March 2006

Albany's seminar at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst proves an outstanding success

Throughout 2006, we will host a series of regional seminars designed to provide our customers and prospects with an insight into the complex world of Direct Debit (DD) Management.

The first seminar in this series was held on the 15th March within the impressive surroundings of the Indian Memorial room at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. As our delegates arrived for the seminar, they were treated to an unexpected visual spectacle, a military parade dress rehearsal taking place outside the venue. Rumour had it that Prince Harry was amongst the officer cadets taking part!

Seminar delegates included accountants and finance managers, ranging from golf clubs, councils, financial consultancy firms and publishing houses. Although the delegates operated in very different business sectors, they shared an interest in streamlining and improving their methods of DD collection.

After a brief welcome by Adrian Stafford-Jones, Albany Software's Managing Director, the floor was handed to Richard Owen, Head of Sales at VOCA, the world's largest and most advanced provider of payment services. Richard gave an overview of the DD process, focussing on the benefits both to the individual paying via DD, and to organisations which encourage their suppliers and customers to pay via this method.

Closing his presentation, Richard recommended fully automating DD systems to ensure greater accuracy and an 'easier life' for everyone involved in the management and processing of DD's; a statement which set the scene for Albany's own presentation on 'Direct Debits & Technology'.

Delivered by the company's Sales & Marketing Director, Georgia Leybourne, Albany's presentation examined the issues that organisations face in managing the DD process and the software available to automate and streamline such processes, thus freeing staff up for other projects.

Speaking after the event, Georgia said: "We are really pleased with how this event went and have received extremely positive feedback from the delegates who attended. As experts in DD management, we welcomed this opportunity to share our knowledge with organisations keen to understand the complexities of this convenient payment method."

Following the success of this event, we are now gearing up for our second seminar of the year at another picturesque location, Belvoir Castle in the Midlands on 17th May.

Two further seminars are lined up for later in the year; one at the Lowry in Manchester on 27th September, the other at Stirling Castle in Scotland on 15th November. Delegates can register for these forthcoming DD seminars by clicking here.

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