ALES AND YSTEMS NEWSLETTER

SSN 007 September 1977

GARBAGE IN / GARBAGE OUT

In this issue:

• the much-requested SSN centerfold
• all new Travel and Entertainment section
• updated SSN index
• All right, you win! I won't take all of your names off the mailing list. The higher authorities would have a fit if my circulation dropped to 2! Actually, I received a 20% return on the evaluation forms and I will do my best to implement some of the good suggestions as soon as possible.
• Due to some wild deadlines and schedules, next month's SSN (if issued at all) won't come out until the middle of October. It's quite possible that my involvement in APICS will keep me from producing an October issue. In any case, the November issue will be out sometime in the middle of that month.

SWELTERING 110° TEMPERATURES DON'T DISCOURAGE DPI'S DEDICATED SE MANAGERS

• Despite record-breaking temperatures, DPI s dedicated SE managers spent four days in Phoenix, Arizona to continue work on their respective task forces. Bill "Sominex" Goodner and Dan Emmorey headed up the two teams of cheerful, hard-working field creatures.
• Bill Goodner and his team gets two gold stars: one for completing their project and one for staying awake. The project was to establish standards for format and content of user specifications. The standards will ultimately be included in the SE Administrative Handbook. However, a preliminary copy of those standards will be distributed to all SEs sometime in September, according to Mr. Goodner.
• Mr. Emmorey's team of experts, in charge of formulating the SE Handbook, divided that task into three separate manuals - An SE Policy and Procedure Manual will cover the responsibilities of Systems Engineers; an SE Technical handbook will define system "how-to's"; and an SE Customer Indoctrination Manual will define customer involvement as well as what a customer can expect from his very own DPI Systems Engineer. Approximately 80% of the Policy and Procedure Manual, in first draft, is complete at this time.
• Of interesting note is that several times during the meeting, the hot air generated inside was comparable to the hot air outside - Rumor has it too, that Terry hofmann actually REFUSED to play golf (which is equivalent to Jimmy Carter refusing d peanut butter sandwich).
• Thanks to the combined efforts of the SE Managers, Special Projects Person Jim Reeder, Don Lincicome, Bill Goodner and Dan Emmorey, the interface between the field and headquarters is working!

touché boogié

• The Southwestern region of DPI proposes a challenge:
• "Can the Central Region meet or beat the Bicentennial-Plus-One Boogie Down Bash the weekend immediately following the APICS convention in Cleveland?"
• The True Question is: Does the Central Region really have BOOGIE?

BILL HILL DOES MEMORY DUMP

• Marketing's Education Task Force (ETF, or "Easy-Tuffs") finally got underway in August, consisting of a handful of field creatures and headquarters types. The basic purpose of ETF is to pull together a nucleus of informed and energetic DPI personnel to create comprehensive systems and software training programs. Bill Hill (armed with a pump and a big stick) is acting as the main resource (and swamp drainer) by letting this informed and energetic group pick his brain of all available systems knowledge.
• Phase One of ETF is the "Information Gathering" stage. ETF members are assigned individual DCOS modules to investigate, learn, document and teach to other members of the group. Bill Hill will present basic concepts and provide guidance; however, most of the information will be self-taught or acquired through osmosis. The sessions are being recorded and transcribed to aid in pulling the information together.
• Note from Bill:  For the complete story on the ETF click here.  There are entries everyone will enjoy and for those of us that were a part of it, added nostalgia.

SSN 008 October 1977

GARBAGE IN / GARBAGE OUT

In this issue:

• Farewell to an old friend
• Do you recognize famous DPI personalities in disguise?
• A solicitation from the Red Baron
• Surprised to hear from me? I was surprised to be putting out an October issue, too. This is a prime example of "quickie press". I could make a bad joke about the Halloween issue and me being a ghost writer, but I won't.
• Again, the November issue will be late, but it should be packed full of goodies. An on-the-spot account of APICS; first-hand report of Ford Motor Co.'s vendor exhibit and introducing Doug Prensler and the brand Spanking new Toronto office.
• A note about APICS; If you are planning to visit DPI's exhibit at APICS (November 2-4 in Cleveland), you should give me your name no later than next Friday, October 7. I will have an exhibitor's badge made for you which you may obtain via the booth during the convention. Please contact me at Extension 182 in Sunnyvale and if I'm not there, leave a message!
• IMPORTANT: If you plan to stay in the Cleveland area overnight, make your reservation NOW. The major hotels are booked solid for that week. A raffle will be held for Room #6 of DPI's block of rooms.
• A SPECIAL NOTE this month is the Southwestern Region's next B00gie-Down-Bash. They never learn! We turned their homes into warehouses in July and they're asking for it again. This time it's an intergalactic BOOgie bash. Wear the ceremonial garb of your native planet (what solar system is DPI in?). That's TWO, Central Region!!

BOO(gie)

TELLING - IT - LIKE - IT- IS DEPT.

• Official Scoreboard - PINBALL '77
  • The depressing results of Pinball '77 are in. Pinball '77, played at Building Seven on September l5, was quite a disappointment. Somehow ( because of some sympathetic heart) an OUTSIDER from the State of California was allowed to play and picked up the title of Pinball Wizard '77. Leave it to the government!
  • Competition began with 22 participants. Pinball Wizard '76, Carey "Double Bonus" Kelley, in a futile attempt to defend his title, was ousted on his ear early in Round Three. High Point Achiever '76 Rick McCusker, was not available to defend his title. "By a fluke" (that's an official quote), Billy Goodner, our only hope for redemption, was knocked out of competition in Round One. By another fluke (the fact that he didn't show up), Lynn Brandhorst couldn't even save us. Disgusting!
  • High Point Achiever '77 was Field Engineer, Greg Schmidt, with a whopping 92,760 points. Greg, accompanied by Pubs & Training's own Charlene Kutz, marched into Round Four with the OUTSIDER and valiantly attempted to save DPI's pinball reputation. It was close, but no cigar.
  • Editorial note: SSN believes that the situation at Pinball '77 was uncalled for and unfair. We demand a rematch.
• CAN THE CENTRAL REGION BOOGIE???
  • Touché Western!! We are meeting, and will beat, the Bicentennial-Plus-One Boogie Down Bash. After APICS, there will be a bash for all DPI folks who have not yet been mugged or abused by the Cleveland locals. It will begin Friday, Nov. 4. You must make your own way to the Windy City.
  • Friday night will see some rowdy gatherings at local boogie establishments. Saturday morning, you're in for a treat with brunch scheduled at Butch McGuire's. Saturday night's soiree is scheduled to make Western's 17 hour brunch look like a 5-minute car wash. (You must bring a HAT to this function.)
  • Free ambulance service to the O'Hare airport. More details will follow either from Alan Minard (or somebody from Central) and Sister Boogie Woman. Lodging arrangements will be get-what-you-can-with-whoever-you-can!
  • The gala affair will also include a first annual regional bakeoff, Judge Merlin (the world famous brownie judger) presiding.
  • SEE YOU ALL IN CHICAGO!!!!
  • Ref: AM/BS/PA/DM/SM/RM/CW/etcetcetc. 9/77

SCATTERED NOTES

• Personal to RW (Joe): Did you ever think of becoming a writer?
• Does Stan Moraniec really drive a Ford Accord?
• Welcome Larry Hofmann to the DPI Half-A-Birthday-Cake Club
• Results of the Homing Pretzel Olympics:
  Homing Pretzels: 2
  DPI:                      1.5
• Does Larry Hofmann really prefer to drink wine out of a boot instead of a slipper?

This space is dedicated to a few moments of silence to observe the passing of our old friend, the DPI logo.

Let us now join in welcoming in the new. (Note from Bill: Stop the hissing)

SSN 009 December 1977

GARBAGE IN / GARBAGE OUT

In this issue:

• A Thumbnail Sketch on a very unique system: Cadillac Motor Division
• I had the pleasure one afternoon in October of touring the Cadillac plant with Rick McCusker, DPI Systems Engineer. Cadillac's Project Leader, Terry Coyne, showed Rick and me why they selected DPI, the "Cadillac" of the factory data collection industry, as the most capable system for their New Car Shipping operation.
• A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!! The Sales and Systems Newsletter is for DPI INTERNAL USE ONLY. Please do not, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, reproduce and circulate this newsletter (particularly the Thumbnail Sketches) to customers or prospective customers. Our customers are allowing DPI to publish these application briefs based on an agreement that they will not be used outside DPI. The Newsletter is published for YOUR information, education and enjoyment. Please cooperate with this request in order to keep SSN in circulation.
• And now for something completely different: Merry Christmas to all (und Herzliche Weihnachten, meine Deutscher Freunden!) As a holiday season special (and just in time for the celebrations), SSN is offering limited quantities of the famous "Factory Control Headaches?" aspirin packets from APICS. If you'd like some to hand out to customers, please let me know.
• We've added a couple of new faces since the last issue: Erle Hodges, a former Singer peddler, has joined DPI as a Sales Rep in Detroit. The Chicago office recently welcomed Tom Ware to their staff of Systems Engineers. Newcomer Dave Vincent has been joined by Ray Burchard as a Senior Product Analyst. Welcome aboard, gentlemen!
• Have a lovely holiday season!

DPI Gets the Feeling in Cleveland

• On November 2-4 in Cleveland, Ohio, DPI participated in the annual American Production & Inventory Control Society convention for the third year. In spite of the location, APICS experienced a record attendance of 3,800 participants. Approximately 30 companies exhibited their manufacturing systems wares, including IBM (3270, 5230, & System 3), Sierra Research, Incoterm (with their new factory data collection system) and Panasonic. (Phrog: Rumor has it that Terry Hofmann never reads the first paragraph of any SSN article.) DPI shared an impressive 60-foot booth with NCR, who exhibited their new manufacturing system, MISSION.
• Overall, DPI's exhibit was well received. The change in logo. caused a slight identity crisis ("Does NCR REALLY make data collection equipment?"), but APICS members soon recognized DPI's attractive product line and became accustomed to the merger.
• In terms of customer and prospect awareness, we were proud to display our entire current product line: Model 153 Processor, 103/107 Multi-Function Terminals, 102 Attendance Terminals, MIT 133 and 134 Display Stations and MIT 138 Printers. in addition, the new data sheeets (i.e., spec sheets, product flyers, etc., etc.) were hot off the press for distribution at the convention. (Phorg: Special thanks to John McLaughlin, Marketing's illustrator, for the super graphics on the new data sheets!).
• This APICS exhibit was, by far, the most well organized and professional appearance DPI has made at a trade show. The combination of efforts from Headquarters and the Central Region can best be described as "getting the feeling from Sunnyvale to Cleveland."

DPI CANADA LTD: Open for Business

• On October 1, in a small office in Canada's "Golden Horseshoe", DPI flung open-the doors of our new Toronto office. A team of four--Doug Prensler (Sales Rep), Warren Baker (Systems Engineer), Doug Hofman and Steve Ogar (Field Lngineers)--provide the Canadian extension of DPI's service and support.
• Canadian-born Doug "Shooter" Prensler, a 15-year veteran of Singer, is very optimistic about the prospective business in his patch. He estimates that there are 200 companies with the potential and the need for source data collection capabilities. The industry representation is basically Primary Steel, Agricultural Equipment (DPI customer, Massey Ferguson, is Canada's largest manufacturer of farm and construction equipment), Aircraft and a large number of American subsidiaries such as Ford, GM and John Deere.
• Systems Engineer Warren Baker, also a native of Canada and a 7-1/2 year veteran of Singer, serves DPI's two installed systems: Massey Ferguson and NCR Waterloo. With a winning combination like Doug, Warren, and Steve, they're bound to have the RCMP and their horses clocking in and out in no time! Best of luck, gentlemen!

SCATTERED NOTES

• DPI ITERNAL USE ONLY      (Bill: This is so scattered, it is at the bottem of every page!)
  Not to be Reproduced
• DPI VOTES THE DANNYBURGER DELUXE AS THE MOST EDIBLE MEAL IN CLEVELAND!
• Pardon Us, Ralph, but your slip is showing! - Will NCR subsidiary Appleton Papers in Appleton Wisconsin buy the idea of a "paperless factory" from our DPI sales rep?
• Personal to Dale Hungenberg: Please come home, we need you.  Signed, NARF.
• FOR RENT OR LEASE:  Prime non-view office space between D. Lincicome and L. Brandhorst.  Four walls and door.  Reasonable (ha, ridiculous!).  Contact D. Piveral, Field Engineering.
• Lynn Brandhorst:  Joggernaut
• 9 out of 10 men who drive Mercedes and own Piper Cherokee Arrows read SSN.  Where is number ten getting his info?
• Welcome T_BOTZ to the DPI Half-A-Birthday Cake (and one in the face) Club!
• Who DID win the "Marie Osmond-in-the-Farrah Fawcett wig" contest?  And what is "mmmmmm?"
  (Bill: for more info go to the ETF Dinner recollections on the ETF Page - some will still wonder)