Weekly Highlights d.com

Weekly Highlights

From Vendor Management

MARCH 17, 2014

Thank you for reviewing this week's edition of the MCS Weekly Highlights, your source for Vendor News, Memos, and MCS happenings. Be sure to review the tips section to stay informed on MCS' hot topics! Newsletters are always posted on the MCS On-Demand site, accessible by clicking MCS On-Demand.

NEWS:

Windows XP

After April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer be supporting Windows XP. As a result, technical assistance will no longer be available, including automatic updates. Without these updates, Windows XP will no longer be compatible with the Vendor 360 application.

Vendor 360 will remain compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. When considering upgrades, a new system should meet or exceed the following specifications to be compatible and run efficiently with Vendor 360:

Operating System: Windows based- Vista or higher (Click on the link if your Windows Operating System is unknown)

Memory: 3GB of RAM or greater Internet: Over 1 Mbps upload speed (To test your connection visit ) Processor: Minimum 2.0 GHz needed to operate properly

For more information regarding the change to Windows XP, please visit the Microsoft site.

Aspen Grove iRecord

MCS is moving forward to meet client expectations to implement the comprehensive Aspen Grove iRecord process. To ensure that compliance with client requirements is met, please complete the ordering of background checks on all individuals that will complete field work for MCS by March 21, 2014. This includes vendor employees, sub-contractors of vendors, and subs of sub-contractors that will complete work or inspect properties assigned to MCS by its clients.

As part of the iRecord implementation, Aspen Grove has developed a mobile application which is to be used to check into properties. Vendor representatives will be expected to check into a property upon arrival to a property by using the Aspen mobile app by entering their unique

Aspen Grove ID. This information will be recorded on maintenance and inspection assignments to validate that the person completing services in the field meets the client compliance expectations.

Aspen Grove will provide access links to download the mobile application and host demonstrations to prepare the MCS network. MCS will communicate compliance expectations and timelines prior to the "Go Live" date. The application will initially be used for clients 106, 185, 472, 685, 708, and 936. It is possible that the use of this app may be extended to other client numbers but this has not been confirmed at this time.

P&P MEMOS:

(Memo #1153) Re-Conveyance Expectations (Memo #1157) Reporting the Source of Mold (Memo #1159 ) Client 569 Guidelines Updates

INSPECTION MEMOS:

(Memo #1153) Re-Conveyance Expectations (Memo #1157) Reporting the Source of Mold (Memo #1160) Client 552 ? Call Back Number (Updated)

TIPS:

When contacting MCS utilize the MCS Contact List for the most current contact information. For any questions or concerns regarding any of the Newsletters content, contact your Regional Vendor Manager (RVM).

Grass Cut ?

Definition of "Saturated Lawn": When a property is found to be flooded or underwater. This condition does not apply to lawns with normal dew/precipitation

The property condition 'saturated lawn' should not be over utilized. Manage the completion of grass cuts during the rainy season to the best of your ability.

Avoid submitting a work order into MCS in the beginning of the cycle with a property condition status of 'saturated lawn'.

During the rainy season it is imperative to track weather reports and manage the completion of the grass cut work orders accordingly. Saturated lawn should be utilized IF and ONLY IF the grass cut could not be completed throughout the entire grass cut cycle due to rain, drainage issues, burst pipe flooding grounds etc.

If reporting the Property Condition status as `Saturated Lawn' is truly warranted and can be supported through weather reports and/or photos: o Document the reason as to what is causing the excessive saturation in the comments, i.e. rain, drainage issues, broken pipe etc. O All grass cut work orders with a property condition status of `saturated lawn' should be the first set of grass cut work orders issued to be completed in the field on the very next grass cut cycle.

P&P ?

When should you contact an RVM or an APC?

The following are examples of situations encountered and appropriate contacts. "I recently received a new certification and my business is expanding. I'd like to inquire about a wider coverage area. Who do I contact?" o Contact your RVM. "I am having trouble accessing a property to perform a work order. The key-code provided is not working. Who do I contact?" o Contact the APC or Client Team listed on the work order. "As I was completing work at a property, I found a closet covered in mold resulting from a water leak that was not previously reported. Who should I contact?" o Contact the APC or Client Team listed on the work order. "My office will be closed for a short period of time to deal the effects of a natural disaster". I need to request reassignments for work orders that are piling up to avoid late work and scorecard issues. Who do I contact?" o Contact your RVM.

Note: Direct inquiries relating to Vendor 360 to the IT Liaison. Work to perform and allowable inquiries can be found in the Client Guidelines tool within Vendor 360. Questions about accessing MCS On-Demand and these documents can be directed to the Training Team. To access the MCS Contact List click the link located at the beginning of the Tips section or it can be found on the home page of the MCS On-Demand site.

INSPECTIONS ?

For a number of reasons, inspections may be cancelled or reassigned without notice. It is important that Inspectors check both their cancelled and reassigned inspection reports often throughout the day. Checking these reports will identify those inspections that should not be completed. To access the reports login to Vendor 360, via the Title Bar click on Inspections. From the drop down menu select View and then Cancellations and/or Reassignments.

IT SUPPORT ?

Are you having trouble opening programs or installing Vendor 360?

If so, check for Windows Updates. Periodically, Windows will release updated code which corrects inconsistencies and compatibility issues with a computer's programs. Vendor 360 stays up to date with Windows and may not be fully operational, if a computer has pending Windows Updates.

To check if the unit is current with Windows updates, click on the Start icon in the lower left hand corner of the desktop. Open up the Control Panel, select the Windows Update icon, and double click. A notification will display the last time updates were checked, if there are any pending updates, and the importance of these updates. If updates need to be performed select "Check for Updates" in the prompt and install and restart when complete. If updates have already processed select "Install updates" and restart.

To learn more about Window updates click on the following link: Window Updates.

MCS ON-DEMAND:

Has a module been assigned to your company? Below are some helpful tips to utilize when taking the MCS On-Demand e-Learning modules:

Update Adobe (including flash player) Update Java Only use Internet Explorer or Firefox.

Do not use Google Chrome this browser causes the module to not function properly Clear the Internet Browser's History and Cookies Turn off pop-up blockers Make the MCS On-Demand website a trusted site Do not leave modules in queue as In Progress. If a module is still In Progress in your

queue the new version will not populate until that version is marked complete. If a Podcast is assigned, once it has been viewed go to your transcripts and mark it

complete and then Acknowledge.

If you have any questions regarding the MCS On-Demand site contact the Training Team at vendor.training@ or (813) 387-1430.

CODE COMPLIANCE CORNER:

Code Compliance Ordinances

Folcroft Borough, PA - Boarding Ordinance

Folcroft Borough, PA - Landscaping / Weeds Ordinance

East Lansing, MI - Pool Ordinance

East Lansing, MI - Snow / Ice Removal Ordinance

East Lansing, MI - Utility Ordinance

To review additional code compliance ordinances, please click here. To learn how to view documented, or request the addition of a new undocumented code/ordinance in Vendor 360, click the Code and Ordinance Video link.

Should you have any questions or comments, contact the Vendor Training Team Phone: 813 387-1430

E-mail: vendor.training@

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