The 2009 User Conference is an amazing story.  In fact, all AWE User Conferences are amazing tributes to our customers, never a boring subject, a fantastic lunch, a pleasant environment on the Lake, Dialogue, New Facts and Features, and lastly there is no fee, because we appreciate and cannot exist without our customers.  If you have never attended an AWE User Conference, we gather in the Woodport House for Coffee and Bagels before heading up to the AWE Convention Room for orientation.  I spoke breifly, outlining the morning events and although most customers have all of the AWE products, we also have customers that only have our Wireless Products so we have 2 sessions in progress all day.  This year, Damon Boyer, Mike Sullivan, and Dave Herrmann hosted the Wireless Sessions which included new features and discussions. Rick Anderson from ISG  was avalailable all day to discuss Hardware Maintenance for the Wireless POS equipment.

Budget Customers the 2010 approach was presented by Gary Sullivan and Jason Mirsky

The methods of servicing Budget Accounts has changed as a result of oil prices and the 12 month budget is thought to be the answer because it produces the smallest payment but the downside is the lack of a transition period to end one year and start the next.  AWE agrees but recognized the need to manage the payment amoutn as price and weather influence the payment.   Jason has created a procedure that recomputes the budget on a daily basis and alerts the customer service representative if the payment fluctuates by a predefined threshold.  The customer can be notified either through mail, e-mail or by monthly statement to adjust the monthly payment with the reasons such as change in consumption, weather, or change in pricing and can also project the shortage or overage that can be eliminated and not left to chance in that month number 12.

Credit Card/EFT and PCI Encryption was presented by Debbie Hendershot

taking us through the setup of Credit Cards and EFTs by customer including authorization and automatic posting of the payments.  Once the Credit Card and EFT applications were installed, PCI encryption can be activated.  This activation eliminates the viewing of any credit card numbers with the exception of the last 4 numbers.  The Credit Card/EFT systems is based on authorize.net.

Emailing Statements and Invoices was presented by Jason Mirsky

Enhanced Dashboard was presented by Dave Herrmann

Dave presented the new dashboard with functionality to create user defined queries with graphs and user configuration by drag and drop of available columns allowing for a variety of summaries. 

AXXIS products were presented by Art King

CaptureRite is a fully configurable scheduling facility to capture prices and other electronic transaction data directly from suppliers web/ftp sites. As suppliers move away from the traditional satellite based price distribution model, companies are turning to CaptureRite to automate the transaction collection effort. Invoices, prices, and electronic transaction data can be saved, viewed, and integrated with your company's existing software solutions, including many back office accounting systems.  CaptureRite provides E-System Wireless Delivery with up to date information using the AWE Capture Rite Integration. Price Management is the core module in the AXXIS Petroleum Software suite. The Axxis Price Management module automates the collection, normalization and assembly of all your pricing data in support of your "Best Buy" decision making. Using Price Management, buyers can calculate gross, net, and "laid-in" or delivered prices and compare them directly, ensuring that their daily choice of supplier and pickup location results in the best possible price.  

For more information on AXXIS products, go to www.axxispetro.com

A Luncheon Buffet was presented at the Woodport House by Chef Callahan and was excellent.

A few of the items presented were Sesame Seared Tuna,Roast Beef Chicken and Pasta, Sausage and Peppers, Potato Leek Soup, and Garlic mashed potatoes.

DESTWIN was presented by Gary Sippin following lunch

The DESTWIN Web Application Package is a set of software tools that facilitates integration of office systems with web-based interfaces, providing employees and customers access to information and resources. DESTWIN provides the ability to implement sophisticated business applications that may be accessed through a web interface, allowing your website to become an integrated part of your operations.  Gary discussed on-line purchases and sales and the new age in risk management. Knowing what is being sold on a real time basis empowers managers with the knowledge and data they need to make timely and informed decisions.  Buying and Selling must be done at the same.  For more information on Destwin go to www.destwin.com  Gary Sippin uses E-System from AWE with his Destwin System.

What's New in Wireless was presented by Mike Sullivan

Signature Capture, Propane and Oil Tanks Scanning, Package Sales, Multiple Payments

Web Reporting, Web Portal, and Smartphone were presented by Dave Herrmann and Gary Sullivan

The day wrapped up with a round table discussion:

What would you like to see from us?

    AWE products are so powerful, flexible, and friendly because we listen to you.   Just watch the AWE SharePoint Site for information on new features and enchancements resulting from the User  Conference of 2009

Frank passed away on Monday morning, March 23rd of a massive heart attack.  He died in my daughter, Kerrie’s,  arms and I am convinced that he was happy at that last moment and although he never talked about God or his beliefs, he knew that he would be joining his beloved wife, Mary Ann in heaven, she died on March 24th 2007 just 1 day shy of 2 years..   Kerrie had lost both of her grandfathers over 10 years ago and Frank was her adopted grandfather.  Frank recently beat lung cancer and during his treatment, he and Kerrie became very close although all of us felt a strong bond with Frank.  Automated Wireless was Frank’s work family and Mary Ann was his life.   Frank was a Customer Service Analyst for almost 24 years and before that he worked for PetroData in Princeton NJ.  AWE purchased Petrodata in 1985.  I will review Frank’s life and accomplishments but first let me explain why “Gentleman” best described Frank.   He was courteous and reverent to all people.  I never ever heard him speak unkindly about anyone and I never ever heard anyone speak unkindly of Frank.  He loved and cared for animals and we found 3 bags of cat food in his car that he was bringing to the stray animals that I am sure came to Frank for their dinner.  I knew Frank for about 24 years and about 10 years ago, he asked me if he could continue to work and not retire.  I remember telling Frank, as long as you can do your Job, you have a Job and last Monday at age 76, he was doing a great Job as he had for the last 24 years at AWE.   Every customer liked Frank and we are receiving emails and calls, all with the same tone of love and sincere sympathy. Frank rarely stayed overnight on business and would drive for hours to and from a customer in order to be home with his wife each night.   Frank was very knowledgeable about Petroleum Distribution and worked on the formulas and algorithms that were used by the original ICC Main frame System, Petrodata Unix, and E-System.  As Frank was approaching 60 years old, he learned how to program an IBM Main Frame computer in assembly language and was responsible for all the legacy support during the introduction of the AWE E-System.  This would have been a challenge for recent college graduate.   Frank lived in Lawrenceville, a suburb of Trenton NJ, and about a 66 mile compute to our offices in Lake Hopatcong NJ.    If it started to snow, he continued his regular days work, and never used the 66 miles as an excuse to leave early, on the other hand, if it was snowing or storming in the morning, he was the most likely person to be at work and on time.  Take a look at the magazine article from 1966 about Frank Haefeli for a look at his dispatching accomplishment.  Frank was a gentleman and we will miss him.

AWE always migrates and refreshes its technology, but only after careful consideration,  to the current Microsoft Platforms and to the best Mobile Computers from Intermec and Motorola.  We are also committed to agressively support our prior platforms and Mobile hardware.  AWE has customers using the Intermec 6100 DOS systems that were installed  in 1995 to 2008 Windows Mobile Computers using gesture sensitive technology similar to the I-Phone.  As a result, we have Mobile Computer equipment, both used and never used, available including Melard Sidearms, DAP 8640s and Xplore XP Tablet computers at bargain prices.  Although, technology has changed away from Windows CE, this equipment is still highly functional and used by some of our competitors.    For additional information, e-mail us at  equipment@automatedwireless.com