SureDeposit releases computer-based training module. (What's New on the Marketplace).

NAA/NSC member SureDeposit, Dallas, announced the launch of its computer-based, interactive education and training system for clients, using the company's innovative risk management program. Designed and built by Gracehill.com, this comprehensive training software is available both online and on CD-ROM. At no additional cost, SureDeposit's clients may access training modules, forms and printed materials about the program at their convenience.

HandySource Launches Wireless E-commerce Product

NAA/NSC member HandySource, Bradenton, Fla., launched the HandySource Wireless Purchasing System. It is designed to give property managers and maintenance supervisors added convenience and flexibility while they are away from the office. The system is unique to the multihousing industry.

The software program, created by HandySource's internal application software programmers, enables maintenance supervisor to order maintenance, repair and operating supplies for their property over the Internet through the use of a wireless device, such as a PDA or Web-enabled cell phone.

Customers entering the HandySource Wireless Purchasing System have the ability to use a purchase order template to order products from their private list of suppliers on the HandySource Web site.

Purchases made through the wireless device are recorded in the main HandySource Web site, which allows the property manager to accurately track budget variances and expenditures. Login and password names are the same for both the wireless purchasing system and office personal computer purchasing system.

Maytag Commercial Laundry Redesigns Web Site

NAA/NSC member Maytag, Newton, Iowa, launched a newly designed www.maytag commerciallaundry.com Web site. The highly interactive and informative site is user-friendly, combining additional product features and benefits with enhanced avenues to more quickly contact members of the Maytag Commercial Laundry network of distributors and route operators.

Whether looking for coin laundry store, multihousing laundry or on-premise laundry information--from the moment the site is entered, content has been tailored by the business segment to address needs.

Offering a whole new look and feel, a major component of the redesign is the introduction of a customized Web feature--My Briefcase. In My Briefcase, customers can create their own personalized area of the site to store information specific to the success of their business. Features of My Briefcase include:

* distributor locator

* note pad 

* wish list; and

* my registration products.

The customer service component of the site also has been enhanced to encompass information on factory and local service schedules, financing programs, maintenance and repair frequently asked questions (FAQs) and tips, users manuals, warranties, and how to request brochures and videos.

Other new features include a What's New page where media representatives and users will find the latest news about Maytag products and services through press releases, product photography, industry news and Maytag publications. All are downloadable with the dick of button. A Solutions Advisor box also displays answers to FAQs to help users easily navigate the site to the information they are most interested in.

ASHA Releases Seniors Housing Statistical Handbook

Comprehensive and timely information about the seniors housing industry and the residents it serves is now available in a new report released by the Americans Senior Housing Association (ASHA), Washington, D.C. The Seniors Housing Statistical Handbook (Edition III) offers a thorough statistical profile of the market-rate seniors housing industry.

Chapters in the handbook focus on demographics of the senior population, housing characteristics of the senior population, selected seniors housing statistics, and seniors housing resident demographics. The handbook has expanded from 28 pages to 70 pages, featuring 119 tables and charts.

Star Trac[R], Introduces Next Generation of Treadmills

NAA/NSC member Star Trac[R], Phoenix, introduced the first treadmill with user-controlled cooling fans fully integrated into the console on the Star Trac Pro. A sleek new design with sweeping curves gives both the Star Trac Pro and the Star Trac Pro S an aesthetically appealing, approachable and comfortable look. The Star Trac Pro model includes an innovative new display with a self-guided intuitive interface and for the first time ever in a treadmill scales to track the users weight.

The Star Trac Pro and Star Trac Pro S with curved arm supports, console post and rounded console have been created with the consultation of Design worksUSA, a BMW group Co., and input from individual users, club owners, personal trainers and fitness directors. The Star Trac Pro offers the stability and durability of all Star Trac treadmills, and includes the proprietary Soft Trac' running system augmented with three cells of cushioning instead of two, allowing for more comfort and continued durability. A new feature of both treadmills is Star Tracs Aero Bar, a handle on the rounded cusp of the console, designed to make it easy for users to grasp---a location that many people already grip for stability, especially when climbing.

SettlementRoom Inc. Launches SR Express

SettlementRoom Inc., Falls Church, Va., launched a new product, SR Express. This product is being used by companies from California, to Michigan, to Florida, to Texas. SR Express represents an industry breakthrough, shattering previous price barriers more than ten-fold. With SR Express, real estate agents, title and escrow companies, mortgage companies, and builders all can manage their closings in real-time, across multiple locations, with multiple participants, for less than $1 per transaction.

Cycle-Safe[R] Introduces New Weather Resistant Locking System

Cycle-Safe Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., recently began incorporating a new state-of-the-art locking system on their bicycle safes.

The new T-handle cylinder system, made by ABLOY High Security Lock, offers many advantages that other locking systems have been unable to achieve. The ABLOY "EXEC" lock contains no springs or pins that cause malfunction if exposed to dirt, moisture, poor weather conditions, corrosion or freezing. The removable cylinder lock is highly pull resistant, virtually pick proof, and only the correct key can align the gates on all the discs and allow the locking bar to disengage the cylinder from the housing.

All lockers produced from February 2002 and later feature the new locks.

Factual Data Creates Direct Lender Services Division

NAA member Factual Data Corp., Loveland, Colo., announced today the formation of a Direct Lender Services Division. This division will focus on offering Factual Data's Web-based technology platform to banks, credit unions and lenders in the home equity, home improvement and second mortgage market.

This initiative allows lenders to license Factual Data's Web delivery platform and receive merged credit reports, flood certificates, automated property valuations, documents and title products via the Internet. This platform can cut loan decision-making and dosing times by as much as 75 percent and reduce loan costs for lenders and borrowers. Lenders can receive delivery of all products needed to close these types of loans in one easy-to-use, fast Internet-based delivery platform.

Alliance Creates Distance Learning For Affordable Housing Management

NAA member Grace Hill Inc., Ross Business Development and the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA) formed an alliance (the Alliance) focused on providing distance learning solutions for the multifamily affordable housing industry.

Specifically, the Alliance is creating an online learning management system and courseware, which will be accessible through SAHMA'S Web site and Grace Hill's Web site, as well as other locations on the Web.

The first course offered, available online and CD, is TRACS 2002, which became available in May 2002. It combines the latest in industry changes--including 201A, TRACSMail and 201B--with a detailed review of monthly processing requirements, a best practices section and an in-depth discussion of error handling.

TRACS 2002 provides an easily accessible, repeatable resource for TRACS training and is specifically targeted for anyone responsible for processing monthly housing assistance payment information. This includes site personnel, contract administrators, owner agents and management company staff.

The SAHMA Web site also will host Grace Hill's current online courseware, whose topics include leasing, fair housing, customer service as well as hiring and leadership.

All courses feature student bookmarking and tracking, pre and post testing, course narration, full screen presentations and interactive exercises.

Cambridge Realty Capital Adds New Signature Bridge Loan Program

Cambridge Realty Capital Companies, Chicago, added a new Signature bridge loan program to its lineup of products for the senior housing/healthcare market. The new $2 million and higher bridge loans are intended to augment The Signature Experience, a four-step process initiated by Cambridge to "transform traditional lender/borrower relationships and find the ideal capital solution for every transaction.

The new Signature bridge loan package was created in response to requests from owners, broken and consultants for an interim funding solution that would minimize risk while allowing them to focus on their opportunities, increase certainty and reinforce their strengths.

The new package includes special bridge to HUD and FNMA Freddie Mac features and a bridge to value enhancement and to sales features.

Typically, bridge loans cover a period of time between when a property is acquired and permanent funding secured. Terms can range anywhere between 180 days and 60 months.

Signature bridge loans are available nationwide to owners and operators of congregate retirement apartments, assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, behavioral disorder and other special-purpose senior housing/ healthcare properties.

Free Online Access to Two Major NFPA Codes Planned

NFPA will make two prominent consensus codes available for review online by the public. Following its scheduled August 2002 issuance, NFPA 500, Building Code[TM], will be available along with NFPA1, Fire Prevention Code% through NFPA's Web site.

Free access to NFPA's safety documents will make available important safety information to people who may not use the codes in their daily work With the convenience of hyperlinks, the public can quickly access the NFPA documents directly from an adopting jurisdictions site.

New Brochure Available on Commercial and Industrial Heating,

Space-Ray Inc., Charlotte, N.C., has developed a concise capabilities brochure depicting specific applications and design ideas. The brochure, Solutions for Commercial and Industrial Heating, shows infrared heating applications in various commercial and industrial settings. Energy cost savings vary from 30 percent to 70 percent compared to forced air heating, depending on the application. Unlike forced air that works from the top down, infrared gas heat works from the bottom up, warming people, floors and machines tint for optimum comfort.