Keeping the pace: software companies have upgraded and fine-tuned products to meet recycling industry needs - Recyling Software

Recycling Today, Oct, 2002 by Brian Taylor

Those in the computer industry regard change as a constant. Not all recyclers may feel that way, but where the two industries cross paths, the forces of change are clear to see.

Both users and vendors of computer software designed for recyclers stress that the modification and upgrading of software is an ongoing process. Even though some recyclers have been using inventory control and accounting software for more than a decade, they still find themselves in plenty of situations that require a new feature or application.

"There are very few standards in this industry," notes Ben Morris of Morris Recycling, New Albany, Miss. "There are differences in the way things are done at yards owned by the same company, like mine. It's a pretty big challenge for the software guys."

AT THE SCALE

Scrap recyclers for years have declared the profit-and-loss importance of what takes place at the scale house. Even though scrap companies receive payment from mills, smelters or brokers, they know that money is earned or lost by how incoming material is assessed at the scale house.

Much of the software designed for the scrap industry focuses on scale house activity, although much of it also is designed to track activity beyond the initial scale transaction.

Software vendors and designers note that recyclers can benefit in several ways from software that allows them to closely monitor scale house activities and trends. Larry Smith of Shared Logic, Inc., Holland, Ohio, points to a Last Activity Report that can be created to help recyclers track generator activity. "If you suspect you haven't seen XYZ Company as much lately, you can generate a report finding out names of companies with whom you have not done business since a certain date," he comments.

For recyclers who wish to keep a closer eye on the scale while they are away from the job site, video monitoring systems have been set up to let owners or managers view yard activity while they are off site.

Williams Software, Los Angeles, has designed a digital system that integrates transactions with camera monitoring for visual review. "For an owner-operator, it's a great way to get away from the facility," says Greg Williams. "Scrap yards tend to consume your life," he adds. Williams, is president of Williams Software and also of Williams Recycling Co., a south central Los Angeles scrap facility.

Snapdragon, available from TransAct Payment Systems, St. Petersburg, Fla., was designed in part as a security measure, but also is useful to help resolve scale-related disputes, says TransAct president Ken Gruber.

The Snapdragon feature is available as on option with software packages designed by Systems Alternatives International (SAI), Maumee, Ohio. "The image capture invoke command is incorporated right in SAI's electronic truck scale and platform scale systems. The scale operator is not required to do anything additional," SAI president John Underwood remarks.

Potential revenue can be lost at the scale house through honest mistakes--such as mis-graded material--and through fraud perpetrated by either employees or customers. Software and video systems at scrap facilities can help catch many such incidents, vendors say. Software that carefully tracks each transaction also can help deter fraud.

Ben Morris acknowledges that his company was victimized by an employee in the days before it began using a software package from Recy Systems AG. Morris was so impressed by the software that he subsequently agreed to become the U.S. distributor for Recy Systems.

Scale operators can face a line-up of anxious customers, so keeping transaction software simple is seen as an important consideration by many recyclers. "Ease of use is the biggest factor," says George Kane, president of 21st Century Programming, Long Beach, Calif. "Recyclers should make sure the system they buy is something their employees can actually use."

Kane, who also has a recycling background from his youth working for his father's recycling company and later with other scrap metal work experience, says his company's systems are designed with that consideration in mind. He compares the touch screen interface of 21st Century's software with a McDonald's cash register, and notes that it is ideal for use by novice computer users, those for whom English is a second language and even "the older, millionaire company owner who just isn't comfortable with computers."

Greg Williams also touts software that is intuitive and can prevent mistakes. "The speed of an executed transaction is an important side benefit. Productivity should be the result of automation."

TransAct vice president Phil Cuba reports similar reactions to the company's ScrapDragon software. "Scale operators love it because it is easy to use. We're hearing from managers that business has increased because of it. I think customers come back because the scale house moves quicker. Price and location are still factors, but the next best thing you can do is get people in and out in a hurry."

TIES THAT BIND