A Quick Word

Welcome to the Summer, 2011 issue of our newsletter. We hope you find it interesting and useful. And remember, it’s for you and not for us, so if there’s something you would like to see, please let us know at info@geotech.com and we will try to include it in our next newsletter. Click here for previous newsletters.

Free Tip - Selecting Results for Most Recent Samples

Enviro Data has a feature that is not obvious, but could be of great value in specific situations. Many times you might want to see data within a specific date range. But sometimes you want to see the results for the most recent sample for selected stations. This feature, called, not surprisingly, “Most Recent Samples”, does just that. You can do this with an extension of the Sample Groups feature. If you select a group called “Most Recent Samples”, then the most recent sample for any selected stations will be retrieved, along with the analyses if you wish. The group does need to be present in your Sample Groups, but does not need to have any samples in it. (If that group is not there you should add it.) The following figure shows all the samples for a station:

The next figure shows only samples for the most recent date for each station.

Note that if there are multiple samples for the station for the same date, due to multiple QC samples or depths, all will be displayed.

Enviro Data News - New Features, Client Comments

New Bulk Data Feature

Probably the biggest new feature in the Enviro Data C1 release is what we are calling the Bulk Data module. This system provides a repository and tools for handling data that might not be a good fit for storage in the main Enviro Data table structure, but that could have connections to the rest of the database as necessary. Examples of the data that could be handled by this system would include water level and other physical data from loggers, two- and three-dimensional soil surveys, air quality data such as stack or similar data, equipment operating data, and so on. It could also handle surface and downhole geophysical and similar data. This new release provides capabilities to import the data and to aggregate (thin) the data over time, for example to take water level data recorded every five minutes and reduce it to daily results. These results can then be combined with other data such as water chemistry to help make project decisions. The following is the data selection screen for the first release of Bulk Data:

Future plans include aggregating over depth and volume, additional graphical displays such as maps, and an interface with Enviro Spase.

New Import and Export Formats

One of the challenges for data management staff is keeping up with the many different formats required by regulatory agencies. Geotech works hard to make sure that our Enviro Data software provides a comprehensive set of tools for working with these formats. Recently we have added a number of new formats for our users. For example, as the USEPA continues to move away from their older water quality tools such as STORET, a number of our users, such as our tribal clients, are now being required to provide data in the WQX (Water Quality eXchange) format. Working with several tribal clients we have added features to import and export this increasingly necessary format.

Another new feature in the C1 release is an import and export capability for the USEPA Scribe format. The Scribe software is widely used on many EPA projects, and a number of our clients have told us that the data quality control, selection, and output features provided by Enviro Data and Enviro Spase will be a good supplement to the data management on those projects.

Just as many government agencies use Enviro Data, there are some that use competing products. For example, for some projects the State of New York requires that data be submitted in EQuIS format. Many people prefer the more flexible and easier to use Enviro Data software to manage their project data, so exporting the EQuIS format, which we refer to as the NYSDEC format, makes it possible to use the tool they like but submit in the state mandated format.

Years ago Geotech worked with landfill clients in Florida to create an export for what was called the Validator format. Recently the state has switched to a new format called ADaPT. Enviro Data now has import and export options for the lab and field result versions of the ADaPT format, and this is now being used by several clients, including Miami Dade County.

Geotech recently upgraded our export format for U.S. Air Force ERPIMS Group 3 data to the latest version 5 structure. We are now in the process of adding export options for the Group 1 and Group 2 data as well.

For more information on the latest Enviro Data features, visit Geotech's website by clicking here or call us toll-free at 877-740-1999, or outside the US call 303-740-1999.

New Validation Features

We are continuing to expand the capabilities of the Enviro Data Validation tool. Recent additions include the ability to receive control limit data from laboratory files, import limits from spreadsheets, and assign limits to validation programs. The validation program feature lets you maintain multiple sets of control limits for different validation requirements. For example, you could validate a data set against both CLP and ERPIMS guidelines.

We have also improved the workflow and output formats to make the Validation feature easier and more efficient to use, without giving up the flexibility that our users expect.

Mike Wiley Status

First, we are happy to report that Mike Wiley, who some of our clients have known for many years, and the main architect of Enviro Spase, is continuing to improve after heart surgery followed shortly afterward by injuries sustained in a fall, and then pneumonia. He hopes to be back at home by the time you read this. In the meantime Russ Wendell is helping out with Enviro Spase support issues, and Dave Rich is proceeding with ongoing development.

Transition to VB.net

On another Enviro Spase front, we are moving ahead with the development effort to convert from our current Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) language to Visual Studio. We are moving the Enviro Spase functionality from the VBA modules to VB.net projects and converting to dynamic link libraries. This is in anticipation of the upcoming ArcGIS version 10.1, which will no longer support VBA. So if you are using Enviro Spase, don’t upgrade to ArcGIS 10.1 until we have the .net version, which hopefully will be towards the end of the year.

Geotech News - Industry and Partner Updates

Americana Conference and Trade Show

On March 22 - 24, Geotech attended Americana 2011, the International Environmental Technology Trade Show and Conference, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Over 50 countries were represented in the 8,000 participants and 350 exhibitors. Besides meeting many new folks on the trade show floor, Mike Rich, Geotech’s Sales Director attended the Saskatchewan Businesses Networking Meeting, and had thirteen one-on-one meetings with environmental companies and government agencies. Many new leads and possible partnerships were generated from these meetings. This is the second International Trade Show that was organized by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and which Geotech participated in.

Teaming with Denver University

Last month Geotech joined with some of Denver University’s most talented marketing students to assist them with creating an International Market Assessment for our company. These students did a formal presentation for Geotech this month, which included such topics as: best countries to export to, regulatory approvals, sources of financing, trade barriers, pricing export licenses, logistics, and an implementation plan. Geotech looks forward to using the findings of these future MBA students to move our international sales plan forward.

Geotech's Facebook Page

Social media seems like the way everything is headed these days. Why not get with the times and join Geotech on Facebook? Now you can get updates, check out the latest news, and leave comments on the Geotech page. This is a great way to get in touch with us and hear what we are doing without picking up the phone. We would like to hear your thoughts on the Enviro Data and Enviro Spase products so tell us what you think. Keep an eye out for seasonal specials and cost savings to be posted on the page. See you on the Book.

New Mining Client

Recently Geotech obtained a new client, a large coal mining company with mines in Wyoming, Montana, and Tennessee. Geotech will be assisting them with loading their historical data, and will be making some software modifications to facilitate loading their data. This will result in the first release of an “un-crosstabber” feature to import data that is stored in this particular format. This new feature should be of value to many of our clients.

Sizzlin' Summer Special - Up to $1,000 Off Enviro Data Concurrent

Geotech is pleased to offer you another hot summer deal this year. If you purchase software or services from Geotech of $5,000 or more by the end of July 2011, and mention this newsletter, Geotech will give you $1,000 off your purchase. That’s too good to pass up! So don’t delay, buy an additional license, upgrade to concurrent use, let us assist you with your data loading, or hire us to add an enhancement to Enviro software for you. You’ll see improvement in your company’s data management, and save money at the same time! Call us today.

Smart Moves in Tough Times - Refer a Friend

Geotech is always trying to reach out and help other companies become more efficient when it comes to the data management of lab and field data. Geotech has a huge contacts database but recognizes that we cannot possibly reach out to all those in need of the Enviro System. That is why we want to see if you might be able to help. Word of mouth is the best advertisement and Geotech would like to see if you might be interested in spreading the word. What’s in it for you? Geotech will give your company a 20% discount for any purchase of Geotech software or service made within 1 year of your referral. Not only will you be helping a fellow colleague, you would be helping cut costs at your organization. If you know someone who might be interested in learning more about the Enviro system, have them contact mrich@geotech.com or send them to www.geotech.com. Thanks.

Contact Mike Rich at mrich@geotech.com or call us Toll-Free 877-740-1999 for additional details.

Geotech Humor - Laughter is Good Medicine!

Murphy's Laws of Computing

• When computing, whatever happens, behave as though you meant it to happen.
• When you get to the point where you really understand your computer, it's probably obsolete.
• The first place to look for information is in the section of the manual where you least expect to find it.
• When the going gets tough, upgrade.
• For every action, there is an equal and opposite malfunction.
• He who laughs last probably made a back-up.
• A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.
• The number one cause of computer problems is computer solutions.
• A computer program will always do what you tell it to do, but rarely what you want to do.

Thought for the Day: To err is human. To really screw things up you need a computer.

Geotech Services

Geotech specializes in environmental software, database management services and custom programming. We can assist with data loading, reporting, mapping, and other services, or we can train you to do these tasks. For more information about Geotech products and services, please visit our web site at www.geotech.com.

FYI

If you wish to be removed from this mailing list click Unsubscribe and then click the Send button.

We do not buy or sell email addresses. We receive them from various sources. If you have questions about this, or any other topic in this newsletter, please contact us at info@geotech.com. All emails will be answered personally.

Do you have suggestions to improve this newsletter, or topics that you would like to see discussed? Would you like to submit an article for a future newsletter? Please email these suggestions or submissions to us at info@geotech.com. We welcome your ideas.

Feel free to let us know if you have a colleague or friend that would like to receive this newsletter. We would be happy to add them to our email list.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Geotech Computer Systems, In.
12150 E. Briarwood Ave., Ste. 202
Centennial, CO 80112
303-740-1999 (PH)
877-740-1999 (Toll-Free US)
303-740-1990 (Fax)
www.geotech.com
info@geotech.com

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this message is for the exclusive use of the addressee and may contain confidential, privileged and non-disclosable information. If the recipient of this message is not the addressee, or a person responsible for delivering this message to the addressee, the recipient is strictly prohibited from reading, downloading, photocopying, distributing or otherwise using this message, its contents or attachments in any way. If the recipient has received this message in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and delete the message from your mailbox.