cxt

Dr. Irene Kopaliani of CxTGroup, Inc. is honored by The 2012 National Excellence in Leadership Award

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:40:43 +0000

Success, Action and Purpose

The 2012 National Excellence in Leadership Award

From left: Michael D. Jones, Dr. Irene Kopaliani, Richard Cook, Dr. Heike Matthes, Jeffrey Saunders, Rose-Ellen Filthaut

Kopaliani-LTU-Award

The two year journey by the four-member Success Network Team culminated with the achievement of the Presidential Seal and the National Excellence in Leadership Award. Success, action, and purpose were exemplified by this team of individuals through the two year commitment for their extraordinary efforts in realizing the highest level of scholastic achievement, speaker events, team meetings, and community service.

The National Society of Leadership and Success recognized each individual of the team with the National Excellence in Leadership Award presented on April 27, 2012 by Richard Cook (LTU NSLS President) and Rose-Ellen Filthaut (NSLS Treasure and Event Sponsor).

About the Society

The Society is an organization that helps people discover and achieve their goals. The Society offers life-changing lectures from the nation’s leading presenters and a community where like-minded success oriented individuals come together and help one another succeed. The Society also serves as a powerful force of good in the greater community by encouraging and organizing action to better the world.

About Team Members

Heike Matthes, DBA

Dr. Heike Matthes has more than 20 years of international business and consulting experience for European, Asian, and American corporations that conduct business around the globe. Her expertise includes customs regulations, international trade law, tax planning, auditing, change of legal structures, mergers and acquisitions, financial planning, and related areas. Dr. Matthes (Matthes Consulting) has conducted group and individual intercultural management and strategy training sessions in the U.S. for a wide range of multinational companies such as General Motors, Adobe Systems, and Proctor & Gamble. She has also taught courses at the graduate level in the U.S. and lectured in Germany in various fields of taxation, customs regulations, accounting, business law, and investment.

Michael D. Jones

Mr. Michael Jones’ scholastic achievements include a BSME (1986), Master of Engineering Management (2011), and an MBA (2012) from Lawrence Technological University. Mr. Jones has worked as OEM Product Design Engineer for 26 + years. His background in the automotive industry includes Program Management, Interior product design, Exterior product design, Studio Engineering, and advanced composite design. Mr. Jones is currently a member of the National Society of leadership and Success (???), The National Honorary and Professional Management Fraternity (???), and The Engineering Society of Detroit. Mr. Jones’ hobbies include golfing, biking, gardening and birding.

Irene Kopaliani, DM (IT)

Dr. Irene Kopaliani believes in using her knowledge and expertise to contribute to the IT community. She automates manual processes and streamlines existing computer automation by using latest technology. Working smarter, not harder, gives her clients a competitive edge over similar companies struggling with manual or outdated processes. Dr. Kopaliani publishes articles and white papers on a variety of IT subjects including website design, information security, and database topics.

Jeffrey Saunders

Mr. Saunders served for more than a decade in the U. S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and at Nava Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. He was also a member of the honor guard for the USS Wisconsin as well as the recipient of many service related medals and awards. Mr. Saunders’ scholastic achievements include an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Computer Electronics with Fiber Optics and Network from ECPI College of Technology, Virginia Beach, VA (2001), a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (2008) as well as a Master of Engineering Management (2011) from Lawrence Technological University (LTU). He is currently pursuing a Master in Business Administration at LTU. Mr. Saunders is Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and has also been a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success (???), Society of Engineers (SAE) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Music is his hobby and he is an alumnus of Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Additional Information: Contact Dr. Irene Kopaliani at irene@cxtgroup.com or call 877-439-2539

Custom Freight Expediting Software

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:19:32 +0000

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Technology

OS: Microsoft Windows
Framework: Microsoft .Net
Programming Language: Microsoft VB.Net
Database: Microsoft SQL Server

Problem

A freight expediting company, which provides expediting, forwarding, crating, and logistics services, needed a system to automate its manual order processing. Our client’s two largest customers use delivery time to measure and compare the performance of expediting companies. Our client wanted to consistently outperform its competitors to guarantee continued business with its customers.

Objective

The objective of the system was to eliminate the cork-board manual system that was error prone and slow and create a dispatch system that would monitor orders and provide ample warning time to dispatchers to correct any problems with an order.

Solution

CxT Group analyzed the client’s business processes and determined that automation would save the company half a million dollars annually from improved productivity and integration. CxT Group designed and developed the Digital Dispatcher Dashboard (D3) system that replaced manual order processing and monitors orders through every stage of the delivery process. D3 shares data with the client’s partners and carriers and integrates with the client’s accounting system.

Results

Streamlined data exchange with partners and carriers
Replaced cork-board system with Digital Dispatcher Dashboard (D3)
Integrated D3 with the client’s accounting system

Medical Conglomerate Data Warehouse Architecture

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:41:22 +0000

2 3	Technology OS: Unix Database: Oracle v.10.0

Problem

This New York-based medical conglomerate of hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies experienced a rapid growth through acquisitions and mergers. The company’s goal is to become a one-stop healthcare service provider. As such, the company is now branching into dental operations. Due to mergers and acquisitions, the company now operates a multitude of computer application with data that is isolated and duplicated. As a result, the client’s corporate data is not available for timely analysis. In order to continue growing, this client requires up-to-date, accurate financial information from every business unit.

Objective

The objective of our analysis was to identify and design a Central Data Repository (CDR) that would enable the client’s headquarters to access data gathered from various divisions that provide patient care. This data warehouse provides information to users with responsibilities in various areas of the company, including financial management, customer relationship management, human resources, and marketing. In addition, CDR users will be able to perform historical data analysis.

Solution

Since this client has many divisions that will port data into the data warehouse, a fact galaxy schema architecture was implemented. A fact galaxy schema is a collection of star constellation schemas, where each star is comprised of a fact table in the middle, connected to a set of dimensional tables.

Because the system houses information from various sources and provides information to various members of the conglomerate, a multi-level security mechanism was implemented with the following elements:

Classification and Restriction
Encryption
Blind Signatures
Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
Anonymous Data Marts

Results

Unified data from various sources into a data warehouse
Implemented a multi-level security mechanism
Allowed users to perform data research

Boarding Kennel Software

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:14:00 +0000

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Technology

OS: Microsoft Windows
Framework: Microsoft .Net
Programming Language: Microsoft VB.Net
Database: Microsoft SQL Server

Problem

Einstein once said that things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. A like-minded boarding kennel owner wanted a simple system that would fit his operations and eliminate his manual booking process. The manual process (pencil, paper and calculator) was prone to errors and overbooking.

Objective

The objective of this system was to develop an intuitive system that allows staff to book kennel customers, keep track of pet vaccinations and medications, store owner information and calculate accurate rates. To eliminate errors, the system provides a visual depiction of bookings via calendars and Gantt charts.

Solution

CxT Group developed a powerful system that is user-friendly and intuitive. Users can display information in a sophisticated calendar with user-specified color-coding. A visual reporting mechanism allows users to generate reports quickly and easily.

Results

Automated a manual kennel booking process
Visually represented kennel occupancy on a calendar
Calculated booking fees for each activity

Modular Home Manufacturer

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:57:10 +0000

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Technology

OS: Microsoft Windows
Client Front End: Microsoft Access
Programming Language: Microsoft VB for applications
Database: Microsoft Access

Problem

A modular home manufacturer wanted to eliminate their field sales staff’s hand-written ordering process. This process was inefficient, time consuming, and prone to error.

Objective

The objective was to create an application that field sales staff could take along to meetings with clients. They would use the application to document the client’s specifications and place the order once they return to the office.

Solution

CxT Group developed a user-friendly software application that provided an interface to input and store the client’s house design specifications. The application compiles a summary of the order and generates reports.

Results

Equipped field sales staff with an ordering system
Eliminated double data entry
Streamlined customer service

Insurance Management System

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:33:27 +0000

2 3	Technology OS: Microsoft Windows Framework: Microsoft .Net Programming Language: Microsoft ASP.Net Web Server: IIS Database: Microsoft SQL Server

Problem

Since data for this client was scattered among various insurance companies, it was difficult to see business opportunities. This client needed a way to organize insurance information for each of their clients (medical, dental, life, vision, basic and voluntary life, short- and long-term basic insurance, and voluntary disability).

Objective

The objective of this system was to create a centralized system to organize the insurance information collected for each client. Additionally, the system should support statistical data analysis and generate sophisticated reports.

Solution

CxT Group designed and developed a custom insurance management program that organized data by client and displayed client-specific menus (based on the client’s insurance mix). We also created a sophisticated reporting mechanism that lighlighted additional business opportunties among existing clients.

Results

Centralized insurance information
Organized insurance data by client
Highlighted business opportunities

Client Tagging System

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:46:54 +0000

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Technology

OS: Microsoft Windows
Framework: Microsoft .Net
Programming Language: Microsoft VB.Net
Database: Microsoft SQL Server

Problem

A manual cylinder tagging and billing process prevented this refrigerant recycling company from gaining competitive advantage. This client needed to leverage computer automation in order to streamline billing and cylinder tag tracking and reporting.

Objective

The objective of this application was to create a system that would support the growth of the plant, automate billing, provide on-demand reporting, and store tag information for EPA requirements.

Solution

CxT Group designed and developed a custom client tagging system that billed a client after a cylinder completed the recycling process. This system also streamlined the process of obtaining Purchase Orders by auto-generating required tags and faxing the request to the client.

Results

Streamlined billing for cylinders
Complied with EPA regulatory requirements
Automated Purchase Orders process and reporting

Barcode Tagging System

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:29:53 +0000

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Technology

OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile
Framework: Microsoft .Net
Programming Language: Microsoft VB.Net
Database: Microsoft SQL Server

Problem

In order to gain competitive advantage, a refrigerant processing plant needed to automate its manual cylinder recycling process and t0 comply with EPA reporting requirements. With the manual cylinder process, tags were often lost and cylinders were left unaccounted for.

Objective

The objective of the application was to streamlined the processing and comply with EPA regulatory requirements.

Solution

CxT Group designed and developed a custom barcode application that tracked cylinders from the moment they entered the facility through every step of the recycling process to completion. This solution satisfied the EPA requirement of tracking chemicals from origin to destination for a specific amount of time.

Results

Eliminated manual cylinder tagging
Increased productivity at the plant
Supported EPA regulatory requirements

Loan Officer List Generator

Dr. I. Kopaliani — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:35:52 +0000

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Technology

OS: Microsoft Windows
Framework: Microsoft .Net
Programming Language: Microsoft VB.Net

Problem

Our client wanted to automate and standardize the marketing task of creating online biographies for loan officers. The task required two people: one person from marketing and a technical person with HTML skills.

Objective

The objective was to create a system that allows a marketing person without HTML skills to independently generate and post biographies as HTML pages, thus freeing up technical staff.

Solution

CxT Group developed a simple program that accepted user-typed biographical information. The program creates a properly formatted HTML file, included all necessary meta tags, places the file on the web server, and adds an entry to the directory of loan officers.

Results

Automated and standardized HTML generation.
Reduced biography creation time.
Freed-up a valuable technical resource.

What is the Difference Between Bitmap Images and Vector Graphics?

Curtis Greenstein — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:27:32 +0000

What is the Difference Between Bitmao Images and Vector Graphics

Bitmap images use grid (the bitmap) of small squares known as pixels to represent images. Each pixel is assigned a specific location and color value. A bitmap image is resolution dependent – that is, it contains a fixed number of pixels to represent its image data. As a result, a bitmap image can lose detail and look jagged when magnified. Bitmap images are best suited for photographs or painted images.

Vector graphics, on the other hand, are made of lines and curves defined by mathematical objects called vectors. Vectors describe graphics accocrding to their geometric characteristics. You can move, resize, or change the color of the image without losing the quality of graphic. A vector graphic is resolution independent – it can be scaled to any size without losing its detail or clarity. Vector graphics are best suited for graphics that must retain crisp lines, such as logos.