DCA releases Subs Plus version 5.1 (SQL)

Subs Plus Version 5.1 delivers the most significant architectural and features upgrade in the product’s 15-year history.

Subs Plus Version 5.1 has been completely re-engineered. The database platform is Microsoft’s SQL Server 2000.  This new design makes it much easier for DCA to take advantage of the latest technologies to keep Subs Plus at the leading edge.

Recently implemented examples of such features include:

• A telephony interface – Subs Plus searches the database for the phone number of the incoming call and automatically displays the match.
• Interface to Dialect - a real time credit card gateway.
• A website that is fully interfaced to the Subs Plus database. Orders that are taken on the website go immediately into the Subs Plus database. The website also allows the operator to view current subscriptions and to maintain their personal details.

The move to the SQL Server database (which is an “open” database) has also enhanced the flexibility and transparency of Subs Plus. It is possible to connect to the database with a variety of reporting and analysis tools (such as Crystal reports or Cognos) to gain even more detailed information than the standard Subs Plus reports provide.

In terms of functionality, in addition to the above major features, there are over 20 new product features. Subs Plus clients who are using either versions 2.x or 3.x can request a detailed list of modifications that have been added since the release.

For DOS Users – the time has come to Upgrade to the new version. For faster processing, a stable and supported system, you must upgrade now. Important – refer to section on Support.

For Version 3 and lower clients – these improvements will lower your data entry processing times, and vastly improve the level and type of management and marketing information you need from Subs Plus.

For Version 4 Clients who are on the USA Support - you would have already received your upgrade.

Subs Plus recent, new features

Automated Notes

The notes feature (which is part of customer history) has been expanded so that Note Type codes can be set up. When a note is entered, the operator can choose from a list of standard note types and/or enter free text. If a note code is chosen from the list, text can still be entered.

Additionally, when setting up a note type, it is possible to force the entry of a publication code when a note is recorded, using that note type. Further to that, it is also possible to force the entry of an issue. For example, there may be a code for "Magazine was not delivered". The operator would also be required to enter the publication code and issue.

There is a report that summarizes notes, sub totalling publication and issues.

Benefits:

1. Speed up and standardise data entry - many common notes and entries will not require any free text input from the operator.
2. The note type reports provide valuable information on the type of enquiries and also about which publications (and issues) are most affected.

Import Merchandise

As well as being able to import subscriptions from iSUBSCRIBE! or your own website, it is also possible to import credit card orders for merchandise (or one off items).

Benefits:

This feature allows merchandise orders to be processed, without the need for data entry. This saves up to three minutes per order. (Previously, such orders could not be imported – they needed to be entered in a batch).

Import Gift Card Details

When importing gift subscriptions (from a website, for example), it is possible to import a request for a gift card as well as the personalised details to go onto the card (including a preferred name, personal message and when to send the card).

Benefits:

This feature allows gift cards to be sent, without the need for data entry. This saves up to 90 seconds per order.

Telephony Interface

Subs Plus now provides the capability to interface to phone systems so that the “caller ID” feature can be used. Subs Plus is put into Waiting for Call mode where it waits to receive a message from the phone system. If the incoming call identifies the caller’s number (i.e. if the number is not a “silent number”), Subs Plus will attempt to find that number on the database. If an exact, unique match is found, the record is automatically displayed on screen, ready for the operator to take the enquiry.

Benefits:

When successful, this process saves valuable time – up to 30 seconds per call.

User Access Groups

Subs Plus now manages user access to features with User Access Groups (UAG). This new system allows UAG to be created and configured. For each group, it is possible to select tasks from an extensive list of Subs Plus activities (see below). Each user can be in multiple access groups. Provided that at least one of those groups gives permission to use a particular Subs Plus feature, the user will have access to that feature.

Benefits:

Provides greater security by allowing the supervisor(s) to control exactly what areas operators have access to. For example, you may want to grant access to some accounting reports but to nothing else – you can now do that.

Payment Warning System

The Payment Warning System allows orders to be flagged for revision, or even to be stopped. These warnings are automatically checked each time a payment is processed and if the payment matches the warning, the appropriate action and message is triggered.

For example, it may be necessary to record bad credit card numbers. Another example would be a subscriber who says “I sent in my cheque but I forgot to fill out the gift card part of the form”. They supply the recipient details and want the operator to add those when the cheque arrives.

Setup

Warning for Operator