Quality Control from Command Alkon

Q u a l i t y C n t r o l 5

Command AlkonWhy COMMANDqc?

w Full integration with Command Alkon dispatch systems savestime, reduces errors, and improves internal communication

w Helps identify root causes of quality and production problems so they can quickly be corrected

w Reduces unauthorized changes to mix designs and improves product consistency between plants

w Saves money by reducing costly mix over-designw Reduces or eliminates rejected loads due to quality problemsw Increases internal and customer confidence due to improved

quality and better documentationw Reduces time spent on mundane tasks so valuable personnel

can concentrate on strategic issuesw Faster recognition and correction of under-performing plantsw Better understanding, control, and utilization of raw materialsw Modular design of system allows you to choose only the

features and functions that are appropriate for your business

Benefits of COMMANDqc

Mix ManagementGeneration of Mix SubmittalsProduction ControlMaterial ManagementPerformance AnalysisProduct TestingReporting

Benefits Summary

Command Alkon IncorporatedHeadquarters

1800 International Park Dr., Suite 400Birmingham, AL 35243 USA

+1 (205) 879-3282Fax: +1 (205) 870-1405

www.commandalkon.com

1 Corporate Overview2 Ready-Mixed Concrete | COMMANDconcrete3 Bulk Materials & Automation4 Concrete Plant Automation5 Quality Control6 Business Integration Services7 Dispatch Optimization8 Ready-Mixed Concrete | Integra9 Concrete Products Automation

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www.facebook.com/cmdalkon

02

is a full-featured quality control, mixmanagement, and production monitoringsystem developed for the unique needsof concrete producers.

COMMANDqc provides all of the tools yourTechnical Services Group needs for:

Material ManagementMix ManagementProduction ControlProduct TestingPerformance AnalysisReportingMix Submittals

COMMANDqc provides quick access to all of theinformation you need for formulating mix designs,from product requirements, to raw materials characteristics, to concrete performance data.COMMANDqc collects, organizes, and presentsbatching results and test data into easily understood graphs and reports that provide insightinto the complex factors affecting performance.Armed with this information, you will be able tomake proactive changes that reduce productionvariations, maximize product performance, and minimize material costs.

COMMANDqc simplifies and organizes the day-to-day technical tasks of concrete testing, data entry,and reporting that currently strain your resources andprevent you from focusing on more important pursuitslike customer service and product innovation.

COMMANDqc helps break down the traditional barriers between Technical Services and other partsof your organization by providing easier access toinformation and better and more timely service toyour internal and external customers.

The bottom line . . . COMMANDqc makes you money.

COMMANDqc

COMMANDseries Integration

w Data is available in a timely manner where it is needed on all systemsw Saves countless hours and money that would otherwise be spent on duplicate data entryw Reduces data entry errorsw Ensures that mixes and other data are identical on all systems, reducing confusion

and mistakesw Presents a more organized image to your customers

Benefits of COMMANDseries and Integra Integration

COMMANDqc: Integrating Dispatch, Production, and Quality Control


w Comprehensive mix managementw Production analysis and real-time batch

exception reportingw Efficient laboratory test management systemw Comprehensive management of raw materials -

aggregates, cements, additions, admixtures, etc.w Accurate strength predictions from early

compressive testsw Ability to import mix designs from filew Ability to import concrete and aggregate test

results from filew Trial batch worksheets including W/C curve

generationw Performance analysis - analyze single variables,

or combine multiple variables to identify root causes of problems

w Efficient generation of mix submittalsw Reporting tools provide a variety of user-

configured data selection and formatting optionsw Role-based security control on all modulesw Scalable database fits operations with one lab

or hundreds of labsw Standardized Integration Layer - connectivity to

other systemsw Dual units of measurew Multi-language

General Features

COMMANDqc

w Full integration with COMMANDseries and Integra saves time, reduces errors, and improves internal communication

w Helps identify root causes of quality and production problems so they can be quickly correctedw Reduces unauthorized changes to mix designs and improves product consistency between plantsw Saves money by reducing costly mix over-designw Reduces or eliminates rejected loads due to quality problemsw Increases internal and customer confidence due to improved quality and better documentationw Reduces time spent on mundane tasks so valuable personnel can concentrate on strategic issuesw Faster recognition and correction of under-performing plantsw Better understanding, control, and utilization of raw materialsw Modular design of system allows you to choose only the features and functions that are appropriate

for your business

C O M M A N D q c

18

Dispatch System Integration


COMMANDqc is the most highly integratedconcrete QC system available today. What dowe mean by this?

Aside from being a powerful tool in any configuration, theCOMMANDqc system provides maximum value when itcan share data with our COMMANDseries or Integrasystems in your Dispatch Office. Integrated systemseliminate duplicate entry of important data such as mixdesigns and delivery tickets.

The data integration between COMMANDqc andCOMMANDseries/Integra can be summarized in termsof a few important data pathways. First of all, the MixManagement module in COMMANDqc supplies the mixdesign information needed by the order entry and ticketingfunctions in the dispatch systems. Mixes are designed,adjusted, and archived in COMMANDqc. They can bemade available immediately for dispatch or can beconfigured for activation at a later time. This gives QCpersonnel full control over the mixes used in production.

Preparation of submittal documents is simplified byimporting Customer and Project information from thedispatch systems into COMMANDqc.

Production Control uses ticket and batch data sent frombatching systems through dispatch to provide real-timee-mail and SMS warnings as well as historical and trendanalysis. This same delivery information (ticket number,truck, load size, product code, etc.) is available to theQC technician when entering field test data, reducingerrors and speeding up this laborious process.

Internally, data in COMMANDqc is shared freely amongmodules. This means, for example, that production andtrial mixes are accessible from other modules such asMix Submittals and Sample Entry. Raw Material data isshared by both the Materials Test module and Mix Entry.

And of course, Performance Analysis uses all of thisinformation, as well as material and product test data, tocorrelate field performance with key product, material,customer, and delivery characteristics.


Why COMMANDqc?

04

COMMANDqc Reporting

w Provides reporting functionality that exceeds business and industry requirements, statutory requirements, and both internal and external customer requirements

w User interface provides efficiency and ease-of-usew Unquestionable data and information integrity

Benefits of COMMANDqc Reporting

Presentation Style Layout Tools allow you to createpresentation-quality reports. The tools allow you tocustomize existing reports or create your own reportsfrom scratch. With this toolset, you can meet yourstatutory reporting requirements and comply withindustry and customer reporting requirements.

Whether your job involves quality control, operations, sales, or executive management, you are likely concernedwith your organization’s ability to serve your customers, stay ahead of the competition, and to turn a profit. One solution that goes beyond traditional cost-cutting is the implementation of a consistent qualitycontrol program, assisted by modern technology.

A number of emerging and shifting forces in the industry motivate us to take a new look at the meaning of qualityand its potential contribution to the bottom line. Some of these “converging forces” include:

w Increased emphasis on environmental and sustainability issuesw Tighter competition in a shrinking marketw Fluctuating costs of energy and materialsw Ongoing acceptance of the P2P (Prescription to Performance) initiative w Depletion of resources coupled with new materials availability

Concrete production is becoming an increasingly technical and professional business and can no longer be managed as simply a “trucking operation”. Multinational companies with multiple plants and regions require astandardized system that can handle diverse materials, operations, and technical needs. Medium sized companiesrecognize that their operations must be more agile and respond better to market demands. Smaller companies thatpreviously worked primarily in residential markets are branching out into commercial and public projects, and needto meet the increased quality demands of those segments.

COMMANDqc provides the tools to manage the quality of any size operation from just a few plants tohundreds of plants. Our industry involvement keeps us on the leading edge of concrete technology andmarket demand, making it easier for our customers to compete in today’s complex concrete industry.


Trial Batches

Reporting S O L U T I O N ST O B U I L D O N

COMMANDqc

16

The reporting features available inCOMMANDqc are designed to meet all ofyour internal and external reporting needs andto efficiently produce professional reports.

COMMANDqc comes standard with a variety of ready-to-run reports. It also contains powerful tools forcreating and customizing your own reports.

Grid/Spreadsheet Style Layout Tools allow for user-configured, grid-based, spreadsheet style reports to becreated. This toolset provides powerful data queryoptions, grouping, sorting, filtering, selectable statisticalfunctions, graphical analysis, and the ability to print orexport to popular spreadsheet programs such asMicrosoft Excel. Formats can be saved by user, byregion, or globally.

COMMANDqc provides the most comprehensive and integrated approach toQuality Control available in the Construction Materials Industry.

Unlike most stand-alone or spreadsheet-based quality control systems, COMMANDqc allows smooth workflow and sharing of data between dispatch, production, and quality control functions using Command Alkon’s integrated productsuite approach.

COMMANDqc: Integrating Dispatch, Production, and Quality Control.The details of this integration are outlined later in this booklet.

Dispatch

Quality Control

Delivery & Sampling

Production

C O M M A N D q c


06

COMMANDqc Product Testing & Material Management

Efficiently and effectively create, modify, maintain, and manage all of your productionmixes and products with COMMANDqc.

Most quality control systems fail to tie together the variousdata elements – product codes, mix designs, trial mixes, andmix submittals – into a cohesive solution sharing a singlemix design database and reporting system. And most systems provide only limited integration to dispatch andbatching systems. As a result, mix management systemstypically have a limited audience andusefulness.

In contrast, COMMANDqc’s integrated approach provides more thanjust a tool for entering mix recipes.When material characteristics change,or when economics dictate supplierchanges, COMMANDqc’s Mix Adjusterfeature offers powerful tools for makingchanges to large numbers of mixdesigns in a single operation.Adjustment options include the ability toreplace materials, add or subtract materials, recalculate admix dosages,correct to target yield, maintaining W/Cratios, and compensating with aggregates proportionally to maintain yield.This feature allows you to quickly adjustand verify hundreds or thousands of mixesin response to field performance issues orraw material pricing.

Using the Trial Batch module new, aswell as pre-existing mix designs, can betested in a lab environment to verify performance prior tomoving those designs to production. Similarly, any mixdesign within COMMANDqc can be included in a MixSubmittal. When ‘activated’ for production, mix designchanges flow seamlessly to COMMANDconcrete, Integra,and COMMANDbatch where they are instantly available for use.

Mix ManagementC O M M A N D q c

Material Management

w Improves control of concrete performance by monitoring key material parameters in conjunction with concrete test results

w Enhances your bargaining position with material vendors by providing long- and short-term material performance statistics

w Provides better data for decision making when considering changes in material sources

Benefits of COMMANDqc Material Management

COMMANDqc provides a comprehensive system to maintain raw material characteristics, and to record and analyzematerial test results.

The system includes over 60 predefined material characteristics, plus the ability to create unlimited user-configurable material characteristics.

Material characteristics, plant availability, and costs areintegrated throughout the system, adding powerful functionality to the Mix Management and Mix Submittalmodules.

The Material Test Data Entry subsystem records testdata for cementitious materials, aggregates, and admixtures. Aggregate grading specifications and testresults can be expressed as either % Passing or % Retained.

Configurable reporting and Analysis tools include statistics, time-line plots, and grading distribution curves.

Raw Material test results are fully integrated withConcrete Performance Analysis, allowing correlationbetween concrete test results and tested material characteristics.

Material Management Key Features:

w Default materials characteristics simplify mix design creation

w Historical materials characteristics database allows tracking of material changes

w Integrated aggregate gradation workshop creates graphical grading reports

w User-configured data entry forms simplify the recording of fresh and hardened concrete tests

w Source/supplier format simplifies switching materialsin mix designs

w User-definable templates make it easier to create tabular and graphical r eports


C O M M A N D q c

Product Testing

14

COMMANDqc Mix Management

w Full integration with COMMANDconcrete and Integra improves coordination of mix changesand reduces errors.

w Centralized mix management reduces the variability inherent in plant-based schemes.w Ability to quickly change mixes facilitates material cost control programs.w Multi-level mix validation reduces costly data entry errors. w Proactive mix management reduces variations in concrete quality.

Benefits of COMMANDqc Mix Management

Mix Management Key Features:

w Fully integrated with COMMANDconcrete, Integra, andCOMMANDbatch. Approved mix changes can be immediately available for dispatch, or scheduled for later activation.

w Concrete Product Definitions allow for standardized specification of products, including design limits.

w Validation of mix design characteristics such as W/C ratio with product-level requirements and specifications.

w Mix calculations use material properties such as S.G. and nominal grading maintained for each supplier.

w Import mix designs from your external system or spreadsheet into COMMANDqc for comprehensive management and adjustment capabilities.

w Mix adjuster provides bulk modification of a group of mixes when material characteristics change.

w Replace part or all of one material with another.w Adjust for changes in specific gravity, admix dose

rates, etc. based on test data or change of suppliers.w Adjust cement content by percentage or fixed quantity.w Add or remove seasonal admixtures.w User selectable options for maintaining yield.w Maintain W/C ratio when adjusting water.

w Mix designs can be entered using either US or metric systems of measurement.

w Mix copy functions provide a number of options to copy mixes and products to new mixes or to other plants.

w Dynamic calculation of yield, W/C ratio, total mix cost and various material ratios provide constant user feedback when creating or modifying mix designs.

w Analysis of aggregate combined grading using a variety of graphical formats such as Workability Factor and Coarseness Factor, 0.45 Power Curve, % Passing,and % Retained.

w User-defined aggregate proportions can be ‘locked in’ for subsequent mix design changes and adjustments.

w Fully integrated with COMMANDqc’s mix submittal and trial batch modules.

w Lifecycle management allows mixes to be treated as preliminary, active, or obsolete.

w Full archiving and version control of all mix design changes.

COMMANDqc simplifies and organizes the recordation of concrete test results to improveaccuracy and provides reliable data that can beused for later analysis.

The process of recording test data begins when a load ofconcrete is shipped from COMMANDconcrete or Integra.Within seconds, delivery information including ticket number, product, load size, customer, project, batch weights, etc. isstored in COMMANDqc.

When the field sheets are returned to the lab, a technician orclerk quickly and easily locates the delivery record andenters the field test results into COMMANDqc. Very littledata entry is required because most of the identifying information about the load already exists.

Based on parameters established for each lab and concreteproduct, the system automatically schedules tests for thecylinders and other specimens prepared on-site.

At various dates in the future, the Daily Testing Report willremind lab personnel of the need to perform the scheduledtests. Measurements are facilitated with electronic interfaces to the compressive test machines, scales, andother equipment used in the lab.

w Integration – both with COMMANDseries/Integra and test machines – minimizes theamount of data to be entered, saving time and reducing mistakes

w Automated test scheduling improves laboratory organization and reduces the number of “lost” cylinders

w Data integrity and consistency are enhanced by eliminating the need to maintaindata in more than one place

w Ease-of-use encourages more careful testing processes and promotes morefrequent testing

w Test results are maintained indefinitely, providing traceability and auditability

Product Testing Key Features:

w Integration with electronic test machinesw Automated test schedulingw Integration with COMMANDseries and Integra means

that product and delivery information for each load of concrete is available when sample data is entered


w Automatic prediction of 28-day or late age strengths atthe time early age strengths are recorded

w Analysis tools such as the Tester Statistics Report evaluate performance of personnel and internal/external testing labs

w QC Test Results Import

Benefits of COMMANDqc Product Testing


* Check with your Account Manager on which testequipment interfaces are supported

COMMANDqc helps you efficiently create, publish, andmanage comprehensive and professional mix submittaldocuments.

The COMMANDqc Mix Submittal module automates the processof collecting and combining the required mix and material informa-tion into a single Portable Data Format (PDF) file. Built-in document management tools help you attach vendor data sheets,compliance certificates, and user-generated test data (e.g.grading reports) to selected raw material records in the system.Similarly, you can attach a statistical summary to each MixDesign of interest.

The process of actually creating a Submittal begins when youchoose a “template” that defines the format of the cover letter, theformat of the mix report, and a variety of other options. For eachMix Design you select for the Submittal, COMMANDqc creates adetailed technical report containing the mix specifications, list ofmix constituents, combined aggregate grading curve, disclaimers,etc. It then looks up and organizes the appropriate Mix andMaterial attachments and includes them in the dynamic document. Other sections of the program make quick work ofcustomizing the cover letter and attaching additional documents.

Once completed and approved, submittal documents are permanently archived in the system and can be e-mailed, printed,or reviewed at any time. Subsequent changes to the Submittalresult in a new copy of the document with a new revision number.

A key feature of the package is its full integration with dispatch.Customer and Project records are synchronized, ensuring dataaccuracy and minimizing the amount of manual data entry required.

Mix Submittals

08

COMMANDqc Performance Analysis

C O M M A N D q c

Cover Letter

MixDocumentation

ConstituentMaterial

Documentation

MiscellaneousDocumentation

w Provides clear, factual information about how your products are performing from a statistical perspectiveinstead of from anecdotal evidence

w Improves your understanding of the factors that affect product performancew Identifies the causes of unexpected results so you can respond appropriatelyw Increases internal and customer confidence in your products because you can document performance and

explain irregularities when they occur

Performance Analysis Key Features:

w More than 150 measured and calculated concrete properties can be analyzed and displayed in tabular orgraphical form

w QC personnel can create an unlimited number of specialized reports and templates to fit your organization’s requirements

w Strength Gains analysis can help predict 28-day results when 7-day compression test results are entered

w Product comparison graphs provide visualization of strength vs. age relationships for one or more products

w Strength histograms help visualize the relationship between specified strength, target strength, and standard deviation and strength distribution; they also provide immediate indication of questionable testing practices

w Complexity is set by user needs – the system can be as complex or as basic as the user desires

w Microsoft Word 2000 or greater

Prerequisites

Benefits of COMMANDqc Performance Analysis


COMMANDqc Mix Submittals

C O M M A N D q cPerformance Analysis

12

w Automated Submittal generation saves hours of technical and clerical laborw Easy-to-use system and e-mail integration means you can be extremely responsive to

your customer’s demands for informationw Consistent and professional document format improves your company’s imagew Workflow features and permanent document archives reduce conflicts regarding what

information was sent, when it was sent, and to whom it was sentw User-configured Submittal templates allow you to meet the demanding requirements of

special customers such as state DOT’s and chain stores

Benefits of COMMANDqc Mix Submittals

Mix Submittal Key Features:

w Configurable mix submittal format specific to your company, including logo, company specific disclaimers, etc.

w Unlimited number of user-defined Submittal “templates” to satisfy internal standards or customer-specific requirements

w Unlimited number of attachments to Material Records, e.g. supplier test certificates and data sheets, or Material Test Reports generated by COMMANDqc

w Any number of Active or Pending Mix Designs can be attached to a Submittal

w Unlimited number of ad-hoc Submittal attachments (limited only by the constraints of your e-mail system)

w Pre-defined Cover Letter template is automatically populated with contact information entered as part of the Submittal; Cover Letter can be edited as required

w Customer and Project records integrated with dispatch; Mix records fully integrated with COMMANDqc Mix Management module

w Submittal Selector allows you to view the history of documents by customer, project, or date

w Mix report includes calculated fields such as yield, unitweight, w/c ratio, and water lb. and gal. Other options include combined grading graphs and grading specification sheets

w Automatically create and attach an up-to-date StrengthPerformance (ACI) Report

w Supports full archiving, version control, and Submittal statuses – Draft and Approved

w Built-in e-mail client works with your company’s existing e-mail system

Harness COMMANDqc’s flexible and powerful analysis capabilities to evaluateconcrete performance and identify root causes of problems.

COMMANDqc provides the means to record andassociate all relevant information including concretetest results, raw materials test results, batch anddelivery information, and other details related to aload of concrete. The Performance Analysis toolsprocess this information in various ways so you can:

w Statistically analyze concrete performance for an individual product, plant, customer, or project over any period of time

w Analyze and compare user-defined groups of the above

w Plot concrete tests, batch plant data, or raw material properties as Trend-Line or Cusum plots to help determine causes of short-term variability or long-term trends in concrete performance

w Evaluate and compare performance of Plants, Testing Technicians, and laboratories to identify questionable operating practices.

The Strength Gains subsystem allows you to accurately predict performance from early test resultsand to take action weeks before final test results areavailable.

The ultimate goal of PerformanceAnalysis is to make appropriate changesto mix designs, batch system tuning, rawmaterials, operating procedures, orpersonnel to maximize the value of theproducts and services you provide yourcustomers.


10

Production ControlCOMMANDqc provides real-time identification andresolution of out-of-tolerance concrete batches beforethey are delivered to your customer. In addition,powerful analysis tools help you manage batching compliance and consistency.

COMMANDqc’s BatchWatcher instantly alerts youto significant batching errors long before concreteis delivered. The system will automatically e-mailor text-message designated personnel when out-of-tolerance batches occur. BatchWatcher willeven give you the reason for the exception whenit alerts you.

Flexible production analysis tools provide you withinsight into production consistency and help you tospot impending problems before they become emergencies. Graphical and tabular analysis toolsallow you to drill down into problem areas.Compare target weights to actual weights by plantor by product code with easy to understand graphs.Individual or cumulative exception graphs show overall trends but also make it easy to zoom in onany load of concrete. Monitor material over orunder batching and its effect on stock control andproduction costs. Identify exceptions and report on loads that fail tomeet specifications. Report on plant, ticket number, product, customer,time-of-day, load size, and materials causing site issues.

COMMANDqc Production Control

C O M M A N D q c

w Identifies plant or other product related issues so they can be addressed before they negativelyimpact the business

w Minimize risk and potential cost of rectification by halting delivery of out-of-spec loadsw Efficient and effective identification of batching trends, issues, and potential causesw Management by exception reduces the need to continuously inspect printed batch recordsw Cumulative report options quantify the long-term effect of “minor” batching problemsw Improved accuracy and consistency of concrete batchingw Improved confidence without micro-managing your plant operations

Benefits of COMMANDqc Production Control

BatchWatcher alerts you to batching errors anywhere,anytime, even when you are on the go.

Batching performance can be analyzed on a load-by-load basis or cumulativelyover a period of time from an inventory usage or cost perspective.


10

Production ControlCOMMANDqc provides real-time identification andresolution of out-of-tolerance concrete batches beforethey are delivered to your customer. In addition,powerful analysis tools help you manage batching compliance and consistency.

COMMANDqc’s BatchWatcher instantly alerts youto significant batching errors long before concreteis delivered. The system will automatically e-mailor text-message designated personnel when out-of-tolerance batches occur. BatchWatcher willeven give you the reason for the exception whenit alerts you.

Flexible production analysis tools provide you withinsight into production consistency and help you tospot impending problems before they become emergencies. Graphical and tabular analysis toolsallow you to drill down into problem areas.Compare target weights to actual weights by plantor by product code with easy to understand graphs.Individual or cumulative exception graphs show overall trends but also make it easy to zoom in onany load of concrete. Monitor material over orunder batching and its effect on stock control andproduction costs. Identify exceptions and report on loads that fail tomeet specifications. Report on plant, ticket number, product, customer,time-of-day, load size, and materials causing site issues.

COMMANDqc Production Control

C O M M A N D q c

w Identifies plant or other product related issues so they can be addressed before they negativelyimpact the business

w Minimize risk and potential cost of rectification by halting delivery of out-of-spec loadsw Efficient and effective identification of batching trends, issues, and potential causesw Management by exception reduces the need to continuously inspect printed batch recordsw Cumulative report options quantify the long-term effect of “minor” batching problemsw Improved accuracy and consistency of concrete batchingw Improved confidence without micro-managing your plant operations

Benefits of COMMANDqc Production Control

BatchWatcher alerts you to batching errors anywhere,anytime, even when you are on the go.

Batching performance can be analyzed on a load-by-load basis or cumulativelyover a period of time from an inventory usage or cost perspective.


COMMANDqc Mix Submittals

C O M M A N D q cPerformance Analysis

12

w Automated Submittal generation saves hours of technical and clerical laborw Easy-to-use system and e-mail integration means you can be extremely responsive to

your customer’s demands for informationw Consistent and professional document format improves your company’s imagew Workflow features and permanent document archives reduce conflicts regarding what

information was sent, when it was sent, and to whom it was sentw User-configured Submittal templates allow you to meet the demanding requirements of

special customers such as state DOT’s and chain stores

Benefits of COMMANDqc Mix Submittals

Mix Submittal Key Features:

w Configurable mix submittal format specific to your company, including logo, company specific disclaimers, etc.

w Unlimited number of user-defined Submittal “templates” to satisfy internal standards or customer-specific requirements

w Unlimited number of attachments to Material Records, e.g. supplier test certificates and data sheets, or Material Test Reports generated by COMMANDqc

w Any number of Active or Pending Mix Designs can be attached to a Submittal

w Unlimited number of ad-hoc Submittal attachments (limited only by the constraints of your e-mail system)

w Pre-defined Cover Letter template is automatically populated with contact information entered as part of the Submittal; Cover Letter can be edited as required

w Customer and Project records integrated with dispatch; Mix records fully integrated with COMMANDqc Mix Management module

w Submittal Selector allows you to view the history of documents by customer, project, or date

w Mix report includes calculated fields such as yield, unitweight, w/c ratio, and water lb. and gal. Other options include combined grading graphs and grading specification sheets

w Automatically create and attach an up-to-date StrengthPerformance (ACI) Report

w Supports full archiving, version control, and Submittal statuses – Draft and Approved

w Built-in e-mail client works with your company’s existing e-mail system

Harness COMMANDqc’s flexible and powerful analysis capabilities to evaluateconcrete performance and identify root causes of problems.

COMMANDqc provides the means to record andassociate all relevant information including concretetest results, raw materials test results, batch anddelivery information, and other details related to aload of concrete. The Performance Analysis toolsprocess this information in various ways so you can:

w Statistically analyze concrete performance for an individual product, plant, customer, or project over any period of time

w Analyze and compare user-defined groups of the above

w Plot concrete tests, batch plant data, or raw material properties as Trend-Line or Cusum plots to help determine causes of short-term variability or long-term trends in concrete performance

w Evaluate and compare performance of Plants, Testing Technicians, and laboratories to identify questionable operating practices.

The Strength Gains subsystem allows you to accurately predict performance from early test resultsand to take action weeks before final test results areavailable.

The ultimate goal of PerformanceAnalysis is to make appropriate changesto mix designs, batch system tuning, rawmaterials, operating procedures, orpersonnel to maximize the value of theproducts and services you provide yourcustomers.


COMMANDqc helps you efficiently create, publish, andmanage comprehensive and professional mix submittaldocuments.

The COMMANDqc Mix Submittal module automates the processof collecting and combining the required mix and material informa-tion into a single Portable Data Format (PDF) file. Built-in document management tools help you attach vendor data sheets,compliance certificates, and user-generated test data (e.g.grading reports) to selected raw material records in the system.Similarly, you can attach a statistical summary to each MixDesign of interest.

The process of actually creating a Submittal begins when youchoose a “template” that defines the format of the cover letter, theformat of the mix report, and a variety of other options. For eachMix Design you select for the Submittal, COMMANDqc creates adetailed technical report containing the mix specifications, list ofmix constituents, combined aggregate grading curve, disclaimers,etc. It then looks up and organizes the appropriate Mix andMaterial attachments and includes them in the dynamic document. Other sections of the program make quick work ofcustomizing the cover letter and attaching additional documents.

Once completed and approved, submittal documents are permanently archived in the system and can be e-mailed, printed,or reviewed at any time. Subsequent changes to the Submittalresult in a new copy of the document with a new revision number.

A key feature of the package is its full integration with dispatch.Customer and Project records are synchronized, ensuring dataaccuracy and minimizing the amount of manual data entry required.

Mix Submittals

08

COMMANDqc Performance Analysis

C O M M A N D q c

Cover Letter

MixDocumentation

ConstituentMaterial

Documentation

MiscellaneousDocumentation

w Provides clear, factual information about how your products are performing from a statistical perspectiveinstead of from anecdotal evidence

w Improves your understanding of the factors that affect product performancew Identifies the causes of unexpected results so you can respond appropriatelyw Increases internal and customer confidence in your products because you can document performance and

explain irregularities when they occur

Performance Analysis Key Features:

w More than 150 measured and calculated concrete properties can be analyzed and displayed in tabular orgraphical form

w QC personnel can create an unlimited number of specialized reports and templates to fit your organization’s requirements

w Strength Gains analysis can help predict 28-day results when 7-day compression test results are entered

w Product comparison graphs provide visualization of strength vs. age relationships for one or more products

w Strength histograms help visualize the relationship between specified strength, target strength, and standard deviation and strength distribution; they also provide immediate indication of questionable testing practices

w Complexity is set by user needs – the system can be as complex or as basic as the user desires

w Microsoft Word 2000 or greater

Prerequisites

Benefits of COMMANDqc Performance Analysis


C O M M A N D q c

Product Testing

14

COMMANDqc Mix Management

w Full integration with COMMANDconcrete and Integra improves coordination of mix changesand reduces errors.

w Centralized mix management reduces the variability inherent in plant-based schemes.w Ability to quickly change mixes facilitates material cost control programs.w Multi-level mix validation reduces costly data entry errors. w Proactive mix management reduces variations in concrete quality.

Benefits of COMMANDqc Mix Management

Mix Management Key Features:

w Fully integrated with COMMANDconcrete, Integra, andCOMMANDbatch. Approved mix changes can be immediately available for dispatch, or scheduled for later activation.

w Concrete Product Definitions allow for standardized specification of products, including design limits.

w Validation of mix design characteristics such as W/C ratio with product-level requirements and specifications.

w Mix calculations use material properties such as S.G. and nominal grading maintained for each supplier.

w Import mix designs from your external system or spreadsheet into COMMANDqc for comprehensive management and adjustment capabilities.

w Mix adjuster provides bulk modification of a group of mixes when material characteristics change.

w Replace part or all of one material with another.w Adjust for changes in specific gravity, admix dose

rates, etc. based on test data or change of suppliers.w Adjust cement content by percentage or fixed quantity.w Add or remove seasonal admixtures.w User selectable options for maintaining yield.w Maintain W/C ratio when adjusting water.

w Mix designs can be entered using either US or metric systems of measurement.

w Mix copy functions provide a number of options to copy mixes and products to new mixes or to other plants.

w Dynamic calculation of yield, W/C ratio, total mix cost and various material ratios provide constant user feedback when creating or modifying mix designs.

w Analysis of aggregate combined grading using a variety of graphical formats such as Workability Factor and Coarseness Factor, 0.45 Power Curve, % Passing,and % Retained.

w User-defined aggregate proportions can be ‘locked in’ for subsequent mix design changes and adjustments.

w Fully integrated with COMMANDqc’s mix submittal and trial batch modules.

w Lifecycle management allows mixes to be treated as preliminary, active, or obsolete.

w Full archiving and version control of all mix design changes.

COMMANDqc simplifies and organizes the recordation of concrete test results to improveaccuracy and provides reliable data that can beused for later analysis.

The process of recording test data begins when a load ofconcrete is shipped from COMMANDconcrete or Integra.Within seconds, delivery information including ticket number, product, load size, customer, project, batch weights, etc. isstored in COMMANDqc.

When the field sheets are returned to the lab, a technician orclerk quickly and easily locates the delivery record andenters the field test results into COMMANDqc. Very littledata entry is required because most of the identifying information about the load already exists.

Based on parameters established for each lab and concreteproduct, the system automatically schedules tests for thecylinders and other specimens prepared on-site.

At various dates in the future, the Daily Testing Report willremind lab personnel of the need to perform the scheduledtests. Measurements are facilitated with electronic interfaces to the compressive test machines, scales, andother equipment used in the lab.

w Integration – both with COMMANDseries/Integra and test machines – minimizes theamount of data to be entered, saving time and reducing mistakes

w Automated test scheduling improves laboratory organization and reduces the number of “lost” cylinders

w Data integrity and consistency are enhanced by eliminating the need to maintaindata in more than one place

w Ease-of-use encourages more careful testing processes and promotes morefrequent testing

w Test results are maintained indefinitely, providing traceability and auditability

Product Testing Key Features:

w Integration with electronic test machinesw Automated test schedulingw Integration with COMMANDseries and Integra means

that product and delivery information for each load of concrete is available when sample data is entered


w Automatic prediction of 28-day or late age strengths atthe time early age strengths are recorded

w Analysis tools such as the Tester Statistics Report evaluate performance of personnel and internal/external testing labs

w QC Test Results Import

Benefits of COMMANDqc Product Testing


* Check with your Account Manager on which testequipment interfaces are supported

06

COMMANDqc Product Testing & Material Management

Efficiently and effectively create, modify, maintain, and manage all of your productionmixes and products with COMMANDqc.

Most quality control systems fail to tie together the variousdata elements – product codes, mix designs, trial mixes, andmix submittals – into a cohesive solution sharing a singlemix design database and reporting system. And most systems provide only limited integration to dispatch andbatching systems. As a result, mix management systemstypically have a limited audience andusefulness.

In contrast, COMMANDqc’s integrated approach provides more thanjust a tool for entering mix recipes.When material characteristics change,or when economics dictate supplierchanges, COMMANDqc’s Mix Adjusterfeature offers powerful tools for makingchanges to large numbers of mixdesigns in a single operation.Adjustment options include the ability toreplace materials, add or subtract materials, recalculate admix dosages,correct to target yield, maintaining W/Cratios, and compensating with aggregates proportionally to maintain yield.This feature allows you to quickly adjustand verify hundreds or thousands of mixesin response to field performance issues orraw material pricing.

Using the Trial Batch module new, aswell as pre-existing mix designs, can betested in a lab environment to verify performance prior tomoving those designs to production. Similarly, any mixdesign within COMMANDqc can be included in a MixSubmittal. When ‘activated’ for production, mix designchanges flow seamlessly to COMMANDconcrete, Integra,and COMMANDbatch where they are instantly available for use.

Mix ManagementC O M M A N D q c

Material Management

w Improves control of concrete performance by monitoring key material parameters in conjunction with concrete test results

w Enhances your bargaining position with material vendors by providing long- and short-term material performance statistics

w Provides better data for decision making when considering changes in material sources

Benefits of COMMANDqc Material Management

COMMANDqc provides a comprehensive system to maintain raw material characteristics, and to record and analyzematerial test results.

The system includes over 60 predefined material characteristics, plus the ability to create unlimited user-configurable material characteristics.

Material characteristics, plant availability, and costs areintegrated throughout the system, adding powerful functionality to the Mix Management and Mix Submittalmodules.

The Material Test Data Entry subsystem records testdata for cementitious materials, aggregates, and admixtures. Aggregate grading specifications and testresults can be expressed as either % Passing or % Retained.

Configurable reporting and Analysis tools include statistics, time-line plots, and grading distribution curves.

Raw Material test results are fully integrated withConcrete Performance Analysis, allowing correlationbetween concrete test results and tested material characteristics.

Material Management Key Features:

w Default materials characteristics simplify mix design creation

w Historical materials characteristics database allows tracking of material changes

w Integrated aggregate gradation workshop creates graphical grading reports


w Source/supplier format simplifies switching materialsin mix designs

w User-definable templates make it easier to create tabular and graphical r eports


Reporting S O L U T I O N ST O B U I L D O N

COMMANDqc

16

The reporting features available inCOMMANDqc are designed to meet all ofyour internal and external reporting needs andto efficiently produce professional reports.

COMMANDqc comes standard with a variety of ready-to-run reports. It also contains powerful tools forcreating and customizing your own reports.

Grid/Spreadsheet Style Layout Tools allow for user-configured, grid-based, spreadsheet style reports to becreated. This toolset provides powerful data queryoptions, grouping, sorting, filtering, selectable statisticalfunctions, graphical analysis, and the ability to print orexport to popular spreadsheet programs such asMicrosoft Excel. Formats can be saved by user, byregion, or globally.

COMMANDqc provides the most comprehensive and integrated approach toQuality Control available in the Construction Materials Industry.

Unlike most stand-alone or spreadsheet-based quality control systems, COMMANDqc allows smooth workflow and sharing of data between dispatch, production, and quality control functions using Command Alkon’s integrated productsuite approach.

COMMANDqc: Integrating Dispatch, Production, and Quality Control.The details of this integration are outlined later in this booklet.

Dispatch

Quality Control

Delivery & Sampling

Production

C O M M A N D q c


Why COMMANDqc?

04

COMMANDqc Reporting

w Provides reporting functionality that exceeds business and industry requirements, statutory requirements, and both internal and external customer requirements

w User interface provides efficiency and ease-of-usew Unquestionable data and information integrity

Benefits of COMMANDqc Reporting

Presentation Style Layout Tools allow you to createpresentation-quality reports. The tools allow you tocustomize existing reports or create your own reportsfrom scratch. With this toolset, you can meet yourstatutory reporting requirements and comply withindustry and customer reporting requirements.

Whether your job involves quality control, operations, sales, or executive management, you are likely concernedwith your organization’s ability to serve your customers, stay ahead of the competition, and to turn a profit. One solution that goes beyond traditional cost-cutting is the implementation of a consistent qualitycontrol program, assisted by modern technology.

A number of emerging and shifting forces in the industry motivate us to take a new look at the meaning of qualityand its potential contribution to the bottom line. Some of these “converging forces” include:

w Increased emphasis on environmental and sustainability issuesw Tighter competition in a shrinking marketw Fluctuating costs of energy and materialsw Ongoing acceptance of the P2P (Prescription to Performance) initiative w Depletion of resources coupled with new materials availability

Concrete production is becoming an increasingly technical and professional business and can no longer be managed as simply a “trucking operation”. Multinational companies with multiple plants and regions require astandardized system that can handle diverse materials, operations, and technical needs. Medium sized companiesrecognize that their operations must be more agile and respond better to market demands. Smaller companies thatpreviously worked primarily in residential markets are branching out into commercial and public projects, and needto meet the increased quality demands of those segments.

COMMANDqc provides the tools to manage the quality of any size operation from just a few plants tohundreds of plants. Our industry involvement keeps us on the leading edge of concrete technology andmarket demand, making it easier for our customers to compete in today’s complex concrete industry.


Trial Batches

w Comprehensive mix managementw Production analysis and real-time batch

exception reportingw Efficient laboratory test management systemw Comprehensive management of raw materials -

aggregates, cements, additions, admixtures, etc.w Accurate strength predictions from early

compressive testsw Ability to import mix designs from filew Ability to import concrete and aggregate test

results from filew Trial batch worksheets including W/C curve

generationw Performance analysis - analyze single variables,

or combine multiple variables to identify root causes of problems

w Efficient generation of mix submittalsw Reporting tools provide a variety of user-

configured data selection and formatting optionsw Role-based security control on all modulesw Scalable database fits operations with one lab

or hundreds of labsw Standardized Integration Layer - connectivity to

other systemsw Dual units of measurew Multi-language

General Features

COMMANDqc

w Full integration with COMMANDseries and Integra saves time, reduces errors, and improves internal communication

w Helps identify root causes of quality and production problems so they can be quickly correctedw Reduces unauthorized changes to mix designs and improves product consistency between plantsw Saves money by reducing costly mix over-designw Reduces or eliminates rejected loads due to quality problemsw Increases internal and customer confidence due to improved quality and better documentationw Reduces time spent on mundane tasks so valuable personnel can concentrate on strategic issuesw Faster recognition and correction of under-performing plantsw Better understanding, control, and utilization of raw materialsw Modular design of system allows you to choose only the features and functions that are appropriate

for your business

C O M M A N D q c

18

Dispatch System Integration


COMMANDqc is the most highly integratedconcrete QC system available today. What dowe mean by this?

Aside from being a powerful tool in any configuration, theCOMMANDqc system provides maximum value when itcan share data with our COMMANDseries or Integrasystems in your Dispatch Office. Integrated systemseliminate duplicate entry of important data such as mixdesigns and delivery tickets.

The data integration between COMMANDqc andCOMMANDseries/Integra can be summarized in termsof a few important data pathways. First of all, the MixManagement module in COMMANDqc supplies the mixdesign information needed by the order entry and ticketingfunctions in the dispatch systems. Mixes are designed,adjusted, and archived in COMMANDqc. They can bemade available immediately for dispatch or can beconfigured for activation at a later time. This gives QCpersonnel full control over the mixes used in production.

Preparation of submittal documents is simplified byimporting Customer and Project information from thedispatch systems into COMMANDqc.

Production Control uses ticket and batch data sent frombatching systems through dispatch to provide real-timee-mail and SMS warnings as well as historical and trendanalysis. This same delivery information (ticket number,truck, load size, product code, etc.) is available to theQC technician when entering field test data, reducingerrors and speeding up this laborious process.

Internally, data in COMMANDqc is shared freely amongmodules. This means, for example, that production andtrial mixes are accessible from other modules such asMix Submittals and Sample Entry. Raw Material data isshared by both the Materials Test module and Mix Entry.

And of course, Performance Analysis uses all of thisinformation, as well as material and product test data, tocorrelate field performance with key product, material,customer, and delivery characteristics.


02

is a full-featured quality control, mixmanagement, and production monitoringsystem developed for the unique needsof concrete producers.

COMMANDqc provides all of the tools yourTechnical Services Group needs for:

Material ManagementMix ManagementProduction ControlProduct TestingPerformance AnalysisReportingMix Submittals

COMMANDqc provides quick access to all of theinformation you need for formulating mix designs,from product requirements, to raw materials characteristics, to concrete performance data.COMMANDqc collects, organizes, and presentsbatching results and test data into easily understood graphs and reports that provide insightinto the complex factors affecting performance.Armed with this information, you will be able tomake proactive changes that reduce productionvariations, maximize product performance, and minimize material costs.

COMMANDqc simplifies and organizes the day-to-day technical tasks of concrete testing, data entry,and reporting that currently strain your resources andprevent you from focusing on more important pursuitslike customer service and product innovation.

COMMANDqc helps break down the traditional barriers between Technical Services and other partsof your organization by providing easier access toinformation and better and more timely service toyour internal and external customers.

The bottom line . . . COMMANDqc makes you money.

COMMANDqc

COMMANDseries Integration

w Data is available in a timely manner where it is needed on all systemsw Saves countless hours and money that would otherwise be spent on duplicate data entryw Reduces data entry errorsw Ensures that mixes and other data are identical on all systems, reducing confusion

and mistakesw Presents a more organized image to your customers

Benefits of COMMANDseries and Integra Integration

COMMANDqc: Integrating Dispatch, Production, and Quality Control


Q u a l i t y C n t r o l 5

Command AlkonWhy COMMANDqc?

w Full integration with Command Alkon dispatch systems savestime, reduces errors, and improves internal communication

w Helps identify root causes of quality and production problems so they can quickly be corrected

w Reduces unauthorized changes to mix designs and improves product consistency between plants

w Saves money by reducing costly mix over-designw Reduces or eliminates rejected loads due to quality problemsw Increases internal and customer confidence due to improved

quality and better documentationw Reduces time spent on mundane tasks so valuable personnel

can concentrate on strategic issuesw Faster recognition and correction of under-performing plantsw Better understanding, control, and utilization of raw materialsw Modular design of system allows you to choose only the

features and functions that are appropriate for your business


Mix ManagementGeneration of Mix SubmittalsProduction ControlMaterial ManagementPerformance AnalysisProduct TestingReporting

Benefits Summary

Command Alkon IncorporatedHeadquarters

1800 International Park Dr., Suite 400Birmingham, AL 35243 USA

+1 (205) 879-3282Fax: +1 (205) 870-1405


1 Corporate Overview2 Ready-Mixed Concrete | COMMANDconcrete3 Bulk Materials & Automation4 Concrete Plant Automation5 Quality Control6 Business Integration Services7 Dispatch Optimization8 Ready-Mixed Concrete | Integra9 Concrete Products Automation

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Quality Control from Command Alkon