Frequently Asked Questions
 

 We don't use scales. Can your system address our dispatching needs?

Yes. We recognize that some products are sold by the yard or load.
Sand and top soil are common examples. The use of scales is strictly
optional.


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Is your system easy to learn? Our dispatchers do not have computer
experience.

One of our primary objectives is to keep the system simple. It is
much easier to teach someone that already knows your customers and
business to use the computer than to teach a computer literate person your
business. On-site setup and/or training is available, but optional.


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How long does it take to print a ticket?

Assuming the order has already been setup and the truck has already
been tared in, the ticket can be produced within five to fifteen
seconds, depending on the speed of the printer and type of ticket (Freeform
vs. Preprinted).


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Will your system work on a Network?

Yes, not only with a Local Area Network (LAN), but with a Remote Network
via modem . Our Administrative module allows the networked user to perform
all the functions of the full system except the Print Ticket.


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We have customers that purchase our products for resale. They would
like for us to provide a ticket with their name as the seller and their
customer as the purchaser. Does your system accommodate this request?

Yes. We call these Broker sales. Brokers can be setup so a ticket
will be printed with their name and phone number as the seller but
internally, the Broker's account will be charged.


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We would like to automate but our scales are old. Can we use our
existing scales?

Yes. To automatically capture the weight, our system requires a
digital indicator that has RS-232 serial output. Almost all indicators
made in the last ten to fifteen years provide RS-232 as a standard
feature or as an inexpensive option. A load cell and a digital indicator
can be added to any mechanical scale. Your current scale maintenance
company should be your source for additional information concerning
availability and cost.


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Can we move one of our office computers to the scale house to use with
your system, or do we have to purchase a new one?

That depends. Our system requires Windows 95, 98, or NT. If you have
a high end 486 or Pentium currently running Windows 95 or higher, it
will probably do just fine. Our system installs from a CD, so a CD drive
is also required. Additional factors may come into play, such as modems,
serial ports, and network cards. Each used PC must be considered on a
case by case basis.


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The people in our scale house do not know our prices. We would like
to keep it that way. Can we still use your system?

Sure. The only exact prices critical to the scale house are for Cash
Sales. All other prices can be controlled during the billing cycle.


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We only have a short scale and occasionally we must split-weigh a
trailer. Does your system accommodate that situation?

Yes. The type of scale is defined when the system is installed. If a
short scale is indicated, the split-weigh feature is automatically
activated. The need for a split weigh for a trailer (or a bobtail with a
pup) is indicated when the truck is tared in. Two scale readings are
accumulated for total empty or gross weight on appropriately flagged
trucks.


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We use our scale for two different divisions. One is stone and the
other is asphalt. Can your system keep the sales for each division
separate?

Yes. Our system allows for multiple yards (divisions) at one physical
location. The End of Day reports and the file generated for accounting
keeps each division separate.


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We have a very busy yard. To expedite the scale operations can trucks
be assigned to an order (job) as they enter the yard, from a local
workstation, so our weigh master can concentrate on printing tickets?

Yes. That is one of the big advantages of our Administrative module.
The weigh master can be totally relieved of any file maintenance, order
entry, and keeping track of which trucks need to go on which order.
 

   

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