Message from the CEO
by Jim Duty
Diamonds are forever . . . recessions are not! I am certain you will agree that 2009 has been a difficult year for most of us. Although we are not responsible for the issues which have led to the global market conditions, we are nevertheless all directly affected. Here at EBS we have been ‘heads down’ on significant new initiatives to proactively deal with the business slump. Our goal is to ensure we successfully weather current business conditions and assure we are strategically well positioned for the market recovery.
The new EBS corporate headquarters, EBSTime 7.5, EBSAlerts, EBS SaaS, EBS Webinar Series, EBS Partner Plus Program and EBS 2009 ‘End of Year’ Incentives are just a few of the exciting new endeavors we are launching to generate new business opportunities, improve sales growth, increase revenue and enhance profit margins. We will be announcing additional programs that include EBS technical training sessions, product webinars, sales and marketing seminars, trade shows and much more over the course of the remainder of this year as we rev up for 2010.
I am very excited about the new EBS programs as well as those scheduled for roll-out over the next several months. These programs have been carefully designed to offer prospects solid incentives to close deals, motivate customers to acquire new EBS products, expand EBS product markets and verticals, extend EBS geographical marketing reach, nurture the existing EBS business partner channel and increase that channel, domestically and internationally, through the new EBS Partner Plus Channel Program.
I am proud to count you in as a valued EBS Partner Plus member! I sincerely value your past efforts and I look forward to working with you on new and lucrative business opportunities as together we move forward toward bright new horizons!
Best regards,
Jim Duty
EBS CEO
EBS 2009 ‘End of Year’ Incentives
Put an end to the 2009 doldrums!!! Take advantage of the EBS 2009 ‘End of Year’ Incentives and stimulate your sales revenue for an end of year boost!!! The following incentives apply for all EBSTime 7.5 and EBSAlerts orders placed before 5:00 PM Mountain Time on December 31, 2009:
EBSTime 7.5 – Two for One!!!
For every EBSTime 7.5 license purchased get one license free! For example:
- Buy 5 User Licenses - Get 5 User Licenses Free
- Buy 10 User Licenses - Get 10 User Licenses Free
- Buy 20 User Licenses - Get 20 User Licenses Free
Please Note: The additional EBSTime 7.5 licenses are free
but M&S fees apply.
EBSAlerts – Free Additional Connection or Upgrade
- Buy a One Connection EBSAlerts License -
Receive an additional connection FREE - Buy a Two Connection EBSAlerts License -
Receive an additional connection FREE - Buy a Three Connection EBSAlerts License -
Receive an Unlimited Connection Upgrade FREE
Please Note: The additional EBSAlerts connection or upgrade license is free but M&S fees apply.
The above EBS 2009 ‘End of Year’ Incentives will be sent via e-Mail to all current EBS customers on the following dates:
- Tuesday - November 10, 2009
- Tuesday - December 8, 2009
For additional information about EBS 2009 ‘End of Year’ Incentives please log on to EBS PTech Online at http://ptech.getebs.com or call Peggy Torbet at (303) 991-3502.
EBSTime 7.5 and EBSAlerts
EBS proudly announces the release of EBSTime 7.5 and simultaneous unveiling of the newest addition to the enterprise-wide mission critical EBS product suite - EBSAlerts.
EBSTime 7.5
The new release of our EBS flagship product showcases:
- Significant new feature and functionality enhancements that allow your customers to harness the power of the most complete and comprehensive state-of-the-art technology software solution suite for scheduling, time and attendance management available today.
- Essential new resources that enable efficient scheduling, time and attendance management through customized methods tailored to meet the most exacting customer specifications.
- Software engineering design with scalability as the priority to effectively meet the increased business needs that always arise as a customer grows.
- A maximum ROI that accommodates customer short term and long term growth strategies with far reaching productivity benefits.
EBSAlerts
This newest addition to the EBS product array introduces all-inclusive, mission critical business activity monitoring and workflow functionalities that seamlessly integrate with the entire EBS product suite. EBSAlerts also provides customers significant enterprise-wide benefits through seamless integration with any ODBC compliant front/back office software application. EBSAlerts also integrates with any e-Mail system for monitoring incoming e-Mail and document or report delivery.
EBSAlerts enables your customers to:
- Receive immediate notification about critical business issues as they occur via any combination of e-Mail, fax, pager (including SMS paging), screen pop, FTP (for document and report delivery) and web browser alerts. No additional hardware or software is required.
- Identify trends or problems enterprise-wide by analyzing information from multiple systems.
- Synchronize data between multiple business applications and identify data inconsistencies.
- Push client, vendor or partner specific data to a web browser for self-service access.
- Know the moment someone changes critical business data e.g. contract renewal, product or service cost, client credit limits, etc.
- Be alerted and trigger automatic corrections when potential problems appear in the corporate Windows operating systems.
- Monitor activity on the corporate website and auto-process information requests and inquiries from prospects, clients, vendors, business partners, etc.
- Combine all corporate applications (including homegrown solutions) under one business activity monitoring solution and create a central point for business process management.
- Enable “Follow Me Alerts” that know when and where to find people based on time of day and day of week.
- Get immediate ROI from free, pre-configured EBSAlerts for use with EBSTime and other front/back office ODBC compliant business software applications.
EBS SaaS (Software as a Service)
For a minimum investment your customers can now take full advantage of the power and benefits of EBS products through our exclusive new web hosting services. EBS remote hosted services allow your customer to access and manage their data without costly software license fees and complex hardware, software and internal personnel infrastructure maintenance issues and expenses.
Key Benefits of the EBS Web Hosted
Time & Attendance Product Suite include:
- Low monthly budget plans
- World-wide accessibility (computer and
Internet connectivity required) - Unlimited software access and usage
- No need for internal hardware, software
and personnel infrastructure - Free 24/5 global support provided by the
EBS Technical Support Team - No hidden fees and costs
- Low cost system upgrade availability
EBS Partner Plus Center Stage
Customer Case Study Highlights - October 2009
Featured EBS Customer
North County Vending Inc. (NCV)
Vista, CA 92083
Colleen Cole – NCV Human Resources Manager
North County Vending Services (NCV) is a service vending company with over 340 employees and 10 operations in 7 western states. Founded in 1977, NCV provides vending services to institutions across all spectrums of the workplace, both in the private sector and the public sector.
Featured EBS Partner Plus Member
Software Marketing Solutions
2118 Crown View Way
Oceanside, CA 92056
Contact: Dino Mancinelli
Tel (760) 967-9267
e-Mail: dinom@hrpayrollsolutions.com
THE CHALLENGE
Colleen Cole, NCV Human Resources Manager, was faced with a tough decision. NCV had a time and attendance system in place that had been installed at several NCV locations by a very prominent time and attendance vendor. In spite of this, she had several major concerns with the vendor, and her number one concern was services and support. She was paying premium prices for what she truly felt were inadequate services and support.
Her second concern was that the integration between the time keeping system and the Sage Abra HR and Payroll system was not working. She knew the NCV payroll department was spending a significant amount of time with duplicate manual data entry, and she was very aware that this posed a high risk for error. It became apparent to Colleen that she would have to find a system with superior payroll system integration.
The challenge was that Colleen and NCV had several very unique requirements. To begin with, out of a total of 340 employees approximately 200 were route drivers constantly ‘on the go’ handling collections, making deliveries and visiting customer sites. She needed an efficient method for NCV drivers to log their hours into the time and attendance system. In addition, NCV route drivers work on a commission structure involving calculations based on hours worked, miles driven, drive time, number of stops made in a pay period, percentage of sales and other factors. It was obvious she would need a system capable of effectively accommodating these scenarios as well as efficiently taking into consideration NCV hourly, salaried and commissioned employee scenarios.
THE SEARCH
NCV was at a crossroads because the maintenance and support agreement with the current vendor was up for renewal. Colleen knew she had to decide whether to pay the agreement renewal fees and accept substandard on-going services and support or research a new system and vendor.
Colleen contacted her Sage Abra consultant, Dino Mancinelli of Software Marketing Solutions, and discussed her situation with him. Dino was extremely responsive and took the time to research, present and discuss several alternative solutions with her. Dino Mancinelli relates, "It quickly became apparent during the initial discovery meeting with NCV executives that the current time system software integration issues and vendor support service concerns plaguing NCV were a priority.” Dino continues, “It turned out that there were actually several critical time system integration issues affecting the NCV implementation, but a key concern was that the Sage Abra link was not working.” Dino thoroughly documented all NCV time system issues and then returned to the Software Marketing Solutions offices where he conducted a careful review of all NCV issues and concerns with his team.
THE SOLUTION
Dino realized that he would have to present not just a total time system software solution, but also a vendor that had ‘world class’ support services. Once the analysis of all NCV issues was complete Dino and his team felt prepared to make their recommendation. The proposed solution at the top of the list was the EBSTime suite. According to Dino, “Our analysis revealed several top software contenders, but only one company stood out from the others with an ability to effectively provide both a seamlessly integrated time system package and first rate support services.” Dino adds, “I knew the company and software suite that could immediately resolve all NCV issues was EBS.”
The EBS product suite presents customers with a software solution that thoroughly and seamlessly integrates with Sage Abra as the result of ongoing technical collaboration and coordination with Abra developers since 1991. Those efforts have continued since 2000 to date with Sage Software.
Dino presented his findings to the NCV executive review committee and proposed the EBS product suite to Colleen and NCV executive management. Shortly thereafter the decision was made to implement EBSTime, EBSPunch and EBSAttendance from Employee Based Systems.
Colleen highlights several of the key factors that influenced NCV in their decision to replace their existing software system with the EBS product suite. “First of all, it was successfully demonstrated that the integration between Abra Payroll and EBSTime is rock solid. I learned this was due to the fact that EBS has been working with Abra since ‘day one’, and that EBS has developed more than a dozen applications which enhance and complement Abra.” The EBSTime interface with Abra is indeed seamless, the result of successful collaboration with Abra since 1991. Colleen continues, “Secondly, EBSTime easily met all NCV unique requirements for calculating commissions and web based time entry.”
STELLAR SERVICE AND SUPPORT
Colleen Cole points out that one of the key factors that differentiated EBS from all other potential candidates during the NCV evaluation process was the ‘personal touch’ EBS brought to the table.
Colleen explains, “EBS demonstrated an exceptional willingness to listen attentively to our needs and concerns and also thoroughly learn our internal procedures and processes.” She adds, “Whenever we had additional questions they were always right there, taking the time to ensure we thoroughly understood the responses. It was both refreshing and impressive!”
During the implementation period NCV came to consider the assigned EBS technicians as ‘trusted advisors’ and heavily relied upon EBS for guidance and direction.
“EBS has delivered an exceptional software system to NCV. Their performance during the initial implementation period was absolutely outstanding, and the quality of their subsequent service and support has been consistently excellent." - Colleen Cole, Human Resources Manager
UNANTICIPATED BENEFITS
NCV has been successfully using EBS software products that include EBSTime, EBSPunch and EBSAttendance for more than two years. Colleen Cole weighs in with the NCV assessment of the EBS solution, “We have been more than pleasantly surprised by a number of EBS system features. The managers really appreciate the flexibility that the wide selection of EBSTime reporting capabilities provides and the ease with which they can drill down, filter and get exactly the data they need. The intuitive user interface is embraced by everyone at NCV, and I personally am delighted with the on-going service and support. I know that EBS is always there and that I can really depend upon them.”
In This Edition
+ Message from the CEO
+ Year-end Partner Incentives
+ Webinar Series Schedule
+ EBSTime 7.5 & EBSAlerts
+ EBS Partner Plus Program
+ New Headquarters
+ Partner Case Study
EBSTime 7.5 and EBSAlerts Monthly Webinar Series
New! You can now register your prospects and customers for our monthly EBS Webinar Series to introduce them to the powerful new combination of EBSTime 7.5 and EBSAlerts.
The EBS Webinar Series provides a solid overview of the most comprehensive state-of-the-art technology software solution for scheduling, time and attendance management available. The web presentation will highlight the enhanced features and functions of the new EBSTime 7.5 release and the enterprise-wide, mission critical business activity monitoring and workflow of EBSAlerts.
The EBS Webinar Series is cost and obligation free to you and your customers.
Schedule
Tuesday – November 3, 2009
10:00 AM Mountain Time
Tuesday – December 1, 2009
10:00 AM Mountain Time
Tuesday – January 5, 2010
10:00 AM Mountain Time
Tuesday – February 2, 2010
10:00 AM Mountain Time
Tuesday – March 2, 2010
10:00 AM Mountain Time
To register for an EBS Webinar please call Peggy Torbet at (303) 991-3502 or send an e-Mail to: EBSWebinar@getebs.com
EBS Partner Plus Program
We here at EBS have been extremely busy! One of our most significant new endeavors is focused on our business partner channel. The new EBS Partner Plus Program has been specifically designed to enhance your marketing effectiveness, stimulate your sales revenue, improve your technical abilities and increase your profit margins.
We will be contacting each and every one of you over the course of the next several weeks as we move forward with an agenda chock full of exciting opportunities!
New EBS Corporate Headquarters
As a key component of EBS strategic growth and expansion plans we have acquired new corporate headquarter offices. Nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountain foothills, and conveniently located next to the Deer Creek Golf and Country Club, our new office building features expanded executive, management and employee offices, spacious conference room with ‘in wall’ aquariums, a new server room, fully equipped technical development lab, training center, employee kitchen area, gym workout room, outdoor employee picnic area, ample parking facilities, direct access to Denver International Airport and much more.
Please take note of our new address:
Employee Based Systems
11852 Shaffer Drive
Building D-300
Littleton, CO 80127
Main Tel (303) 991-3500
We invite you to stop by and visit the next time you are in town!
Golf anyone
Did you know?
In studies conducted by the Robert Half Agency, the American Payroll Association (APA) found the average employee stealing 4.5 hours each week through tardy arrivals, early departures and extended lunches or breaks. On an annual basis, that’s a six-week paid vacation for every employee, or as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce puts it: between two and five percent of a company’s annual employee earnings. – theBusinessEdge
EBS Tips Plus
A Recipe to ‘Warm Up’ your Cold Calls this Winter!
Ingredient 1 - Do your homework! Use the many Internet technology tools available at your fingertips to research your prospects before you call them. When properly used, powerful Internet tools such as Google, Linked-In, Twitter and others can provide your sales and marketing team with a wealth of industry, market and vertical specific data that can tip the scales in your favor.
Ingredient 2 - Be prepared! These difficult economic times call for being direct! Get your facts straight before you call prospects. Keep the conversation focused and remember that you have a very narrow ‘Window of Opportunity’ to get attention. Take the time to identify the top ten features of your products and services and make sure everyone on your sales team can speak confidently about them. Be prepared to differentiate your products and services from the competition. Knowledge is the key!
Ingredient 3 - Think outside of the box and be creative! Most businesses have experienced some level of difficulty during the economic chaos this year, but in chaos there is opportunity! Be certain to acknowledge the current economic climate, but also focus on the need to be prepared for the short and long term future. Markets go down, but they always come back, and now is the ideal time to strategically position for the recovery.
Ingredient 4 – Look inside! Sales may actually be staring you right in the face! Take a hard look at your current customer database and get creative. When was the last time you contacted each and every customer? There is a very good chance that there is ‘money on the table’ just waiting for you to notice it. Are your customers aware of new product releases, upgrades, ‘add-ons’, etc. that might very well be of interest to them? Are there services you can offer to customers to help them through these trying times that might be very welcome? Explore possible ways to ‘upsell’ to your existing customers.
Ingredient 5 – Network! Network! Network! Did you know that there are over 67,175 groups worldwide regularly meeting and discussing more than 24,478 topics that include everything from new business strategies to professional development opportunities? Get in the groove!
Ingredient 6 – Plan ahead! Many astute companies are now actively strategizing, ramping up and preparing budgets for the economic recovery. Soon it will once again be ‘business as usual’. Do not get caught unprepared. Now is the time to discuss new opportunities with prospects and customers alike. Many companies will welcome strategic discussions, so now is the time to position your company, products and services and be ready when your prospects and customers are!
Ingredient 7 – Stay proactive and engaged! Make those calls, schedule those appointments and then FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP and FOLLOW UP some more!
RECIPE - Just take a healthy helping of the above ingredients, mix liberally into your business day and watch how your ‘Cold Calls’ heat up this Winter!
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