This week CU*Answers began a special beta-test on an exciting new suite of budget calculation and analysis tools, integrated into the CU*BASE^® core processing system. The totally redesigned software has been in development for more than a year and additional enhancements are already on the drawing board for the next phases to be released later in 2015.

“What’s unique about this project is the amount of direct client involvement in the testing process,” said Keegan Daniel, Professional Services Manager, who is coordinating the beta project. Participating in the beta are two Michigan credit unions who have been heavily involved in the Accounting Top 10 development focus group over the past several years, Frankenmuth CU in Frankenmuth and Service 1 FCU in Muskegon. “We are paying a CollabRebate payment of $2,500 to each credit union to undergo an intensive ‘Budget Boot Camp’ process with us,” says Daniel.  “No matter what testing we do in-house, there’s nothing like putting the software through its paces in the field in a live credit union environment.”

As a cooperative with strong ties to its customer-owners, CU*Answers uses beta-test processes with volunteer credit unions for most of its software releases, with CollabRebate awards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per credit union for active participation.  “We put our money where our mouth is when it comes to collaborating with our credit unions for the future success of the entire network,” says Randy Karnes, CEO.  “The budget beta-test is just the latest demonstration of that commitment in action.”