15 Years and No Missed Billings

In 15 years of operations, FFA PaySmart has never missed billing a customer on time or passing payments to our clients on time.

A major reason behind this, according to FFA PaySmart’s Group Information Technology chief, Steven Holmes, is that the company’s back office systems are robust and secure, as all financial systems should be.

As Holmes explains, “FFA PaySmart has always been at the forefront of technology and while that has changed rapidly and constantly over the years, we have never allowed our standards to slip.”

Holmes recalls that when FFA PaySmart began operating, some of clients did not have a fax machine, let alone internet access.

Holmes says in those days, exchanges of phone calls, letters or faxes were required for confirming billing runs or changing debit details, adding “the explosive growth of the internet and email made it possible to empower our clients to make changes and receive reports directly and we developed our on-line WebExpress suite to do that.”

Since the mid-1990s, FFA PaySmart’s technical focus has been on providing clients with the tools and support they need to manage their business 24/7.

“Now, instead of having to process information during office hours and wait for responses, debits are managed in real time at the client’s convenience,” continues Holmes.

For the FFA PaySmart team, the challenge was to respond to change rapidly while maintaining the integrity and security of the system.

“We have spent millions of dollars researching and developing our systems and we continue to do that.

“Recent developments, including technologies like PayGate and Interlink, allow companies and software providers to embed our direct debit facilities within their own management systems.”

Holmes says FFA PaySmart aims to maintain its technological advantage.

“New products and upgrades are in the pipeline (and) we’re also making continual improvements to our core systems. A recent example is our automatic SMS alerts to customers when a debit is refused by their bank. It acts as an early reminder for them to take action and get their account back on track.

As Holmes concludes “it all comes back to improving our collection rates and adding value for our clients, all at no additional cost to them.”

As FFA PaySmart says ‘One flat fee, the rest is free.”

FFA PaySmart will be exhibiting on stand P10 at this weekend’s Australian Fitness & Health Expo at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour from Friday 30th April to Sunday 2nd May 2010.

Click here to contact FFA PaySmart via their entry in Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.