A visit to the local DIY store brought me face to face with a customer loaded with freshly cut melamine board and a box of chipboard screws. Must be Spring time again. Chez nous, we are constructing a database of our book collection. A simple idea, only several hundred books to log into Excel and job done. A 'survey' of the books reveals that most have an ISBN number and there are internet tools to decode them too. But do I just collect the book title and author, or do I add in the publishing date, cost price and value now? And, when I have done all this collating of information, how is it going to be accessed and by whom? And why? And how long do I want to spend on this process for which I am not being paid a penny more. Well, not a penny actually. Like the chap with the melamine, I appear to need some tools!
This is more or less how we started out with ToolKit CS™ for Asbestos management back in April 2001. We had lots of survey data and nowhere to manage it. Now we have so many tools that users could be forgiven for being amazed. Three years hard work on keeping things simple has, thankfully paid off. A recent customer stated that the product is 'absolutely marvellous', that the database is 'very easy to set up'; that the 'safety officer is very impressed'. Our online demonstration is proving popular too, so please make sure you have a look if you haven't already done so.
Our larger customers are having an interesting time with CDM. Having moved to ToolKit CS™ for CDM Management, three of our biggest users are resolving how they communicate project information between principal contractors and clients. Some of the issues are simple knowledge based ones; others are harder to crack. With three independent organisations hammering away at their own databases and importing and exporting data between them, there are significant issues to master let alone understand. With potentially three versions of the truth to share, someone has to win when information is shared in this way. However, what are the rules for sharing and who manages them? We have invited the organisations concerned to share their experiences with you at our next Health & Safety Seminar at Bletchley Park so please join us to find out!
We are welcoming MACE to our presentations at Bletchley Park to add some more depth to our discussions about asbestos management. MACE consult to a heady cocktail of the biggest UK businesses and they in turn are responsible for hundreds of buildings and real estate requiring asbestos management. We are looking forward to hearing how the company are planning to achieve success in this area with some news which we are promised will be 'significant'.
With only two and a half months to go until the new Duty to Manage Asbestos becomes effective in Law, I worry about the approach organisations are taking to this issue. Our own estimates are that the majority are still either not concerned or not applying themselves to the issues of asbestos management in the workplace. The good news is that we can help. Just call and we will try to make the process as painless as possible.
Now, how shall I print out the Book Collection so that it is in alphabetical order, by book type, and by author? Does my spreadsheet allow me to do that or do I need a better tool? Funny that, spreadsheets are hardly ever the answer to database questions. But then, what is the right tool for the job?
Please reserve your places now at another of our popular Health & Safety Seminars at Bletchley Park. Regulars will note that the theme this time is towards managing health & safety regulations in the workplace. We are privileged to offer presentations from some of our largest organisations in the UK including the HSE.
- plus ToolKit CS™ Update and ad hoc demonstrations
Please see our web site for the registration pages and note that there is a charge of £95 plus VAT for attendance which includes both lunch and the option to tour the famous and fascinating Bletchley Park.
Please join us in Belgravia, London on 18th May 2004 at the Institute of Structural Engineers. We are organising a training course for Asbestos Managers at the invitation of the Institute. Details are on our web site.
Please see our new online demonstration of the ToolKit CS™ product for first time enquirers interested in our products. The demo is free and aims to give newcomers a look and feel of our products.
We have introduced some promotional prices for ToolKit CS™ - Asbestos Management Software to make it easier for you to become a user along with your own service suppliers wherever they are. Please contact us for details.
We have promotional prices for existing CDM ToolKit™ 2000 users to migrate them to ToolKit CS™. Please contact us for details.
Please review our web pages or call us for more information on our CDM and Asbestos Management products. Product data sheets are available as PDF file downloads from our web site.