 March 31, 2003 Keystone Systems, Inc. Volume 2003 Number 1 140 South Arthur, Suite 515, P.O. Box 206, Spokane, Washington 99210 Sales: (888) 863-9833 Fax: (509) 535-0520 Support: (888) 863-9797 Web Site: www.Trucking-Software.com E-mail: sales@KeystoneTruckSoftware.com |
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NEW SUPPORT PERSON AT KEYSTONE |
 Hi everyone! I would like to introduce myself to all the current users of Keystone Systems software. My name is Harold Bradshaw and I joined the Keystone team on January 27, 2003. My previous experience includes positions in accounting and finance as well as several years supporting various accounting software products. I was the controller at a food processing facility in West Jordan, Utah for 18 years before becoming involved in a software implementation project to install and configure a product called SAP. The project was based at corporate headquarters in Aurora, Illinois. The implementation took about nine months and I stayed in Illinois as in-house support for the Financial and Controlling modules for about 3 years until August 2001. I then relocated to the Spokane area to provide local support for a product called Microsoft Great Plains Dynamics. I completed the requirements to become a Certified Accounting Application Specialist in Dynamics and supported local clients until August 2002. |
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Returning to the Spokane area has been a goal I have had for many years, so when we got tired of Chicago, we packed the truck and here we are. My wife and I live just across the border from Washington in an area above Post Falls, Idaho. The kids and most of the other assorted relatives are located in and around Salt Lake City, which seems to be about the right distance. My outside interests include bicycling, camping, and spending time at the gym to try to counteract the effects of age and cheeseburgers. It has been exciting for me to learn not only the Keystone Trucking product but also to become familiar with the trucking business. I have already talked to many of you and have appreciated your patience as I work to become more proficient in answering your questions. I have enjoyed working with all of you and look forward to providing you with the best support possible in the future. |
| RAND MCNALLY MILEMAKER OPTION |
| We are pleased to announce the addition of a fourth mileage database option to our software: Rand McNally's mileage, including their MileMaker & IntelliRoute products. Rand McNally joins ALK (PC*Miler and PC*Miler/Street), Prophesy (Mileage Database, and Keystone Systems (our Mileage History) mileage database options. |
 The Rand McNally products allow you to get industry standard HOUSEHOLD GOODS mileage, as well as practical and shortest routing and miles. Rand McNally was a pioneer in map-based, and then computer-based mileage reference materials. They continue to maintain a loyal base of shippers and trucking companies who rely on their standardized mileage for billing, driver/carrier pay, and fuel tax reporting. |
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If you are not already working with the Rand McNally products, several items are of interest. Canadian zip codes are not part of the product, which is not a problem for most users. It also does not do zip code to zip code miles, but instead uses city point to city point. For example, entering two zip codes in Spokane WA (99223 and 99210) yielded zero miles in MileMaker, and 14.2 miles in PC*Miler. The last item of interest is that PC*Miler returns only one point per zip code, while MILEMAKER can return multi-points per zip code. As you can see, each of the products in Keystone's lineup works differently, so you should use the product that best fits the needs of your customers and your company. Keystone Systems is a dealer for each of these products, and each is available in different configurations and number of users. Contact us at 1-888-863-9833 or sales@KeystoneTruckSoftware.com, for further details. |
| TERMINAL SERVICES FROM MICROSOFT |
 This is a feature/product that is included in the operating system when you buy the WINDOWS 2000 ADVANCE SERVER, WINDOWS 2000 SERVER, or WINDOWS SMALL BUSINESS SERVER. It also requires an per client license fee (which is included the Windows XP versions).This product is a very good solution for those users that want to run our software from a remote site. For example, if you wanted to access your corporate data from home, this product would be ideal. First of all it is much faster that a pcAnywhere connection, and second it does not require an additional computer to be used at the host site. |
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This product could also be used in a situation where you are considering the options of upgrading your computer hardware. Say you have a 10 computer network system running KEYSTONE SOFTWARE. Instead of upgrading all 10 computers, you could invest in ONE faster SERVER with Terminal Services, and continue to use the older computers. This would increase the speed of the other 10 computer TO THE SPEED OF THE SERVER because using Terminal Services, the KEYSTONE application is run on the SERVER. The KEYSTONE application would no longer run on the slower computers. The work stations would be accessing the software through the Terminal Services "client", which passes screen, keyboard and mouse information between the user and the main computer (server). If you have questions about this option, give us a call. We are reviewing this configuration as we move each client to our new client/server database and software version. |
| CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONVERSION |
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We told you about Keystone's new Client/Server version in last quarter's newsletter. Since then, several new clients have implemented the software and existing clients have upgraded. One of the reasons to change is the system reliability. Any problem on the network (e.g. cables, electronic interference, work station crash) could cause all the users to be interrupted. The database architecture of the new version is able to protect itself from these issues. The new architecture also allows the information to flow more efficiently in a multiuser environment. System security, licensing flexibility, and program updates have all been enhanced as well. We are able all this and more by moving to the more robust client/server structure. The reaction of those who have made the move has been very positive. Jeri Gauther (McDermid Transportation, Inc., Oconto Falls WI) says almost all their database problems have gone away. In the past, they would have conflicts between users and other software applications on occasion. Now everything runs smoothly. Although his data conversion and setting up of program icons took about four hours (while he watched a Wisconsin blizzard stack up!), that was not unreasonable considering he is running six separate companies and twelve work stations! Mary Kinter at Nello Pistoresi & Son, Inc. (Toppenish WA) says the conversion was "no big deal and well worth it". They were also changing their network configuration, so that complicated it a bit, but it still was not a problem. They used to lock up & have to get everyone out & restart the server and/or rebuild index all the time, but not any more. Everyone in the office agrees it is a bit faster getting into and out of the programs and it definitely brings up information faster. Mary also likes flexibility to have the software loaded on more computers without paying for additional licenses! Occasional users can get into the system without having to interrupt another user at their desk. Later, if use gets heavier, she can just add another license with a simple phone call Other clients love the ability to download updated versions from the Internet at any time. Have you called to make an appointment to upgrade your software? If not, what are you waiting for? For more information, please contact Chris Brandvold at 1-888-863-9833, or by e-mail at sales@KeystoneTruckSoftware.com. |
| KEYSTONE SHIPS QUALCOMM |
 Communicate load information to your driver at the click of a button! No more waiting for the driver to call in, or manually entering new load information to the Qualcomm system. Send contact information, picks & drops, driving instructions, load temperature and more. Increase fleet productivity by using this state-of-the art combination of Qualcomm's OmniTRACS / QTRACS and Keystone's Dispatch Central.Contact Chris Brandvold at 1-888-863-9833, or by e-mail at sales@KeystoneTruckSoftware.com. |
| SECOND QUARTER 2003 HOLIDAYS |
.gif) May 26 - Memorial Day |