Since
1992,
NSPG has been providing the tools that allow contractors to
increase profits and minimize business hassles. With our
simple-to-use-tools, you can make being a business owner
what you always wanted to it be -
successful, profitable and rewarding.
OnLine Applications
From time to time we are
asked whether we have online versions of our software
products. These questions usually arise whenever
Google or Microsoft release a new application that is
available on line. Our response is that we will
offer online versions when they make sense for our
users. If you use software to run your business,
this is an issue you will need to deal with sooner or
later.
 In the July edition of
PC
Magazine, John C. Dvorak addresses the push toward
online applications. He methodically goes through
the general arguments for online applications and
concludes that they are a step backward for most
applications. Here are a few of his points
along with our take on how they affect our industries.
 1. The Network Sucks.
Mr. Dvorak's argument is that networks are slow and
unreliable compared to your personal computer.
Since the Internet is one giant network, the problems
are magnified. Most "business" software is
basically a database of some sort that relies on moving
data around, a slow or unreliable network can kill your
productivity.
 2. Industrial Espionage
is easy. For a small business, espionage is
not the issue with online applications, data security
is. Think of how your customers would react if
they found out that someone had gotten their information
from your online data files. Even if it was not
your fault, most people would be very angry that their
personal information was revealed. If you follow
good security practices, the data on your own computer
is much more secure than on a simple password protected
online application site.
3. When online software
companies go under, so does your software.
If your application and data are online, what happens to
your business when the company goes out of business or
is bought by another company and closed down? Most
desktop software should continue to work long after the
company is gone.
 4.
Potential for Gouging. Once you have your
business running on their software on their computers,
they can set any price they want. You're locked
into their system, and they can hold your business
information hostage.
Mr. Dvorak's take on the
online application issue may be a bit extreme, but all
of his points are valid. There is definitely
additional risk when you lose control of your
application and data.
With the current state of
technology, online applications should be used for the
parts of your business that need to be on line.
The online aspect of software that we are all most
familiar with is the online update.
For example, all NSPG
software can be updated for free on our web sites.
This functionality makes sense because it is the most
efficient way for most users to stay up to date.
The risk is very small since you can back up your
current installation, and roll back to a previous
version if you want.
Another example of a
positive use of online resources is communicating with
field personnel. Software packages like our
Performance Dispatch Plus (PDP) product have a built in
dispatching function that allows you to send the job
details via the internet to your technician's cell
phone. This can improve productivity by allowing
you to queue up several jobs so the technician's down
time is reduced.
 In
order for an online application to make sense, its added
benefits must outweigh the productivity, security, and
pricing risks. An application that must be
available from anywhere makes sense online. If you
work with your business applications from one or two
offices, private secure networks with ordinary packaged
software makes more sense.
So, like all of your
business decisions, you need to consider your own
situation before you commit your business switch to an
online application.
 Give Mike Conroy a call to
discuss your business, your numbers, or your flat rate
books. Take advantage of his experience working
with hundreds of companies like your to help you achieve your own business success.
Mike will be attending the
Nexstar Money
Masters on July 25, and the
QSC Power Meeting
on July 31, so you can talk to him personally. He
always enjoys meeting with business professionals who
are interested in creating their own business success.
Measure Monthly, Adjust Quarterly
& Achieve Annual Profit Goals
NSPG News
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Performance Dispatch Plus
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Ever wonder how your technicians are really
performing? How about your CSRs?
Performance
Dispatch Plus has built in tools that let you measure the
performance of many parts of your business just by looking at the
information you enter as you run your business every day. It's quick
and easy.
To see a few short videos of how PDP works, take a
look at the demo
page.
PDP combines
your Customer List with easy to use
Dispatch Software, connects to
Flat Rate, creates the
Invoice, and syncs it all with
QuickBooks. Along the way, it remembers
everything so you can evaluate and improve your business
without retyping anything.
At the end of
the day, you can evaluate individual employees or your entire business
performance with the built-in reports without retyping any information.
Just choose a report, and the information is there.
Most
of your daily operations like taking calls, managing estimates, employee
scheduling, and invoicing can be controlled in Performance Dispatch Plus to
simplify and organize everything you do.
PDP remembers everything so you can evaluate and improve the
critical aspects of your business without retyping anything. That saves you
time and money, reduces errors, and you can be sure it will get done because
it’s automatic.
For more information about Performance Dispatch Plus, visit
the
Performance
Dispatch Plus website or call
800-841-8542, and let us show you how our system can work for your business.
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Finally! Your business can be easier to
manage every day. |
 On-Line
News
IRS Raises Standard Mileage Rate to 58.5 cents
per mile
July 1.
Maryland Plumber's Field of Dreams
Space Plumber
Electrician
Stars
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In This Issue |
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Phone 800 841-8542
Numbers Cruncher
National Standard
Price Guide
Performance Dispatch Plus
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The freebie of the month is a web site or
product that we feel gives you something worth looking
at or using that costs you little or nothing.
Declaration of
Independence
When in
the course of human events it becomes necessary for one
people to dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another and to assume among the
powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to
which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.
What's on the back of the Declaration of Independence?
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Quotations
Never
spend your money before you have it.
Thomas Jefferson
Middle age
is the time when a man is always thinking that in a week
or two he will feel as good as ever.
Don Marquis
My father
taught me to work; he did not teach me to love it.
Abraham
Lincoln
Hard work
never killed anybody, but why take a chance?
Edgar Bergen
It is not
enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and
THEN do your best.
W. Edwards Deming
Before
anything else, preparation is the key to success.
Alexander Graham Bell
You can be
young without money but you can't be old without it.
Tennessee Williams
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