What Sessions Do You Want at the 2010 Collection Technology Summit?

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Permalink Reply by Robert J. Hanna on August 12, 2009 at 4:02pm

Our CIO would like to see the SAS70 topic covered as well as eDiscovery and data retention - both as they apply to collection firms.

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Permalink Reply by JJ Hornblass on August 12, 2009 at 4:28pm

Bob, thanks for the reply. Very helpful. What about SAS70 specifically?

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Permalink Reply by Wendy P Marcisofsky on August 12, 2009 at 5:20pm

I think SAS70 and comparing it to the ISO 27001 would be interesting.... at least at a high level.

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Permalink Reply by JJ Hornblass on August 13, 2009 at 9:39am

Wendy, comparing it in regards to implementation or effectiveness?

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Permalink Reply by David Justus on August 12, 2009 at 5:28pm

Id like to see something on cloud based products vs local products. Like the risks of the cloud and that fun jazz.

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Permalink Reply by Debbie Snyder on August 13, 2009 at 2:34am

I would like to see discussions on data security and the various methods both of achieving this and of testing to insure that you meet data security requirements.

I also would be interested in the latest in web based payment programs and the computer based agent type programs that were briefly presented last year. Haven't seen much emergence of this type of program and am interested in whether this is a delay or whether the technology has been abandoned.

I would also like to see discussions of comparisons of in-house hardware vs the companies which offer to outsource/share hardware. How reliable is this option in reality, what sort of downtime actually occurs under each option, what is the price comparison?

I would also be very interested in both the methods available and the usage of technology in marketing efforts. Both the obvious things like website developement and maintainance (in-house vs outsourced?) and the less obvious like blogging, submitting articles to ezines, participating in egroups, advertising on other sites, etc etc etc. I could suggest at least one possible presenter in this area, I have heard her present twice and been very impressed both times.

Obviously from last year's conference, there is a great deal of interest in skiptracing and asset location tools, vendors, and methods. I think that this area of interest has increased in the past year as our debtors both become more mobile and the economy caused many of them to change employment etc.

And lastly, I would be interested in a presentation or discussion of what analytical tools and or reports participants find most beneficial in reviewing their business and determining both how well they are doing and how/where they could make improvements and, where possible, information on where these tools can be obtained.

OK, enough topics for one post. Technology effects every part of our business these days doesn't it?

Is this the Meeting scheduled for January in San Antonio or is it a different meeting?

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Permalink Reply by Mary Wisniewski on August 13, 2009 at 9:06am

Thanks so much for all of your ideas, Debbie. This Meeting is the one in San Antonio in January.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen G. Florczak on August 13, 2009 at 9:43am

As my colleagues have stated, you can never discuss Security Audits enough. They are an integral part of the Collection Industry, evolving each and every year. You cannot collect without having the compliance or certification! Focusing on SAS, ISO and PCI would be an excellent session, one that might merit more than an hour! This discussion would also benefit vendors, not just agencies.

I would like to see a topic relative to challenges presented with new legislation or state requirements, incorporating such changes into your Collection Software, Dialers, Messaging, IVRs, etc. Two years ago, I asked many of the vendors if they had such features, they didn't. Today, I am not sure if most of the industry does. Tyipcally an agency had to get custom design to resolve the challenge. Could be an interesting discussion!

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Permalink Reply by Ranjan Dharmaraja on August 19, 2009 at 9:58am

Steve has suggested that vendors have an important role to play in helping their clients with compliance. We agree. I know that in the past, the conference has not had vendors on their panels. This can be justified, since we can sometimes be biased! However, vendors can also be a great source of knowledge, and giving the attendees the opportunity to quiz a panel of vendors could accomplish a great deal. While users can be limited by what they know and are willing to use, technology usually offers much more than is used today. A panel of vendors with a single representative from each company, responding to questions on security, compliance, automation, future technology, integration with other technologies, business intelligence, contact strategy etc. is a concept that is likely to be very productive. This is a session that would also merit more than an hour of time. The results could easily justify that extra time.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn McGinness on August 19, 2009 at 2:00pm

I second many of the ideas listed: David's cloud vs. local, Debbie's on best ideas in analytics and reporting, Stephen's on technology related to compliance issues, and Ranjan's software panel. All of these would be great.

Also recommend the following:
1) If I were starting an agency today, what would be the ideal set up with regard to software and infrastructure? What is the least-cost option, most robust, most scalable, etc?
2) How have advances in technology over the past X years impacted operational strategy? What can I do now that I couldn't do then?

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Permalink Reply by Todd Langusch on September 25, 2009 at 12:46pm

How about information on Holisitic Information Security and avoid the loss of time, money, and resources when organizations do regulatory or Industry standards one at a time. A session that not only explains the differences between the different regulatory and industry standards but also how to tackle more than one at a time as well as free resources to get you started. Would like everyone's opinion on sessions that do general overviews but leave you wondering where to begin. I typically see these in Data Security sessions. I am sure everyone would like one that provides free templates or a road map so you can get going. Don't forget Red Flag's Rule data is Nov 1st 2009. Massachusetts Data Security is Jan 1, 2010. HITECH ACT Feb 2010. Nevada already signed their personal information security into law. Minnesota has the Plastic Card Security Act.....It is never ending

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Carpenter on October 30, 2009 at 11:34am

Todd is right. Security is often discussed in a vague and cloudy sense, mainly because the standards and regulations we are required to meet are written that way. ACA Conventions usually fall short in my view here as well. Outlining strategies, resources, implementation tools and approaches to meeting compliance is an extremely useful focal point.

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