Your Partner for Success

5565 Hwy 2 West . Suite 1

Columbia Falls, MT 59912

1-800-835-9609

Fax: 406-892-8611

Web site: http://www.pluss.net/

PLUSS Corporation Newsletter May 2004

PLUSS is proud to announce the addition of several new PTM products to our sales list; Stand-Alone TouchScreen TimeClock, Super Salvage Module, MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning), and Security Policy templates.

1.) PTM - Quick Tips

2.) Preventative Maintenance Module

3.) ON-LINE SUPPORT

4.) TELE-COMMUTING; Managing your business from home

5.) Preparing your company for a new Sales & Marketing Plan

6.) Security Guards for the Paperless Office

7.) Can you change?

PTM

1.) Quick Tips

* (N.E.D) from PTM main menu: Recreate aged payables by date.

* (N.E.I) from PTM main menu: Activity Report.

* (S.ENTER.P) from PTM main menu: Print Schedule for tech.

* (Q.F.I.) from PTM main menu: Generate Preventative Maintenance Report

* (Q.J.D.D.) from PTM main menu: Salvage Sales and Acquisition Report

2.) Preventative Maintenance

PTM’s Prevenatative Maintenance Module is an excellent tool for creating re-occurring revenue. Routine and non-routine maintenance for your customers can be tracked and prompted by unit. Services such as; fluid and filter changes, annual inspections, and future suggested services, can all be monitored with the PM Module. This module has the ability to monitor your customer units by mileage, days between visits and even hours driven.

Another valuable feature of the PM Module is the ability to add notes for recommended services or repairs even if the unit is not in the shop. Recommended repairs show as part of the PM Reports, along with access to these items from Point-of-Sale.

Due to the popularity of this Module PTM has made several additions and enhancements since the PM Module was first released. If you already own the PM Module make sure you have the latest version with the latest features and get scheduled with an instructor to setup and learn the newest enhancements. If you have not yet purchased this valuable module contact our Sales Department.

Darryl Padget

Labor Management and Point-of-Sale Specialist

Educator and Consultant for PLUSS Corporation

3.) ON-LINE SUPPORT

If you have not visited our website recently you are missing out on a fabulous new resource! PTM users who have a current PTM subscription can now Log In with your Username and Password for full access to On-Line Support Documentation. The On-Line Support Documentation includes documents pertaining to frequently asked user questions, hardware setup, error fixes and specific how-to instructions. Your continued investment in the research and development of the PTM program has allowed for several enhancements and new features; PLUSS Corporation wants you to know how to utilize these new tools and improve overall use of the PTM program. This On-Line Support does not replace our Education and Consulting services, we are still here to personally assist you and your staff.

Pamela Cowley, Director of Business Services

MICROSOFT

4.) Managing your business from home

Are you spending 10+ hours at the office? Are you in the office after hours estimating costs, reviewing financial reports, or cleaning up the schedule for the coming day? What if there was an effective way to complete these tasks from home? Even if you just eliminated half of your commuting time from home to work—how much additional time would that give you? Telecommuting could allow you to spend that valuable time with your family and greatly reduce stress.

Telecommuting is becoming more cost effective than ever. If working from home or another remote location interests you, Microsoft has been developing some wonderful tools that you should explore. You can download a free terminal services client from Microsoft for most of Microsoft’s operating systems. Most of these clients are easy to configure and use. By configuring Terminal services to use “Remote Administration Mode”, you can connect up to 2 different remote computers or devices (such as a Palm pilot) to the server. This is perfect for an owner or manager to monitor activity while on vacation or for a sales person to record new sales while on the road. If you want more then 2 remote connections, “Application Mode” is the choice to go with. This is a per seat license option and worth every penny with the increased performance, added connections, and extensive mobile possibilities. Microsoft recently increased the reliability and enhanced the features of Terminal Services within their new operating system, Windows Server 2003. Greater possibilities are on the horizon as more people discover the benefits of telecommuting; now is the time to plan for the future,

Jeremy Martin CISSP, CCNA, A+, Network+

MISCELLANEOUS

5.) Preparing your company for a new Sales & Marketing Plan

The future success of any company can be driven by a well-planned and executed marketing plan. For optimum results, fresh, innovative ideas are key ingredients along with the proper media selection and ensuing promotion. The planned results should be to foster substantial revenue growth and long-term business viability. HOWEVER, prior to implementing a new Sales and Marketing plan there should be a qualitative and quantitative analysis on each area of the company. Consider the following action items:

* Outline management duties to maximize use of current resources

* Research and acquire or create new management tools based on recommendations

* Put in place a system to recruit, select, hire, train, and evaluate employees

* Compile a new or improve the current company policy manual for systems, procedures, duties and responsibilities

* Conduct internal training and development programs (especially for Sales personnel)

* Change organization structure and work flow processes to improve efficiencies

* Research and implement programs to improve communication throughout the company

* Require Forecasting and Planning from all department managers

* Gather ideas and implement new programs for improved customer service and support

* Automate every possible function or process within the company

For ideas on how to build a stronger and more successful company, I strongly encourage you to ask all of your own employees to focus on possibilities and opportunities not yet envisioned and to bring their ideas to the table.

My next article will focus on design and development of the Sales and Marketing plan itself! Until then, good selling!

Kenny Nau, Director of Sales

6.) Security Guards for the Paperless Office

Do you have a secure network? As technology moves forward and our industry converts to the paperless office most business owners become obsessed with security. We all know that computer crime is an important issue in today's industry. However, most business owners and managers do not realize that hackers and viruses are not the largest threats; employee theft and sabotage top the list. There are several ways to minimize the adverse effects an employee can have on a company. One of the easiest sabotage prevention tools we have found is a USB security key. USB security keys have very low overhead with minimal setup. These keys provide a higher level of accountability (non-repudiation), while protecting valued employees from false accusations. Let your secure network work for you.

Jeremy Martin CISSP, CCNA, A+, Network+

7.) Can you change?

I changed my approach and now when someone asks for help or education I first ask the question "Can you change what you are doing?" the answer is usually "Yes". Yet in the final analysis I find that the company has not made the suggested changes. I have realized that this apparent refusal to change even when we want to change is based on fear. I relate this to a story I heard once about some people who were lost at sea for several weeks on a life raft. When they were finally found, the rescuers reported that almost every one of them had to be physically forced to leave the raft even though the raft was on the verge of sinking. It's not that they didn't believe that the ship was safer, it's that they feared the change from what had been their stability and safety. The same fear affects what happens within a company. Fear creates discomfort, forcing a company to keep doing what they have always done, even when they know it's wrong.

Read more: http://www.pluss.net/articles/CAN-YOU-CHANGE.htm

Jerry Iverson

Inventory Controls and Point-of-Sale Specialist

Educator and Consultant for PLUSS Corporation

8.) PRODUCTS AND SALES

* Standalone TouchScreen TimeClock $159

* Security Policy Templates $179

* Save 10% on Information System Vulnerability assessments

* PLUSS Publishing sale – STOCK CALIF R7 forms on sale now for $125.00 @ BOX

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR INVOICES TO STAND OUT FROM THE REST?

FREE SETUP FOR YOUR LOGOS AND ART WORK ON ALL FORMS AND CHECKS.

5565 Hwy 2 West . Suite 1 . Columbia Falls, MT 59912 . 1-800-835-9609 . Fax: 406-892-8611 . Web site: http://www.pluss.net/