What are the challenges in managing new software for a company?
Managing new software can often feel daunting and can bring about a number of challenges. Issues can arise with an implementation process largely because the company still has to conduct business as usual on a daily basis. Primarily, managing new software can lead to efficiency and profitability issues as companies continue doing business in a broken way whilst learning to adapt.
A lack of a detailed, comprehensive training methodology can be a major setback for any software implementation project, particularly when any support stops beyond the implementation phase. When researching software solutions, it’s smart to consider how the vendor will continue to support you once your go-live date has come and gone.
What are the solutions available to overcome these challenges?
At VIPR, we consistently strive to deliver a high-quality service for our clients – and this doesn’t stop once we’ve installed your new software. When your new systems are in place, you’ll need support to ensure you get the best use of your software to maximise the benefits to your business. One way we do this is through the VIPR Managed Service (VMS). Working closely with JDX Consulting we provide end-to-end management of your bordereaux and reporting requirements. This removes internal IT pressures and therefore allows you to focus on other areas of your business.
How much training do VMS staff undergo?
In terms of training people for VMS, we offer a week long intensive course, whereby they have hands-on training with our VIPR systems. They receive one-to-one training with our in-house staff, which is followed by both a practical and theory exam at the end of the week. We aim to test people on a variety of different system functionalities, as well as focusing a portion of the training on troubleshooting errors. We also aim to make these training courses challenging, and we enable anyone taking the course full access to their own test system from the first day.
Each VMS trainee who passes our exams is awarded with a VMS certificate, which certifies them on the use of our products. They can take this with them to anyone they are working with, to say that they have passed the course and are VIPR certified.
What are benefits of this training for companies looking to use VMS?
Clients can be confident that VMS-trained staff are professional and fully understand the issues they are addressing. Training in VMS creates a wide breadth of experience, helping increase their knowledge of numerous clients in the market.
Is hiring a third party more expensive than training staff in-house?
Far from it – utilising VMS means that the client only pays for the time required for any specific project. The staffing levels can easily be flexed to accommodate any project being worked on. It can for example be utilised to deal with legacy issues to do with bordereaux, which once completed, no longer requires retention of the people involved. It would be very hard and expensive to manage with permanent staff.
Is VMS a widely used service?
Although only launched in the last few months, the interest in this service has been amazing. It was always felt there was a need for a London based outsourcing service and this is clearly the case. Our initial clients have been delighted with the service and word of the excellent results being achieved is travelling fast. We can see that this is going to make a major contribution to the market in general and not just to the existing VIPR client base.
Answers by Bob Brown, VIPR CEO
Have any more questions? Contact us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
