Survival of American Business and Industry in a Mixed Unit Society

September 28, 1993 -- Hillcrest Software Products, Inc. proudly announces
the release of ConversionMaster - a comprehensive and efficient software
program for use in converting U.S. customary and metric (SI) units of
weights and measures. As the U.S. struggles to revitalize its economy at
home, as well as regain its competitive edge abroad, the need for
metrication in America has been recognized, resulting in numerous changes
in government policies. Gradually, all American companies are being faced
with the task of converting from use of our traditional inch-pound system
to the use of the International System of Units (SI), more commonly
referred to as the metric system. Such a transition effects every facet of
business and industry, from new product design, purchasing of supplies and
materials, design, maintenance and retrofitting of equipment and
machinery, packaging and distribution to preparation of bids and
proposals, sales and marketing and re-education of employees. Because of
the magnitude of the conversion process and its slow implementation, we
are forced to live and work in a mixed unit society for an indefinite
period of time. Thus, ConversionMaster has been designed to serve as an
electronic aid and reference in an effort to reduce costs, minimize
interruptions in normal business activities and ease frustrations, during
the transition period. As recommended by the U.S. Department of Commerce,
rules and factors for conversion of units have been derived from numerous
publications, including standards published by the Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (ANSI/IEEE Std 268-1992) and the American
Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM E380-91). The program contains
conversions for over 500 units of measurement, in 10 general
classifications and 70 physical quantities. The program has also been
designed with a variety of customization features, three styles of unit
selection menus, two printout formats and on-screen explanations to
simplify its use and provide the answers you need -- how and when you need
them. Reliable, accurate and affordable, ConversionMaster is a must in
every company's strategic plan for survival during the conversion
process.

ConversionMaster is available for only $49.00 (plus $3.50 shipping and
handling) from Hillcrest Software Products, Inc., P.O. Box 6047, Oak
Ridge, TN 37831-6047. Multiple user and network licenses are also
available. To obtain additional information or place an order, call toll
free, 1-800-793-0841, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST), Monday through Friday or
FAX us at (615) 483-0454.

Background Information

Trends Toward Compatibility and Standardization in Foreign and Domestic
Policies

In the recent past, American business and industry have met with great
challenges, as well as unique opportunities. Not only have foreign
governments been overthrown, geographic borders been redefined and names
of nations been changed, but international economic, political, military,
technological and trade policies have undergone radical changes as well. A
common theme inherent in these changes is the need for cooperation,
compatibility and standardization amongst the nations of the world. Thus,
all industrialized countries, with the exception of the U.S., have
independently and voluntarily committed to convert or have already
implemented plans to use the International System of Units (SI) as their
standard system of weights and measures. Such a transition has also
promoted the standardization of metric specifications for goods and
services bought and sold in the world marketplace. In an effort to
alleviate the barriers to foreign trade of U.S. products, and ultimately
improve our economy, the federal government has taken measures which serve
as the catalyst to stimulate voluntary conversion by private industry.
Such measures include the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988
(the trade bill) which amended the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, as well
as the signing of Executive Order 12770 by President Bush on July 25,
1991. Sections 2 and 2(a) of that order state that " . . . each executive
department and agency shall use, to the extent economically feasible by
September 30, 1992, ... the metric system of measurement in Federal
Government procurements, grants, and other business-related activities."
Although many industries have already begun this transition, most are
uncertain as to when and how to convert. To maximize the benefit and
minimize costs of conversion, companies must begin now and proceed in a
slow, methodical manner. Thus, employers and employees must contend with
the use of a dual set of units until the process has been completed. As
American business and industry struggles not only to survive in today's
economy, but also to begin growing in tomorrow's, and the U.S. continues
to lead and unite with the nations of the world in global economic,
environmental and social causes, it is imperative that we all speak the
international language of weights and measures.

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 From the  'New Product Information'  Electronic News Service
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 This information was processed from data provided by the
 above mentioned company. For additional details, contact 
 the company at the address or telephone number indicated.
 OmniPage Pro is now used for converting all printed input! 
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 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  U.S.A.
 Email: RBakerPC (AOL/Delphi), rbakerpc@delphi.com (Internet)
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