 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Today’ Security and Investigative Service Providers face increasingly difficult market conditions and challenges. Operating Costs rise and competitive pricing pressures erode margins further. What methods and controls has your company employed to remain competitive?
RR. Our objectives were simple. Given highly competitive market conditions we needed to explore applying a more sophisticated approach through technology strategies. In September of 2000 we began testing software packages to determine if they would meet our company standards and objectives and give us the ability of routing data inputs, real time reporting, direct billing capabilities, integration with payroll, accounts receivables and the ability to generate meaningful reports.
What were the challenges you anticipated?
RR. Our main challenge was to find a supplier with an experienced team of managers and system developers that could allow us to merge system technologies and provide us with a cost-effective approach to state of the art systems, while avoiding the development costs, staffing and distractions associated with an in-house developed program. The ability to employ their skills and resources would enable us to receive a return on our investment through a quick turnaround time in the integration of our software programs. Once we narrowed in on the right fit provider, as a company, our biggest challenge would be comprehensive staff training and physical integration of its use.
Do you for see any hurdles and road blocks with the integration of this system?
RR. As with all types of conversions we had anticipated needing to make adjustments in order to adapt the new software program to our requirements for our specific use. We have incorporated policy based routing that is unique for our company’s application of the software programs.
As a Security and Investigative Service Provider with multiple regional offices located in various states how do you manage the numerous variables regarding site location information for your client base?
RR. The program, once fully implemented, will provide our managers with sophisticated technology, methods and controls to maintain sales growth, increase employee productivity, reduce staffing overtime, and more importantly improve service reliability, client satisfaction and retention.
Open posts are difficult to track and is a problem for the industry, how does your system track open posts?
RR. We have already secured and integrated an automatic officer check-in system that our officers use to log in and log out on. The system alerts our 24/7 call center if an officer fails to sign in or sign out for their schedule shift. Our dispatch would than activate the scheduling matrix to resolve the open post. Caller ID validation insures us that the officer is dialing in from the proper location. We are operating in real time which means when an officer begins their work shift and logs in, and leaves their work shift and logs out, that is the time that is recorded. We have the capacity to send messaging through the system, including global employee and post voice mail and supervisor paging, as well as other options in order to support our officer on site.
Networks crashing are an issue every company faces. What precautions have you taken to avoid your network crashing?
RR. We have access to the latest in technology and are connected directly to the web. Our systems are maintained offsite on a Citrix Network consisting of multiple servers which are monitored 24//7 and we can connect to that network using any PC that has a 56k modem and internet access.
There is an additional Citrix Network of servers located at a remote site to provide back up to the main frame. The Citrix Network is also properly fire walled preventing unauthorized access.
Based on the company’s future growth projections how will this integrated system accommodate both your company’s and client needs?
RR. The current programs we have in place allows for remote access via the internet or intranet which allows remote branch operations to access the system effortlessly while processing is centralized at corporate. Our new integrated system of software programs gives us the ability to manage the employee human resource function and benefits administration at a glance. Training and certifications of our officers are tracked with messaging on expiration dates, which works in conjunction with our "right fit program" the right officer for the right site location. Uniform inventory and equipment is monitored by site and by officer. We can continue to grow our business with the confidence that the systems we have currently in place has the capacity to expand and grow with us.
