Gradually degenerating into ignorance and complacency.

Monday, February 18, 2008

What is my job

I'll first give you the short version. I am a phone rep (resentative) who fields calls for people needing parts and checking on parts. I know, it doesn't sound like a complex enough job to warrant much money.
The end of the week got better and I started doing more work.


The long version. Using a proprietary SQL I research parts, inventory and customer invoice and information finding the parts requested (often techs calling in don't have the part numbers or don't have the right numbers). I also have to find where orders are, why orders aren't shipping and find logistical solutions (inventory control). Now, couple with with having a glitchy SQL which is version 5.2 after people had years with version 2.3. The systems don't run the same.

The switch to the new system didn't import all the most recent data and so about 6 weeks of data (orders, invoices and the like) were not imported. They were not lost, but they are not available in the new system. To find prices for techs and mechanics, I have to refer to old printed material on discounts for people -- one large company gets 35% disc on items $200 +, etc. It is a lot to remember. Now, the interesting part of the job is that I have to find parts that are long-since retired from machines that are too old to run. I have had to go through schematics of appliances (breakdowns) finding old part numbers or descriptions and use the SQL to hopefully find a match. On Friday, I got to learn the magic of light bulb designation through dimensions and type all to answer one question.

I like my team. The number three guy in the company, who has the largest office on site (numbers 2 and 1 don't work in that building) is nice, motivational and down-to Earth. He interviewed me, but knows marketing and sales more than tech stuff like computers, SQL and more typical programming languages. In a few weeks I will earn hourly more than I did at PH, and thereafter every "hurdle" I pass, my raises come in.

I sit on my butt all day --- bad, but I do work and have little down time. When I first started they didn't have a computer for me that worked. On Friday, my headset for the phone failed. The servers they have running are maxed out due to the data transfer issues. When that is hammered out -- 9 weeks, about, the server will get faster and the work will be easier on everyone. It's nice that I have my own desk. It is 100% smoke free. The only food smell is from the lounge that reeks of microwave food.

The other funny thing about my job is listening to people who haven't mastered their only language English. Hey, ya'll gotter pah't det fit dis here gaskit? Yeah, I figger dat its dis won-AE-IE-OU-YU-THEN- sayvun-AEF-AN

So, that's 1AEIOU7FN, right?

For more complex math, please see Net clost *1.15, then try vendor cost does not equal List Price --> change in inventory management

++ now add returns, faxing, sales orders

later, quotes, new solicitation

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