Describe your business
We print and mail 50m images a year and we also have other services, such as web hosting, scanning and archive retrieval. We don't outsource anything and our market is transactional only. We are based in Buton-on-Trent with two sites.
What is Aurora?
It is a bespoke image- and data-based retrieval system. We've had it for two years.
Why did you choose this particular product?
We were looking to expand our service and this enabled us to set up a web hosting side to the business. This product
has enabled us to create a bespoke system for every client we take on. E-billing is something that is on everyone's lips
at the moment and our customers want to move some of their clients into that area. Our clients are credit control departments and in the past have used different companies for e-billing, scanning, printing and mailing - it was a
very detached approach. Now they are looking for more of a one-stop shop and this software has got us into more businesses.
Did you look at any other similar systems?
We did look at off-the-shelf systems and there were three others that we considered. But some were very, very expensive and there was no way we could afford them. The Aurora system we bought from Haigh Consultancy Services (HCS) was not the cheapest, but I was more confident that we could work with them.
What features do you particularly like?
The system effectively future proofs our business. Also, HCS is able to update the software within days. They test an application and make it ready to use quickly.
Is there anything that you dislike?
There aren't any bad points. I can't put my finger on any one part of the system I dislike.
How fast is it?
It is lightening fast. Documents come back in three or four seconds and these can be in any file format, such as PDF, TIFF or GIF.
How reliable is it?
It's been very reliable and we've had no problems.
How easy is it to use?
It's very easy to use. When we put the new system into a new client we allow for half a day's training. But what usually happens is that within the hour they can operate it. HCS supplies an ‘easy' guide for areas such as document retrieval.
Would you say that it offers value for money?
Yes, definitely. We achieved return on investment in six months.
Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
There were teething problems at the start, but this was not because of the software. We have two sites and we needed to replicate all our data across them. It was also a big job copying our images from the old system to Aurora. We had a total of 500m images, which took some time. But HCS were on site to help and made sure everything went well and the transition was smooth.
What about the pre- and after-sale service?
HCS have been very, very helpful. They work alongside our IT department and understand our business.
Who do you think the software is right for?
Anyone that produces bills of any kind. It's good for the transactional market that we're in, but it might also be good for some companies in the direct mail sector.
Under what circumstances would you buy another?
We don't need another one because we can upgrade and get new clients on board through this one package. We have 12 clients using it so far.
Conclusion
User's verdict
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value for money 5/5
Supplier's response
Graeme Golden, sales director at Haigh Consultancy Services (HCS), says: "Aurora was developed by HCS and is an electronic billing plus document archive and retrieval system. It was developed for the transactional print market and has many powerful security features. It does a lot more than just e-billing and document storage. Users are able to send documents by email and e-fax, annotate documents and manage letter templates online. Aurora can be customised for individual customers and that was certainly the case for PHD. It's suited for print communication providers that are not just producing print, but moving into electronic delivery and electronic services."
Price on application
Contact Haigh Consultancy Services 01162 623966
