Automated Workflow Tool Employs Graphical Interface That lets Users Drag and Drop
by Tom Johansmeyer
Most collection applications are provided as a client-server product and installed on the user's computers, appealing to larger users who want to make a one-time purchase and have complete control. A few suppliers provide a web-based product only, tailored to the user who wants to minimize startup costs or puts a premium on access from anywhere. Some offer the user the same application from either installed software or through web access. Sentinel Development Solutions (SDS) is one of the latter, offering its eCollections application in what it calls a web-based or web-enabled form. While this may sound confusing at first, it emphasizes the fact that both versions are accessed using an identical SDS-furnished web browser. Similar to a standard Internet Explorer browser but supplemented by SDS for security and authentication purposes, the interface is simply downloaded and installed by each individual user. Unlike a browser, the interface generates its own graphics, lessening the load on the host and the data network. SDS calls this overall approach Service Oriented Architecture and it allows the management of multiple sites and access by remote users over the Internet.
Interface
eCollections.Law is set up in two separate modules labeled eCollections and Management Module. The eCollections module Account Summary screen is the main working screen for a collector, allowing payment plan arrangement, debtor information modification, letter transmittal, etc. Any person associated with the account can be selected, whether debtor, lender or attorney, with the related data being displayed for action. Legal activity can be added, bankruptcy details reviewed and notes created to document account activity.
Features and Functionality
The current economic climate has resulted in a large amount of debt being available for collection law firms to litigate, but this debt volume is also expected to increase by 20% in 2009. SDS believes managing such a swell in business will place heavy demands on collection applications in at least two areas - account segmentation and automation. eCollections.Law has built-in
segmentation tools that quickly help a firm decide which accounts should be litigated so that the best collection practices are applied right from the beginning.
eCollections.Law has also been enhanced to take some of the workflow automation tools that were on the back end and move them to the front of the application so they are available to any business user or operations person instead of having to wait for a change by IT. The automated workflow tool employs a graphical interface which lets a user drag and drop boxes on the screen to control what should happen to an account at every stage, including legal. The results of an asset search, for example, are loaded into the system and can trigger a certain path. If no assets come up, a different path is automatically selected.
Nowhere is automation more critical for a collection attorney than the creation of legal forms for court filings. eCollections.Law tracks court jurisdictions throughout the country, along with every form in every court, updated weekly to keep it current. Process servers' sheriffs offices are also tracked, so an attorney can find out which process server is closest to the jurisdiction involved, and send information to that server electronically.
SDS provides a means of electronic data exchange between eCollections.Law and any other system called Equal Exchange (EQX). The system provides data validation and transfer confirmation to both parties. Either real-time or batch transfer is available.
Support
Support is provided to eCollections.Law customers on a no cost, 24/7/365 basis, with training also available on that same basis. New product releases are covered by an annual service release fee.
Summary
The choice of an installed or hosted application gives eCollections.Law the flexibility to fit both small and large users, while the data exchange tool and built-in court forms address two of the biggest issues facing legal collection firms.
Sentinel Data Systems
January 2009 www.CollectionAdvisor.com