CRS Technology's
No-Nonsense Guide
to Business Technology

Recently, a mid-sized insurance agency in Southwest Florida decided it was time to upgrade its agency's software. There were many features and functions in the newer version that would add value to the business. In the process of evaluating software, they learned that their older PCs would not support the newer applications.

The cost of replacing the PCs, in addition to the expense of the upgraded software, was quickly putting this project financially out of reach.

However, their technical service provider suggested they consider a software program called Citrix that would work in conjunction with their older PCs. Citrix is still widely used as well as Microsoft client end program Terminal Services which is integrated in to Microsft windows XP & Vista.

Citrix is a PC-based application that works a lot like the old mainframe computers where the central processing unit does most of the work. By adding Citrix, Terminal Services, and a second powerful server, they were able to centralize the processing, taking the heavy demand off of the PCs. Under this scenario, the PCs function like the old "dumb" terminals, but the users still have all of the same functions and uses as they did with their older PCs.

If the agency had chosen to replace all of their older PCs, the cost would have exceeded $30,000. By buying a second server and the Citrix software and utilizing the Terminal Services portion of windows XP, their investment was under $15,000. In addition to saving money, their computer system is faster, more stable and less complicated than before.

Additionally, they are able to use the remote connectivity features inherent in the product, allowing them access to their data from home or on the road.

Corporate Investment Business Brokers:
Technology, Efficiency, Profitability
Larry Settle, broker and co-owner of CIBB, manages his company's time and money shrewdly. He and his partners understand that as highly compensated producers, their most valuable asset is time. Settle says, "Any technology product or service that can make us more efficient will result in bottom-line gains. However, doing more isn't the only objective. The accuracy of our work is critical and must be considered when we make upgrade decisions."

CIBB may be small in the number of employees — three partners and two administrators — but they are masters in leverage with over $20 million in annual transactions. When evaluating their options for upgrading their technical capability, their criteria include speed, accuracy, access, value and user friendliness.

If time is money, then processing and Internet speed are key. By upgrading their workstations and replacing their server, CIBB's network is faster and more efficient. Their next step is to upgrade their Internet access to T1 technology to reduce Internet wait time.

CIBB uses a blend of tools including voice mail, e-mail and remote access software to work where and when they want.

Healthcare Practice:
Taming Growth Digitally
By combining multiple practices, a fast-growing health-care practice had greater depth, resources and leverage, but it needed to prevent the increased patient load, call volume and paperwork from spinning rapidly out of control.

The first step it took was to determine whether it had the right technical "plumbing" to support its needs. The next phase was to analyze workflow strengths and inhibitors. The goal was straightforward: Build on strengths; eliminate bottlenecks. A survey of key staff members and practice partners uncovered a shared desire to improve process and levels of client service.

The survey revealed the primary productivity inhibitor: too much paper and too little process. Paper reduction and process improvement would increase the amount of time available for patient care.

The third step in this process was to select systems and people that could address the productivity inhibitors and implement them. The objective was a logical, practical and easy to use information management system. The two key areas for consideration were infrastructure and information management. The infrastructure issues pertained to the technical plumbing required to support high-speed data and voice connectivity.

They selected T1 lines to connect multiple facilities together combining both voice and data—and an upgrade phone system. Internal and external communications were dramatically improved.

The next phase was capturing, controlling and managing the paper by converting to an electronic document format. Paper charts and records were transformed into electronic documents by using scanners and scanning software. With centralized data stored electronically, multiple people from multiple locations could find and share data when and where they were needed.

The bottom line: tremendous economies of scale and efficiencies.

No-Nonsense Solutions for Your Business
from CRS Technology

CRS Technology helps companies like these deploy technology solutions that improve productivity and deliver a genuine return on investment. Our competent and certified technical staff sees things from a business point of view. They can explain technical issues in terms we can all understand.

To learn how we may be able to help you get a better return on your business technology investment, email us: ServiceRequests@crsonline.net or call us: