Fall 2008 Technology Services Recognized Innovators
* In October 2009, The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI), the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA), and the Technology Professional Services Association (TPSA) merged to form the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA). Legacy press releases refer to the former associations' names.
Axeda, ClickSoftware, NextNine, Parature, SupportSpace, Verint and Vertical Solutions Named Fall 2008 Recognized Innovators by Global Service and Support Associations
Companies Honored for Outstanding Innovation in Green Initiatives
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 21, 2008 – The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) and the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA) announced the winners and finalists of the Fall 2008 AFSMI and SSPA Recognized Innovator program at the Winning Service Strategies in a Shifting Global Economy conference today in Las Vegas. Technology and services vendors were recognized for improving the way companies provide service and support to their customers in categories representing support’s role in reducing corporate carbon footprints.
Fall 2008 Recognized Innovator Awards: Green Edition categories, finalists and winners are as follows:
- Innovation in Enabling Virtual Support Centers
- Innovation in Eliminating Onsite Visits
- Innovation in Streamlining Field Service Schedules
Winner: ClickSoftware
Finalist: Vertical Solutions
Winner: Parature
Finalists: SupportSpace and Verint
Winner: NextNine
Finalist: Axeda
Winners and finalists were selected by a panel of judges, including industry experts, AFSMI and SSPA members and Vice President of Technology Research John Ragsdale.
"SSPA and AFSMI Research focused on a topic becoming a common boardroom conversation today: how companies can shrink their corporate carbon footprint through 'green' initiatives. While the primary focus of most corporate green projects has been reducing electric consumption, these awards center on processes and technologies specific to support, such as virtual support operations, reducing field service visits, and field service schedule optimization. We're delighted to honor these organizations as industry leaders who are embracing green support initiatives," said Ragsdale.
The Fall 2008 Recognized Innovator Awards were evaluated on the following categories:
- Innovation in Enabling Virtual Support Center. The winner in this category provides innovative technology to fully engage remote employees so they are not isolated; enable support management to understand the complete picture of the employee, even when they are working remotely; and identify training needs of remote engineers and/or streamline remote training delivery.
- Innovation in Eliminating Onsite Visits. The winner in this category provides innovative technology to remotely diagnose and resolve product or service issues, with a proven track record for reducing onsite field technician visits.
- Innovation in Streamlining Field Service Schedules. The winner in this category provides innovative technology to streamline the scheduling and dispatch of field resources, increasing productivity for onsite appointments and ensuring the right mix of parts and skills are included to eliminate return visits.
About AFSMI
Founded in 1975, the Association for Services Management International
(AFSMI) is the global leader in helping service professionals and field
services organizations deliver more value for their customers. AFSMI
members range from major Global 2000 companies to smaller, regional
players and individual service professionals.
About the SSPA
As
the industry’s foremost professionals association, the Service &
Support Professionals Association (SSPA) is a key resource for the
information and best practices needed to make better business
decisions. It brings together the best minds from across the industry
spectrum – from established companies with successful track records to
the pioneering newcomers with out-of-the-box ideas. The SSPA also
partners with thought leaders such as J.D. Power and Associates and the
Wharton School to create programs that benefit the industry.
Contact:
Suzanne Hite, Publications Editor, AFSMI, SSPA, TPSA
410-774-5322