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.

Our clients are always looking for new ways to generate additional revenue. Since September, we have been receiving a lot of request for information on coin operated water cannons and special effects. You know, the kind kids love to drop a stream of quarters in to soak the entire boat full of unsuspecting guest. Many large parks have already implemented successful systems, and are generating a fair bit of revenue. However certain manufacturers who specialize in these primitive and basic spray systems charge outrageous amounts for their product. In quite a few cases, over $30,000 for a three station system. In the following article, I’m going to tell you how to build one in-house for less then $2,500 in parts and materials.

Basic Parts & Materials

1 x Direct Logic (KOYO) 205 with 24V INPUT/Output Card
1 x 1500 GPH Pump or a pump capable of maintain 35-60 PSI at the output nozzle.
1 x coin mechanism ( 12/24 Volt)
1 x photo eye & reflector
1x Automatic 3/4 In-line valve with flow control (12/24 volt) (TIP: You can use control valves from sprinkler systems like Rainbird.)
Waterproof Lighted Push buttons
Conduit, Wire, PVC Nozzles, PVC Pipe, Flexible hose to plumb everything together.
Assorted NEMA Enclosures

For example purposes, please refer to the diagram above.

Based on the diagram above it should be self explanatory how the system is setup. Water is pumped at pressure from a source into a set of valves which are controlled by the outputs on the PLC. The valves are operated by push buttons on the guest interface which become active after a trigger signal from the coin mech is received on the input side of the PLC. A photo eye is used in combination with a timer to suspend the system after a specified time of ride inactivity.

System Inputs

1 x Photo Eye
3 x Pushbuttons
3 x Coin Mechs

System Outputs

1 x Pump Relay
3 x Valve Control
3 x Pushbutton Lamp

Things that you need to consider and know when building a system like this;

Position, type, and control of spray nozzles – Spray nozzles should never be directed at the oncoming motion of ride units. Guest do not want a water cannon to the face, and you don’t want the liability of injury. We recommend the up and over approach to nozzle placement, the spray should always come from behind or above the motion of travel. This reduces rider discomfort and adds an element of surprise. Different nozzles create different spray patterns, you will need to perform some trial and error test to determine what type works best for your system. Look for nozzles which create a soft stream or a rain affect. You should consider limiting each cycle of the system to 4-7 seconds of spray time, this time frame we have determined provides the best compromise of rider comfort, and sprayer enjoyment. Make sure that you include safety signage regarding the use of such a system.

Coin Mech PLC Integration Hints & Tricks – Coin mechanisms handle coin counting in a couple different ways. You will need to adjust your PLC trigger event to accomodate this, or order a specific type of coin mech. The first kind sends a single pulse when the desired coinage count has been entered. The second, sends a 5 count pulse for every 25 cents entered. The third sends an exact pulse count, 5 for a nickle, 25 for a quarter etc. We recommend the single pulse or pulse coin mechanisms for simplicity. Ask your vendor to verify the output on the coin mech before you order them or be prepared to handle the pulse programmaticly.

Increase profitability -

Make sure that your system is highly visible and on a high traffic street.
After a period of inactivity use the push buttons as a light show or a beacon to gather interest.
Insure your system has a bill changer near by and that its operational at all times.
Use thematic elements to integrate the water features into your ride.
As an up charge option, position a photo eye as to trigger an automatic spray that guarantees it will hit the target.

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.

For more information please see the track switch product page.

It was announced today that demolition of the legendary Texas Giant will start on Monday. The Texas Giant closed on November 1st after nineteen years of operation.

It is not often that hurricanes form this late in the year. The latest hurricane on record to form this late in the season was an unnamed storm on November 30, 1925. It made landfall near what is today Tampa, Florida. We are counting our blessings that Ida rapidly deteriorated before making landfall. The conditions simply were not there for a strong storm to develop. I am proud to report that our clients business’ sustained little to no damage. Both will be resuming normal operations on Friday.

For just a little more then fifteen thousand dollars in expenses, we transported and secured just over a half million dollars in amusement ride equipment, supportive tools, and business instruments. Equipment, that if Ida had intensified or was left unsecured during the storm, would have been destroyed. Up to seventy five percent of that “rescue expense” is covered under negotiated insurance terms. It cannot be stressed enough that your business have a solid emergency plan and adequate coverage for any infrastructure which is immovable.

Because of the storm we have delayed the much anticipated announcements about our new products and services for 2010. You can expect those announcements to be made late next week.

CEO Michael Jordan:

At approximately 7:50 PM CST, Hurricane Ida turned north northeast and entered into the 400 mile activation zone. In response to this event, the Theme Park Innovations emergency response unit has been activated. At 11:00 PM CST the ERU departed Dallas in route to a staging area outside Mobile, Alabama. Current forecast show Ida to make landfall as a category 2 hurricane in between Gulfport, Mississippi and Pensacola, Florida.

To all customers affected by this storm:

- Please complete your hurricane emergency checklist prior to our on site arrival.

- Unless conditions worsen, be prepared to evacuate by 10:00 AM on Tuesday.

- Category three or higher storm warrants immediate evacuation.

Last update : 1:57 AM CST 11/9/2009