With the electronic mail revolution and with computerisation in general, business communications have undergone massive changes in recent years. Traditional corporate communication methods such as mail, couriers, faxes, and even telephones have been downgraded in terms of importance for day-to-day business communications. But with the changes have come some fresh challenges. Here, Jimi St. Pierre explores two of these, and offers a solution.
Electronic mail has revolutionised business communication, while computerisation in general has defined a new era in the management of information.
With the electronic mail revolution and with computerisation in general, business communications have undergone massive changes in recent years. Traditional corporate communication methods such as mail, couriers, faxes, and even telephones have been downgraded in terms of importance for day-to-day business communications.
But with the changes have come some fresh challenges. Two in particular are at the top of the list of headaches for most organisations. Firstly, the problem of email overload, and how to file and allocate all the attached documentation which accrues. And secondly, the continuing need to manage electronic documents thus generated, and the more tradition paper-based documents which are still part of the business workflow.
Workflow problems: an exampleTo solve the first problem, many software systems have been developed for email management. However, these do not necessarily solve the second problem, and at the same time, they miss the opportunity to attack both issues with one overall software solution. Consider this example situation. An invoice arrives in the regular mail and is filed by the bought ledger department. At the same time, a confirmation email arrives to the purchase initiator stating that the invoice has been sent. This gets copied to the accounts department via internal network. The accounts department can respond to this to acknowledge receipt, but crucially this is not electronically linked to the details of the invoice. Thus later, if a query arises, an email management system will be able to retrieve the email, but the invoice will take more hunting through other files. Thus time and money is unnecessarily wasted on searching for related information stored in different ways and formats.
Electronic Document Management solutionsFor many businesses the solution is to be found in using electronic document management (EDM). EDM is a high-level storage system which collects, indexes and stores information in all forms - including email of course - and which consequently can be easily searched and audited by every staff member to whom it is relevant. An integrated, organised electronic document management system ensures a business is storing and protecting the important information and knowledge that make up the intellectual and intangible assets of the company. Additionally and crucially, it ensures a company meets its legal requirements for the storing and retrieving information which in some cases is a need that goes on for many years.
Things to look for in an EDM systemThe best advice to begin with, is to ensure the EDM system can manage all types of document, not only email. This would include paper documents and well as electronic formats, for example faxes diary records and written reports. Also, of course, video and audio formats are often part of a company's knowledge base, and should be included.
The system should also be able to allow editing and modification (password protected) of documents from within the system. Originators of documents might be using their own particular front-end application, but where the document produced is shared, it should be editable via the EDM.
The system should allow access to records according to a managed set of rules and guidelines to be set up in the EDM system, with a corresponding audit trail to ensure security and accountability at all times.
How does EDM work?They work by scanning documents into a system where they are automatically indexed and filed electronically, so documents can then be instantly recalled by searching on key words. The systems can work in tandem existing software such as accountancy packages and contact databases, so that output from several different systems may be electronically filed within the one overall meta-system.
How to choose an electronic document management system One of the first things to look for is an electronic document management system that is very easy to use. It should be easy to install across a network, and be up and running within days. Pay attention to the user interface - the best systems have invested hugely in these, to ensure that staff will require minimal training to use the system. Remote access to documents should also be explored - finding documents while on the move should be straightforward.
Finally - the benefitsThe main benefits to an EDM installation are improved productivity, better teamwork and work relations. Staff will become used to sharing knowledge and documents to the benefit of all. Less paper in the office makes environmental sense, with no space-consuming hard copies to find room for. In short, all data becomes instantly available at the touch of a button, offering peace of mind that company procedures can be followed in detailPsychology Articles, and response to regulatory checks can be actioned the moment they are required.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/electronic-document-management-edm-steps-towards-better-workflow.html
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Your Electronic Filing Cabinet
The purpose of this article is to provide the beginner and intermediate computer user with a clear understanding of the computer's filing system: how electronic information is stored and organized. Upon completion you will be able to master all phases of file management, efficiently completing tasks such as saving, moving, renaming and deleting files including storing and backing up valuable information. End result will be an organized and efficient filing system. All of the information on your computer is stored in files. There are two types of files: program files and data files. Your electronic files can be likened to a paper filing system in a filing cabinet, both being stored in a similar fashion.
In a filing cabinet paper documents are stored in file folders; each given individual names. Information is grouped by subject and all the data dealing with a particular subject is placed in the same file folder and then placed in the filing cabinet. These folders are then arranged in numerical or chronological order, ensuring information is easily accessible.
Organizing and labeling files in this manner can be applied to your electronic documents. Information is stored in individual data files. Each document or data file has an assigned name. Data files containing similar information can then be grouped together in electronic file folders, and no two files in the same folder can have the same name. Each folder is then assigned its own label. The computer's filing cabinet is its hard drive and floppy disks.
Windows Explorer is the file manager that allows you to view and maintain your computer's filing system and keep it current. Using Explorer, you can copy, move, delete, and rename files. You can create new folders and subfolders to contain your growing data.
The main window of the Windows Explorer is divided into two display areas. On the left-hand side is the ALL FOLDERS pane which displays all of the main directories and folders stored on your computer. The right side or CONTENTS displays the contents of your selected drives or folders.
You can use Windows Explorer to view the contents of your harddisk. Load Windows Explorer by clicking on START, go to PROGRAMS and then Click Windows Explorer. In the left pane, click the letter that indicates your hard disk; usually this is a represented by a (C:) The contents of your hard disk (drive) appear in the right pane.
Folders can contain both files and more folders. Some of these are associated with specific programs. These are the program files placed on your system when you install a new software program. Other folders can be set up by the user, these files are called data files and can be stored in organized, logical areas. To display the contents of any folder, click the folder in the Directory Tree (left) pane so that it opens. Contents willbe displayed in the right pane.
Files are normally arranged alphabetically. You can also arrange files by type, date, or size. Click the View menu, and then select Arrange Icons. A submenu comes up from which you can choose different arrangement options. This feature can be useful in finding files, when the name is not clear.
A paper filing system is maintained on a regular basis as business changes and grows, so should you regularly maintain your computer's filing system. You will want to discard documents as they become out of date. You will find the need to move folders and/or documents to another location. You may even want to rename a file. Windows Explorer provides many commands that help you create and maintain a filing system specifically suited to your personal needs. Below are listed some of the commands on the file menu that will aid you in keeping your filing system in order.
Important File Menu Commands for File Management
1. New -- To create a new folder of subfolder
2. Delete -- To delete a file or folder
3. Rename -- To change the name of a file or folder
To save a file click on FILE in the menu bar, select SAVE. In the dialog box type the name you want to give the file and click on the Save button. The document is now saved on your hard disk.
To create a new folder in Windows Explorer click once on hard drive icon (usually (C) to make it active. In this way the new folder won't become a subfolder of another folder). Click FILE on the menu bar, select NEW and click FOLDER. A new folder will be created. The new folder is highlighted so you can type in a name for the folder. Notice in the left pane of Windows Explorer that there are plus signs to the left of some of the folders. If you click on a plus sign it will change to a minus sign and several subfolders are displayed under the the folder icon. Still some of these folders may have a plus sign indicating subfolders within then. Click on the different folders in the directory tree, and watch how the tree will continue to expand and display its different branches of folders and subfolders Files can be easily deleted. First select the folder in which the file is being stored by double clicking on it. Remember the folder will be on the left side of the Explorer window. The files will now be displayed in the right pane. To delete the file, click on the file icon or the file's name. Click FILE on the menu bar and click the DELETE command. A dialog box appears asking you to confirm that you want to delete the file and send it to Recycle Bin. This is an safeguard to double-check your command to delete the file. Click the Yes button to confirm your decision. The file will be removed from your folder and placed in the Recycle Bin where it is stored should you decide to restore the file at a later time. The dialog box and the recycle bin both protect against deleting a file by mistake.
When renaming a file there are a few things to consider. Files, like folders, can contain up to 255 characters excluding the /:*?"<> characters.
Do "NOT" change the last 3 characters (extension) of the filename. Windows looks at this extension to associate the document with a specific application.
To change a file name, first select the particular file. For example: say you have a file named "FOLLOWUPS" and you would like to change the name to "FOLLOWUP LETTERS". Select the"FOLLOWUPS" file in your contents window (right side of Explorer window). Click on the File menu and select RENAME. The file name becomes encircled indicating you can now type in the new name. You can now type in "FOLLOWUP LETTERS" and you have successfully changed the file name.
Until you become an advanced user I would suggest that you avoid moving program and system files. However, your personal data files you can rearrange to to meet your filing needs. Select the file or folder you want to copy or move. You can do this with more than one file or folder at a time. To select nonadjacent items, hold down CTRL key and click the items you want to select. For adjacent items hold down the Shift key while you select the items.
On the Edit menu, click Copy to copy the file, or click Cut to move the file. Double-Click the folder in which you want to place the file that is being moved or copied. On the Edit menu, click Paste. The file will now appear in its new location.
The drive and folder containing the files to be copied are called the source drive and source folder. Respectively, the drive and folder to which the files are to be copied are called the destination drive and destination folder.
The method of copying files to a floppy disk is the same procedure as copying a file to a folder. Select the file to be copied, go to the Edit menu and click Copy: Select 3½ Floppy:A as your destination drive by double-clicking on its icon. On the file menu select paste and the file will be copied to the floppy disk. It is a wise to make backup copies of your important files on a floppy disk. In the event of a computer crash or should you accidentally delete an file, valuable information will not be lost. To find files in Windows Explorer, click on TOOLS in the menu bar. When the tools drop down menu appears select FIND and then click on Files and Folders. The Find: All Files dialog box appears. Type the name of the file you are trying to locate in the Named box. Click the Find Now button. Windows is now searching for the file indicated by the rotating magnifying glass under the New Search button.
In summation:
Windows Explorer is the application program that allows you to view the contents of the computer, the hierarchy of folders on the computer, and the files and folders in each folder.
Windows Explorer allows you to manage your electronic filing system to suit your preferences. You can copy, move, rename, or delete files and create back-up files on a floppy disk. As you create new folders, strive to develop a filing system that will allow easy access to all your computer projects.
As you create new files and folders, you many want to move them or copy them to a different location. Until you become an advanced user avoid moving program files.
When trying to locate a file remember you can use the Find command in Windows Explorer. You can also use the Find command on the start menuArticle Search, which will also open the Find Files and Folders dialog box.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/computers/your-electronic-filing-cabinet.html
In a filing cabinet paper documents are stored in file folders; each given individual names. Information is grouped by subject and all the data dealing with a particular subject is placed in the same file folder and then placed in the filing cabinet. These folders are then arranged in numerical or chronological order, ensuring information is easily accessible.
Organizing and labeling files in this manner can be applied to your electronic documents. Information is stored in individual data files. Each document or data file has an assigned name. Data files containing similar information can then be grouped together in electronic file folders, and no two files in the same folder can have the same name. Each folder is then assigned its own label. The computer's filing cabinet is its hard drive and floppy disks.
Windows Explorer is the file manager that allows you to view and maintain your computer's filing system and keep it current. Using Explorer, you can copy, move, delete, and rename files. You can create new folders and subfolders to contain your growing data.
The main window of the Windows Explorer is divided into two display areas. On the left-hand side is the ALL FOLDERS pane which displays all of the main directories and folders stored on your computer. The right side or CONTENTS displays the contents of your selected drives or folders.
You can use Windows Explorer to view the contents of your harddisk. Load Windows Explorer by clicking on START, go to PROGRAMS and then Click Windows Explorer. In the left pane, click the letter that indicates your hard disk; usually this is a represented by a (C:) The contents of your hard disk (drive) appear in the right pane.
Folders can contain both files and more folders. Some of these are associated with specific programs. These are the program files placed on your system when you install a new software program. Other folders can be set up by the user, these files are called data files and can be stored in organized, logical areas. To display the contents of any folder, click the folder in the Directory Tree (left) pane so that it opens. Contents willbe displayed in the right pane.
Files are normally arranged alphabetically. You can also arrange files by type, date, or size. Click the View menu, and then select Arrange Icons. A submenu comes up from which you can choose different arrangement options. This feature can be useful in finding files, when the name is not clear.
A paper filing system is maintained on a regular basis as business changes and grows, so should you regularly maintain your computer's filing system. You will want to discard documents as they become out of date. You will find the need to move folders and/or documents to another location. You may even want to rename a file. Windows Explorer provides many commands that help you create and maintain a filing system specifically suited to your personal needs. Below are listed some of the commands on the file menu that will aid you in keeping your filing system in order.
Important File Menu Commands for File Management
1. New -- To create a new folder of subfolder
2. Delete -- To delete a file or folder
3. Rename -- To change the name of a file or folder
To save a file click on FILE in the menu bar, select SAVE. In the dialog box type the name you want to give the file and click on the Save button. The document is now saved on your hard disk.
To create a new folder in Windows Explorer click once on hard drive icon (usually (C) to make it active. In this way the new folder won't become a subfolder of another folder). Click FILE on the menu bar, select NEW and click FOLDER. A new folder will be created. The new folder is highlighted so you can type in a name for the folder. Notice in the left pane of Windows Explorer that there are plus signs to the left of some of the folders. If you click on a plus sign it will change to a minus sign and several subfolders are displayed under the the folder icon. Still some of these folders may have a plus sign indicating subfolders within then. Click on the different folders in the directory tree, and watch how the tree will continue to expand and display its different branches of folders and subfolders Files can be easily deleted. First select the folder in which the file is being stored by double clicking on it. Remember the folder will be on the left side of the Explorer window. The files will now be displayed in the right pane. To delete the file, click on the file icon or the file's name. Click FILE on the menu bar and click the DELETE command. A dialog box appears asking you to confirm that you want to delete the file and send it to Recycle Bin. This is an safeguard to double-check your command to delete the file. Click the Yes button to confirm your decision. The file will be removed from your folder and placed in the Recycle Bin where it is stored should you decide to restore the file at a later time. The dialog box and the recycle bin both protect against deleting a file by mistake.
When renaming a file there are a few things to consider. Files, like folders, can contain up to 255 characters excluding the /:*?"<> characters.
Do "NOT" change the last 3 characters (extension) of the filename. Windows looks at this extension to associate the document with a specific application.
To change a file name, first select the particular file. For example: say you have a file named "FOLLOWUPS" and you would like to change the name to "FOLLOWUP LETTERS". Select the"FOLLOWUPS" file in your contents window (right side of Explorer window). Click on the File menu and select RENAME. The file name becomes encircled indicating you can now type in the new name. You can now type in "FOLLOWUP LETTERS" and you have successfully changed the file name.
Until you become an advanced user I would suggest that you avoid moving program and system files. However, your personal data files you can rearrange to to meet your filing needs. Select the file or folder you want to copy or move. You can do this with more than one file or folder at a time. To select nonadjacent items, hold down CTRL key and click the items you want to select. For adjacent items hold down the Shift key while you select the items.
On the Edit menu, click Copy to copy the file, or click Cut to move the file. Double-Click the folder in which you want to place the file that is being moved or copied. On the Edit menu, click Paste. The file will now appear in its new location.
The drive and folder containing the files to be copied are called the source drive and source folder. Respectively, the drive and folder to which the files are to be copied are called the destination drive and destination folder.
The method of copying files to a floppy disk is the same procedure as copying a file to a folder. Select the file to be copied, go to the Edit menu and click Copy: Select 3½ Floppy:A as your destination drive by double-clicking on its icon. On the file menu select paste and the file will be copied to the floppy disk. It is a wise to make backup copies of your important files on a floppy disk. In the event of a computer crash or should you accidentally delete an file, valuable information will not be lost. To find files in Windows Explorer, click on TOOLS in the menu bar. When the tools drop down menu appears select FIND and then click on Files and Folders. The Find: All Files dialog box appears. Type the name of the file you are trying to locate in the Named box. Click the Find Now button. Windows is now searching for the file indicated by the rotating magnifying glass under the New Search button.
In summation:
Windows Explorer is the application program that allows you to view the contents of the computer, the hierarchy of folders on the computer, and the files and folders in each folder.
Windows Explorer allows you to manage your electronic filing system to suit your preferences. You can copy, move, rename, or delete files and create back-up files on a floppy disk. As you create new folders, strive to develop a filing system that will allow easy access to all your computer projects.
As you create new files and folders, you many want to move them or copy them to a different location. Until you become an advanced user avoid moving program files.
When trying to locate a file remember you can use the Find command in Windows Explorer. You can also use the Find command on the start menuArticle Search, which will also open the Find Files and Folders dialog box.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/computers/your-electronic-filing-cabinet.html
Electronic Support Systems: A Great Way to Stretch Expertise
Imagine providing your employees and customers with unlimited training to help them become rote experts in your products and services. This approach is expensive and time-consuming, as it emphasizes "installing knowledge" into people’s heads. An alternative approach is an electronic support system.
Wouldn't it be great to have thoroughly trained experts handle every issue and solve every problem in your organization? Imagine what a perfect world it would be if, after hiring bright and eager people, you could provide them with a limitless amount of training to help make each person become a rote expert in his or her job domain. Likewise, imagine being able to educate customers to become experts in every facet of using your offerings, regardless of how complex they are.
If this sounds like a perfect world, perhaps it is, but it's also expensive and time-consuming. It places tremendous emphasis on "installing knowledge" into the brains of employees and consumers to handle complexity in products, services, and internal procedures. This article discusses alternatives to that approach, which include electronic support systems.
Either Simplify -- Or Offer Electronic Support!We know that one way to reduce the need for both personnel and customer training is to simplify, simplify, simplify. This refers to everything from system interfaces, setup tasks, and procedures to anything else related to what you offer to your customers or require your personnel to do.
Simplifying your offerings makes it easier for your customers to use them, and also makes them much more straightforward to market, document, test, and maintain. If your business could be made this uncomplicated, imagine how much less effort you'd need to exert to pump information into your employees and customers!But what if total simplification isn't possible, and neither is perpetual training? Some domains of knowledge are constantly in a state of flux as they shift to reflect changing industry standards, government rules, and other dynamic forces. If your offerings revolve around such domains, even the best attempts at training people to become cutting-edge specialists will fall behind the curve eventually. An alternative would be to embed wisdom in your systems and offerings so that you won't need to plant it in the minds of customers and employees.
Electronic support systems can help greatly in these situations. These systems are integrated environments that are easily accessible by each employee, or if they are embodied in your offerings, by your customers. They can provide immediate, individualized admission to a full range of advice, guidance, assistance, information, software, data, images, tools, assessments, decision support, and monitoring aids. They thereby help people evaluate options and accomplish their work with minimal support and intervention by others.
More "People Power" with Less Know-HowElectronic support systems enable people to perform with a greater level of expertise than they actually have, with greater speed than they could otherwise, or when the knowledge they deal with is so dynamic that no one can reasonably keep up with it.
By supplying intelligent task assistance, these systems can provide just-in-time information, instruction, and the ability to do calculations; answer complex questions on the fly; and guide relatively difficult procedures. They are not necessarily cheap to develop, however, so they might not be within easy reach of an organization with a small budget. However, they have the potential to reduce training and customer support costs dramatically.
Example #1: Consumer LendingWhen applying for a loan over the telephone, you may have wondered, "Gosh, how have things speeded up so much these days so that in the course of one call, I can find out within ten or fifteen minutes whether I'm qualified?" The personnel on the other end of the call are probably using electronic support systems to guide them in completing the queries and calculations from beginning to end.
So, instead of having to acquire and maintain "rote knowledge" of their subject, such personnel may be depending heavily on a system, which is where much of the up-to-date information, calculation speed, and decision-making rules reside.
Example #2: Income Tax PreparationIf you've ever prepared your own income tax return, you probably know exactly how challenging it is to struggle through the tax preparation guides. Just staring at the forms, which seem to change radically every year, can be quite intimidating. You might have thrown up your hands, as many people do, and sought out a tax preparation software package such as Intuit's TurboTax.
TurboTax is an excellent example of an electronic support system that's available to the public. Its step-by-step process guides users through a series of inquiries that helps them perform each task correctly, even if they don't know the first thing about the U.S. tax code. It greatly reduces or eliminates customer training, which is one reason why it's so commercially successful.
Example #3: Technical SupportTechnical support personnel always need quick access to a knowledgebase of problems described by customers, and the resolutions that were developed to solve those problems. It's ideal for the staff to be able to troubleshoot problems quickly over the telephone, using some kind of electronic support system, rather than having to go off and research the same problem every time they get a call. Customers are much happier with the quick response, and personnel aren't tying up their time hunting around for answers.
In conclusion, wherever simplification leaves off, electronic support can help facilitate the remaining tasks. Such guidance can come in the form of interviews, tightly interwoven tips and hints, overviews, demonstrations, wizards, decision guidance, calculation tools, and other systematic interactions that intelligently aid people in achieving their goals.
If your organization aims to invest in an electronic support system, the indicators that could be factored into a payback analysis include customer satisfaction, the speed and volume of customer transactions, and reductions in average support call resolution time. These improvements could generate impressive savings and benefits over time, which might justify the costs of developing a system.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/electronic-support-systems-a-great-way-to-stretch-expertise.html
Wouldn't it be great to have thoroughly trained experts handle every issue and solve every problem in your organization? Imagine what a perfect world it would be if, after hiring bright and eager people, you could provide them with a limitless amount of training to help make each person become a rote expert in his or her job domain. Likewise, imagine being able to educate customers to become experts in every facet of using your offerings, regardless of how complex they are.
If this sounds like a perfect world, perhaps it is, but it's also expensive and time-consuming. It places tremendous emphasis on "installing knowledge" into the brains of employees and consumers to handle complexity in products, services, and internal procedures. This article discusses alternatives to that approach, which include electronic support systems.
Either Simplify -- Or Offer Electronic Support!We know that one way to reduce the need for both personnel and customer training is to simplify, simplify, simplify. This refers to everything from system interfaces, setup tasks, and procedures to anything else related to what you offer to your customers or require your personnel to do.
Simplifying your offerings makes it easier for your customers to use them, and also makes them much more straightforward to market, document, test, and maintain. If your business could be made this uncomplicated, imagine how much less effort you'd need to exert to pump information into your employees and customers!But what if total simplification isn't possible, and neither is perpetual training? Some domains of knowledge are constantly in a state of flux as they shift to reflect changing industry standards, government rules, and other dynamic forces. If your offerings revolve around such domains, even the best attempts at training people to become cutting-edge specialists will fall behind the curve eventually. An alternative would be to embed wisdom in your systems and offerings so that you won't need to plant it in the minds of customers and employees.
Electronic support systems can help greatly in these situations. These systems are integrated environments that are easily accessible by each employee, or if they are embodied in your offerings, by your customers. They can provide immediate, individualized admission to a full range of advice, guidance, assistance, information, software, data, images, tools, assessments, decision support, and monitoring aids. They thereby help people evaluate options and accomplish their work with minimal support and intervention by others.
More "People Power" with Less Know-HowElectronic support systems enable people to perform with a greater level of expertise than they actually have, with greater speed than they could otherwise, or when the knowledge they deal with is so dynamic that no one can reasonably keep up with it.
By supplying intelligent task assistance, these systems can provide just-in-time information, instruction, and the ability to do calculations; answer complex questions on the fly; and guide relatively difficult procedures. They are not necessarily cheap to develop, however, so they might not be within easy reach of an organization with a small budget. However, they have the potential to reduce training and customer support costs dramatically.
Example #1: Consumer LendingWhen applying for a loan over the telephone, you may have wondered, "Gosh, how have things speeded up so much these days so that in the course of one call, I can find out within ten or fifteen minutes whether I'm qualified?" The personnel on the other end of the call are probably using electronic support systems to guide them in completing the queries and calculations from beginning to end.
So, instead of having to acquire and maintain "rote knowledge" of their subject, such personnel may be depending heavily on a system, which is where much of the up-to-date information, calculation speed, and decision-making rules reside.
Example #2: Income Tax PreparationIf you've ever prepared your own income tax return, you probably know exactly how challenging it is to struggle through the tax preparation guides. Just staring at the forms, which seem to change radically every year, can be quite intimidating. You might have thrown up your hands, as many people do, and sought out a tax preparation software package such as Intuit's TurboTax.
TurboTax is an excellent example of an electronic support system that's available to the public. Its step-by-step process guides users through a series of inquiries that helps them perform each task correctly, even if they don't know the first thing about the U.S. tax code. It greatly reduces or eliminates customer training, which is one reason why it's so commercially successful.
Example #3: Technical SupportTechnical support personnel always need quick access to a knowledgebase of problems described by customers, and the resolutions that were developed to solve those problems. It's ideal for the staff to be able to troubleshoot problems quickly over the telephone, using some kind of electronic support system, rather than having to go off and research the same problem every time they get a call. Customers are much happier with the quick response, and personnel aren't tying up their time hunting around for answers.
In conclusion, wherever simplification leaves off, electronic support can help facilitate the remaining tasks. Such guidance can come in the form of interviews, tightly interwoven tips and hints, overviews, demonstrations, wizards, decision guidance, calculation tools, and other systematic interactions that intelligently aid people in achieving their goals.
If your organization aims to invest in an electronic support system, the indicators that could be factored into a payback analysis include customer satisfaction, the speed and volume of customer transactions, and reductions in average support call resolution time. These improvements could generate impressive savings and benefits over time, which might justify the costs of developing a system.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/electronic-support-systems-a-great-way-to-stretch-expertise.html
Prototyping Your New Electronic Product Idea
This article outlines the minimum tasks needed to send your new electronic product idea out for prototyping. It lists and defines the minimums to either perform your self or to have subcontracted.
Do you have an idea for an electronic product, the next must-have gadget, music or video system, time saver, or greatest problem-solving device that was ever invented? Even if you have the electronics product design expertise available, there are a number of tasks that you must complete and issues that you must resolve before you have an actual product design that can be produced, marketed, and sold. Once you have completed a product specification document and a marketing study, you should be prepared to have the product electronics and packaging design processes begun so that a prototype unit can be assembled and tested.
One of the first choices that must be made in the electronics design is which microprocessor or microcontroller architecture will be utilized if your product idea requires processing capability. Most microprocessor or microcontroller devices are available in a variety of configurations of internal memory sizes with some including non-volatile Flash memory for program storage, quantity and types of input and output pins, package types for surface mount or thru-hole applications, clock speeds, and interfaces that are supported by the processor without having to add additional devices.
Once a microprocessor or microcontroller family is selected, additional decisions must be made on which system clock frequency to use, how much processor and system memory will be required for the application, and how the software development processes are to be supported. The choice of processor architecture must consider the available software development and testing tools and the software design resources that will be required for your product's software/firmware design. Additional decisions must be made on how the software/firmware will be loaded into the processor's memory during the manufacturing process. Will the design allow the finished product to accept field or user initiated software/firmware upgrades, or will the product be a one-time programmable unit?
Before the processor portion of the design is completed, you must also define which types of interfaces to external systems will be required (serial port, parallel port, USB, Ethernet, wireless connection such as 802.11x or Bluetooth, infrared, etc.) and the minimum interface bandwidth rates required. All of these factors will play a role in choosing the best processor product to use in your design application. Some microprocessor/microcontroller product examples that you can research are the MicroChip PAL series and the family of products from Atmel as both of these suppliers provide some very powerful but low cost processor solutions.
Electronic components, including microprocessors and microcontrollers, are typically available in both surface mount and thru-hole versions. Some electronic components may be available in only one format (such as some transformers, relays, capacitors, power resistors, or connectors being available only in thru-hole packages). Surface mount components are preferred for any volume level production as they are usually less expensive to purchase, more readily available, and allow for more compact printed circuit board designs as the components take up much less space and can be applied to both sides of the board if necessary. Using surface mount technology may allow the printed circuit board design to use a smaller size and/or fewer layers, thus reducing raw board costs. However, surface mount components can make in-house assembly and soldering difficult if not impossible if you do not have the proper equipment and expertise.
The completed design will include a power supply section that will provide the voltage and current levels required by the design's components. Input power options could include plugging the unit into a 120 VAC outlet and converting the AC voltage to the appropriate regulated DC voltage levels internally as part of the power supply design. You could also choose to use an external power adapter that converts 120 VAC to a DC voltage level and then regulates this incoming DC voltage level to the level required by the design. A third option would be to have the product powered by batteries. If your product is to be battery powered, in addition to defining the battery technology and the number of amp hours of power storage in the batteries, you should also consider if a rechargeable battery design or an end user replaceable battery design is best for the product application and pricing.
Once the electronics design and the printed circuit board design are completed, the mechanical packaging and external enclosure designs can be finalized and the initial software development can be completed. Now it is time to have a prototype unit assembled and tested and decisions must be made regarding the manufacturing of the initial prototype units. Choices include ordering all of the components and assembling the prototype product in-house if you have the assembly expertise, subcontracting the prototyping process to a domestic contract electronics manufacturing company, or subcontracting the prototyping process to a contract electronics manufacturing company located off shore. If you do not have the expertise or equipment to properly assemble the prototype units, you should prepare a list of companies who can support your prototyping and production needs and begin the process of identifying your best options.
In addition to identifying who will assemble the prototype units, you should also be identifying which option you will use for manufacturing the production units. Choices include manufacturing the units yourself, contracting the assembly of the units externally with a domestic, or contracting the assembly of the units with an off shore electronics manufacturing service provider. If you plan to use an external manufacturing source, consider that some companies specialize in low volume specialty assemblies, such as prototype units or initial production, but are not able to cost effectively support high volume production levels due to capacity limitations. Other companies are in the opposite spectrum and specialize only in high volume levels. The quantity of units that would be high volume production from your point of view may not be large enough to elicit any interest a strictly high volume manufacturer. You should also consider delivery times from receipt of your purchase order as a factor in choosing an outside assembly source.
Another important factor to consider in this process of evaluating electronics manufacturing service providers would be the design assistance that they may be able to provide throughout the process of developing the product. Services such as electronics design and printed circuit board layout design, component selection and procurement process with assistance in multi-sourcing components, enclosure design, mechanical packaging design, and providing production capability from prototyping to low volume to high volume could all be of immense help to you. In addition, a contract electronics manufacturer may also provide suggestions to improve the manufacturability, lower component costs, and improve the product's reliability. Be sure to have an appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreement in place with any and all parties that are involved in this process to protect your intellectual property.
You must also define how will the manufactured product is to be tested and packaged. Once the product has been prototyped and tested successfully, it is important to determine the quantity of units to be manufactured for the initial production run and for volume manufacturing levels. You must also understand how many levels of distribution the product go through (with each level taking a cut of the margins) before it gets in front of a consumer to purchase.
If you are an inventor or have a great electronic product idea, I don't want to discourage you, but you must consider all of these activities and their associated costs before you commit to the thousands of dollars of expenses required for designing and prototyping your product idea. For instance, you should be prepared at a minimum to either perform yourself or to subcontract the completion of the following tasks:
- Product idea research (are there any existing products or patents already existing for this idea)
- Product specification document preparation (what it will do, how it will look, how will it be powered, and how the user will interface with it)
- Marketing study (what it will be named, who would buy this, how much would they pay, how will we get customers to purchase the product)
- Schematic or electronic circuit design process
- Creation of a bill of material or BOM and an approved vendor's list or AVL for each component in the design, preferably with multiple sources identified, with a BOM and AVL for each assembly level in the product
- Printed circuit board layout design process (single sided board, double sided board, or multilayer board; size of the pcb; board material)
- Mechanical packaging design with user interfaces (displays, buttons, switches, keys, interconnects, power supply, etc.); determining if the product assembly require sealing, internal conformal coating, or potting to protect against moisture
- Software/firmware development process and software tools required
- Prototype component procurement, prototype assembly and associated setup costs, and testing with software/firmware
- There may also be some UL and/or FCC regulatory compliance testing required depending upon your product application (such as FCC Part 15 and UL standards that may apply to the product category)
- Revisions to the designs as necessary based on initial testing results with possibly additional rounds of prototyping being required
- Any required changes from the prototype assembly and testing processes must be incorporated prior to the first production run. This may require changes to the schematic and printed board designs, changes to the mechanical packaging, changes to the software/firmwareArticle Submission, or cosmetic changes to the enclosure packaging.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/prototyping-your-new-electronic-product-idea.html
Do you have an idea for an electronic product, the next must-have gadget, music or video system, time saver, or greatest problem-solving device that was ever invented? Even if you have the electronics product design expertise available, there are a number of tasks that you must complete and issues that you must resolve before you have an actual product design that can be produced, marketed, and sold. Once you have completed a product specification document and a marketing study, you should be prepared to have the product electronics and packaging design processes begun so that a prototype unit can be assembled and tested.
One of the first choices that must be made in the electronics design is which microprocessor or microcontroller architecture will be utilized if your product idea requires processing capability. Most microprocessor or microcontroller devices are available in a variety of configurations of internal memory sizes with some including non-volatile Flash memory for program storage, quantity and types of input and output pins, package types for surface mount or thru-hole applications, clock speeds, and interfaces that are supported by the processor without having to add additional devices.
Once a microprocessor or microcontroller family is selected, additional decisions must be made on which system clock frequency to use, how much processor and system memory will be required for the application, and how the software development processes are to be supported. The choice of processor architecture must consider the available software development and testing tools and the software design resources that will be required for your product's software/firmware design. Additional decisions must be made on how the software/firmware will be loaded into the processor's memory during the manufacturing process. Will the design allow the finished product to accept field or user initiated software/firmware upgrades, or will the product be a one-time programmable unit?
Before the processor portion of the design is completed, you must also define which types of interfaces to external systems will be required (serial port, parallel port, USB, Ethernet, wireless connection such as 802.11x or Bluetooth, infrared, etc.) and the minimum interface bandwidth rates required. All of these factors will play a role in choosing the best processor product to use in your design application. Some microprocessor/microcontroller product examples that you can research are the MicroChip PAL series and the family of products from Atmel as both of these suppliers provide some very powerful but low cost processor solutions.
Electronic components, including microprocessors and microcontrollers, are typically available in both surface mount and thru-hole versions. Some electronic components may be available in only one format (such as some transformers, relays, capacitors, power resistors, or connectors being available only in thru-hole packages). Surface mount components are preferred for any volume level production as they are usually less expensive to purchase, more readily available, and allow for more compact printed circuit board designs as the components take up much less space and can be applied to both sides of the board if necessary. Using surface mount technology may allow the printed circuit board design to use a smaller size and/or fewer layers, thus reducing raw board costs. However, surface mount components can make in-house assembly and soldering difficult if not impossible if you do not have the proper equipment and expertise.
The completed design will include a power supply section that will provide the voltage and current levels required by the design's components. Input power options could include plugging the unit into a 120 VAC outlet and converting the AC voltage to the appropriate regulated DC voltage levels internally as part of the power supply design. You could also choose to use an external power adapter that converts 120 VAC to a DC voltage level and then regulates this incoming DC voltage level to the level required by the design. A third option would be to have the product powered by batteries. If your product is to be battery powered, in addition to defining the battery technology and the number of amp hours of power storage in the batteries, you should also consider if a rechargeable battery design or an end user replaceable battery design is best for the product application and pricing.
Once the electronics design and the printed circuit board design are completed, the mechanical packaging and external enclosure designs can be finalized and the initial software development can be completed. Now it is time to have a prototype unit assembled and tested and decisions must be made regarding the manufacturing of the initial prototype units. Choices include ordering all of the components and assembling the prototype product in-house if you have the assembly expertise, subcontracting the prototyping process to a domestic contract electronics manufacturing company, or subcontracting the prototyping process to a contract electronics manufacturing company located off shore. If you do not have the expertise or equipment to properly assemble the prototype units, you should prepare a list of companies who can support your prototyping and production needs and begin the process of identifying your best options.
In addition to identifying who will assemble the prototype units, you should also be identifying which option you will use for manufacturing the production units. Choices include manufacturing the units yourself, contracting the assembly of the units externally with a domestic, or contracting the assembly of the units with an off shore electronics manufacturing service provider. If you plan to use an external manufacturing source, consider that some companies specialize in low volume specialty assemblies, such as prototype units or initial production, but are not able to cost effectively support high volume production levels due to capacity limitations. Other companies are in the opposite spectrum and specialize only in high volume levels. The quantity of units that would be high volume production from your point of view may not be large enough to elicit any interest a strictly high volume manufacturer. You should also consider delivery times from receipt of your purchase order as a factor in choosing an outside assembly source.
Another important factor to consider in this process of evaluating electronics manufacturing service providers would be the design assistance that they may be able to provide throughout the process of developing the product. Services such as electronics design and printed circuit board layout design, component selection and procurement process with assistance in multi-sourcing components, enclosure design, mechanical packaging design, and providing production capability from prototyping to low volume to high volume could all be of immense help to you. In addition, a contract electronics manufacturer may also provide suggestions to improve the manufacturability, lower component costs, and improve the product's reliability. Be sure to have an appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreement in place with any and all parties that are involved in this process to protect your intellectual property.
You must also define how will the manufactured product is to be tested and packaged. Once the product has been prototyped and tested successfully, it is important to determine the quantity of units to be manufactured for the initial production run and for volume manufacturing levels. You must also understand how many levels of distribution the product go through (with each level taking a cut of the margins) before it gets in front of a consumer to purchase.
If you are an inventor or have a great electronic product idea, I don't want to discourage you, but you must consider all of these activities and their associated costs before you commit to the thousands of dollars of expenses required for designing and prototyping your product idea. For instance, you should be prepared at a minimum to either perform yourself or to subcontract the completion of the following tasks:
- Product idea research (are there any existing products or patents already existing for this idea)
- Product specification document preparation (what it will do, how it will look, how will it be powered, and how the user will interface with it)
- Marketing study (what it will be named, who would buy this, how much would they pay, how will we get customers to purchase the product)
- Schematic or electronic circuit design process
- Creation of a bill of material or BOM and an approved vendor's list or AVL for each component in the design, preferably with multiple sources identified, with a BOM and AVL for each assembly level in the product
- Printed circuit board layout design process (single sided board, double sided board, or multilayer board; size of the pcb; board material)
- Mechanical packaging design with user interfaces (displays, buttons, switches, keys, interconnects, power supply, etc.); determining if the product assembly require sealing, internal conformal coating, or potting to protect against moisture
- Software/firmware development process and software tools required
- Prototype component procurement, prototype assembly and associated setup costs, and testing with software/firmware
- There may also be some UL and/or FCC regulatory compliance testing required depending upon your product application (such as FCC Part 15 and UL standards that may apply to the product category)
- Revisions to the designs as necessary based on initial testing results with possibly additional rounds of prototyping being required
- Any required changes from the prototype assembly and testing processes must be incorporated prior to the first production run. This may require changes to the schematic and printed board designs, changes to the mechanical packaging, changes to the software/firmwareArticle Submission, or cosmetic changes to the enclosure packaging.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/prototyping-your-new-electronic-product-idea.html
Cool Electronic Gadgets
Advances in information technology and innovation in electronics in the recent years have given rise to a slew of entertaining electronic devices. From I-Pods to digital cameras, and from cell phones to lap tops, cool gadgets keep getting introduced one after the other.
The market is always flooded with objects of desire such as the Nike + I-Pod which combines the utility of a portable music player with that of a pedometer. Actually, they are two devices that joggers and runners have used for ages. But the fusion of the devices has brought together the functions to create a product that is far more advanced than an ordinary pedometer or the regular I-Pod.
Considered as essential things in the present day are handheld electronic gadgets and the trend is not one that will fade so easily. The only electronic thing of multi-utility that you find is not a cell phone. There are plenty of new gizmos that are catching up with passing time and these comprise digital organizers, GPS receivers and digital cameras. Once upon a time they used to be high-price luxury items but if you see today, they have come to be the minimal equipment for the common man. There is a variety to choose from out of the new arrivals in electronic gadgets as well as high-tech standbys.
The busy bodies and the men on constant move never tire of feeling lucky about the Blackberry that frees them from the binding of being present in their office and helps them keep their commitment towards friends and family, though there are others who curse it for making work intrude upon their moments of leisure by constantly keeping them in touch with their business associates.
Take it or leave it, but the electronic revolution is here to stay and you have an option either to get hooked or remain cut off from the mainstream, and let the world pass by you.
It’s about making the statement that you have arrived for changing with times and trendsComputer Technology Articles, getting the best from modern world and not allowing others to get the competitive edge over you.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/cool-electronic-gadgets.html
The market is always flooded with objects of desire such as the Nike + I-Pod which combines the utility of a portable music player with that of a pedometer. Actually, they are two devices that joggers and runners have used for ages. But the fusion of the devices has brought together the functions to create a product that is far more advanced than an ordinary pedometer or the regular I-Pod.
Considered as essential things in the present day are handheld electronic gadgets and the trend is not one that will fade so easily. The only electronic thing of multi-utility that you find is not a cell phone. There are plenty of new gizmos that are catching up with passing time and these comprise digital organizers, GPS receivers and digital cameras. Once upon a time they used to be high-price luxury items but if you see today, they have come to be the minimal equipment for the common man. There is a variety to choose from out of the new arrivals in electronic gadgets as well as high-tech standbys.
The busy bodies and the men on constant move never tire of feeling lucky about the Blackberry that frees them from the binding of being present in their office and helps them keep their commitment towards friends and family, though there are others who curse it for making work intrude upon their moments of leisure by constantly keeping them in touch with their business associates.
Take it or leave it, but the electronic revolution is here to stay and you have an option either to get hooked or remain cut off from the mainstream, and let the world pass by you.
It’s about making the statement that you have arrived for changing with times and trendsComputer Technology Articles, getting the best from modern world and not allowing others to get the competitive edge over you.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/cool-electronic-gadgets.html
The Costs of Electronic Check Conversion
If you are interested in purchasing an electronic check conversion system for your business, one of the first things you’ll want to consider is the cost
Each check reader will cost between $100 and $1,500, depending on the overall capability of the machine and what specific features you need. More expensive devices are able to store more data, as well as print text on the checks themselves for better integration with your POS terminal.
In addition to purchasing the check readers, you’ll have to pay a $50 application fee to install the equipment at each of your locations.
The cost of electronically reading and converting checks will usually come to between $0.15 and $0.25 per transaction, with a minimum monthly charge of $25 to $40. Vendors may also charge a small percentage of the value of each check processed.
Check verification will generally cost an additional $0.15 to $0.25 per successful transaction, along a monthly fee of $20 to $30 for reporting, statements, and system access.
Before you take the plunge and buy a check reading system for your business, it is a good idea to add up your current check processing expensesArticle Submission, and determine whether electronic conversion will represent significant cost savings for your business.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/the-costs-of-electronic-check-conversion.html
Each check reader will cost between $100 and $1,500, depending on the overall capability of the machine and what specific features you need. More expensive devices are able to store more data, as well as print text on the checks themselves for better integration with your POS terminal.
In addition to purchasing the check readers, you’ll have to pay a $50 application fee to install the equipment at each of your locations.
The cost of electronically reading and converting checks will usually come to between $0.15 and $0.25 per transaction, with a minimum monthly charge of $25 to $40. Vendors may also charge a small percentage of the value of each check processed.
Check verification will generally cost an additional $0.15 to $0.25 per successful transaction, along a monthly fee of $20 to $30 for reporting, statements, and system access.
Before you take the plunge and buy a check reading system for your business, it is a good idea to add up your current check processing expensesArticle Submission, and determine whether electronic conversion will represent significant cost savings for your business.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/the-costs-of-electronic-check-conversion.html
EVP Electronic Voice Phenomenon Voices from the Dead
EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomenon is purported to be the recording of voices from beyond the grave. Learn about the fascinating research that has been done in the area of EVP's. In the end it is up to you to decide whether or not electronic voice phenomenon recordings are of paranormal origin or if they have a more mundane explanation.
Electronic voice phenomenon, if true, seems to exceed the bounds of what is physically possible; thus, it is of paranormal origin. Colin Smith invented the term to describe speech or sounds resembling speech on recording media that has never been used.
Some researchers speculate that its origins rest in psychokenisis or the voices of spirits. Psychokenisis connotes the ability to move objects with your mind. It concerns the manipulation of matter and energy with just the mind.
Other researchers, more skeptical, point to pareidolia or radio interference. Pareidolia means that you mistakenly perceive images and sounds as being recognizable. A man in the moon, a face in ripples of glass windows, or hearing messages on records played in reverse are keen examples of pareidolia.
Most EVP sounds are in short, abrupt segments, usually the length of a word or phrase; sentences are uncommon, but not unheard of. The segments are frequently heard in the language of the listener.
A psychologist, Konstantin Raudive, conducted over 100,000 recordings under different conditions. His research amassed some conclusions about elements that all EVP sounds share. They used an altered rhythm compared to customary speech, were short in duration and resembled telegram-like speech, did not follow grammatical guidelines and rules, and several languages were heard over the space of a single recording.
Possible explanations, paranormal and non-paranormal, have been proposed and scrutinized by researchers and laymen.
A paranormal explanation, for example, is the idea that bodiless, ethereal spirits, in the absence of their own vocal cords, imprint their messages on recording media through some elusive method. Another is that extraterrestrials communicate, intentionally or accidentally, through some blip in space-time. The third most common idea is psychokenisis in which the subject is said to possess influence over matter with his mind. This term is popular in parapsychology.
Non-paranormal and scientific explanations include interference, pareidolia, capture errors, processing artifacts, and hoaxes. Interference is common when EVP phenomenon is recorded on devices that contain RLC circuitry. The sounds are, evidently, voices and sounds from broadcast radio sources. Capture errors are anomalies created by the overamplification of a signal at the time when it was initially recorded. A plethora of odd noises can result from it. A processing artifact is a sound that results from attempts to boost the clarity of an existing signal. I.e., frequency isolation, re-sampling, and noise reduction and enhancement can all conspire to create a sound that is artificially unique in comparison to the original.
Important researchers of the past and present are notable in the course of your further studies in electronic voice phenomenon. Some names to remember are Attila von Szalay, Raymond Bayless, Alexander MacRae, Judith Chisholm, Konstantin Raudive, Friedrich Jurgenson, Hans Bender, William O'Neil, and Sarah Estep. Many of these researchers made strides in exploring and popularizing EVP, but they don't represent a good sample of current researchers. This is because there are very few researchers today. There are scant articles in peer-reviewed journals, but EVP continues to be ignored by scientists at large. Experiments have produced mixed results. Despite this, there are several organizations that collect research, articles, photographsArticle Submission, and other media that support the legitimacy of EVP.
In the end it is up to you to decide whether or not electronic voice phenomenon recordings are of paranormal origin or if they have a more mundane explanation.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/metaphysical/evp-electronic-voice-phenomenon-voices-from-the-dead.html
Electronic voice phenomenon, if true, seems to exceed the bounds of what is physically possible; thus, it is of paranormal origin. Colin Smith invented the term to describe speech or sounds resembling speech on recording media that has never been used.
Some researchers speculate that its origins rest in psychokenisis or the voices of spirits. Psychokenisis connotes the ability to move objects with your mind. It concerns the manipulation of matter and energy with just the mind.
Other researchers, more skeptical, point to pareidolia or radio interference. Pareidolia means that you mistakenly perceive images and sounds as being recognizable. A man in the moon, a face in ripples of glass windows, or hearing messages on records played in reverse are keen examples of pareidolia.
Most EVP sounds are in short, abrupt segments, usually the length of a word or phrase; sentences are uncommon, but not unheard of. The segments are frequently heard in the language of the listener.
A psychologist, Konstantin Raudive, conducted over 100,000 recordings under different conditions. His research amassed some conclusions about elements that all EVP sounds share. They used an altered rhythm compared to customary speech, were short in duration and resembled telegram-like speech, did not follow grammatical guidelines and rules, and several languages were heard over the space of a single recording.
Possible explanations, paranormal and non-paranormal, have been proposed and scrutinized by researchers and laymen.
A paranormal explanation, for example, is the idea that bodiless, ethereal spirits, in the absence of their own vocal cords, imprint their messages on recording media through some elusive method. Another is that extraterrestrials communicate, intentionally or accidentally, through some blip in space-time. The third most common idea is psychokenisis in which the subject is said to possess influence over matter with his mind. This term is popular in parapsychology.
Non-paranormal and scientific explanations include interference, pareidolia, capture errors, processing artifacts, and hoaxes. Interference is common when EVP phenomenon is recorded on devices that contain RLC circuitry. The sounds are, evidently, voices and sounds from broadcast radio sources. Capture errors are anomalies created by the overamplification of a signal at the time when it was initially recorded. A plethora of odd noises can result from it. A processing artifact is a sound that results from attempts to boost the clarity of an existing signal. I.e., frequency isolation, re-sampling, and noise reduction and enhancement can all conspire to create a sound that is artificially unique in comparison to the original.
Important researchers of the past and present are notable in the course of your further studies in electronic voice phenomenon. Some names to remember are Attila von Szalay, Raymond Bayless, Alexander MacRae, Judith Chisholm, Konstantin Raudive, Friedrich Jurgenson, Hans Bender, William O'Neil, and Sarah Estep. Many of these researchers made strides in exploring and popularizing EVP, but they don't represent a good sample of current researchers. This is because there are very few researchers today. There are scant articles in peer-reviewed journals, but EVP continues to be ignored by scientists at large. Experiments have produced mixed results. Despite this, there are several organizations that collect research, articles, photographsArticle Submission, and other media that support the legitimacy of EVP.
In the end it is up to you to decide whether or not electronic voice phenomenon recordings are of paranormal origin or if they have a more mundane explanation.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/metaphysical/evp-electronic-voice-phenomenon-voices-from-the-dead.html
Electronic Communities
Electronic communities as a new phenomenon of electronic world appeared a few years ago when people throughout the world could get access to the Internet.
Internet has given its users unlimited possibilities to communicate, travel, learn, educate, know and meet new people disregarding their destinations and time frames. Nowadays the huge world that we learn about in school is just a global village. We can get our experiences as we went hopping from one place to another and observed that everything we need we can find wherever you go. And though we do not travel abroad, we can clearly see and describe the other side of the world. This is because everything has been made common to all by the electronic media. One browse and you can go around the world at once.
We are now fortunate to have the opportunity to learn how to use the computer. Yet, for a third world countries opportunity for education is less, that is why students end up undergraduate. But then I thought these who have not entered school yet knowledgeable in computer programs and operations are more fortunate. They did not spend time and money and effort just to learn what developing countries students learned. Yet, they know more than others. I then come up with one conclusion which is computers are user friendly and all information needed is fed to you through the Internet. So even if you do not enter college, just know how to read and you will be educated. This easy -- to -- access idea of using and connecting the Internet has developed in people the interest to learn without paying too much and even provided them the enjoyment of traveling and meeting other people around the world, sitting in the room.
Take for example Friendster. This online community works to connect people through networking of peers. I heard my friend confessed she already has gathered 137 of her classmates since her elementary years. This is one obvious example of the world as a global village. Perhaps, my friend’s classmates now reside in different countries around the world but with the help of the electronic media such as the Internet, they were able to communicateFree Reprint Articles, to chat with one another and may have sort of a reunion.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/education/electronic-communities.html
Internet has given its users unlimited possibilities to communicate, travel, learn, educate, know and meet new people disregarding their destinations and time frames. Nowadays the huge world that we learn about in school is just a global village. We can get our experiences as we went hopping from one place to another and observed that everything we need we can find wherever you go. And though we do not travel abroad, we can clearly see and describe the other side of the world. This is because everything has been made common to all by the electronic media. One browse and you can go around the world at once.
We are now fortunate to have the opportunity to learn how to use the computer. Yet, for a third world countries opportunity for education is less, that is why students end up undergraduate. But then I thought these who have not entered school yet knowledgeable in computer programs and operations are more fortunate. They did not spend time and money and effort just to learn what developing countries students learned. Yet, they know more than others. I then come up with one conclusion which is computers are user friendly and all information needed is fed to you through the Internet. So even if you do not enter college, just know how to read and you will be educated. This easy -- to -- access idea of using and connecting the Internet has developed in people the interest to learn without paying too much and even provided them the enjoyment of traveling and meeting other people around the world, sitting in the room.
Take for example Friendster. This online community works to connect people through networking of peers. I heard my friend confessed she already has gathered 137 of her classmates since her elementary years. This is one obvious example of the world as a global village. Perhaps, my friend’s classmates now reside in different countries around the world but with the help of the electronic media such as the Internet, they were able to communicateFree Reprint Articles, to chat with one another and may have sort of a reunion.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/education/electronic-communities.html
Can Your Customers Pay By Electronic Check?
Accepting electronic checks is essential to any business, and should not be overlooked. As many as 20% of America Online, Prodigy, and CompuServe users pay for their internet access by electronic check.
Are you curious about how some web-sites take checks? Have you ever paid your electric bill or cable TV bill by check over the phone? Have you paid your doctor, dentist or insurance company this way?
Many of these businesses and individuals are using popular software called CheckWriter to make this possible. CheckWriter is a stand alone software program that allows anyone to accept checks as payment over the phone, by fax or at any web-site. These check drafts can be deposited into any U.S. bank account the same day.
CheckWriter runs on a Windows 95/98 operating systems. Using a laser, ink-jet or bubble jet printer and a piece of Federal Reserve regulation check paper, the user can create a draft of the check that can be immediately deposited. Banks treat a draft just like they treat a check.
These drafts require no signature, just a verbal, fax or electronic authorization from the account holder. Taking check information is like taking credit card information. Rather than asking for the credit card number and expiration date, you ask for the routing number, account number and bank name.
Businesses and individuals can use CheckWriter, and no special bank account is required. There are no transaction fees, discount rates, or monthly fees. CheckWriter is software that you buy one time and then own forever.
Need 10 Reasons to use CheckWriter in Your Business?
1. No Fees. Buy the software one time, use it free forever.
2. Free Technical Support. The company provides free telephone technical support for 30 days, and web-based support for life.
3. Guaranteed or your money back. CheckWriter has a 30-day unconditional money back guarantee, and all checks are guaranteed to be accepted for deposit by any U.S. bank.
4. CheckWriter works great for collections. If you have slow pay customers on your books, use CheckWriter to get the payment the same day.
5. If someone does not own a credit card, they can pay by check instantly. If you don't take credit cards, you can start taking checks, and deposit payments by tomorrow afternoon.
6. If you want to take monthly installment payments from clients you can use CheckWriter to draft these payments each month, giving you the ability to better manage your receivables.
7. If you take orders over the phone, you can take checks by phone.
8. If you take orders at your web-site, you can add checks to your web-site very easily, and instantly increase current sales figures.
9. By ordering CheckWriter and offering this option to your customers you can have a sales increase of 10-25% within the first few weeks.
10. Perhaps more importantly, your competition uses CheckWriter.
Take payment at your site without paying ANY monthly fees. Taking checks is much less complicated than taking credit cards, and there are no discount rates, or transaction fees. Only a one time cost for the software which is less than $100.
Taking payments is simple and checks can be deposited in to your checking account the same day. Visit the checks-by-phone.com web-site to learn more about CheckWriter software.
Try an online demo of the software for free, and see how it works. View a sample of the check draft itself, and ask yourself:
"If CheckWriter has been available without a license since 1996Science Articles, why don't I use it yet?"
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/ecommerce/can-your-customers-pay-by-electronic-check.html
Are you curious about how some web-sites take checks? Have you ever paid your electric bill or cable TV bill by check over the phone? Have you paid your doctor, dentist or insurance company this way?
Many of these businesses and individuals are using popular software called CheckWriter to make this possible. CheckWriter is a stand alone software program that allows anyone to accept checks as payment over the phone, by fax or at any web-site. These check drafts can be deposited into any U.S. bank account the same day.
CheckWriter runs on a Windows 95/98 operating systems. Using a laser, ink-jet or bubble jet printer and a piece of Federal Reserve regulation check paper, the user can create a draft of the check that can be immediately deposited. Banks treat a draft just like they treat a check.
These drafts require no signature, just a verbal, fax or electronic authorization from the account holder. Taking check information is like taking credit card information. Rather than asking for the credit card number and expiration date, you ask for the routing number, account number and bank name.
Businesses and individuals can use CheckWriter, and no special bank account is required. There are no transaction fees, discount rates, or monthly fees. CheckWriter is software that you buy one time and then own forever.
Need 10 Reasons to use CheckWriter in Your Business?
1. No Fees. Buy the software one time, use it free forever.
2. Free Technical Support. The company provides free telephone technical support for 30 days, and web-based support for life.
3. Guaranteed or your money back. CheckWriter has a 30-day unconditional money back guarantee, and all checks are guaranteed to be accepted for deposit by any U.S. bank.
4. CheckWriter works great for collections. If you have slow pay customers on your books, use CheckWriter to get the payment the same day.
5. If someone does not own a credit card, they can pay by check instantly. If you don't take credit cards, you can start taking checks, and deposit payments by tomorrow afternoon.
6. If you want to take monthly installment payments from clients you can use CheckWriter to draft these payments each month, giving you the ability to better manage your receivables.
7. If you take orders over the phone, you can take checks by phone.
8. If you take orders at your web-site, you can add checks to your web-site very easily, and instantly increase current sales figures.
9. By ordering CheckWriter and offering this option to your customers you can have a sales increase of 10-25% within the first few weeks.
10. Perhaps more importantly, your competition uses CheckWriter.
Take payment at your site without paying ANY monthly fees. Taking checks is much less complicated than taking credit cards, and there are no discount rates, or transaction fees. Only a one time cost for the software which is less than $100.
Taking payments is simple and checks can be deposited in to your checking account the same day. Visit the checks-by-phone.com web-site to learn more about CheckWriter software.
Try an online demo of the software for free, and see how it works. View a sample of the check draft itself, and ask yourself:
"If CheckWriter has been available without a license since 1996Science Articles, why don't I use it yet?"
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/ecommerce/can-your-customers-pay-by-electronic-check.html
Electronic Books and Magazine can be among your cost effective servicing tools
Electronic servicing is, as they say, a “growth industry”. With many new electronic products and equipments reaching the market, there is a large demand for electronic repair technicians. However, with the growing complexity in the electronic service business, electronic technicians are facing countless obstacles. They must keep abreast of each new development in the industry to emerge as a competitive and valued service provider. Besides attending the manufacturers’ service workshop, they must be well informed by reading magazines and books on electronic servicing.
Electronic Books and Magazine can be among your most cost-effective servicing “tools”. A few dollars spent on the right book or magazine can earn you hundreds of dollars. It opens up a whole new world of never ending knowledge. Always be on the lookout for good books and magazines. Set aside one hour a day to read these books and magazines. This can help to keep you abreast of new developments. Additionally, these books and magazine will assist you to be a more efficient electronic technician.
Based on my past experiences, I spent at least two hours each day to read electronic servicing books and magazines. I have learned tips and information, which helped me to be more efficient and enhanced my knowledge about electronic servicing. I have benefited tremendously from reading these technical books and magazines. I am now a successful technician with a rapidly growing business, which specializes in repairing monitors and printers. I believe that youScience Articles, too can achieve what your heart desires!
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/electronic-books-and-magazine-can-be-among-your-cost-effective-servicing-tools.html
Electronic Books and Magazine can be among your most cost-effective servicing “tools”. A few dollars spent on the right book or magazine can earn you hundreds of dollars. It opens up a whole new world of never ending knowledge. Always be on the lookout for good books and magazines. Set aside one hour a day to read these books and magazines. This can help to keep you abreast of new developments. Additionally, these books and magazine will assist you to be a more efficient electronic technician.
Based on my past experiences, I spent at least two hours each day to read electronic servicing books and magazines. I have learned tips and information, which helped me to be more efficient and enhanced my knowledge about electronic servicing. I have benefited tremendously from reading these technical books and magazines. I am now a successful technician with a rapidly growing business, which specializes in repairing monitors and printers. I believe that youScience Articles, too can achieve what your heart desires!
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/electronic-books-and-magazine-can-be-among-your-cost-effective-servicing-tools.html
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