Be a Graciously-Rewarded Host

By Tim Nissen

Offer products or services… or both?

Electronic document management solution software is an in-demand enabler of scanning devices, so the product subject’s relevant. It’s the service side of the biz that’s becoming increasingly compelling, particularly hosting client’s documents on your servers and providing them access via the Internet.

Storage is inexpensive these days. Adding to your existing capacity is an easy application in any location. These mutually conducive conditions coupled with growing client need for ‘professional’ offsite organization of must-keep documents is driving the hosting trend.

It’s a simple recipe – here’re the ingredients and results:

·  Provide clients an easy to use, one price, all-you-can-scan paper capture/electronic document conversion    software program to power their scanner (profit center).

·   Have the software company train the software’s users and provide ongoing tech support as needed (revenue and ‘thank-you’ generators).

·  Arm yourself with a Web-based SQL-enabled document search and retrieval program providing password-protected access (easy enough, so no staffer revolts).

·  Add server capacity as you’re hosting business grows (and stir).

·  Charge by gigabyte of storage used with annual contracts (substantial ongoing dollar driver, and a strategic client retention play – you’re holding their data). Just make sure to offer them an out so you can get in

Product and service offerings are a natural tandem fit for your business. By being your client’s document host, they’ll
reward you graciously and generously.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ENX Contributing Writer Tim Nissen is a representative of DocuLex, Inc. Contact him at (863) 619-2638 or email: tnissen@doculex.com.