"FREE" compliance tools.

I have heard of THREE companies announcing that they will offer such services but I have not seen any companies actually deliver.

I have several IMMEDIATE concerns.

BEFORE I USE ANY OF THE "FREE" SERVICES: I would see a demonstration of the FREE tools. Then I would contact two other Compliance consultants or competitive companies to get their feedback, questions and concerns about the FREE services.

Hearing from a company's competition can often provide information that is missing from the seller's demonstration.

Compliance does not have to be expensive. "FREE" solutions for something as sensitive as compliance raises several alerts. "Do not be penny wise and pound foolish."

My Concerns:

ERRORS: If an error is made in their reporting, who takes the responsibility?

AUDITS: Since I don't know who is monitoring the free services I wonder who will help me in the case of an audit.

*** If I am audited, do I have to buy their consulting services to support the reports that were created by their tools? and if yes, what is the cost?

INDUSTRY EXPERTS: I see they all say "industry experts" monitor and update the rules and this raises two concerns

#1 - "Industry Expert" is a randomly defined term so it really does not mean much. I consider it marketing fluff.

#2 - Industry Experts are expensive so I would have to ask where these companies are off-setting the expense and making money to pay for the experts? And will I end up paying in the "rears" for a "FREE" service upfront?

PRIVACY: We work with several Compliance companies and even more Compliance consultants. We look forward to working with the FREE tools as well. The information that is shared to support the Compliance reporting is extremely sensitive. I would be concerned in sharing my sales revenues and customer information with anyone I do not know.

AFFORDABLE OPTIONS: There are several programs that are affordable. Consultants offer solutions which are scalable for wineries of all sizes and an expense of a few hundred dollars is worth the security that I feel they provide (until I see otherwise).

BAIT & SWITCH CONCERN: I hope that I am wrong about these offers but I fear bait and switch.

*** Do I need their other products to integrate or import my sales figures and customer information into their system? If I do, then the compliance software may be free but it would be dependent on me purchasing their other tools.

**** And will the reports include wholesale, club, tasting room and shopping cart sales?

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: All three of the companies are companies for profit. I am concerned that the information about my sales figures, customer information, etc. will be in the hands of their sales people.

SECURITY: I would be concerned about how the information can be accessed by hackers, virus, etc.

SOME THINGS ARE WORTH PAYING FOR: We pay for our businesses taxes and if someone offered a FREE service we may question their motive or abilities. I would do the same here.

I think it is worth repeating so I will.

BEFORE I USE ANY OF THE "FREE" SERVICES: I would see a demonstration of the FREE tools. Then I would contact two other Compliance consultants or competitive companies to get their feedback, questions and concerns about the FREE services.

Hearing from a company's competition can often provide information that is missing from the seller's demonstration.

Compliance does not have to be expensive. "FREE" solutions for something as sensitive as compliance raises several alerts. "Do not be penny wise and pound foolish."

I look forward to seeing the solutions come to market.
Best of luck to you,

Theresa Dorr
Active Club Management
www.activeclubmanagement.com

www.activeclubmanagement.com
www.acmwineclubsoftware.com
www.wineclubsoftware.net