Wasting Time?  Time is wasted when:- A group of people must wait for one person.- A Team cannot readily access the same document or data.- A Task must be redone due to insufficient supervision.
'Horizontal' Software may be called a Suite - or a Platform. - It is very flexible & made to Create new information.- Can be used to create Vertical (specific) Applications.- An example would be 'Adobe Creative Suite'or MS Office.Vertical Software is developed for a specific set of Tasks.
The Platform  is Broad & flexible by Design.- WYSIWYG Design tools for Novices autogenerates code.- Powerful Editors allow Experts to further customize.- Includes an underlying and thoroughly integrated database.- Robust, multiuser access without onerous fees.
Wasting Talent?  Talent is wasted when:- An Expert is assigned a task that is suitable for a Novice.- A Novice is assigned a Task that way over his/her head.- A Novice that is eager to learn new skills is denied access.- Team members are pigeonholed. Latent talent, undeveloped.
There is another 'Great Divide' and that is the one between the Haves and the Have Nots.  Younicycle is affordably priced for any business, not just the 'Fortunate 500'.  Available as a SaaS (online) or as a Server package.
'Vertical' Software is often called an 'Application'. - It is typically developed for a specific set of tasks.- Is 'powered by' the underlying Horizontal Platform.- An example would be 'Recruiting' or 'Benefit Enrollment'.
Wasting Money?  Money is wasted when:- Multiple software packages must be purchased.- Multiple licenses or 'seats' must be purchased for each.- Multiple user interfaces must be learned (extra training).
The Great Divide is Knowledge.  If you have the required depth of Knowledge, you can accomplish difficult tasks but without it, you will either 'give up', assign or pay an Expert or purchase yet another limited use software application.
Cost? 1) Server package for $400.  No limit on number of users.2) Online vsn (SaaS) = $480 per year (3 users).3) Custom programming from $25 to $75 per hour.
Many spokes. Younicycle's framework will allow you to create many types of Vertical Applications, defined only by your imagination.  An Actuary - or a Recruiter, a Benefit Consutant or Insurance Carrier can create compelling, plug-in Solutions.
Need an Edge? Many possibilities:1) Create Customer Solutions & give to them for Productivity.2) Create and sell as a suppemental source of revenue.3) Create, give it away - but charge for added customization.4) Become a Partner.  Sell Younicycle + your Solutions.
One wheel. We've designed the IT Vehicle so that:1) Experts can work side-by-side with Novices.2) WYSIWYG Tools auto generate complex code.3) Each 'mini-app' you create can be shared (or sold).
Getting there is the hard part ... but we've made the trip much easier.  We have spent many years 'blazing a trail' and building the IT vehicle that can get you there, safely & affordably.  Yes, it is easier - but Easy is a relative term.
Start here.  Get there. It's a given that you want to provide superior service for your customers and always keep a responsible. technological edge.  But how?  Younicycle can give you that edge - & be white-labeled for your identity.
It's coming. Like it or not, your competitors are standing outside your customers' front door and can be invited in with a few clicks of a mouse.  We have the high tech and you, the relationships.  Let's talk while the sun is still out.
Personalizing your Employee Communications is critical whenever personal Knowledege is required.  Use Retirement as an example.  Why would an employee care about John or Jane Doe's retirement security?  Meaningless, inaccurate information is not only irrelevant, it's dangerous.  Do it right.
The 3 Steps for effective Employee Communications:1)  Inform: Let them know it exists.  Where? When?2)  Educate Employees:  What is it?  How does it work?3)  Personalize the content.  John Doe is not real.
Employers: Collaborate internally, with us or other Vendors 1) We (or other Vendors) can provide Full service2) Do it yourself (DIY).  You can always ask for help.3) Initial full service -> then DIY in the future.
Your Employee Benefits may be very Cool - but will be ineffective if they remain Hidden.  Employee Benefit Statements help your Group understand & appreciate their Personal, Big Picture.  We have more than 20 years of experience and know all the possible pitfalls.

Poor Henry.  Overcome by events beyond his control.Approximately 3 minutes.
 Employee Benefit Statements Reports - During & Post Project
Employee & benefit Reports are certainly an HR, fact of life.  The trick is to present them so that they are meaningful and allow you to accomplish the task at hand.  In general, reports fall into 4 categories and are delivered in pdf, xls or 'web browser' (XHTML) format.
Report Type 1 - Raw data check
Typically, we receive anywhere from 3 to 30 files, depending on the type of Employee Communications Project.  A Raw data check is simple and requires a spot check of data.  The goal is simple - be able to look at a report and say, "Yes, that's what we sent."
We have handled many 1,000's of files over the years so we do know where to look for possible employee data anomalies.
A few simple Examples: - SSN's with multiple formats.- Zip codes that are numeric  (00487 arrives as 487)- Long names that are truncated- Hyphenated names that split incorrectly- Upper and lower case from row to row.
We clean your data, recompose as required and ask you to validate.
This is the simplest type of report and usually takes only a few minutes for you to review.
Report Type 2 - Checking constraints
A few examples:- An ee that is full time but shows health deductions for    a part time classification.- An employee that shows active contributions to a  retirement plan but has an account balance of $0  based on an up-to-date daily val report.- An employee that shows eligiblity for sick days inapproprate for the  pay grade or class. The list often extends to > 100 checks.
This is why we are so insistent on receiving your Plan materials.  We really do read all of it and then check it later against the data.
In 20 years, we have never had an instance where the data we received was perfect.  We "scrub the data", find those errors.  We're on the skyline with you.
We deliver these communications reports only when we identify data elements that are outside of known parameters.  If you get one of these, we have identified data that seems to be "wrong".  Part-time employees with full time contributions, multiple heath plans for 1 employee... that sort of thing.
more- Checking constraints
Type 3 - Targeted for a Single Benefit
Each employee benefit receives its' own communications Report.  Much of our work involves several 'stages' of calculations, so we give you each Step, regardless of how trivial.
In addition, different types of employees (or results) frequently lead to alternative text so it's important to display so you can verify.  Usually, it is best to select a handful of people that fall in each possible category.  That way the preliminary reports are not 300 pages of mind numbing detail.
Type 4 - Consolidated Summary
These are Type 3 reports presented in a consolidated format.  When you start getting these, we're geeting close to completing your Employee Communications Project.
Need more?
If so, tell us what you need, especially those 'corner cases' where certain employees have 'special benefits' or unique employee communications requirements.
 Employee Benefit Statements Feedback loop