Author: Joshua Gwozdz

Before I started working for TPI, I would drive by salvage yards and stare at the heaps of gutted vehicles piled high into the air, and think that all of those heaps could only mean one thing:  bad stuff for the environment.  I mean, the equation generally looks like this:  vehicle = environmental problem.  Am I right?  Well, not exactly.  Now that I have more experience with what salvage yards do and how they can function, I know that they can actually be considered environmental stewards when they are doing things correctly, as well as being involved in the largest recycling industry in the United States, the automotive one.  The answer to my question, then, is ‘yes,’ salvage yards CAN be green.  Let’s take a look at how that can happen.

When we think of vehicles in environmental terms, we tend to think of them as being less than green.  Their carbon footprint is large, and the majority of this impact comes from the manufacturing process and  the subsequent use of fossil fuels in their running.  However, at the end of a vehicle’s life, this carbon footprint can be reduced in a variety of ways, and the environmentally responsible management of salvage yards can help make a necessary industry (vehicle dismantling) a green one.  We will start by looking at some of the ways salvage yards implement the 3 R’s, reduce, reuse and recycle:

1. Gas tanks and batteries: Gas tanks are punctured, emptied and removed, and then shredded for scrap metal (se no. 4 below).  The fuel is then reused by recyclers or sold for re-use.  Batteries are tested and ones that are in good condition are sold for re-use.  If they are not in good shape, they are sent out to be rebuilt or recycled.

2. Tires: Tires that are still in good shape (with lots of tread life) are sold for re-use, and those that are no longer safe can be sold to recyclers and processed in different ways.   Tires represent a problem in terms of landfill due to their non-decomposability, size, and shape.  As well, when they are sitting around in landfills, they collect rainwater and become breeding grounds for insects and the diseases they carry.  Because of the need to get them out of landfills, recycling them has become an important industry.  Currently, recycled tires can be transformed into playground and transportation surfaces, garden mulch, shoe treads, and a whole lot of other useful things, including a type of fuel.

3. Usable parts: as the vehicle is dismantled, usable parts are removed, inventoried and put up for sale, thereby providing an alternative to the purchase of new parts.  A reduction in the demand for new parts equates to a reduction in the environmental impact caused by their manufacture.

4. Unusable hulk (shell of the vehicle): This portion of the vehicle is crushed and sent to be shredded into small pieces for recovery.  The metals are divided up into ferrous (iron) and non-ferrous and sold to scrap-metal recyclers.  By using scrap metal in different products (including new cars), we reduce, again, the damaging effects of manufacturing from new.

5. Fluids: automotive fluids (anti-freeze, washer fluid, Freon and other refrigerants) pose a significant risk to the environment, and government bodies normally encourage strict standards of drainage and storage (see below for more information on storm water).  With these standards followed, there is a much lower risk of ground and water being contaminated.  The ARA (Automotive Recyclers Association) estimates that each year the industry collects and reuses or recycles:

• 8 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel
• 24 million gallons of motor oil
• 8 million gallons of engine coolant
• 5 million gallons of windshield washer fluid
• 96% of all lead acid batteries

The amount of fluids and oils safely recovered is equivalent to 8 Exxon Valdez disasters.  That’s quite the figure, isn’t it?

The recycling and reuse of automotive fluids brings us to environmental stewardship, which is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as “the responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment.”  While there are still salvage yards that fly under the radar so to speak, most serious ones will adhere to the recommendations proposed by government bodies and industry associations.  In following these recommendations, the salvage yards increase their environmental responsibility substantially.  A major way that salvage companies can exercise this responsibility is by implementing preventative measures in their actual physical yards.  Storm water management is a great example of this.

Storm water is “water that originates during precipitation events and snow/ice melt” (Wikipedia).  As run-off, this storm water can soak into the ground or be carried into lakes, rivers or other bodies of water, and will pull pollution along with it.  The dismantling of vehicles can release different types of toxins (our example of fluid draining above is an example of this) which are then absorbed into storm water if certain precautions aren’t taken.  The repeated release of pollutants into storm water causes cumulative damage that is costly and difficult to correct retroactively.  This is where storm water management comes in.

In storm water management, a general idea to follow is that “only rain is in the drain.”  In other words, no other fluids or pollutants should be allowed to mix in any way with storm water or seep into the ground.  Some of the ways these preventative measures can be accomplished are as follows:

• Prevention of spills and leaks: work with basins under any identified leaks or when you are removing fluids;
• Clean up of spills immediately: if you see a spill, contain it by wiping it up, surround it with rags, socks or pillows, or put an absorbent material like kitty litter on it.  Discard the clean-up items responsibly in a designated container;
• Handle fluids properly: this means storing fluids in easily identifiable and adequate containers, which also have some sort of secondary container (i.e. steel drum) to prevent a larger spill.  Also, make sure not to mix fluids as this can create hazardous waste and is difficult to dispose of afterwards;
• Items stored outside: any items stored outside that also contain oil need to be covered so that they don’t have contact with rain or snow.

Many of these measures are common sense and require just a few extra implements and some adjustments to a yard’s routine.  Others might be a bit more time-consuming and complex, but the end result is well worth it as the impact on the environment is lessened to a considerable degree, and the need for cleaning up toxic messes later on, at much great cost, is greatly reduced, if not eliminated altogether.

Far from being environmental monsters, then, responsible salvage yards actually provide a highly necessary service in a world that relies on automotive transport to such a large degree.  It is estimated that up to 75% to 90% of a vehicles components can be reused or recycled, and if yards follow recommended dismantling procedures in their work, there is also important stewardship being practiced.  After learning all of this, I see the salvage yards on the sides of highways in a different way now, and appreciate the contribution they make to a cleaner, healthier world to live in.

Useful links:

Environmental Protection Agency (The United States) https://www.epa.gov/

Automotive Recyclers’ Association (The United States)  http://a-r-a.org/

Canadian Environmental Protection Act  http://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/

The Canadian Auto Recyclers’ Environmental Code  http://carec.ca/

Guest post from Marjorie Gates, Content Developer at Braodstreet Consulting for Busbee’s Trucks & Parts in Wagener, South Carolina.

In the South, the winter weather isn’t too much to fear. But in the Northern states winter can last longer than we wish. Trip planning is the key to safe and stress free winter truck driving.

Take notes on where the chain up and chain off places are.  Build a library of safe places to park so you have alternatives when your planned stop does not pan out.

A big part of trip planning in the winter is making sure you have the proper equipment.

Be prepared and have the right equipment for the job (and the weather).

Related: Cold Weather Starting Medium-Duty Box Trucks

Items you should make sure you have:

Chaining equipment

•     Chains – make sure you have enough and have the right size!
•     Bungees
•     Cam Lock T-handles
•     Good, waterproof gloves
•     Reflective vest
•     Flashlight
•     Kneeling pad

Personal Equipment

•     Boots with good traction
•     Hats, gloves, scarves – whatever you need to keep you warm
•     Extra warm bedding

Equipment for the Truck

•     Extra Washer Fluid
•     Anti-gel, Anti-gel, Anti-gel

A proper Pre-Trip Inspection should be done rain or shine, but it becomes even more important in the winter.  Make sure all lights work because half of them will be covered in road grime after 50 miles in the snow.  Drain air from both the truck’s tanks and the trailer’s.  Condensation in the air lines is the #1 cause of frozen brakes.  Having a flat tire can be catastrophic.  A breakdown on the truck in sub-zero temperatures quickly turns into a life threatening situation.

Check your equipment while en route – especially before going into the storm. Also, do not forget to stop after going through a patch of bad weather to knock the snow and ice off the mud flaps, ICC bumper, chain hangers, etc.

Remember, when the weather is bad, you may not be able to call for help. Be prepared to get yourself out of any situation.

A brief explanation of cloud computing

If someone mentions the benefits of cloud computing to you and your only response is, “Cloud what?”, here is a definition:

Cloud computing can be defined as “a type of internet-based computing that provides shared computer processing resources and data to computers and other devices on demand.”  (source:  Wikipedia)

You’re still thinking, “Cloud what?”, right?  We don’t blame you, it can all seem pretty confusing.  If you’re not already familiar with technology or computers, none of that definition will make much sense.  To try and clear up a few things, we will explain here what cloud technology is and also why it is an essential ingredient in an efficient and cost-conscious company (one just like yours).  So, are you ready?  Here we go…

Before the cloud

Back in the good old days of the early internet (i.e. just before 2000, which is approximately when cloud-computing started), you had a computer, a connection, the internet, software, and a healthy amount of servers.  The whole set-up looked something like this:

In this old-school example, your computer accesses the internet for various reasons, but if you need software for an application, it can come from an external source, such as a CD, or remote servers.  Every time the software has an upgrade, you pay a fee, wait for the mail or courier to arrive with your new upgrades, and you physically load it into your computer, usually during business hours, and usually have to wait for the upgrade to do its magic.  Alternatively, there were also Auto Updates available through accessible software already installed but these also took time, and were disruptive to the work day.

Once you have the software up and running, you will create data simply by using the software, and that data needs a home.  Some computers simply do not have the memory to hold all of this, so you need some sort of external “residence” to help out.  Typically, you end up using servers, which are costly and require maintenance.  Also, should your servers go down or have technical problems, your information will be held hostage until the issues are resolved, and that resolution might come from an entire IT department, depending on the size of your company.  Do you see how huge dollars are being directed towards the acquisition and maintenance of your data?

After the cloud

Now, let’s look at the brave new world (well, not so new anymore, but still kind of fresh) of cloud computing.  With the cloud, the set-up looks something like this:

As you should be able to see from the illustration, cloud computing’s process is simplified:  you have a computer, you have a connection, you have the internet.  Cloud-based software “lives” in a space that is connected to the internet, and can be directly accessed by your computer through a simple connection.  Upgrades and updates can occur quietly, with very little regular-hours business being disrupted, and there is generally no physical support required to accomplish the task (i.e. no CD).  Oh, and all of that data you create?  It also “lives” in a space supported by the internet, and is easily accessible at any time.

All of this saves you time and money, in different ways:

First, software and its upgrades/updates all occur through an internet connection with no physical components, helping to save money immediately (you’re not paying for a CD).  Because software and its upgrades “live” in the cloud, they are pretty much instantly available and/or implemented.  You don’t have to wait for CDs to arrive,  you don’t have to wait for the software to upload onto your system (upgrades are often done at nighttime).  Time is saved, and that is your time we are talking about.

Second, servers are eliminated, so not only does your cleaning crew have less to dust, but this elimination actually results in a major savings both time-wise and cost-wise.  There is no need to make a major investment in equipment, you do not need an entire IT Department to deal with it, and you don’t have to maintain them physically, either (as in the cleaning crew ).  Money saved, again.

Finally, and very importantly, because cloud-based software is located in an easily accessible place (the internet) by anything that has a connection, you can access your software and data from anywhere, at any time, from any device.  That on its own is an incredible advantage, both in terms of cost and time.

We hope that all of that makes more sense now, and that the benefits of cloud computing are a bit clearer.  Essentially, cloud-computing boils down to saving time and money and helping to make everything run more efficiently.

So, if we go back to the beginning, your response then was “Cloud what?”.  Now, we hope you’re thinking “Cloud yeah.”

Another amazing guest blog post from Ryan Hochmiller, Manager at Active Truck Parts in Colorado.

Buying used truck parts can save you a lot of money on repairs and improvements, sometimes up to as much as 80% over new truck parts.  Oftentimes the dealerships may not have a ready supply of new parts available for older trucks, or the parts may be obsolete altogether.  Furthermore, for those wanting make a positive impact on the environment, its notable that purchasing recycled parts from responsible and reputable salvage yards contributes immensely to that cause.  Increasingly, individuals and corporations are joining the “green” revolution!

Learning how to quickly and efficiently work with parts facilities to search for and find your parts can be a process.  Here are some general rules of thumb and helpful tips for buying used truck parts:

1. Part numbers:  If you know the part number of a part you need, write it down and contact your used truck parts specialist. Every single mechanical element of a truck will have its own part number.  This number will save you and the seller valuable time.

2. Tag numbers:  Most used truck parts facilities create unique reference numbers during the inventory process.  They might be called reference numbers—but more commonly—stock numbers or tag numbers. If you find a part on a website, make a note of this ID number to help the facility find that part in their system quickly and efficiently.

3. Take a picture of the part:  If you are unable to find the part number for your part, take a picture of it to show to your parts seller.  Most professional salvage yards will be up to speed and have email, and will sometimes work with texting via cell phones.  While the picture doesn’t tell the whole story, it will enable the seller to find similar components and, hopefully, the right one.

4. Visit your seller’s physical location:  Most websites don’t list all their products.  This is especially common for salvage yards where much of their sellable inventory is not inventoried, for practical reasons.  Whenever possible, it’s always best to visit your part supplier’s site in person and talk to them directly about your part.  If you’re unable to visit them physically, give them a call!  Some companies, like Active Truck Parts, go as far as making a goal to get back to you within 60 minutes with availability and pricing.

5. Request photos when shopping:  Online marketplaces are helpful resources when it comes to buying used truck parts. Sites like truckpartsinventory.com give the customer the ability to look through multiple vendors’ inventories, including photos, prices, details, all at one time.  These sites are a great way to weigh all options quickly.  Many of the vendors posting on these sites will have photos for most of their parts.  If they don’t have photos, call and ask for them!  Photos can provide clarity concerning the part’s condition and in making sure its correct.  Be wary of online vendors not providing photos either on the website or when requested.

6. Knowledge and expertise of the parts specialists.  Do not be afraid to ask questions when buying used parts.  A great parts specialist will welcome them because they know communication is essential in find the right part.  Some questions might include:

• How long was the truck part in use?
• What vehicle was the part previously used on?
• What is the part’s condition?
• Is the part refurbished in any way?
• Was the part installed on vehicles that were used for rough terrain, industrial work or long commutes?
• How can we make sure it’s the correct part?
• Is there anything I need to do before installing this part?

7. Large inventory:  The more trucks and parts the seller has in stock, the greater the chance they’ll have your part.  These facilities tend to be more organized by necessity, and will likely have a great deal of information and knowledge available within reach of their desks.

8. Look for a warranty:  You may want to look for parts that come with warranties.  These are usually short-term warranties, but they can provide some peace of mind and can give you time to make sure that the part works.  For example, a condition might be that the part must be professionally installed.  Make sure to read the warranty’s fine print!  Many times they’ll show up on the back or front of an invoice.

9. Speed.  It’s important to all parties that your truck is down for the least amount of time possible.  If you haul for a living, you know the cost of downtime can be substantial and painful.  That’s why finding and developing a relationship with a reliable seller for used truck parts is critical.  Their parts specialists should have the expertise to:

• Know what is in their inventory
• Get the right information from you, to make sure they get you the right part.
• Find your part for you, if they don’t have it in stock.  Many yards have connections all around the country.
• Provide you with shipping options.  This includes expedited options on ground carriers like UPS and FedEx, and Freight trucks as well.

You’re set!  With these tips you can now locate and buy the correct part, from a pro, in a timely manner, with a warranty, and get back to work!

–Written by Ryan Hochmiller, Manager, Active Truck Part, Inc.  “Active Truck Parts has 40 acres of trucks and parts, we’re a family owned company, and have been in business for over 40 years.  Our Parts Specialists and staff are well-trained in knowing how to ID your part, and get you the right one in a timely manner!”

Guest Post, written by Ryan Hochmiller, Manager, Active Truck Parts, Inc

As of 2014, within 3 days, Google was processing more information than all written works of mankind created since the beginning of recorded history and in all languages[i]!  On the flip side, it would take one over 95,000 years to do a manual search of Google’s 50 billion web pages, at one minute per page![ii]  Old or young, tech savvy or not, the internet is the easiest way to find your truck parts, regardless of its complexity and behemoth-ness.  Given the magnitude and amount of possible search results, there is a learning curve and a method to searching for truck parts in a way that maximizes your results and gets you the answers you seek.

For those ‘do-it-yourselfers’ we offer the following hints when searching online for used or aftermarket truck parts:

1. Search Terms. When using a search engine like Google, enter the 2-4 most important terms into your search. For example, if you are trying to find EGR Valve for a Cummins ISX engine, you might start with searching “EGR Valve Cummins ISX.”  Keep in mind that Google doesn’t care in which order you enter the search terms.  Also, 2-4 terms is just a recommendation.  The point is, keep the number of terms you use to a minimum, but just enough to produce great Google results!  The results will, much of the time, produce content directly referring to the keywords you’re searching. And, if these were the most accurate keywords the results will likely include parts you can view by simply clicking on the listing.

2. Specificity. Sometimes being specific with the wrong keywords in search engine searches can produce poor results.  Here’s a scenario to help explain the point. Let’s say you’re told by your mechanic that you need a pitman arm for your Ford, and he mentions it has a part number E8HT-3590-EB.  Based on the previous tip, you might be tempted to search by details: “1989 Ford F600 Pitman Arm.”  But specificity here will lead your search astray!  Google loves to lead you to answers, but you must give it love first, by entering the most accurate and relevant keywords!  In this case, the results you get will be clouded with multiple part numbers and part listings of plenty of pitman arms that have nothing to do with your intended search.  Let me also say as a side note: Searches for Ford parts can be a black hole of effort, leaving you with nothing after wasted time of Googling because there is not as much literature and part information, comparatively, as that of other manufacturers. Here’s the scenario that includes the appropriate specifics that will produce relevant results.  Of course, knowing the truck is a Ford, you are somewhat safe to assume it to be a Ford part number.  So, start with Googling the part and typing in “E8HT-3590-EB Ford” or “E8HT-3590-EB pitman.”  Now, if this is a good Ford part number, and there is some type of demand, supply, literature, or inventory posted to the internet with this part number, you should get some great, even surprising results.

3. Incomplete information. If you have an incomplete number of EHT-3590-EB (vs. the complete one, E8HT-3590-EB), try searching it.  In most cases, since the part number is not complete, your results will be skewed, and you’ll quickly hit a dead end in your Google journey!  Enter, once again, broad searches of 2-4 relevant keywords! Remember, in this scenario our part number, EHT-3590-EB, is incomplete, but it’s all you have!  Now what?  Well, think of other relevant keywords to go along with it the incomplete number, or don’t include the incomplete information, if you feel it would help.  Let’s try “EHT-3590-EB Ford steering” or “EHT_3590-EB Ford pitman,” since we know it’s a component of the steering assembly.  This type of search will put you right back in the neighborhood of very helpful answers!

4. Second chances. When lacking great search results, it’s all about giving a search engine two or more chances with a combination of different critical keywords until you find the results you were hoping for.  Remember, specificity can hurt or help. If you are super specific, and get no results, broaden the terms a bit more.
   ​
5. Best sites locating parts and info. Sites like heavytruckparts.net or truckpartsinventory.com are the premium sites to locate your used and new parts anywhere around the U.S. and Canada.  These sites post the inventories of hundreds of salvage yards around the country, and depending on the salvage yard, will include pictures, details, prices and more.  If they don’t generate the results you are looking for, use Google for everything from part images, part number info, and part diagrams.  Google is the big kahuna when it comes to search engines, and generates better results than Bing, Yahoo and AskJeeves.

Hopefully these hints help you find your used or aftermarket truck parts easier and faster!  Googling and searching parts sites are great but what is most important is finding a truck parts specialist that you can trust to find the right part.  This is the fastest way to get competitive quotes, and get your truck back on the road making money!

–written by Ryan Hochmiller, Manager, Active Truck Parts, Inc.  “Our specialists are here for those hard to find parts and those that have multiple part numbers that might apply to the part for which you’re looking.  Google, many times, does not have the results you are searching for.  Our specialists have a wealth of resources within our reference library for things like interchange, and part number crossover, and are experienced in treating customers well.”

[i] https://aci.info/2014/07/12/the-data-explosion-in-2014-minute-by-minute-infographic/

[ii] https://aci.info/2013/12/26/the-amazing-growth-of-google-infographic/

Matthew 13:31-32, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field: it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

For almost 30 years now, The Mustard Seed has been steadily working in downtown Edmonton to help homeless and low-income families in a variety of ways. Christ-centered and open-minded, The Mustard Seed provides basic services such as an evening meal program (Monday through Saturday) for its core community, as well as a food depot with free hampers. There is also a Personal Assistance Centre which offers small household goods, personal hygiene items, and clothing, all free of charge. In addition to these services, the Mustard Seed offers Community Support Services which include an Employment Readiness Program and a Life Skills Education Program. Finally, the Mustard Seed owns and operates a 20-unit affordable housing initiative called Westwood Manor. It is home to “chronically homeless” men and women and provides 24/7 access to on-site housing support workers.

The Mustard Seed is an essential organization within its community, just as any organization is that provides basics such as food and clothing (and, in this case, a certain amount of housing) to the most vulnerable. And, like any other not-for-profit organization, The Mustard Seed relies heavily on volunteers in order to fulfill its mandate. Looking at the list of services it offers, one realizes that, if it were a regular for-profit business, it would require a fairly substantial staff. And this substantial staff would require salaries. The Mustard Seed is able to function in part because of donations it receives in addition to different forms of funding, but if it were to pay salaries to an administrative structure from this financial base, it would have nothing left to provide the actual services its community relies upon. Volunteers, then, are a critical part of its functioning, and without them, The Mustard Seed could not exist.

Paul Thorne, the Volunteer Coordinator at The Mustard Seed, recounts that there have indeed been instances where they have had to close their doors for lack of volunteers. “For many people, this (closing of doors) is a really big thing, it is more than just an inconvenience. The meal we serve them is the only meal they might get for the day, so they won’t eat (if we can’t open).” Keeping in mind that the Mustard Seed’s core community is not generally equipped with cell phones, there is no way of communicating to them beforehand of a closure, and so they make their way to the center at the normal time, not having the opportunity to find another place to go to. “There are other agencies,” says Paul, “but they (the community members) have planned their day around The Mustard Seed, and are greatly affected. On average, there are 300 people for a meal on any given day, but we could have up to 700 people passing through.” It is clear, then, that volunteering is an undertaking which contributes greatly and, in this case, immediately, to the people it helps.

At The Mustard Seed, there are various types of volunteers, some of them on a casual basis and some more long-term (long-term is defined as 4 hours/week for 4 months), with some having been there for 12 years. In general, there are about 24 volunteers per day, with 6 people in the Sorting Centre, 6 people in the Food Bank, and up to 12 people in the Church (not including meal volunteers). The greatest need for volunteers is in the sorting of donations, as well as the meal groups (the people who make the meals) as this latter part is not funded and is supported largely through donations and volunteering. Few of the volunteer positions at The Mustard Seed require any sort of specialized training, and most of what is involved can be learned while doing. Faith Companion Volunteers offer spiritual guidance and care, and have a mandate to communicate directly with the community, so the fulfillment of their positions is handled differently.

We are currently in the holiday season, and Anna Pokhrel, the Communications Coordinator at The Mustard Seed, explains the importance of volunteers to the community at this time: “As the weather gets colder and the demand for our services at Christmas increases, we rely even more on our volunteers to help us meet this need. We are so grateful to the men, women and families that come out to help us get through our busiest season of the year.”

The holidays can be a beautiful and yet complicated time of the year for many people, and The Mustard Seed recognizes this with their community. There is an increase in the events and social opportunities offered that go beyond the typical Christmas dinner, and these activities try to address the emotional and spiritual needs that emerge at this time. For example, the Spiritual Care Chaplain, Pastor Garrett, offers a weekly Christmas Chat in the month before Christmas that allows community members to get together and share how they feel. These chats are done in conjunction with Faith Companion Volunteers and are a valuable way for people to sort through any difficulties they might be experiencing. There is a day at Prairie Gardens offered for families with small children, including transportation, food, activities, a small gift, and time with Santa. Because The Mustard Seed strives to maintain the dignity of everyone who passes through their doors, there is even a family gift centre where those who need to can buy a new gift of their choosing for $2 (which includes wrapping) and enjoy the feeling of providing for their own children. And, of course, there are various holiday dinners including the annual Christmas feast on December 23. All of these events harness the beauty of the holidays, and, with the help of the volunteers, work to counteract any sense of dislocation or loneliness some people might feel at a time when family and connection is emphasized. At this time of the year, helping to create positive experiences and memories is a highly important endeavor, and volunteers get to play a key part in the process.

Truck Part Solutions and The Mustard Seed
Over the years, Truck Part Solutions has contributed to The Mustard Seed in the form of donations and, this year, we started a monthly baking group with all staff members encouraged to attend. The act of volunteering as a company has been a great gift to us, and our now-regular sessions in the kitchen of The Mustard Seed have turned into a time for us to interact in a different atmosphere, with a different goal. Because The Mustard Seed is a local charity, we know that our actions are having an effect almost immediately on people who live in our community. The idea of helping someone who could be a direct neighbor is also a humbling one because we are all reminded that no one is that far from needing help, and that falling into a difficult position can happen to anyone, at any time. The need for caring through community by way of volunteering is a constant one, and it is one that businesses as citizens need to acknowledge and address. We are proud of our association with The Mustard Seed, are amazed by the scope of their work, and look forward to continuing our active contribution to their mission for as long as possible.

The Mustard Seed
10568 114th Street
Edmonton AB T5H 3J7
780.426.5600

Part II: Fun, Smart, and Completely Useful

While the first ten features discussed were more comprehensive and, perhaps, “more serious”, the following are equally as intelligent and thoughtful, but they can also be a lot of fun (and we’re all about fun here at TPI!):

1. VIN Decoder (Steven Aleong, Developer):

The VIN decoder is a feature that is actually fun: pop in that crazy, seemingly random combination of letters and numbers and you will find out a lot of useful and just plain interesting information on a vehicle: all of the details on the original engine, the basics on the truck (make, model, etc.), it’s horsepower, and more. You will also find out where it was made, and even the assembly plant. It is extremely useful for a salvage yard when a customer is looking for a part and is missing certain key details that will determine the best fit. It is also extremely fun to take the VIN from your own car and those of your friends and see what you find out!

2. Action List as an Editing Tool (Tracey Booth, Parts Receptionist):

The Action List is a rectangular red button found at the bottom right of your screen in the Sellers section, and it works like a basket, allowing you to collect different items as you go along (up to a certain maximum, depending on the task) and then giving you different ways of working with them. In this case, you can use the tools to quickly edit info on multiple posts instead of going back and forth between parts, starting over each time.

3. Transparent Truck (Paula Wade, Content Writer):

The transparent truck is an unexpected and totally cool feature that can be found on the Parts Request page and which allows the non-truck expert to determine where the part they want is located on the truck. For example, if you hover the mouse over Differential, you will see where it is located on the truck and its general outline.

4. Reminders (Adam Relland, Senior Developer):

Reminders can be set up in the CRM section of TPI or under the Reminders bell itself, and they are great because they prompt you or other users with regard to quotes, invoices, etc. When you are in the Sellers Account portion of your page, you will see a small golden bell in the top right-hand corner. If you click on the bell, it will give you a list of any upcoming reminders you have as well as the ability to add any new ones.

5. Autofill on Search Bar (Christina Persson, Bookkeeper):

When you begin typing in a search term in the Search bar, the closest match appears, and fast. This helps save time by speeding up searches.

6. Use of the Map under Proximity (Christina Persson, Bookkeeper):

When you drop the marker on the map (under the Proximity tab on the public side of the site), you can find a company within close proximity of your location, and from there you can look at their inventory, etc.

7. Share Feature on the Parts Page (Martin Mercer-Deadman, Sales):

On the lower right-hand side of any parts description, you will find a blue action button that says, “Share this Part.” When you click on this, there will be a pop-up screen where you will fill in your name, the destination email, and a short message. The parts info (including photos) will then be sent, making the sharing of parts information much easier.

8. Search Filtering (Adam Relland, Senior Developer):

TPI’s search filtering lets you find what you need with as much precision as possible due to its facet drill-down, giving you several different ways of searching. The “searchability” of the site is impressive.

9. Multiple Photo Upload (Adam Relland, Senior Developer):

When you are posting a part for sale, this feature allows you to upload multiple images at a time, saving you time and frustration, and making that mountain of parts you need to post seem not so much like Everest after all.

10. Locations (Paula Wade, Content Writer):

Last but not least, there is the quiet little feature known as the Locations field. When you are posting a part for sale, you have the option of entering the actual physical location of the part in your yard, thereby saving yourself the hassle later of trying to remember exactly where it is when a customer calls in asking about it. You don’t have to run around on a scavenger hunt, looking for something you know exists but you just don’t know where.

SEO for Regular Folks Who Post
(like you and me)
For anybody working even remotely close to a website in today’s world, SEO is a term that is most likely heard on a consistent basis. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and in today’s technology-driven world, it is a term that most business owners need to know. Essentially, it refers to the art of having your website rise to the top of search engine rankings and having it stay there using legitimate means. However, as much as SEO might hold a certain prominence in today’s business landscape, it is not always clearly understood. Much of this has to do with which side of the IT fence you stand on (Tech God vs mere-mortal-with-no-clue) as well as the mystery surrounding how search engine ranking is even determined. Before we get into any of that, let’s start with a short history of where it came from and what it looks like today.

A Short History of SEO
For approximately as long as there has been a recognizable internet with search engines (let’s start around 1994), there have been ways of evaluating the sites that have appeared there. Webcrawler, in 1995, was one of the first to actually index sites, and in 1998, Google introduced Page Rank. With Page Rank, Google began using certain factors to determine the ranking of a webpage in relation to others in its search results. Fast forward to today, and Google is the search engine that the majority of internet users go to (up to 94% of mobile users, a little bit less for desktop) and it is the main company determining ranking.

Google, however, is a bit of a black box and it does not publicize how it determines which websites are better than others. Their probable criteria are suggested to the public by SEO specialists who watch the web and Google’s rankings and then communicate what they are observing. Google changes their ranking formula approximately 400 times per year, which makes it hard to stay on top of expectations. In the past, Google rated pages based on the different kinds of links that were associated with it, as well as keywords, to name just two factors. Much of their old criteria have evolved, however, as many companies were using dubious techniques (also known as black hat) to try and create a trustworthy standing in search engine rankings. For example, when Google looked at how many links you had going to and from your page, they would give your page a higher value based on quantity alone. Google started to notice that people were buying links to dubious pages and creating connections to sites that had no substance, thereby floating their page to the top of the ranks but with no real value to the User. Google has since started to institute penalties for this kind of behavior (see more below) and, if it sees that you are doing this, you will not only fall in the ranking but your page will be remembered for this behavior.

What we do know today, in 2016, is that Google is emphasizing content and quality as well as User Experience, and the ability to reach the top of their list requires consistent effort and awareness, even while competing within undefined expectations. So, if you want to achieve a legitimately high Google ranking, how do you go about it? Well, part of that depends on how closely you work with the creation and maintenance of a website (i.e. how much of an IT person you are). Let’s take a look first at what to do if you are non-IT (regular folks who post, just like you and me!)

SEO for non-IT
First, let’s talk about algorithms and bots. What? Yes, we have to mention a few “whats” before we can get into the “hows” or even the ”whys”. An algorithm is a process or set of rules that needs to be followed in order to solve a problem, in this case the ranking of webpages by Google. And bots? Well, bots are simply software applications that perform automated tasks on the Internet at a much faster rate than humans could. In terms of search engine ranking, Google runs its algorithms through bots which it sends out to the Internet as web crawlers (or spiders) to gather and analyze the information they find on webpages. (That’s a nice image, isn’t it? A bunch of computerized spiders running around the inside of the internet, gathering info that it brings back to Google!). These spiders also take copies of the pages they visit which helps with the subsequent indexing of pages and increases the speed at which users can access them.

If you are a regular person who knows they need to make these spiders happy in order to achieve a high ranking, what can you do? Here are some ideas:

1. Content: One of the biggest areas of potential is to consistently post quality content on your site so that Google’s spiders are kept “fed”, always finding something new on your page (while keywords still hold some value, don’t follow the old practice of stuffing your text with them, but do create fresh content that Google will recognize as helpful or beneficial to the User);
2. Images: Using images and videos also helps a lot as Google sees that you are creating something that has substance and is probably useful;
3. Links: Another, more challenging factor is links. In terms of honest links, they are a challenge to obtain and one that you need to consistently work at. The best kind of inbound links would be from government or large business/organizational pages that reference you. Did you write a great blog post that was referenced by a popular and respected trucking magazine? That’s a great link to have and Google will recognize this. The more you establish yourself (or your page) as having value to those who go to it, the higher you will rise. These links, however, cannot come from passively purchasing them or linking up to websites with no value. You actually have to develop this type of value from being active within your community, whether that be your actual location or industry. The more people who know about you and cite you in some way or another, the better. And, conversely, the more you are active on other sites, the better. In this latter case, you can do guest posts, reference other sites, maintain a social media presence, etc.

SEO and what the IT Department can do
Above, we spoke about what non-IT people could do to help create strong SEO. Here, we are going to talk (in as non-technical a way possible) about some of the ways that an IT department can be working to increase the SEO-ness of a page. All of the items listed below are little “bites” that the spiders consume on their way through the web, and they are all known ways that Google uses to rank pages. When a page is created for a website, the IT Department should be building the page based on certain SEO principles:

1. Titles: The design of the site should include accurate titles that convey the content, in a brief, concise manner (Google only shows a certain portion of titles in its search);
2. Meta tags: There are ‘meta tags’ used in the creation of a page that describe its content, and Google sometimes uses these in its own description in the search ranking. The better a tag that is created, the greater benefit is created in rankings later on;
3. URLs: URLs are a big one: a long, “technical” URL with characters indecipherable to a regular person could easily get cut off at the wrong place if someone is copying and pasting into a browser. A search engine (and a regular person) will more easily “read” a site as attractive if it can see from the URL what it is about. Also, URLs are displayed in search results ;
4. Mobile: Mobile compatibility is paramount: the world is turning towards mobile more and more, and a site that is not mobile-compatible can lose ground with Google. Since 2009, and with much greater emphasis since 2015, Google has been ranking mobile-friendly sites higher than those that don’t read well on that platform.

SEO and marketing
Now that we know some of the basics of SEO, where it came from and how we can implement a strategy to achieve a positive search engine ranking, it might be a good idea to talk about why this is important.

Consumers are overwhelmingly going to the internet to find what they need, in almost every industry. When they look for things in a search engine, they generally look to the first 5 choices presented, and don’t go much further. It is almost certain that they will not progress past the first page, even if they do not find precisely what they are looking for. Google’s searches really help determine, then, where people are getting their product, whether it be the address of a restaurant or who is selling an engine assembly. If a strong SEO effort is a part of your marketing strategy, you might very well end up at the top of the rankings and that on its own has almost immeasurable value.

In terms of understanding why internet search rankings are so important, it might be useful to look at some numbers that point to the growing influence of ecommerce in our world:

In 2015, Statista reported that 80.97% of the American population used the internet. In 2015, the Pew Research Centre reported that 68% of Americans had smartphones, and that 45% had tablets, laptops or desktop computers. Statista also reported that, in 2015, 171.8 million people bought goods and services online in the United States: that is approximately 54% of the population. Cisco Systems has predicted that global traffic will increase threefold by 2020, that smartphones will overtake PCs in that timeframe, and that wireless and mobile will be 2/3 of total traffic. If you are unsure of the importance of ecommerce, or hesitant about its future, these statistics should indicate how our world has changed and continues to change, and that web-based marketing is not a luxury, but rather a necessity.

When TPI is your IT Department
Finally, let’s take a look at TPI in relation to SEO. If you are going to invest in an internet-based software system in order to sell your product, it would be helpful to know what is offered in terms of keeping your products at the top of the rankings.

If you choose TPI to be your software for your parts business, you are not only investing in a leader in inventory software, but also in a company that is keenly aware of the importance of SEO in terms of your company’s bottom line. TPI itself has a consistently strong online presence, based on history and expertise, that allows it to maintain a top-level position in search engine rankings: this on its own holds great value in terms of associating your business with our brand. Our IT Department, however, also ensures certain important strategies are implemented when developing and maintaining the site. For example, you can be assured of the following:

1. TPI site architecture features a design that presents the freshest, highest quality content on top. The web crawlers will understand that there is constant activity and that there are continual updates with substance;
2. TPI is mobile-friendly, an extremely important SEO feature as Google recognizes that platform’s importance and rewards those who implement it in their sites;
3. TPI leverages cloud search technologies in terms of speed, another area that Google likes to reward with higher rankings;
4. We ensure solid titles and URLs, as well as a keyword strategy, in order to give the site basics a strong presence;
5. TPI has an architecture that ensures that the majority of content is discoverable in just a few clicks: another feature that the Google spiders like to see.
There are many other ways that TPI helps optimize your company’s position in the rankings, but these are 5 important examples. Should you choose to work with TPI, we will work with you, guiding you in the different ways you can increase the credibility of your product on our pages.

SEO is a subject that could be written about endlessly, in part because Google’s determination of ranking is a secret, and partly because it is a new and rapidly evolving practice, just like so many things in today’s world. To stay current, you need to stay committed and attentive. We hope that we have provided a useful primer here on the subject, and shown that, even for the non-technical amongst us, SEO doesn’t have to seem overwhelming or unwieldly. While implementing a strong SEO strategy does requires certain key technical components, there are some very important aspects that can be accomplished by almost anyone, including you and I. Rising to the top of the search engine rankings doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort and attention, you might just get there.