ESC Announcements

Fall 2008 User Group Presentations Are Now Available on the ESC Website

ESC Editor — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:04:00 GMT

It's hard to believe that the Fall 2008 User Group is only a week away! Because we realize some attendees like to review the meeting information before arriving, presentations are now available at the User Group section of the ESC website. Please be aware that presentations are subject to change as the covered information may not be finalized. Due to changing content, some presentations will not be available online before User Group.

In an effort to stay environmentally friendly, ESC will not provide hard copies of the presentations. If you would like to have a copy in hand for note taking during the presentations, simply print them out from the ESC website prior to arriving in Orlando.

The final version of all ESC Presentations are now available! Click here to go to the downloads area and view them.

Important Time Stamp Alert and New TIL Posted for ESC|StackVision USERS!

ESC Editor — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:15:00 GMT

Time Stamp Alert
As most ESC|StackVision users are aware, the Acid Rain Program (40 CFR 75) requires data to be collected and time-stamped with "Standard Time" throughout the year. Consequently, please check your StackVision server computer and make sure that it is set to Standard Time and is NOT set to switch back from Daylight Savings Time this Sunday morning.

*This notice only applies to StackVision SERVERS and does not apply to StackVision client computers, which can be set to switch to Daylight Savings Time.

Attention ESC|StackVision Users (Version 2.0 and Later) - New TIL Posted!
ESC has posted a new Technical Information Letter (TIL) alerting StackVision customers (Version 2.0 or later) that a recently published Microsoft® Security Patch (KB956391) disables printing of StackVision reports from client computers. To view the TIL, please visit the ESC|KnowledgeBase from the Support website, www.envirosys.com/support (select KnowledgeBase then Technical Information Letters).

*Now Posted*
StackVision Version 2.0 or later
10.31.08 TIL SV-2439 Microsoft Security Patch KB956391 Disables Printing

Should you have any questions, please contact ESC at 865.688.7900 x 3.

ESC Announces Regional Workshops in Indianapolis - REGISTER TODAY!

ESC Editor — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:57:00 GMT

ESC|University's Regional Training Series…Coming to a City Near You!
Indianapolis, IN | December 4 - 5, 2008

ESC|University invites you to join us to take advantage of invaluable learning opportunities designed with our customers' needs in mind! You will bring innovative ideas and solid working knowledge of new products and procedures back to your organization, preparing all for the future of the electric power industry.

Course Offerings

Data Management with ESC|StackVision
Indianapolis, IN | December 4, 2008

This class is designed for Environmental Engineers and CEMS Technicians who have historically managed the DAS systems, specifically dealing with system administration and data management. Through detailed discussions and hands-on exercises, you will gain understanding of Data Management Strategy needs and requirements such as Disaster Recovery, Data Retention and Database Maintenance. Additionally, you will acquire the knowledge required to successfully develop and execute a Data Management Plan, ensuring that you are ready and data is secure in the event of a disaster.

Cost: $1150

Moving to XML Reporting with ESC|StackVision
Indianapolis, IN | December 5, 2008

This class is geared toward Data QA Personnel, Plant Engineering, Environmental Coordinators and Reporting Personnel and will focus on educating you on the ins and outs of XML reporting including ECMPS, Monitoring Plan Configurations and a hands-on Troubleshooting Errors exercise.

Cost: $1150

Accommodations

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown/b>
350 West Maryland Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225
317.822.3500

Room rate of $249/night for ESC class attendees.

Schedule

8:00am - 5:00pm Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Registration Options

Complete the registration form (ESCU online http://envirosys.com/escuniversity/default.aspx ) and return it along with payment to Environmental Systems Corporation.
By fax: 865.687.8977
By email: escu@envirosys.com

Payment Information

Registration fee is payable by check, purchase order (please attach a copy of PO), AMEX, Visa or MasterCard.

Questions?

Call ESC|University at 865.688.7900 or email escu@envirosys.com.

Attendee Information

Registrants will receive an acknowledgement indicating that their payment was received. Confirmation notices will be sent three weeks ahead confirming your seat in the session. Travel arrangements should be secured only after you receive confirmation.

Important Information Regarding ESC|StackVision Dollars Session at Fall 2008 User Group

ESC Editor — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:32:00 GMT

Get Familiar with the New and Improved ESC|StackVision Dollars Voting Process!

The Fall 2008 ESC User Group in Orlando will feature new improvements to the StackVision Dollars Voting process. In order to provide time for a more detailed discussion of specific topic areas, a preliminary election will be held to narrow down the extended list of voting topics to the top five topics.

In the preliminary election, users will vote among fifteen predetermined topics which will only be discussed briefly. Because there are only six months between each User Group, we feel that addressing and implementing five topics into our development process is a more realistic goal. Therefore, the five topics which receive the most votes during preliminary voting will be used to compose the official election voting topics. The majority of the StackVision Dollars Session will be devoted to discussing these five topics in detail and followed by traditional StackVision Dollars voting. Priority of implementing the top five issues into our development process will be determined by the number of votes each issue receives in the official election.

Because the fifteen preliminary topics will only be discussed briefly prior to the first vote, we encourage you to give thought to the importance of each topic to you and your company before arriving in Orlando. To view the preliminary topics, please download ESC's October 2008 Newsletter, available online.

While the preliminary topics have been pre-determined by ESC, these topics were chosen due to the numerous customer requests and comments we have received in the last few months. To view some of these requests/comments, visit the StackVision Software Downloads section of the website.

Also note, there will still be an opportunity for User Group attendees to present additional “last minute” voting topics, three of which will be included in the preliminary voting.

As always, feel free to contact us at stackvision@envirosys.com if you have any questions regarding this process.

We look forward to seeing you in Orlando!

ESC|StackVision Version 2.2 is Now Available on the ESC Website!

ESC Editor — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:28:00 GMT

Who Needs It
ESC|StackVision users who are submitting their quarterly reports in the XML format for third quarter 2008 will need to download and install ESC|StackVision Version 2.2 prior to generating and submitting their final XML EDR. A Service Pack will be issued in the coming weeks to reflect the latest changes to ECMPS Client Tool.

There are many added benefits beyond XML reporting enhancements in this release. However, installing StackVision Version 2.2 is not critical for non-XML EDR reporters. This enables you, at your discretion, to submit your third quarter reports first and then reap the benefits of StackVision Version 2.2 on your own timetable.

What You Need to Do
There are a few prerequisites to installing StackVision Version 2.2:

§ Microsoft® .NET 3.5 Framework or higher is required for both the server and ALL client machines
§ Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is required for the server

The upgrades listed above may be obtained easily and free of charge from Microsoft®. Links to the downloads are provided at the end of this message. Users accessing StackVision remotely via the Client Tool will also need to download and install the same .NET 3.5 Framework as installed on the server. Please note that some client computers may already have .NET 3.5 installed (e.g., EPA ECMPS tool requires .NET 3.5).

To help facilitate a smooth transition, the new installer checks for the required version of .NET Framework and requires that .NET 3.5 is installed prior to proceeding with the StackVision upgrade.

Verify the version listed for Microsoft .Net Framework on servers and clients by going to:Start → Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs

Please note, .NET 3.5 Framework cannot be installed on Windows 2000. This operating system (OS) does not meet the minimum requirements for StackVision. However, we are aware that some customers have installed the client software on machines with this OS. If you have a StackVision Client computer in this configuration, make sure you upgrade to Windows XP or Server 2003 prior to the installation of StackVision Version 2.2 to ensure that your client computer meets the requirements.

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Link
http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/7/d/37dbe54d-c4b4-49c1-81ab-f1360bea35b9/SQLServer2005SP2-KB921896-x86-ENU.exe

.NET 3.5 SP1 Link
http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/0/e/20e90413-712f-438c-988e-fdaa79a8ac3d/dotnetfx35.exe

Visit the Support section of the ESC Website today (http://envirosys.com/support/default.aspx) to request your license key and download StackVision Version 2.2!

ESC Announces ESC|StackVision Tips and Tricks Contest

ESC Editor — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:26:00 GMT

What's Your Secret?
Share Your ESC|StackVision Tips and Tricks to Win!
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, Florida
November 10-11, 2008

No one knows ESC products better than our users! We are looking for the best of the best to share their StackVision tips and tricks, custom reports or custom console at the Fall 2008 User Group in Orlando.

To participate, all you need to do is email your name and contact info to stackvision@envirosys.com no later than Wednesday, October 15. We will contact you to discuss your StackVision "secret." ESC will select participating users to do a quick two minute presentation during the StackVision session on Wednesday, November 12. Meeting attendees will vote for the best StackVision User Presentation for the Fall 2008 User Group!

All users who present at User Group will receive a prize for participation and the winner will receive a prize valued at $350.00!

Don't miss this great opportunity to show us and fellow users your StackVison savviness and get rewarded for doing so!

Contact us today and share your secret!

ESC Announces Spouse/Guest Hospitality Room at the Fall 2008 User Group Meeting in Orlando!

ESC Editor — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:20:00 GMT

ESC recognizes that supportive family and friends make all of our long hours and dedication possible. While ESC User Group presents the opportunity to discuss ESC and industry related topics with us and fellow users, we welcome you to bring your family and friends and take advantage of all that Orlando has to offer!

Your spouse/guest is welcome to attend the Shrimp & Schmooze Reception to be held on Wednesday, November 12 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Shrimp & Schmooze provides a laid-back atmosphere to introduce your spouse/guest to industry colleagues, feast on heavy hors d'oeuvres (and of course, SHRIMP!), and enjoy the music of Stir Crazy Variety Band! For those traveling with children, babysitting/child care services are available at the resort for an additional fee.

Additionally, spouses and guests of ESC User Group attendees are invited to start the morning off with a visit to ESC's Spouse/Guest Hospitality Room. The hospitality room will be open Wednesday, November 12 in Yucatan 1 and Thursday, November 13 in Fiesta 7 and 8 from 7:00am to 10:00am.

ESC's Spouse/Guest Hospitality Room is a great place to meet the friends and families of other User Group attendees and coordinate activities for the day while your companion is at the User Group meeting. A selection of bagels, fruit, coffee and juice will be available in the room daily for spouses and guests.

At 9:00am each morning in the hospitality room, ESC will raffle off a set of theme park tickets for spouses and guests present so tell your friends and family not to miss this great opportunity to explore Disney!

If you are bringing someone to User Group and they will be attending the Shrimp & Schmooze Reception or joining us in the hospitality room, please email Angie Droz, adroz@envirosys.com, with the name of your spouse/guest(s) by October 21,2008.

For more information on the Fall 2008 User Group including the meeting agenda, accomodations, resort activities and amenities, please refer to the ESC website at http://envirosys.com/newsevents/usergroup.aspx.

Transition to XML Reporting Guide Now Available Online!

ESC Editor — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:27:00 GMT

Transition to XML Reporting Guide

Visit the ESC|KNOWLEDGEBASE to download file.

KNOWLEDGEBASE 4REGULATIONS 4 XML/ECMPS 4 TRANSITION TO XML REPORTING GUIDE

ESC|StackVision Version 2.2 is Coming…Are You Ready?

ESC Editor — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:52:00 GMT

With the latest installment of ESC|StackVision becoming available in late September, there are tasks that you need to do to be ready!

Who Needs It
ESC|StackVision users who are submitting their quarterly reports in the XML format for third quarter 2008 will need to download and install ESC|StackVision Version 2.2 from ESC prior to generating and submitting their final XML EDR.
There are many added benefits beyond XML reporting enhancements in the upcoming release. However, StackVision Version 2.2 is not critical for non-XML EDR reports. This enables you, at your discretion, to submit your third quarter reports first and then reap the benefits of our 2.2 release on your timetable.

What You Need to Do
There are a few prerequisites to installing StackVision Version 2.2:

§   Microsoft® .NET 3.5 Framework or higher is required for both the server and ALL client machines

§   Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is required for the server

The upgrades listed above may be obtained easily and free of charge from Microsoft®. Links to the downloads are provided at the end of this message. Please plan ahead because .NET 3.5 SP1 is a large download. You may wish to notify your IT department now so they can schedule the upgrades at their convenience. Users accessing StackVision remotely via the client tool will also need to download and install the same .NET 3.5 Framework as installed on the server. Please note that some client computers may already have .NET 3.5 installed (e.g., the EPA ECMPS tool requires .NET 3.5).

To help facilitate a smooth transition, our new installer checks for the required version of .NET Framework and requires that .NET 3.5 is installed prior to proceeding with the StackVision upgrade.

Go to the Add/Remove Programs folder on your desktop in order to verify the current version of Microsoft® .NET Framework that resides on your client or server.

*.NET 3.5 Framework cannot be installed on Windows 2000.   This operating system (OS) did not meet the minimum requirements for StackVision. However, we are aware that some customers have installed the client software on machines with this OS. If you have a StackVision Client computer in this configuration, make sure you upgrade to Windows XP or Server 2003 prior to the installation of StackVision Version 2.2 to ensure that your client computer meets the requirements.

Data Management Module
The StackVision installer also provides an option to install our latest StackVision Data Management module that has been available as a separate download for several months.

The Data Management module is an optional tool that may be used to backup, shrink and purge the StackVision database. We recommend you establish an implementation plan should you decide to use the Data Management module. Before installing this module consider which users should have access to this application and who should not.

Act NOW!
Consider taking the time to prepare for StackVision Version 2.2 now. None of these Microsoft® upgrades will adversely affect your current StackVision application and you will save time when you upgrade to Version 2.2.

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Link
http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/7/d/37dbe54d-c4b4-49c1-81ab-f1360bea35b9/SQLServer2005SP2-KB921896-x86-ENU.exe

.NET 3.5 SP1 Link
http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/0/e/20e90413-712f-438c-988e-fdaa79a8ac3d/dotnetfx35.exe

ESCIStackVision 2.2 Release Notes Now Available!

ESC Editor — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:45:00 GMT

ESCIStackVision 2.2 Release Notes are now available online in the Support section of the ESC website.

StackVision Software Downloads