| 1. |
What is the difference between Succession
Wizard "Lite" and the other editions of the program? |
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When downloaded from our website the
"Lite" edition of Succession Wizard is identical to the full
editions in all but two respects. Firstly, the number of entries which can be input is
restricted, and secondly the program can only be used for 28 days. If a
customer decides to buy a copy of Succession Wizard then a password is
supplied which converts the Lite edition into a full edition and allows
additional entries to be made, dependent on the edition purchased.
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| 2. |
Is it possible to have several users all accessing the same
information and what are the different ways in which the program can be
set up?
|
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This is a standard requirement of users and
simply requires that once a copy of the program has been purchased that the
data is moved from the local "C" drive to a network location to
allow others to share the same set of information. This ability to move the
data is not available to those people evaluating the program using Succession
Wizard Lite.
The following describes the different ways in which Succession Wizard can be
implemented. These are all standard methods and are available with any edition
purchased without the need for bespoke customization. The program consists of
a "front-end" - the various screens and reports which users see; and
a "back-end" - the data input by users :-
A. SINGLE PC WITH DATA HELD LOCALLY
This is the simplest configuration and keeps both the front-end and back-end
together on an individual PC. Benefits from being totally secure, although
users do need to ensure they periodically backup their data file.
B. SINGLE PC WITH DATA HELD ON SERVER
The back-end is positioned in a network folder to allow automated backup;
other than that is identical to the previously described method.
C. MULTIPLE PC'S WITH DATA SHARED ON SERVER
All users share the same data file by pointing to the relevant file in a
network folder. This has the major benefit in that multiple users all share
the same information for the purpose of inputting, filtering, reporting etc.
D. MULTIPLE PC'S SHARING DATA WITH SEVERAL DATA FILES
This works when an organization has several distinct business units, eg.
operating divisions, with each division having one or more users looking after
their own individual succession planning process. The individual data files
will be positioned in folders to which the divisional HR administrators have
access but they may not be allowed access to other divisions data files. A
central HR function has the ability to switch between all the divisional data
files as and when required. The key to this configuration is granting
appropriate access to the folders into which the data files are stored.
E. MULTIPLE PC'S SHARING DATA WITH SEVERAL DATA FILES AND PERIODIC
CONSOLIDATION
This allows individual business units to undertake their own succession
planning with central HR periodically merging all of the data to create a
master data file consisting of all employees from all business units. A
scenario where this may operate is for an organization which has a defined
planning process where the divisional HR administrators draft the initial
succession information. Then at a prearranged date all of the data files are
consolidated into a master file for final review and amendment by central HR.
Once complete these could then be redistributed to the divisions for on-going
administration. This consolidation process may happen monthly, or on an ad-hoc
basis just once or twice a year depending on the needs of individual
organizations. (Top)
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| 3. |
I am an HR consultant dealing with a number of clients. How should I
use Succession Wizard?
|
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Consultants may wish to use Succession Wizard
from just one PC but be able to store separate data files for the different organizations they represent. In this case they only need to purchase 1 copy
of the program and can have multiple data files for their different clients.
It is then a very simple process of pointing to the particular data file
needed at any one time.
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| 4. |
I am thinking of buying Succession Wizard, how much does it cost and
what will I get for my money?
|
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The cost of each copy of Succession Wizard is
determined by the number of entries needing to be made, ie. how many people
are required to be added to the system. The editions and their respective
prices in US dollars are as follows :-
| Edition |
Max. no. of
entries |
First
License |
Additional
Licenses |
| Junior |
50 entries |
$399.00 |
$299.25 |
| Senior |
100 entries |
$599.00 |
$449.25 |
| Executive |
250 entries |
$799.00 |
$599.25 |
| Corporate |
Unlimited
entries |
$999.00 |
$749.25 |
| Enterprise |
Unlimited
entries and unlimited PC's
|
$14,950.00 |
na |
If you buy more than one
license of the program at the same time then a substantial reduction in cost is available as the charge
for each additional license is discounted by 25% More information
regarding this can be found on our pricing
page. Once you have purchased Succession Wizard you will be quickly
supplied with a password which will simply convert your "Lite"
edition of the program into whichever full edition you have paid for. This
means you can start succession planning immediately without needing to wait
for software to be delivered.
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| 5. |
How secure is the information held
on Succession Wizard?
|
|
Security is determined by the network
infrastructure in place with a user. Data can be located anywhere the user requires and
therefore only be accessed by those people who have been granted rights to
that location by the network administrator.
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| 6. |
Which
edition of Succession Wizard is most suitable for me?
|
|
This all depends on how many people you want to
add to the system. The various editions available and their respective prices
can be found here.
If needed, you can initially purchase
t he Junior edition and as your requirements change then you can upgrade through the
various different levels of the program to Senior, then Executive and finally
Corporate. There is a premium to pay upgrading using this stepped approach but
it can be very useful for those users who are not necessarily sure how many
people they want to include within the Succession Planning process.
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| 7. |
I have bought a copy of Succession
Wizard, is there any reason why I should also purchase optional annual support?
|
|
We are continually looking at ways in which we
can improve the program, often as a result of feedback from existing users.
Annual support means that as well as having full technical support you also
are able to benefit from all software upgrades during the period of support.
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| 8. |
I recently bought a copy of
Succession Wizard Junior but I now need to input more people than the program is
allowing. What can I do?
|
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All you need to do is purchase an upgrade
license to move to a edition allowing you to input additional entries. You
will then be issued with a new password to allow extra entries to be made.
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| 9. |
We have a large HRIS system holding personnel data on our staff. Can we
link Succession Wizard with our existing systems?
|
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Information can be imported into Succession
Wizard via a Microsoft Excel link. Therefore, any information held in existing HRIS
systems which can be exported into a format readable by Microsoft Excel can be brought
into Succession Wizard. There is also a similar feature to export information
from Succession Wizard.
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| 10. |
There are 4,000 people in our
organization spread over 12 location in 3
countries. Is Succession Wizard able to cope with these sorts of numbers?
|
|
Succession Wizard has been designed to cope
with the largest of organizations and has been tested with 50,000 entries with
no significant decline in performance. The ability to store the data in a
network location means that users can access the information from anywhere
that their corporate network reaches.
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| 11. |
What happens if an upgrade becomes available and how do I receive the new
features?
|
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If a user has purchased optional annual support
and an upgrade to the program is produced then they will be informed and have
the choice whether or not to upgrade to the latest edition. The process
requires the user to download the latest update from our website which
overwrites their existing edition but retains their data. Having downloaded
the update they will be using the "Lite" edition of Succession
Wizard and will need then to request a new password to convert to the edition they have previously purchased.
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| 12. |
Are you able to add a feature to the program specifically for my
requirements?
|
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We often undertake bespoke enhancements to
tailor the application to an organizations precise requirements. These vary
from simple changes such as incorporating corporate graphics onto screens and
reports, to more major issues such as integrating with other applications. The
time and cost obviously depends on the specification but this often works out
faster and cheaper than a customers expectation. We
also operate a separate business for the development of other database
systems; if you have a requirement then please contact
us. (Top)
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| 13. |
Who developed Succession Wizard?
|
|
The program is developed by Norchard Solutions
Ltd based in Derbyshire in the United Kingdom. They are very experienced in
producing bespoke management information systems for large corporate clients.
Succession Wizard is the first of a number of programs planned to be sold via
the internet as strategic solutions to organizations.
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| 14. |
We are based in the US. Will you be able to support our users if we proceed
and purchase Succession Wizard?
|
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We are very much geared to support users from
countries all around the world. Questions can be asked at any time of the day
using email and a response is generally made very quickly. Support staff are
available from 0800 to 2200 UK time to answer any queries from users or
prospective customers either by telephone, fax or email.
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| 15. |
Do you offer any discounts for multiple licenses?
|
|
We have priced the product very competitively
compared to other available software programs but do offer a discount if
more than one license is purchased. Following the purchase of one license at
the standard price all additional licenses are available at a discount of 25%.
More information regarding this can be found on our pricing
page.
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| 16. |
What
is the technical specification of Succession Wizard? |
|
- Requires 35MB of disk space on a PC with a P166
processor (or higher) and at least 60MB of RAM. Operating system to be Windows
95 or above, including XP, NT or VISTA
- Written using a combination of VB, Microsoft
Access and VBA and rigorously tested to ensure no compatibility issues with
any existing software solutions.
- Designed for a screen resolution of
1024x768.
Alternative resolutions are available on request.
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| 17. |
How
often is Succession Wizard updated? |
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We regularly add new features
often at the request of existing users. Any changes made to the program are
provided to those users who have purchased optional annual support. Details of
the various enhancements made can be seen by clicking here.
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