How do I get my members to register in the system?
Won't member profiles get out of date?
Do we need to purchase any hardware to use the system?
If you are hosting the system, can we get our data back from you if we want?
What protection do I have against sudden price increases?
How is access to the system controlled?
Is technical support included in the price?
Will there by upgrades to the system?
Do I need to sign up for a set period of time?
How do I know this is going to work?
How do I get my members to register in the system ?
We can prepare an instructional email for your members acquainting them with the system and promoting its use for you to send. If you wish, we will attend an organization's meeting to further promote the system (we would charge for direct expenses for this). An alternative is to use the internal data entry tool to enter initial data on each member (name, email, and password) and the System will automatically send an email to your members asking them to update their profiles and providing instructions on logging in to do so.
Won't member profiles get out of date?
No. Our system will generate reminder notices for members to update their information. The notice contains a link to the member's profile, so updating information is easy and quick.
Do we need to purchase any hardware to use the system?
No. We host the system on our secure servers and handle all software, hardware, and security issues.
If you are hosting the system, can we get our data back from you if we want?
Certainly. The data remains your private property and at any time we will provide you with a backup of all the data tables. This data can be accessed by Microsoft SQL Server and similar commercially available programs. We do not provide the screens and reports, but if you ever want to change systems or develop your own, you do not have to reconstruct the data.
What protection do I have against sudden price increases?
If we raise prices, all clients will be given one month's notice. During the notice period, any client who wishes to may pay for the next 12 months at the current price (the price before the increase). This gives clients, we believe, plenty of time to research other systems or to devise their own system using the data from their System which we will provide at any time at no cost. In 7 years of existence, however, we have never raised prices on current clients and have no plans to do so.
How is access to the system controlled?Normally only members are allowed to enter data into the Business Directory System, and the link to do so would be on the Members Only area of your organization's web site. A link to search the system can be placed in this area as well, if you want to search capabilities to be available only to members, or the link can be on your home page, allowing public access.
Individual members have access to their own profiles by a system-generated password, so no one else can alter their information.
Is technical support included in the price?
New clients receive training following installation and we provide help by email or phone. We respond to help requests within 2 business days. For new installations, we stay in close touch the first month or so to make sure everything is working.
Will there by upgrades to the system?
We expect there will be improvements and features added to the system over time. Regular improvements and upgrades are added automatically at no cost. When additional features are developed, they may be offered at no cost or, if programming is required, offered as a low-cost add on.
Do I need to sign up for a set period of time under the hosting option?
No, you will be billed monthly and can end the service at any time.
We offer a full guarantee during the first 30 days of service. If you are not satisfied during this period, you can stop the service and all fees paid, including set-up fees, will be returned.
How do I know this is going to work?
We have been using similar technology to run our own databases at Cambridge Data Systems and assortis.com for years. In addition, identical software is used for our Resume Management System which has been running successfully for clients.
