DMS Providers

[ZFAN24]

I was under the impression that ADP required a lifetime contract? Is this not the case?

[Matt Parsons]

ADP's standard is 5-years however we do shorter on a case-by-case basis.

[ZFAN24]

Well that's good to know. I'd been told differently when I was considering switching DMS providers. I thought that sounded a little odd. I'll keep that in mind as we're planning on building in the next couple of years, and may decide to switch then.

[texaslp]

I think there may be another provider that requires 10 years.Never had more than 5 with ADP.

[bsilcox]

UCS-Horrible about cost!!!!

System is GREAT!!But Cost is Bad!!!!!!!

Support is Great but again you pay for it in cost overall...

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Robert "Bob" L. Silcox

[Fixedopsmgr]

Thanks for everyones input.

Bob--Actually the cost on a monthly basis is far less than we are currently paying ADP. I think our up front fee is about 30k to install. I agree with you that the system is great. UCS may have hurt themselves over the years with their contracts but I think that will be changing for the better. I just think that if you have had both ADP and UCS then UCS comes out on top because it is way more flexible.

[fburrows]

I think it might be a good time to point out that when contract renewal time arrives, everything is negotiable. Nothing is written in stone and nobody pays list. You have to spend the time to put your requirements on paper and make sure you compare apples to apples.

The process is a lot easier if you list exactly what you want and give this list to the DMS providers you are considering. If you work off of their proposal you will find it hard to compare apples to apples. You want to negotiate but you want to make sure you get everything you want.

The DMS business is very competitive and you are really in the drivers seat when your current contract expires. If you have the time you might want to volunteer to do the list by interviewing each department manager and conduct the negotiating. It is a real learning experience.


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Frank Burrows
fburrows@absdata.com

[Matt Parsons]

Well that is not a comment that is often heard, that UCS costs far less than ADP. I would question if you are considering all expenses (upfront charges, hardware maintenance that can not be cancelled, price increases, contract extensions and portions that do not run co-terminus, forced hardware purchases/upgrades, etc.)?

Also have just seen a new UCS contract that is 105 pages in length for a DMS purchase.

As Franks states this is a competitive marketspace and I would hope you would give ADP an opportunity to put their best offer on the table.

You may also find that hiring a consultant to assist you with the purchase may be money well spent as they review contracts, configurations, and pricing structures for a living.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you with regards to ADP.

[Fixedopsmgr]

Matt, Your right about the price issue. You don't hear that UCS is cheaper from anyone. We have not seen a contract yet. I requested one and was told it was being re-written. When our contract was about to expire we hired a consultant. We received bids from everyone under the sun for him to analyze. To my surprise he never even considered UCS. It seems he worked for them in the past and therefore new the problems with their contracts. I really think that with the addition of R&R that UCS will change the approach they have taken in the past regarding contracts.

My problem with ADP in regards to the back end is that the programs are just outdated and therefore do not help me in my effort to increase business which is part of what a DMS provider should do. The programs have not changed in a long time.

As I have stated, if a Service Manager has never seen another product he/she has no idea what is out there. I have used UCS and just remember that the programs and far superior to ADP.

Nobody likes change. I don't like change. If I had seen any effort by ADP to make changes to the programs I would not even be bothing with this. Web06 seems to me to be a different wrapper on the same old stuff. Sorry for being frank but this is just the way I view it.

[MGARNOLD]

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR LOOK AT THE WINDOWS BASE DMS PRODUCTS. I WENT TO NADA CONVENTION AND SAW SOME IMPRESSIVE SYSTEMS THAT WERE A REAL BARGIN. I'M WISHING WE WERE UP FOR CONTRACT RENEWAL. THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE WINDOWS BASED ARE VERY EASY TO MARKET FROM AND ARE MUCH LESS TIME CONSUMING TO USE IN EVERY DEPARTMENT.
WORTH A LOOK AT!