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Q: Named user plus, what is this? I was looking at oracle liecense, it looks cheap for named user plus. I mean if I develop a web application in which user has no interaction with database other than registering and logging in and if I make a virtual user inside server to do all these things that is get user name and password from users ect. keep them in queue and execute database commands one by one. Will I need more than one named user plus for this, I am total noob in oracle and web field , i m just a designer who is learning server side technologies so if this question is invalid please let me know why.

A: Named user licensing is not the best option in this situation - Oracle considers the web application a multiplexing device and will require you to track the users of the application and purchase a named user license for each of them.
[Edit]
I see that you've received some good additional licensing information in the other answers, but in short an Oracle schema != an application user.  Years ago I was unlucky enough to be the POC for an unwelcome audit by Oracle and for our intranet application I was required to report distinct IP addresses connecting to the application from the web server.

A: Oracle licensing is a labyrinth which few people understand.  Even most Oracle employees won't discuss it because it's so complicated.  In fact there are almost as many consultants making a living from offering licensing advice as there are from tuning the  actual databases.
So the following is just an opinion, and you definitely should not use it as the basis of a business plan.
If your web application is for an intranet you could purchase a Named User Plus license, because you should be able to identify each and every user of your application.  But if your application is going on the Internet with an unknown and unknowable userbase you will need to buy Per Processor licenses.
Oracle has a complicated mechanism for licensing multi-core processors.  It very much depends on which platform and type of chip we're using.  It is an area of licensing which Oracle revises on a regular basis, as they try to come to terms with multi-core CPUs.  It used to be that pretty much everything was 0.75; as Zendar points out, it is now the case that many configurations are licensed at 0.5 per core.  Oracle always round up, so if we have a single dual-core CPU which attracts a 0.75 per core multiplier it will still cost us two Per Processor licenses, but a quad-core will only cost three.  Find out more.
One thing to bear in mind is that if you application has quite lightweight DB requirements - that is, less than 4GB of application data, suitable to run on a single CPU (single core) - you can use the Express Edition for free, for any purpose.
One more thing: licenses apply to all databases, not just those in produvction.  So you need to factor in the cost of licensing your development and test environments as well.

With regards to that last point Zendar cites the OTN Download license.  That outlines what we can do with products we have downloaded from OTN.  The problem with the OTN Download license is made clear in Oracle's explanation of Database Licensing:

"This limited license gives the user
  the right to develop, but not to
  deploy, applications using the
  licensed products. It also limits the
  use of the downloaded product to one
  person, and limits installation of the
  product to one server."

So: if we're a one-man operation (no dog) we can develop an application using the OTN Download license.  But if we want a team of developers sharing a database we need a Full Use license.  And once we're supporting an application in production we need a Full Use license for the maintenance (formerly development) environment.
The other consideration is this: if we want support and patches for our development environment then we need a proper license.
I said it was a labyrinth.

A: Oracle for a long time have price list published on its website. So, there is no any secret there.
There you will find their definition of "Named user plus".
Short interpretation: named user plus is every individual and/or device that accesses database.
You can buy per processor license or per named user, pick one that suites you better (be careful with processor license - Oracle have some formula for counting processor cores - check price list and Oracle Processor Core Factor Table)
Regarding APC-s answer - all Intel and AMD chips have core factor 0.5 - meaning 1 processor license per 2 cores.
Development license for Oracle RDBMS products states:

We grant you a nonexclusive, nontransferable limited license to use the programs only for the purpose of developing, testing, prototyping and demonstrating your application, and not for any other purpose.

So, you can download Oracle product and use it for developing, testing, prototyping and demonstrating your application. Well, not really. See below edit.
Disclaimer: I am not and have never been Oracle employee or Oracle reseller. Information here is my interpretation of documents freely available on Oracle website. I worked with Oracle products, they are far from perfect, but anyway I don't like misinformations especially if correct information is available.
Edit:
RE APC's comment:
Yep. You are right. It's restrictive as you wrote in your answer.
I reread license agreement. Few sentences after the one I quoted above says:

The programs may be installed on one computer only, and used by one person in the operating environment identified by us.

So, OTN development licence is practically useless for majority of developers.


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Le'Veon Bell Fallout Options for Week 1
Brian DeWester | September 8th, 2018
September 5th, 2018. A day that lives in infamy amongst those that drafted Le'Veon Bell. A day where "well, this sucks" (or something with far more expletives) was the prevailing thought. And a day where Bell's scorched-earth tactic changed the fantasy landscape. What was once a peaceful community filled with hope about the upcoming season is now a land of chaos and desperation due to the giant question mark that is Bell and his situation. And while Bell might be the only person to have a definitive answer regarding this predicament, there are still options for fantasy managers in week 1.
The fact is at this point Bell drafters are at a crossroads. They could trade him for less than full value; however, there is a chance that Bell could come back as soon as next week. In fact, Ian Rapoport reported that some people in the Pittsburgh Steelers building guess that Bell could report Saturday.
As the world waits for #Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell, there is no indication when he'll show up. A Saturday arrival would allow him to receive his game check, but there is no clear evidence that he's made plans to do that. pic.twitter.com/1ohfkRMgjJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2018
If that happens, any early trade could certainly come back to bite fantasy managers. Or those same managers could choose to hold onto him, which seems to be the pragmatic approach at this point. However, there is a chance that Bell holds out until week 10, which would be, as the cool kids say, #notideal.
While the ambiguity of this less than ideal situation has put managers in a bind, there are still options out there on the waiver wire. Below are some of the best Week 1 options that are available in some fantasy leagues.
Conner's name makes the list in case your league is one of the few leagues out there that still has him on the wire. In short, roster him in all leagues. The Steelers track history is that they tend to give bell-cow duties to whoever is leading the backfield. And Conner will be leading it this weekend in conditions (rain and wind) that favor the running game.
48% owned (Yahoo)
Our Frank Dyevoich wrote about White in his waiver wire column this week. While White is more valuable in PPR formats, Rex Burkhead's health helps to raise White's floor in most formats this week. The fact that the New England Patriots game this week has the highest implied total is just another reason to like White. In other words, if this game turns into a shootout, the passing game back should see a fair amount of opportunity. Jeremy Hill, who could see goalline back duties, makes for an intriguing gamble in deeper leagues.
LeGarrette Blount
27% (ESPN) and 40% (Yahoo) owned
While the Detroit Lions game might not boast the implied total of the New England game, this matchup still has its advantages. First, the Lions are nearly seven-point favorites in a home game. A game that will feature a rookie quarterback making his first career start, which could create some positive game scripts for the Lions. Second, Blount dominated first-team carries in the third preseason game. While it's no secret that Kerryon Johnson is also in the backfield, the carry total indicates that Blount will receive a decent amount of early down work. And finally, Blount is the goalline back on a team that should see it's fair share of scoring opportunities. There are worse gambles than Blount in the opening week.
6% (ESPN) and 4% (Yahoo) owned
Obviously, you would prefer a high volume back over a guy like Gillislee. And while Gillislee is hardly one of those guaranteed volume guys, he does have a pathway to value this week. First, we have the offseason predictions that have painted Alvin Kamara as a 15 carries per game kind of guy. Don't get me wrong. That's still a fair amount of carries, but it still leaves some for a backup. Then we have the release of Boston Scott, which eliminated backup competition for Gillislee. And now the New Orleans Saints are predicted to not only have one of the highest implied totals but they also are week 1's biggest favorites. In other words, Gillislee, who has performed well as a goalline back in the past, will be suiting up for a team that is predicted to have two recipes for fantasy success: positive game scripts and scoring opportunities. Not too bad for a player on a lot of waiver wires out there.
Follow Brian DeWester on Twitter @BrIreland
← Week 1 Streaming Options: QB, TE, D/ST Plus Deep "Boom" Flex Plays
Start Em' Sit Em': Week 1 →
Tua Tagovailoa: 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Effects of sublethal levels of tributyltin chloride on a new toxicity test organism, Liza saliens (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae)
The histopathological effects of 10−7 and 10−9 M tributyltin(IV)chloride,TBTCl, solutions on different Liza saliens organs have been studied by light microscope. The fish were sacrificed after 3–4 h incubation in 10−7 M TBTCl solution or after 15 days incubation in 10−9 M solution. The observed histopathological changes were dose- and time-dependent. The 10−7 M TBTCl concentration resulted in major damage to the gill epithelium, indicating that TBTCl primarily interferedwith the respiration, osmoregulation, acid balance and nitrogenous waste excretion processes. After incubation in 10−9 M TBTCl solution the fish lived 20 or more days, but many of the organs were altered. Thymus atrophy, reduced spleen and altered head kidney were observed. These histological results indicated that TBTCl interfered with organ immunodefense and altered main metabolic pathways in Liza saliens. The presence of melano-macrophage centers, only in TBT-treated liver and spleen, can be considered a tool to facilitate, with other biomarkers, the detection of alterations by toxicants. Regarding the pancreas activity in 10−7 M solutions, it has been noted that, in the exocrine cells, very few zymogen granuleswere still present and the Langerhans isletsweremore altered. In 10−9M solution the exocrine pancreatic cells had no granules and the islet cells presented degenerative alterations. In addition, TBTCl, which altered the pancreas and gonad morphology, could again be considered an endocrine disrupter even if biochemical data are still necessary. Finally, the Liza saliens juveniles could be considered an interesting biological model for experiments with contaminants, due to their ease of adaptation to experimental conditions and food chain position.
D'Agati, P., Mansueto, C., Mansueto, V., Pellerito, C., Cangialosi, M., Fiore, T., et al. (2006). Effects of sublethal levels of tributyltin chloride on a new toxicity test organism, Liza saliens (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae). APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, 20(6), 357-367.
Titolo: Effects of sublethal levels of tributyltin chloride on a new toxicity test organism, Liza saliens (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae)
D'AGATI, Paolo
MANSUETO, Caterina
MANSUETO, Valentina
PELLERITO, Claudia
CANGIALOSI, Maria Vittoria
FIORE, Tiziana
SCOPELLITI, Michelangelo
PELLERITO, Lorenzo
Citazione: D'Agati, P., Mansueto, C., Mansueto, V., Pellerito, C., Cangialosi, M., Fiore, T., et al. (2006). Effects of sublethal levels of tributyltin chloride on a new toxicity test organism, Liza saliens (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae). APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, 20(6), 357-367.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aoc.1065
Abstract: The histopathological effects of 10−7 and 10−9 M tributyltin(IV)chloride,TBTCl, solutions on different Liza saliens organs have been studied by light microscope. The fish were sacrificed after 3–4 h incubation in 10−7 M TBTCl solution or after 15 days incubation in 10−9 M solution. The observed histopathological changes were dose- and time-dependent. The 10−7 M TBTCl concentration resulted in major damage to the gill epithelium, indicating that TBTCl primarily interferedwith the respiration, osmoregulation, acid balance and nitrogenous waste excretion processes. After incubation in 10−9 M TBTCl solution the fish lived 20 or more days, but many of the organs were altered. Thymus atrophy, reduced spleen and altered head kidney were observed. These histological results indicated that TBTCl interfered with organ immunodefense and altered main metabolic pathways in Liza saliens. The presence of melano-macrophage centers, only in TBT-treated liver and spleen, can be considered a tool to facilitate, with other biomarkers, the detection of alterations by toxicants. Regarding the pancreas activity in 10−7 M solutions, it has been noted that, in the exocrine cells, very few zymogen granuleswere still present and the Langerhans isletsweremore altered. In 10−9M solution the exocrine pancreatic cells had no granules and the islet cells presented degenerative alterations. In addition, TBTCl, which altered the pancreas and gonad morphology, could again be considered an endocrine disrupter even if biochemical data are still necessary. Finally, the Liza saliens juveniles could be considered an interesting biological model for experiments with contaminants, due to their ease of adaptation to experimental conditions and food chain position.


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Although Leixlip United was officially formed in 1969, there was life before 1969. Stalwarts such as Michael Ginnetty and Seamus Lawlor constantly remind us of that fact. The Club had existed in 1959/60,1960/61 and 1961/62 seasons before a shortage of local players caused the Club to fold. A team called Ormeau arrived in Leixlip in the early sixties and everyone interested in playing soccer joined this club.George Bendal an ex-Manchester goalkeeper was the main man. Local players at that time included Dave Kelly, Daithi Heffernan, Theo Watkins later to become an International Youth goalkeeper and Christy Maher. When George died in 1966 the club folded .
In 1969, their first season Leixlip United fielded two senior teams, playing in A.U.L. Div. 3A Sun. and Leinster Junior League Counties Div. John Giltrap was the first manager. Our present Club President Brian Watters was the trainer. During the next couple of seasons the 1st team set up a very impressive record going fifty-eight league games undefeated. This run brought the team through the A.U.L. Div. 2 and the A.U.L. Div. 1 as winners.
The Club fielded the first schoolboy team in 1970/71, an Under 14 team in the Dublin and District Schoolboy League, managed by Sean Purcell. From 1974/75 season the housing boom in Leixlip gave the schoolboy section the opportunity to grow. That year the club fielded three teams, a 12 Div. 0, managed by Ray McCauley and Bracey Daniels, a 15E side managed by Larry Harte and a Youths team managed by Michael Farnan and Larry Kenny.
For many years the Club were soccer nomads moving from ground to ground with no proper home. We first commenced playing on a pitch at the Green lane where Scoil Mhuire and Scoil Bhride now stand. This pitch had been acquired as parish land for the building of schools. When the builders moved in , we used the portion of the land where Scoil Eoin Phoil is to day. The seniors moved on to a pitch at Newtown where the Avondale houses are now built. The schoolboys continued to play at the Green lane , but the senior's next port of call was Dodsboro in Lucan with the kind co-operation of Lucan United. In 1975 the Club accepted the kind offer from the Hon. Desmond Guinness and set up a home for the seniors at the Castle grounds. The entrance was at the back of the Ryevale Tavern. Many hours were spent hacking out steps leading up to the wooden steps used to scale the wall. In October 1979 we saw the formation of Leixlip Amenities Group. The Group was representative of the various clubs and organisations seeking sporting and recreational facilities for Leixlip. L.A.G. set about the raising of finance. Kildare County Council gave a commitment to purchase amenity land provided a local contribution of 25% was forthcoming. Leixlip United committed practically all their funds to the venture. Thirty acres of land were purchased in July 1980. Leixlip United were allocated space. The schoolboys moved to the Amenities in November 1982 and made it their permanent base. Kildare Co.Co. made two mobile homes available for £40. The seniors continued to play on the Castle Grounds during the 1982/83 and 1983/84 seasons before they too moved to the Amenities Centre in 1984/85. During the 1984/85 season with the increased number of teams and the unavailability of the allocated pitches due to drainage problems the Club was in trouble again.
St. Mary's G.A.A. Club came to the rescue and allowed the Club the use of their allocated land at the Amenities. Colaiste Chiarain also gave the use of the school pitch. Drainage work was now a matter of urgency but finance was required to undertake the work. Through the undertakings of the late Tony Mullins, Paddy Conway and David Savage a £25,000 loan was secured through the A.I.B. and the initial work could begin. Tony used his time and expertise in getting the best contractor for the job and oversaw the whole project. Brian Fitzmaurice used his best negotiating skills to secure a £10,000 grant from the F.A.I. and Michael Murphy our Treasurer took care of the cash being accumulated for the project through various fund-raising activities and ensured that payments met the required schedule. During this time we acquired the use of two pitches opposite the Amenities on lease from Kildare Co.Council. and The Hon. Desmond Guinness provided a pitch at the Celbridge Road. The hard work came to fruition in 1990/91 as three excellent pitches and an all-weather training area became available. Leixlip Amenities Group approached the Club in 1986 about running a second monster draw to finance the building of a new reception area and dressing rooms. The draw was a success and the building progressed. This gave the Club the use of changing rooms and showers. Sunday September 8th was a historic day for Leixlip United and Leixlip Amenities Group when An t-Uachtaran Mary Robinson visited for the joint opening of the new extension and the new pitches. At last we had a home of our own.
Ladies football started in 1983 with Oaklawn West playing friendly matches against Leixlip Park and Oaklawn Close. John Bradley and Hugh McGinley put the ladies through their paces in the Amenities. The Senior Ladies came to prominence in the 1985 season when the Club fielded a Senior Ladies side with the team winning the Leinster Ladies Div. 5 League. Managers John Bradley and Declan Purcell were at the helm. The following year the ladies entered two teams, the team of last season were promoted to DIV. 3 where they finished runners-up. The 2nd team managed by John Kenny and Donal O Reilly replaced the 1st team in Div. 5.
The Schoolgirl Section commenced their campaign in 1985 and . They started with an Under 15 side, managed by Frances Keely, Ann Slevin and Betty Murray with Michael Delaney as coach. For a period between 1989 and 1994 the schoolgirls section were all conquering. From Under 12 to Under 18 they accumulated twenty-four awards including All Ireland Cup Winners, National Indoor Winners, Inter League Runners-up, League Winners, League Runners-up and Leinster Cup Winners.
This is but a very brief extract from the History of Leixlip United. Some copies of the 319-page book covering the Period 1969-1994 are still available from the Club.


It's time to live with less. 'This book completely opened my eyes to reorganisation' - Marie Kondo 'This book is a compelling read because of its many vivid descriptions of the psychological snags that make people reluctant to discard things' New York Times In the beginning there wasThe Art of Discarding: the life-changing book that started the tidying revolution. In this guide to living a calmer, more ordered life, author Nagisa Tatsumi teaches us how letting go of unwanted things will transform our day-to-day happiness. The book offers practical advice and techniques to help readers learn to let go of stuff that is holding them back, as well as tips for acquiring less in the first place. By learning the art of discarding you will gain space, free yourself from 'accumulation syndrome' and find new joy and purpose in your clutter-free life.


At Back To Health Chiropractic, our family-friendly atmosphere is warm and welcoming to all ages. Our front desk staff is ready to greet you with a smile when you arrive. We look forward to meeting you!
neurological examination. X-rays are excluded by law.
You can plan on being here for about 45 minutes if you complete your paperwork ahead of time, which can be downloaded from our website. You'll meet Becky or Karen when you walk in, who will get your insurance information from you and explain any necessary paperwork. You will then be escorted to the examination room. Dr. Carroll will then introduce himself and sit down with you to discuss what's brought you in. Then, we'll do a thorough examination that involves orthopedic and neurological testing and X-rays, if necessary.
Whether or not you receive a chiropractic adjustment on the first visit is dependent on the findings of your examination – if you're wondering why, read about The KaitLynn Rule. Dr. Carroll wants to take his time to review your exam findings and make sure we have the correct approach to your care identified before we begin.
Then, you'll receive your first adjustment.
There's a commonly-held belief that if you start chiropractic care, you'll always have to go. It is not mandatory or addicting; instead, some choose to continue because they feel the difference chiropractic care makes in their lives.
Most insurance plans are accepted at our office, including Medicare coverage. Contact us to schedule your appointment today!


Negotiation: Are You Prepared to Live with What You Put Into Writing?
I always tell salespeople to not enter into a negotiation phase too quickly. Concentrate on selling first, and only turn to negotiating if the circumstances warrant it. Even then, some helpful tips can ensure the negotiation process goes smoother than if you weren't prepared.
One of the tips I always recommend is never put anything into writing unless you are prepared to live with it. Once an item is in writing, it becomes an anchor either for you or the customer. This is especially critical when negotiating with a professional buyer who will use anything put into writing as leverage. Not only do you need to live with what is put into writing, you also need to be able to willingly follow through. So, it's not just a matter of being "okay" with what you and the customer have agreed to. It is truly about knowing you have the resources, confidence and positive attitude to support the agreement going forward.
For more tips on Negotiation, check out some of my sales articles that address negotiation.


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Blind Operators Plan Private Sector Push And Rally To Stop Rest Stop Commercialization
Lee | Posted on November 5, 2017 |
From Vending Times
Blind Operators Plan Private Sector Push And Rally To Stop Rest Stop Commercialization by Emily Jed Posted On: 11/17/2017
NASHVILLE — The National Association of Blind Merchants drew record crowds of entrepreneurs for four days of learning and networking at its recent Music City BLAST conference. The event, which stands for Blind Leadership and Superior Training, took place in mid-September at the Airport Marriott Hotel here. NABM, a division of the National Federation of the Blind, consists of visually impaired businesspeople who are either self-employed or part of Randolph-Sheppard's vending program. The 1936 law gives preference to blind people in bidding on the provision of refreshment services on government properties.
More than 600 industry members attended the information-packed educational conference and exhibition, and a record-breaking 78 exhibitors filled the tradeshow floor, where operators had the opportunity to explore the latest equipment, products and technology to stay on the cutting edge of vending, micromarkets and coffee service.
Dan Frye, executive director of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB), was among the many officials welcoming BLAST participants. He explained that blindness agencies play two unique roles. The first is to ensure that people who are blind have access to nonvisual instruction and live their lives with independence, grace and poise. The second is to promote independent blind entrepreneurs through the Randolph-Sheppard program.
NABM president Nicky Gacos presented Frye the NABM Gold Star Award, the group's highest honor, for his support of the Randolph-Sheppard program and advocacy work for blind people overall. Frye will become president of the NCSAB in January.
Rest Area Unrest
The most pressing legislative threat to blind vendors at the federal level is the commercialization of highway rest stops through public-private partnerships. A collective effort to oppose the proposal was a major focus of discussion throughout BLAST.
NCSAB policy consultant Catriona Macdonald of Linchpin Industries LLC (Washington, DC) explained that an infrastructure bill expected to be introduced next year would permit states to grant concessions for foodservices at the highway rest stops they maintain on federal interstate highways.
The legislation would amend Title 23 of the United States Code, specifically Section 111, which presently limits food and beverage service at interstate system rest stops to vending machines, and requires states to give priority to machines operated by blind vendors licensed by the state under provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
The President's proposed budget for fiscal 2018 includes the $1 trillion infrastructure initiative, $200 billion of which would come from federal revenue, with the rest raised through private-public partnerships, which includes rest area commercialization and highway tolling.
"The Trump administration said it would introduce a bill over the summer, but that did not happen," Macdonald said. "But the Secretary of Transportation continues to talk about the proposal, and the White House is still working on the details. We don't know when it's coming, but it's on the way."
Congressional offices are suggesting that commercialization could be good for blind vendors, Macdonald cautioned. He emphasized that blind vending advocates do not consider that to be the case. "The assumption is that blind vendors would manage other stores, but that's not likely how it would play out," NABM's legislative expert cautioned. "The assumption is also that commercialization would bring more business to the rest stops for blind entrepreneurs, but will people buy from the vending machines in front of the building, if they can buy their drinks with their food inside?"
Requests for proposals for rest area business would be for multimillion dollar contracts, Macdonald continued. They would require the winning bidder to pay to build the travel plaza, parking lot and highway ramps, and to maintain the parking lot and grounds.
"The company that wins gets a 20- to 25-year exclusive," she added. "But I don't know a single state licensing agency for the blind that's in a position to compete for and win any of those contracts."
She put BLAST-goers into the big picture that legislation for rest area commercialization was defeated resoundingly in the 1950s because of concern over competition to small businesses off interstate highway exits, but at that time it was proposed as an amendment. What's different and more concerning to blind entrepreneurs this time around is that the Trump administration is asking Congress to include a provision for commercialization in the underlying bill.
"There's a bias against changes to legislation that can work against us instead of for us," she explained. "If Congress kills it, they would have to have an amendment and come up with another source of funds. If we wait until it's introduced we're dead in the water; we have to advocate to keep it out of this bill."
She assured blind vendors that NCSAB, NFB and NABM's government affairs teams are in front of legislators, promoting the interests of the Randolph-Sheppard program and voicing opposition to rest stop commercialization through education and outreach. This has proven critical.
"When we talk to legislators, many never heard of Randolph-Sheppard and do not know that a group of entrepreneurs would be damaged," she said.
To support its efforts on Capitol Hill, NCSAB conducted interviews with 15 blind rest area vendors to give lawmakers first-hand accounts of how crucial the vending business at these locations is to their livelihoods.
"The thing only you vendors can do is put an appealing personal face on this priority and the numbers behind it," Macdonald said. "We need to share your compelling personal stories and the impact on blind entrepreneurs in your state. Write letters to your elected officials; invite them to tour your rest areas."
Another major legislative concern to blind vendors is the potential loss of priority at Department of Defense locations under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, and NCSAB, NFB and NABM are leading the charge to oppose changes to the existing rules.
In June 2016, the DOD published draft regulations in the Federal Register that would eliminate the priority for blind entrepreneurs to operate these contracts in the future. When DOD published the draft rules, it received more than 4,000 comments, most of which were in opposition to the proposed regulations. But, Macdonald cautioned, DOD insiders are saying it is the department's intent to move forward in promulgating the regulations.
National Automatic Merchandising Association senior vice-president of external affairs Eric Dell praised the relationship NAMA and NABM have been building in recent years, which he said has been strengthened by Gacos being the first blind vendor to serve on NAMA's board of directors. He said the two organizations are working more closely than ever on legislative issues at all levels of government.
Dell observed that there has been an uptick in proposed legislation around health and wellness at the state and local level, including sweetened beverage taxes, since many health and wellness advocacy organizations foresee roadblocks at the federal level with the new administration.
He added that NAMA is working closely with the American Heart Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to ensure that vending operators have the resources they need to provide and encourage healthier options in their machines.
Officials from both advocacy groups addressed the blind entrepreneurs. Katie Bishop Kendrick, state and community advocacy manager for the American Heart Association emphasized that states and communities can be role models by exemplifying healthy vending in their own facilities, many of which are served by blind vendors. She encouraged operators to leverage AHA's resources, including holding sampling and promotional events to highlight the better-for-you choices they are already offering, adding new ones, and posting signage to promote healthier lifestyles.
Elizabeth Vegas, director of business sector strategies for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and a member of NAMA's Nutrition Advisory Council, informed operators that there's an online calculator at the Alliance website where they can input nutritional data to see whether a product meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Smart Snacks in Schools standards for snacks and beverages sold in vending machines, school stores, snack carts and a la carte lines.
Additionally, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has partnered with Amazon Business to curate an online store where operators can buy Smart Snack-compliant products at wholesale prices. Shipping is free for orders over $49.
"We have 300 items in the store now, and want to have 2,000 by the end of the year," she said. "The goal is to ensure access to every product, once we identify that it meets the guidelines."
BLAST's extensive educational program examined opportunities for blind entrepreneurs beyond vending, into micromarkets and coffee service, and expansion beyond the government facilities they serve under the Randolph-Sheppard program into the private sector.
Vistar vice-president of sales Sean Mahoney encouraged blind entrepreneur who aren't doing so already to pursue the correctional market by working with the nationwide vending distributor and its new partner, TurnKey Corrections (River Falls, WI. TKC is the parent company of micromarket manufacturer Three Square Markets.
The way the three-way partnership works, Mahoney explained, is that blind operators secure contracts to service the facilities, many of which fall under their Randolph-Sheppard priority, and provide the personnel required to operate onsite. Turnkey supplies the kiosks through which inmates purchase all of the products and services available to them, and Vistar supplies the commissary items. Blind vendors who already have the vending business at a correctional facility have the potential to expand their services by adding a TKC kiosk.
TKC's kiosk streamlines inmate access to commissary supplies, email, phone calls, video visitation, MP3 player music downloads and more. The operator receives all of the revenue generated from the kiosk, minus a percentage that goes to TKC and a commission to the institution.
Vistar and Turnkey provide blind vendors with all of the necessary support, from helping them secure the account to implementing and executing the program.
"We sell direct to municipal jails, county jails and federal prisons, and 50% of our corrections business is through contractors, like you," Mahoney said. He added that Vistar's 2016 acquisition of Jenny Service Co., a distributor to the correctional commissary market, doubled its existing business in the channel and expanded its breadth of products beyond food to include clothing, footwear, stationery and electronics. The acquisition also brought a dedicated, experienced corrections sales team onboard.
TKC president Rob Allen explained that the inmate kiosk system works with a locking wristband that inmates hold to the kiosk, and then enter a PIN to log in. The same wristband can also be used by inmates to pay at vending machines, debiting their accounts.
"We run our kiosks in jails, and there are a lot of good operators like you out there who can get the technology from us and the logistics from Vistar, and it's a win for all three of us," he said. "The operators get in the door, and Turnkey receives a percent of sales, and the operator receives the rest and we help educate you to be your best. Once you secure a meeting, Turnkey Corrections and Vistar will send people to support you in selling the account."
365 Retail Markets' Amber Tucker encouraged blind entrepreneurs to expand beyond vending into micromarkets, and provided a synopsis of the benefits of the self-checkout technology.
"Micromarkets increase sales, improve customer service and employee satisfaction with enhanced variety, and reduce operating costs. And they are open 24/7, 365 days a year," she said. "They can provide more options, including fruit and vegetables, sandwiches — anything with a barcode. You can sell family-size frozen meals for customers to bring home for dinner."
She emphasized the value today's employers recognize in providing a fresh, healthy mix of food and beverages onsite to encourage employees to stay on campus.
Tucker also informed blind vendors that 365 is adding Braille to its kiosk interface to facilitate checkout for blind consumers. The kiosks already feature voice output each time a customer scans a product and once the total price of their purchase is tallied.
Office Convenience Services
Office coffee service veteran Ken Shea, vice-president of coffee service for Palm Harbor, FL-based food and beverage broker G&J Marketing and Sales Co., emphasized to BLAST showgoers that the time couldn't be better to branch into OCS, if they have not yet done so, and to expand that segment of their businesses if it's a service they already provide.
"OCS today stands for 'office convenience services' rather than office coffee service. The operators with the most success bundle services," Shea said. "Ninety percent of offices give coffee away as an amenity, which is a small price to pay to have a happy office. Water is fun and simple to get into ,and there's high demand for it."
He emphasized that account retention should be the number one focal point for blind vendors, and the more products and services they provide, the less likely their existing clients will be to look elsewhere.
The trend from batch brew to single cup alone presents an opportunity for operators to grow same-account sales by the inherently higher cost per-cup and the addition of SKUs to satisfy demand for crowd-pleasing variety, Shea pointed out.
And today's employers provide many amenities besides coffee, with complementary snacks and cold drinks becoming the norm in the breakroom to keep employees onsite, Shea added. "With the products you have in vending, you're a step ahead of the game over many OCS operators," he said. "You can come into the same account with snack products with 35% to 45% profit, and not necessarily have to even place machines."
The OCS veteran emphasized to newcomers the importance of understanding the different opportunities not only at different types of locations, but also in different parts of locations. The warehouse in one facility may require a bowl brewer, while a bean-to-cup machine would best suit the executive offices, he instanced.
"Make contact with the decision maker and build the ticket. Look at the brewing space as your retail space; add flavored creamers and other extras," he suggested. "Entice people in the office and guests who visit with more choices, and consumption will increase."
Shea also advised operators to pursue providing coffee service in c-stores and other retail accounts and restaurants. "Many established operators find those market segments to be lucrative," he said.
Other industry experts rounded out the educational program with ways blind entrepreneurs can expand their existing businesses and secure new ones.
Plans are already well underway for 2018's BLAST, which is set for Nov. 12-16 at the San Antonio (TX) Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort.
https://www.vendingtimes.com/articles/blind-operators-plan-private-sector-push-and-rally-11132/
Filed under: 2017, Legislation, Rest Area


text:
Field Reportings from Issue #36
Archive Posted On November 1, 2001
PERSONNEL: Shortly after WILCO announced in August that they were leaving Warner Bros. and taking their completed but unreleased album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot with them, the band confirmed the departure of longtime guitarist Jay Bennett, who had been with the band since 1995 (joining just after the recording of their debut disc A.M.). According to Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy, it now looks like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot won't see an official release until 2002, as the band is continuing to negotiate with several labels interested in releasing the album. Meanwhile, fans can hear the new material via streaming audio at www.wilcoworld.net….
Last issue, this column reported the breakup of BLUE MOUNTAIN, but it turned out things weren't quite completely done yet. Despite the departure of bassist Laurie Stirratt and the apparent imminent dissolution of the band, guitarist Cary Hudson played a few shows in Germany with a reconfigured lineup in October….
Mandonlinist ADAM STEFFEY, formerly of Alison Krauss & Union Station, has joined Mountain Heart.
STAFF SHUFFLE: Nashville's COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM embarked upon a major staff restructuring and dismissed five employees on September 7. Among those let go were Chris Dickinson, editor of the Journal Of Country Music, and research historian Ronnie Pugh, author of the acclaimed biography Ernest Tubb: Texas Troubadour. Passions ran high as word of the dismissals spread. Among the vocal critics was historian (and Middle Tennessee State University professor) Dr. Charles Wolfe, who sent an open letter to colleagues, accusing the museum of abandoning its mission. The director of the Country Music Foundation, Kyle Young, replied with his own open letter, stating that the museum's mission had not changed. The Journal of Country Music will continue to be published, but at press time, a new editor had not yet been named.
FOR THE RECORD: Barricades And Brickwalls, the sophomore release by Australia's rising country star KASEY CHAMBERS, has been pushed back to an early 2002 release by Warner Bros. after original plans called for it to be out this fall. The album was released in Australia in September….
The latest from Texas legend WILLIE NELSON is an all-star affair due out in early 2002 on Lost Highway. Among those dueting with Nelson on the disc are Lee Ann Womack, Bonnie Raitt, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Brian McKnight, and Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas….
Canadian singer Carolyn Mark is organizing a remake of the soundtrack to Robert Altman's classic 1975 film NASHVILLE. Among the participants are Neko Case, Kelly Hogan, and the Sadies' Dallas Good. The album is tentatively scheduled for release on Mint Records in February….
New West Records has signed San Francisco rocker/songwriter CHUCK PROPHET, with an early 2002 album release planned….
Also due in early 2002 on New West, with a tentative release date of January 15, is the third solo album by former True Believers guitarist JON DEE GRAHAM….
Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs and Lee Ann Womack contribute to Everybody's Talkin', the solo debut by bluegrass player PAUL BREWSTER….
Country legend LORETTA LYNN is scheduled to record to record Nat Stuckey's "Sweet Thang" as a duet with Alan Jackson. This will be the second time around for Lynn, who recorded the song as a duet with Ernest Tubb circa 1966….
MCA recording artist MARK COLLIE had plans to record a live album in October at Tennessee's Brushy Mountain prison. The album is slated for release in spring 2002….
Audium Records has released The Beginning, an acoustic blues album by TONY JOE WHITE. It had previously only been available at the singer's website….
Austin honky-tonker DALE WATSON releases Christmas Time In Texas on Audium on October 23…..
Slewfoot Records has signed Kansas City, Missouri, band HADACOL. The group's next album, All In Your Head, was produced by Lou Whitney and will be released November 27….
ON & OFF THE ROAD: Many of the musicians who appeared on the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? and starred in the subsequent concert documentary Down From The Mountain will hit the road for a 20-city tour in early 2002. Ralph Stanley, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Norman Blake will be part of the package, as well as special guest Patty Loveless, who is not on the O Brother soundtrack….
Film star BILLY BOB THORNTON, whose debut disc Private Heart was released by Lost Highway in September, postponed a planned concert tour with Marty Stuart, apparently so he could focus on promoting the four films he is in that will be released this fall.
ON THE MEND: After suffering a heart attack on August 25, legendary Texas songwriter BILLY JOE SHAVER is recovering. Shaver underwent angioplasty surgery on August 30 to remove blockages in two of four blocked arteries. Doctors had originally planned to do quadruple bypass surgery, but they later decided that two of the blockages could be repaired with an angioplasty procedure. After recuperating, Shaver and guitarist Jesse Taylor planned to join Kinky Friedman for a series of European dates dubbed the "Two For Texas Tour", starting in Stockholm October 23 and wrapping up in London on November 12. An Australian tour with the same lineup is scheduled for February.
PICKIN' & GRINNIN': The 12th annual INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION AWARDS were presented October 4 at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville, Kentucky. As expected, the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? was a big winner, earning both Album of the Year and Song of the Year, the latter for "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" with Dan Tyminski on lead vocals. Tyminski, who also plays with Alison Krauss & Union Station, took home four individual awards as well. Also receiving four awards was Rhonda Vincent including her first as Entertainer of the Year (shared with her band, the Rage). The Emerging Artist award went to Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show. For a complete list of winners, check out the IBMA's website at www.ibma.org.