about this newsletter

On Track is a publication for users of Advanced Tracker products. Its goal is to provide news, tips, and information to help you be more productive with the products.

In this issue:

• Spring Ahead and Fall Back
• SQL Server Boosts Performance
• Contacting Advanced Tracker

Information is more valuable when it is shared. Feel free to share this newsletter with other people. See the end of this newsletter for subscription instructions.

the lead article

Spring Ahead and Fall Back

In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of ... Daylight Saving Time?

With apologies to Tennyson, it is time once again for most of us to adjust our clocks. Besides the obvious items such as wristwatches, alarm clocks, and microwave ovens, this also includes computers, punchclocks, HandPunch biometric hand scanners, and other data collection equipment. That is, pretty much anything that shows or records the time of day.

The timekeeping devices supplied by Advanced Tracker are either self-correcting, or are very easy to adjust. Each device has its own method of adjusting the time, so we've prepared a how-to guide to help. See the notes at http://www.advancedtracker.com/faq/timesync.pdf.

When: the first Sunday in April, and the last Sunday in October. For 2005, on Sunday April 3rd at 2:00 AM local time the clock will "spring ahead" to 3:00 AM. It will "fall back" again on Sunday October 30th at 2:00 AM.

big bang for small bucks

SQL Server Boosts Performance

Recently a number of users have upgraded from the MS Access versions of our applications to the MS SQL versions, with excellent improvements to application speed, and for only a nominal upgrade fee.

The applications from Advanced Tracker can store their data in any of three database formats: MS Access 97, MS Access 2000, and MS SQL Server. Each Microsoft database platform offers increased performance and reliability over the previous version. The premier platform, MS SQL Server, has required a dedicated server and licensing of the server software, which for most users was prohibitively expensive. That is, until now.

MSDE is the Desktop Edition of Microsoft SQL Server. It is free from Microsoft, and can be installed on just about any personal computer running Windows 98 or later, as long as it has enough speed and memory. The main difference between MSDE and the "big" version of MS SQL Server is that MSDE has built-in "throttling" to prevent it from serving more than eight users at the same time. This ensures that Microsoft still gets licensing money from companies that have big requirements. But for many Advanced Tracker users the free Desktop Edition of MS SQL Server has enough power to serve their requirements.

If you are interested in learning more about MSDE and the SQL versions of the Advanced Tracker products, contact your account manager.

how to get in touch with us

Contacting Advanced Tracker

You can call us toll-free at 1-888-531-3774 (or 604-531-3774 from the Vancouver area).

• Technical support is at extension 226.
• Sales is at extension 232.
• Customer service is at extension 223.

Assistance is available 24/7/365. The support desk is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific time. Outside of these hours emergency support is available; call the main number and listen to the instructions. Note that Advanced Tracker follows the BC holiday schedule.

You can fax us at 604-535-8013.

The technical support email address is support@advancedtracker.com.

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© copyright 2005 by Advanced Tracker Technologies Inc.