LATEST NEWS / UPDATES
We Keep Growing, and Growing...
AllMax Software announces the addition of new members to our sales and technical support team. As our customer base grows, it is paramount that we continue to provide personable, professional care and responsiveness that AllMax customers have come to expect.
Kerry Hendrickson has taken the position of technical support specialist, responsible for resolving clients’ software issues via phone, live chat, e-mail and web-based remote technologies. Kerry was initially hired for the tech position, but spent time in sales while he was in training. There will be a transition period where he will continue sales/customer service duties on an as-needed basis, eventually focusing solely on his technical support responsibilities.
Before joining AllMax, Kerry worked in construction for three years working with concrete and as a pipe fitter. The majority of work was done for wastewater treatment plants in the Ohio region. He also spent a year working in the maintenance department for a local water treatment plant. Kerry earned an Associate’s Degree from ITT Technical Institute in Applied Science of Computer Networking Systems and graduated with honors. He also worked as a customer service representative for Verizon® high-speed internet.
Jeffery Shafer also joins us in the technical support department. Jeff brings to AllMax extensive computer hardware and software expertise, including program design and production, diagnostics, consulting, data conversions, installation and configuration of software. He is skilled in a variety of operating and security systems and a host of software packages, backed by an impressive education history. Jeff is an Ohio State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences, and Computer and Information Science. He has stayed current in computer and software technologies by completing relative courses offered periodically by area educational institutions.
Chase Clements is the newest member of the AllMax sales team, strengthening the sales/customer service department and using his fresh insight and energy to assist current customers, acquire new customers and grow revenues.
Chase is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in sports management and marketing. He has considerable experience in customer service and building business relationships, as reflected in his past positions in general food service, with Bowling Green Athletic Ticket Office, and Findlay Family YMCA.
Living by our philosophy that the customer always comes first, we’re confident that our new team members will be valuable assets and provide customers with solid data management solutions and incomparable service after the sale.
Another Annual Workshop and Appreciation Event in the Books
September 14 and 15 has come and gone, as quickly as the summer did. We hope those who attended the workshops left here with a better understanding of our software and how it can make day-to-day life on the job a little easier. Unfortunately, not all who were invited could attend. Those who did found the workshops very informative and everyone who attended the first day after-hours cookout and get-together seemed to enjoy themselves. Once again, the weather cooperated...It was a comfortable, sunny evening.
The event consisted of one day of operations and a day of maintenance data management software workshops. For a modest fee, the workshops provide an opportunity for users to learn and experience the software, and for us to explain and demonstrate our software’s features, answer questions, help solve problems and gain valuable input from those using it, since user input is what drives our development process.
The September 14 workshop covered all aspects of Operator10® operations software—specifically, water and wastewater applications. Topics included installation, program setup, data entry and state and federal reporting. The Operator10 workshop was immediately followed by a general roundtable discussion and users’ forum, which lasted for about an hour. The roundtable gave those who participated a chance to discuss the benefits and shortcomings of our software programs. Once the discussion ended, guests headed outside to mingle with other attendees and AllMax staff – and for a delicious buffet-style dinner. It was a fun-filled evening, with prizes, give-aways, plenty to eat and drink, and a lot of cards and beanbag tossing.
The next day’s workshop covered all aspects of the Antero™ maintenance software, including installation, program setup, work orders and reporting, and brought the two-day event to a close.
We want to express our gratitude to those who put forth the time and effort to attend our Third Annual 2010 Workshop and Appreciation Event. We hope all who attended enjoyed themselves and accomplished their goals, whether it was to learn more about the software, or solve data management issues. For us, the valuable feedback we gained during the event will impact the development of software and services as we move forward.
If you would be interested in hosting or attending software training or workshops, let an AllMax representative know. If we don’t already have one scheduled, perhaps we could organize sessions in your area. Check our events calendar on our website periodically for training and workshop schedules.
And the Winner Is...
Congratulations to Stephen Hansen, lab manager at Fox River Water Reclamation, Elgin Illinois. He was the lucky grand prize winner of an iPod® Touch!
This year, we decided to bring a little fun to our WEFTEC ’10 booth in New Orleans by sending out registration cards to over 900 WEFTEC attendees. The cards were to be filled out and brought to our booth for entry into the drawing, which was held October 15.
As luck would have it, Steve also happens to be a current AllMax customer. Fox River depends on our Operator10 wastewater program, Antero LX maintenance software, OPC/DDE interface, and DataPort hand-held data entry unit in their day-to-day operations.
Need help?
Every now and then, we find customers who have purchased our software but, for whatever reason, have yet to implement it. And, there are those who have requested and received Info Packs from us that include free 30-day trial, full-version applications, but haven’t found the time to work with or install the software. We also understand that computerized data management can seem a bit intimidating. Whatever the reason for not using your software, let us help you get it up and running. Remember...the sooner you begin using your AllMax software, your day-to-day operations will become more efficient and less costly in terms of time and money. Our applications will enable you to standardize company-wide data and put lab, operations and maintenance information at your fingertips. What you need, when you need it. And, AllMax software is best known for ease of use, so no need to be intimidated. Contact AllMax today and let’s get started!
Get started quicker with a program setup!
Using information supplied by you, your operations program can be set up and ready to go. Install the program and start entering data to create reports, graphs, state forms, process control data, and so much more. Additional modifications can be made to the program as needed.
What you get with a setup...
- Define all sampling locations and parameters tested at the sampling points.
- Define DataViews for each sampling location set up in the program.
- Set up an efficiency process to calculate overall plant performance and up to four additional processes. (Example: aerations process, primary tanks, sand filters, etc.)
- Define DataViews to display the calculated values for each process setup.
- Two graphs that display values in the database.
- Set up state forms as required based on the permit of the plant. (Some state forms are not available or the states do not require a specific form.)
- Enter up to one month of actual data values for the sampling locations set up in the program.
What we need from you...
The following information is needed for the program setups:
Simple Plant Diagram
The diagram should include flow and lab sampling locations, tank information (volume, surface area, depth, etc.), and any flow patterns that might be unique to your plant.
Sample Point List
A list of all sample points and what test / flow parameters are at each sample point. Include units of measure with each test / flow parameter.
Data
Send us a printed copy of one month of data, if available. If you are using Excel or any other type of spreadsheet program, include a copy on disk.
State Reports
Copies of your latest state reports. Include any special instructions or conditions that apply to your reports.
Other services available...
Data conversions, training and live, web-based, on-demand remote technical support.
Software Solution Snippets
"Antero maintenance software? I love it. The guys love it, and they especially love it when the regulatory commission makes a visit and they can put the data in their hands on the spot. Makes life a whole lot better."
~ Tim Chapman, Elk Valley Public Service District, Elkview, WV
database tech at the plant. It seems that one of our lab staff was having trouble connecting to the Operator10® software from their terminal. Our tech was trying to help resolve the issue by
re-installing the Pervasive® SQL as well as the Operator10 client.
Unfortunately the tech uninstalled the Pervasive server software on the server. That’s when I received the phone call concerning this matter. After remoting into the server to see what the problem was and a quick call to tech support, I discovered what had happened.
I feared the worst. However, I had the previous day’s backup and I hoped that things wouldn’t be too difficult to repair. After some investigation I discovered (pleasantly) that because Allmax chose to use Pervasive and not MS SQL, the databases were not stored in containers with the SQL server, but rather in the Operator10 folder. I thought at that time this might not be that bad. However, when I tried to re-install the server software I ran into nothing but trouble. Among a multitude of other problems, the server’s CD-ROM wouldn’t read the CD for installation.
I glanced over to my workbench and noticed a 2nd server I had just repaired a day or so ago, With Windows® 2000 Server still installed. I was planning on formatting and upgrading the system to 2003 at a later date. I placed the server in the rack and began installing the Pervasive and Operator10 software. Once I completed the install I simply copied the Operator10 directory from the old server to the new one, bringing all of the system updates with it.
I renamed the new server to the old server name and changed its IP address to the old server IP and low and behold everyone was back online, as if nothing had ever happened! The best part of this story is it only took me approximately two hours from receiving the phone call, to the system going back online.
Once again I was justified in my choice of Operator10, the ease at which I was able to restore the complete system and not skip a beat was amazing."
~ Bruce Correia, IS Manager, Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, CA
"Operator10 is most useful for trending and analyses, and allows us to do DMR reports in minutes instead of hours. We can provide EPA auditors answers on the spot when we would otherwise have a month to respond.
The Antero maintenance program gives us the ability to manage assets, track labor, generate and monitor work orders and maintenance schedules. For example, Antero helps assure proper maintenance of a pump, extending the life of the pump from 3-4 years to 12 years or more."
~ Chris Melvin, Pretreatment Coordinator, City of Piqua WWTP, OH
OUTSIDE ALLMAX
EPA's Voluntary Reporting Program Fails to Deliver Data Needed to Determine Safety of Nanomaterials, Report Shows
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently acknowledged that its voluntary approach to reporting has yielded only limited information on a small fraction of the hundreds of potentially toxic nanomaterials already in commercial use or in development in the United States, according to Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
In an interim report issued nearly a year after launch of its Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program, EPA disclosed that it has received submissions addressing less than 10 percent of the more than 1,000 nanomaterials EPA identified as likely to be in commercial production. Moreover, the voluntary submissions contain scant environmental health and safety data, and much of the information they do contain is kept secret from the public because the companies submitting the data claim it is confidential business information (CBI).
"EPA's voluntary approach has failed to provide both EPA and the public with critical data on the full range of nanomaterials in production and use in the United States," said Dr. Richard A. Denison, a senior scientist at EDF, who advised EPA on its approach to nanomaterials as a member of the National Pollution Prevention and Toxics Advisory Committee (NPPTAC). "With hundreds of nano products already on the shelves, EPA has squandered precious time while it slowly developed and pursued a program that informed stakeholders cautioned would not yield what was needed."
While still claiming the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program to be "successful," EPA's report concedes that the program has come nowhere close to assembling a full picture of research and commercial activity involving nanomaterials. The report’s other findings include:
- The submissions encompassed only 1/7 of the unique chemical structures on which nanomaterials in use or development are based.
- Toxicity and environmental fate data were provided for at most a few percent of these nanomaterials, confirming that only a small fraction of all nanomaterials have been sufficiently studied despite their rapid commercialization.
- EPA acknowledged it cannot determine whether participants submitted information
on all or only a subset of nanomaterials they produce, and whether information submitted for a given nanomaterial was complete or selective. EDF had predicted precisely this problem because of EPA's failure to include these metrics in the design of the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program. - Only four companies have agreed to consider conducting any testing, leading EPA to conclude that "most companies are not inclined to voluntarily test their nanoscale materials."
"We welcome EPA's statement that it is finally 'considering how to best use testing and information gathering authorities under the Toxic Substances Control Act' to address the remaining gaps in information," Denison concluded. "More than three years ago, the National Pollution Prevention and Toxics Advisory Committee advised EPA immediately to begin developing such mandatory measures as a supplement to the voluntary program, recognizing it would not be sufficient. EPA now needs to refocus its energies on these critical tasks."
Source — Environmental Defense Fund
General Motors Signs Five-Year Agreement to Study New Biodiesel Potential
Automaker General Motors has recently signed a five-year agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) to work together on exploring the biodiesel-production capability of jatropha, a non-food crop. The project aims to demonstrate the sustained biodiesel production capability from jatropha seed oil and develop new crop varieties tailored to specific global geographies and climatic conditions. The research will also develop new sources for biodiesel production.
As part of the jatropha research activities, GM and the DoE have identified two locations in India. The two sites include a 16-hectare site near Bhavnagar and a 38-hectare site near Kalol, both located in the western state of Gujarat. GM already operates a car-manufacturing facility near Kalol. The project will also manage an existing 30-hectare jatropha farm near Bhavnagar. Sources have indicated that selectively bred and laboratory-optimized jatropha seeds will be used to cultivate the crop on these farms. The Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (Bhavnagar, Gujarat), which works under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (New Delhi), will undertake cultivation at the farms. The project will analyze the complete lifecycle from cultivation to harvesting of the crop.
GM has also invested in green fuel projects in the United States. The company holds stakes in the Mascoma Corporation (Lebanon, New Hampshire) and Coskata Incorporated (Warrenville, Illinois). Recently, Coskata announced that it would participate in the construction of Australia's first bioethanol plant. The project will use household and building waste as raw material.
Diesel is a major fuel choice for transportation in Europe and India. Experts are of the opinion that development of biodiesel fuel sources like jatropha will help countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Several African countries, the Philippines, the U.S. and China are conducting experiments and research on jatropha.
Jatropha is a non-edible plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceous family. Originally found in Central America, the plant is now grown in North America, Africa and India. The seeds of this plant generally contain 27% to 40% oil, which can be used to produce energy. Jatropha can be grown in arid, eroded land and requires very minimal care. The ideal planting time for the crop is May in the northern hemisphere and November in the southern hemisphere. Research has shown that the oil-yield per hectare from jatropha in India is about 3,000 kilograms, compared to 1,000 kilograms from rapeseed in Europe and 375 kilograms from soybeans in the U.S. Cultivation of jatropha crops may also put an end to the food vs. fuel debate, as it will eliminate the need to grow food crops for biofuel production.
India has been focusing on developing cultivation techniques to improve the yield from jatropha crops. About 200 districts in 19 states, including Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Maharashtra have been identified for jatropha-cultivation projects.
Source — Industrial Info Resources, Sugar Land, TX
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Operator10 Converts Raw Data into Vital, Dispensable Information
AllMax announces the release of the new Operator10 suite of operations data management and reporting software, data solutions that provide a wide range of analytical and reporting options, enable users to customize facility information, and provide a historic picture of plant operations through centralized storage of data. Operator10, consisting of water, wastewater and biosolids applications, has been re-engineered using the latest Microsoft® technology for improved performance and feature set, more consistency, greatly increased efficiency and ease of use.
The integrity and functionality of the software remains intact while many of the existing features have been enhanced dramatically. As examples, an improved database design and structure allows for convergence of multiple facilities’ data and enhanced connectivity to aid in movement between data sets. Key upgrades provide better tools, more robust interface and better access and utilization of a full Pervasive® PSQL database platform.
An enhanced Sampling Event section will track information that would appear on chain of custody and lab bench sheets. A major improvement in Operator10 is the new dynamic grid behavior which allows for advanced sorting, filtering, grouping and column customization. In addition, improved interactivity allows for more flexibility and quicker paths for changes and edits.
Operator10 provides a wide range of reporting options designed to satisfy the needs of treatment facilities of all types and sizes. An extensive selection of stock and state reports has been built into the software, as well as an integrated design tool for customizing reports. The Security section has been redesigned to simplify the entire security process, including a Windows® Login: a feature that simplifies user sign-in and verification, allowing users to simply open Operator10–no more user names or passwords to remember.
Link Operator10 to SCADA or other compatible systems through our OPC/DDE interface application (available as an add-on). There is also a built-in import function to collect data from LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) and automatically transfer data into the Operator10 program.
For more information, contact an AllMax Software sales representative.
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