Tolar Systems
After exploring and deciding to adopt a new payment platform, Tolar Systems abandoned the switch and returned to ConnectBooster.
About Tolar Systems
Tolar Systems, a Texas-based provider of managed IT services, opened its doors in 1999. Recognized as a top MSP by Channel Partners, Tolar Systems offers managed services, managed voice and communication, as well as managed cybersecurity to small and midsize businesses in the financial and legal services, oil and gas, transportation, manufacturing and other verticals.
Why They Use ConnectBooster
Phillip Poarch joined Tolar Systems in 2012, and the following year the business began selling managed services. During this same time, they also began to experience billing problems with more frequency. Dependent on checks and the follow-up they required, Tolar Systems did not have control of the payment process or timeline. “We got tired of it,” shares Phillip. “I wanted to implement a billing system that could scale with us as we grew. I knew if we were going to accomplish what we wanted, billing would be worse.”
Tolar Systems implemented ConnectBooster and throughout the next decade increased its customer base 12 times, and grew to a seven-figure company with a nearly zero accounts receivable (A/R) balance and 97% of its managed services clients on autopay.
For years, Tolar Systems experienced no technical or support issues with ConnectBooster. But after a billing change in April 2022, Tolar Systems questioned if ConnectBooster was still worth the cost. Having also used WiseSync for many years, Tolar Systems decided to switch to WisePay because it promised comparable payment automation functionality at a lesser expense.
The Transition
During the next several months of onboarding, Tolar Systems began to uncover challenges with switching to WisePay. They found that while ConnectBooster and WisePay are similar, the automation logic and capabilities of the new system differed enough that Tolar Systems would need to create workarounds to operate as they had.
“Most of our customers are on autopay for contracted work, but not for project work. The way it was communicated to us, with WisePay this wasn’t an option. All autopay or nothing,” explains Phillip. Additionally, Phillip learned that the automation logic behind WisePay’s autopay is based on net fields in ConnectWise, which meant Tolar would have to modify all of their agreements and update to new terms that WisePay had set up to match the logic.
“The way our contracts are scheduled, invoices go out on the 15th of each month and by the 20th Tolar receives the bulk of its payments. If the switch doesn’t go well, it’s going to be a problem,” Phillip recalls thinking.
The Return to ConnectBooster
Ultimately, Tolar Systems abandoned the transition to WisePay because the change involved too much risk and wasn’t worth the cost savings. Additionally:
- Tolar Systems had confidence in ConnectBooster’s functionality and automations, as well as the invoice transparency for customers.
- Tolar Systems and its customers appreciated the payment options available through ConnectBooster. For example, customers have the option to pay via ACH or credit card when paying a quote through QuoteWerks. WisePay only offered credit card payments when paying via QuoteWerks.
- The switch would require Tolar to develop workarounds and modifications, as well as time and effort to roll out the new payment portal and re-train customers.
- Tolar Systems realized at some point they will reach ConnectBooster’s “ceiling,” at which time the SaaS fees are flat forever.
Why they would recommend ConnectBooster
ConnectBooster allows our team to focus on important areas of the business instead of collecting A/R. Our customers enjoy the payment portal and ease of doing business with Tolar. The automation ConnectBooster provides allows us to scale without adding more resources.