Some people think the software is metering software where it expires unless they issue a key or do something each time the customer makes a payment, or a prepaid product that turns off the computer unless the customer renews. This is NOT the case and once they understand how it works and that there is nothing to do unless the customer skips or stops paying they get excited.
Tim Kelly, DesignerWare

PCRental Agent software continues improving RTO Stores profitability as stores continue to signup for the program.  “We’re real happy with the feedback we’re getting on the product.  Recently we signed a 15 store chain and have broken into the International market with sales outside the United States,” said Tim Kelly at DesignerWare. He went on further to say, “our latest release now supports Microsoft Vista and we’re anticipating an increase in sales as Vista becomes available and makes its way into the RTO Channel. Vista and the new hardware will increase the initial cost of systems and this will even further justify using PCRental Agent.”

What the biggest question potential clients are asking? Kelly explains:  “First they sometimes think the software is metering software where it expires unless they issue a key or do something each time the customer makes a payment.  They think it’s a prepaid product that turns off the computer unless the customer renews.  This is NOT the case and once they understand how it works and that there is nothing to do unless the customer skips or stops paying they get excited.  We explain that each Agent reports to the website (Central Server) every two hours and it is only when the store flags the Agent (computer) for lockdown that anything happens.  If the customer is paying there’s nothing to do.  It’s only after every attempt has been made to get the customer to return the computer or make a payment has failed that you need to tell the Central Server to lockdown the computer.

Can’t the customer just restore the system which would eliminate the software?
Kelly:  For major computer brands the Agent can disable the ability to restore the system.  During the installation of the Agent, it will tell you if it has the ability to turn off the built in restore.  If you wish, you can disable it or you can decide to turn it off remotely by telling the Central Server to signal the Agent to turn it off the next time it reports in.  Once the restore has been disabled, the only way to restore or use the system is to turn it back on with the Installer CD or to use the password to unlock it.

What has been the reaction of the new users and what success are they having?
Kelly:  They find the software easy to install and simple to use.  They like the fact that they manage it through the website and only need to lockdown a computer as the last resort.  The success stories usually come in about the first 45 days of using the product.  It usually takes this long to get the product installed on enough computers and to have them rented before you need to lock one down.  Some stores however have seen success relatively quickly. For example, one of our clients started using PCRental Agent and one of the first systems they loaded it on turned out to be a first payment default.  The customer broke commitment after commitment and the Central Server was showing the computer as being used and it was reporting in as scheduled.  They issued the lockdown command; the customer called and was in the store that day.

Every vendor likes to talk about the success their product brings, but what about problems?
Kelly:  True, nobody is going to tell you something that their product doesn’t do.  But, remember, I run my own RTO stores and my own success is what made me make this available to other RTO Dealers. This is why we’re aggressively priced the way we are.  We’ve had a few RTO Stores that were rushed and didn’t take the time to install the software.  They we’re getting new systems in and choose to rent them without taking them out of the box and taking the time to install the software.  In this case, if the software isn’t loaded you can’t lockdown a computer.  It’s like getting into an auto accident and finding out you let the insurance lapse.  The other issue that comes into play is the Internet.  You can issue the lockdown command but the computer needs to connect to the Central Server (via the Internet) to receive it.  Some customers use dialup and often don’t connect to the Internet for days.  Or if they’re using prepaid phone, prepaid internet, etc. chances are if they’re not paying you they’re not paying these other vendors which means they might not have Internet access.  Fortunately it’s like having a Big Screen without a signal, they find the computer useless unless they’re on the Internet and they’re usually quicker about getting back online then they are about paying their rental payment.    As long as the computer finds it way back onto the Internet, whether it’s days or weeks after the lockdown, it will lockdown the computer.  Each store will have different success and this was all considered in our pricing model.  All you have to do is recover one computer that you would not have recovered and you’ve paid for the software costs for over three years.  Everyone that has tried our software and has used it to lockdown a computer has said they would not rent another computer without having the Agent installed. Also remember that even though this gives the RTO Dealer another tool, it doesn’t replace basic RTO 101.  I tell my store managers they still need to make good decisions, verify orders, get references etc, and loading the Agent doesn’t eliminate the need to do that.  But having the Agent loaded and locking down a computer will help.

What’s been your biggest surprise with the product?
Kelly:  All the positive feedback and the success stories; originally, we developed the software to track down skips.  We didn’t realize the impact on collections until we started hearing how stores were improving collections by locking down non-paying customers.  As an owner, I too was starting to see it in the numbers.  Not only were computers coming back quicker which meant we could get them back out on rent but, I haven’t written off a laptop sense we started using it.  Also stores started reporting they were spending less labor on running customers. That equates to cash and improved profitability. We’ve even had clients install the software on their Manager’s laptops. They wanted to protect their confidential data if the laptop got stolen or lost. We didn’t even think about companies using the software to protect employee computers. But it makes sense, if you have an employee traveling with a laptop you can lock it down and protect your data.

Kelly concluded, "We’re so convinced of it that we’re offering it FREE for 60-days. If after 60-days you’re not convinced, just stop using the software.”
To find out more about PCRental Agent and how to order your copy, go to www.rtorental.com.