PI: “I dont have enough cases” and here’s why

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I don’t have enough cases.

The single most common excuse we hear from private investigators across the country. Here are a few examples:

Do you currently use a case management system or software? The single most common excuse we hear from private investigators across the country.

Here are a few examples:
Do you currently use a case management system or software?
“No, I don’t have enough cases”

Would you be interested in checking out a free trial of our software to see how it is helping PI’s? “No, I don’t have enough cases.”

Are you familiar with CROSStrax? Yes. I like the product but I do not have enough cases to justify the expense.

What do companies like G4S, Litigation Solutions and Covent Bridge have in common? They have teams of programmers, IT specialists and consultants working on a daily basis to help improve the technological capabilities of the company. Do you have that?

PI’s often complain that large companies like the ones above get all of the cases and try to subcontract out to PI’s at a reduced rate. That is completely avoidable. Compete with them on a technological level and get those cases yourself.

In the late 1990’s, Omega Insurance Services, which was bought by First Advantage, which was bought by Global Options, which then became Covent Bridge I believe through a series of huge mergers with similar large investigative companies such as ICS Merrill, became one of the largest investigative companies in a matter of a few years.

How? Technology! There had to be more people working on the technology solutions, then there were people working in the office and in the field. Omega figured out, through the use of technology, how to deliver information to the client quicker, more efficiently, and in a more impressive manner than their competitors. Their marketing strategy leveraged and showed off their capabilities. Are you doing that?

Their competitors were sending bulky VHS tapes in large envelopes which the client would receive in three to five days. Omega was delivering video snippets and case updates on a daily basis via their case management platform. What are you doing to separate yourself from your competition?

One of our favorite quotes from industry people came during a webinar we did with Jimmie Mesis at PI Magazine. When discussing price, one of the attendees said they could not afford $19 per month. Jimmie responded and told the investigator if he was unwilling to invest $19 per month in his business, it was time to find another job.

This is what we at CROSStrax do. Let us be your team of programmers and IT specialists. Let us show you how a case management system can make yesterday the last time you say “I don’t have enough cases.”

Learn more about CROSStrax at www.crosstrax.co or email us at info@crosstrax.co

The Financial Benefits of Case Management Software

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What does everyone want?  More money is usually the number one answer and more time for [insert personal choice here] is a close second.  The PI Direct Link case management system helps private investigators with both.  The system and is powerful features help reduce, and in some instances, eliminate the time consuming administrative tasks that […]

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Private Investigators in the news. For the wrong reasons.

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Private investigators in the news is nothing new. PI’s make headlines all the time for the great work they do for families of missing people.  The work they do in the defense of innocent people unjustly charged.  The wide variety of services private investigators conduct on behalf of the individuals and businesses.
In the past two weeks, investigators are in the news for different reasons. Here are a few of the headlines:
“Private Investigator pleads guilty to conspiracy and false imprisonment…..” Click here for full story
“Already incarcerated private investigator could face new sexual assault charge” Click here for full story
“Private investigator convicted for GPS tracking” Click here for full story
“Woman sues private investigator after finding tracking device on car” Click here for full story
“Family of missing boy sues its ex-private investigator” Click here for full story
Questions:

  • Are the lawsuits simply part of today’s litigious society?
  • Are the criminal charges warranted?
  • Are some private investigators taking unnecessary chances during their investigations?
  • Is stepping over the line due in part to pressure from the client to produce results?

We pose these questions to gain insight from private investigators.  We open this discussion and welcome constructive comments from the industry.
 
Try PI Direct Link free for 30 days.  www.pidirectlink.com

Private Investigator Software: I’ve Always Done It This Way

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“I’ve Always Done it This way.”

This could be the most well-known phrase to anyone who has ever tried to sell a product or service to anyone, regardless of the industry they are in. In the private investigation industry,  this is heard quite often from private investigators when it comes to improving business processes.

The definition of change: “the act or instance of making or becoming different”. Doesn’t every business guru tell business owners to “stand out”, “be different”, “separate your business from competitors”?

Even if something works, or is right at the time, does that make it ok?  Is that where it ends? Of course not. The business processes of private investigators should be no different. Not too long ago investigators used 8mm videotapes. They were right at the time and worked great.

What if that investigator was unwilling to change since it worked?

That investigator would be spending a lot of money on videotapes and possess a camera that records video in a lower quality. Their counterparts who prefer to advance their knowledge and change with the times are spending no money on videotapes, recording HD video, and leaving those who choose the alternative wondering why business is slow.

“The way I do it works. I do not need case management software”

The dive into the case management software pool is easily comparable. Certainly manila file folders, excel spreadsheets, homemade software, and outdated methods were right at one time and got the job done.
For today’s private investigator, case management software is advancing, readily available, and very affordable. Even for the one-man investigative agency. Try them, use them, and invest in your business. Time is money. Stop wasting it.
Try PI Direct Link free for 30 days. www.pidirectlink.com
678-620-8555

5 Things All Private Investigators Should Know About Case Management Systems

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The CROSStrax team attends Private Investigators conferences across the country. In talking with PI’s, one of the questions asked quite often was “How do I choose a case management system?” The simple answer is to try the system out. Any system worth paying for will offer a free trial period. Use the tips below to help choose a system that is right for you and your company.
1) Mobile capabilities
One of the main benefits of a case management system is having access to your case information, photos, video, report, etc. Being able to access the information anywhere at anytime on a wide variety of devices is crucial. As we all know, it is convenient to look something up on your phone or tablet without having to drag out a laptop. Having desktop based software only allows access to investigative information when seated in front a particular computer. What happens when you are in the field or at the courthouse? Look for something that is web based and can be accessed from any computer as well as your mobile devices.
2) The Cloud
Don’t be afraid of the cloud. It is the current business model of most technology based businesses, including technologically sound case management systems for investigators. Popular software products such as Microsoft 365 and Quickbooks are moving to cloud based platforms. Anyone who uses online banking systems are utilizing cloud platforms. Online shopping retailers, email programs such as Gmail and Yahoo mail are examples of cloud computing. Online backup software such as Carbonite operate in the cloud. The cloud should be viewed as a positive. If a case management system does not operate in the cloud and is desktop based, you need to ask how old the system is. Any system worth the cost should have a cloud component.
3) Affordability
Cost is an important factor for any investigator. Look for flat rate pricing. If there are a lot of “items” listed in the pricing plan or the plan is long and complicated, buyer beware. Take into consideration the restrictions. A price can be listed at $99 per month, but additional costs can be incurred if you create too many cases, have more than 1 person logged into the system, upload a large file, create an additional report template. A $59 monthly fee can turn into well above $100. Nobody is a fan of “fees”. When you see setup fees, one-time fees, case fees, be sure you are aware of how the final price could elevate quickly.
4) Features and Tools
Good systems will save you time and in turn save you money. Investigators want to be able to save a least an hour a week on administrative tasks so the system essentially pays for itself. Business owners should want to and will receive a return on any investment. Look for items that make the job easier, save time, and cut down on time spent on reports, billing, searching for information, updating the client, and keeping up with cases and assignments.
5) Customization and Personalization
Having your own subdomain is important for personalization to your company as well as for security reasons. For example, if your login page is at XYZDetective.casesystem.com, that is a unique address for you and your users. You can place that link on your website, email signature, business card, etc. Customization is important for many reasons. The main one being one PI’s business is entirely different than the next. One may focus on domestic investigations. Another investigator may do criminal defense work. What if you are doing insurance investigations and want to decide to market and pursue legal or domestic investigations? Look for systems that allow for customization to meet the needs if your business evolves or changes in the future.
Try a case management system free for 7 days.  Visit www.crosstrax.co