We have scheduled our third free online Magazine Management workshop for 2010 for tomorrow at 11am. The sessions will cover everything people need to know to manage magazines to meet industry standards around the XchangeIT EDI platform.

Bookings can be made the online training page on our website.

Newsagents have an excellent opportunity later today to learn about the new XchangeIT software and the best practice processes to follow to meet magazine distributor IT standards.  We welcome Tower Newsagents as well as newsagents using POS Solutions, Access POS and Computerlink software.  Our workshop is the most widely attended newsagent IT training ever.  It will be of value regardless of the technology in use.

The workshop is also an excellent opportunity to test run our training.  This is why we welcome people who do not have our software installed.

Our magazine management workshop starts at 2pm today.  Access to our live online training workshops is free to anyone.  They are 100% free. We pay for the toll free call for the audio portion of the workshop.   Book online.

This is another Tower Advantage^TM service for newsagents.

In the ramp up to December 31 when all newsagents using EDI need to switch to the new XchangeIT Link platform, we will have additional support services. These additional services go beyond traditional support and offer business advice, help in escalating issues with magazine distributors and help installing the new XchangeIT software.

While most questions do not relate to our software, we have a team of industry experts and we’re happy to make them available to help newsagents making this important transition.

The key to a good transition is to read all of the information provided, follow all steps and take your time. There will be bumps but they are management is you keep a cool head.

At the end of this month, the old XchangeIT newsagent EDI platform will be shutdown.  We are urging all newsagents to switch to the new XchangeIT Link platform urgently, in plenty of time prior to the shutdown.

The latest version of XchangeIT Link is 1.0.40. The version of Tower Systems software you will need to run this is Retailer 2.2.14B.  Go to the XchangeIT website for their information pack on getting the latest version of their software.

If you need help installing XchangeIT Link please call XchangeIT on 1300 551 212. If you need help on the Tower software specifically, please call 03 9524 8000.

XchangeIT has confirmed that it wants to move all newsagents to the new XchangeIT Link EDI platform by December 18 so that it can completely turn off the old XchangeIT platform by December 31.

Tower Systems has been using email, mail, fax, this blog and other forums to communicate the importance of the deadline to newsagents.

We will intensify our communication next week.  With the largest newsagent customer base of all software companies, we have a challenge to get all to the new platform.

Our XchangeIT compliance training video topped our video download list last week as newsagents make sure they have a fully compliant XchangeIT system by the deadline of next month. It takes newsagents through all the key points of the industry standard EDI facility.We back the video up with excellent documentation.

Our online video is the only such training available freely to all newsagents – we made it as a service to the whole newsagency channel. Half the downloads of the video so far have been from non Tower newsagents. This is because the majority of Tower Newsagents are compliant with the new standards.

We continue to receive an excellent response from newsagents following our communication over the last two weeks that the old XChangeIT platform is to close next month.  As a result of this engagement, more Tower Newsagents are making the necessary moves to get across to the new platform.  We are helping with software updates where necessary and plain English advice in most instances.

The decision by the magazine distributors to turn off the old platform is real.  We want to ensure that Tower Newsagents are not among those who make a last minute rush to get across - hence the considerable effort in communicating with our customers.

We faxed newsagents yesterday with an offer of assistance on moving them to the new XChangeIT Link platform.  This fax is further evidence of our commitment to helping newsagents transition to the new EDI platform.  Key to the fax is advice on transition moves.

With the old XChangeIT being shutdown by the magazine distributors next month, we along with magazine distributors and XChangeIT themselves are communication across multiple channels to help newsagents make the transition in time.

We can provide more practical help than any other software company as we are using the new XChangeIT Link in our own newsagencies -this personal experience helps us create more useful and plain-English advice.

Newsagents needing to upgrade hardware to cope with the new XChangeIT Link platform will most likely be eligible for the federal government 50% tax break.  We can point them in the right direction on this.

With the old XChangeIT newsagent EDI platform to close in a few weeks, we are investing considerable effort in communicating with our customers to switch them to the new EDI standard, XChangeIT Link.

Yesterday, we sent communication to all of our newsagent customers with advice on switching to the new platform and our latest software. We backed this with online training and an up to date free training video. The response over the last 24 hours has been excellent – plenty of Tower Newsagents checking that they have the latest XchangeIT software running. Those with software not to standard have been given advice and assistance to make the right moves.

We are committed to Tower Newsagents remaining the most compliant in the newsagent channel. Watch for more innovation around helping newsagents meet the new XChangeIT standards.

Tower Systems has published a training video for newsagents on XChangeIT compliance. Access to this video is free to all, it is not behind any password or pay wall.  This is video A16 on the How To Videos page on our website.  While we have published this for Tower Newsagents, we are certain that it will help newsagents not using our software to better understand key elements of the new XChangeIT Link Platform.

Created by Gavin Williams, our General Manager and previously our Software Development Manager, the XChangeIT compliance video delivers newsagent channel best practice advice in an accessible way for all newsagents.

Tower Systems is committed to helping all newsagents make this important transition to the new XChangeIT Link platform.  We have been instrumental in driving benefits exclusive to our 1,600 strong network of newsagent partners.

We are hosting for free online training workshops for newsagents and other retailers this week. Book now at our website (support / user meetings) for you and your employees next week:

• General Q&A Session Nov. 17. 11:00 All questions about our software answered by an expert – live and in an inclusive group session.
• XChangeIT Compliance Nov. 17. 14:00 The most widely attended XChangeIT training in the newsagency channel. Learn from the experts and participate in this live and interactive session.
• Magazine Management Nov. 19. 11:00 From arrival to return and all in between including XChangeIT, we make managing magazines easier.
• Home Deliveries and Customer Management Nov. 19. 11:00 We have managing home deliveries more straightforward in this live and interactive training workshop.

With the old XChangeIT newsagent EDI platform due for retirement next month, more newsagents are switching to the new platfrom.  The folks from XChangeIT sent out a new communication to newsagents today:

The latest XChangeIT LINK platform has been operating very well for the last 5 weeks and so it is now time for you to upgrade to the new LINK platform.

Some of you are due for renewal in the next month or so anyway, and some who are paid up can get their renewal at no extra cash outlay because we’ll credit you for unused days.

Either way, we are closing the old platform at the end of December, so by renewing now you are getting yourself better prepared for the Christmas season.

Visit the XChangeIT web site www.xchangeit.com.au and find the link that says “click here to download an instruction pack”.

Simply follow the instructions and it should take under 30 minutes to complete your upgrade.

If you need assistance or have any questions call our support line at 1 300 551 212.

We support and back this move and will help any Tower Newsagent with issues, concerns or questions.

With more newsagents migrating to the new XChangeIT Link platform we are building a stronger community of newsagents who understand the importance of consistent use of technology.  Their feedback and our close work with suppliers is enabling us to provide more focused businesses assistance around the use of XChangeIT.

XChangeIT has overcome a rocky start this year and evolved into a glue between newsagents and suppliers which is key to driving down back end costs and facilitating better business decisions.

With more newsagents switching to the new XChangeIT Link platform, we have enhanced our XChangeIT support services.

The biggest challenge newsagents face is getting their query in front of the right person. Here at Tower Systems we have a straightforward escalation process. Our help on XChangeIT calls of focused on navigating issues outside Tower.

We navigate (escalate) unresolved magazine distributor and XChangeIT queries to the right people in the respective organisations. We don’t do this on every occasion – only those where we know that escalation is the most appropriate course of action.

While not our obligation to help resolve issues with magazine distributor data or the operation of XChangeIT software in a newsagency, we gladly get involved because we understand the bigger picture of the opportunity for newsagents.

As newsagents ourselves we are keen for the rest of the channel to be using the new XChangeIT Link as this will deliver channel wide benefits which have eluded newsagents for too many years.

To access the supplier escalation services, Tower Newsagents only need ask and one our senior management team will take care of this.

Network Services, one of three magazine distributors to newsagents, has advised that effective 1st November, they will no longer be accepting or crediting paper Supplementary Return forms. This includes any old paper template forms and POS printouts. This is the next step in the modernisation of the newsagency channel, a project near to our hearts as it helps newsagents cut time out of the operation of their business.

All Supplementary returns are to be submitted by one of two ways – XChangeIT LINK or NETonline.

Network Services has indicated that all returns will be online by 1st December.

Those retailers left currently on monthly and paper are missing out on cash flow due to long paper timeframes as well as greater chance of forms going missing in the mail. The days of missing credits will be gone and all returns will be available to be completed via XChangeIT LINK or NETonline.

Three of our experts presented four XChangeIT compliance training sessions at the newsXpress conference in Melbourne last week.  This training by far the most widely presented XChangeIT training delivered to newsagents.  It has been presented more than 100 times this year.  It is key to the high level of compliance among Tower Newsagents.

We have adjusted the training as XChangeIT itself has been adjusted.  This will continue as it evolves.

Getting industry specific training right for small business owners is a challenge given the diversity in IT skills and interest in following uniform procedures.  We have learnt from our training experiences this year  and are reflecting these learnings in the latest training offers.

In addition to new video training releases planned for this week, we are running three free live and interactive online training workshops:

• Magazine Management Workshop Oct. 13 11:00  Learn about arriving magazines, managing returns and being XChangeIT compliant.
• Putaways Management Oct 15, 11:00 Find out how easy Putaways can be.
• Retailer software security Oct 15, 2009 14:00 Important for every retailer concerned about customer and employee theft.

All bookings are confirmed by email.  We also provide written, easy to follow, advice for connecting with the session.

The folks at XChangeIT have kept us closely advised of progress with the latest software update for newsagents.  Their most recent communication at 3am advised:

We had a few issues with a couple of the distributor gateways during the night, and therefore files will be delayed in delivery to you.

We will contact you with updates during the day via email. Gotch & NDC may also send their invoices via email, depending on the status later today.

They had a challenge yesterday when more newsagents than expected went to load the update.  This was corrected and many have subsequently loaded the update.

We are pleased to be hosting four free online training workshops this week.  Here are the details:

• XChangeIT Compliance Sept. 29 11:00
• Magazine Management Workshop Sept 29, 14:00
• Mastering Sub Agents Oct. 1, 11:00
• Business reporting Oct 1, 14:00

Bookings can be made online at the booking page on the Tower website anytime.  Access to the sessions is entirely free.

Our online training workshops are another part of the Tower Advantage^TM program.

We have been working with XChangeIT on the preparations for an update to be released next week. This update will address several issues which have caused the EDI file challenges for newsagents. We are grateful to have had an opportunity to provide feedback to XChangeIT on the advice they will send to newsagents on the update process.

We appreciate when suppliers give us a heads up on changes they plan and seek out our feedback on their communication.  Since we will get calls as a result of their actions, we can influence the language and detail of their material to resuce stress for our customers and help deliver better outcomes for all.

There has been considerable mis information published in recent days about the new XChangeIT Link platform.  Some newsagents and commentators are claiming that testing was inadequate and the trial site group too limited.

The truth is that the trial group was considerable.  The participants were decided by XChangeIT based on lists put forward by the software companies.  Smart software companies put forward lists which presented a variety of test sites.  While not all recommendations were acted upon, I’d suggest that some of those complaining should look at their software providor and review their trial site recommendation list.

What frustrates me the most some of the recent comments is that they claim XChangeIT Link is to blame for the EDI file problems experienced by newsagents late in August.  I laugh when I read what former engineers say as they beat their chests.  They are wrong.  These problems, around two months after the new XChangeIT link trials started, were not discovered in the testing despite exhaustive testing in a wide range of situations. They were problems which could not have been foreseen in the trials.

My biggest concern about the XChangeIT Link roll out has been around customer service from the XChangeIT Help Desk.  I am pleased with the way this is being addressed and am confident that, like other challenges along the way, a resolution will be found.

Rather than bitching about the trials, those on the sidelines might ask how they can help get more newsagents off the dead DOS technology and onto something current.

Even though it is Saturday, we are on deck and helping users of our Point of Sale software with questions.  We are doing this today, like every Saturday, from our office as well as from a network of mobile phones carried by our technical support team up to myself as the owner of the business.

This weekend coverage is vitally important now more than ever with the number of innovation trials under way in newsagencies, a marketplace in which we serve in excess of 1,500 businesses.  The recent XChangeIT issues have left some newsagents twitchy so a confident voice on the end of the phone of the weekend can help to resolve issues.

On a usual Saturday we will process between 30 and 40 calls.  More than half are issues which could have waited but we are able to clear because we are open for business at a time which suits our retail partners.  This is good for them and good for us.

Our full service Saturday Help Desk is another way we demonstrate the Tower Advantage ^TM at work for our customers.

The issues of XhcnageIT and Network files this past week notwithstanding, we have completed phase one of the XchangeIT review we initiated and have already reached agreement on some good outcomes. This first part of the review has been conducted with one of the key stakeholders. The learnings from the last few months have been useful in helping them understand how some fine tuning of XchangeIT processes can benefit newsagents as well as them.

Our involvement is different to other software companies since we are newsagents too – we use XchangeIT every day and it is this perspective which enables us to engage on a more practical level with the magazine distributors and XchangeIT.

As with all of our XchangeIT work through the trial phase and, now, the roll out, we are happy to share our unique perspective with other software companies. We want the whole industry to have the best EDI platform possible.

We have been working with XchangeIT and magazine distributors on their data problems. Late today they passed on this information:

Given the number of issues we experienced this week with missing DD2 files, Network Services has opted to resend files as a back up to XChangeIT Link members only. This will result in many agents getting duplicate files, which they will need to be aware of. XChangeIT will send out a headline informing agents that we are sending out the DD2 files again and advising agents to not download them if already received.

Our support team can advise if there are issues handling duplicate files - the software handles this.

We release another software update yesterday to leverage new opportunities from the XChangeIT EDI platform for newsagents. A separate communication is being sent to our users with details of the online download.  We’re ahead on XChangeIT thanks to our ownership of a newsagency.