MiTek Buzz
PLATINUM GLOBAL EXPANDS IT’S SERVICES INTO AFRICA
The MiTek Dashboard
Platinum Global Services are world renowned for specializing in back office services to
the wood frame construction industry. Specializing in estimating, take‐off, drafting and
design work , Platinum Global are well placed to assist with your quoting and design
requirements.
Following a whirlwind tour of South Africa in January to introduce Platinum Global (and
their services) to our customers, Andre and Stephen travelled to Vietnam to commence
with the training of the new “SA Team”. In two weeks the team delivered the following
courses to the 6 new recruits, along with their team leader Tri Nguyen:

Introduction to Roof Technology

MiTek 20/20 Beginners Course

MiTek 20/20 Intermediate Course
Considering the recruits’ limited exposure to Roofing and associated software, the progress made in the two weeks was extremely encouraging, with 4 of the 6 recruits passing
the Intermediate assessment on their first attempt.
The training team will be returning to Vietnam in June to conduct the MiTek 20/20
Advanced Course. In the interim there is constant contact via Tri, providing and evaluating
sample jobs from South Africa.
Inside this issue:
Long Service Awards
2
MBA Gets a facelift
2
Ultra-Span Release
3
MiTek Launches New Web Site
3
MiTek Training Dates
4
New Arrivals
4
Factory Staff training
5
Platinum Global are in the process of liaising with several South African customers to
begin their trial period and customer specific training.
‘Your most unhappy
customers are your
greatest source of
learning’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTr_neId5nc
Bill Gates
May 2014
Long Service Awards
At the MiTek 2013 Year-End Function , several staff members were recognized with Long
Service Awards.
Shown left to right are Mike Newham (25 Yrs) ,Violet Mokone (30 yrs) ,Laurence Rudnick
(25Yrs) ,Cedric Juby (25 Yrs) , Roly Adams (30 Yrs) and Thomas Mangulele(30 yrs)
Also honored were , Felicia Bredenkamp (25 Yrs) , Uwe Schluter (35 Yrs) , Ken Wright (25 Yrs) ,
Harry Mogashowa (30 Yrs) and Simon Clarke (30 Yrs)
MBA Gets a facelift
Version V5.65 will officially be the largest SA
release of 20/20, with close to 3000 SA specific
development hours invested in it.
MBA has been given a fresh facelift, sporting a
NEW Look Ribbons interface, with support for
user selected Themes and Dockable Controls.
Extensive changes have also been made to the
Database Structure to expand the number of
available unique ID’s, a feature that will benefit
customers with many users running a centralised
database.
The introduction of the new Timber BOM (Bill Of Materials) allows for the capturing of Actual Material used in a job.
Actual margins can now be calculated as MBA provides a reconciliation of Actual versus Quoted material and the
associated costs .
Page 2
MiTek Releases New Ultra-Span Software
MiTek South Africa introduces new ‘Limit State Design’ Ultra-Span software
 Limit State Design Engine
 Bracing Revamp
 Composite Hanger Detailing
 Comprehensive Material take Off & Ultra-Span Order Utility
Are some of the features that have converted the old UltraSpan software into a complete Design and Estimating tool .
From Version 5.65 onwards , the latest Ultra-Span software will
be as simple and as accurate to use as the well established
Timber equivalent.
MiTek launches New Web site
Because of the often complex nature of the connections
between trusses, the addition of the new composite hanger
detailer now ensures that all components required to make
the fixing are taken-off and costs applied.
The new Ultra-Span Order Utility has been developed to
facilitate the conversion of Customer Quote to MiTek UltraSpan order, ensuring that every steel component has been
accounted for.
If you don’t have this latest software loaded on your
computer, please contact your Regional Manager for
assistance.
www.MiTek.co.za
Available on a computer near you !!
“It doesn’t matter how long we’ve used something;
all that matters is how awesome the thing
replacing it is.’’
John Green
Page 3
Training Dates for 2014
New Arrivals
Congratulations
Proud Grandparents , Johan and Elme
Havenga welcomed their first Grandchild Liam, born on 25 January 2014.
Michael and Jade Ayerst welcomed their new
baby boy, Colby, on 1st April 2014.
Kobie and Hugo DuPreez became grand‐
parents in December. Francois was born a
month early on 29th December 2013.
Johan and Elsa Oosthuizen welcomed
their baby daughter, Isabella, into the
world on 7th March 2014.
Congratulations to Edgar Moyo who
obtained his Master’s degree in
Business Administration: General
in November 2013.
Page 4
Are your factory staff properly trained ?
The key purpose to manufacturing training and
its assessment is to improve efficiency, quality
and productivity.
Your staff are your greatest asset. Put your time, effort and money into
training, grooming, and encouragement.
Training enables personnel to learn how to
fabricate roof trusses, its purpose and the impact
it has on the roofing industry. The training will
formally teach employees accountability and give
them a sense of purpose in the truss plant, and
clarify the role they play in the roofing industry.
MiTek offers the following Training Courses : *Sawing Course – The objective of this unit standard course is to enable
people to identify, set up and safely cut the pre-determined timber into
correct angles and lengths according to job specifications, whilst adhering
to other agreed standards pertaining to performance, safety, quality, and
the environment. People credited with this unit standard are able to:
Participate in the selecting of material for cutting.
· Calibrate and set up cutting equipment.
· Cut timber.
·
*Jigging Course – The objective of this unit standard course is to enable
people to assemble and manufacture nail-plated timber roof trusses, whilst
adhering to other agreed standards pertaining to performance, safety,
quality, and the environment.
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
Select and move pre-cut timber and nail plates.
· Set jig for assembly of nail plated timber roof trusses .
· Assemble pre-cut timber and nail plates in the jig.
· Press Timber Roof Trusses.
·
* Each MiTek Training course is accredited with SAQA
Does Your Manufacturing Equipment Need a Service?
MiTek’s team of experienced Service Engineers are here to help.
Call us on 011 237 8700 or email us at equipment@mitek.co.za
t: +27(0)11 237 8700
f: +27(0)11 314 1299
www.mitek.co.za