The annual AIS NSW IT Manager’s Conference was recently held in Wollongong on the 29th and 30th May 2008. BEAR Solutions was able to yet again attend this conference and be a sponsor.

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting independent schools across New South Wales. Among other services, the AIS coordinates a comprehensive professional development program for staff in independent schools.

During the conference delegates attended many and varied information sessions ranging from moodles and e-portfolios through to computer security technology and server virtualisation. On session breaks delegates could wander around the venue and speak with various industry representatives, including BEAR Solutions.

The promotion of a giant teddy bear was run over the course of the two days and delegates simply had to name the bear. The person who named the bear most appropriately according to the BEAR Solutions representative won the bear. The winner of the promotion was Dallas Gill of St Philips Christian College who named the bear “Louis T Bearson” by using every letter from ‘BEAR Solutions’.

BEAR Solutions have recently rolled out their on-line CMS/IP cost recovery and management solution at Hobsons Bay Libraries.

The CMS/IP solution is being used to control and charge for photocopying and printing across each of their four branches, which consist of Altona, Altona Meadows, Newport and Williamstown branch.

The system is controlled from their main branch at Altona Meadows, allowing central control over their printing and photocopy facilities across all their sites. The system operates via the patrons’ Library Card which can be used at any branch for payment of photocopying and printing.

The staff and patrons love the simplicity and reliability of the system and have embraced the technology with open arms.

BEAR Solutions would like to introduce Geoff Brayshaw who has joined us this month as the new Victorian Account Manager.

Geoff has been involved in Sales and Marketing over many years and now brings the many skills that he has accumulated to Bear Solutions, which will help BEARs grow and develop a greater presence in the Victorian market.

Geoff is an enthusiastic team member who is eager to help and support customers in maintaining and expanding their cost recovery and management solutions to ensure that customer needs are met and exceeded.

BEARs are excited to introduce Geoff as part of our team and welcome the knowledge and experience that Geoff brings.

Geoff will be replacing Stephen Jones as the Victorian Account Manager. Stephen has opted for a sea change and moved to Sydney where he will be taking over the role of NSW Account Manager.

The University of South Pacific has just recently installed the CMSIP with Print Anywhere system for students, staff and visitors. Along with continuing fast growth throughout Asia, BEAR Solutions is responding to the demand for the CMSIP solution which continues to grow now on a wider global scale.

BEARS global expansion has brought in new popular requests on existing products and for future products. We believe our positive attitude to these requests along with our commitment to ongoing development will be an advantage to both existing clients and to new prospective clients both domestically and globally.

Chris Mahoney has recently joined the BEAR Solutions support team. Prior to BEAR Solutions, Chris was employed with Golf Link/Simbient where he supported a similar online system to the CMSIP system at BEARS.

>Since his induction on April 16, 2008, Chris has shown signs of being another team member that’s not only appreciated by other BEARS employees but also by BEARS long list of clients. Chris has exhibited admirable dedication to the job and the ability to learn on the fly.

BEAR Solutions company culture provides a great working environment which promotes both hard work and a great quality of working life, which Chris has embraced since day one.

BEAR Solutions is pleased to release its Print Anyware^TM printing management solution to the market.

Print Anyware^TM enables users to print to a secure server and release their print job to any print device controlled by a BEAR Solutions cmsip terminal.

Already organisation around the world are taking advantage of this solution to provide Confidential printing, Control of printing and Choice of where to print. For more information see the brochure or click here for the flash demostration.

Cutting edge technology @ Liverpool Library

This article has been replicated with permission from the Liverpool City Library, ‘Library News’ Issue 12 Mar-May 2007.

Liverpool City Library has recently implemented an innovative computerised Internet Booking system, using cutting edge technology that will enhance customer services.

Library members can now book their own Internet appointments up to a week in advance and print their appointment. Library members who have used their new booking system are very impressed with how easy and quick the new system is to use. Elder Pollard said the system was “smooth – very smooth” and Jason H. 21yrs agreed saying “What an innovation!”

To use the free Internet service at Liverpool City Library, customers need to become members of the library. Library membership is free. (Address and identification must be provided).

All cost recovery and PC reservation product at Liverpool Library is supplied by BEAR Solutions

The Christmas break is typically of very busy time for BEAR Solutions and this year has proved no different.

The Installation and Project Management Team have been stretched the length of the country with new systems being implemented in La Trobe University (Victoria), Charles Darwin University (Northern Territory), and James Cook University (Northern Queensland). Each site has been unique in it's own right, with card platforms ranging between magnetic stripe and Mifare cards, systems implemented for use by staff and/or students, and databases populated by various University sources.

The cms/ip system has been up to the challenge thanks to it's inherent flexibility.

Fuji's three-in-one office machine
By Karen Arukesamy
Government departments and businesses that have to plough through heaps of paperwork may lighten their load with Fuji Xerox's ApeosPort series, a new multi-functional device which has print, copy and fax functions.

The latest device was launched in Kuala Lumpur recently through its Apeos Business Alliance Programme, bringing together innovative software providers, system integrators, distributors and resellers to create customised solutions that expand the capabilities of ApeosPort.

This integration comprises Faxcore for Apeos with Faxcore (Asia) Sdn Bhd; Liquid Office for Apeos with Cardiff; Topcall for Apeos with Topcall-A DICOM Company; MyKad Integration with ApeosPort, with BEAR Solutions (Australasia) Pty Ltd and IRIS Corporation Bhd.

The MyKad Integration with ApeosPort enables users to import personal details - name, date of birth, place of birth and address from a MyKad - and automatically insert them on documents like application forms. Users can opt to print on demand their application forms from ApeosPort itself.

The device is expected to help business operators speed up paperwork and any remedial procedures, and is deemed suitable for banking and insurance, and telecommunications companies, as well as government bodies, which have to deal with increasing numbers of application forms.

"With the promising progress of Apeos business, we are optimistic of obtaining 75% growth in our next financial year starting April 2007, of which the partner solution will contribute approximately 30%-35%," said Fuji Xerox marketing and new business development general manager Yeoh Swee Im.

Article from Sun2Surf http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=17192

BEAR Solutions (BEAR) have recently completed the implementation of the BEAR cms/ip student copy and print payment system into the University of Southern Queensland (USC). The system consists of copier management, printer management, Point of Sale (sales and account reload), and automated cash reload. Synchronised population of the BEAR cms/ip database is achieved through integration with the University’s PeopleSoft database.
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" With the successful implementation of Student Printing Services, I would like to thank you for your extra assistance in the installation of the final rollout. The support and patience from Wayne [Development Engineer], Nathan [Customer Support], Daniel [IT Implementation & Support Manager] and Danny [IT Support] has been exceptional. We are very pleased with the success and look forward to continuing working with you in the future. " Kim Luck, Manager, Reprographics, USC
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Both BEAR and the USC are excited about this opportunity and look forward to the benefits it promises. Further expansion of the system is planned for 2007, when it will be used to control access and record statistical information for all staff copying and printing throughout the University.

Baulkham Hills Shire Council Libraries have recently become another valued cms/ip client after the successful implementation of cms/ip. The cms/ip on-line solution has enabled the recovery of costs associated with copying and printing and also provides for a PC Booking solution.

Encompassing the Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Carlingford and Dural Libraries the solution provides a convenient and easy method for patrons to use and pay for facilities within the library utilising their existing library card. Funds can be added to their card and used at any of the libraries for payment of photocopying or printing services. This has seen a decrease in the amount of paper waste at the libraries and promoted a ‘greener’ solution for all.

Computer bookings can be made by patrons either at the library using a PC Reservation Station or by accessing the online reservation system that allows them to reserve one of the computers at the selected library. Not only does this guarantee the patron has access to a computer on the specified date and time, it also frees up staff time to concentrate on their main task of providing library services as opposed to being a booking facility.

For staff, the configuration and control of the system is managed from a centralised area within one of the libraries and each of the remaining libraries simply attach to this main cms/ip database. The setting of price lines, configuring of PC usage times, report generation, and so on across the libraries can all be handled by IT staff from the central location without having to leave their office.

With the re-opening & expansion of the refurbished State Library of Queensland set for November, BEAR has more than doubled the original install size to cater for all the new equipment. The library is now also offering unattended EFTPOS as a reload option for clients for the first time.

BEAR is proud to release its recently updated Foreign Interface product. With a range of new features including easier device connectivity the Foreign Interface is now 100% ROHS compliant, meeting new EU Lead free manufacturing laws.

BEAR is pleased to announce the opening of our newest office, in Brisbane, Queensland.

Our Queensland office, centrally located in Fortitude Valley, will be staffed by a skilled sales and technical team, including Chad Ryan (Sales), and Nathan Maguire (Technical) facilitating the provision of a high level of service to our current and future Queensland clients.

BEAR is very excited about this expansion of our operations and we look forward to exciting future in Queensland.

Click here for contact details.

BEAR Solutions (BEAR) and the State Library of Victoria (SLV), located in Melbourne, Australia, have signed a contract for the provision of Card Payment and Facilities Management services. Under this agreement BEAR will provide all associated hardware (including a range of photocopiers, laser printers, microform scanners and computers) that will be controlled by the BEAR CMS/IP cost management system. 

Coupled with the hardware and card payment system BEAR will also provide a Facilities Management service, including services such as: 

•  Daily maintenance of copiers/printers/microform 
•  Cash Collection and banking services 
•  Single point of contact for any related service or operational issues 

SLV are thrilled with the arrangement as it enables their staff members to focus on their core tasks, while being able to rely on the expertise of BEAR to maintain the copy and print facilities. There are also plans to roll the payment system out to the Library’s cafe to allow customers to use their library cards to pay for food and drinks. 

In a first for an Australian State Library SLV will also make use of the latest card technology, MiFare cards. The cards will be used by library customers to access and pay for services controlled by the CMS/IP system and for the retrieval of library material. 

Both BEAR and the SLV are excited about this opportunity and look forward the benefits it promises.