If this happens to you, you may see a notification informing you that the threat was blocked and the device was secured. Before reconnecting the server to the network, the threat must be vetted and thoroughly investigated to ensure it is fully resolved. SentinelOne works in real time to protect your system while minimizing disruption to your operations.  The time it may take to reconnect depends on the complexity of the threat.  

As security threats continue to mount, precautions must be taken to minimize the impact of such threats.  SentinelOne is a world-class program that you now have as part of your AlpineLive solution.

If you have any questions, please contact our IT support team.

The post Alpine Tip #2: Malicious Activity Tip appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

While every software company has its share of “bugs” that present themselves, Alpine has found that over 85% of the issue tickets it receives on a monthly basis are caused by user error.  Over 10% of tickets are requests for additional services like reports, added routes, resequencing, etc… Only 5% of tickets fall into the category of a software “bug”.  However, in most cases, even these issues can not be reproduced and remain unaddressed.

This blog series addresses the top user errors and how to avoid them.  We figure if we spend some time addressing 85% of the issues, that will allow you to operate without interuption and free us up to continue developing powerful, usable software for your operation.

Tip#1-Log Off EVERY night

On the list of the main reasons why Visual RAMS-Pro may not be functioning correctly, this one would be #1.  In every computing system, whether you are using a local sofware solution or web-based, rebooting is viewed as best-practice and necessary to the health of any system.  Generally speaking, here are a  few reasons why:

1. Rebooting (or restarting) helps your system run more smoothly.
2. Rebooting helps resolve peripheral or hardware issues
3. A consistent reboot schedule keeps your machine more secure
4. A reboot can fix most urgent issues with background updates, patches, etc…
5. A reboot will refresh network settings and improve internet connectivity
6. A reboot will save the work you have been doing

For those who consistently use VRP and have not logged out on a given evening, you may have experienced one (or all) of the following issues:

1. A locked batch
2. A process that would not run (like the End of Period process)
3. An audit issue that you got when you ran the Audit Data Integrity process
4. VRP froze up and you had to log out/log in to continue
5. You could not archive user audit data for compliance and accountability.  This process can only be run if everyone is logged out.

User errors happen, we undertand that.  It is our goal to make sure that you and your team are trained well and made aware of how to  avoid making errors that slow down your work.

One simple thing you can do each night to avoid issues is save any work you have done in VRP and logoff, then log out of AlpineLive using the red button on your desktop. 

Stay tuned for more Tech Tips from Nick monthly.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Steve at (888) 852-7267, ext 110.

The post Alpine Tip #1: Avoid this ONE mistake appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

Refuse: The Power of Saying No

1. Understanding “Refuse” in Waste Management

The first and most impactful step in waste management is to “refuse”. It is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked principles of waste management, particularly within the framework of the “Zero Waste” philosophy. The concept of “Refuse” emphasizes the power of consciously rejecting products or materials that you do not need or that are harmful to the environment. It’s about making intentional choices to avoid accumulating waste, rather than simply dealing with it after it’s been created.

For example, declining single-use plastics and other non-biodegradable materials. By refusing items such as plastic straws, disposable cutlery, and excessive packaging, we reduce the demand for these products, encouraging manufacturers to adopt more sustainable practices.

Refusing also extends to digital waste. Unsubscribing from unnecessary emails, for instance, reduces the carbon footprint associated with data storage and transmission. The act of refusing is not just about rejecting physical items; it’s about making conscious decisions that prioritize the environment.

The idea is simple: if you don’t bring waste into your life, you don’t have to manage it later. This principle can be applied in various aspects of daily life, from refusing single-use plastics to declining unnecessary packaging, promotional items, or products that contribute to environmental harm.

3. Practical Ways to Implement “Refuse”

• Say no to single-use plastics: Items like plastic straws, bags, and cutlery are major contributors to environmental pollution. By refusing them, you reduce your plastic footprint.
• Decline excessive packaging: Choose products with minimal packaging or bring your own reusable bags and containers to reduce packaging waste.
• Avoid disposable products: Opt for reusable items like water bottles, coffee cups, and cloth napkins instead of disposable ones.
• Reject freebies and promotional items: Often, these items are unnecessary and quickly become waste. Politely decline them when offered.
• Be mindful of digital waste: Even in the digital world, refuse unnecessary emails, subscriptions, or downloads that contribute to energy consumption and electronic waste.

4. Challenges and Solutions

Implementing the “Refuse” principle can come with challenges, particularly in a consumer-driven society where convenience often trumps sustainability. However, these challenges can be overcome with mindfulness and commitment:

• Consumer Pressure: There is often social or marketing pressure to accept items you don’t need. Overcoming this requires a shift in mindset and values, focusing on long-term environmental benefits over short-term convenience.
• Limited Alternatives: In some cases, sustainable alternatives may not be readily available or may be more expensive. Supporting and advocating for businesses that offer eco-friendly products can help increase availability and affordability over time.
• Habit Change: Saying no requires conscious effort, especially if you’re accustomed to accepting items out of habit. Start small by focusing on one area of your life, like refusing plastic bags, and gradually expand to other areas.

5. Conclusion

The power of saying “no” through the “Refuse” principle is a foundational aspect of effective waste management. It places the responsibility on consumers to make thoughtful choices that prevent waste before it happens. By embracing this principle, individuals can significantly reduce their environmental impact, promote sustainability, and help foster a culture that values responsible consumption over wasteful habits.

“Refuse” is not just about individual action; it’s about collectively redefining what we accept as necessary and pushing for systemic change that prioritizes the planet over profit.

The post The 5 “R’s” of the Waste Industry (Part One) appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

I hope this blog will at least clear the air a bit and help you in your journey to find some answers that you can live with.

1. It is not an easy solution to understand.
   • First of all, plastic waste can be hard to collect.
   • Also, There are some types of plastics that are more recyclable than others. Single-use plastics tend to be highly toxic and low in value but have a 20+% recyclable rate. Accurate sorting is virtually impossible. While alternatives, like aluminum or glass, are adequate solutions, the recycling rate on aluminum cans sits at around 50%.
   • Finally, toxic materials are contained in plastics and also contaminate recycling efforts.
2. Recycling is not impact-free. Plastic recycling is not the panacea we might think, it still has an impact on our environment (transportation, energy, and water).  As experts seem to all agree, the best course of action is for our country to invest in reusable/refillable solutions.
3. Recycling is not a very economical solution. In addition to energy consumption; labor to collect, separate and clean; there are few markets for plastics since China locked down on their collection of recycled bundles. While the effort may well be worth the cost, it still is not a profitable venture on its own that might attract private companies to invest in.
4. Recycling is not a lost cause. There is still merit in recycling, even though the process is somewhat flawed and not perfect.  The technology is evolving, we need to do our part. Our environment should be important enough to encourage us to take a longer view of our current actions.  There are so many examples of “green technologies” that have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles like solar panels, energy-efficient appliances/lighting, electronic devices, electric vehicles, etc…   The ability to collect, sort and clean plastics will get more economical, have less of an impact on our environment, and will eventually make economical sense.  However, bottom line, it takes concerned consumers to explore and adopt such technologies when they avail themselves and don’t give up.

The post Plastics Recycling: 4 Thoughts to Untangle the Web of Confusion appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

We also recognize that businesses leaders have many other challenges, both personal and organizationally. In the following video, Tom Lachocki has some interesting perspectives on the relationship of science, business, and life that will shed light on a few important aspects to encourage not only prosperity, but fulfillment.

Click HERE to view the self-analysis tool that Dr. Lachocki refers to in his presentation

The post Evolving Your Organization for your Business and Life appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

Once such trend that is impacting the Waste industry is the concept of Smart Technology.  Many of us are already accustomed to the use of the term “smart” when speaking of our phones (i.e. “smart” phones).  If you recall, as mobile computing systems and hardware evolved in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s our Personal Digital Assistants began to be replaced with phones that were much more powerful, had more capacity, and integrated many of the technological pieces to make life easier for users.  The smart phone was born!  Since that time, the concept of smart technology has been applied to any device that has automation, interaction and control.  This can be your refrigerator, car or even your watch!

So, what does that mean for you as a business owner/operator?

More and more cities around the world are seeking to coordinate all their technological pieces into a unified, seamless unit.  When this can be done, these “smart cities” can collect data, streamline operations, and provide data that can help them make better decisions for their residents and businesses. This is the wave of the future.  With the internet, cloud technology and flexible applications smart cities now have the technological pieces to accomplish this.

You do not have to look internationally to find examples of such integration.  The city of San Jose, California currently has over 1 million residents and has at least 5 haulers servicing them.  The challenge for the City was to integrate with the various haulers’ technologies so the residents and businesses could have one point of contact to get service and streamline the customer experience.  The city developed a 311 service and website that fulfilled that purpose.  The haulers that could not integrate with the city 311 service could not provide service to their residents.  The open architecture of Alpine’s solutions allowed for this connectivity and is currently integrating with the City of San Jose’s 311 system.  Now, the hauler does not have to expend untold resources to respond to hundreds of customers a day about their bulky item pickups or cart deliveries/repairs, the 311 website automates the process.

If you are currently servicing municipalities (or would like to), this is a trend that directly impacts you.  If you do not have the technological capabilities to integrate with theses “smart” systems, then you could be in jeopardy of losing the contract to other haulers that possess that capability. The technology you invest in for your operations and trucks is absolutely critical to the future of your business.

As Alpine’s solutions have evolved, we have kept your future needs in mind.  The open architecture of Visual RAMS-Pro allows our users to seamlessly connect to applications easily. Currently Alpine is integrating with city billing systems, prospecting tools, online payment systems, scheduling applications, accounting platforms, scale systems and much more.  In addition to the integration potential of Alpine, it’s in-cab solution, Visual On-Route, leverages the power of mobile technology and allows our users to capture hundreds of data points from their routes to make intelligent decisions.

The post The Wave of the Near Future-Smart Tech appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

What are some of the technology uses that have been a benefit to companies during this chaotic time?

• Move to Paperless. Many times with paper comes human intervention and error.  There are many office tools currently available to minimize human intervention and streamline communication so customer needs are not overlooked.  Whether in the office or in the cab, more companies have adopted such technologies to process Work Orders, confirm service, digitize route lists, capture and process route charges, and much more.  These tools are worth their weight in gold! Studies have shown that the return on investment (ROI) of such solutions are sometimes as much as 300%.  Imagine making 300 times more than you spend?
• Leverage the Cloud. On premise solutions can be expensive.  Not only do you have to purchase the correct hardware you also have to keep on top of upgrades and a whole “farm” of servers.  This typically takes at least one seasoned individual in your company or an outsourced IT firm that will not be shy when it comes to charging you for their service.  The cloud is a technological phenomenon that allows you to access your solutions remotely and not have to worry about paying an IT firm to manage it…it comes bundled in your provider fees.  Also, the cost of licenses and upgrades is typically spread out over many companies and not simply on your shoulders. With Cloud solutions you are also taking advantage of advanced security protocols that your office may not be able to implement. Most applications these days offer both on-premise and cloud solutions, however, make sure to inquire about any loss of functionality that might exist between the two.  As everyone has already experienced in the pandemic, working from home can be as productive as working in the office.  Solutions like Zoom, MS Teams, Google Teams and more allow you to interact with, and manage, your staff almost seamlessly.  These applications are not going away in the future.
• Empower your Customers with On-Line Customer Portals. In the midst of the Pandemic, individuals are far more comfortable with e-commerce.  Whether it is ordering their groceries online to having meals delivered, the Pandemic has forced your customers to use online services more extensively.  With that, customers are also more prone to self-manage their services and pay online if a customer portal is available to them.  Again, most reputable applications provide this service. The benefits not only include accelerated receivables, but also less customer contact to bog down your Customer Service Representatives.
• Take Advantage of Efficiencies. Having a solution that integrates as many major aspects of your business as possible will allow you to streamline your business, minimize error, and take advantage of the efficiencies that come with such solutions.  You may now be able to have one person do the work of three and save on your payroll expenses.  With less error, you may be able to capture additional income or even cut expenses.  The greatest advantage, however, to an integrated solution is that you preserve the greatest resource available to you…your time.
• Set the Stage for Future Technological Advances. Historically many of the advances could be curtailed in a business on account of a technologically diverse employee base.  Some of your employees may be very comfortable with technology; others may not be so inclined.  Typically, changes are not undertaken unless the adoption rate is high.  The Pandemic has forced businesses to shore up ALL their employees’ technological skills and weed out those that will not adopt, or even will try to sabotage, technological advances.  This paradigm shift will set the stage for future successful technology implementations.

The pandemic has destroyed so many lives and will continue to do so until there is a treatment.  It is utterly impossible to look on the “bright side” of such a global devastation.  However, in the midst of the chaos, it has become clear that we have all had to grow in our technology skills.  Doing life and business a bit differently has hopefully opened our minds and transformed us into more willing adopters of new technologies.

Does your technology tool box allow you to operate productively and more efficiently?  If not, then begin the process of evaluating your processes and speak to professionals in the field.  Alpine Technology Corporation has been a leader in the Waste Industry for over 40 years providing powerful solutions, from the office to the truck to the cloud, that give you the tools to run your business successfully.  Visual RAMS-Pro is Alpine’s office solution, Visual On-Route is their in-cab computing solution, and AlpineLive is their Cloud solution.  If you have any questions, please contact Steve Fleming at sfleming@rams-pro.com or (719) 382-8214, ext. 110.

The post 5 Technology Advances That Can Help Your Business During the Pandemic appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

Action driven automatic email/text notifications. Managers want to know when certain things happen.  This new feature is a mechanism to make that happen.  They may want to know when a driver has been idle for an extended period of time. Or, to know when a Work Order has been completed.  Or, when a driver is a within a specified distance from the Work Order Service location.  Or, when a not-out is recorded.  Or, when there is a contaminant in a bin.  There are literally hundreds of actions or events that can launch an email or text to a manager, CSR, or even a customer.

Automatic status change when a customer pays their bill.  Typically, when a customer does not pay, their status gets moved to “Suspended”.  When the time comes when they finally pay for their service, CSR’s have to go into the account and manually change them from “Suspended (SUS)” to “Active (ACT)”.  When you have a handful, it is not a problem; however, when there are dozens (or even hundreds) of these manual changes it can take hours of time to do this.  This new feature automates the process.  When a customer does not pay their bill, VRPE10 moves their account to a “Suspended” status and when they pay it automatically moves them back to “Active”.

Credit Card/ACH payment from within VRPE 10.  Though Alpine integrates with many payment portals, CSR’s still have to go to an outside web “portal” to make a Credit Card or ACH payment for a particular invoice or statement. Now, with VRPE 10 and the MyOnlineBill integration that is no longer necessary.  Directly from the customer form in RAMS, you simply select the “MOB” button and it will launch a user-friendly form that allows you to select the invoice, select the stored payment method and make the payment.  Also, the payment is updated real-time to the MOB portal so the customer will see their account updated online immediately.

Visual On-Route has been the in-cab computing leader for over 10 years.  Now, with the Android version of VOR our customers have new features that will make their business run so much smoother.  One such feature, the cart delivery mode, allows a driver to place all the containers to be delivered that day on the truck.  Then, when they drop each cart off, VOR allows you to place the cart number into your inventory while also geo-coding that bin to the specified customer.  Customers no longer have to manually place all the bins into inventory, deliver the bins, and wait until the driver services them to geo-code the service stop.  To make it even easier, VOR uses Optical Character Recognition (OCT) technology so all the driver has to do is take a picture of the bin number and it registers it within VOR…no more fat fingering or human error.

Call us at 1 (888) 852-7267 or contact Steve Fleming at sfleming@rams-pro.com to see these features first-hand and how they can change your business.

The post Four New features that will change your business! appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

In fact, the speed at which technology changes our lives is kind of overwhelming. It’s hard to keep up. What is the cloud or SAAS? What technology is a worthy investment and which is just a trendy scam? If you do decide to try a new software, how do you even begin implementing it and training yourself and your employees?  

The waste industry has a reputation of falling behind in its adoption of new technologies. Perhaps because stepping into unknown territory is scary and means leaving the security of what you know behind, leaving behind how you’ve always done it. 

Taking the time to learn and use new technology is now a non-negotiable. Refusing to embrace it not only makes it harder to compete, but means losing efficiency in your business and missing crucial opportunities. If you are not careful, you will continue to fall behind and ultimately end up in a “tech slump”.

While the path out of such slump can take some time and will take care, here are some simple tips and tools to improve your interaction with technology as a hauler and avoid a tech slump: 

Route optimization 

Making your routes as efficient as possible is a huge way to cut costs. You’ll be saving on fuel, truck maintenance and time. Investing in the technology that gives you this added efficiency is a game changer.   

Update your website  

Your website should be easy to navigate and give customers a clear idea about who you are and what you do. The process of signing up for services should be seamless. If your website is outdated, you should consider cleaning it up and making it look more presentable. Here’s 5 ways to make it look more professional. 

Invest in online bill pay 

56% of bills in the U.S. are paid online. Yeah. It’s definitely time to start investigating into setting that up for your hauling business. Online billing significantly reduces the time your staff will be on the phone and saves all the money you’re dumping into paper, ink and postage. The money adds up. Check out our vendor My Online Bill to find out more and ditch the billing hassle.  

Move away from the printer

This kind of touches on the previous topic. As a hauler, you shouldn’t be printing out every document under the sun. It’s not only time consuming to print out each route list or work order and…it’s expensive. Find ways to send PDF’s and check out Alpine’s Visual On Route which saves you loads of headache by syncing route lists and work orders straight from the office to the trucks.   

Get on the cloud 

What the heck is this cloud everyone talks about? Contrary to popular belief the cloud is not a fluffy cotton ball in the sky. Cloud computing means instead of having all the computer hardware and software on site (I.e. servers, tech manager,) these services are hosted and provided by another company and accessed via the Internet. *Cough, cough* Alpine Live is our hosting solution, which again keeps your migraines at bay. 

These 5 helpful tips are a great start, if you’re looking to stay up to date with current software and technology. Taking the time to set up a strategy to keep your company culture on track with technology and in line with your vision, will leave you ahead of the curve.  

The post Five Ways to Avoid a Tech Slump appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..

My weekday mornings follow a routine.  Gym. Breakfast. Place eggshells in compost. 5-minute shower. White shirt and one of my two pairs of jeans. Brush teeth. Take out recycling. Grab water bottle and lunch made in reusable container. Head out the door to work.

It’s simple. Mostly because I don’t have a ton of stuff to worry about. Everything I own is carefully selected by how long it will last and how many shopping trips it saves me. Buying less is cheaper, simpler and means I’m wasting less. And I hate unnecessary waste and complexity, so it’s an all-around win.

In a nutshell, this is low waste, minimalism. Maybe you’re skeptical as to why this millennial fad has taken off. The reason these lifestyles have caught fire is because the kids who were raised on a steady diet of advertising and consumerism are sick to death of being told to buy crap that falls apart…just so they can buy more crap that falls apart.

Along with this realization, people care more about environmental preservation. I want to keep the beauty of nature for myself and others to enjoy. What a shame it would be to watch the world become a squandered dump because no one was willing to make switches towards living on less.

This is why I wear the same clothes, bring my reusable grocery bag and don’t buy paper towels. I don’t expect myself or others to have zero waste… It’s just an honest attempt to learn to be content with what I have and take care of the world I am lucky to live in.

People like me are looking for haulers that work towards sustainable solutions. While I realize many of these “zero-waste” practices can’t be realistically supported by local haulers now, my hope is that haulers throughout our area will evolve to make it easier on customers to protect the environment.

Lydia Attwood

The post Why I Wear the Same Clothes: Views from a Local appeared first on Alpine Technology Corp..