-----Original Message-----
>From: Dave Park <[email protected]>
>Sent: Apr 28, 2014 5:02 PM
>To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
>Subject: [Ql-Users] Things I have learned...
>
>Hi all,
>
>I have learned a lot in starting a business. Some of the lessons have been
>hard.
>
>The biggest lesson has been getting postage right. Dealing with postal
>services from deep in the heart of Texas has been one of the must
>frustrating experiences. Packages that disappear, or that I visit the
>shipper a week after mailing and they're still sat there...
>
>I had a heart to heart with my mailman. He has become something of an
>acquaintance of mine, and I have broken the protective shield so I get the
>'real deal' from him. The handwritten international mailing labels and
>customs forms are the problem. Handwritten labels are examined at the
>portal where they go on the plane so they have a security mindset. If the
>labels were computer generated, the details are pre-submitted to the USPS.
>If anything is flagged,they know before you even give USPS the package.
>
>SO: I have invested over $200 in a digital USB postal scale, postal account
>with stamps.com (a USPS provider, who allows me to enter and print the CN22
>customs form on the same mailing label) and a 4x6 large format postal label
>printer. With these I'll get all the benefits of digital mailing, plus I no
>longer need to go to the post office. Instead, I can just hand the mail to
>my carrier and he'll scan it - it will be in the system already.
>
>Other benefits include easy tracking numbers and email notifications for
>my customers, reduced price insurance and it checks and formats
>international addresses correctly - something I suck at.
>
>I will switch over to this new system gradually during this week.
>
>The next problem I have is parts. I have thousands and thousands of
>components here. The SuperRAM alone has 19 different parts. Many parts are
>unique to one product, but some apply to more than one - like SMD BAT42
>diodes, for example. The hard part is when i have two almost identical
>parts but with a small difference for different product lines.
>
>Until now, I have used divided trays/cases for each product. That 'sort of'
>works, but it also doesn't. They aren't suited to when I receive tape or
>reel components, which come on a long reel suited for automated machine
>mounting. I am loath to remove them from the reel to put them in the cases.
>Also, some components have no markings identifying them, so I mark the
>reels.
>
>I need to devise a system where I can identify and locate any component,
>easily and quickly. Where I can have a kit list to kit assembly packs for,
>say, 50 UltimIDEs. Some components will appear 5 or 8 times on an UltimIDE,
>so the kitting sheet should know how many, their component names, etc. I
>think I'll need to create a spreadsheet template for this. If it can also
>keep track of what the components cost on a per unit basis that would help
>me with cost accounting.
>
>In the mean time I have three wire rack shelves and a table surface covered
>in bags, reels, strips and cases of parts. Very unsatisfactory.
>
>I have the utmost respect for Rich at RWAP, who has hundreds of items and
>also very limited space. How does he do it?
>
>Dave
>
>
>--
>Dave Park
>Sandy Electronics, LLC
>[email protected]
>_______________________________________________
>QL-Users Mailing List
>http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
I would offer to save you time, programming SS, whether Excel or Abacus or
whatever ... but do not want to foist heartburn or worse on anyone :-) . Just
notice the two pkges I right now mentioned. C++ at the local community college
(some time ago) drove me crazy.
Doug
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