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User eNotes - May 2021

Presidents Comments

Rod Hatcher
In June we will start a series of online Technical Training seminars that will cover all aspects of setting up and using ALERE. They will be recorded and published on the TIW web site in a library.

The videos will become an important element of training for ALERE in a number of ways. First, the 15 planned seminars will allow you to train your current employees. They can select which seminar, or seminars, are relevant to their particular position within your company. Then they can view them at their own pace and time schedule.

Second, the Technical Training will be readily available for incoming new employees to help them learn ALERE.

Third, the seminars can be used to perform on-demand retraining. As people gain experience with ALERE, their knowledge will become more nuanced. Reviewing a seminar will promote a clearer and deeper understanding of the software.

These online Technical Training seminars are being provided as part of the value of your Software Maintenance Agreements (SMAs). As long as your company remains current you will have access to the video library. ALERE is advanced ERP software and broad in scope with many opportunities for your company. The seminars should help you realize its full potential.

Virtual Training Classes

With the ongoing challenge to holding in-house ALERE Technical Training Seminars that COVID-19 poses, TIW is undertaking a series of fifteen virtual sessions. These online classes will be held using GoToMeeting and will start in June and end in July. They will start promptly at 2:30pm Eastern time each day and are expected to last from ninety minutes up to three hours in duration. There will be a short break about every 60 minutes. During the class, attendees will be muted. There will be time at the end for any questions to be addressed.
Virtual Training
The virtual training seminars will be open only to those companies with current SMA’s.

A registration form and a list of the dates and topics are available on the TIW website. You may choose which sessions you would like to attend and indicate the number of people attending. An invitation and link will be forwarded to you.

The seminars will be recorded and made available on the TIW website. Access to this library of virtual Technical Training Seminars will be free to those companies with current SMA’s.

Sign up now to reserve a spot for the live sessions!

DAQ Screen Size

The Data Acquisition (DAQ) module’s purpose is to allow data to be entered into ALERE by using wedge scanners, smart scanners running under terminal services, or manually through a pop-up screen. The scanning is done in real time and is interactive with the operator through a “prompt” process.

Data Acquisition helps to speed the entry of items on a sales order, ship line items, adjust items, receive items on a purchase order, do inquiries on the stocking levels of items, move inventory, increase or decrease inventory, print item labels, and post transactions in ALERE Manufacturing.
DAQ Transaction Screen
The DAQ interface can be displayed in a variety of screen sizes and resolutions, everything from hand scanners, to tablets, to large high resolution monitors.

The ADC program will auto select the resolution for you in most cases. However, it may become advantageous to be able to control the size of the DAQ screen. This is accomplished by appending a (L)ow, (M)edium, or (H)igh resolution after the ADC.EXE file located in the DAQ shortcut to start the program with the device being used. The entry would look like the following in the target field of the program properties: ADC.EXE H. It is important that a space separate the executable file name and the property.

It is easy and expedient to experiment with the different options to find a suitable resolution to match your requirements.

Forward or Backward Scheduling?

Manufacturing work orders, on an individual basis, may use either forward or backward scheduling. What does this mean and what are the advantages of using either scheduling technique?
Work Order Scheduling Options
Backward scheduling is when the “need by” date is used to calculate an order in reverse to determine when it should be started to meet a customer’s deadline. This method is most used in “build to order” companies.

Most companies are “mixed mode” meaning that they produce items based on customer orders, and they also build to restock inventory. In ALERE, since you can choose forward or backward scheduling on a work order-by-work order basis, you have the best of both worlds!

Custom Training - Your Source of Training

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Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, TIW is currently only offering custom training at this time.

Custom training offers a client driven, focused training approach which addresses the specific needs of your organization. At the same time it doubles as process consulting time, which can help to improve your organizational efficiency.

The one on one training may also be used to provide employees with recurrent training, which will assist them in making the most of both ALERE’s core and newest features. Alternatively, training may be scheduled as a comprehensive overview to familiarize new additions to your staff with the capabilities of ALERE.

Session require a two hours minimum commitment and may run for a maximum of four hours per day.

Schedule your company’s session by calling Chris at 610-258-5161 x105.

TIW’s online training resources are available 24/7 on demand through our website
TIW Technology, Inc. | Phone: 610.258.5161 | Fax: 610.258.6217