Stateways

StateWays - March/April 2015

StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions

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31 StateWays ■ www.stateways.com ■ March/April 2015 Easing into the launch slowly has also allowed WV- ABCA to spend time working with their partners at GL Solutions to make sure the software is customized exactly the way they need it to be. "This agency spent a lot of time thinking about their business development and about how our soft- ware would meet their needs, and they did a good job of articulating those needs to us during each step of the process," says Jake Burts, Sales and Marketing Manager with GL Solutions. Even though the new online licensing system isn't fully operational, Robinson reports that the agency's overall functionality has already improved dramati- cally, thanks to the integration of iPads with the new mobile interface. "The iPads run so much better than the old devices. They're much cleaner, much nicer," Robinson says. "I have not had one single person complain about them." Offering online training programs I n addition to streamlining online license application and renewal processes, some states are using technol- ogy to expand their seller and server training programs. In 2010, the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations received a grant from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) to cre- ate an online training program, which was to be the fi rst of its kind in the state. Although the city of Portland, Maine, is the only town that requires seller/server train- ing certifi cation, such education is popular throughout the state, and a certifi ed online program was developed to make it easier for the masses. "Before the online training was an option, people had to travel quite a ways or wait a while to sign up for class- room training, which is why we recognized this need," says Johnnie Meehl, Manager of Spirits Operations with the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages. The online training program took approximately nine months to develop and test, and it offi cially launched at the end of 2011. To date, Meehl estimates that roughly 2,500 people have completed the training program on- line, which amounts to approximately 25% of all seller and server training certifi cations in the state. Meehl ad- mits that the program was slow to catch on at fi rst, but the state has partnered with an advertising agency to help get the word out that there is now an online alternative to classroom training. Additional enhancements to Maine's online training program may be forthcoming. Some users have indicated that they'd like the option to purchase a corporate ac- count in order to funnel groups of multiple employees through the training. Currently, the system is set up so that users must register individually. "Right now, the individual settings make the training portable for users who may change jobs and want to take their certifi cation with them," Meehl explains. "But we might look at offering corporate plans in the future." Tips on MOVING FORWARD I s your state looking into developing or revamping your online licensing and/or training options? If so, here are some quick tips to keep in mind as you dive into the process: Think long-term. Online systems take time to develop, test and roll out to the public. Don't expect a quick fi x. Take the time to work slowly to make sure you get it right. Don't automatically select the cheapest option. When partnering with an outside vendor, remember that not all products are created equal. Every agency is different and requires a differ- ent set of tools to meet its unique organizational needs. Vendors should be evaluated on quality and customization options of the product, as well as overall cost. Consider internal and external needs. Online systems will ideally simplify your in-house processes, but should also make life easier on the people your agency serves. Prior to investing in a new online system, consider doing focus groups with licensees, sellers and servers to see what they're looking for in an online program. Be mobile-friendly. Take the extra steps to ensure that your new system will be easily accessible from mobile phones and tablet computers. "Before the online training was an option, people had to travel quite a ways or wait a while to sign up for classroom training, which is why we recognized this need." — Johnnie Meehl, Manager of Spirits Operations, Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages

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