Category — Service Annoucements

Microsoft has been kind enough to send us the latest Windows 7 application compatibility list. While this list does contain a lot of popular applications, it not all inclusive or in anyway complete list of programs that will work on Windows 7. Because all of the software programs we produce are web-based, Theme Park Innovations currently does not have any programs which qualify for the list.

Windows 7 Application Compatibility List

On January 15th 2009 we will begin the bulk database tasks for the IAD platform. Please make sure you have your seasonal edit list filed so that we can add/delete employees as needed.

Global Warming? An artic cold front has pushed across north Texas dropping temperatures into the low twenty’s / high teens and bringing with it frozen precipitation. This latest storm is challenging to TPI because the air temperature is so cold, that any contact with vehicles underway creates instant leading edge icing. Combined with high winds gusting 30-40 MPH, sleet, and a layer of ice on the road already, it makes for a very dangerous storm. While we are prepared to operate in icey conditions, the high winds associated with these storms may cause a vehicle to be pushed off the ice resulting in a collision.

At this time, due to highwinds and freezing precipitation, we are suspending all service calls including AM safety checks. We will resume normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so. We anticipate conditions will warrant further evaluation later in the day. Updates will be posted here, in the client portal, and on operations service hotline. Currently there are 135 school closures listed in the area, including our school district, Denton ISD.

On behalf of the Theme Park Innovations family, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

We are watching the weather very closely this evening and into tomorrow morning as snow and freezing precipitation continue to fall across north Texas. This is the second time this year we have had snow in Dallas, and we were even fortunate enough to have a snowy Christmas. Something they say hasn’t happened in Dallas in 80 years or so. We have enabled the weather advisory system in the client portal and via the automated phone response system. Please keep us advised of your organizations operating intentions so that we may adjust your services accordingly. As TXDOT had a very slow and limited response to the icy conditions in the previous storm, service delays will most likely be experienced in this storm, updated information will be available in the client portal. Also if you need to arrange for delivery of deicing salts, sand, anti-freeze etc, please open a service ticket in the client portal.

Please be advised that this recall has ended; All eligible laptops have been recovered.

On December 2nd 2009, an HP “DV9235NR” laptop owned by TPI suffered an unknown component failure and started to smolder. We feel that if the unit had been left unattended during this incident, there would have been an inherent risk of fire. Based on the lack of technical response from HP, and the numerous other recalls associated with these units. We are issuing a voluntary recall of all HP DV 9000 series laptops sold in between January 18th 2007, and December 9th 2008. This includes units that have been serviced under previous HP recalls, such as the left hinge replacement. Recall notifications by mail have been sent out as of December 3rd 2009.

Recall Procedure

1. Please open a support ticket or contact TPI by phone at 214-453-0060 .
2. We will verify your laptop is affected by this recall, and give you instructions on how to backup your data.
3. We will overnight you a replacement laptop and a pre-paid return box for your old DV9000. Please include all accessories that originally came with the laptop.
4. Your new laptop will prompt you on how to migrate the data from your old unit to your new one from the TPI live backup system.

If your HP laptop is operating abnormally hot, is suffering from video defects or has a strange smell. Discontinue use and remove power to the unit immediately. Do not leave the laptop unattended or plugged in for extended periods of time.

Please be advised that this recall has ended; All eligible laptops have been recovered.

Next week, November 29th through September 5th 2009 we will be performing our annual vehicle inspection and maintenance program. During this time frame some equipment may be unavailable for dispatch outside of previously scheduled operations. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will return vehicles to service as quickly and safely as possible. For up to the minute reports on equipment availability please login to the client portal.

As part of continuing development efforts on the IAD Platform, We are proud to announce the additional availability of three new modules;

Integrated Security – Track incidents with automated reporting & dispatching. Adds web based support for live camera feeds.
Integrated Asset Tracking - Track and assign service equipment, tools, and other important assets.
Integrated Entertainment – Adds support for entertainment departments, show scheduling and performance feedback.

CEO Michael Jordan:

Per our previous notifications – On Thursday November 26th, 2009 from 2:00AM to 4:00AM, we will be performing upgrades to the IAD platform servers and software. During this maintenance window access to the IAD platform will be unavailable, however all data aggregation services and system processes will continue to run with out interruption. A change log and description of the work to be performed has been included below:

IAD Platform Software Change Log

ADD – Ground work for new modules (See portal announcement #38102)
ADD – Dashboard customization options
ADD – “MyFeed” XML personal RSS feed & pager notification options
ADD – Support for terminal services web gateway from “Remote Tab”
ADD – Support for SYSLOG & SNMP devices in data aggregation
ADD – Support 3CX Phone System 8 API
ADD – User option for “CRITCAL” & “URGENT” events to trigger voice alerts via 3CX
ADD – Support for “users” to be members of multiple departments
ADD – End of year reporting now produces PDF instead of excel files
FIX – User level & department mismatch causes authentication error
FIX – Friendly error messages for LDAP & IAD authentication failures
FIX – Form validation error on employee profile edit tab

IAD Platform Hardware Changes

In order to meet new state compliance and regulation in some jurisdictions, additional storage facilities are being brought online to permit document archival for five years. This expansion will increase our production storage capacity from 1.2 TB to 3.9 TB and our total storage capacity to 10 TB.

Future IAD Annoucements

Last January we sent a survey out to all of our clients with one simple question, “How can we further improve the IAD platform for your organization?”. After looking over the 1,500 responses, we choose to produce six new modules. These new modules will be available for the 2010 operating season. On Friday November 27th 2009, we will be launching three of those greatly anticipated modules and three more on the following Friday December, 4th 2009.

By now you have probably seen one of the many commercials for Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7. Windows 7 was designed to meet the needs of small and midsize businesses, it delivers a powerful combination of innovation, improved performance, and productivity. When combined with Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010, and Theme Park Innovations. Microsoft’s latest operating system truly goes to work for your organization.

Why you should upgrade now instead of later.

Microsoft has competitively priced their latest desktop and server operating systems to encourage upgrading from the now obsolete Windows XP, and Windows Vista which was deemed a dismal failure. Once Microsoft has gained a solid sales foot print, and Windows 7 comes in to common usage, the incentive pricing is likely to disappear. The Windows Vista launch saw a similar pricing structure until it went mainstream. (Note: The prices listed below are retail, not volume licenses.)

Windows 7 Professional – $139.00
Windows 7 Ultimate – $175.00
Server 2008 Standard – $679.00
SBS 2008 Premium – $1.400.00 (Includes SQL Server 2008 & Exchange Server 2010)

If you purchased Windows Vista licenses from us, your licenses are covered under the software assurance policy and eligible for free windows 7 upgrades.

If you didn’t make the switch from XP to Vista, you should consider upgrading to 7 soon. Even as Microsoft has extended its end of life cycle policy for Windows XP until 2011, Microsoft will have to balance development & security resources between XP, Vista, and 7. Chances are XP will get the short end of the stick just as its predecessor Windows 2000 did. By now any reputable software company should support Windows 7. In our trials we have yet to find a piece of software that wouldn’t work.