Archive for the ‘Product Support and Training’ Category
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
After a technical support call is received and resolved by our Product and Technical Support Services Team, we send a survey to the customers requesting they rate the quality of the service they received on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being Excellent. This is done with every support call logged so that we can continually enhance our internal processes and offer the highest levels of customer service.
We’re happy to share that this past July, 98 percent of customers surveyed gave our support technicians a ranking of 5 when asked about their technical knowledge and helpfulness.
You see, here’s where we do things differently. Our Product and Technical Support Services Team is comprised of technical staff, trainers and data customization specialists. That means many of our customers have the added value of working with the same ReServe team members from the time of initial installation. Certain staff members specialize in specific software modules, and the entire Product and Technical Support Services Team has a keen understanding of the hospitality industry. In addition, through close interaction and ongoing partnership, team members become knowledgeable of the specific operational requirements of each individual customer. What results is a level of service that exceeds industry standards and provides our customers with a unique support experience that keeps them productive, efficient and profitable.
And our customers agree. Here are a couple of quotes from those surveyed in July.
“Always a pleasure working with representatives from Reserve. EXTREMELY helpful and kind (patient!). Thank you for the on-the -spot assistance to my impromptu phone call. You made my day easier.”
“ReServe Representatives have consistently been helpful EVERY time that I have called. I have always received an immediate response as well as a solution.”
Thank you to everyone who participates in our support surveys! As always, it’s a pleasure serving you!
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
There’s a saying that goes ‘The only thing constant in life is change’. Very true. And, in some cases, very hard to accept. When people are used to doing things a certain way, it can be difficult to change their course of action. People get caught up in what they have to give up and what has made them comfortable, versus what they may gain in the long run. You may find that some are eagerly willing to make the change, while some people dig in with their heels and fight you every step of the way.
Technology is often a trigger for significant change and therefore, a potential trigger for resistance. Whether you’re implementing software to take the place of manual processes or replacing one system with another, it’s important to remember that the reaction to that change will vary across your organization. To ease the pain, consider choosing a provider that will take the time to provide adequate training to your staff, as well as remain accessible throughout the implementation process, so concerns can be addressed and minds can be set at ease. Take a moment to zero in on employees who are eagerly embracing the change and have them assist you in training others. Let their enthusiasm become contagious.
Our new customers are often surprised at how easy our software is to implement, train on and use. It is technology after all. But our users, regardless of any resistance, or enthusiasm for that matter, are typically up and running, using the software to book actual events or dining reservations within a few hours of training. We work closely with them and provide all of the tools they need to ease any discomfort they may have with making the change.
Paul Pace from Treasure Island Hotel & Casino is a great example of an individual embracing change. When his company’s legacy dining reservation software system was phased out and ReServe Anywhere® was implemented, he said, “I came on board after implementation, and because the system is so user friendly and easy to use, I logged in and taught myself how to use it. I was able to take single and group reservations, make changes to floor plans and update menus within a couple of days.”
Change is inevitable, yes. But resistance to it doesn’t have to be.
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
A lot of software programs use interfaces to enhance their offering. Interfaces allow users to work with a software solution that offers a variety of additional tools to meet their business needs. The trick is making sure the interfaces you are promised make your job easier.
When it comes to hospitality management software, there are products on the market that claim to offer intuitive or easy to use interfaces, but essentially they are just providing a link that directs the user to another application all together. A true interface allows both programs to automatically communicate with each other, easily sharing necessary data and ultimately enhancing the user experience.
At ReServe, we don’t just interface with anyone. We look for software partners that support their products and are committed to servicing their customers according to similarly high standards. Our goal is to select partners willing to share information and work side-by-side with us so that the interface is fully integrated and seamless.
Our customer base is broad, spanning several market segments with diverse technology requirements, so our software and any interfaces we offer, need to accommodate that range of needs, from the most basic to the most sophisticated platforms. As such, each interface we select fits naturally with our process driven design and simply becomes an extension of our software, running automatically and anticipating our users’ needs. Our interfaces are smart and work for the user, providing accurate and necessary information, presented on screen where you need it and only when you need it, without complicating routine tasks with extra steps or superfluous data.
Once we commit to an interface, we support it and keep it working throughout upgrades to our software’s architecture. That way, the interface is always functional and critical customer data is never lost. We stand behind our interfaces and make sure we understand the architecture of each third-party product, so that we can easily navigate it and troubleshoot user questions. We don’t bounce our users around between software companies and support departments. Instead, we work with the user as a single point of contact, trusting in our interface solutions and the companies that provide them.
We work with several industry partners to develop integrated interfaces, including Element Payment Systems for credit card processing and storage, MeetingMatrix for room diagramming, as well as various POS system software providers, paging system vendors, and food costing system manufacturers.
One example of a very efficient interface from the user’s perspective is our interface with MeetingMatrix. Through our partnership , we’ve developed an interface that seamlessly launches the MeetingMatrix software with the simple click of one button on the ReServe screen, transfers event information between ReServe and MeetingMatrix, and instantly creates custom room diagrams using the unique specifications for the event that have already been configured in ReServe. With this solution, there is no double entry of information required. All relevant information is automatically shared between ReServe and MeetingMatrix, enabling the user to be very efficient in each program.
The elegance of a software solution should be in its simplicity for the user. Software should be assistive, not prohibitive, taking care of the details, providing the right data only when and where it is needed, and freeing the user to focus on their job. That is what “easy to use” and “intuitive” means. However, “easy to use” does not mean easy to create. It’s not enough for a company to say its product interfaces with another product. As a user, you’ve got to demand a demonstration of how an interface actually works, because software cannot be a productivity tool that adds real value unless it is elegantly simple in its functionality.
So, before you decide on a software solution that offers interfaces, make sure you are getting what you’ve been promised and what you’ve paid for. Demand true communication between the products, ease of use, and business enhancing functionality. After all, you have more important things to do than struggle with software solutions that are more trouble than they’re worth.
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Category General, Industry Issues, Product Support and Training, Technology Tips & Tricks, customer service | Tags: Tags: Element Payment Systems, hospitality management software, interface, interfaces, MeetingMatrix, POS system, ReServe, software interfaces,
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Today, I’d like to introduce you to another member of our training team. Leslie Phillips. Leslie joined us in August of 2006 on a part-time basis and became full-time in January of 2010. Throughout her tenure with us, Leslie has been responsible for implementing new accounts, conducting beginning and advanced training classes, writing training materials, and handling customer support calls. She has also traveled to customer locations to host on-site training sessions.
Originally from Washington, Leslie moved to California in 1988 after graduating from Eastern Washington University. Today, she is an extremely busy single mom raising two teenagers. She’s an active volunteer at the high school and enjoys playing, as well as watching sports with her kids. Leslie also loves to travel and read, and brings the passion and enthusiasm she displays in her personal life into her professional life with ReServe.
“Leslie Phillips was the most welcoming, unintimidating, software support person that I have spoken to in a while. Very knowledgeable and has a wonderful bed side manner.” Kristen Childs, Reynolds Plantation.
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Lynn McGlynn joined us on a part-time basis in 1999 managing customer implementations and property profile customizations. In 2000, on-site training was added to her list of responsibilities. She successfully balanced her time with ReServe and raising four daughters over the next four years. When our new West Coast offices opened, Lynn moved with us and helped with most aspects of the business, including taking product and technical support calls. As our business grew, she made the move into technical support and learned how to install ReServe Desktop to Microsoft Networks.
Just prior to the introduction of ReServe Anywhere®, we added additional staff and Lynn was able to transition back to product and customer support. And finally, in the fall of 2008, Lynn made the move back into product implementation, training and support. Today, she is one of our longest tenured employees and an important part of the team.
Outside of work, Lynn is a busy mom juggling meals, homework, extra-curricular activities, sports and housework. She also serves as a personal assistant, senior secretary if you will, to her husband who is a culinary instructor at a local junior college. In her free time, Lynn likes to play hard as an avid hiker and beachcomber. She comes from a very close family and travels to Southern Oregon to be with them as often as she can.
“Lynn surpasses my expectations every time I need her assistance. She goes above and beyond with every request.” Elizabeth McGlinn, One Atlantic
Friday, March 19th, 2010
This month, we’re excited to launch ReServe University. We’ve been working on this feature for awhile and it’s finally ready to share with our customers. ReServe University is a new tool for support subscribers that gives them access to all of the training and support services we offer, including a Training Library, Classroom, Help Desk and Support Resources area.
From day one, we’ve wanted our customers to get the most out of their software. Now, with ReServe University, our customers can easily take advantage of our comprehensive training offering. Everyone from hosts to catering sales managers, users in all areas of operations, can get advanced training for each of our software modules, including specific product features.
From downloadable documents and presentations to recorded webinars and interactive training sessions, our users will haveeverything they need; in addition to the one-on-one training and support we’ve always provided, to unlock the full potential of their ReServe Interactive experience.
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Category Corporate News, General, Product Support and Training, customer service | Tags: Tags: customer service, Help Desk, product support, ReServe Interactive, ReServe University, support, support services, Training Library,
Monday, March 15th, 2010
We launched ReServe Interactive in 1996. Our mission and vision were clear and our long-term goals were set. And then, as luck would have it, we were joined by employees who dedicated their time and expertise to helping us grow the company. In our early days, when money was tight and we were all doing the jobs of 3 or 4 people, these individuals worked extra hours, some unpaid, to get the business moving and our customers up and running. And now, 14 years later, many of those same employees are still with us.
We have larger offices now, the hours are little less crazy and business is growing and going strong – and it’s because of their dedication to our mission. We’ve worked hard over the years to build a culture of loyalty, both customer loyalty and employee loyalty, and that culture has been firmly established. We care about and take care of our employees, and our employees care about and offer exemplary service to our customers. That’s why they’re loyal and that’s why we’re successful.
Over the next several months, we’ll be introducing you to the ReServe Interactive family – our services and support team, the product development staff, the sales group and everyone in between. We look forward to sharing more about the people who have made us who we are today – what they do for ReServe, what they like to do in life, and what our customers are saying about them.
We’ve been lucky to have them as part of our organization and we’re eager to share their stories with you.
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Category Corporate News, General, Product Support and Training, customer service | Tags: Tags: culture of loyalty, employee loyalty, employees, loyalty, ReServe In, ReServe Interactive, services and support,
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
We challenge ourselves continually to improve our internal processes so that we can enhance our customer service and support offering. One of our processes includes tracking our response time for support cases that are submitted to our Product and Technical Support Services Team. In January and February of this year, we opened approximately 1,000 support cases and more than 99 percent of those calls were for product configuration and implementation questions, new feature requests, and training and product upgrade queries. From the time the case was submitted, whether by voicemail, e-mail or via the web, the customer was contacted within 3 hours and most cases were resolved or closed within an hour. In addition, we’ve received 1,184 direct calls to our live Call Center. We think it’s important that our customers be able to talk with an actual person, rather than an automated system. Our 2010 statistics show those Call Center calls were answered, on average, in just under a minute, with 83 percent answered within 30 seconds.
We follow up on each closed support case with a survey sent directly to the customer, asking each customer to rank us on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being Excellent. Since the beginning of the year, 97 percent of our customers have given us a rating of 5 in regards to our response time. Ninety-seven percent of respondents gave our support technicians a ranking of 5 when it comes to technical knowledge and helpfulness.
In addition to ranking our service, many of our customers leave us messages or supporting comments that help us in evaluating our processes. Some of our customers just like to share how they feel about us. Holly Young, Event Sales Manager at Butte Creek Country Club, said, “Thank you! It’s especially nice to call the help desk and get a live person without having to wait or press a bunch of buttons on the phone!”
Thank you, Holly! It’s a pleasure serving you and all of our customers.
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
We have some exciting things planned this year. Initiatives that are going to impact all areas of our organization and the way our customers do business. We’re focusing on customer relations and service, employee loyalty (because we happen to think our employees are some of the best out there!), and sharing more of our story with the industry.
Through this blog and other industry-related activities, you’ll be learning more about the people that make up our organization and the experience and skill they bring to the table. You’ll hear more about new services and industry partnerships that will enhance our product and service offering. And, finally, you read about the ways we’re making a difference to our customers, their guests and their bottom lines.
Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for a major announcement regarding our product training and support. We’re getting ready to launch a new program that is going to change the way our customers experience their ReServe Interactive software, as well as help them take their user skills to the next level.
At ReServe Interactive, change is a good thing. Especially when that change has a positive impact on the way we do business for our customers. We look forward to sharing our plans for 2010 with you, so keep tuning in!
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, more than 343 million records with sensitive personal information have been involved in security breaches in the U.S. since January of 2005. And some statistics even claim that more than 55 percent of credit card fraud comes from the hospitality industry!* Wow. Those are some scary stats.
Today, when financial transactions are regularly conducted in an online environment, merchants can become easy targets for fraud. In many cases, it’s inadequate security on the business’s end that allows hackers to steal and use financial data from credit and debit card transactions and credit card processing systems.
With the prevalence of this type of activity, companies are scrambling to put the appropriate measures in place to protect their customers and themselves. Compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) helps to eliminate a merchant’s vulnerabilities and protect important consumer data. Those companies that fail to fulfill the PCI compliance requirements and put the proper levels of protection in place can face massive fines, increased credit card processing fees, the inability to accept payment cards at all, and ultimately, closure – all devastating consequences.
Many of our customers, from hotels to restaurants, and caterers to convention centers, routinely gather, process and store sensitive customer financial data. Whether it’s using a consumer’s credit card to secure a deposit for an event, book a reservation, or simply pay an invoice, our customers are responsible for making sure that the financial data their guests share remains secure.
As their business partner, we are committed to providing them with the tools they need to become, and remain, PCI compliant. We understand the risks and the long lasting effects of non-compliance and we are not willing to take any chances.
*The PCI Compliance Process for Hotels, American Hotel & Lodging Association
