Alligator Self Storage, the self storage solution provider for Birmingham and the West Midlands, has selected ALBACS with the Direct Debit (DD) module from pioneering developer of electronic payment solutions, Albany Software, to offer customers an efficient and easy payment service. The automated e-payment platform will comprehensively manage Alligator Storage's monthly transactions and increase staff productivity through further streamlining its back-office processes.

Alligator Self Storage specialises in providing self storage solutions to Birmingham and the West Midlands. The secure self storage centres in Yardley and Wednesbury cater for all domestic, business, archive and student storage requirements.

Albany Software's fully-automated ALBACS solution with Direct Debit module is set to boost Alligator Storage's customer service offering as well as affording the organisation significant time savings. Fiona Munro, Associate IT and Technical Director at Alligator Storage, comments, "Since the implementation of the ALBACS solution we now have over 85% of our customers using the Direct Debit service. The majority of our customers tend to store long-term with us and this is a much quicker, easier and efficient way for them to make payments."

Munro adds, "Previously, credit cards were our primary source of payment, however this meant a lengthy process for both the customers and branch staff. Customers would have to contact us with account details, contact their bank or use internet banking each month to process the payments, leaving them irritated by the process. With the new solution customers can now benefit from an automated payment solution straight from their initial payment right-up to whenever they choose to take their goods out of storage."

Without a direct Bacs solution in place, organisations have to spend a far greater proportion of time on credit control and management of their cash flow. With the introduction of the ALBACS solution business are able to remove traditional paper-based methods, such as cheques and standing order payments, and replace them with slicker electronic payment systems.

Munro continues, "For staff, the previous system created an additional workload due to high levels of late payments, and meant each branch had to chase individual payments - a time-intensive and costly process. Subsequently with ALBACS we are now able to send the entire batch of Direct Debits through the Bacs system on a monthly basis. Through further streamlining our back-office processes we have saved on average half a person across both branches per month. By eliminating the need to chase payments and capture account details, staff productivity in the business has greatly increased."

The recession hit many companies this year with late payments causing many SMEs to go out of business. For Alligator Self Storage ALBACS provides the business with a guaranteed payment method. Munro explains, "We have remained strong throughout the recession due to most of our customers now using the DD service via ALBACS. The potential impact of the economic climate on our business has been greatly reduced as a result - looking back now, to not have the option to collect payments via the DD facility would cause absolute chaos. We would have to increase staff levels to facilitate collection of debts and it would potentially compromise our customer base."

Munro concludes, "We are extremely happy with the ALBACS solution and would not know what to do without it now; it is a user-friendly solution that allows us to not only work more effectively but also ensures clients receive a secure and effortless payment facility."

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