VIEWPOINT: The Ultimate PCT Experience!

In its 30 years in print, PCT magazine has become the trade publication pest management professionals rely on to deliver cutting-edge business management and technical information. Along the way the magazine has undergone changes in appearance, editorial focus and utilization of new technology to better serve the needs of the ever-evolving structural pest control marketplace. There is perhaps no better example of how the PCT Media Group has enhanced the magazine than its commitment to its Web site, www.pctonline.com. The dynamic site serves as both an extension of the magazine and a totally different interactive experience. For example, one of the drawbacks to any print publication is space limitation. In years past, main feature stories had to be altered and short, insightful accompanying stories were sometimes eliminated altogether because of a lack of space. One of the great advantages of the Internet is that it has no boundaries, so those extra author insights and informative accompanying stories that at one time had to be trimmed, now have a home online.

One of this month’s features, “Real Estate Inspecting” by Greg Baumann, is a great example of the print-electronic marriage. In the article, Baumann explains the role of appraisers and home inspectors so that pest management professionals can avoid conflicting information that can jeopardize deals and relationships. Included in the story is a shaded box with a message to visit the story at www.pctonline.com. The online version of the story includes a state-by-state listing of home inspection licensing requirements. Keep your eyes open for these shaded boxes in features throughout PCT magazine. They usually include related Web site addresses that readers may find helpful.

In addition to acting as an additional information outlet for PCT magazine, PCTOnline gives users new and exciting experiences through the power of personalization. Users can personalize their PCTOnline experience by signing up for a free MyPCT account. This feature enables pest management professionals to customize the online site to keep personalized MSDS and Label sheets, automatically find news and articles that pertain to a set of topics they choose and search through the thousands of articles that have been archived from back issues of PCT magazine — all on one page. Every time a user logs on to PCTOnline, he or she will be able to review the news and other information that is most relevant to them on both a business and personal level and also gain access to some of the site’s most valuable resources.

Because PCTOnline has so many existing features and will be adding more in the weeks and months to come, we felt it was important to make our readers and Web site users aware of all the site has to offer. That’s why every issue of PCT magazine will now include a PCTOnline contents page. Be sure to review this page every month to discover what’s new at PCTOnline and find out what you may have overlooked in previous visits to the site. We encourage you to read PCT magazine and explore PCTOnline to get the ultimate PCT experience!

The author is managing editor of PCT magazine and Internet editor of PCTOnline and can be reached at bharbison@pctonline.com.