• ESRI says they will have a service pack for ArcGIS 9.3.1 in the fourth quarter. When will RouteSmart for ArcGIS be compatible with that service pack?

• Windows 7 is coming out soon. Is RouteSmart certified under Windows 7?

• I have a 64-bit operating system. Will RouteSmart run under 64 bit and will it make us of all the extra memory? *You can find the answer to this question in the article below.*

• My IT department wants to use virtual machines. Will RouteSmart run? Is it just as efficient? Will the hardware key work?

• Oh, and we are all anxiously looking forward to all those new features that you are adding to enhance our use of the products. We can't wait!

Wow! To paraphrase the famous quote, "Technology waits for no one." It would be great if Product Management and Product Development could focus all their energies on adding additional capabilities to our products. But, as you can infer from the questions above, the technological landscape is always changing.

We hear these kinds of questions from many sources. Often it's the Client Services team that hears them before anyone else. Sometimes it is the Sales team relaying these questions from an organization soon to have their logo rotating along the bottom of our Web site (www.routesmart.com). Everyone wants and needs answers as soon as RouteSmart Technologies can provide them.

 

So, you may wonder, what does RouteSmart Technologies do to keep up with all these changes? We work closely with our partners to prepare for changes they are making. With ESRI, we participate in Beta and Early Adopter programs to get a jump on adapting our products to any changes that are coming. We listen to advance statements that make us aware of underlying software changes that we must implement. When formal releases are made available, our Quality Assurance team steps in and begins a series of tests, working toward certification of RouteSmart for ArcGIS with the new release. Sometimes, a code modification must be made and a RouteSmart update is necessary to achieve compatibility.

 

When NAVTEQ changes data formats, we modify our data processing procedures. When new attribute information is made available, our Product Management team evaluates the impact and potential value to our clients. Then, modifications are put into the development plan for future capabilities.

 

One of the hidden challenges to compatibility with advancing technology is our necessary reliance on third-party software components. Everyone realizes that RouteSmart for ArcGIS is built on the ESRI platform, but there are other third-party tools used in RouteSmart for ArcGIS and WebAccess as well. As we consider questions like Web browser support and operating systems that leverage 64-bit technology, we must ensure that our third-party tools are also certified to work in these environments.

 

Some of you, and you know who you are, push the technology envelope before RouteSmart can even certify compatibility. Although we don't encourage this, we certainly listen to and value your input when you "test out" new technologies. Of course, you can always stay on top of RouteSmart's current position on new technology by checking our Product Compatibility Chart maintained on our Web site.

 

It is a never-ending balancing act that Product Management and Product Development continuously revisit to plan time for testing and modifying the products that keep up with and stay in front of the evolving technology while also enhancing the products. Oh, and by the way, we really do enjoy adding those new features and bringing you new and easier-to-use tools.

 

Larry Levy
Executive Vice President
RouteSmart Technologies, Inc.

New Dates for the Seminar Series at RouteSmart


The Routing University Seminar Series classes are simply the easiest and most cost-effective way to train new users, support staff, or IT, or to reinforce your skills from previous training. When you attend a Routing University seminar at our corporate offices in Columbia, Maryland, you will benefit from learning in a hands-on, collaborative environment with other RouteSmart users, sharing ideas with our staff and your peers.

We are pleased to announce upcoming 2009/2010 class dates for the Routing University Seminar Series. For a description of each class and to register, please download the course catalog from our site at http://routesmart.com/routinguniversity.aspx.

 

Class: New User Express
Price: $3100
Days: 5
Dates: November 2-6, 2009
           February 22-26, 2010

Class: Introduction to Street Service Routing
Price: $2500
Days: 3
Dates: October 13-15, 2009

           February 9-11, 2010

 

Class: Advanced Routing Concepts
Price: $2500
Days: 3
Dates: September 29-October 1, 2009

           December 8-10, 2009

 

Class: Introduction to the RouteSmart Macro Language
Price: $2500
Days: 3
Dates: October 20-22, 2009

           November 10-12, 2009

For a description of each class and to register, please download the course catalog from our site at http://routesmart.com/routinguniversity.aspx.

 

Inquire about discounts for sending multiple students from the same company to a single class.

Be sure to join the RouteSmart User Group on LinkedIn. Start a new discussion or comment on an existing one. Read our latest news and many other items of interest. By joining our group, you have the opportunity to let us hear about what's going on in your industry, get feedback or answers to questions from other members, and connect with others in your industry. 

 

What is LinkedIn? From LinkedIn.com: "LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals."

Some fun LinkedIn facts:

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter as well. If you're not already on Twitter, sign up at http://twitter.com. Then go to http://twitter.com/RouteSmart and follow RouteSmart for short industry news, user tips, and updates on training, INTERSECT, and more.

Mark your calendars and make your plans! RouteSmart is proud to announce the dates for INTERSECT 2010, our bi-annual Users' Conference. The conference will be held September 12-14, 2010, at the Loews Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis, MD. Post-conference training through Routing University will be offered September 15-17, 2010, also at the conference hotel.


Remember, clients with active RouteSmart for ArcGIS maintenance will receive one complimentary registration per each primary RouteSmart for ArcGIS maintenance subscription.

 

More information will be coming soon. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2010!

Congratulations to Danny Hu of California Waste Solutions! He is the winner of our August Technical Support Survey contest. Thank you Danny, for taking the time to complete and submit your survey.

 

As a reminder, Danny is the winner of a 30% discount towards an upcoming 2009/2010 Routing University class.

 

If you'd like to be a Technical Support Survey contest winner in September, simply complete the support survey that will be emailed to you once your technical support case is closed. Surveys must be completed by September 30, 2009. September's contest is again a 30% discount toward

an upcoming 2009/2010 Routing University class.