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| User Conference 2007 |
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| Friday October 19, 2007 |
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We had such positive feedback from our customers about last year’s venue that we decided to return. As always, this event is free and open to all members of your organization. Join us for the day to ensure you get the most from your Minotaur system. Whether it is new features, report writing or networking with other Minotaur customers, we will do our best to ensure your day is rewarding and enjoyable.
The Marriott Courtyard Brampton will be offering guests a preferred rate of $129/night. Just let them know you are with the Minotaur Software group. They will be holding a block of rooms until Sept 18th. Please let us know if you need a ride from the airport, bus or train stations and we will be happy to arrange transportation. Registration will take place by phone and email later in the summer. |
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| We appreciate all the suggestions from last year’s survey and we will try to incorporate as many as possible. If you have comments or other topics you would like included, please email: wendy@minotaursoftware.com |
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| Did You Know? |
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| Minotaur Software Reads and Creates Flat Files for Data Importing and Exporting |
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| Various Uses Include: |
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1. Loading data from output files created by production packaging equipment.
2. Creating output files for payroll direct deposit application.
3. Loading timesheet data for use in payroll and/or inclusion in production run costing. |
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| Minotaur Welcomes Our Newest Customer |
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World Meats, located in Mississauga, Ontario, offers their food service customers a wide array of meat products ranging from beef, veal, chicken and pork to a variety of game, kosher and Halal products.
They are proud to provide their customers with meat prepared to their exact specifications from Grades to unique cuts—they are also a Certified Canadian Angus distributor. Visit them on the web at www.worldmeats.com. |
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Hardware for Minotaur’s
Handheld Warehouse Management and Touch Screen Modules
By Judith Kirkness |
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| Are you considering adding Minotaur’s handheld warehouse management capabilities to wirelessly move product around your warehouse, build containers or skids, apply bar code labels and perhaps tie Minotaur’s inventory and manufacturing modules together with serialized product coming across your scales? |
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| If you answered yes to any of the above statements, give us call. Using hand held and touch screen technologies can reduce human error because staff are scanning product rather than recording it on paper. The information flows immediately without the delay of having paperwork returned to the office for entry. If you have been considering this, the most common next question is “What of my existing equipment can I use versus what has to be replaced?” Of course, the answer depends on what equipment you already have. If you are looking to automate your warehouse with handhelds, you will need to establish a wireless network in the areas that you want the handhelds to work. The handheld units themselves will need to have terminal server capability. Lots of name brands in many different price points have this feature. Pictured right, is a stylus version from Symbol, but you can choose ones that have no stylus. They all will have a bar code reader and you can choose units with features such as ruggedness (do you need it to be able to with stand being dropped 6 feet to a concrete floor) or heaters (in freezer environments a heated unit can be handy). As always, we are happy to refer you to some local vendors of compatible equipment or to speak to your hardware provider to ensure that you look at models that will work with our software. |
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| For the touch screen module, you will need a touch screen, a computer and a scale indicator and platform. The scale indicator must be able to be networked to the computer with an RS232 adapter providing Minotaur with a continuous feed from the scale. We have connections to a few vendors that can offer NEMA4X high pressure wash down cabinets which incorporate the touch screen for fixed environments as well as offering an all-in-one unit—computer and touch screen in a NEMA4X unit that is not much bigger than a typical scale indicator (pictured right), ideal if you have a scale on a cart that moves around throughout your plant. We have so far had contact with many scale vendors who have models of indicators that can work successfully with Minotaur and are happy to speak to your vendor of choice to review the specifications. In some cases, you may need a new indicator that can be placed on a network but typically your platform or floor scale will be fine. |
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| Rugged and Waterproof touch screen/computer unit |
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| Taking this next step to automate your plant and warehouse environment will often involve an investment in both software and hardware. Remember that we can connect you with lease companies to help finance this investment. |
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| Are You or Someone Who Know Looking for Office Space? |
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| Available: |
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* Approximately 3,000 square feet of space in our building on the ground floor.
* Reception desk and plenty of space for a waiting area.
* Two offices.
* Storage or work area with bay doors.
* Rent is TMI and utilities included. |
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| Call Richard Kirkness at 905-458-7575 for additional information. |
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| Enhancements to the “Generate a Sales Report” Report Writer |
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The generate a sales report functionality has been expanded to include the ability to add flexible dates allowing for monthly trend or quarterly analysis, in addition to incorporating calculations such as variances between columns into your sales reports. Users can create column labels such as QTR1, QTR2, etc and then assign date ranges. Reporting your data from a monthly, quarterly or seasonal perspective, will enable you to identify patterns and potential areas to be addressed much sooner and with greater ease.
To find out more about incorporating this added functionality into your sales reporting, please contact your account representative. |
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| And as always - sales report writing will be a featured presentation at this year’s user conference. |
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| Highlights from the OIMP sponsored Recall Workshop |
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| No one likes to think of a product recall. However, putting together a recall plan ahead of time will make a stressful situation more manageable. |
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- Recall Management Team - should include the contact information for people who are responsible for decision making, quality assurance, media communication, complaint investigation, contacting accounts, CFIA counsel and legal counsel
- Complaint File - know what information you need to record. Ie. complainant, product, investigative steps, etc.
- Recall Contact List - CFIA area recall coordinator names, phone and fax numbers
Ontario coordinators can be reached at 416-665-5049 from 8am to 11pm
- Tracing of Products - how you will identify all raw materials/suppliers, work in progress, finished goods and customers who may be affected by the affected item. Using Minotaur’s Lot Traceability Report, this part of the recall is a breeze!
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- Production Amounts - identify how much product you produced using the affected item. How much is in your companies control and how much as been sold.
- Distribution Lists - which companies need to be contacted including contact name, phone number, fax number, etc and a documented method for contacting customers during a recall.
- Recalled Product Records - how you will track the product that came back, control the recalled product and decide what to do with the product.
- Recall Procedure - step by step description of what you will do.
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For detailed information including a recommended step by step procedure, visit:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Make a Plan and Action It
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/recarapp/rap/mgguide.shtml |
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| Minotaur Happenings |
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| Congratulations to Liz and Al |
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Liz’s baby, Bridget, was born one day early much to Liz’s relief. Mom and baby are doing great and enjoying those lazy summer days. Lazy—who are we kidding—try and get some rest Liz!
Al’s daughter, Lisa, had baby girl in May making this the first grand child for Al. Enjoy! |
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| May’s Contest Winner |
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Congratulations to Eduardo Pineiro of Halenda’s Fine Foods for winning our May newsletter contest. Eduardo has won a $50 gift card from Canadian Tire.
Halenda’s Fine Foods, located in Oshawa, Ontario, produces fresh, frozen and smoked meats. Now with several locations, there is no better time to pick up something for the barbeque.
Eduardo has been the controller at Halenda’s for the past nine months and enjoys cooking in his spare time.
We hope you enjoy your Gift ! |
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| Out of the Maze is published to inform our current and potential customers of the latest events and happenings at Minotaur. |
| The information in this newsletter is provided to customers to use at their own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. |
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