Business optimization requires comprehension of the strengths and weak areas of its employees: in what areas do they do their best work? How can you adjust your system to use their strengths and cover their weaknesses? There can be no more important question. While this data is highly useful, it isn’t always effortless to get hold of. Taking just one part of this – for instance, employee performance – determining progress and being able to track it is a huge task. The first step is to bring employee performance appraisal systems into play. Once this is done you can track the work of each member of staff. Should you be using traditional methods, your next move is to manually assess all the raw information you will have obtained simply to be able to follow further progress and define objectives.

Using performance management software you know that this preliminary work is taken care of and you only need to examine the various metrics and factors to know what the right targets for this staff member would be. It also renders following the staff member’s progress much simpler. This removes the demands on your time and is likely to be more precise. There is the possibility to also look at all of the data yourself using the software simply to organize and track everything. Performance appraisal software can do more than help employees. Both clients and suppliers can be analyzed using such software programs, granting access to more performance appraisal tools. You can find out which suppliers provide products with the best quality, for the best prices and also identify those with high rates of loss or poor delivery times. As for affiliates, clients, and retailers, it’s possible to demonstrate who who is your best seller of any given product or service if there are payment issues, which one experiences the worst loss percentage, and the answers to other questions. This information is useful in minimizing expenses and boosting profits. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that? This information will allow you to determine your best target audience. With this in mind marketing is free to become more effective and easier to plan. Keeping an eye on both market and suppliers is simple with performance management software. Combined with a program of employee reviews such app is certain to streamline staff performance management dramatically. In summary, the potential of this system is endless and depends exclusively on your own ability to use the information provided.

Modern freight software has standardized into basic functional groups based on the needs of shippers and carriers/brokers. Much of the available freight software is sold with these functions as modules that can be purchased separately. Which modules are purchased is usually driven by the size of the company looking for the freight software.

Freight software as applied to shippers can be part of the much larger field of supply chain management or more narrowly focused on supply chain execution. Supply chain management can be defined as the application of information technology to economic order quantity theory. It encompasses virtually every function within a company that deals in tangible products and is usually best preceded by ERP. Enterprise Resource Planning is the company getting its data house in order. It can then think in a more focused way about supply chain management and execution.

Freight software as it applies to shippers is most often associated with supply chain execution. The main functional groups here are the preparation of goods for shipment and the effective management of transportation vendors. The preparation of goods for shipment is a function of warehouse management software. The warehouse must stock the products that will later be shipped, pick the products that have been ordered and package or unitize those products for shipment.

Management of transportation vendors is an important function of supply chain execution software. Shippers usually need a number of vendors to cover their territory or find it beneficial to have vendors competing for business. Vendor management software uses objective measures to point out the best vendor for any given shipment based on price and service accomplishment. The best supply chain execution software allows for effective communication with vendors throughout the shipping process.

Freight software as it applies to trucking or broker companies has standardized into three basic functional groups; dispatch operations, equipment management and accounting. Much of the available trucking software is sold with these functions as modules that can be purchased separately. Which modules are purchased is usually driven by the size of the carrier or broker looking for the trucking software. Very small carriers and brokers can manage dispatch and or equipment on paper. Accounting functions at this level are well served by software packages such as QuickBooks or Peachtree. Carriers that grow beyond 10 so trucks and brokers with 20+ loads per month or can usually begin to see the value of having one or more of the freight software modules.

Freight software designed for the accounting functions is the least likely of three to be offered as a stand-alone product since it depends upon the others for data. Payroll functions can be derived from dispatch operations data such as which driver went where. Invoicing and receivables are also derived from dispatch operations data as in which customer sent what where. Equipment expenses are derived from equipment management functions. Freight software designed to integrate with the over the counter accounting packages such as QuickBooks can ease the transition for many small carriers and brokers.

Equipment management functions of freight software revolve around fuel and maintenance costs. Fuel, tires, periodic maintenance, and repairs are all important costs to be managed by every trucking company. This type of software can get very complex but is essential to larger carriers and can be a good value to smaller companies. The availability of fuel cost data on the internet has given carriers a new tool to manage those costs as in where and when and how much fuel to buy. Freight brokers do not have these concerns.

Freight software designed for dispatch operations is the most likely of the functional groups to be offered as a stand-alone product. It is also arguably the most important of the three functional groups. It is the most important because it can have the greatest impact on customer service. Freight brokers in particular should recognize that this software can give them a competitive advantage. Equipment management and accounting functions are internal; dispatch operations touch every customer the carrier or broker has in one way or another. Dispatch operations is all about keeping the right drivers with the right equipment in place to services the customers’ needs and take advantage of opportunities that arise. Managing those resources is important but the best dispatch software also gives dispatchers and managers tools to monitor work in progress and communicate effectively with customers.

The internet has given rise to two interesting new developments in the field of freight software; software as a service and networking as a new functional group. Software as a service is delivered via the internet by subscription and has the following advantages:

No large upfront investment as in traditional buying of software.
No new hardware costs. Your existing network, internet connection and browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer are all that are needed.
Pay as you go. This type of software is often available month to month without a contract.
Maintenance and upgrades handled at the web server with little or no bother to the user.

Networking as a functional group is a new development made possible by the internet. Dispatch software can now be extended onto the customers’ desktops. Carriers, brokers and shippers can collaborate to give and get the data that they need to get the job done. Customer service is greatly enhanced with true real time communications and the customer as a larger part of the process. TDNweb.com is an example of this new breed of freight software.

Van Wooten is the vision behind Transport Data Networks (TDN) an innovative online application that is revolutionizing the www.tdnweb.com“> Freight Software industry.

When doing business in Asia you may encounter several common problems:

*communication problems: language barriers, different terminologies, engineers with little or poor English skills

*cultural differences: East and West business practices can be very different which often leads to misunderstandings, mistakes, poor quality, and delays.

*empty promises: sometimes the shops you will find can’t deliver what you need when you need it, they just don’t have the technology or resources to provide you with the quality you are looking for, many countries have poor infrastructure with communication failures and can’t make the delivery as promised.

*most shops in Asia are small and cannot do a wide variety of jobs, they may not be able to do everything you need for all your projects, you’ll end up looking for other shops for each different project. They may not be able to provide you with after sales maintenance and services.

*quality certifications: getting ISO certified is an expensive and time consuming process, many shops in Asia just aren’t qualified, they don’t have quality control programs, they don’t have the proper technology or experience to produce the products according to your exact specifications and timetable.

What’s the solution to these potential problems? Research and patience. You need to find the right agent to help you overcome these potential problems.

The qualities and services you need in your agent should include:

*multi-lingual/cultural staff:

staff members are fluent in English, and other languages. Staff members have a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, education, and experiences, extensive experience in international trade shows, seminars, and customer relations.

* a high level of technology, reinvestment, R&D, and has a solid, modern infrastructure to ensure reliable communication and dependable deliveries.

* a global network of services, access to a wide variety of tool shops for any kind of project, in-house engineers can design any type of mold or die that you require for any project, large or small, plastic or metal.

* uses only highly qualified tool shops for your project to ensure quality control, provide weekly feedback, sampling, and local site visits.

For more information on innovative outsourcing techniques, please visit:
http://www.injection-molds.blogspot.com
or
http://www.solinc.net

Steve Koons is on the marketing team at Solinc, an International company specializing in innovative outsourcing solutions for the die and mold market. You can view his blog at http://www.injection-molds.blogspot.com

Three great sites

There are three great places where you can find freeware and shareware. The first of these is www.zdnet.com. This site is aimed more at the technology minded but does offer downloads of interest to just about anyone. After logging on, just click on Downloads on the top menu bar. Unless you’re in business for yourself or are a Info Tech manager, you’ll probably want to go to and click on Utilities.

This section has literally hundreds of downloadable utility programs, including programs for data recovery, fixing your registry file, undeleting files, managing files, and increasing computer performance. Most of these programs offer free 30-day “demos,” after which you must buy them. However, the prices are right – usually they range in price from $19.95 to $49.95.

Twocows.com

A site that caters more to the non-techie goes by the name of www.twocows.com. Its inventory is more eclectic than that of zdnet as it even includes games and downloads for your iPod. The Games category is subdivided into Action, Arcade, Board Games, Card Games, and more. For example, click on Board Games and you’ll find titles such as 100% Free Checkers, 100% Free Chess, Backgammon and ?BattleShip. Or click on iPod and you’ll find program such as Text to iPod Notes, SharePod and memoPod. Almost all of these are freeware, meaning you can get them absolutely free.

Download.com

The third site I like is www.download.com. Like Twocows, this site is aimed more at us non-techies, with categories such as Audio & Video, Design and Photo, Desktop Enhancements, Home and education and Mac Software. Click on Desktop Enhancements, for example, and you’ll find titles such as Webshots Desktop, WindowsBlinds, Object Dock and Cursor XP. And just in case you’re wondering what WebShots Desktop does, it’s a free photo management tool that combines wallpaper and screen saver functionality with tools for managing an sharing your personal photos.

Check out these three sites and I’m sure you’ll find some good, useful programs you can download and use free or at a very low cost.

Here’s something else that’s free. It’s a new technology called HD Radio that enables AM and FM radio stations to broadcast their programs digitally. This is a tremendous technological leap from today’s familiar analog broadcasts. These digital broadcasts provide listeners with radically improved audio quality, more radio channels through multicasting, and new data services. To learn more about this amazing new technology, just go my Web site, http://www.hd-radio-home.com, to get all the buzz.

Douglas Hanna is a retired marketing executive and the author of numerous articles on HD radio, the Internet and family finances.

• eConnect Overview. This SDK tool, which addresses existing and creates new Great Plains objects: Master Records (Customer, Vendor, Employee, Account, etc) and work documents: Sales Order, Invoice, Purchase Order, GL transaction to name a few. This is excellent tool and is very popular among web developers – it was originally created for eCommerce programmers who wanted to deploy Great Plains as back office/ERP/Accounting.

• eConnect Limitations. First of all – we saw numerous clients, who were disappointed in the fact that eConnect can not automate posting and SOP Orders transfer to Invoices. You should understand the rules of ERP system – first you create so-called work documents: quote, order, invoice and then you post it – documents should be approved for posting and this should be done through standard ERP fat client interface, not eConnect or other standard integration tools. Second important limitation – if you have dexterity customization – eConnect can not address custom logic – it works with standard Great Plains objects only. We understand that this is difficult to foresee when you ask questions to your Microsoft Business Solutions VAR, and also that each ERP has specifics you need to know: say Oracle Financials world has its own must-know bells-and whistles – when you work with specific large ERP – you should invest a lot of time in analysis and decision making.

• Dexterity Overview. Dexterity itself is a shell/IDE/programming language written in C back in earlier 1990th. You probably remember old-days-believe that C will secure database and graphical platform independence, plus it will direct you to the way of computer platform independence. But the matter of fact is – Great Plains Dexterity dictates the rules of customization – each GP custom-logic table must be created in Dexterity to be viewed via GP standard interface,

• Dexterity Limitations. Of course – Dexterity is kind of legacy IDE and it was created in the days when nobody could predict internet and thin clients future. So – you can not use Dexterity in your web application, you have to stick to stored procedures or eConnect.

You can always appeal to our expertise. Give us a call: 1-630-961-5918, 1-866-528-0577, help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) – Microsoft Business Solutions and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.

Descriptions of Vista are glowing; it is seen as a vision of the future. High definition graphics, the ‘z’ level in organization, greater clarity, unbelievable security, and boundless thinking power are what it is about. The operating system is set to fulfill all needs, it has a secure and speedy start up, not just when booting but also when returning to active status from standby mode; improved and strengthened driver design which protects the os from crashing when other things go wrong; and an antiphishing device or filter that identifies and confirms phishing sites by using a dynamically updated database. Technically, the Vista uses an image-based installation thereby facilitating deployments by IT professionals. An advanced event log simplifies administrative tasks.

The October 2005 new test build of Windows Vista has fulfilled expectations by incorporating several new IE 7.0 features, new networking and diagnostic functions. Of all the most significant is the incorporation of the core of Microsoft’s Antispyware product in Vista. A key feature of the Vista system is deployment, the inter-dependent modules permits easy customization of Vista to fit individual needs. The WIM format allows a single image to be used or accessed by different computer hardware irrespective of individual language requirements, you can easily add or remove drivers, include updates and windows components offline without having to boot the operating system image.

The system comes with features like:

1. A new graphics engine that has easy navigation, toolbars with inbuilt intuition, high resolution graphics, movie action that is better that real-life, and easy to learn tools.

2. Revamped Windows Explorer with a next generation navigation structure, tool bars, and icons. The user friendly design incorporates clear glowing buttons and an interface that can captivate a user for hours together.

3. Virtual folders offer permanent storage with dynamic interaction possibilities.

4. The user account protection features shield you from rouge programs and security risk.

5. The system ensures easy installation of programs with “Click Once.” This energizes an installation experience by lending the function speed and security.
6. Error messages are handled by “Task Dialogues” an integral diagnostics that warns of a problem and helps with a solution.

7. New and improved technologies include, PNRP, Peer Name Resolution Protocol, a brand new technological revolution that enables applications to find and connect to one another; WWAN, a router; WLAN, indoor connector; VLAN, allows LANS to communicate; Wi – Fi, deals with radio frequencies.

8. A system where snap-ins to MMC can be moved up or down as per convenience.

9. Has XImage which is non-destructive.

10. Improved up-time with an automatic Restart Manager.

According to computer experts, Vista conquers new horizons while it takes technology into a new realm. It introduces joys of working along with hum drums like increased productivity. Whether or not the features commented upon and tested by many techies across the world will be incorporated in the final version of Vista is not certain as it will be decided by Microsoft based on surveys, marketing projections, costs, and technical reasons.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com, the premier website to find Free Software Downloads including free anti-virus software, free spyware detection software, free toolbars, free chat software and more. He also freelances for http://www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com

The Microsoft Office Package comes with 4 important software products. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Power-point. Each product having their own separate uses.

The first is Microsoft Word. It is a word processor meaning it is very useful in writing documents, stories, work instructions and so forth. It has many different functions. For instance you can quite easily save your documents as web pages therefore being able to publish them on the internet. A second useful function is the drawing toolbar. The drawing toolbar allows the user to create exciting headings, draw arrows and squares and insert pictures. All in all it has many, many uses.

Microsoft Excel is more for crunching numbers. It allows the use of colorful graphs, equations and also pictures. It allows the use to set it up so it does calculations automatically. It also allows the user to look at several “sheets” at the one time making working on different projects simultaneously a breeze.

Microsoft Power-point is used primarily for presentations. It is simple and quick to create a colorful slide show that would WOW anyone.

Microsoft Access is database software. It allows for the use of SQL queries, tables, forms, macros and much more. It allows the user to easily and effectively store their data while being able to manipulate it in different ways.

An important aspect of the Microsoft Office package is that files from all 4 applications can be interchangeable. This means you can grab a file you created in Microsoft Excel, and import it into Microsoft Access very simply and easily.

For great reviews on plasma television models visit our Plasma Television website

Dept. of Revenue
P.O. Box 201
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0201
(225) 219-0102
www.rev.state.la.us/

Louisiana requires that you use Louisiana form “L-4 (R-1300), Employee’s Withholding Exemption Certificate” instead of a Federal W-4 Form for Louisiana State Income Tax Withholding.

Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In Louisiana cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; not taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.

In Louisiana supplemental wages are required to be aggregated for the state income tax withholding calculation.

You must file your Louisiana state W-2s by magnetic media if you are have at least 250 employees and are required to file your federal W-2s by magnetic media.

The Louisiana State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:

Department of Labor
1001 N. 23rd St.
P.O. Box 94094
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9094
(225) 342-7690
http://www.ldol.state.la.us/wrk_owca.asp

The State of Louisiana taxable wage base for unemployment purposes is wages up to $7000.00.

Louisiana requires Magnetic media reporting of quarterly wage reporting if the employer has at least 250 employees that they are reporting that quarter.

Unemployment records must be retained in Louisiana for a minimum period of five years. This information generally includes: name; social security number; dates of hire, rehire and termination; wages by period; payroll pay periods and pay dates; date and circumstances of termination.

The Louisiana State Agency charged with enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:

Department of Labor
1001 North 23rd St.
P.O. Box 94094
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9094
(225) 342-3011
www.ldol.state.la.us/

There is no provision for minimum wage in the State of Louisiana.

There is also no general provision in Louisiana State Law covering paying overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer.

Louisiana State new hire reporting requirements are that every employer must report every new hire and rehire. The employer must report the federally required elements of:

• Employee’s name
• Employee’s address
• Employee’s social security number
• Employer’s name
• Employers address
• Employer’s Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Employee’s occupation

This information must be reported within 20 days of the hiring or rehiring.
The information can be sent as a W4 or equivalent by mail, fax or electronically.
There is a $25 penalty for a late report in Louisiana and $500 for conspiracy.

The Louisiana new hire-reporting agency can be reached at 888-223-1461or on the web at http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/dss/New_Hire_Registry.html.

Louisiana does not allow compulsory direct deposit

Louisiana has no State Wage and Hour Law provisions concerning pay stub information.

Louisiana requires that employee be paid no less often than semimonthly or biweekly for manufacturing, mining, or public service corporations.

Louisiana requires that the lag time between the end of the pay period and the payment of wages to the employee not exceed ten days after pay period; 15 days for public service corporations.

Louisiana payroll law requires that involuntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay with in 15 working days and that voluntarily terminated employees must be paid 15 days after they quit.

Deceased employee’s wages of $6,000 must be paid to the surviving spouse or adult child (in that order) if there is an instrument indicating relationship to deceased.

Escheat laws in Louisiana require that unclaimed wages be paid over to the state after one year.

The employer is further required in Louisiana to keep a record of the wages abandoned and turned over to the state for a period of 10 years.

There is no provision in Louisiana law concerning tip credits against State minimum wage.

In Louisiana the payroll laws covering mandatory rest or meal breaks are only that minors under 16 must have 30 minutes rest after five hours of work.

Louisiana statute requires that wage and hour records be kept for a period of not less than one year. These records will normally consist of at least the information required under FLSA.

The Louisiana agency charged with enforcing Child Support Orders and laws is:

Support Enforcement Services Program
Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 94065
618 Main St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-4780
www.dss.state.la.us/

Louisiana has the following provisions for child support deductions:

• When to start Withholding? Immediately after receipt of order.
• When to send Payment? Within 7 days of Payday.
• When to send Termination Notice? Within 10 days of termination.
• Maximum Administrative Fee? $5 per pay period.
• Withholding Limits? 50% of disposable earnings.

Please note that this article is not updated for changes that can and will happen from time to time.

Charles J. Read, CPA has been in the payroll, accounting and tax business for 30 years, the last fifteen in private practice. Mr. Read is the author of “How to Start a New Business”. For Professional Payroll services at a Budget Price go to http://www.PayrollonaBudget.com a Paperless Payroll Company. Go to http://www.CustomPayroll.com For a full service payroll service bureau with CPA’s on staff. See an excerpt of Mr. Read’s interviews from William Shatners “Heartbeat of America” television show on the websites linked above.