PROVIDING CUTTING EDGE CUSTOM SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS Issue Number: 12  |  Date: December 15, 2008   Contact Digital Sabre Solutions for a FREE CONSULTATION and find out how you can use technology to help improve your business!   In this issue…   Demystifying the Technology: IT Cost-Cutting Strategies for Today’s Economy Sabre Solutions: Relationship with Software Company Grows Into Productive Partnership November Accomplishments and Undertakings: Local Networking Group Helps Businesses Grow DSS Launches Green Web Site Strategic Partnerships Promote Sales Employee Spotlight: Copywriter, Michelle O’Donnell About Digital Sabre Solutions   Demystifying the Technology: IT Cost-Cutting Strategies for Today’s Economy   The pressure to cut costs while providing added value is more prevalent than ever. When times are tough, the general tendency is to focus on financial analysis rather than transaction processing. However, there is significant money to be saved when business processes are examined and refined. Below, are practical, cost-cutting strategies that are relevant and easily applicable in today’s market: Increase Productivity It may surprise you to know that many of those routine, manual tasks can be automated via implementation of a simple, customized IT application. Automating many of the processes that are currently performed manually generates improved productivity and higher efficiency. Reduce Labor Costs Is there a faster, better way to perform repetitive, time-consuming business methods? As you examine your business processes, focus on streamlining the most labor-intensive tasks. Any reduction in labor costs equates to an immediate savings. Shorten Cycle Times By automating routine tasks in the sales process, the purchasing cycle is shortened. Shorter cycle times mean that the money can come in much faster. Let us never forget, time is money! Reduce Error Handling Significantly reduce your margin of user-error by cutting costs through automation. Information becomes more accurate as mundane manual tasks are replaced by highly reliable automated methods, boosting profits and saving you money. Know Your Customers Better Learn more about your customers by employing a customer relationship management (CRM) application tailored to meet specific corporate initiatives. All data from each department are collected and organized to get a more accurate picture of your customer, making it easier to understand their wants and needs. Return-on-investment is important, but so is improving enterprise applications to deliver information in better, quicker, cheaper, and faster ways. These processes significantly affect your bottom line. Practical implementation can garner a competitive advantage, improve efficiency and productivity by at least 20% plus, increase sales by as much as 50%; a significant cost-savings by any standard.   Sabre Solutions: Relationship with Software Company Grows Into Productive Strategic Partnership   Three months ago, Anybill came to Digital Sabre Solutions for help in completing a small IT project. Impressed with the skills and resources provided by DSS, the relationship quickly evolved into a full-scale strategic alliance when Anybill needed assistance in developing their next generation accounting application. With an almost impossible completion deadline of December 31st, DSS took on this challenging task and has been diligently working with Anybill for the last six weeks on this product upgrade. This internet-based software application is designed to improve the efficiency of accounts payable procedures. The application upgrade will include more robust features and streamlined processing to ensure that every step in the accounts payable process outperforms any paper-based or off-the-shelf system. From document imaging and management to payment and confirmation, this next generation product will far surpass its predecessor via a more efficient processing system in a more user-friendly online environment. It is expected that the relationship between Anybill and DSS will continue to evolve into a profitable and rewarding partnership for both during the New Year. But right now, under the skilled guidance of four experienced and dedicated project managers, the project is on schedule for its 2009 release date. Since 1997, Anybill has been providing accounts payable software and services to the small-to-medium enterprise market, as well as large corporations and institutions. With a client list that includes Marriot International, the American Diabetes Association, and over 150 others, Anybill continues to be a leading provider in effective, innovative accounts payable software and services. Please visit www.anybill.com for more information.   Accomplishments and Undertakings   Local Networking Group Helps Businesses Grow As one of the founding members, Digital Sabre is proud to announce the creation of a business-to-business networking resource right here in Charlotte, Business Network International (BNI). With a current roster of twelve members, this esteemed networking group is a great way for high-level corporations to take advantage of the cumulative knowledge that is available locally. Membership is for corporate decision makers and is a selective process; companies must meet specific criteria to join. Please contact Will Leger for more information at will@digitalsabre.net. DSS Launches Green Web Site Digital Sabre just finished development on a robust, one-of-a-kind Web site targeted to contractors and building professionals who want to “go green.” Build With Green Products (BWGP) is a unique company offering the Web’s most comprehensive listing of “green” home building and appliance products. A powerful, backend database allows users to search, view, and compare environmentally-safe, energy-efficient products for an existing home or a new construction project. The site boasts an extremely user-friendly interface coupled with a vast databank for quick and effective inquiries. Strategic Partnerships Promote Sales DSS announces that strategic partnerships and tactical alliances have been steadily increasing, exhibiting a 30% growth rate in the fourth quarter alone! In the wake of the economic downturn, companies are beginning to realize the importance of key, strategic IT partnerships and how these relationships can significantly advance sales and growth. Whether it be a license-based project delivery relationship or working in tandem with an outside IT developer to produce an end product, there is a model that can support corporate objectives and increase revenue streams. To find out more about forming key IT alliances and strategic partnerships that will help grow your business, contact Will Leger at will@digitalsabre.net.   Employee Spotlight: Copywriter, Michelle O’Donnell   As a professional commercial copywriter and communications consultant, Michelle has been writing marketing collateral and educational pieces for over 15 years. She has conceived and produced hundreds of written materials that include direct-mail pieces, catalog copy, newsletters, websites, and more. Though she has experience writing for many different industries, the IT arena has been her favorite focus for the last few years. “I am in awe of technology. The possibilities are exciting and truly infinite; that’s why I love working in this industry. And I am forever impressed with the judicial use of technology that Digital Sabre employs. Having worked with DSS for the last year, I have learned a tremendous amount not just about the use of technology, but about what service and professionalism really mean. It’s a pleasure to work with such a smart, dedicated group of individuals that truly ‘get’ technology and its purpose. I’m genuinely honored to be a part of the team,“ says O’Donnell. Prior to working with Digital Sabre Solutions, Michelle was director of development for a prominent Web development agency in New York. Additionally, she worked at Sunburst Technologies, an educational software publisher, where she served as senior project manager developing language arts software and multimedia tools for students in grades K-12. Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. Having moved from New York three years ago, she is still happily adjusting to the slower pace of life that Charlotte, North Carolina offers her and her family of three.   About Digital Sabre Solutions   Delivering affordable, timely technology solutions, Digital Sabre Solutions LLC provides the convenience and stability of skilled onshore project management at the cost advantages and scalability only an offshore development team can offer. A subsidiary of the MAS Group, a leading provider of design-to-delivery solutions, Digital Sabre Solutions is securely backed by over 20 years of industry experience and a surplus of skilled resources. Customers include such international brands as Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic, The Gap, Speedo, and Nike among others. Digital Sabre is located in Charlotte, NC. For more information call 704-944-5525 or visit them on the Web at www.digitalsabre.net.   We invite you to contact DSS for a FREE consultation. We’ll gladly meet with you, capture your ideas and then transform them into a practical proposal for your review. Please contact Chetan Amalean at 704.944.5525 or Will Leger at 704-944-3580 for more information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Digital Sabre Solutions Newsletter is published monthly.