Archive for September, 2007

by Tli
Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except over technology. Today’s world technology is the king and ruling the universal. More and more companies are coming with their expertise and providing offshore outsourcing software development services. Offshore outsourcing not only saves time but also healthy amount of money if you know what you need. Outsourcing software development is a developed task that involves huge investments and specialized workforce.

Life cycle of custom application development:
• Gather and understand your Business Requirements
• Outline the solution and define the solution architecture
• Develop prototypes for demos to the end user
• Design solution details
• Develop the solution
• Validate the solution against your business requirements
• Quality Check
• Roll out the solution across your organization and support the solution

In order to leverage the benefits of outsourcing, you need to engage with an organization that has people who can listen and understand your business needs and talk the language of your trade. Understand the business process outsourcing is a key factor in increasing the overall productivity, quality, and cost effectiveness of your organization. While bringing global quality and comparative cost-advantage to the table, Tli software extremely committed to add tangible value to your business. Engaged with customers across the world and consistently delivered the benefits of outsourcing to its clients. It emphasis on processes and commitment to delivering world- class cost-effective software solutions gives us a unique competitive advantage over other players in the market.

Outsourcing is as about partnership and about entrusting your business process. TLI Software believe that what we bring to the table should be flexible and adaptable - enabling your business to partner with us in ways that suit your business environment. This means that the engagement models that currently operate under have been primarily designed to suit your needs. Simply put, the engagement models are based on flexibility, adaptability, and efficiency. Models are flexible and adaptable depending on your business processes and the nature of business you do.

For more information on outsourcing custom software, custom software development services, offshore it outsourcing, outsourcing software development and website application development please visit www.tlisoftware.com/getaresponse.html

TLI Software is headquartered in Toronto, Canada with a global delivery center in Bangalore, India. Our associate corporate offices located in North America and Europe cater to the needs of clients in the United States and the United Kingdom.

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LAN Messenger, a instant LAN messaging software for home or office users, can be very useful for your work, One LAN instant messenger enables you to communicate with other users connected across the same LAN, allows you to chat with one or more users, or to send an alert message that will show as a small pop-up window on the users desktop. some Land messenger includes many features like auto-reply text, file transfers, multi-user chat, online status, alert messages to all users and more.

This article will help you find one land messenger for your business. These freeware or sharewares combine ease-of-use, power and flexibility.

Bopup Messenger, it is from blabsoft, this instant messenger enables you to communicate with other users connected across the same LAN. It is compatible with standard messengers like WinPopup and Net Send. It has extended message support, scans users and computers on a local network, and supports 10 languages. It includes an ignore list, file transfer, message logging, command line support and group support.

Softros LAN Messenger is another network messenger for your company office with support for file transfers, message broadcasting and encrypted conversations. It does not require a server or Internet connection and will automatically detect any clients that are currently connected to the network. Other features include group messages, message history log, sound notifications, away/busy status and more. Softros LAN Messenger is easy-to-use and can be used immediately without any further configuration.

Bopup Messenger, This instant messenger enables you to communicate with other users connected across the same LAN. It is compatible with standard messengers like WinPopup and Net Send. It has extended message support, scans users and computers on a local network, and supports 10 languages. It includes an ignore list, file transfer, message logging, command line support and group support.

PcMessenger is an easy to use instant messaging software for office communication. It does not require a server or an internet connection and is easy to install. Required .Net Framework 2.0 is included in Setup. Utilizes a small memory footprint; 3,000K. Includes features such as Group messaging, User defined Presets for fast response, Spell Check, Attachment option, capability to insert, cut and paste graphic images and much more.

All these software are easy to setup and does not require a dedicated server or Internet connection. The client is feature rich with chat, notification, conferencing, and file transfer. One business IM system designed for your local area network can help you more.

Software Reviews & Downloads | LAN Messenger | Bopup Messenger

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by TL Kleban
Do you know anyone who does not own an iPod? I didn’t think so. It seems like everyone from your mother and father down to your kid brother now has one. All of these iPods in one home sharing the same computer can make life a little hectic when it comes to managing each individual iTunes.

The problem for many families is that it can be somewhat confusing to handle multiple iPods on one computer. It can be even more difficult to manage if each iPod owner has different tastes of music. If you’re not careful, you just may end up with every song from the library or worse yet an iTunes filled with all of mom’s country music songs.

The solution is simple and quick to accomplish. Use iTunes to your advantage. It can easily tell the difference between multiple iPods and manage settings for all of them for you. iTunes can be set to update each iPod with only certain playlists. Here is how you can do this.

• Each time you set up a new iPod on your iTunes, you are going to need to give it a unique name. More than likely, you would do this anyway but it is still an important step not to forget about.
• Ok now that you have set up a name for the first iPod of the group select the “manually manage music” option and make sure it is checked. Doing so prevents ITunes from adding every single song in the library on to the iPod.
• Set up a playlist for each individual iPod. Make sure each playlist has its own name that is clear to anyone who will be using the iTunes library. Naming the playlist after the person who owns the iPod seems to be the most common thing to do. Right click on the playlist and hit rename to give it a name.
• Once, you are done creating distinct playlists, start creating song libraries for each one by dragging over songs you want to add. Whenever new songs are added to the iTunes library, be sure you add them to the appropriate playlist.
• You’re more than halfway there. Everything else is pretty easy. Now, you’ll need to update all of the sync settings for each iPod. This is done by going to the “music” tab of the iPod window when the iPod is plugged into the iTunes and choosing the button “selected playlists”. You’ll need to do this for each iPod. If you’ve created a certain playlist, select that one to sync only that music to his iPod whenever it is connected.
• Once you’re done setting up all the sync setting, the only thing you need to do is apply those setting to each iPod. You’re pretty much completed with the entire process. Head back to the main page of the iTunes library and uncheck the manually manage music box. Each iPod will now be automatically synced to its corresponding playlist every time it’s connected.

SoundOnUSA offers practical wireless audio solutions. SoundOnUSA products include Wireless Speaker Systems, wireless gaming headphones, Sound Hoppers and other products delivering audio data without wires. Visit them at www.soundonusa.com.

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by Andrew A Karasev
Great Plains Software Dynamics is predecessor of Microsoft Dynamics GP or Microsoft Great Plains. In December 2004 Microsoft terminated support for version 7.5, the last version available on Pervasive SQL 2000 (former Btrieve) and Ctree/Faircom. Non Microsoft SQL Server version of Dynamics was recommended to be migrated to MSDE (MS SQL Server with restrictions). There were several licensing issues with this transition, one of them was capping employee count at 500 employees for Great Plains Standard (successor of Great Plains on Pervasive) — this cap made impossible for small payroll service firms to serve their clients (including corporations with high number of employees) out of Great Plains. We still see some number of GP Dynamics installations and we would like to give some support highlights in this small article:

1. How to move on and upgrade to current version of GP? There are two sides: business and technical. Business side will require you to reenroll your company to Microsoft Business Solutions annual enhancement program, if you are not current (more likely the case since you are on very old version of Dynamics). Annual enhancement is percentage of software pricelist, around 16-18%, plus expect reenrollment fee above that. When you are back in enhancement program — you get reg key for newest and previous versions of GP. Technical side is not very difficult — there is migration tool, which will allow you to migrate to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005 based version (path depends on your circumstances), you will need professional GP consulting firm to do this job

2. Typical support issues. One of the most popular support topics is Location Translation problem. In order to understand location translation for Btrieve or Ctree you should be aware, that these DB platforms require user workstation data request processing (opposite to SQL Server case — where GP workstation sends tabular text request to SQL Server and waits the response). This means that your user computer, where you have GP workstation installed should know where server data is located (exact directory and path to your Dynamics and companies folders). Now if you move your GP database to new server or different stand along workstation, the old location typically changes and you need to do so-called location translation procedure. This location translation scenario is tipically complicated with Btrieve kernel and requester settings, manifesting when you move GP data to new computer

3. GP on Pervasive Data repair techniques. Our favorite instrument is Microsoft Access, where we make ODBC links to Great Plains tables. This tool will allow you to have Access queries to GP database and if it not a full featured SQL connection, it is in most of the cases efficient to data repair needs

4. Crystal Reports to Pervasive SQL database. Here you work through ODBC connection to Btrieve DB. Based on the connection method you either deploy Dexterity keys or do ad hoc select statements to the data (which is slower)

5. Microsoft SQL Server Linked Server technique. This is another hint on hooking up Pervasive SQL 2000 data via ODBC connection, in this case you should consider building heterogeneous SQL queries with Openrowset statements

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group: http://www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving Microsoft Dynamics GP Great Plains customers in USA/Canada nationwide. Local service is available in Houston, TX: Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Friendswood, Meadows, Mission Bend, Jersey Village; Chicago, IL: Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Joliet, Wheaton, Lisle, Downers Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, Lombard, Woodridge

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by John East
There are several categories of static UPS systems available. Broadly speaking, UPS Modules fall within one of three operational design architectures, namely off-line, line interactive and on-line.

However, irrespective of their individual design criteria certain features are common to all forms of static UPS systems - i.e., they all contain batteries which store energy when the mains supply is available and a means of converting the battery charge into an alternating current (ac) supply in times of mains failure. All systems must therefore include a battery charger and a power inverter circuit.

As described above, the battery provides a power source for the inverter when the mains supply fails, whereupon it discharges at a rate determined by the critical load connected to the UPS output. The inverter automatically shuts down when its dc supply falls below a certain voltage, therefore the duration for which the critical load can be supported in times of mains failure depends upon the battery capacity and the percentage applied load.

A typical UPS system, which may be referred to as, Uninteruptible power supplies, Uninteruptable power supplies, Uninterruptable power supplies, Uninterruptible power supplies, Energy Systems, or simply UPS, will contain sufficient battery capacity to support its fully rated output load for 5 to 15 minutes. However, in most cases this can be extended by adding further battery cabinets or selecting batteries of a higher capacity. The battery backup time is often referred to as the autonomy time.

Virtually all systems contain a `bypass` system which, in conjunction with some form of output switching circuit, provides a means of connection the critical load directly to the mains supply. In most cases the output switching circuit is implemented using solid-state switching devices. The rules governing the static switch control depend on the UPS operating mode.

Line-Interactive System

This type of UPS covers a range of hybrid devices that attempt to offer a higher level of performance than conventional off-line designs by adding voltage regulation features in the bypass line. The two most popular types of system in this category employ either a buck/boot transformer or a ferroresonant transformer.

Like off-line models, line-interactive UPS normally supply the critical load through the bypass line and transfer it to the inverter in the event of a bypass supply failure. The battery, charger and inverter power blocks are utilised in the same manner as in an off-line system but due to the added `regulation` circuits in the bypass line the load is transferred to the battery-fed inverter supply less often, making this type of system slightly more efficient in terms of running cots and batter `wear` compared with an off-line system.

Buck/Boost Transformer Design

One of the drawbacks of the straightforward off-line design is that the load must be transferred to the inverter immediately the bypass supply voltage reaches voltage limits acceptable to the load. This means that the UPS might transfer between bypass and inverter quite frequently if it is set up to operate with a critical load having a tight voltage tolerance. Apart from the power break each time this occurs, this method of operation incurs frequent battery usage which reduces battery life and might perhaps result in a battery that is inadequately charged when it is called upon to support a prolonged mains blackout.

A buck-boost transformer connected in the bypass line helps overcome this problem. The transformer has tapped secondary windings which are selected by relays to either step-up or step-down the bypass voltage as appropriate to maintain the UPS output voltage within the required output voltage limits. This means of controlling the output voltage permits a wider variation of bypass voltage to exist before the output voltage reaches its limits and initiates a load transfer to inverter.

A typical UPS in this category will sustain the load voltage over a bypass voltage range of +20.

Note that although the output voltage is maintained within its preferred window using this method, buck/boot switching unavoidably leads to a degree of step voltage changes as tap changes take place.

On-Line System

An immediate difference between this design and the previously described off-line system is that the battery charger is replaced by a `rectifier/charger` black. The rectifier/charger may be two separate units or a combined power black. When the mains supply is present this black float charges the battery and supplies the inverter with a stable de voltage. In the absence of the mains supply the charger shuts down and the inverter dc supply is provided by the battery, which begins to discharge. The connection between the rectifier/battery and inverter is often known as the dc busbar , or dc bus.

As part of its control function the rectifier/charger generally includes an input current limit feature to provide overload protection an a dc overvoltage shutdown mechanism to protect the batter/inverter and dc filter components

This UPS design, which is sometimes also referred to as a double conversion UPS, offers the greatest degree of critical supply integrity in that the load is supplied with processed power at all times. That is, when the UPS input mains supply is resent the rectifier, charger and inverter power blocks are all active and the load is connected to the inverter output via the static switch. As the load is powered from the inverter under normal circumstances it is well protected from input supply aberrations because the rectifier and inverter act as a barrier to mains borne noise and transient voltage excursions, in addition to providing a well regulated output voltage.

If the input supply goes outside a preset voltage range (typically +10), or suffers a total failure, the inverter continues operating from battery power and the event is totally transparent to the load as there is no transfer operation involved. When operating from battery power the inverter supplies the same degree of supply regulation as when the main is present.

If the mains is not restored before the battery reaches its end-of-discharge voltage the inverter shuts down and, in some models, the static switch may attempt to transfer the load to the bypass line. The result of the transfer action depends on whether or not the module`s bypass line is connected to the same mains supply as the modules rectifier, and if the bypass supply is live. (Known as a split bypass system.)

What Happens if the UPS Fails?

A UPS Fault is generally seen as the inability of the inverter to provide the correct voltage or requency at the UPS output terminals and the resulting actions that take place may vary between models. Usually, the UPS control logic will detect the failing output voltage/frequency as the fault occurs and immediately signal the static switch control system to transfer the load to the bypass line in a make-before-break fashions. However, if the inverter is not synchronised to the bypass supply when the transfer is called fro it will be impossible to perform a break-free transfer operation, consequently there will be a brief supply break while the transfer takes place.

These are the only circumstances under which the load is subjected to a (brief) supply break in a true on-line ups system.

Note that although the break-free transfer to bypass is transparent to the load it is no longer supplied with processed power once it is transferred to the bypass supply; also, if the bypass supply is unavailable when the `fault` transfer is necessary a total loss of power to the critical load is unavoidable.

The static switch usually transfers the critical load back to the inverter automatically once the inverter fault clears. This feature is occasionally described as auto-retransfer.

The response of an on-line system to an output overload is usually similar to that of the UPS failure described above in that the load is transferred to bypass until the cause of the overload clears whereupon it automatically re-transfers back to the inverter. If the bypass supply is unavailable this will lead to a total loss of load supply, therefore some systems allow an overload condition to continue to be supplied from the inverter for a finite time ? that is the UPS equipment is able to supply enough current to a faulty piece of load equipment to ensure that the load protection fuse or circuit breaker will automatically disconnect if from the UPS.

While feeding the overload under these circumstances the inverter operates in a current-limit mode and its output voltage may be reduced deliberately, but in most cases this is preferable to total power loss and of course conditions will return to normal if the overload is cleared during the allotted time.

Parallel Systems

This type of system comprises two or more UPS modules sometimes referred to operating in parallel to feed a common critical load bus, and is generally applicable to medium/high rated modules of on-line design. Units forming part of such a multi-module system are almost identical in operation to that of their corresponding single module counterparts. In fact, some manufacturers deign their UPS modules such that they can be used in either configuration without the need for complex modification.

Each module contains a static switch to provide a means of transferring the load between inverter and bypass. However, a certain amount of inter-module electronic control logic is added to ensure that all the module’s static switches operate simultaneously when transferring from one power source to the other. Damage would result if one module attempted to transfer its output to the bypass line which the others remained on inverter. Additional inverter control functionality is also required to facilitate inter-module load sharing and frequency synchronisation. These control signals, and others, are passed between the modules over low voltage control cables which are normally connected in a ring configuration to allow each module to communicate with every other module in the system.

One advantage of providing external input and output isolators for each of the modules is that it allows modules to be fully isolated and `hot-swapped` if necessary without disrupting the remainder of the system.

There are two major reasons for installing a parallel system. The first is to increase the effective UPS capacity to enable the ’system’ to power a larger load that is otherwise possible with single module. The second is to introduce a measure of module redundancy to improve the anticipated system reliability. Parallel UPS systems are therefore commonly categorised as either `capacity` or `redundancy` systems, although some are intelligent enough to operate as either, depending on the prevailing circumstances.

Irrespective of the intended mode, all the modules forming part of a parallel system must be of the same type and rating - i.e. it is not possible to parallel a 30kVA unit with one of 120kVA.

Installing the UPS Delivery and Positioning The importance of planning the installation and delivery of the UPS system cannot be overstated. Having chosen a particular system and topology it is important to decide:

1. Will the system fit into the space reserved for it?
2. Is the proposed location suitable?
3. Can and how will the system be transported to the location

Size & Weight

Improvements in UPS technology and design have provided much higher power densities which when combined with the flexible installation options for modern parallel systems make it much easier to find space for UPS systems. Also, because the most modern designs no longer need bulky and heavy input transformers, installation of very powerful UPS systems is no longer limited to the ground floor or basement plant room.

The manufacturer or supplier will provide details of space requirements and details of module weights in the UPS system specification.

Be sure to consider possible future expansion when choosing a UPS location and if you can allow extra space over and above the manufacturers recommended minimum, maintenance and service will be easier.

A UPS system is not just a big battery box. It contains electronic components similar to those found in computers and therefore requires careful handling when being transported. Additionally, large UPS equipment will be heavy and unwieldy and will require specialist contractors using `air-ride` suspension vehicles and specialised lifting equipment to unload and position it.

The UPS supplier should be able to recommend handling procedures and suitable contractors with experience in this field.

Choosing a Suitable Location

The choice of a particular installation location for the UPS depends on many things:

1. How much space is available?
2. Can the floor safely support the weight of the equipment?
3. Will the installation cause continued inconvenience to the existing personnel and business?
4. Are the environmental conditions at the chosen location suitable?
5. Can access to the UPS equipment be made secure yet convenient?
6. Does the UPS comprise one module or several in parallel?
7. What is the effect of the installation on existing air flow and air conditioning equipment?
8. Will the switchgear controlling the UPS be in the same area?
9. Can the chose area safely accommodate the battery installation?

In general the location chosen for modern UPS can be summarised as follows:

Small UPS - less that about 20kVA, can be installed in a normal office environment although care should be taken to ensure that the additional noise and heat does not adversely effect the office environment.

Medium UPS - between 20 and 100kVA are designed to be installed in computer rooms.

Large UPS - greater that 100kVA, will usually be located either in a separate UPS room or in an existing plant room

Transporting the System

Having chosen a suitable location to suit the UPS system it is vital to survey the proposed transportation route. If a specialist delivery contractor has been employed for the task they will usually undertake a site access survey before attempting to deliver any equipment.

Even if the location chosen for the installation could in fact accommodate an addional three or four UPS, access to the area may prove problematic.

Check the access route:

1. Is the site easily accessible by road? Bear in mind the size of the delivery vehicle and the equipment required to off-load the UPS. 1. Are all doorways large enough for the UPS equipment and any transportation equipment to pass through?

2. Ensure the equipment can be moved along the entire route especially around corners.

3. Will the UPS need to be carried across soft or uneven surfaces?

4. Are there any stairs between the off-loading point and the final location?

5. If the equipment must be transported using a goods lift, chick that the lift has the required capacity.

6. Ensure that site staff are aware the equipment is being delivered and have made every effort to ensure that access along the route is unhindered on the day of delivery

Environmental Considerations
Heat
All UPS manufacturers will quote a maximum operating temperature for their equipment (typically +40C). The air conditioning plant must have sufficient capacity to maintain the conditions stated. Obviously the overall efficiency of the UPS will have a significant effect on both the size and the operating cost of the air conditioning plant. The high efficiency figures (up to 97). Whilst most UPS equipment is well designed, high relative humidity levels may promote corrosion of cabinets and internal parts. Simple dehumidification equipment is available for sites where this may be a problem.

Audible Noise The unit of sound intensity is the decibel (dB) and it represents the ratio between the sound level measured with a microphone and a reference sound level, Odb, which is defined to be approximately equal to the threshold of human hearing. However as the human ear is less sensitive to very low and very high frequencies, an additional `A` Filter is applied when measuring background or other intrusive noises, hence the dBA unit used by all UPS manufacturers.

Typical audible noise figures for fully loaded UPS equipment range from 50dBA for 5dVA to 60dBA at 60kVA.

Electrical Installation

Installation Contractors
Electrically installing a UPS, sometimes refer to as or protected power system is a specialised task and should only be performed by a qualified and experienced electrical contractor.

The supplier of the UPS equipment should be able to undertake the installation work or supply a list of suitable contractors who can provide references of previous installations. Take the time to:
1. Check the credentials of the staff who will be installing the equipment
2. Contact and investigate previous installations and discuss their work with the staff on the other sites. It is important to ensure that the installation is carried out in strict accordance with the supplier’s instructions and it complies with local and national electrical installation regulations.

Installation Design
Small and medium sized UPS equipment will probable require very little installation work and minimal changes to the existing electrical wiring. However, if larger, high-power UPS equipment is being installed then careful consideration of the switchgear and cabling arrangements must be made.

Considerable time and therefore cost savings can be made by carefully planning the electrical installation to allow for possible business growth and the addition of extra UPS Modules.

Using an integrated switchgear and bushbar solution, makes the installation process for a modern parallel system much simpler by:
1. Providing a single point of entry for the incoming mains supply
2. a single point of entry for the bypass mains supply
3. a fully interlocked maintenance (or wrap-around) bypass circuit
4. correctly sized bushbars and circuit breakers
5. co-ordinated protection for the load and UPS equipment
6. straightforward connection of load distribution panels

Connecting the Critical Loads

In order to make best use of the UPS equipment and to ensue maximum protection of the critical load it is important to consider carefully how best to connect the load components. Large ring circuits feeding many critical load devices and unsuitable as a fault on one device may cause the circuit feeding it to trip or fuse and consequently disconnect power to other pieces of important equipment.

Radial wiring with individual devices protected by their own circuit breakers is a far better approach? In this way a fault in one device will cause that device only to be disconnected and remaining critical load elements will remain undisturbed.

To avoid confusion, particular attention must be paid to the labelling of circuit breakers and fuses in the load distribution panels.

Earthing

In any electrical installation correct earthing is essential for personnel safety and equipment protection. A protected power installation in no exception, it is a essential to ensure that all earthing points within the system are connected to a properly planned and secure earthing system.
As a minimum a properly planned and secure earthing system for a computer and UPS installation must provide:
1. Protection against electrical shock
2. A short, low impedance return path for fault currents
3. A path for induced currents caused by high voltages such as lightning
4. Straightforward connection facilities for future expansion.
Most earthing installations are based on star or grid configurations.

Generator Maintenance and Testing

A regular generator service program should include tests and checks of the following:
1. Cooling system
Radiator/heat exchanger, coolant, hoses and connections, fan drive pulley and fan, fan belts, jacket water heater, water pump, thermostats.

1. Fuel system
Fuel tank, water trap/separator, fuel lines and connections, governor and controls, fuel filters ? primary/secondary, fuel pressure, air induction and exhaust system, air filter, air filter service indicator, air inlet system, turbocharger, exhaust manifold, valves and valve rotators.

1. Lubrication oil system Oil, oil filters, oil pressure, crankcase breather

1. Starting system
Batteries, battery specific gravity, battery charger, starting motor, alternator, engine monitor and safety controls, gauges, remote annunciators/alarms

1. Generator
Bearings, slip rings and brushes, space heaters, vibration isolators

1. Control panel
Start controls - manual/auto, voltmeter, ammeter, frequency meter, circuit breaker, auto transfer switch

1. Gas engine
Gas lines and connections, carburettor and linkage, magneto/distributor, ignition system, spark plugs
1. Insulation test
Main stator, main rotor, exciter stator, exciter rotor

1. Load testing With full load, perform a two to four hour load test

Overall Energy Systems Testing

As well as performing the periodic Planned Maintenance of each part of the system, consideration should be given to testing the entire system on a regular basis.

An overall system test will involve putting the critical load at risk so careful arrangements and agreements must be made.

Mains Failure Test

Disconnect the mains supply to the protected power equipment for an extended period and check:
” With no generator :
” the UPS battery supports the critical load for the expected autonomy time
” all alarms and control signals are correct?
” the critical load responds correctly to any signals received from the UPS equipment e.g. system alarms, orderly shutdown sequence etc.

If a generator is installed:

1. the Automatic Mains Fail (AMF) equipment operates correctly
2. the generator auto-starts after the expected time
3. the generator output supply is correct and within acceptable UPS input limits.
4. the UPS accepts the generator supply
5. battery recharging takes place while the UPS is being supplied by the generator.

Mains Restoration Test

Following the Mains Failure Test, re-connect the mains supply to the protected power equipment and check:
With no generator:
If the UPS is fitted with auto-restart facilities,
1. The system returns to normal operation automatically, otherwise all UPS modules can be re-started manually and the system restored to normal operation
2. All alarms can be reset.

If a generator is installed:
” the Automatic Mains Fail (AMF equipment operates correctly
” the UPS signals a mains failure during the changeover
” the generator shuts down after the expected time
” the UPS accepts the restored mains power supply and recharges the batteries
” all alarms can be reset.

PowerContinuity Means Business Continuity

Please visit our website at http://www.powercontinuity.co.uk or call us on 0845 055 8455 for further details.

For further information regarding Uninterruptible Power Supplies please visit our website.

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by John East
We have to thank Rudolf Diesel who issued a patent for a proposed engine back in 1892 for this radical form of power plant and he eventually got the patent approved in 1898.

His aim was to provide a convenient mobile internal combustion engine that would run efficiently in any conditions. Although he had in mind the newly invented automobile, Rudolf Diesel was looking at the use in industry to move heavy loads and provide independent power for factories that has been up until that time been using steam and water power.

It was Rudolf Diesel, the father of Diesel Generators , who proved that fuel could be ignited without the requirement of a spark. This is particularly useful when requiring power in confined or dangerous areas, such as fuel depots, ships, submarines, factories. When compared with petrol engines, diesel power plants are far more cost effect as they provide more power from each litre of fuel as well as requiring at least 50% less fuel than an equivalent petrol driven engine.

One hundred years later his designs have been significantly improved, although the basic engineering philosophy remains the same.

Diesel Generators are the most common form of mobile or standby power in the world. The recent surge in Asian Growth, especially in China, as seen the renaissance of the diesel generator.

Available in sizes from 5kVA up to 5 Megawatts, diesel generators are the back bone of world wide industry.

Standby Diesel Generators are commonly used by all major Hospitals, Military forces, government buildings, data centres, banks and distribution networks to protect their critical systems from power failures caused by power outages.

Companies such as Volvo and Scania famous for their indestructible trucks have also long been synonymous with manufacturing powerful Diesel Generators for use in Cruise liners, Factories and as Standby Generators .

Diesel generators can work at altitudes impossible for any other form of power plant. Temperatures too cold for other forms of power are easily accommodated by diesel generators because they have a built in water heater to keep the vital parts and the oils warm, 24-7 enabling this modern day work horse to continue around the clock.

Treated kindly, a diesel generator will out last any other form of power plant . Regular maintenance , oil changes, injections etc. will guarantee 30, 40 of even 50 years of service out living the work force it protects.

When a disaster happens, its diesel generators that are airlifted to help the needy.

The world owes a debt to Rudolf Diesel. He was famous in life and a legend in death.

PowerContinuity Means Business Continuity

Please visit our website at http://www.powercontinuity.co.uk or call us on 0845 055 8455 for further details.

For further information regarding Uninterruptible Power Supplies please visit our website.

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by Aprile Leland
There is a possibility of having a MDB file marked as corrupt even if there is no actual corruption of data, and it is important for Access users to realize this. Whoever tries to access the database while there is a corruption alert will be made aware about it, and the database will need to be repaired before anyone can open it. When users do not have the required permission to repair the database, or have no experience repairing a database, there will be a considerable amount of delay in operations because the database is not functional. When there is delay in operations, objectives will not be accomplished and deadlines will not be met, causing low morale in the working environment.

So, how do you avoid the catastrophic effects of database corruption in your workplace? Here are 5 tips to follow that will help lessen the occurrence of corruption in your database.

1) Use only good quality hardware.

Using cheap hardware for your network connections can cost you even more. Keep in mind that the slightest problem with your network connectivity can affect your database and cause an error or corruption alert. Make it a point to use good quality hardware such as brand name network cards. Don’t settle for less.

2) Close the database application properly.

Always exit the database properly. Use the File->Exit or other methods of exiting provided by Access. Do not ever use the Task Manager via CTRL+ALT+DEL to exit your Access database as it can cause errors or corruption in your database.

3) Don’t maintain network connection unnecessarily.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a user or a programmer. You should always close your connections in the right manner as soon as possible when you’re finished with your work on the database. This will lessen the chances of unanticipated dropped connection. If your connection is used inside a loop, open the connection at the start of the loop, and then close it when the loop is finished.

4) Separate your database into a front-end and back-end.

One of the most important things to do in avoiding errors and corruption in your Access database is to split it into a front-end and a back-end. The front-end stores most of your database objects such as forms, queries, and reports. A copy of this should be stored in each user’s computer. As for the back-end, your tables should be stored in a shared folder there on the network. Since forms, queries, and reports are mostly used individually, it is reasonable to put them in local workstations, rather than put them in a shared folder in the network. It is also reasonable to store your tables in the back-end for the network to share, because they are the sources for queries, forms, and reports. The tables contain the only data that need to be shared. This way, there is less data going through the network, minimizing the chances of errors and corruption.

5) Don’t forget to use Compact and Repair.

There is a Compact and Repair function in Access, and using this on a regular basis is highly recommended to avoid corruption and enhance the performance of your application. Apply this function to all of your databases during times when there is least or no activity concerning your databases.

Also be familiar with these error messages. These may signal database corruption:

” Microsoft Access has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
” Unrecognized Database Format
” Unexpected Error 35012
” ‘filename.mdb’ isn’t an index in this table. Look in the Indexes collection of the TableDef object to determine the valid index names.
” “Disk Error — Reserved error (-1601)”
” “The database has been placed in an unexpected state.”
” “The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot find the input table or query ‘MSysAccessObjects’. Make sure it exists and that its name is spelled correctly.”

Conclusion:
Following these 5 simple tips will save you a lot of frustration from the effects of a corrupted database. Though these methods will not prevent all Access database corruption, applying these methods will stop most problems before they happen. Just always remember to backup your data just in case, and perform good maintenance to your network hardware.

Aprile Leland is a technical writer for Access Database Repair Center, experts in Microsoft Access database recovrey and repair. For more information, visit their website at http://www.accessdatabaserepair.com

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by Jimi St Pierre
The Age-Old Problem: Cost Control

According to IBM, Gartner and Aberdeen Group, between 75-80% of invoices in any business or organisation, are still processed manually - despite the advent of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). These days, sophisticated invoice processing solutions are available to cut a swathe through the time and costs involved in handling supplier payments and to enhance business workflow.

Invoice Processing: The Real Costs

With a manual system, hundreds — often thousands — of invoices must be reviewed and entered onto an accounting system, at massive cost in terms of labour, time and potential error.

Byline Group’s research into Accounts Payable processing has shown that 90% of Accounts payable invoice processing involves keying data from paper; that the average time taken to process and Accounts Payable invoice is 12 days, and that 25% of all invoices are paid late.

Also according to Byline’s research an accounts payable clerk handles just 70 invoices per day on average. Thus it is easy to put a labour cost on the front end processing. But the repercussions are felt further down the line too.

Invoice Processing Solutions: Key Benefits

Invoice processing solutions comprise software to allow invoice processing to be speeded up massively. This has a great impact on reducing accounts admin costs associated with invoice processing and also enables companies to make best use of any time critical payment times which may attract supplier discounts.

Automated invoice processing solutions allow a wide variety of typical invoices to be scanned at the same time and for them to be automatically reconciled against the original purchase order with minimal user intervention or data entry.

In essence, an invoice processing system uses sophisticated OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and data matching techniques

Invoice Processing Solutions:

The Basic Principal - The best invoice processing solutions will automatically scan, extract and validate invoice data and feed directly to an accounting system. Invoices come in a multitude of formats, layouts and styles from a wide variety of different suppliers. They can be machine printed or part handwritten, single or multi-page, coloured or white paper, and come from home or abroad.

However, all of these can be handled simply by scanning in a seed invoice and selecting the items of information that you want to capture. This is done by defining a target zone for each of them; the system will automatically distinguish between the field label e.g. VAT amount and the associated value. If you now select the supplier name as a unique attribute of all such invoices, every invoice from this supplier can automatically be recognised and processed and the captured data sent straight to the accounting system.

Sophisticated Functionality

The challenges of identifying columns and lines of information, knowing where one item description ends and another begins, handwritten information, validation against almost any criteria or data values — all these are the remit of sophisticated invoice processing systems today.

Managing digitised invoices through the entire workflow approval process offers the potential for even greater efficiency and cost savings, and so it pays to check out software providers who can offer an interface with purchase-to-pay (P2P), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Electronic Content management (ECM) and Document Management (DM) to offer integrated workflow solutions.

Invoice Processing: Summary Benefits

1. Removes the need to handle and store large volumes of paper
2. Increases staff productivity and reduce processing costs
3. Faster invoice processing improves supplier relationships
4. More up-to-date position of the business/organisation’s financial position
5. Reporting on all financial transactions assists with compliance to appropriate Accounting Standards

Jimi St. Pierre writes for several Office IT Equipment suppliers in the UK, including document management systems supplier Principal. The Principal Office IT Systems website can be found at => http://www.principalcorp.co.uk/

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by Ashish juneja
Software testing is the process of testing the correctness, completeness, security, and quality of an application or computer software.

Testing is an extremely crucial phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC). And today’s software developers have to face demanding customers who expect 100% flawless functioning of the software they have bought. A well-tested application, product or service is, therefore, a necessity to ensure customer satisfaction.

Some of the common attributes for which software or application is tested are capability, reliability, efficiency, portability, maintainability, compatibility and usability. A good test brings out all the errors. Software testing plays a crucial strategic role in determining the quality of the product. It also underlines the customer’s requirements all the way through the product cycle.

In order to have a bug free quality software or application you should always look for people who employ and refine product & computer testing methods to make sure that they deliver only top-notch quality web application testing solutions to customers and conform to the most rigid standards of software quality assurance (SQA).

Product and software testing services must ensure that the software is bug-free, stable and works flawlessly on a variety of user PCs. Minimize the cost of customer support and maximize customer satisfaction by detecting and fixing all bugs and flaws before your software reaches end-users. Your product should be free from technical anomalies, ensuring lesser number of complaints, greater customer satisfaction and optimum retention rates.

Some of the most common and renowned testing procedures are functional testing, usability testing, accessibility testing, compatibility testing, performance testing (stress, load and volume testing), and acceptance testing.

Software testing services should be developed to provide customers with the right type of service for quality conformance and quick turnaround needs. Life cycle testing includes a wide range of functional, performance-based and operational testing requirements.

For more information on software testing services like web application testing and software product testing, log onto www.olive global.co.uk

For more information plz log onto:Software testing services,software product testing,web application testing

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by Paul archer
Your interested in getting all the downloads without the hassle, right? Your looking for the secret no one knows about, right? You want all the downloads the easy way.

The Hard Way First

The hard way to download music to your Zuneplayer is to purchase it from a web store. Examples are iTunes, Napster and others. Microsoft has also set a Zunemarketplace where there are more than 2 million soundtracks you can purchase and download. The prices ranges from $0.99 to $2.49 each. Do you know the average MP3 owner downloads 300 songs and 20 videos a year. When you calculate the figure up, it totals out around $500 bucks. WOW! Now that’s the hard way to get music downloads.

Shake The Habit - Explore Your Options

Enter the world outside Zune marketplace and explore the overwhelming benefits that are only steps away from you clicking a few buttons. Don’t limit yourself to just one way when there is always more. Grasp your fingers tightly around your mouse as your about to find out how to download Zune music the easy way!

Straight To The Source

Do you know there is a network with over 100 million MP3 / Zune music & movie downloads with people just like you downloading hit songs by popular artist such as; Akon, Eminen, 50Cent & Britney Spears going on right Now.
Would you like to know how they are doing it so you can too? There are several ways to going about it.

You can find popular sites such as izune access and use them to get your content. They are just one source, there are many. Example: Say you were shopping for a pair of hot new shoes, you could go to foot locker or Olympia sports or even a generic store like Shoe depot or something like that. All they are is a medium to the source. The same applies to getting content for your Zune. The only one issue is and just like as if you were shopping for shoes, some times the generic stores are dirty and not well maintained and you rather buy from footlocker because even though the shoes are the same the ones from foot locker seem to feel better and are completely worth paying the extra five bucks for the better service.

So when your looking for a Zune music download site to get your content go with the popular one’s. They are popular for a reason and usually that reason is because people like them better. How to find a popular Zune music download site the easy way.

Getting Picky

Find a review of course and mostly pick one you feel most comfortable with. Review’s are great because they do all the testing for you. Joining, signing up and paying membership costs, all that wonderful stuff that way you don’t have to.
Leaving you with all the latest and greatest results so you don’t ever lose out. They invest their own money so you don’t have to.

Now You Know

Now you know where to find your favorite Zune music downloads with out paying by the month to get them or even paying each time you want to download something. That’s right, you pay once which usually is between $20 -$40 bucks compared to paying $500 a year and if you were to ask around, that’s what you would call getting Zune music downloads the easy way.

So what are you waiting for? Go out there and get all that music you want and crank up the volume.

Paul Archer is a review site webmaster that enjoys providing people with excellent value for their money. If you want Zune Music Downloads the easy way. Visit the Zune download center Today! click here This article may be circulated with authors information and all links included. http://watch-dogreviews.com/zunedownloads.html

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