What a Great Users Conference

Well we just completed Micro Key Solutions Users Conference 2010 and what a great conference. I wasn't sure how well this one would go off, because we skipped a year, but it was great. A lot of information was disseminated at the conference and our users all reported that they got a lot out of the conference. That is what we like to hear.

We conducted a session on Micro Key Web Solutions and discussed our up and coming MyView and PayPoint products. They were well received and I got a lot of great input from those that attended.

In the prototype of PayPoint I allowed users to simply click a check box to indicate which invoices they wish to pay and automatically posted unallocated receipts. I found out at the UC that this wasn't going to work for most alarm companies, because they accept receipt of deposits but don't post the invoice until the work has been completed. Also, many customers don't always pay an entire invoice at once or they want to pay in advance of service. So this has sent me back to the drawing board. In the next release of PayPoint we won't be posting unallocated receipts and customers will be able to change the amount they wish to pay. The screen will default to the balance of the invoice but the users will be able to change this amount to amount less than or greater than the balance. We also discussed ways users will be able to sign up for these services automatically from your web sites. Presently we are going to ask for the name on the account, the zip code where the bills are sent and their password.

My plan is to have all these changes completed by ISC West and start beta testing MyView and PayPoint April 5th. Presently I have four companies that have agreed to beta test these new products. If you would interested drop me a line at swright@microkey.com.

If you have any comments on these changes please respond to this post. Thanks

Are you getting the most out of your software?

There are two things I just don't get about companies buying software. One deals with the cost of the software and the other is getting the training to use it. Or I should say the lack of training.

First question I have. Why do customers have very strong reservations about paying 3-5 thousand dollars for the software that is needed to run their business and thrive, but don't hesitate to spend 10 times that for a car that simply gets them to and from work?

The second question I have. Why do customers spend any amount for software then doesn't bother to learn everything that software has to offer. Like the brain, which we only use about 10% of, when it comes to software the same holds true. We never really get the most out of our software purchase because we never bother to learn more than we need to, to get by.

I have been working in the customer service area or working directly with end users for all of my adult life and I can assure you that over 90% of the problems people have with software is caused by their lack of knowledge. I swear that if states didn't bother to give driving tests there would be more accidents and deaths caused by accidents because we would have never learned to drive before we got behind the wheel.

If you are going to spend good money to purchase software for your business, spend the extra and make sure your staff knows how to use it. Let me illustrate. If I give you a piece of blank paper and pencil and ask you to draw me a picture. You may give me something like what you see in the first illustration (on the left).

BUT, with a little training and practice you could give me a drawing more like the second. (on the right) Same paper and pencil but a totally different results. The only difference is the amount of training received.

We should spend the little extra to make sure our employee's have the training needed to use the software. Not only will you have fewer problems with the software you will get the most out of it. Each and every day our Tech Support staff hears the same comments from our users. "I didn't know it did that!" Every time one of your employees says that you should cringe and realize, cha-ching, it just cost you in lost revenue and production.

Some of the art work included in this post are courtesy ofBrian Duey at www.dueysdrawings.com.

MyView and PayPoint Status Report

Well we are in the last week of development. I really have to get better at estimating projects. What was suppose to be available mid summer is running into mid fall. But I want to make sure it's right. PayPoint was the toughest nut to crack because I wanted to make sure it takes into account every scenario and posts and allocates payments correctly. This feature is going to save you time and money because you will not have to post receipts or allocate receipts for those customers that choose to pay online.

Some of you have been asking why I chose Authorize.net over PayPal to integrate with PayPoint. The answer is simple, your Millennium software utilizes an integration to Authorize.net. Instead of having to have two credit card processing accounts you can use the same account to process both batch credit cards form Millennium and online transactions from PayPoint.

Also, some of you have been asking about pricing for MyView and PayPoint. At this time we have not established pricing for these two modules. If you own WebView already you will get these apps at no extra charge. WebView owners will also receive the planned applications of DealerPoint, SalesPoint and WebTech. If you chose to work with us and purchased WebView you will certainly come out of this a winner, because the cost of all these applications will exceed the cost of purchasing WebView alone. So if you are considering these web based solutions it would be cost effective to contact a Micro Key Business Development Representative and purchase WebView soon. Pricing for MyView and PayPoint, stand alone, should be announced with the roll out later this fall.

Continue to follow my blog for further status updates on these two exciting new products from Micro Key Solutions.

Your Business and the Internet

Hard to believe the Internet is in its fifth decade. Developed in the late 60's early 70's to allow different types of networks to communicate with one another. It has grown to be the number one way of communications throughout the world. In the mid 80's, with the introduction of domain names and Data Name Servers (DNS) the Internet became more friendly. Today used by everybody, the Internet moves information at the speed of light with just a click of mouse.

Using the Internet to communicate has replaced nearly every form of printed communications. Newspapers and magazines are quickly being replaced with web pages and email. Even the United States Postal Service is feeling the impact. Social network applications like Facebook™ and My Space™ are becoming the new place to gather and share your day and your thoughts on nearly everything. Even the telephone is being used less for communicating because Instant Messaging, texting and email can get the word out quicker to more people all at once. It's also safe to say, more than half of us pay our bills online rather than mailing checks.

"If you are not using the Internet to create and maintain a relationship with your customers, you may find yourself in trouble in very short time."

With newspapers closing left and right, phone books being placed in recycle bins right from the doorstep, and mailed pieces joining them nearly as fast. Your print ad dollars might just be going to waste. I know in our house, I sort the mail on top of the recycle bin and only about 30% of the mail sent to us ever even makes in the house and half of that ends up in the shredder. If you are in business today, you must embrace the Internet and begin to understand how to use it to reach potential customers and maintain customer relationships.

Side Note
Micro Key Solutions has been conducting some Training Webinars recently. The most recent series I was given only two weeks to set them up and promote them. With one email to our newsletter email list 60% of those that attended had registered. With one notice in our established users group another 30% were registered. The rest came from links on our web site. Here is the kicker, the cost was zero, only my time.

In the light of a changing world Micro Key Solutions began creating some web based tools to help you get and stay connected with your customers using the Internet. In very short time Micro Key Solutions will be releasing MyView™ and PayPoint™ to help our customers stay connected with theirs. You will also see new products coming from Micro Key Solutions that will improve cash flow, cut costs, and keep you connected and in front of your customers and potential customers, which is by far, most important in today's economy. If you continue to follow this blog you will also learn some tips on using the Internet to reach potential customers and how to share your message within your demographic.

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