iCompass Technologies Blog

iCompass Customer Empowerment Series

Hi there. I plan on writing blogs for iCompass for a while so I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Aaron Lefkowitz and I’m a developer at iCompass Technologies. My responsibilities typically include, but are not limited to, helping design and implement the new functionality within the Meeting Management Suite. I’ve been involved in the up-front analysis and development of our product since the Minutes project.

I have been using computers all my life and have a good handle on how to use them efficiently. Since I started at iCompass my goal has been to deliver a tool to users that will help them efficiently manage their entire meeting world. Now, I’d like to impart some of the best practices I use in my day-to-day life while using the computer to help you to achieve the efficiency of use of your computer, your browser and our products. I’m calling this the Customer Empowerment series; it is a beginner-level approach to increasing efficiency in the day-to-day use of a computer.

Between articles in this series I’d also like to present some high-level knowledge about iCompass and what we do behind the scenes in terms of our development processes. I’ll highlight some of the ways our customers can get involved and influence the product in a very real way.

   -Aaron Lefkowitz, Application Developer

 

 

iCompass - Budding Developer’s Perspective

Working for iCompass was literally a dream come true for me and I can honestly say there aren’t many dreams I have seen come to life. When they say “reach for the moon so that if you fall you will land among the stars,” they don’t go on to tell you what you should do if you actually achieve the moon you were reaching for. When Brett Butler wrote, “Dreams that do come true can be as unsettling as those that don’t,” in his book Knee Deep in Paradise, he was looking at the situation of realizing ones dreams from a very pragmatic perspective.

True to what Brett Butler said, I was very apprehensive on that first day in April when I started working for iCompass. Ever since then though, I have learned that the developing team here at iCompass is dedicated to using the very best technology to deliver the best possible product to our customers. When a product is being built, the user is the company’s main consideration. Our tools are meant to be “user friendly,” i.e. they are easy to learn to use and eventually easy to use as well; such that our customers don’t have to spend too much time learning how to use either Action Tracking, Meeting Manager, FilePro, iWeb etc.

I also learned iCompass’ culture and I can safely say iCompass is the first company I have worked for that has a self-motivating culture; such that employees need less managing, as iCompass tries to hire people who already fit the culture. iCompass core values include:

• Trust - They are driven from a place of openness, honesty,  integrity, reliability and respect
• Getting Things Done – They hire the right people for the right roles and are aligned and focused on the right priorities as well as being dedicated to doing whatever it takes to get the job done
• Teamwork – They are a fantastic team and they show it to each other everyday
• Passion – They are driven to provide unequalled customer service and have fun in the process

As a new developer it is exciting to be working in a fast-paced environment where everyone is friendly and welcoming. I have learned a lot and would encourage other co-op students who get an opportunity to work with iCompass to grab that opportunity with both hands and hang on tight. The amount of knowledge I have attained here is impressive and I feel I will be way ahead of my program when I return to university.

-Esther Soko, Application developer

Life before iCompass Meeting Management

Life Before iCompass

Being new to the community and to the role of CAO, I had a steep learning curve ahead of me upon arriving in 2007. Thankfully, the prior CAO had scanned all the historical minutes and bylaws to FilePro which could be easily searched and reprinted to become familiar with past actions. My hope was that the future could now be my focus; however I spent most of my time in meeting mode. Between researching, compiling information, preparing recommendations, typing, formatting, gathering attachments, photocopying and distributing the agenda packages plus the editing of minutes, staff briefings and creation of action lists after the meeting, I was spending almost 20 hours per meeting in non-productive activities. In addition, the majority of this work was late into the night on Friday or on Saturday to try to meet the deadline and still be late. With two meetings per month it was frustrating and inefficient for myself and Council.

Why We Chose iCompass

Believing there had to be a better way, I made contact with at least two other companies from tradeshows, but neither was responsive enough to earn our business. When iCompass contacted me to propose a demo of the Meeting Management program, I was excited since it would be an expansion of services from a company with whom we were already satisfied. Including both my communications officer and recording secretary, we viewed the demo and saw how the software could address our needs and produce a better organized, more complete agenda package in much less time. It would also create more accurate, draft minutes sooner and could generate the action list with notification. iCompass seemed very intent on customer satisfaction and offered the expanded services at a reasonable cost.

How We Made the Purchase a Reality

Once feedback was gathered from all staff and the benefits understood, I began researching funding options. The Municipal Sponsorship Program through the Government of Alberta supported projects that facilitated improved governance at 100%, so the presentation was made to Council outlining how deadlines could be met, staff hours reduced and efficiencies achieved throughout the communication process. Council agreed and the program was ordered.

Life After iCompass

Now an agenda package can be prepared from start to finish in about 4 hours instead of 18. Items needing to go to Council can be prepared and saved to appropriate folders at the time it is first reviewed rather than searching and having to familiarize again. The packages include recommendations or more complex requests for decision, attachments as backup, descriptive footers, page numbers and double-sided or pdf print options. Meetings run more smoothly because Councilors are informed well in advance of meetings. I am also calmer and more confident and spend much less time finalizing the minutes after. The draft motions and back-up documentation are accessible by staff when they receive their action list. I wouldn’t give up my Meeting Management System and see many more uses for the iCompass services - such as for tracking Assessment Review Board requirements, annual performance reviews, and notice of decisions.

Our Experience in Dealing With iCompass

iCompass truly is there to serve the customer. The implementation was great. All training was done remotely at our site - no time or money lost travelling. iCompass provided a schedule of goals, priorities and homework to ensure we utilized the system. Every query was addressed promptly and training repeated if necessary. The trainers spoke in ‘everyday’ language and were responsive to make changes as more was learned about our particular process. The commitment to customer service was even more evident at the annual iCompass user conference I recently attended.

Thanks to Candace L. Dueck, Chief Administrative Officer for this Case Study!

iCompass and FileBank Announce a Marketing Affiliation

KAMLOOPS, BC - November 17, 2009 - iCompass Technologies, a leading meeting management software provider, is pleased to announce its newest marketing affiliation with FileBank Professional Services to refer their document storage solutions to hundreds of public sector organizations across North America.

Taking advantage of each company's expertise as leaders in their respective fields, this affiliation aims to make it easier for organizations to streamline their document storage. Our users now have a proven, reliable service to assist them in document storage and imaging needs. This relationship enhances iCompass' whole product offering by making it easier to prepare hard copy documents for upload into the CivicWeb Solution from iCompass making it easier for the public sector to find key documents using keyword searches.

The affiliation marks a very important business development initiative and reflects iCompass' commitment to continuous improvement of solutions for customers. "We recognize the increasing requirement for document management and see tremendous business opportunities for both iCompass and FileBank," says Jason Cacaci, Director of Business Development at iCompass.

About iCompass

iCompass provides CivicWeb, the leading web-based Meeting Management Solution for City Clerks and Board Secretaries who are swamped with never-ending process related to managing the preparation, approval and distribution of agendas and minutes AND tracking mission critical deliverables within the organization. CivicWeb automates the entire meeting process within one system. It also reduces paper consumption, contains ‘smart' templates, and enables the shifting of time savings to tackle other key priorities.

About FileBank

FileBank has been a leader in Records Management for over 20 years, managing over 10,000 000 bar coded containers, files, data tapes, digital images and x-rays for our clients across Canada.  We provide custom solutions for our customers back office requirements through Document Management, Offsite Backup, High Speed Digital Imaging, Secure Shredding and IT Consulting and Repairs.    While offering a customized solution is definitely one of the keys to our success, our clients will tell you it's our commitment to customer service that really sets us apart.   Customer Service is the inspiration behind everything at FileBank.

iCompass Participates in 'Movember'

Did you know 1 in 6 men will get prostate cancer? Typcially there are no symptoms until it is spread beyond the prostate.

These statistics alone prompted eleven iCompass, a meeting management solution company, staff to register and raise money in the fight against prostate cancer this November. iCompass was part of a global movement of 255,494 Mo Bros and Sistas who joined together for 30 days to bring much needed attention to prostate cancer.

The cause commonly known as 'Movember' is a huge success and all proceeds go directly to Prostate Cancer Canada. Amongst the iCompass group was Lorraine, a 'Movember' Sista, who was a constant supporter and active fundraiser, despite not growing a moustache. In total thirteen iCompass staff members showed their support by growing moustaches including the entire management team.

Branden Moskwa, Implementation and Training Team Lead, was the iCompass Mr. Movember topping the team by raising $420.00. Branden was married a little over a month ago and got involved with the cause when one RSVP came back with the news of a very dear friend that would be unable to attend the wedding due to his current struggle with prostate cancer. This got him thinking and before he knew it he could name 6 direct relatives off the top of his head that have suffered from prostate related illnesses.

With the help of Branden and many other iCompass staff the iCompass 'Movember' team was able to raise a total of $1,080.00 for Prostate Cancer.

To read more about the iCompass 'Movember' team visit: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/members/search/q/iCompass