Marketing and Sales Activities
Operations
Service Delivery Procedures
Once an engagement has been agreed to the following steps will be performed:
- A formal engagement letter and contract is written and delivered to the client which:
- Spells out the nature of the work to be performed
- Recommends an initial schedule for providing the services
- Details any hardware and software purchases that will be required
- Highlights the client's responsibilities during implementation
- Estimates the number of hours and approximate total cost
- Contains legal recourse instructions and limitations
- The engagement letter is delivered to the potential client and when signed, constitutes an initial contract for the services. Any changes to the agreement that the client requests are considered at this time.
- The actual services are delivered according to the agreed on schedule.
- The engagement is reviewed periodically by AMS and the client to ensure that the goals are being met.
- Once the engagement is complete, billing is finalized. There may have been partial billings during the course of a particularly large engagement.
- A number of follow up calls are made to the client over the next two months to ensure that the new system is working properly and inquiring into any support services required.
- Mailings regarding upgrades will be sent to each past client unless they indicate they do not wish to receive them.
Operating Competitive Advantages
Techniques
The operations described above are proven techniques similar to those used while performing similar consulting work during the course of my employment with a local accounting firm. Some changes have been made to recognize market realities, but the structured approach serves to meet the client needs in most cases without overlooking minor needs or legal loopholes.
Experience
Most of the direct competition identified will have similar or greater experience in working with accounting information, computer systems and procedural analysis. Most of the indirect competitors do not possess the same experience. Economics of scale and direct costs of production do not exist for this service work.
Supplier Relationships
Suppliers of specific hardware or software are a concern only in secondary markets that Accounting Management Systems might enter. However, in providing consulting services, relations with the software vendors are important. Proper vendor relations offer:
- Advance notice of changes and upgrades.
- Access to program fixes and undocumented techniques.
- Potential referral of clients.
- Access to new versions of programs at reduced or nominal cost.
Care must also be taken when working with several vendors products. A certain rivalry can exist between vendors and this can threaten most of the above benefits to consultants.
Operating Conditions
Location
Operations for Accounting Management Systems are based in home office in Calgary. Some configuration and most of the writing of proposals and documentation will be performed in the home office. Most of the actual consulting services and meetings with clients will be performed at the client's place of business.
Hours of Operation/Availability
Hours of operation are expected to be from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday to Friday. Work on new implementations will routinely be done outside of these hours. Any support work not related to new implementations that is requested outside of normal hours will be charged at a 50% premium to the normal rate for that service or client.
