get to visit Palm Springs with the NFFS show.  I've never been to Palm Springs and am really looking forward to it.  Details are at NFFS 2014

"Read All About IT"

Until next time,

See you on down the road...

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations
AFS Texas Board Member, Class of 2017.