May/June 2009

Top 6 Small Office Collections Solutions 2009

CDS Software: New Work Card, Improved Legal Functionality

Since 1970 (yes, 1970), CDS Software (Collection Data Systems) — also  known as  "CDS," "Tiger" and "CDS-Tiger" — has provided debt collection software. But regardless of what you call it, this software provider knows its stuff.

Benefits and Features

• Although some vendors still sell software in modules, CDS sells a single application. Customers won't find themselves spending additional money after realizing a demonstrated featured is not in the modules purchased.

• Main screen is clearly defined and organized with submenus.

• Menus won't display unless users have access rights. 

• An enhanced CDS collector production work card offers a customizable window and improved legal functionality.

• CDS offers real-time payment processing, data masking and client web access to placements and reporting.

• No additional cost for interfaces to most third-party vendors.

What Users Say
"We are a small agency with a longstanding relationship with CDS Software. CollectOne enables us to do more with less. We can compete with larger agencies with less staff. I appreciate their ongoing professionalism and dedication to the collection industry," said Liz C., an agency owner from Michigan. 

"Our agency has been using CollectOne for over 10 years.  It is user-friendly, and CDS Software has a real commitment to consistently enhancing CollectOne to keep up with today's technology," said Carol L., office manager for a commercial agency in New York.

Summary
If you are looking for an established company that knows the debt recovery market and recognizes the needs of all its customers — from small office to large-scale calling centers — look at this application.

CDS Software
www.collectone.com
888-816-3333

Comtech Systems: Special Edition Offers Same Features, Volume-Based Price

Founder of Comtech Systems, Inc., Fritz Shulze, recognizes the unique needs of the small customer.  When he started the company over 20 years ago, Shulze worked out of his garage on a shoestring budget.  He slept in a sleeping bag next to the phone and took service calls between catnaps. 

Benefits and Features

• The company's website is easy to navigate and offers outstanding demos, including one that can be downloaded for a hands-on test drive.
• An online comparison chart clearly defines each of the four applications' standard features.
• Collect! Entrepreneur Edition offers all the features and functions of Collect! but charges only for the volume of expected business. As small and startup companies grow, they can upgrade to a license that allows more accounts and users.

What Users Say

"I've worked on many collection systems over the years. Collect! is by far the most flexible system I've worked with. Agencies looking to trim I.T. and administration costs through increased automation will definitely appreciate Collect!'s excellent import/export functionality," said Brad Lohner of Priority Credit Recovery.
     
"We began using Collect! in 2003 due to its vast capabilities, affordability and Collect!'s commitment to technical support, which we initially needed extensively. The staff at Collect! continue to be there for us even now that our customization issues have become more complex. Version 11 keeps getting better ... " said Brad Klein of Paid In Full Inc.

Summary
Comtech Systems understands the needs of small businesses. One of Comtech's largest customers, which has 600 operators in five locations, began as a two-user site.
 
Comtech Systems
www.collect.org
800-661-6722

Columbia Ultimate: Express Edition Streamlines Setup With Templates

In the '80s, I managed a small agency in New York that used The Collector System. I quickly became a fan of this well-thought-out and well-supported application.

Benefits and Features

• Additional solutions include Collector Express, Collector Logic and ManageMed, exclusively for healthcare, insurance and patient billing.
• Collector Express has the same features as the Collector System, but with pre-loaded tables and templates for streamlined setup. A training plan that emphasizes key tools and functions makes implementation faster than ever. 
• For a monthly subscription, Collector Logic, designed for mid-sized agencies, features a business analytics bundle to identify where the use of people, processes and technology will generate the best returns. 

What Users Say

"I have been working with Columbia Ultimate for about 7 to 8 years and have found them to be very customer-oriented. They have great customer service and are quick to respond to any problems you have," said Ben Brown of United Recovery Group.

"CUBS has been an invaluable asset to our firm. As a smaller agency, it's extremely beneficial to have all the same resources, flexibility and technical support of larger companies at a fraction of the cost. I have been most impressed with the level of customer service I continually receive," said Mike Martinson of Advantage Credit & Collections.

Summary
Using The Collector System as a foundation, Columbia Ultimate continues to provide innovative solutions. New applications tailored to the needs of small and midsized agencies offer opportunities for every segment of the debt recovery market.

Columbia Ultimate
www.columbiaultimate.com
800-488-4420

DAKCS Software Systems: ASCENT I, II Taret Small, Budget-Conscious Agencies

With over 28 years of experience, the DAKCS team knows the challenges businesses face and offers solutions targeted to small agencies: ASCENT I and II (1-12 seats).

Benefits and Features

• Beyond.net complements the well-known "Sting" application in real-time.       
• Configured for the budget-minded small office, ASCENT I and II use Beyond.net features such as "The Cockpit," which allows easy access to statistical data about clients and collectors. 
• As agencies grow, additional users and services, such as predictive dialers and IVR, can be added.   
• ASCENT I and II also include Pay Data Center, backup and utility software and the Watchguard Firebox firewall, which offers a secure gateway for payment processing, skip tracing services and credit bureau access.

What Users Say

"As a small business, it is very important to have a lifeline to customer support for assistance when needed.  DAKCS has been that lifeline for HMI, and the DAKCS support team is one of the very best service departments I have ever worked with. They are sharp and always ready to serve," said Cynthia Huddleston, President of Dallas-based HMI Financial Services.   

"We have been on the DAKCS system for over 20 years, and we truly appreciate the exceptional support the DAKCS team provides. We have seen the consistency with their dedication to keeping up with technology and staying ahead of the curve by innovative enhancements," said Dave Hemrick, President of Pacific Credit Services of Watsonville, CA.

Summary
DAKCS is committed to supporting clients with new tools and improvements to existing applications.

DAKCS Software Systems
www.dakcs.com
617-513-6371

InterProse: WebAR Offers 24/7 Access to a Virtual Collection Agent

The WebAR webpage states: "No Software — No Servers — No Headaches — No Kidding." Indeed, hosted solution allow you to focus on your core business: collections! You don't have to hire an I.T. person or educate yourself about hardware and equipment, which an onsite solution would require. And other than needing phone lines and PCs with Internet connections, you don't have to invest in equipment.

Benefits and Features

• WebAR provides all features and functions to all users but bases pricing on usage, giving small and large agencies the same competitive advantage.
• A tabbed work screen displays all account details and allows users to move easily from screen to screen. 
• All users have customizable security roles that control their ability to add, view or update data. 
• A custom report designer and ad hoc query capabilities make it easy to build customized report templates. These features complement a set of standard accounting and activity reports.
• Virtual collection agent "Ammina" negotiates payment solutions online in real-time, 24/7.

What Users Say

"When I started my agency, I knew how important it was to get collection software that used technology for today and tomorrow at a reasonable price. The online access from any computer, at any time, has saved me from needing to sit in my office waiting for calls. Clients access the system to add new placements, update demographics, verify payments … which gives me the opportunity to concentrate on other issues," said Tyson Schaefer, President of Mile High Money Management in Colorado.

Summary
Feature-rich without requiring the maintenanc of hardware and networks, this hosted solution could enable a small or startup agency to compete in any market.

The InterProse Corporation
www.interprose.com
360-604-3531

Totality: Complex, Easy-to-Use Features Suit Small to Midsized Offices

Founded by a practicing attorney who wanted easy-to-master software that suited his needs, Totality Software is user-friendly and affordble. I downloaded the application from the company's website, and the quality of features surprised me. Sometimes adding new features creates complexity that can be difficult to learn, but I did not find that to be the case with Totality.

Benefits and Features

• A hands-on application targeted at law firms, where most of the collection activity is handled by one or two key personnel, Totality is easy to install and operate.
• Similar to Totality, Totality Collector is intended for collections agencies that outsource the legal collection function. Released last year, it includes 36 collection letter templates provided by award-winning collection expert Michelle Dunn and a set of three reports for analyzing collector performance.    
• Totality applications run on any Windows platform. 
• Although self-contained programs that do not integrate with other service providers, Totality applications can export and upload data to credit bureaus in the Metro 2 format.     

What Users Say

"I have truly been impressed with the Totality system's ease of use," said DeMetrius Burrell of ARCS Financial in South Carolina.
  
"I am extremely pleased with the entire Totality Software system and their response to user needs. I have over 25 years experience in the collection business. Totality provides a complete package at a very reasonable cost," said Ron Adler of Fidelity Recovery Service in California.
 
Summary
Totality and Totality Collector are designed for small to midsized collection practices. If you don't expect to handle more than 10,000 active claims at one time, consider this application.

Totality Software
www.totalitysoftware.com
800-286-3536