✎ sales intro [WorkXpress]

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<html><div class="jake">todo's:  Ask Jake to spruce up accolades.  Add tables to "types of applications".  Lot's of line break issues (always after bulleted lists) to clean up.  Update "new cloud computing methods bring success" with market growth statistics.</div></html>

====== Introduction ======
===== What is WorkXpress =====
WorkXpress is the world's only 5GL (fifth generation software language) PaaS (Platform as a Service).  It is a one-stop-shop for everything necessary to build and deploy custom software solutions.

Using WorkXpress, professional developers and non-programmers alike regularly build sophisticated business applications while saving almost 90% development time and cost. They achieve these amazing results by leveraging an intuitively visual, drag and drop, point-and-click, secure, web-based environment. 

WorkXpress eliminates the traditional concepts of coding, data modeling and database querying, while automating common systems administration tasks such as maintenance or disaster recovery. These time and cost savings are all possible without purchase of additional hardware or software. 
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Additionally, WorkXpress offers mobile capabilities and full integrations with 3rd party applications and the latest web-based technologies. Some examples include SMS, Email, FedEx, DocuSign, Google Maps, currency conversions, IVR, Google language translation, FTP services, and many more.
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===== Why WorkXpress (benefits) =====
At the heart of everything we do is WorkXpress's fundamental value proposition;
  * **Highest Quality** - Dollar for dollar, WorkXpress custom applications are the highest quality available, period.
  * **Rapid Development** - cut times by as much as 90%
  * **Flexibility** - employ iterative development processes and remain flexible to change requests
  * **Minimal Staff Training Required** - No need to compete for expensive Java developers; WorkXpress makes existing developers 10x more productive, but also allows you to hire anyone with a solid logical mind and even limited technical expertise

===Bottom Line===
More and better software, faster with and at a lower cost.
===== About Us – short history =====
  * 2000 - WorkXpress founders begin study of abstracted development languages and platform-based development
  * 2003 - WorkXpress is incorporated, and work on the worlds first 5GL platform as a service begins
  * 2004 - WorkXpress lands its first beta customers
  * 2005 - WorkXpress lands its first customer that will run almost its entire operations on WorkXpress based software
  * 2007 - A complete, from the ground-up rebuild of WorkXpress begins in earnest
  * 2007 - People first begin to talk about Cloud Computing
  * 2009 - Analyst firms first start reporting on WorkXpress
  * 2010 - WorkXpress adds its first commercial partners
  * 2011 - WorkXpress overhauls its PaaS to include an enhanced development UI and improved systems administration tools
  * 2012 - WorkXpress continues to see explosive growth, adding ten's of new partners and enjoying >100% revenue growth
  * 2012 - Harrisburg University publishes academic paper validating 5GL development 
      * [[http://www.workxpress.com/case-study/workxpress-whitepaper-5gl-3gl.pdf]]
===== Accolades =====
These are just a few of the analyst comments, awards and publications about WorkXpress over our long history;

  * 2012 Technology Product of the Year (TechQuest)
  * Top 50 SaaS company (SaaS Chronicles.net)
  * Top 150 Player Cloud Computing (Syscon)
  * Alsbridge - “100 Cloud Vendors you should know” 
  * Forrester - "Strong Performer” (2011 Wave)
  * Gartner - "Whose who in PaaS” 
  * IDC  - "disruptive” (stands to disrupt an entire previous generation of technology)

===== WorkXpress = New Ideas =====
=== The Old Way of Delivering Software ===
Traditional software has been fraught with issues; from failing altogether, to under delivering, to costing far more than projected.  In fact, the Standish Group reports that approximately:

  * 1 in 3 traditional software projects fail
  * 1 in 3 traditional software projects are over budget or under deliver on goals
  * Only 1 in 3 traditional software projects are successful

The traditional software approach fails so commonly because growing businesses need to be flexible to modify and adapt their processes as new ideas emerge.

For many companies, their software has become an enemy of success. And because it is so ingrained in their culture, they sometimes don’t even realize how they are being held back by software limitations.  Employees and developers spend inordinate amounts of time performing activities that are only necessary because it is what the software tool requires.

=== New Cloud Computing Methods Bring Success ===
The new software method, cloud computing, is growing rapidly. It is proving time and again that it is the most efficient way to deliver software and related services. The cloud’s growth is a direct result of its inherent cost-of-use savings, coupled with the emergence of rapid development tools that result in tremendous new savings and flexibility. 

These factors have opened the door for organizations to automate processes and integrate their various silos of software creating a huge competitive business advantage. WorkXpress uses the latest proven cloud technologies to ensure fast, powerful and highly adaptable functionality focused 100% on your unique business operations. Our customers enjoy the world’s leading 5GL cloud computing platform advantage as detailed in the herein.
===== Cutting Edge Technologies =====
Technology is constantly changing. Today, everyone understands that all new focus is on web based technologies.  Most vendors are producing applications that interact via the web.  Most integration’s are now occurring using web services.

In fact, even the traditional “big name” vendors are trying to figure out how to retroactively connect their older products into the web.

WorkXpress puts a strategic focus on embracing new technologies on behalf of our clients and adapting those technologies into our client’s applications. A choice for WorkXpress is a choice to have access to all of the leading edge technologies, not just today, but in the future as well.  Examples include:

  * Mobile smartphone and tablet-based access
  * Shipping
  * Email
  * Calendaring, contact and task synchronization
  * PDF documentation, spreadsheet generation and more
  * Conversions
  * Mapping
  * Web Stores
  * Telephony
  * Computerized Calling and Touchtone Response
  * SMS and Texting
  * Banking and Finance
  * HR and Payroll
  * …and much much more

By choosing a 5GL Cloud Computing platform, you are choosing to have access to every modern technology and vendor.

===== Take Charge of Your Software =====
With WorkXpress, you are in control.  You can choose:
  * The features and functions you want
  * Who builds and customizes your features
  * How your data is managed
  * Where your systems are hosted

In short, you are not held hostage to your software.

====== Security ======
The problem with security is that every new application; …is built by a new team, …using different tools and methods, …to build different code, …that includes different security vulnerabilities, …and therefore needs its own security testing, …and ultimately needs its own remediation.

A Digital Assessment Survey showed on average; ...1 vulnerability for every 8 lines of code, and 1 CRITICAL vulnerability for every 69 lines of code

Solution: Eliminate application security concerns at the platform level
The WorkXpress architecture allows developers to build applications that pass application-level security tests...AUTOMATICALLY.

How?  WorkXpress is a secure platform with a unique, proprietary architecture.  Because of this, the applications built on top of WorkXpress do not need to be independently penetration tested - they are automatically secured according to level of security applied to the platform itself.

In other words, one secure platform saves thousands of applications from having to be tested and secured individually, avoiding enormous expense of time, cost, training and remediation.  Security features include;

  * Encrypted URLs
  * Hardened against XSS scripting 
  * No JS allowed 
  * Hardened against SQL injection
  * Penetration tested
  * Unified up‐to‐date package set
  * Physical and network security are controllable
  * No anonymous API or user access

Additionally, the WorkXpress platform provides critical Data-security tools
  * Data encryption in transit
  * Data encryption at rest as needed
  * Data redaction of critical privacy information
  * Supported infrastructure offers compliance including SAAS70, Federal, HIPAA, HITECH, PCI and more.

For one example of how a specific public cloud provider, Amazon Web Services, supports a range of compliances please see [[http://aws.amazon.com/security/]]

====== Is WorkXpress Right for You ======
If you are considering investing in a custom software solution, the most important question you can answer is whether WorkXpress is good fit for what you are trying to build. If it is, then you can realize all of WorkXpress's quality, cost and other advantages.
===== Is WorkXpress capable of building it =====
If your current processes are not automated, or if they have been previously automated using more basic or older tools, then there is an extremely high likelihood that WorkXpress can very quickly and easily take over management of your process.  If you are using one of these tools, you should immediately contact WorkXpress;
  * No current automation, manual, or paper-intensive processes
  * Spreadsheets
  * Access or similar databases
  * FoxPro
  * FileMaker
  * Other visual development tools including modern PaaS products that rely on 3GL code environments
  * AS/400 based applications (frequently written COBOL, etc.)
  * ...and similar

Similarly, if you are faced with a large expense developing in 3rd generation languages, WorkXpress may be able to save you significant time, cost and frustration.  If you are starting to build in one of these tools, or if a current project is challenged, we strongly recommend you invest just a few minutes to talk to a WorkXpress representative about your project;
  * Java
  * .Net
  * PHP
  * ...and similar
===== Commonly Built Application Types =====
Here is a partial list of the types of applications people have built in WorkXpress

  * Claims management
  * Inventory
  * Contact management (CRM)
  * ERP
  * Web based submissions
  * Approval process
  * Document storage/retrieval
  * Metrics capture/reporting
  * Quality control
  * Billing
  * Scheduling
  * Program operation/mgmt
  * Human resources
  * Medical case mgmt
  * Regulatory control
  * Licensing application/tracking/renewal
  * Contract management
  * Resource scheduling
  * Project management
  * Staffing and event
  * Intake

===== Example Applications =====
=== Recruitment Tool ===
Company: Cloudsuite
Built by: Stuart Peck, Founder, Cloudsuite
Hours to build: unknown
Internal or Commercial: Commercial use.  Multi-tenant, resale
Application description:  Cloudsuite is used by recruiting firms to manage their recruitment process.  This includes areas for recruiters, finance, job hunters, employers, e-learning and administration.

=== CRM tool ===
Company: WorkXpress
Built by: Various
Hours to build: 200
Internal or Commercial: Publicly available
Application description: CRM application presents a better way to manage a complex sales process.  Entities (called "opportunities") are moved through a pipeline logging notes, queuing up next activities, recording qualification and forecasting criteria.  Managers can look at aggregate data or individual data about quantity of sales activity, forecasts, and pipeline advancement.

=== Non-Profit tool ===
Company: Forgotten Voices
Built by: Noah Coburn
Hours to build: 80
Internal or Commercial: Internally used, but available upon request
Application description: This application manages projects through a proposal and approval process.

=== Enterprise Security tool ===
Company: ITADS
Built by: Various
Hours to build: 480
Internal or Commercial: Commercial
Application description: In a time when enterprise data breaches are at an all time high, and when the penalties for data breach are steep, The Watchdog monitors enterprise networks for devices which may contain secured or privacy data.  Any changes in the status of these devices are immediately brought to the attention of network administrators, and various remediation processes are orchestrated.  This application is available for purchase from ITADS.

=== Transportation Management tool ===
Company: ShipmentDocs
Built by: Siobhan Hyser
Hours to build: 360
Internal or Commercial: Commercial
Application description: This multi-tenant dashboard for all things related to freight forward and customs clearance is used by carriers, shippers, freight forwarders, buyers and sellers in North America.  It presents a simple common place where all parties to a shipment can go and find the status of their shipment as well as any next steps required of them or another party.  This application is highlighted by a sophisticated interface, alerts and notifications and embedded workflow.

=== Project Management tool ===
Company: HC Nye
Built by: Siobhan Hyser
Hours to build: 120
Internal or Commercial: Internal
Application description: This single-tenant application manages all aspects of lead generation, estimating, bidding and delivering commercial HVAC equipment.  It was designed to replace large quantities of paper, spreadsheets, email and other document types, and in so doing, reduce confusion, increase revenues, and reduce costs.

=== Event Staffing ===
Company: Silhouettes
Built by:  Noah Coburn
Hours to build:  480
Internal or Commercial: Internal
Application description:  This event staffing application focus on employee management, event scheduling and billing.  The employee management tools include an employee portal, an intelligent document requirements/management system, a jobs notification system and finally a job management, check in and post analysis system.  The event scheduling tools allow complex scheduling of events with many locations in different time zones, each with different shifts, each shift needing different roles filled.  Employees can check in and out of jobs via SMS.  Finally, the billing system verifies employee documentation, timesheets and expenses, and can be integrated with most popular payroll providers.

=== Complex Scheduling ===
Company:  Connect and Sell
Built by:  Siobhan Hyser
Hours to build:  80
Internal or Commercial: Internal
Application description:  This application provides a sophisticated scheduling capability.  As resources are made available, those resources appear in a range of relevant formats to the consumer.  Based on contract data maintained in the application, consumers are allowed to select from the available scheduling resources.  Billing information based on the contracts is generated automatically.

====== How do you build? ======
===== Self-training using the WX Wiki =====
The WX Wiki [[http://wiki.workxpress.com]] is a one-stop source for all things WorkXpress. Whether you are building a simple public webform or a robust ERP system, chances are you will find answers to your questions there.

  * Quickstart - if your in a hurry, at least watch this video!  It will show you the basics to get started
  * Before you Build - use this section if you do not have previous development experience.  In just a few minutes it will give you the basic understandings necessary to "think technically" enough to be effective with WorkXpress.
  * Building your Application - this section provides "how to's" for a wide range of specific tasks, grouped by functional category.
  * Examples and Best Practices - this section shows diaries of how an application develops over time.  It also shows more detailed examples of "best-practices" in software development.

===== Live Support and Training  =====
WorkXpress will assign dedicated support representatives who will invest time in you and will personally help you with any questions that you may have.  You may reach them by phone, email or IM, and they will be happy to setup a desktop sharing webinar to talk through your questions.  Contact your dedicated support representative for;

  * Technical questions not answered on the WX Wiki
  * Specification and requirements gathering questions
  * Questions about integrations and 3rd party services
  * Questions about compliance and security issues
  * Systems Administration and SDLC questions
  * Billing questions
  * …and much more
====== Engagement and Pricing ======
Engaging WorkXpress is easy.  First, determine whether you are using this software internally, or for commercial purposes.  Then, determine whether you wish to do it yourself (DIY) or hire us to do it for you (SaaS).

=== Internal Use ===
If your company is simply seeking software to use, then you qualify as an "Internal Use" customer.  
  * DIY Internal Use Customers will use their own developers to build applications and provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 support
  * SaaS (Software as a Service) Internal Use customers will engage WorkXpress to provide customization services, Tier 2 and Tier 3 support

=== Internal Use Pricing ===
  * DIY (1)    - $200/developer, + $15/user/month
  * SaaS (1)   - $45/user/month
(1) Includes hosting.  Excludes optional pay-per-use services such as SMS and bulk-email

=== Commercial Use ===
If your company is seeking to resell WorkXpress software or services based on WorkXpress software then you are a "Commercial Use" customer.
  * DIY Commercial Use Customers will use their own developers to build applications and provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 support
  * SaaS (Software as a Service) Commercial Use customers will engage WorkXpress to provide customization services, Tier 2 and tier 3 support.

=== Commercial Use Pricing ===
For commercial use pricing, please inform a WorkXpress representative of your interest in reselling WorkXpress based products or services.

====== Customer Experiences ======
===WORKXPRESS IS DISRUPTIVE===
**“WorkXpress is disruptive”**
- Stefan Ried, PhD, Senior Analyst with Forrester Research wrote in a Twitter Post
- IDC Analyst Briefing on PaaS

**“Comparing MS Access to WorkXpress is like comparing an old rotary phone to the iPhone"** 
- Tom Lertola, D-I-Y customer 

**"I have been watching the PaaS space for some time now and have witnessed WorkXpress gain worldwide attention from major analyst firms and clients. WorkXpress is a leader in this space."**
- George Fischer, EVP Worldwide Sales and Operations, CA (NYSE: CA). WorkXpress Board Member.

=== EPS: Custom Event Management ===
Read the full Case Study in pdf: [[http://www.workxpress.com/case-study/EPS-case-study.pdf]] 

**“With WorkXpress, we’ve gotten everything we asked for at a fraction of the cost of traditional software solutions and in less than two months. We expect a full return on our investment in under 60 days.”**
 - Eric Kaufman, EPS 

EventPro Strategies (EPS), headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the premiere full service event staffing and execution agency in the industry offering clients in-the-field strategy, expertise, innovation, and measurement, at an unsurpassed value.

For more than a year, EPS searched for a customized software solution to consolidate their hundreds of event detailing spreadsheets and thousands of talent and client e-mails. After a few months, it became evident to the company’s chief operating officer, Eric Kaufman, that to consolidate all of their desired workflow processes into a new custom software solution using the traditional development method would be impossible due to the expense.

  * **Need:** EPS needed to consolidate the hundreds of spreadsheets and e-mails they handled daily into comprehensive event planning and execution software.
 
  * **Solution:** WorkXpress created five portals allowing application access anywhere and consolidated and automated workflow to ensure event execution organization.

  * **Success:** EPS was able to begin using their software less than 2 months from the first build day and receives 80% productivity gains with their new event management solution.

The EPS project took a total of five weeks to create the five portals; talent, client, staff, accounting, and management, and all related functionality. Only three additional weeks were then needed to fine-tune the software and train staff before implementation. The project was completed on time and on budget, a relatively unusual reality in the world of customized software.

Kaufman said, **“I’m sure other business owners can understand, we needed better organization, cleaner processes and a faster way to ensure our clients were successful without any issues. The new EPS Tracker System® 2.0 centralizes pre-event and post-event information while assisting both the client and EPS staff with event execution. Our mission is simple, ‘Provide our clients with the data that they want and need at their fingertips.’ With WorkXpress, we now have the peace of mind to take our business to the next level of world class service.”**

=== ServoLift: Built Their Own Custom ERP ===
Read the full Case Study in pdf:[[http://www.workxpress.com/case-study/Servolift_case_study.pdf]]
 
**"WorkXpress is 10x faster than Access, and has 20x the capability”**  
- Tom Lertola - ServoLift

Servolift is a New Jersey based machinery designer, manufacturer, and reseller. To date, the company has successfully installed their premium manufacturing blenders and lifters in more than 5000 locations worldwide.

  * **Need:** Servolift needed a highly customized ERP software solution that could consolidate their many Access databases and paper processes. Prior to implementation, the company haphazardly ran their operations with constantly failing software that wasted time and caused vast frustration.

  * **Solution:** WorkXpress provided its platform solution that allowed Tom Lertola of Servolift to build their complex ERP himself without programming. 5GL build tools in WorkXpress empowered Tom, who is not a programmer, to build their software, a feat he would have been unable to do on any other platform.

  * **Success:** Servolift completed their software project and now enjoy a 30% time-savings over their previous process. The company saved $100’s of thousands of dollars in customized software expense and feel secure that their operation will never again see broken software and plant computer shutdowns due to Access database issues.

The features and functionality, built entirely by Lertola, include; accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources management, employee tasks and time off, reminders, international currency conversion, expense reports, internal commissions, sales representative commissions, quoting, purchasing, shipping and receiving, machine tracking by serial number, RMA’s, work orders, service schedule, parts inventory, shop tool tracking, project management, bill of materials, allocation, scheduling, standard assemblies, and model number generation.

Lertola said, **“Since we implemented WorkXpress 5 years ago, we’ve been very happy with the level of service we’ve received. If I ever had questions, I knew exactly who to call and was able to secure solutions in a very timely manner.”**

=== R.T. Grim: Custom Software Solution in Record Time ===
Read the full Case Study in pdf:[[http://www.workxpress.com/case-study/RT_grim_case_study_final.pdf]]

**"WorkXpress delivered on time, and saved us over 50%”** 
- Mike Wentz – R.T. Grim Operations Manager

R.T. Grim (RTG) is a regional electronics company based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Historically, the company focused on providing service for car audio and video, computers, televisions, camcorders, VCR’s, home stereos, DVD players, and professional audio/visual equipment. As an extension of these electronics capabilities, RTG bid on and earned a contract to refurbish Ford Motor Services instrument clusters.

Wentz and his team members searched for an easily customizable platform as a service (PaaS) solution to meet their unique needs. It was essential for the company to be up and running quickly, implement a system that could grow and change with their changing needs, and be able to perform specific automated tasks not currently available in any off-the-shelf software.

  * **Need:** R.T. Grim needed a customized software solution to automate their part and order tasks. The new system needed to be functional within three months and their current employees would need to get in and use on day one. That meant the ability to manipulate a database, log parts use and much more without manual data entry or knowledge of programming.

  * **Solution:** WorkXpress provided bar coded data entry automation, FedEx integration, personalized automated ticket creation and much more all on time and on budget. 5GL build tools enabled capability and functionality to be built faster than any previous method of software build would have allowed.

  * **Success:** R.T. Grim is now successfully using their new system with 70% time-savings over their previous method. All of this was completed with a 50% cost savings.

A number of powerful features were implemented for R.T. Grim including a bar code scan to simplify order processing, automation of ticket creation with personalized headers and footers, integration of shipping with FedEx, and a clear system for accountability and tracking of dashboard instrumentation throughout their service pipeline.

Wentz said, **“No other customized software solution or platform as a service we researched could have provided us everything we needed and still been on schedule. I have been very impressed with WorkXpress’s ability to provide such complex customization and reporting capability without any programming. Add the excellent customer service we’ve enjoyed and I can honestly say that if I had to make the decision to create more software, WorkXpress would be my first and likely only call.”**

=== Tex Visions: Advanced Customized CRM ===
Read the full Case Study in pdf:[[http://www.workxpress.com/case-study/Tex-Visions_case_study.pdf]]

**“We have been very happy with our WorkXpress CRM. It’s increased our productivity by at least 30% and everyone on the system finds it very easy to use and learn.”**
- Marcel Ruhland, Tex Visions President

Tex Visions is one of the world’s leading custom printing facilities. Located in Pennsylvania, the company has quickly moved from an early phase start-up to an industry leader in custom flags, banners, displays and hardware.

With more than 1000 customers around the world and more than 20 employees using an off-the-shelf customer relationship management (CRM) tool, the company decided to seek out a more powerful cloud based software solution to handle and consolidate their fast growing business interests.

  * **Need:** Tex Visions needed an advanced customized CRM tool to manage their fast growing list of clients, opportunities, and marketing initiatives. They liked their previous CRM but realized it wasn’t particularly sophisticated. With sales growing so quickly, their sales team needed a higher level of automation for follow-ups and tracking leads. In addition, management wanted to create complex reports on sales activity.

  * **Solution:** WorkXpress built a fully customized, advanced CRM that delivered a customer portal, lead tracking, automated quote generation and much more. Using 5GL build tools saved Tex Visions thousands of dollars while providing a first rate PROJECT MANAGEMENT.

  * **Success:** Tex Visions has enjoyed a 30% gain in productivity levels and sales have increased through a more focused sales pipeline and structured lead tracking.

Tex Visions now enjoys features including; lead tracking, automated alerts for lead follow-ups, scheduling capability, e-mail integration, voice over internet (VoIP) call integration, outgoing VoIP call integration, fax integration, custom quote generation, and complex sales and marketing reporting.