Rent-to-own News - RSSS users get scoop on modernization

RSSS Conference attendees aboard the USS Lexington.

Rent-to-own dealers from around the country got the lowdown Tuesday, on new software enhancements, developments and upgrades headed their way at the RSSS "Silver Summit" Users Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas.

RSSS -- now 25 years old -- serves around 1,000 storefronts and 150 RTO companies internationally including easyhome, Buddy's Home Furnishings, Rent One, American Rental and Rent-A-Center accounts receivable locations.

Wayne Chamber's, CEO of RSSS's parent company High Touch, introduced convention goers to the "modernization" buzzword -- a word he said encompassed a "large complex project" that would ultimately result in more features, tools and enhancements for RSSS users.

"What we really want to do is modernize the system so it's around for another 25 years," Chambers said. "But the idea is not to rip and replace, we didn't want you to wake up to a brand new system overnight. What we planned is a revolutionary incremental approach that will allow you to see the value as improvements are made."

The modernization process will take three to five years to fully implement, though users can take advantage of new features as they are added.

Topping the list is the company's decision to migrate to Red Hat Linux -- a version of open source software known for both its stability and adaptability. The OS is inexpensive to license and can be used on multiple processors within the same system by an unlimited number of users.

RSSS General Manager Ellison Crider.

Because the source code is available or "open" to the public, it can be easily modified to meet the needs of end users, according to RSSS Programmer Ricardo Gomez.

"The whole thing about being on an open source operating system is you're not locked into any particular vendor," Gomez said.

Some of the enhancements on tap include new network monitoring tools that will provide real time intelligence to any device with a network interphase including access to printers, servers, CPU memory usage data and log files.

"In many cases we'll be calling you before you even hear about any problems on your network at the store level," Gomez said.

Improvements to the "end of day" screen, security enhancements and inventory management enhancements that will allow monitoring of stock between stores, were also unveiled during the conference.

RSSS GM Ellison Crider, left, and High Touch CEO Wayne Chambers, right, recognize Mike Silver for 25 years of service to RSSS.

Of particular interest were enhancements to RSSS's web-based payment interface -- a development collaboration between RSSS and Imagery Marketing Group of St. Louis.

The enhancement -- which redirects online payment makers from the dealer's home site to a secure payment URL --  is only available to online RTO operators currently on a SonicWall VPN network. SonicWall, an independent Internet security provider, worked with RSSS on it's network monitoring and online payment functionality.

Rent One owner Larry Carrico, who has been providing an online payment option for customers since 2007, said in one year the number of his customers who created online payment accounts went from two percent to 13 percent. Customers appreciate the added convenience and Carrico  appreciates that 58 percent of his online payment makers are typically behind.

The software requires such customers to pay all late fees and back payments in order to use the service.

"We wanted to keep it real simple," Carrico said. "Since this service allows customers to access their account information and history, we believe it leads to a better educated consumer. The reality is though, customers see it as a convenience and a substantial amount of payments are not made during normal business hours, they're made at 1, 2 sometimes 4 o'clock in the morning."

Angel Diaz, general manager of Best Rents Plus.

The rest of the day was spent in focus groups were dealers offered suggestions for future software improvements in areas relating to RTO pricing, customer resource management and marketing, and data access and privacy.

Recently married Jeff Lebakken of Lebakkens Rent To Own -- an 11 store company in Wisconsin -- said RSSS's new web-based training tools were of particular interest to him. One reason: he suggested the enhancement at the company's focus groups sessions last year.

This marks Lebakken's second RSSS Users Conference and the company's commitment to meeting the needs of its clients -- through both software improvements and customer service -- has earned his respect.

"These online training improvements will be an excellent way to make sure our employees are learning everything we want them to be learning so we're not overlooking certain steps," Lebakken said. "The big thing, and you can see it here, is they listen to us. You get taken care of right away and that's huge."

Jeff Lebakken of Lebakkens Rent To Own.

Angel Diaz, general manager of Best Rents Plus -- a three store Connecticut company -- is a first time attendee at the RSSS Users Conference and has been with the software company since 2004.

RSSS's personal approach is important to him as well.

"This conference really opens your eyes to new areas," Diaz said. "Meeting other dealers and networking has been great. No matter how big the company, everybody has the same issues. I was attracted by the service of RSSS, they're very personable and listen to users. I'll definitely be coming back next year."

Later Tuesday, RSSS ferried conference attendees into the Corpus Christi Bay to the historic WW II aricraft carrier the USS Lexington where they were treated to diner and an IMAX movie. See photos.

On Wednesday the conference continues with seminars on auditing, reporting, collection tools, and data and network security.

The conference wraps with a tour of the RSSS offices and individual client meetings through 4 p.m.

See golf, general session and USS Lexington photos here.

mevans@rtohq.org