Is Your Organization Keeping Valuable Customer Data in Spreadsheets or a Homegrown Access™ Database?

A Common Scenario
One of the most common reasons for buying Everest is to replace spreadsheets, old software or a paper-based process. Our expertise comes from over 40 years of software application development. We understand the trade-off decisions considering in-house software development vs. buying a commercial off-the-shelf solution such as Everest.

Resource Allocation
One of the key factors to consider is project resource allocation. Significant issues to consider include:

 The internal resources necessary to create the desired functionality
 The talent and resources needed to maintain and update the system
 The effort required to become a subject matter expert
 The responsibility and resources to keep the system tuned with the latest technical advancements

An internal development team may possess the programming skills and even the lengthy development time required, however the extensive ongoing refinement of Everest keeps it consistently ahead of the pack. With Everest, you get the latest technological advancements, feature enhancements and cross-industry best practices bundled into regular releases of the program. Our focus and software expertise are unmatched because of the simple fact that Everest is all we do at Lynk Software.

Reasons for Change
Is your organization still keeping valuable customer data in various Excel™ spreadsheets or a homegrown Access™
database? Everest is a smart choice for many reasons. Consider the following:

 Multiple spreadsheets make consolidated reporting difficult and very time consuming, while inconsistencies can cause numerous errors
 Internally developed databases require regular maintenance and are usually over-dependent on a particular individual for advanced procedures or troubleshooting
 Data analysis is a time consuming, labor intensive process
 Limited functionality and static system design
 No internal support or completely outdated technology
 Results are displayed or categorized wrong due to inconsistent entries into key data fields
 Does not scale well for an expanded scope across multiple departments or multiple locations
 Evolution of the business including sales growth, expansion, merger, acquisition or re-organization
 Regulatory compliance requirements or industry standards for improving quality

“I have been in the software industry for almost 30 years. This is the first time that a software company has listened and implemented any of my suggestions. The only way that ever occurred in the past was when I was writing the code. So, I am elated that your company has incorporated my suggestions into their release. Please share my kudos with everyone else that was involved.”

Regards,

Paul Burkhardt
Application Support Analyst – MIS
Velcro USA Inc.

Thank you, Paul. Your compliment was so well received, we wanted to share it with our blog readers. ~Lynk Team

We’ve just put the wrapper on our new 6.0.4 Release for 2010! The official announcement and other details will be out very soon. In the meantime, here is a preview of new features you may find of interest. Release Notes: http://www.lynksoftware.com/help/default.htm?release_notes.htm .

Reports | Action Reports
Extensive standard reporting options for Actions are now available.
http://www.lynksoftware.com/help/default.htm?action_reports.htm

Reports | Queries
Now you can copy or rename a Query.
http://www.lynksoftware.com/help/default.htm?queries.htm

Administration | Imports
Three new import formats are now available.
http://www.lynksoftware.com/help/default.htm?imports.htm

• Concern Type Import
• Defect Code Import
• Sales Activity Import

Administration | Notifications
A new list view format for QuickLink URLs in notification templates will display the list of Concerns by Owner or Actions by Owner for the User immediately upon login.
http://www.lynksoftware.com/help/default.htm?keywords.htm

Administration | Logged In Users
System Managers can now view a list of users who are currently logged into Everest in Administration | Logged In Users. http://www.lynksoftware.com/help/default.htm?logged_in_users.htm

We, at Lynk Software, value our independence. Virtual offices are a must for this spirited group. But in order to offer the quality customer service that defines us as an organization, we all have to be on the same page: organized, cohesive and on top of our game.

How do we accomplish this while spending much of our time in virtual offices? You guessed it – Everest.

Everest is used as a communication tool to ensure that we all know what’s happening with our customers and within the organization. Here are some specific ways the Lynk Software team puts Everest to work:

Tracking Customer Concerns
Designed for this purpose, Everest is perfect for tracking customer concerns and problems. Each concern is entered in Everest and then assigned to a staff member for resolution. An email is generated within Everest to notify the designated staff of his or her responsibility.

Once resolved, the outcome is entered in Everest and catalogued for future reference. This way trends are easily spotted and we have proven solutions at our finger tips. Quality is an ongoing commitment at Lynk, and this system has proven to be a highly effective way to manage product refinement.

Track Product Enhancement Requests
Whenever one of our beloved customers requests a specific product enhancement, it is logged in Everest. Every spring we come together as a team and review these requests. We then decide which of these requests will be implemented and which will be deferred.

Sales Activities
Every prospect is entered in Everest. Every interaction is entered in the system and relevant quotes and documents are easily attached within Everest.

Our commitment is to provide the highest service and quality to our customers. Everest allows us to deliver our best to you while maintaining a work environment that works for us.

Please drop us a line and let us know how you use Everest!