Cafeteria Administration Software

[Guest Jeremy_Davis]

Well, I posted a similar topic about two weeks ago, but must've phrased it oddly, or incorrectly, because I got no replies.

I'm really interested in the software you may be using to administer Section 125 cafeteria plans, and how you like the software. Any help will be greatly greatly appreciated! Happy New Years!

JD

[Guest Jeremy_Davis]

Okay I'm really hoping some people will chime in here, as I imagine that some people here are using flex plan software.

I just got a demo packet from TRAVIS software. Anyone using TRAVIS flex? How's their support? I called the support number and got a message asking me to leave a voice mail and they'd call me back. That worries me a bit, as I'd like to get ahold of a person when I call...

PLEASE Help us out here! Any little comment or suggestion as to software. I'm begging you!

Jeremy

[leevena]

Have you tried using an outside service for this? I am of the opinion that it is usually in the best interest of an employer to administer their own plan. There are a variety of issues that arise when you administer your own plan, such as who will do the testing, how will you keep up with the legal changes, how do you administer the plan effectively, legally and effeciently, etc. It seems to me that it will be well worth your time and effort to have an outside organization do it. Just my thoughts.

[Guest TXCafe]

I second the suggestion of outside administration...could be because I work for a TPA (Third Party Administrator) though. You would pay less in administration fees probably than you would for the software. That being said, I think the reason you're not getting a lot of response is we don't want to be "advertisements" for our software companies. I know I didn't want to suggest the one we use because I don't want to be seen as endorsing this particular company. Also, we just switched and I'm not sure how I feel about the new software yet. It has great features but I'm having a hard time learning it. Before that we used a DOS system....I definitely don't recommend that! I just did a lot of online research when looking for new software. Once I found one that I thought fit our needs and was in our price range, I asked for references. I actually made a really great networking contact through one of the references too! I would imagine your needs in a software program would be very different from my needs as an administrator for a TPA. Hope that at least makes you feel better about not getting many responses!

[Guest Jeremy_Davis]

Thanks so much for your responses! I really appreciate the info!

I do want to mention that we are in fact a TPA. We're not big, but we try to do a really great job. We administer full flex plans for about 100 companies.

I guess it makes sense that you don't want to advertise for your software companies, but we're just having so many problems with our current company. It seems like at least two issues arise each day.

How about private messages, does this board support PM's? Maybe if you feel iffy about putting info out there for everyone, I would still appreciate the honest opinions of those of you, who like me, are "in the trenches," working everyday with the software, and trying to provide the best possible experience for the plan participants.

I'm guessing every software company has problems, but I'm hoping to find the best ratio of problems to usefulness...

Thanks again for the answers, and please keep them coming (even privately) as I'm really trying to help our office out of this situation...

All the best,

Jeremy

[Guest Guharoy]

I second the suggestion of outside administration...could be because I work for a TPA (Third Party Administrator) though. You would pay less in administration fees probably than you would for the software. That being said, I think the reason you're not getting a lot of response is we don't want to be "advertisements" for our software companies. I know I didn't want to suggest the one we use because I don't want to be seen as endorsing this particular company. Also, we just switched and I'm not sure how I feel about the new software yet. It has great features but I'm having a hard time learning it. Before that we used a DOS system....I definitely don't recommend that! I just did a lot of online research when looking for new software. Once I found one that I thought fit our needs and was in our price range, I asked for references. I actually made a really great networking contact through one of the references too! I would imagine your needs in a software program would be very different from my needs as an administrator for a TPA. Hope that at least makes you feel better about not getting many responses!

Hi,

Any recommendations for what would be the most popular software to administer TPA plans!!! Additionally, can you share the workflow process for administering the TPA plans.

Thanks in advance

[Guest Mary Morgan]

Hi Jeremy. Please contact me and I will be happy to provide information on DATAIR's Cafeteria Plan Administration System. Our phone number is (888) 328-2474. My email is marym@datair.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mary Morgan

Thanks so much for your responses! I really appreciate the info!

I do want to mention that we are in fact a TPA. We're not big, but we try to do a really great job. We administer full flex plans for about 100 companies.

I guess it makes sense that you don't want to advertise for your software companies, but we're just having so many problems with our current company. It seems like at least two issues arise each day.

How about private messages, does this board support PM's? Maybe if you feel iffy about putting info out there for everyone, I would still appreciate the honest opinions of those of you, who like me, are "in the trenches," working everyday with the software, and trying to provide the best possible experience for the plan participants.

I'm guessing every software company has problems, but I'm hoping to find the best ratio of problems to usefulness...

Thanks again for the answers, and please keep them coming (even privately) as I'm really trying to help our office out of this situation...

All the best,

Jeremy