Paper Tiger Software - Update

February 27, 2009

Dear Paper Tiger users and prospective users,

I have been a Paper Tiger Authorized Consultant (PTAC) since the software was introduced to the public. The Paper Tiger has been a core part of my productivity consulting work for 12 of the 14 years I have been in business.  I have used it for my own personal filing system the entire time and I love what it does for me!

During the last few years I have become increasingly dissatisfied with the way the manufacturer, The Monticello Corporation, runs its company, manages its employees, and treats its customers. Recently I have received numerous complaints from clients about Monticello's response time and availability.

In early February I learned that Barbara Hemphill -- the productivity consultant whose methodology was used to create the software -- decided to stop promoting The Paper Tiger.  She is unhappy with the way the manufacturer runs the company. 

Although I love the software, I am no longer willing to accept the way in which the company operates.   Therefore, I have removed everything “Paper Tiger” from my website, except for this page.  If you are a Paper Tiger user (as I am), you may have some questions about what this means for you.  I hope your questions will be answered below.

Q & A About Paper Tiger Software

What do I do if I have a problem with software I already own?

I have received messages from some of my clients that their Paper Tiger software is no longer working properly and they’ve had trouble getting assistance from Technical Support at Monticello.  I spoke with Monticello’s office manager and was assured that tech support is still available, but because of staff turnover, they were 3-4 days behind.  (This conversation was as of mid-February, 2009.)

If you have a technical support issue, I urge you to keep trying to get assistance from Monticello.  I am not a techie and I am not able to help you with these things.  I recently received a report from a client who had some technical issues and finally got some assistance.  She was very happy with the quality of the support once she got it.

Why does the software suddenly just stop working?

There are a number of possible reasons.  For example, when a Microsoft Update takes place, sometimes that causes software to no longer work.  This has happened to me with other software besides the Paper Tiger, too.  When this happens, the technical experts can walk us through how to fix it.  It’s usually complex enough that you’d never find the solution without expert help to walk you through what to do.

What alternative solutions are available on the market today?

I have been looking for other solutions that could replace The Paper Tiger software.  Unfortunately, nothing like it is currently on the market.  I still LOVE the software and use it for my own filing system, as well as for keeping track of many other things in my household besides just paper.  I will continue to use it as long as it works.

I have spoken with two people who are in the development stages of creating web-based programs that will offer similar benefits to what the Paper Tiger does.  If you want something different, you can wait until these new products launch. (I have not previewed them yet because they are still in development.) When I have more information and am able to offer my own personal recommendations, I will post them here.  Please bookmark this page and check back in April '09.  I hope to have some recommendations by then.

What versions of the software is tech support available for?

If you have version 4.0, you can get a free downloadable update of version 4.1 (the latest version).  Monticello only offers support for version 4.0 or 4.1.  If you own version 3.0 or earlier, you must purchase an upgrade of the software in order to get technical support.  Monticello provides free support for the first 30 days after you buy the upgrade.

Where can I buy an upgrade?

I have a few copies left of the software that I had purchased at wholesale (40% discount) from the manufacturer for resale purpose. I am selling those AT MY COST  -- $102 wholesale instead of $169.95 retail price -- to existing users who want the latest version, with the buyer fully understanding that they may not be able to get good customer or technical support from the manufacturer.  Once my stock is gone, I will not be restocking this.  If you want to purchase the software at my cost, please click this link:  http://alturl.com/21r .

If you love the Paper Tiger, as I do, and you want to keep using it, you can upgrade to the current version (4.1) and hope that it will work well for you for years.  If you have any tech issues, I hope that Tech Support will be available.  You will get a new disc and after you install the software you can import your data from the previous version into the new version.

My Paper Tiger is working fine right now, but if it stops working, what can I do?  I have my entire filing system in Paper Tiger and would be completely lost without it.

I recommend two things:

 1. If you have version 4.0 or 4.1 and it stops working, see if you can get assistance from Tech Support at Monticello.  If you can get through, they have been very good at walking customers through to a solution.  You can email support@thepapertiger.com or you can try calling them at 800-430-0794.

 2. I strongly encourage you to back up your data ASAP.  To do this:

• Open the Paper Tiger software. 
• Go to the File menu (upper left corner) and click on that to see the pull down menu. 
• Select Export. 
• Highlight the location you want to export.  Please note that you can only export one location at a time, or it messes up the numbering system.
• Under Export File, click on Browse and type in the name of the backup file (example:  PT Reference Backup 2 27 09)
• Save all of your backups in one folder for easy retrieval later, and place the backup folder in a place where that data gets backed up regularly, along with other important data on your hard drive (in case of a hard drive crash).  If you are looking for a good backup service, I use MozyHome Unlimited Backup for all of my important data and documents that are stored on my computer.  This is an online backup program that automatically backs up nightly. Visit  http://mozy.com/?ref=3f9a896b&kbid=19865&m=8  to try it.

By doing this, you can at least print out an Excel spreadsheet or could do a word search in Excel (only one word in one location at a time) if your Paper Tiger database ever failed and you could not get tech support to revive it.  If you ever need to import the data into another program, it will all be available to you if you do this kind of backup.

Lastly, I had just redone my recorded instructional teleclass, which I was giving away when people purchased the software from me.  Now I am giving it away to anyone who wants it.  (I used to charge $29.95 for this.)  You will find the link to my free recorded instructional teleclass and my 25-page instructional guide at http://www.orgcoach.net/_pt/_PaperTigerBonusTrainingTools.html

If you are still using the software, you may find this to be very helpful.

Best wishes,

Kathy Paauw
Retired Paper Tiger Authorized Consultant
kathy@OrgCoach.net
425-881-6627