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Issue 84
Rugged Hardware
Industry Specific Software
Full Service Support
www.touchstargroup.com
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Blossman Gas and Appliance in Ocean Springs, Miss., a propane delivery company, currently operates with a completely automated delivery fleet, a technology initiative that was achieved with the help of TouchStar.
Blossman provides cylinder exchange, commercial, residential and bulk delivery as well as a service program that provides maintenance and inspection services on propane tanks at customer locations.
With over 70 retail stores across eight Southeastern states, 120,000-plus customers, over 600 employees and 171 bobtails, Blossman needed a solid technology solution, one that would help them streamline all their business functions in an easy and efficient manner.
Blossman attempted technology implementations in the past with mixed results and was testing a solution that was not meeting its needs when it finally found what it was looking for in TouchStar.
To fully address Blossman’s objectives, TouchStar conducted a full business process review, including needs and ROI analysis, which demonstrated how Blossman would benefit from implementation and business process change.
TouchStar’s project success underwriting and ROI guarantee provided Blossman a partner-based risk sharing position and cemented the initiative.
The solution features FuelWare, an off-the-shelf and fully customizable software platform TouchStar developed for the LPG industry. EasyLink, another TouchStar software suite, was installed at Blossman offices to manage data not handled by their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, such as vehicle inspection reports and a database storing all vehicle generated
transactions. Drivers use a handheld computer loaded with FuelWare to automate what used to be manual processes. All transaction data, including invoicing, is captured electronically and drivers are relieved of handwritten reports, which translates to substantially reduced administrative time and error margin.
The solution can handle all of Blossman’s propane services. For cylinder delivery, an inventory of empty and full cylinders is tracked. For bulk propane delivery, the handhelds interface with electronic registers that meter the release of propane from delivery trucks to stationary tanks at customer sites.
Blossman is considering future upgrades such as wireless and GPS functionality as the TouchStar solution is future proofed for next generation technology.
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Furthering our commitment to provide leading technology and ever higher levels of customer service, TouchStar has implemented Microsoft Dynamics AX™, a world class Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This investment was made to optimize internal business processes and extend the efficiencies, benefits and services to our customers. Our Asia Pacific solution center recently completed initial rollout and the America’s solution center will be on line in early 2007.
Dynamics AX™ features give TouchStar centralized, real time electronic data management of customer account and equipment history. Enhanced reporting capabilities will allow us to better assist customers with fixed asset and capital expenditure tracking and improve quality control. Aggregating key account data proves to be a valuable tool for customers to facilitate trending, performance review and improvement initiatives, forecasting and other vital reporting metrics while maintaining an accurate snapshot of their TouchStar business activities.
In addition, customer support teams now log and track the origin of technical service calls, allowing customers to assess regions or locations that may need training, managerial oversight, product upgrades or other special attention.
Following suit with our mobility platforms, paper invoicing is a remnant of the past. Customer Support now electronically generates and emails invoices on the same day of service or project completion. Mail delivery delays and redundant, error prone paper processes are eliminated.
Maximizing labor and resource utilization via TouchStar’s new ERP system is another way for us to extend business process efficiencies to our customers. Please call the Asia Pacific Customer Support Team at +61 2 9739 9009 for more information and see InTouch for updates on America’s roll out.
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 Symbol Technologies one of
TouchStar’s key business partners for ruggedized hardware, was recently awarded Best Innovation in Wireless Security Management for its Mobility Services Platform (MSP) at the prestigious Wireless Broadband Innovation Awards 2006. Symbol was also short-listed in three other categories; Best VoIP Product, Best Enterprise Wi-Fi Product and Best Enterprise Deployment(Government Organizations).
The independent awards are for users and service providers of wireless broadband worldwide and recognizes the success of those companies leading the way in the wireless market. The criteria for judging the Innovation in Wireless Security Management category included intrusion protection, identification and combating of rogue access points, innovation in wireless security management and usability of the solution. This award is a true endorsement of Symbol's position as a recognized leader in providing mobility products that keep people connected to business applications and processes, both inside and outside the workplace, helping to improve their efficiency and productivity.
TouchStar Congratulates Symbol Technologies on winning this prestigious award.
For more information on Symbol Technologies, please visit www.symbol.com
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HSDPA: The New Frontier
The world’s leading telecommunications providers are preparing for or have already rolled out high speed wireless networks based on the 3G platform. As innovation today can prove obsolete tomorrow, the hot “next generation technology” is HSDPA, the new frontier for 3G.
HSDPA is an abbreviation for High Speed Downlink Packet Access and is a leap forward from traditional UMTS 3G (3rd Generation) wireless technology. Originally pioneered in Japan, HSDPA will increase user peak data rates, quality of service and improve spectrum efficiency.
As the name suggests, HSDPA’s defining feature is dramatic speed increase of downlink packets. For mobile device users, this equates to data being delivered to the mobile device not from the mobile device. Accelerated downlinks will impact virtually every area of mobile business applications, including: remote e-mail with large attachments, simultaneous voice and data transmission, live map data for location based services, secure remote access to corporate networks and web serviced business architectures. Mobile work forces will be able to participate in high quality video conferencing!
 HSDPA networks deliver speeds peaking at 3.6Mb/ps (Megabits per second), essentially five times faster than existing 3G UMTS wireless networks. Most early adopters plan to roll out transfer speeds of 14.4Mb/ps in the very near future, the highest data rate of any available mobile WAN technology.
Cingular is rolling out an HSDPA network covering 52 US cities by the end of 2006, including Tulsa, Oklahoma, headquarters of TouchStar’s North and South America operations. T-Mobile recently announced HSDPA in the US and Canada’s Rogers Wireless has jumped on the bandwagon as well. SingTel Optus and Nokia began HSDPA trials in Canberra, Australia in October.
Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company, recently announced the trial of their new NextG network, a first of its kind in the world. The NextG network is based directly on HSDPA technology and will give customers more bandwidth capacity and reach remote areas not typically covered. This “turbo charged” NextG network has expanded Telstra’s reach to 98% of Australia’s population.
Clearly, the new frontier of reliable, secure wide area wireless networks has arrived. As we saw with GPS, consumer demand will help drive widespread adoption and serve as a testing ground for enterprises seeking to upgrade mobility and wireless platforms and integrate fixed station and mobile workforces in real time. Prepare for wide ranging changes to business processes as the mobile workforce penetrates every facet of a competitive, modern enterprise.
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The 19th Annual World LP Gas Forum held in Chicago last month hosted global LPG leaders for three days of innovation, thought leadership and the first ever Global Technology Conference. Joining TouchStar were customers from around the world, setting precedent and making the event a tremendous success: Blossman Gas & Appliance, Elgas Australia, BP, Superior Propane of Canada, Inergy Partners, Origin Energy – Australia, Liberty Propane, Revere Gas and AmeriGas.
The Global Technology Conference provided the perfect vehicle for TouchStar to strongly support the industry and our customers by sponsoring the comprehensive Technology Conference Guide. The Guide facilitated the session’s flow and traffic while providing detailed presenter biographies, session topics, schedules and case studies on the benefits of technology today and a glimpse of next generation offerings. TouchStar coordinated with our customers to ensure the guide would benefit attendees and promote the critical elements and importance of technology in LPG. It was a huge success!
 TouchStar also exhibited, joining a select group within the international community, showcasing our automation solutions while providing hands on access to next generation technology and the direction of mobility.
Chief among TouchStar’s participating customers was Stuart Weidie, President of Blossman Gas & Appliance, who established a strong leadership role for the United States, the National Organizing Committee and was a key participant at the Forum’s opening press conference. WLPGA Managing Director James Rockall gave credit where it is due, “This Forum has beaten all the records and we couldn't have done it without the outstanding support of the National Organizing Committee in the U.S.”
 Joining Mr. Weidie in setting the Forum’s stage was Alan Beale, Managing Director of Elgas, Australia. According to Gerald Boucet, Secretary General of the World Energy Council, “A highlight for many was the roundtable chaired by Alan Beale on the World of LP Gas in 2030.” In addition to sharing his expertise and vision with colleagues, Mr. Beale was elected as a Vice President to the 2007 World LP Gas Association Board.
Kevin Sansome of Elgas, a recognized industry expert and 19 year Elgas veteran, was a session speaker on Substituting Diesel with LPG, and shares his recap with InTouch, “The Global Technology conference was definitely the highlight of the LP Gas year. I was very pleased to play a role in the planning and selection process of topics and speakers. It is imperative that the LP Gas industry gets together and share technologies that push the future of the industry."
TouchStar echoes Mr. Sansome’s sentiments through research and development of products and services that harness the power of innovation, insures the continual success of our customers and spurs the momentum of technology in the LPG marketplace. The 2006 World LPG Forum and Global Technology Conference not only furthered TouchStar’s stronghold as a technology leader in LPG, it united several of our customers from all Continents to strategize and collaborate for a mobile, optimized and automated 2007.
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Blossman Operates With Complete Automation |
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Business Process Efficiencies Extended To Customers |
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2006 Wireless Broadband Innovation Award |
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Tech Talk with David Thornley |
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TouchStar Showcases Leading Automation Solutions |
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