March 2005
FastCAM Software for Profiling and Estimation

FastCAM e-Newsletter

March 2005

FastCAM e-Newsletter, Free to Subscribers

Issue# 12 




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Do you have back-ups of ALL your critical data?

Since the beginning of the year we have been steadily contacting our customers to update our records, obtain market feedback, talk about our new developments and basically 'touch base'.

In particular, many customers were very interested in the new embedded service button however either didn't realize whether or not they had it or were unclear of if and how they could use it.

We feel it's important that we continue to emphasize the benefits of this new feature. For example, in the event of a computer failure, the often highly optimized setup files can be made available via email so that a new computer can be set up in identical fashion to the original. These files are often not backed up as they are seen as trivial, but they are critical.





The most important development in 2004 was the addition of an inline service function in all current FastCAM software. This allows an operator in trouble to send all files, comments and the entire environment zipped through the Internet to FastCAM service in Chicago, USA, Melbourne, Australia or Shanghai, China. With increasingly complex environments, this allows FastCAM engineers to get all the information they need to instantly recreate the problem. If the problem causes a crash, it should be sent immediately before the crash.

Service Members are given absolute priority with regard to requests for assistance however anyone can report a technical problem or request help. If our support people determine that charges apply the customer is always quoted before any work is undertaken. With the new method you only need to Press the Email Service Button and complete a short form. FastCAM v5.9 'traps' all the files we need, zips them up and automatically attaches them to the email. The screen shots below illustrate the new fast method.




You can save it to file or disk and ask someone else to email it to our service department as an attachment.


As added protection, and as another feature of the Service Button, you can back up your machine set up and control.dat files and email them to us to store. Note that the software only backs up the 'current instance' and machine information so you would have to send a separate email for EACH machine. It is critical that these files are backed up. We recommend that everyone sends a service email when they receive the new software, if only to establish a backup of the setup critical files.

ARE YOU MAKING REGULAR BACKUPS OF YOUR CAM FILES?
When you install the latest version of FastCAM v5.9 the software automatically makes a backup of your previous executables (old FastCAM program files) before it installs the new version. However you need to be responsible in protecting yourself against CRASHES AND NEW VIRUSES which might disrupt your business. We recommend that you routinely backup the entire FastCAM directory (and any other working folders that you use for your CAM and NC files!!).


We're interested in hearing from customers and resellers! If you have news or can suggest a topic that you think will be of interest to our reader base, we invite you to email us!


Copyright 2005, FastCAM Inc.


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Copyright © 2005, FastCAM Inc.

We attribute much of our productivity increase to FastCAM ..Phil Ryan, JCA Fabrication.          I'd never done a drawing before in my life. After 10 days with FastCAM, I built the first tank truck. Now it's our livelihood....Ray Castleberry, Castlebrook Welding.           By far, the quickest and easiest programs I have used......Rick Presseau, INCO Ltd.
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