Synchronous ERP “Bill Of Rights”

Synchronous ERP is a SaaS (Software as a Service) offering that you can utilize based on the payment of a monthly user fee. Synchronous is built on and includes Windows Server 2012 R2 along with a number of other bundled software components. You do not own the copy of Windows server or any of the applications software.

Customer data is understood to include all data directly entered by or uploaded to the server where Synchronous is installed. Essentially all data necessary to recreate a full operational server not including the operating system or applications resides in databases stored and encrypted on virtual disks that are separate from the operating system and the applications software.

We have been operating a SaaS subscription business model since 1992, long before the SaaS acronym was minted. With a subscription model we earn the right to renew you subscription every day and many of our clients have partnered with us for decades. ERP systems represent a huge investment not only in software and systems, but also in expended effort, lessons learned, and the integration of your business processes into a formal system. Switching to another vendor or replacing a system is a major undertaking that is sometimes necessary.

Over the years we have gained clients as our customers have grown and similarly we have supported others in system migrations mandated by new owners. Just like it is your data it is always your right to choose alternatives. Whatever your choice, the Synchronous team will support your efforts in any migration to another system.

Firstly we offer a grace period where the software can be run on any server you have control of without restriction for 90 days. After 90 days the software will continue to operate indefinitely but will be restricted to a single administrator level user. Additionally, upon payment of any outstanding account balance and when requested to do so in writing we will provide a key to decrypt the data volume.

Thereafter you may access all information stored in the databases using industry standard ODBC access to the files. Use of the server component beyond the 90 day grace period requires you to make arrangements with Microsoft and our other royalty partners to properly license the server and remain in compliance with their license agreements.

Synchronous has been designed with reliability and redundancy in mind, but in the unlikely event of an interruption in service, we guarantee that we will communicate with you to articulate accurately the nature of the problem affecting your service so that you can be involved in any decisions that affect your business. For example, an outage may have a predictable duration and a fail-over to a redundant location may not be warranted if a disruption is temporary.

Customers have the right to notification regarding changes that affect the customer’s business processes. At Synchronous we will also give customers the ability to revert to a previous version whenever necessary and appropriate.

Customers have the right to understand the technical limitations or requirements of the service. At Synchronous we will endeavour explain our systems, technical requirements and limitations before the customer commits to the service, and will answer all reasonable questions.

Customers have the right to understand the legal requirements of the jurisdictions in which Synchronous ERP operates. Our system stores and transports customer data in both Canada and the United States. Consequently, the customer is subject to the laws and regulations of both countries.

If the customer prefers their data to be stored within Canada, we will grant their request. The price may change depending upon the provider. The data centre may also be subjected to changes in connectivity, reliability and security.

A third option is to use the services of third-party cloud providers such as Azure, Amazon or Google. Synchronous ERP may be run on alternative cloud platforms but infrastructure costs are passed on from these service providers.

Security has been the foremost consideration throughout the development of Synchronous OWN cloud. While we can’t divulge all the technical aspects of our security strategy what is not so secret is that data is secured, while in use, at rest and in transit with at least three levels of encryption at all times. This level of redundant encryption is unparalleled in the industry.

A business continuity plan is an integral component of the security of any mission critical system. With complete geo-redundant replication, we ensure that customers can maintain their operations even in the event of a local or remote disaster or emergency. The business continuity plan will be documented specifically so that customers can establish their procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.

Finally, customers have the right to transparency in software licensing. Synchronous ERP is a licensed product and includes additional licenses from third parties (e.g. Microsoft). Synchronous ERP will endeavor to explain the customer’s licensing obligations and their responsibility to adhere to the terms of these licenses.