Cultured Views

Configuration Software

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If you’re one of the many companies that sell complex products that have multiple options which your customers can choose then Configure One’s Concept product configurator is aimed right at you.

Their software lets you automate large sections of the order entry process even for very complex sets of optional facilities thus enabling your customers to place the orders directly rather than needing to do it via a customer service operative. This simple difference can drastically reduce the number of errors that are introduced to your orders through human error.

However, the software goes much further than that and can be completely integrated with your manufacturing systems through the generation of sales drawings, design automation, bills of material, routings and so on without human intervention at any point in this process. The level of integration is up to you and available through interface modules built into the software.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Another three words to strike fear - ‘Do It Yourself’

I blame the recent trend in DIY shows for putting a lot of crazy ideas into the brains of our menfolk; DIY is an expertise that you can either do or you cannot. My Dad fell into the latter category, not that it mattered to him.

My father was a very house proud man and used to get these brainstorms which saw him take quite a good idea but then completely bollocks-up the entire thing. Because he refused to call in an expert and he refused to take any advice. Dad’s efforts to install outdoor lighting once resulted in our house being blown nearly skyhigh when the electric cabling he ran from the patio outside to inside the house took a lightening strike. The sound of the ‘bang’ caused neighbours within a radius of two km’s to call us frantically as the ‘flash’ from behind our home was seen for miles.

Dad once decided he would like an indoor fireplace - not a real necessity in an Australian home due to the fact that it does not get cold enough in winter - but as usual, once he got the idea that was it. But why bother to install a proper stylish fireplace and hearth when the old hibachi out the backyard would do the job fine?. So in it came, this small portable BBQ thing, and he arranged it on a pile of bricks right in the centre of the lounderoom on Mum’s polished wooden floor so that it stood about three foot high. Ignoring Mum’s protests he lit it. Yes it gave off a certain amount of warmth, but within 20 minutes it had also created a circle of black charred floor underneath with melting floor wax to add to the sight. We never got rid of that mark so a new rug was purchased. The hibachi returned to it’s place outside and the old hecla 2 bar heater resumed it’s original purpose.

Dad was also into home-brewing; not just beer but ginger beer. I won’t relate all the details of that venture here but I will say that Mum needed a new fridge anyway so the bottles of fermenting liquid exploding one by one just proved a good excuse.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Developments in surgery for women

There was a time not too long ago when us females had quite a rough time of it whenever we had to undergo certain medical procedures in hospital. ‘Intimate’ types of surgery required long stays in hospital and left us with abdominal scarring and the feeling of not feeling ‘quite right’ for many weeks on end. Those days are far behind us.

In recent years huge advances have been made in areas such Urogynecology with the development of the gynecologic laparoscopy procedure. This, in effect, means that when undergoing major abdominal surgery most procedures are now performed with the use of key-hole surgery. Instead of a huge incision and many stitches, the surgeon makes a small incision and carries out the procedure with the minimal amount of invasion. This is great news for women everywhere as it means less discomfort afterwards, risk of infection is controlled and a much quicker recovery in the post surgical period.

Popularity: 6% [?]