Dear Reader
 A word from Jamie...
The first order of business for this edition is to wish you all a productive and successful 2012.
Hopefully, you had an enjoyable and relaxing festive season. Holidays are great but when they are over it can be tough getting back into the swing of things… As January comes to an end, we can see that the year is starting to pick up momentum and we're shaking off the last of the cobwebs. It's time to get back into the mix of things and get productive. Woohoo! This might surprise you but we really like what we do here at Chase and we are more than ready to get our teeth into 2012. We have new versions of the application to roll out, new clients to welcome and existing clients to serve and maintain. On our side, we know 2012 is going to be a busy but good year. On your side, we can assure you we will continue to provide the best application and support we can. All the while, we will continue sending this informative missive on a monthly basis. I'm sure you appreciate having something to read when you are taking a break. There's nothing as relaxing as curling up on a couch, with a glass of wine and a good newsletter…
In this issue: We're going to have a run down on Chase in 2012, new features in the application and as usual introduce a Chaser or two. On a serious business note, we'll talk about the vital issue surrounding Chase data backups. And our feature tunes into an emerging trend among TV viewers around the world.
Without further ado, let's cut to the Chase…
Jamie Peers (Managing Director)
What's happening at Chase in 2012...
We started 2012 with a bang! We have several new clients we're busy installing, upgrades being rolled out, and a new pool table to break in! Thought we could just drop in that pool table bit without being too obvious. Seriously, on the business end, this year is going to be very busy for us. Chase 6.200 (released end of 2011) is out in all its glory and ready to be utilized. Our support teams are already busy training and helping 6.200 users. If you are still on Chase 5 by choice, let 2012 be the year you insist on catching up. We know change is never easy but once you try it, you will be pleasantly surprised. Request a demo site so you can test for yourself what Chase 6 has to offer.
Chase Data - Back it up!!!
We thought it worthwhile to start the year off by reminding you of one very important task that we all tend to neglect. Chase comes with a tool that automatically backs up your Chase data. However, the onus rests on the agency to collect these backups and store them offsite. You need to backup the Chase backup server folder, documents folder, and all SQL files (including the raw SQL data files). By doing this, you will always have the most current backup in the event of data corruption on your server. It's frustrating to have to redo work you thought you were already done with. If you're not the IT person, be sure to give them a nudge when you pass them in the corridor just to remind them. It's for the greater good and will save you a lot of pain.
Get to know your Chasers...
Introducing our Customer Relations.
As our client base grows we want to ensure that we're not falling short of maintaining good communication and service. We needed to find a way to check that all of our clients are happy and satisfied with the product and support we provide. So when you get a call from the Customer Relations consultant, you can discuss your Chase issues and frustrations, and she'll see to it that they get resolved. The Customer Relations department is also responsible for the production of this very interesting newsletter every month and several other behind-the-scenes tasks that are designed to make your customer experience exceptional. If you have something you would like to see in the newsletter, be sure to let our consultant know when you speak to her. Patience Chiwandire is the woman running the whole show. If you are the Chase administrator in your company, you've probably received a call or two from Patience to check up on you. Now you can put a face to the voice:
Feature: TV 2.0: The New View.
"The report of my death was exaggerated" - Mark Twain
Should we take a moment to commiserate over the imminent demise of TV, as once loyal viewers flock to the (relatively) new media juggernaut called the Internet?
Apparently not. Until recently, experts proclaimed that television couldn't last much longer. Now, it seems those predictions couldn't be farther from the truth. If anything, the Internet and other developing technologies have given the Tube a new lease on life, as described in this shining report from Deloitte http://www.deloitte.com/.
And if there's one thing that has advertisers and content creators abuzz, it's two-screen viewing.
Not an imaginative description to be sure, but the trend of watching TV while using the Internet (presumably through a conveniently placed mobile device) carries the promise of exciting new ways to connect with viewers while they communicate with each other and search the Web.
Twitter, Facebook and other social platforms provide a forum for viewers to share their opinions with family, friends, and acquaintances as they watch, adding a social dimension to their entertainment. They can also search for information on celebrities, production, music, or other aspects of the current programme. Rather than take away from TV, the Internet has served to compliment and augment the viewing experience.
According to Nielsen, the media research company, simultaneous Internet and TV use rose 35% between 2009 and 2010 http://blog.nielsen.com.
The question marketers are asking is how to get in on the action?
The typical choice is to provide an app that can be downloaded and gives viewers access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and the ability to share links or comments through their preferred social network.
There are also more imaginative approaches. One is Heineken's Star Player app that lets EUFA Championship soccer fans gain points by predicting the final score of a game, the outcome of corners, free kicks, and other match elements, or answering quiz questions related to the game.
Another, from Oxygen cable network, enables viewers to participate in live reality shows by chatting with contestants as the action unfolds.
The possibilities are endless and imaginative advertisers and promoters will be looking for better ways to connect and promote their customers' brands in 2012.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/ |
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In this issue:
What's happening at Chase in 2012...
Chase Data
Get to know your Chasers...
New in Chase 6...
Chase Profiler...
Hot Tips!
Feature: TV 2.0
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New in Chase 6...
Chase 6.200 – Forecasting
We've been bragging about this latest version of Chase and we are not done yet. We thought we would give you another peek at some other good stuff in that version. This time we'll look at Forecasting. The financial users should be sitting up and paying attention at this stage. This tool was designed to allow (ideally) financial users to set expected revenue targets and make it easier for the Client Service/Account Managers to update and maintain during the financial period. These targets would normally be set up per client and, optionally, for a specific product. Forecasting is a planning tool that enables you to set targets but still be able compare with actual performance. It's a very useful functionality but it requires extensive consultation to set it up to ensure that you get the right information pulling through. For this reason, you need Chase support to configure this for you.
Chase Profiler...
Izette Fourie - Support and Deployment Director
Chase is more than great software - it's a total customer experience. Izette, the Support and Deployment Director, is the brains behind every successful installation, upgrade and support call. Izette holds a B.Com in Law from RAU and has topped that off with almost 10 years' experience with Chase. Managing a team of 16 support personnel is no walk in the park but there's no question that Izette knows her stuff when it comes to Chase. She has been heavily involved in the development and growth of Chase as a company and an application. Izette is also Chase's resident event planner and gift buyer. Every Chaser has probably been on the receiving end at some time or another because of Izette's extra skills. However when she's not running the show – literally and figuratively – Izette loves to travel, enjoys a good bottle of wine, and moonlights as an amateur jazz singer. We like it when our directors have a well-rounded lifestyle. |
| Hot Tips |
Is Chase giving you a headache??
Tasking from a Cost Sheet
Creating a cost sheet is probably to the production users what tasking is to traffic users. However in some cases these two departments may be integrated. The functionality to allow tasking from the cost sheet is especially useful in such an environment. You will need to create your cost sheet with all the line items. Once completed, you can navigate to the 'lightning bolt' icon and click on the 'Internal to Job Tasks'.
A pop up screen will load and you can select the line items you want to task for, the user being tasked, and even allocate time. The tasks will update on the affected users' profiles just as they do when you task from the job bag.
This shortcut also works on an Internal Cost Sheet. An Internal Cost Sheet is exactly that - a cost sheet you raise for internal costs on a job bag. You do not send this cost sheet to your client but rather it is for your agency's records. The Internal Cost Sheet will only have internal line items that you would likely have to task for, so you can task directly from it.
Handy tip:
Please contact Chase support should you have any problems or questions on the Chase data backup process. |
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Do you see room for improvement? Do you have your own helpful hints, tips, or suggestions? Or do you just have a burning question you need answered? We'd like to hear from you, whether it's about Cut to the Chase or our Chase application. So be sure to send all your feedback and questions to feedback@chasesoftware.co.za.
You can also post your comments and question on our Facebook page or Twitter.
For everyday assistance, our support centre operators are available to take your calls.
support@chasesoftware.co.za | 086 11 CHASE / 086 11 24273 |
