News

Interesting: Cryptography from 1777

[Oct 19, 2009]

Even in 1777 the need for communication and information to be passed privately and securely was important; especially during the Revolutionary War.

Follow this LINK to see a method of cryptography, specifically steganography, used during that time. Do you find this interesting? Let me know.

A New Solution for People.

[Oct 09, 2009]

Small business is all about relationships. With people, collegues, companies, and especially customers.
I have found that when it comes to managing those relationships, even a 1-person firm (like mine) needs help.

After using a web-based CRM solution called ‘Highrise’ from 37Signals for quite awhile, I am now transitioning.  Why is this a big deal? While all my contacts and companies can come with me, all my records will not. For anyone who has gone through this, it is a significant loss.

I am now using a product I only recently discovered ‘BatchBook’ from Batchblue.

While definitely still new to all is features, I wanted to share some initial reasons and impressions on why I am switching.

1.) Synchronization with Google Contacts. My main directory of contacts is managed by Google Apps for Domain. With Highrise, there was no connection between their directory and Google’s directory. The need to manage 2 totally separate directories was always a huge pain in the neck. For every contact, I would need to enter/modify/delete their information in both. With Batchbook, they sync (only 1-way currently) with Google. Additionally the first sync brings all your google contacts into the CRM solution. This is huge. Now I only need to manage my contacts in one place (Batchblue). Sanity returns, but still dreamy of a 2-way sync.

2.) Support. While I had some initial import issues (I believe were likely my fault), it quickly demonstrated that Batchblue is a very customer-centric organization.  Here I had no complaint with 37Signals on support, but it was great to see that BatchBlue was just as, if not better. Note also that Batchbook is the only product supported by Batchblue and their entire focus. 37Signals supports several products and their user forums are not nearly as much about discussion than a place for their customers to a wall. Bottom line… Batchblue’s support is excellent, quick, and personal.

3.) Manipulating Contacts… so smooth and quick. Faster than editing on Highrise. Especially with some of the design elements that went into the tool. The merging of contacts actually takes place within the same screen as well. Good overall design.

4.) Communication tracking works very well… While there is still not method to stop importing of my signature (that I know of).  The system handles the HTML better than Highrise (which would show the annoying syntax within my items. I also noted that email forwards appear to take a minute longer to be tied to your account (as compared with Highrise)... but still very quick and a non-issue.

5.) Tagging, I am using now, more than in HighRise. I have discovered 2 features specific to Batchbook which are amazing!

- Custom Reports
The list/reporting feature is great.
By tagging all my clients from current year (client09) I can get a custom exportable and printable report (a simple example)
There is much I am playing with in this area.

- Supertagging,
Its a nice feature, hard to explain here, but look into it, you won’t be disappointed.

With the social media Super Tag,  would be great if the site would somehow leverage the Linkedin API to automatically pull the public profile. Also if they picture could come from Facebook, or Linkedin rather than just twitter API. But alas I am getting picky.

6.) Its more affordable than Highrise (at least per my requirements and accounts I held with both.) 

7.) One Request - I and many people of the users would love a kickin’ iPhone app [feature request] or at least an editable mobile web version [2nd place feature]. Since syncing is one-way… new contacts should be entered into Batchbook. But the mobile interface is only read-only… making it harder to add contacts in real-time.. say in an elevator when I impress the CEO of a fortune100 company.

In closing…. BatchBook is a solid, flexible and very affordable CRM solution for small business. It’s all about relationships.

Cheers,
Chad Weinman

*** No disclosure necessary, I don’t even know Batchblue. I just know a bit about small business and quite a bit about software. I am a user.. and suggest you look into it as well.

Address Change

[Sep 17, 2009]

Important note to all clients and customers of Redpoint Risk. Please see the updated mailing address. This will be reflected on all documents and invoices. Please let us know if you have any concerns.