by  Brenda Long

When you’re looking for a new technology solution that will essentially run the operations of your entire staffing business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and caught up in the small details of it all.  What companies often lose sight of and many vendors are glad they do, is ask the very important big picture questions.

There are many more questions that need to be asked when making a staffing software purchase, but these 10 definitely shouldn’t be forgotten.

1. Upgrades: How often does your average client upgrade?  How long does it take to complete the upgrade?
2. Versions: How many different version of your software are in live use?  When was your last platform change for a major release?
3. Upgrade Costs: What costs are involved in upgrading?
4. Clients: How many clients have you lost in the last 12 months?  Why?  Who are they?
5. Data: If we are hosted, how difficult will it be for me to get my data if I leave?
6. Features: What happens if we need a new feature added to the software?
7. Price Increases: How often do you raise your prices?  When was your last increase and how much?  How much warning do you give before an increase?
8. Support: When I call support, do I get a live person or voice mail system?
9. Support Costs: How do you charge for routine support calls?  What is the average ‘extra’  monthly cost to clients besides contracted license fees and maintenance fees?
10. Company: How involved are the owners in the daily operations of the company?  What type of financial backing (VC/Private) does the company have?

Finally, the most important thing to do after you have asked these 10 questions….ask their current and former customers too.

by Briana Morgan

One of our original employees, Katie is an integral and vital team member; not only within her department, but throughout the whole organization.  Since Katie started out as our first corporate trainer, many of our clients know her as upbeat, cheery and the person with the answers!  We appreciate her commitment and can’t express enough how much her positive outlook affects each one of us.

Role at Avionté: Staffing Software Support Manager – Maintaining all aspects of the support department and support team including their career development and efficiency; from trouble-shooting to implementing and creating new and improved processes.  Katie is also the main point for all external communication to clients and often our go-to contact of our internal issues as well.

 
Outside of Work: Katie enjoys spending time up north at the cabin, hanging with her hubby and spending time with their friends and family.

On the Lighter Side…

Who is the most famous person you have met? – Josh Campbell www.joshuajamescampbell.com

The next place I travel to will be:  Germany – To visit a friend who lives there.

What was your favorite music group in junior high? – New Kids on the Block

Do you have any phobias?  L.A.R.P.ing

Only the staff at Avionté knows… Katie never yells, what are you talking about support?!