1. What is UpsideLive?
UpsideLive is Upside Software’s true alternative to traditional installed Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) software. It is a feature-rich, scalable, On Demand solution that allows organizations of any size, in any industry to manage their contracts affordably and effectively.
UpsideLive is delivered as Software as a Service
(SaaS), so organizations do not have to buy any software or hardware and pay a small monthly fee for the functionality and usage that they require.
UpsideLive can be securely accessed anytime, anywhere over the Internet through a standard web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer) providing unparalleled flexibility and efficiency. Users can collaboratively create, negotiate, review, and award contracts of all types, and easily manage and search for contracts and related information stored in a central repository – all for a low monthly per-user fee.
2. What is UpsideLive LITE?
UpsideLive LITE is a streamlined version of UpsideLive.
UpsideLive LITE offers many of the same great features of UpsideLive including enhanced security measures to keep your data safe as well as hosting options that virtually eliminate ‘down time’. In essence,
UpsideLive LITE is a streamlined version of UpsideLive that offers all of the features and functionality required for simple contracts that do not need complex contracting features or template based functionality. Searching and reporting functionality is still feature rich in
UpsideLive LITE and contract creation and workflow features are utilized to provide intuitive contracting processes.
UpsideLive LITE can be securely accessed anytime, anywhere over the Internet (hosted at a SAS 70 certified hosting facility) through a standard web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer) providing unparalleled flexibility and efficiency. Users can collaboratively create, negotiate, review, and award contracts of all types, and easily manage and search for contracts and related information stored in a central repository – all for a low monthly per-user fee.
3. Will UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE improve visibility into our contracts?
In most organizations contracts are still stored in filing cabinets or on individual PCs making it difficult for employees not only to find contracts, but more importantly, often making it impossible to monitor and manage compliance, access rebates, and analyze performance.
UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE improves visibility into all types of contracts (e.g., supplier, customer, intellectual property, non disclosures, employment agreements, leasing agreements, etc.) by providing a central contract repository that Users can search – by stakeholder, commodities, specific term or attribute, and much more. Having visibility into contracts allows an organization to better understand its finances, identify opportunities for savings, and uncover contractual risk which ultimately fosters greater collaboration with internal and external stakeholders throughout the contract management process.
4. Will UpsideLive help standardize contract procedures company-wide?
If your organization is like most others, you’re probably managing contracts in a fragmented or ad hoc manner, using labor intensive processes.
UpsideLive includes a powerful workflow engine that allows for virtually any type of business rule to be incorporated – and automated – into your organization’s business processes for review, approval, and notification of important contract-related events / activities. This auditable approach ensures that corporately defined contract procedures for creation, execution, and management of contracts are adhered to across the organization.
5. Does UpsideLive allow for easy contract creation using templates and standard terms and conditions?
Definitely. Template-based contract creation ensures required terms and conditions are included while still allowing the creator to refine the contract to meet specific needs. Version control and tracking allows others to see changes versus the original template.
UpsideLive’s ability to create pre-approved contract templates that contain standard language ensures all subsequent agreements comply with company and regulatory policies which minimizes risk.
6. Does UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE provide a central repository for our contracts?
Yes. The key to any successful contract management strategy is establishing a central repository for all contracts.
UpsideLive’s central contract repository includes robust search capabilities, allowing Users to conduct even the most granular searches. Users can search contract information by stakeholder, category, business unit, geography, etc. – even individual contract attributes, terms and clauses (including auto-renewals, volume price breaks, etc.)
UpsideLive LITE offers more streamlined search features with its central repository that are better suited to less complex contracts.
7. Will UpsideLive help monitor and manage contract compliance?
Absolutely - the optional compliance monitoring function in UpsideLive establishes compliance items / terms for specific aspects of the contract. Notifications can be sent to the Contract Manager to ensure that the validation of the compliance item must be received by the vendor at certain points in time during the life of the contract.
8. Will UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE improve our ability to analyze contract performance and risk?
Yes. Analytical tools – including online analytical processing (OLAP) – are available to assist in contract performance and risk management. Performance monitoring and analytical tools can be used to track stakeholder data and statistics to help organizations evaluate contract performance, assess risk and optimize contract usage. This data can be used to report on a single stakeholder’s performance or the data can be aggregated to assist in making strategic sourcing decisions as well as increasing revenues. Our professional services team can work with customers to configure this at additional costs.
9. What is Software as a Service – SaaS (aka On Demand)?
Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions are software applications that are delivered securely to users as a service over the Internet – typically with flexible, lower cost, subscription based payment options.
Traditional installed software runs in separate instances of the application at each customer site – on their own servers, usually behind a firewall. Each customer is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure that the software operates in and decides which version of the software they will use and what their upgrade path will be based on the release schedule of the software vendor.
SaaS software, on the other hand, is delivered as a service (sometimes
referred to as On Demand) over the Internet. The software is securely hosted by the software vendor (or a reliable third-party hosting service).
Options are available to utilize Upside Software’s ASP (Application Service Provider) offering which is a multi tenant facility whereby customers utilize the application in one environment, however, each customer’s data is separate and secure. As well, other options include a separate environment for each customer, giving them the ability to have software and hardware dedicated for them which they don’t need to manage or even own
it.
10. What are the benefits of the Software as a Service model over buying and installing software?
There are several advantages that the SaaS model provides. Here are just a few:
- The initial capital investment typically associated with enterprise-level applications is not required – there are also no installation costs and no support costs.
- The software vendor manages and maintains the hardware and application software, allowing you to concentrate on your core business – not the technology.
- Automatic software enhancements and upgrades to the latest version are free and available instantly, keeping you ahead of the technology curve.
- SaaS provides a high level of data security and environmental security – often greater than what an organization may have within their current infrastructure.
- Users can access UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE anytime, anywhere with just a standard web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer) and an Internet connection. ;;;
- Implementation time for a SaaS solution is typically much shorter than for other models where the application is installed within the customer’s environment.
11. What are the minimum client requirements for UpsideLive
/ UpsideLive LITE?
UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE was developed with Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 and higher in mind. As such, it is recommended that the client PC operating system is capable of running this version of Internet Explorer or higher. In addition, the client PC will require access to the Internet and software to view RTF (rich text format; e.g., Microsoft Word) and / or PDF (portable document format; e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader) documents.
12. Is installation included as part of the monthly per-user fee?
With UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE there’s no software to install. Once you’ve registered online and your Users are set up, all they need is a standard web browser (Internet Explorer) and access to the Internet to start managing contracts more effectively....
13. Do you offer training for UpsideLive?
UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE includes a helpful online User Manual to guide you through the application. Should you require additional training, Upside Software can arrange for web-based or on-site (instructor led) training as required at current training rates. Please
contact us at LiveInfo@UpsideLive.com
to find out more about Upside Software’s training options.
14. What support do you offer for UpsideLive /
UpsideLive LITE? Is this included as part of the monthly per-user fee?
As part of the base monthly per-user fee, your organization is entitled to basic email support from our highly skilled Customer Support team. Beyond that, additional fees will apply on a per e-mail / telephone call basis. Other support models are also available including our Platinum, Gold and Silver packages. Please
click here for more information.
15. How is data kept secure and protected from unauthorized Users?
Data security is a key priority with UpsideLive. All of the data transmitted is secured using 128-bit SSL encryption and this data is securely stored through the use of firewalls protecting servers from unauthorized entry.
16. How often is data backed up?
Backups of the database are conducted every night thereby preventing complete data loss.
17. Where are your servers located?
Our servers are kept off-site in an environmentally
controlled and secure location with 24 hour security, access and
support, environmental management (including temperature
controls and fire suppression), Uninterruptible Power Supply
(UPS), and backup power. These measures are often greater than
what an organization may have within their current
infrastructure. Our hosting partner is a leader in hosting and
one of the largest Internet hosting providers in North America.
18. Is “uptime” guaranteed?
Our system performance tools constantly monitor and help determine any potential problems ensuring proper capacities and performance standards are maintained at all times. Upside Software strives for 99% system availability for all customers.
19. What disaster recovery plans are in place in case of fire, power loss, or other catastrophic events that may affect operations?
Our hosting partner who stores all the hardware and data has robust disaster recovery plans in place and has
redundant facilities as well as secure facilities with alternative power sources.
20. When the free trial period expires, how do we become a paying customer? Can we keep the data entered during the free trial period?
You will be notified via e-mail when your free trial period is about to expire. The e-mail will provide you with a link to register and become a paid User of the software. The data will be retained for 30 days following the expiry of the free trial. After that period (30 days), if the User does not become a paid User, then all data pertaining to that User is permanently purged.
21. We’re growing! How do we add additional Users to UpsideLive
/ UpsideLive LITE?
New Users can be added to UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE at any time for an additional per-user fee. Just visit the online forms area on the
UpsideLive web site, select the number of new Users you need added along with their User Information and we’ll update your company’s profile. Once this is complete, we’ll notify you via e-mail that the new Users have been added. We make every effort to process requests within two business days.
22. We need more power! How do we add functionality to UpsideLive
/ UpsideLive LITE?
Depending on your organization’s contract management needs,
UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE is offered in a standard version with extensive functionality. However, different companies have different requirements. That’s why
UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE’s flexible and scalable solution allows organizations to add the functionality they want, when they want it. As
well, if you ever want to migrate from a hosted to a
behind-the-firewall model, it’s very easy indeed.
23. What options are available for integration with other financial systems, ERP, CRM, legacy systems, etc?
Upside Software has extensive experience in integrating to back-end systems like ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning – e.g. SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle, etc.), CRM (Customer Relationship Management – e.g. SalesForce.com, Siebel, Pivotal, etc.) and other financial and legacy systems. Integration services are offered at additional costs.
24. How do we terminate the agreement (and get our data back)? Are there penalties for early termination?
Termination is easy and convenient. Simply send us an email and we will de-activate your User ID(s) and ensure you do not get billed for the next month. No refunds will be issued for pro-rated use. Organizations can export the data in the system at any time using the built in functionality available within
UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE. For customized extracts, customers
can engage our professional services group who can provide the
data in a specified format.
25. Who is Upside Software?
Global Leader: Upside Software is the worldwide leader in Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions. Customers around the globe use Upside Software’s suite of products to confidently perform Contract Management, Sourcing & Procurement, and Invoice & Billing management activities throughout their organizations.
For All Organizations: Upside Software’s products address the needs of Enterprise (e.g. Fortune 1000, Global 2000), Public sector and Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) customers. Customers realize significant cost savings while improving customer and supplier relationships. Upside Software’s solutions typically provide a full return-on-investment (ROI) in well under a year.
Profitable and Financially Sound: Founded in 2000, Upside Software is a profitable, rapidly growing software company with an advanced, yet mature, and comprehensive product suite. The company has extensive experience delivering real value to customers of every size and in most industry verticals.
26. How long does it typically take to learn the application?
Taking into account that users have varying computer skill levels, we find that the average person will be fully functioning using
UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE in about an hour or thereabouts.
27. What are the hours of operation for your live customer support line?
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST – GMT -7). We aim to respond to all email inquiries within 2 business days.
28. How can I pay for UpsideLive / UpsideLive LITE?
We accept PayPal, valid company purchase orders, certified
cheques, bank wire transfers and more.
29. Will I receive confirmation of my payment?
Yes, each month you will receive a monthly statement via email. If you have questions about billing, please contact the Customer Service Support Center at:
LiveSupport@UpsideLive.com
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