Documens Boss

On April 25- 27, 2010, Perceptive Software, a fast growing ECM Software and Solutions company, held their annual customer conference, Inspire 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri, very close to their Headquarters. Document Boss was privileged to attend the meeting and observe this event first-hand.
 
Last year’s Perceptive customer event in Florida, was staged at a very low point in the economy and attracted over 450 people.  Based on the slow economic improvement, Perceptive thought the number would be relatively similar.  Instead, however, over 800 people flocked to Kansas City to learn more. In addition to coming from all over the US and Canada, the UK and Europe were well represented, and delegates came from as far afield as South Africa and Salt Lake City.
 
The opening session included a welcome by Cary DeCamp, EVP of Marketing and Communications, a presentation by Scott Coons, CEO, and a new Product Release overview by Darren Knipp, CTO and VP of Products and Solutions. Some interesting facts were presented, including:
 

• A significant new investment in Europe; building a technical and support center in the Netherlands to support the EMEA region; and expanding the sales and business development team significantly
• Sales in 30 countries to more than 2500 organizations; encompassing over 700 applications
• Despite the economy, increasing R&D spending in 2009, investing over $1m and adding 50 new software people and 20% more support people
• Adding global regional users groups for a total of 22
• AMR Research calling Perceptive Software “The Next Big ECM Thing”
• Inclusion in the Gartner Magic Quadrant

 
Despite the accomplishments and their growth to almost the $100M level, it was clear throughout the meeting that Perceptive was highly focused on one thing – their customers. Their theme, “Content in Context” created a compelling framework for the company’s direction and strategy, which was clearly exhibited in the many sessions throughout the event. Of note, was that a high proportion of the sessions were built around the customer and included many that were run by customers. Great attention was paid to training, teaching and listening to all customers and their needs.
 
Day 2 started with a highly motivational, general session. Mike Eruzione, Captain of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, and the subject of the movie “Miracles” and of Miracle on Ice fame, gave a compelling presentation, comparing the race to beat the Soviet Hockey Team in 1980 to business challenges many companies and individuals face in their careers.
 
This conference is a growing trend in the global ECM space. More and more companies are staging their own events, inviting customers and select prospects to attend and learn more about their products, their solutions and their people. Perceptive Software has embraced the concept and staged a quality meeting and learning experience. They had learning problem solving centers at the event, where customers could speak and work one on one with experts about application issues and problem solving.  Perceptive’s senior management was on-hand at all times, interfacing with customers and approachable throughout the whole event.
 
The bottom line: a high quality event and a company dedicated to helping their customers who, in turn, can facilitate  Perceptive’s journey towards real market leadership.
- Paul Carman, SVP North America