The Full Report referenced in this White Paper is available for purchase here: Interactive Collections Communications| Buyers' Guide to Automated Collections Solutions

As recently as 15 years ago, most collection activities, including dialing and tracking results, were completely manual. As automation became more prevalent, paper cards were replaced with computers and first-generation software that relied on manually inputted data. And although productivity improved, that improvement came rather slowly and at a high cost. Data-based systems could not adapt to changing needs without reprogramming.

Today, the industry is facing new and continuing challenges such as:

* High turnover and inexperienced workers.
* Increased consumer reliance on cell phones and e-mail.
* Bankruptcy filings aggravated by aggressive collection techniques.
* Federal and state debt collection regulations that many feel are outdated.

These factors, combined with rising consumer debt, economic uncertainty, and declining business revenues, have resulted in an industry-wide call for increased productivity. But that productivity must come with an eye toward cost and compliance issues. And it must involve collecting from more accounts without adding significantly to overhead.

Interactive Collection Communications: A Buyer’s Guide to Automated Collections Solutions, provides an overview of the interactive collection communications available today, such as Voice, E-Mail, SMS Messaging, and "SaaS".

Software as a Service is paid particular attention in this report.