ALES AND
YSTEMS NEWSLETTER

SSN 001 November 22, 1976

WHAT'S A SALES AND SYSTEMS NEWSLETTER?

This is the first issue of a new method of expediting information to the Field.. It is simply a sequentially numbered newsletter, issued as needed. Items of generally a Technical natures received from various sources, will be accumulated and then sent to all Salesmen, Systems Engineers, and Applications Programmers.

As we get more and better Publications, much of the information in these Newsletters will be shifted to these "official" Documents. This will also obsolete previously issued Newsletters periodically, however, no effort is currently planned to "weed out" old info.

Ted Spitzmiller

My note: If you have any questions about the wonderful technical info, mostly about DCOS VI release 1, in the rest of the newsletter send me an email!!!       Bill

SSN 002 April 5, 1977

The Sales & Systems Newsletter is alive and living in Publications & Training! Although it has been several months since the last issue, this newsletter will now be circulated on a regular (almost) basis.

The Sales & Systems Newsletter is arranged by major categories of technical information (such as AIDE, DCOS, etc.). It also contains a catch-all category for single miscellaneous items of information. Again, if clarification or additional information is needed, please contact Field Support.

Please note that release of DDM for field use has been delayed. Any inquiries relating to applications which require DDM should be directed to Bill Henry or Lynn Brandhorst. All documentation relating to DDM and DCOS VI Release 2 is being held pending resolution of the release date.

Happy Easter!
Shirley Stough April 5, 1977

My note: See note under SSN 001.  Bill

BUZZWORD DEFINITIONS

Recently Software Development provided a list of definitions of terms commonly kicked around. We offer this list, With slight changes, to the Field in an effort to help all of us talk the same language.

SSN 003 May 1977

GARBAGE IN / GARBAGE OUT

SSN#003 is a new, improved version of the heretofore dull and mundane "Systems Only" newsletter. Beginning with #003, the "Sales" end will finally be addressed. You may notice that the format does not comply with that of the last newsletter. The Editor reserves the right to change her mind.

Being a new and slightly naive "roving reporter", I would like to extend a plea for comments, suggestions, information, criticism, etc., regarding this newsletter. If this is going to be an on-going, successful project, I'm going to need some help from you. I can be reached on extension 182 in Sunnyvale.
Thanks! Shirley Stough .

MARKETING ADDS "SPECIAL PROJECTS OFFICE"

Bill Hill and Jim Reeder have been "reorganized" into DPI's new Special Projects Office.

Special Projects Person Bill will be formulating a Training Program for Field S.E.'s, Publications and Training personnel, and others, on a number of topics which he is uniquely qualified to present. Yes, Skip's rumor was correct. Special Projects Person Jim has initiated the planning of a Systems Specification Standard, and is responsible for coordinating the resources the develop the standard.

Field Support will continue to be handled by Larry Pappe and Dan Emmorey (welcome Dan to Field Support from Software Dev.) as well as two people who have not yet been hired. Don Lincicome will assume the position as Acting Manager. Special Projects Person Bill will be available for limited "consulting" to Field Support when necessary. (Insert quarter, get answer?)

PUBLICATIONS & TRAINING brought to you by:

SKIP "MERLIN" MCCUSKER ENCHANTS CENTRAL REGION WITH AIDE SORCERY, DCOS DELUSIONS, MITOS MAGIC

Announcements

Newsletter Evaluation Form

  1. (  ) I haven't read it yet and don't intend to.
  2. (  ) I haven't read it yet, but will as soon as I finish this installation.
  3. (  ) I absolutely loved it and can't wait for the next one to come out.
  4. (  ) It Was the stupidest newsletter I have ever seen in my life.

If you checked boxes 2 or 3, please send this evaluation form to Publications and Training, DPI, 370 San Aleso Ave., Sunnyvale CA 94086, Attn: T. Spitzmiller. If you checked boxes 1 or 4, send this evaluation form to Dead Letter Office, c/o Postmaster General, Washington, DC.

SSN 004 JUNE 1977

GARBAGE IN / GARBAGE OUT

I'm happy to report that SSN#003 will probably not be a collector's item. I appreciate all the positive response I received from the field. (However, the Dead Letter office did send me a poison pen note.) Keep those cards and letters coming in!

Ref: CRSSN May, 1977

Central Region Customer Engineers Sam Griffith and Ron Maddaus claim a new patch record for communications distance over 7511's. The distance was 30 miles! Good Show! Note: See reminder from Curt Miller in SSN005 - Bill.

Announcements:

SSN 005 JULY 1977
BICENTENNIAL-PLUS-ONE COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE
                            

GARBAGE IN / GARBAGE OUT

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! In honor of the great Bicentennial-Plus-One, this issue contains excerpts from one of the most effective (and overdone) marketing campaigns known to man. In most cases, the articles offered herein are taken directly from a national catalog of advertising specialties and sales activators. (By the way, we're not taking orders for any of the items.)

Telling - it- Like - it - is DEPT.

1976 REVISITED:

Announcements:

SSN 006 AUGUST 1977

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY ISSUE

GARBAGE IN /GARBAGE

DATAPRO SURVEY FINDS DPI ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

The June, 1977 Datapro update contains a feature report on data collection equipment. The results of the user survey showed DPI well above other companies in "overall satisfaction". The weighted averages for categories such as Ease of Installation, Input, and Training, Hardware Reliability and Maintenance indicated DPI as being far in the lead for both the 2lOO Series and the Series 150.

It is interesting to note that, in comparison with our closest competitor, DPI controllers support almost three times as many terminals per controller. Good show!

DPI CHARACTER SET

When I came up with the idea of doing a sketch on some of DPI's real characters (of which there are MANY), the first person who came to mind was Hank Lopez, an almost-ten-year veteran.

Henry J. "hammer" Lopez has been through the ranks of DPI beginning in December, 1967 in Final Hardware Test. The nickname "Hammer" (given to him by Kaiser Steel), surely comes from Hank's ambitious character. That first season with the company, he slept in CE school during the day and worked at night. From there, he became a Diagnostic Programmer, an Applications Programmer and a Supervisor (not all at once, however).

For the past four years, Hank has been a field creature (SE-type) in the LA office, fighting fires and keeping customers happy (usually at the 94th Aero Squadron). "Hammer's" most recent claim to fame is the successful installation of FMC, San Jose, which is DPI's first test site for Disk Data Management.

When he isn't working or partying, Hank is an amazing craftsman. He has built a custom kit car--an Amante (that's KIT car, not KIDDIE car). in honor of the recent Southwestern Region Bicentennial-Plus-One Boogie Down Bash, he whipped up a portable dance floor which is in six 4'x4' wood parkay sections. (It works just fine, too.)

Pajaro Dunes Managers' Meeting Establishing Clear Communications between Sunnyvale & the Field

The week of July 18 marked the start of what is hoped to be an on-going two-way interface between headquarters an the DPI regions. Pajaro Dunes, California (on the beach between Santa Cruz and Monterey) was the site of one of DPI's most well-prepared and Prolific Marketing manager's meetings.

The Intensive four-day workshop included all regional Sales and Systems managers and managers from the integral headquarters organizations. And "workshop" it was--the scheduled presentations evolved into "let it-all-hang-out" discussions which in turn became the basis for task forces to identify and resolve problems.

Among the major topics discussed were: DDM Phases l & 2 and DCOS Vl Rel. 3 (B. Brown), Engineering Development (C. Steele), Product Plannihg (L. Brandhorst), Speclfications Standards (B. Goodner--who had his audience falling out of their chairs), New Equipment and Pricing Structures (D. Piveral), Field Service (D. Emmorey) and Applications Programming (D. Lincicome).

IMPORTANT FOLLOW UP ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHALLENGE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Back to where you got here from