A Footprint For Regulation Compliance

UniPress Software recently released the next version of its automation software, FootPrints 7.0, which, at its core, is a central managing issue tracking system utility designed to provide companies with a utility to hold employees accountable.

The automation software is more than a tracking utility; it also helps organizations by improving efficiency of workflow with customer support operations, as well as other business-critical processes, which, consequently, allow companies to make smarter business decisions about their customers and employees.

FootPrints is 100 percent Web-based and requires no client software, so there is nothing to install on the client side. Users can access FootPrints via a Web browser from virtually any workstation, including Windows, Mac, Linux and Unix-based platforms.

In terms of back-end database support, the software can run with Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, MSDE and Oracle 9i/10g+ on Windows; on Linux, the software can integrate well with MySQL, Oracle8i/9i and Postgres 7. When it comes to Sun Solaris, the automation software runs with MySQL and Oracle8i/9i, and on IBM AIX, the utility can work with MySQL, Oracle8i/9i and DB2 v8.

The software is comprised of an open-source database, so anything that can access a SQL database can be used for running external types of reports. Crystal reports, for example, also can be integrated.

The extensive integrated database functionality is one of the major advancements to FootPrints. The CRM bridge functionality allows not only for database integration but allows Footprints to use CRM products like those from Salesforce.com and Salesnet.

Many customers are being offered FootPrints-based solutions to run their operations because of its multiproject capability and its robust functionality. Another new functionality that has made a major improvement in this release is the change management add-on tool, which is a rules-based workflow and reporting engine that allows administrators to track all types of changes. This is the feature that really can help companies keep track of relevant compliance-related issues.

Administrators will be surprised how easy it is to create policy and rules. The administration console has two different levels of administration: There is a project administrator who has access to certain projects granted by the VAR and there is a system administrator who has full rights over the entire deployment. The VAR usually fills the role of system administrator.

The software is completely customizable, which is another quality that makes FootPrints very appealing to VARs. The project administrator can set up things such as logo, creating teams, adding customers to fields and security.

FootPrints is very granular in terms of setting up policies. All administrator features are password protected and once the password is inputted and recognized, all fields that the administrator is working on will automatically be updated.

Dynamic reporting is another fine feature in FootPrints. Setting up criteria within the reporting element can be based on many factors, time and date to say the least, and with many other options readily available.

There are two different types of VARs when it comes to UniPress. One of them are managed service providers, who are in the business of offering a help desk to their customers. The other VAR is the guy who is going out talking to companies and ultimately reselling the software and integrating it with their customers& environment.

The company is in the first year of the channel but has laid out a very nice channel program for its partners. The program structure is determined on revenue and is made up of two levels: basic and premier. Thirty percent margin is offered to the basic-level reseller while 40 percent margin goes to the premier level.

UniPress is very focused on education and requires all of their partners to partake in their in-person training on the automation software.

UniPress Software supplies all the necessary hardware and performs the installation and maintenance of FootPrints. Pricing starts at $3,995.