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in
this issue
·
Big News: FACTS™ adds GUI
· 5 Steps for Disaster Preparedness
· Tip of the Month
· Opinion: Let's Meet on the Web
· Midland Courier Joins CLI Family of
Users
· "Out to Lunch" Training
Continues
· Calendar of Events
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Dear
Customer,
Welcome to the August/September 2004 edition
of the CLI newsletter. In this issue you'll read about some exciting changes
to the FACTS system, get an up-to- date schedule of our highly successful
"Out to Lunch" training sessions, and learn from this issue's very
important "Tip of the Month."
To help broaden our scope, we continue to
solicit articles from outside resources, such as this month's timely feature
on disaster preparedness from software expert Brian Bowman from the Data
Management Group at Progress.
Take a minute to look at a re-print of an
article on training by Ken Weinberg, vice president, CLI which originally
appeared in "Transport Topics." Also note the expanded calendar of
events listing. If you know of an industry event that we haven't listed,
please contact us via e-mail at kweinberg@carrierlogistics.com and we'll
include it on future calendars.
Finally, coming soon to the CLI website:
"Carrier Logistics' Transportation Discussion Forum." This
interactive bulletin board, forum, and information resource for professionals
in the transportation and trucking industry will soon be available at
www.carrierlogistics.com. Look for details and links in the very near future.
Thank you and enjoy the issue.
Big News: FACTS™ adds
GUI 
CLI is making some exciting improvements to
their software. They've converted a significant portion of the FACTS™ total
transportation solution to a Graphical User Interface (GUI), also known as a
mouse- driven system. GUI makes CLI's systems even easier to use and reduces
the time needed for training. The modules that have already been converted to
this upgraded system include the full Reporting Suite, Customer Service,
Inbound Planning, and Accounts Receivable.
In non-technical terms, GUI is different
than CHUI (Character User Interface) because instead of navigating with the
cursor and function keys, the GUI version allows users to point their mouse
to the various data windows and move information into the system. In addition
to being easier to use, the GUI approach allows additional features, saves
you time, can decrease inputting errors, and allows FACTS™ to more easily
integrate with other programs running on users' computers.
It is important to note that CLI is adding
GUI, not replacing CHUI, so their customers have the option of using one or
the other or both. The data, of course, stays the same with either interface;
CLI is developing a way of accessing and processing data through both GUI and
CHUI - meaning that customers can view and use FACTS™ in the way that works
best for them.
Current customers will be receiving
information soon about upgrading and adding GUI to their existing system. For
all new customers, the FACTS™ suite of software will include GUI.
Please note that CLI will be hosting a FREE
"Out to Lunch" training session on the GUI system on October 7.
Please see the "Out to Lunch" article below for more details. If
you have any questions regarding the GUI upgrade, please contact Ken Weinberg
at kweinberg@carrierlogistics.com.
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5 Steps for Disaster Preparedness
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 By Brian Bowman, Data Management Group, Progress
Software Corporation
Whether you are focused on business
continuity, contingency, or disaster recovery planning, the goal is
essentially the same. Today's competitive business environment demands that
you take steps to ensure continuous availability of your data and
applications. Disaster preparedness and recovery plays a critical role in
this. When working on a disaster recovery plan consider:
1. Planning - the most important part of
the process
2. Assessing the complete environment -
software, hardware, database, application, infrastructure, and personnel
3. Meeting the needs of the business -
cost of downtime, recovery time, ROI
4. Gaining commitment at all levels of the
organization
5. Testing and documentation
If you consider these five steps when
creating a disaster preparedness plan, your road to recovery, should you
experience a disaster, will be much smoother.
Brian Bowman will be presenting
a session on "Disaster Recovery" at the CLI Leadership Summit,
being held September 29 - October 1, 2004 in Tarrytown, NY.
Image © Andrews McMeel
Universal Pub. Co.
Click here for more information
on Progress Software. »
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Tip of the Month
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 Use Result Codes to Put Pros on Hold
There are times when a delivery is made
under circumstances that were not specified on the original bill of lading.
For example, an inside delivery must be made because of constraints at the
consignee or special equipment was required to make the delivery.
Regardless the reason, additional accessorial charges might apply. It is
too easy to miss driver notations of these actions when the delivery
receipt arrives back at the terminal. Therefore, FACTS™ allows the result
code used to confirm the delivery to put the invoice on hold to force a
review of additional charges that should apply.
To put the invoice on hold, set up result
codes which are defined to cause the invoice to go on hold. Then, when the
dispatcher uses one of these result codes, the hold status will keep the
pro from posting and invoicing until the charges are added or the bill is
released.
The invoice for the shipment that is
confirmed with this type of result code will be on hold until a corrective
action is taken. Using these types of codes with deliveries enables you to
invoice customers for the work that you perform.
Note: Result Codes are
set up in the CHUI system with IB.MAINT # 56.
For a more detailed explanation, please
contact training@carrierlogistics.com.
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Opinion: Let's Meet on the Web
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This
article originally appeared in the July 5 print edition of Transport Topics.
By Ken Weinberg
Vice President, Carrier Logistics Inc.
With new generations of computer systems
arriving faster than ever, motor carriers must train a large, scattered and
mobile workforce without draining profits and tying up manpower.
One solution, ironically, has grown out of
the very phenomenon that gave rise to the problem: technology. While
training continues to be rooted in human interaction, systems providers are
making telling use of Web-conferencing to improve computer education and
save carriers hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours lost to
travel and time away from work.
In the conventional model, systems
providers travel to sites or designated carrier employees, usually
information technology or office personnel, and visit locations selected by
the provider. 
Such training sessions usually involve
trips lasting a day or more...
To alleviate this, systems providers and
vendors have come up with a new approach to computer training that combines
the traditional model with state-of-the-art remote Web-conferencing.
Continued......Click
here for rest of article. »
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Midland Courier Joins CLI Family
of Users
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 CLI is pleased to announce the addition of Midland
Courier to its prestigious client list. "We are extremely excited to
welcome Midland as a partner," said Ken Weinberg, vice president, CLI.
"Midland Courier is a key player in the Canadian trucking industry and
we are pleased that the company has chosen our FACTS™ software system to
help it grow even larger and become more efficient."
Midland Courier began operations in
October of 1987, initially formed to serve Midland Transport customers who
wanted a dependable courier service for shipments to and from the
Maritimes. They knew they had to do things differently and looked for
opportunities to provide services that weren't offered by other couriers.
Their commitment to customer service and "hassle-free" shipping helped
them grow into the business they are today.
Midland Courier is a member of the Irving
Group of companies, a family owned organization whose commitment to
customer service dates back over 100 years. The Irving Group's interests
include forestry and forest products, oil and gas, wholesale and retail
operations, shipbuilding and frozen foods...to name just a few.
Welcome Midland Courier.
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"Out to Lunch" Training
Continues
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The latest
"Out to Lunch with CLI" training schedule is now available. This
series of live training seminars is a great way to stay up-to-date on various
components of the entire FACTS™ software package. You can participate over
the Internet and by conference call. Following are the next scheduled
sessions:
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Date
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Topic
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Description
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Sept. 23 12:00pm EDT
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Excel Tips
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Tips and tactics for using excel more
effectively for running reports
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Oct. 07 12:00pm EDT
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Free Session
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AR system in the GUI (graphical) version of
FACTS™
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Oct. 14 12:00pm EDT
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Job Stacker
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Setting up stacked reports, creating and
administrating reports
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The fee for each session is $75 (except
for the Oct. 7 session which is FREE). If you need more than one connection
to the conference call, each additional connection is $30. This additional
fee covers the conference call and the WebEx cost, both priced by user.
For questions or to register for any of
the above sessions, please send an e-mail to training@carrierlogistics.com.
Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance as we may need to
increase the number of connections required for a given session. Please
supply the following when you register: Company Name, Your Name, E-mail
Address, Phone Number, and Topic.
Do you have a topic that you would like
covered in a future "Out to Lunch" session? Please send it to training@carrierlogistics.com
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Calendar of Events
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Date
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Program
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Location
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Sept. 23
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Out to Lunch - Excel Tips
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At Your Desk
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Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
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CLI Leadership Summit
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Tarrytown, NY
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Oct. 1 - 3
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Truxpo 2004
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Abbotsford, B.C.
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Oct. 3 - 7
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ATA Management Conference
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Las Vegas, NV
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Oct. 7
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Out to Lunch - GUI version of FACTS
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At Your Desk
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Oct. 14
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Out to Lunch - Job Stacker
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At Your Desk
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Oct. 25 - 27
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Canadian Association of Importers &
Exporters 73rd Annual Conference, Trade Show & Gala
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Toronto, Canada
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Nov. 3 - 6
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Used Truck Association Convention
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Scottsdale, AZ
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Nov. 13 - 17
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NITL Annual Meeting & TransComp
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San Antonio, TX
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Feb. 4 - 5
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Mid-West Truck Show
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Peoria, IL
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Feb. 22 - 24
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Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Conference
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La Quinta, CA
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March 24 - 26
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Mid-America Trucking Show
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Louisville, KY
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Quick Links
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