|
|
|
Short Line Data Systems Inc. – ROCS Family Update December 2006
Website – www.sdsrocs.com
Greetings –
The weather outside may be frightful for many of you, but inside it is definitely delightful, so on with the last update of 2006 we go. With the end of the year, we bring back an annual feature of the update, “where has Steven been this year,” and we look at some new features in ROCS and ROCSDispatch. So without further adieu, let us proceed.
Where in the world is Steven now?
For the last couple of years we take some space to list where we have traveled in the preceding year. The actual miles traveled are down from 2005, but the wear and tear on the traveler is also down. So, away we went to:
Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Washington DC (6 times) Jacksonville, FL (twice) Orlando, FL Roanoke, VA Geneva, NY (twice) Erie, PA Ft. Myers, FL (three times) Cary, NC Duncansville, PA Knoxville, TN Kansas City, MO Rockland, ME (twice) Austin, TX Lancaster, PA Baltimore, MD Clinton, OK Springdale, AR
All of the above totaled about 35,000 miles traveled (we did about 55,000 in 2005). We are definitely looking forward to a couple weeks at home before starting out on the road early in 2007. ROCS
All user systems have been upgraded to comply with EDI version 5030. We have also been testing out a large group of upgrades that will be a part of Version 11, which will probably be released early in the second quarter of 2007. The upgrades all speed up the system, and limit database size growth, which can be an issue with MS Access databases.
We are also testing a pure text email hazmat waybill, which can be used on a Blackberry or other email capable device, and easily printed out on a portable printer. In addition to the waybill, we will also be looking at switch lists, and reporting from the handheld to the base system.
Another new feature that we are working on is a web based customer release and request page. On the page customers can release or request cars, and ROCS will automatically download the data from the web and update the user’s system. You can take a look at the prototype page on the M&E’s web site, www.merail.com . Just click on the Request and Release button to see the form.
ROCSDispatch
All of the users have been upgraded to release 6 of ROCSDispatch, which features a revised conflict recognition system. We have also revised the daily summary report for the GCOR railroads with improved listings for the daily activities. We are also looking at incorporating more Track Warrant functionality on the main display for the GCOR roads.
As we have been working on email waybills, we have also created an email Form D for the NORAC version of ROCSDispatch. The Form is printable, and is designed for ease of reading when printed out.
We’re going to keep this update short, but it’s important to take a minute to thank our customers and the rest of you for your support during the past year. This year has been the most successful year for SDS yet. And with this growth, we thank everyone for their patience when issues do arise. 2007 is shaping up to be another year of growth, and we look forward to you being a part of that growth.
Stay Safe,
Steven Friedland President |
Send mail to
webmaster@sdsrocs.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|