Capture Information from BMSI's Product Screens Using TNT Screen Capture

When you look at your BMSI software screen, you'll notice an abundance of data, some of which you need to remember even when you aren't looking at it. Fortunately, you don't have to continually pull up the same report. Instead, you can use a free online capture tool, like TNT Screen Capture, to capture and save everything on your screen. Whether you need the data you see on your screen for a budget meeting or you just need to remember the details while you navigate to another screen, TNT Screen Capture can help you—and those aren't the only tasks that TNT Screen Capture can complete for you.

Create Outstanding Presentations

Including a screen shot in your presentations not only makes your presentation look more professional and well thought out, but it helps your audience follow along by giving them something visual to look at while they follow along. TNT Screen Capture can capture any screen within your BMSI software with a few clicks. Once you have a screen shot captured, you can edit the image and use it in presentations.

Get Tech Issues Solved Quickly

Because BMSI's software is web-based, all of your technical issues are solved by off-site information technologies (IT) people. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to resolve computer issues quickly without being able to see what's happening on the computer screen. Free capture programs, like TNT Screen Capture, can capture what is currently displayed on your computer screen. Then, you can send the screenshot to the tech employee that you're working with so he or she can see exactly what is happening on your screen. With all of the information in front of them, the IT tech will be able to resolve any issues that you're having in no time.

Edit the Images You Capture

TNT Screen Capture gives you the ability to edit any images that you capture. When you click the capture button, the software detects the corners of the images on your screen. This means you can opt to capture your entire screen, or only one section. This option is handy when you're using your BMSI software to create a presentation for an important meeting, but there's information on your screen that you don't want to share. In addition to selecting the portion of your BMSI software that you want to capture, TNT Screen Capture has a variety of editing options, including:

• Add arrows to your image to highlight important areas of the image
• Add text to your images to relay important information
• Add a shadow behind the image for a realistic effect

Your BMSI software has a lot of benefits, but when you use the software in conjunction with TNT Screen Capture it gives you even more options. Whether you're preparing for a budget meeting or you're having technical difficulties, TNT Screen Capture will come in handy. Fortunately, you can download the software for free and start using it with your BMSI software today.

Risk Management: Using an Asset Management System to Create a Risk Management Strategy

In order to control costs and maintain your budget, you need to have a solid risk management strategy. Fortunately, you don't have to create a long, detailed plan in order for a risk management strategy to be effective. When you use an asset management system, you can track all of your assets, anticipate problems before they become major issues, and create a simple strategy that is easy for all of your employees to follow.

An asset management system allows you to track the condition of a variety of different infrastructure and equipment within your organization. The system compiles data to display details like the likelihood of failure, the cost of replacement, and the impact of failure. You can use all of this information to plan an air-tight budget for the future, as well as ensuring that every asset is properly taken care of.

When you begin using your asset management system, you'll create an initial assessment by categorizing each asset by the impact of failure and asset unavailability. This allows you to list your most critical assets and rate each asset's condition, likelihood of failure, and risk of failure. Working with your most critical assets first helps you refine your entire system, and once you have a risk management system in place, you can begin adding less critical assets.

Part of refining your system includes determining a time frame that allows you to plan for the future. For example, you may opt to track your organization's assets using a next-year and five-year parameter or you could use five-year and ten-year parameters. When you set parameters for your system it allows you to see the current condition of each asset, as well as create a future plan for routine maintenance. Routine maintenance is critical for every organization; it helps you fix problems consistently, eliminating unnecessary expenses in the future.

Your asset management system uses the condition of your organization's equipment to help you determine the likelihood of failure. Once the likelihood of failure is determined, consequence of the risk is determined and displayed using a simple very low-to-very high rating system. This information helps you determine which issues need taken care of immediately and which problems can be resolved at a later date.

Knowing what your risks and consequences are lets you develop a solid risk management strategy. For example, for some assets it may be better to focus on preventing the risk by completely routine maintenance, but other assets might have issues that will cost more money to repair than it will to accept the risk and create a contingency plan to follow if and when the risk occurs.

Ultimately, it's up to you to determine the best type of risk management strategy for your organization's assets. However, using an asset management system puts all of the information you need to develop a solid plan right in front of you. Not only does this make your job easier and save you time, but it saves your organization money in the long run.

Improving Infrastructure and Equipment Management Using Cloud-Hosted Software

Until recently, off-the-shelf technology that created online portals for companies wasn't cost effective for many organizations. However, the recent burst in the popularity of cloud computing has made it possible for managers and employees to interact in one place, making it easier to collaborate on projects. Many organizations are beginning to embrace new technologies and are finding out that there are numerous benefits to transitioning to cloud-hosted software.

Unlike on-premise software, cloud-hosted software is accessed via an Internet browser. This means that people with access to the software can access it from any location, twenty-four hours per day. Not only is the software easier to access, it has the ability to give you real-time updates on projects, so that you are always aware of a job's progress, even though you aren't in the field. Some of the things can be done with cloud-hosted software customer include:

• Schedule a repair
• Track a repair
• Review a piece of equipment's service history

Streamlining the process of creating and tracking work orders isn't the only benefit to cloud-hosted software. Because employees can access the software in the field, there's no need to create spreadsheets for work orders that need to be complete or for workers to call into the office to receive a new assignment. In addition, employees can also respond to urgent work orders quicker because assignments with a high priority can be sent to the appropriate worker right away.

Organizations that use cloud-hosted software are also seeing lower overhead costs. Because the software isn't hosted on site, there isn't the need to employ a large IT department. You don't have to download software on each device individually and you don't have to pay additional money for software upgrades. In fact, most organizations can operate smoothly without an IT staff because cloud-hosted software is maintained entirely by the company that hosts the software. Office production has also increased because office workers are taking fewer phone calls, and not spending as much time tracking the progress of jobs that field service workers are assigned to.

Cloud-hosted software isn't only about streamlining operations, lowering overhead costs, and having twenty-four hour access to work orders, the software gives your employees online access to everything they need to know about specific pieces of equipment and, in some cases, the equipment manuals are available as well. This means that your employees will always know when routine maintenance needs to be scheduled and what to do if a piece of equipment breaks.

There are numerous online companies that offer cloud-hosted software governmental organizations, including BMSI, so it's not difficult to find software that suits your company's needs. Once you decide to transition to cloud-hosted software, the actual transition process won't take long. Before you know it, you'll have an entirely new system, that's extremely user friendly, and you'll be able to reap the benefits that other organizations are already discovering.

Four Tips on Facility Management That You Won't Want to Miss

As a facility manager, you're responsible for a lot of things. While it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations of your department, it's important to remember that you also have a job to do each day, and your job is vital to business. Whether you're pitching a new project or dealing with employee issues, it's important that you're confident and understand how your role affects your company. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to stay on top of your job and still manage the day-to-day operations.

Know Your Value to the Company

When you're battling over funding it can seem like all of the other departments are working against you. However, it's important to remember that you're all on the same side. Instead of going into a budget meeting with $1 million worth of projects, be realistic. Before the meeting, take some time to review your budget history. Having a good idea of how much money was awarded to your department in the past can help you set realistic goals for future budgets.

Create a Long-Term Plan

Everyone knows that money doesn't grow on trees, and even though you may need a specific amount of money to get a project completed, the finance department may not see the importance of the issue. Therefore, it's important for you to approach the finance department with a long-term strategy. Not only will your finance department have more respect for you if you come to them prepared, but your long-term plan could help you build business relationships that could ease the process in years to come.

Build Relationships with Senior Executives

When it comes to winning funding for your latest project, you can tip the scales in your favor by building solid relationships with senior executives. Basically, your success in securing funding will come down to your credibility. The more you're out and about socializing with top managers, the easier it will be for them to get to know you and trust you. Then, when there's extra money to be awarded, your project could receive an accidental bump up the ladder of importance. The process doesn't have to be overwhelming, consider "accidentally" bumping into a senior executive in the elevator and have a short elevator pitch ready.

Know How to Work with a Leaner Staff

Changes in healthcare have resulted in leaner facility staffs. Unfortunately, this probably means that you have to do more with less. Instead of running around like a chicken with your head cut off every day, becoming a master of time management. Keep in mind it is common for people to wear multiple hats in the workplace. As long as you are aware of the time you have, know how to use the resources that are available to you, and plan your time wisely, it shouldn't be complicated to stay ahead of the game.

Sometimes is can seem like facility managers aren't valued as much as managers from other departments. However, it's imperative that you remember just how important your jobs is. Once you start building relationships and managing your time properly, your job will become a lot less stressful.