|
|
|
The National List of Attorneys again provides you with valuable tools to help your business. This month, we will provide detailed and practical information about Collection Software. Because of our position in the collection industry, we have a unique perspective about your needs and what is available. We have also prepared an at-a-glance comparison chart for quick reference. Click here to view the chart. Whether you are looking for new Collection Software or simply want to keep this information for future use, The National List of Attorneys continues to raise the bar.
We continue this series with Comtech Systems. At Comtech, they are committed to helping their customers, who represent many different industries, run their businesses more efficiently and profitably. They are dedicated to building the best credit and collection management product available - easy to learn and use, with superior support, and at an affordable price.
|
NL: Who is your collection software designed for (Collection Agencies, Collection Attorneys, Debt Buyers, Creditors or Other)?
Comtech: Collect! is a true receivables management system. It can be used by many different types of businesses to manage their receivables. We have 3rd party, 1st party, legal collections, debt buyers, property management firms and more all using Collect! today.
NL: What should a company consider when purchasing collection software?
Comtech: During your review of multiple systems, and while doing evaluations, be sure to find out how the company whose product you are reviewing does business. Do they work the way you need them to? Do they have the consulting services that you require as a business? You are best served if you define what your needs are and then see if the company can help you reach your business goals. Ask yourself, "Is this solution capable of handling my needs today and also able to manage my growth strategy?" Any solution you choose must be cost-effective, powerful and easy for your operators to use.
NL: What operating system is your software designed for?
Comtech: Windows platform required Win 2K and up. We also work on Windows Vista. Our Web Host component requires the IE web browser.
NL: What are your product capabilities?
Comtech: Flexible and comprehensive, Collect!'s feature set benefits you. Whatever the size of your business, you can customize Collect! for profitable, professional results.
Fully Featured Contact Management and Financial Management System
Layout and implement collection strategies according to your business model. Allocate or forward accounts to work queues automatically or individually. Track and schedule communication with related internal and external parties. Maintain a complete contact history.
Calculate complex or simple interest and amortization. Generate and print statements and checks. Post transactions and payments in a fully integrated system. Define your own payment allocations and breakdown. Post billings and fees to be charged on specific dates.
Multi-level System Security
Secure your operations based on Operator Level and Type. Collect! has 13 predefined operator levels for you to modify or you may create your own.
Reports and Letters
Dozens of reports are available in the system and you can create your own. Track and print collector commissions earned. Quick print details on any list or form. Collect!'s flexible fast report editor pulls information from any field.
Print to printer, file, email, browser, spreadsheet. Build reports in XML, HTML, RTF, or CSV fixed length files. Batch print letters, labels and envelopes. Mail merge to Word and Open Office. Use ODBC/SQL interface for Crystal Reports or your own reporting system.
Batch Processing and Searching
Import and Export volumes of accounts. Set status, post transactions and schedule next action in a batch. Search database by name, phone, action, status, listed date. Process changes to account information in a batch. Query the database with your selected criteria. Link accounts on import, in a batch or at will with user-definable account matching criteria.
Context-sensitive Help System
Online, hyper-linked browser based Help available everywhere in the system with F1. Training video library available online for customers with membership or purchasable on a CD for those who do not have a current membership.
Multi Language and Currency
Track accounts in the currency of your choice. Different currencies may be used for different accounts if needed. Set up custom field labels even in a foreign language.
Database and Environment
ODBC/SQL integrates with Crystal Reports and other reporting systems. Transaction change history enables you to examine changes to records and reverse changes if needed.
Account archiving caches old accounts from your active database into a special read only db. The archived db is searchable and all records are easily restored back into the active db if required.
Web Access
Easy to set up web server with integrated SSL security. Internet access for clients, administrators, collectors and management. Internet access to data entry, financials, reports and notes. PDA and WAP support.
NL: Does your software offer trust accounting?
Comtech: Yes. You can easily post payments as needed using Collect!'s transaction codes. Design reports in Collect! to give you monthly trust totals and any other details you need. You can also print checks in Collect! for deposit and payment.
NL: Does your software provide imaging capabilities?
Comtech: Although you cannot scan documents through Collect!, you can attach any type of document as a file and open it as needed through Collect!. We also have a partner at www.practicalprograms.net who has a document scanning solution that will attach a scanned document right onto your debtor record.
NL: Does your software integrate with report generators?
Comtech: Using RTF or DOT templates, DDE or ODBC, you can print data from Collect! in any word processor and in Crystal Reports or any other ODBC reporting tool.
NL: Does your software provide open access?
Comtech: Collect! is fully ODBC compliant. PERL, SQL and JDBC can also be used to talk to the Collect! database. Collect! also comes with very strong importing and exporting capabilities built in.
NL: Does your software interface with YGC (YouveGotClaims) or any other EDI platform?
Comtech: Yes we have an already prepared EDI for YGC. Many EDI interfaces are accommodated through Collect! and we are adding more all the time. You can use the available samples we have such as Accurint and others or order a custom solution to fit your needs.
NL: Does your system interface with 3rd party vendors (skip tracing, dialers, mail processing etc.) If so, please name them.
Comtech: Credit bureaus, letter service bureaus, dialers, data exchanges, credit card and check clearing houses, skip tracers, and document imaging providers are among our partners. Many functions are built into Collect! and other services are designed as add-on modules or custom projects. We have many technology partners Accurint, EPP, YGC and so much more you can see a list of our partnerships at http://collect.org/partners.html.
NL: Is your software web based?
Comtech: Collect!'s Web Host provides state-of-the-art web access to your data. View your accounts while traveling, give your clients real time access to their information through their web browser, employ collectors and data entry clerks to work from home. Use any standard web browser, web enabled cell phone or PDA device. You have full control over the look and functionality of this sleek, innovative interface to your Collect! database.
NL: What are all the costs involved including software installation, training, support, extra modules, monthly maintenance fees, transaction fees?
Comtech: Cost of an installed system varies significantly based on the volume and needs of each client. Please call to discuss specific pricing. 1-800-661-6722. We ask you to call because we have pricing that runs from $695.00 up to many thousands depending on any number of variables.
NL: What type of training and IT support do you offer?
Comtech: Collect! is so user-friendly that many users often don't require any technical consulting. Context sensitive HTML help is available throughout the system and on-line training videos are available to our membership. With the Collect! help documentation, the answer is usually only "F1" away. Membership packages are available and recommended. We have a helpful and knowledgeable technical consulting team. Training and custom programming services are also available.
NL: Does your system permit remote work sites?
Comtech: Yes, TCP/IP connection to server. Web Host for access through web browser. Collect! also works with Citrix and terminal services as remote entry solutions. Some clients have even used simple solution such as a VPN with VNC on the desktop, or GoToMyPC type solutions.
NL: What type of security is in place for data?
Comtech: Sophisticated, fully customizable system for controlling user level access to all forms and fields. Data encrypted at rest and in transit. Built-in SSL capabilities for Web Host.
NL: How many active users do you have?
Comtech: Over 1200 offices in 35 countries.
NL: What is the date of the first installation?
Comtech: 1992
NL: Do you have a user group?
Comtech: https://collectsoftware.cc/forum/index.php
NL: Where do you see the future is headed for collection software?
Comtech: We look forward to developing products in the future that are both O/S (Operating System) independent and DB (Database) independent. We see the need for easier remote desktop and website integration. We plan to further enhance our international functionality for all languages and currencies.
NL: Do you offer NL members a special discounted rate?
Comtech: Yes, 10% discount on user licenses.
NL: How are upgrades handled?
Comtech: Members have access to a secure area of our website and all upgrades and patches are posted for download. Announcements are made in our newsletter and members are encouraged to check the members area regularly. The upgrade procedure is well documented and defined and easily accomplished by even the most inexperienced computer user. All enhancements to our product are vigorously tested in house before being released for implementation. As always the Comtech technical consulting team is available to provide any needed assistance.
For more information, contact Robert Rutherford Comtech Systems, 107 – 859 Orono Ave., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V9B-2T9, Toll Free: (800) 661-6722, Fax: 250-474-2622 or Email: sales@collect.org.
This is a paid advertisement and not in any way to be considered an endorsement of the company, product or service.
|
