Failsafe Canada Inc. : : eHomeserve Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly-asked questions and answers about eHomeServe. If you have a question that is not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us!

What is eHomeServe?
eHomeServe is an affordable, easy-to-use web-based business solution for homebuilders. Consisting of three linked modules, it can turn your business processes into a competitive advantage, saving you time and money and helping you grow the business.

What is included with eHomeServe?
eHomeServe is comprised of three modules, all of which are included in the standard solution. The sales module follows prospects from the first time your salesperson makes contact with them until they become homeowners. Your salesperson receives daily updates on who to follow up with to ensure prospects are not overlooked. Your sales manager can instantly determine how well sales are progressing and take appropriate action. The sales module integrates seamlessly with the construction management module, which allows you to coordinate your day-to-day homebuilding activities and manage multiple projects from any Internet connected computer. Manage project schedules, organize correspondence, and track issues and activities related to each new home that you build. And when the homeowner takes possession of their new home, historical information becomes available in the customer service module, which tracks the service and warranty related activities of each new homeowner. Information flows directly from one module to the next as the process unfolds. The complete history of every opportunity is conveniently tracked, recorded and organized in one central location.

Why should my company want to use a service like eHomeServe?
There are numerous reasons that you may want to consider using eHomeServe to help you manage your business better; some of the key benefits include:

Designed from the ground up for the homebuilding industry
Affordable and easy to use business management solution
Keeps everyone informed, adds credibility and helps eliminate error and mis-communication.
Provides a complete and organized history of issues, events, and activities in one central place
Affords a competitive advantage by helping to streamline operations, increasing efficiencies, and projecting a very professional image
Improves the level of customer satisfaction through better documentation and improved response times

How is eHomeServe delivered to the homebuilder?
eHomeServe is a managed business solution. It is delivered to you via the internet as a monthly pay service, much as cable TV or your telephone service is. You get a high quality business solution at a fraction of what it would cost you to purchase hardware and software, implement network infrastructure, and maintain and upgrade the system in-house.

What is involved in initially getting set up?
Each client needs at least one PC with access to the Internet. Once Internet access is established, a builder account is created and the initial user is set up. Once the account and the user have been set up, we can help you enter the relevant company specific data into the database. The system is then ready to be utilized.

Is my data shared with your other clients?
No. Each client’s data is separated from other client’s data in its own database.

Is my data secured?
Yes. First of all, to get access to eHomeServe, you have to have a user ID and a password. Next, the database is password-protected (using a separate password) and housed in an industrial-strength hosting facility. Data is backed up continuously, and can be recovered from backups if necessary.

Can you integrate eHomeServe with my existing web site?

For technical reasons, we can not add eHomeServe to your existing web site. Your eHomeServe web site will usually be separate from your corporate web site, allowing us to maintain eHomeServe and the site for you and connect to your copy of the eHomeServe database.

Do I have to spend a lot of time to learn how to use eHomeServe?
Absolutely not. We have made eHomeServe as easy to use as possible - if you can browse the web, you can use eHomeServe. In fact, a key priority for us from the beginning was to make eHomeServe as intuitive and user friendly as possible.

What about training?
During set up the initial user will receive basic training in how the system works. All registered users will subsequently have access to online training. If required, additional arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis to ensure that users are comfortable working with the system.

What happens if I decide to terminate the service agreement?
While we own the solution and our infrastructure, you own your data. Your data is stored in a Microsoft SQL database, and we have developed a process to ensure that anyone who chooses to terminate their service agreement with us will be able to get their data back in a standard format at no extra cost.

What else is in the works?
We have already begun work on the first version of an ePortal, a web-based tool that will support the trades, allowing them to work directly with you through system, and homeowners, who, through a simple self-serve process, will be able to submit service requests and enter details into eHomeServe themselves.

We are also planning on providing back office functionality, such as financial accounting, in the near future. This would also be available via the Internet and integrate with the eHomeServe functionality described above.