Why are Asphalt Repairs so Important?

Asphalt repairs are necessary within time as newly applied asphalt surfaces begin to wear and break down as they are repeatedly exposed to elements such as water, sunlight and chemicals.

Two Main Reasons

There are two primary reasons why your parking lot should be in good condition.

First, keeping your parking lot in good condition for both vehicle traffic and foot traffic is important to the aesthetics of your business. A clean, well maintained parking lot makes a good impression on those who visit your business. Good upkeep of the physical appearance, including parking lot repairs sets the stage for everything else.

The second reason to make asphalt repairs to your parking lot is a legal one known as premises liability. Any personal injury accidents such as a trip-and-fall or damage to a vehicle might be grounds for a lawsuit. In many states, all costs from medical care, long-term therapy, and medications, lost time from work and pain and suffering can be calculated into an award. If a pothole or other asphalt hazard leads to an injury, the owner and management company can be held financially responsible for substandard pavement conditions. However, the opposite can hold true as well – if you can demonstrate that attention to timely asphalt repairs has been done, this can help your defense against any such lawsuits.

An Important Lesson About Asphalt

All asphalt pavement is subject to atrophy over time. The older the pavement, the more likely the parking lot will need asphalt repair.

Surface breaks of any kind allow moisture to percolate below the surface, where it undermines the integrity of the pavement. The liquid asphalt that binds the materials together begins to lose its natural resistance to water, allowing it to penetrate beneath the surface. Once this occurs the pavement can quickly fall prey to a number of different types of deterioration including cracks and potholes. Asphalt repairs and prevention will increase the longevity of any asphalt surface. Sealing asphalt cracks can also be beneficial.

Avoid Costly Replacement

Before you experience a costly asphalt replacement, have an experienced, asphalt contractor walk your parking area and make an assessment. Keeping up with regular parking lot maintenance, sealcoating, and filling potholes can help avert costly damage and repairs.

Whether you are a facility manager for a hospital, shopping center, grocery store, apartment complex, school, big box store, arena or other venue, asphalt repairs should be part of your parking lot maintenance plan. It just takes minutes to have a professional paving contractor walk your parking area and make recommendations – those minutes can sometimes save you thousands.

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating

With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://www.pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

The Importance of Maintaining Commercial Parking Lots

There are many important reasons to ensure your facility maintains the proper upkeep of your commercial parking lot. A clean parking lot projects an image of success. A parking area cluttered with debris can take away from even the best services, products or services your business has to offer. Customers and visitors to your facility do not wish to trudge through discarded trash, potholes and other debris just to do business with your company. Additionally, once clean, visitors are less likely to discard their own trash if your parking lot is well maintained.

Promote Positive Image

Parking lot maintenance is an important to maintaining the status of your business. When visiting an office building, shopping mall, school, restaurant, or other commercial facility, the businesses parking lot is the first impression business owners are giving potential customers. A well-kept appearance provides the positive impression most business owners wish to achieve.

Improve Curb Appeal

To keep your parking area looking its best, facility maintenance companies provide a full range of parking lot maintenance and repair services for commercial businesses. This type of company is dedicated to maintaining the parking lots and sidewalk areas through their parking lot maintenance division. From pothole repair to lighting issues, their highly trained staff continuously strives to keep the parking lot of your business looking good.

Protect Your Investment

Because a parking lot is a major investment, parking lot maintenance is required to maintain the long-term durability and appeal of the parking area. Proper parking lot maintenance protects your investment by increasing the life of your parking facilities. When sand, gravel and other debris remains on your parking lots surface, not only does this detract from the overall appearance of your building, it deteriorates the surface of your parking lot. Overtime, this type of residual residue can cause the need for costly repairs to the parking lots surface.

Foreign objects on the surface of your asphalt shorten the life of pavement, as well as the service time of any seal coating, striping, etc. As part of your parking lot maintenance, the area should be swept on a regular basis with the proper commercial-grade equipment. Not only will this help avoid staining, pitting, and other damage to your parking lot, it can also help to minimize pollutants in your storm water stream due to run off.

In conclusion, the main objectives of any facility maintenance company you hire to maintain your commercial parking lot should be to finish projects safely, on-time and to deliver high-quality results. If you’re not receiving the best maintenance services, maybe it’s time think about switching to another, more reputable company!

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS offers a wide range of services that can be customized to meet the needs of each client. AFS provides a complete range of services, so our clients have the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property maintenance needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://afsflorida.com for an online proposal.

All About Sealcoating

Sealcoating helps protect asphalt from the harmful effects of the weather as well as petroleum based products like gasoline and oil.

Sealcoating your parking lot is an easy way to extend the life of your asphalt and improve the curb appeal of your property – saving you money in the long run.

Sealcoating Helps:

• Weatherize
• Minimize Maintenance
• Keep Parking Lot Safe

A properly installed, high-quality sealcoating product will protect your parking lots’ asphalt from fuel, oil, weather and traffic wear. If asphalt is not property seal coated or, not sealed at all, cracks can start forming in the asphalt, which can then lead to potholes.

A crack sealer should be applied to cracks before sealcoating to prevent them from growing and further damaging your asphalt parking lot. Asphalt parking lots and driveways should be seal coated every 2-3 years. Cracks should be filled and repaired every year.

Sealcoating a commercial parking lot should be done by paving and sealcoating professionals. For those that would like more information on the process, it can be summed up in these steps:

1. Large cracks larger than 1/4 inch wide should be patched
2. Be sure it is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and rain isn't expected for a day or two
3. Clean the area to be sealed with a push broom and then spray dust away with water
4. Clean oil spots with a commercial detergent and then spray clean with water
5. Let the asphalt dry for an hour before sealcoating
6. Mix sealcoating thoroughly
7. Pour and spread the sealant a 20 square foot section at a time with overlapping strokes. Be sure to spread a thin coat so it dries effectively
8. Stay off the parking lot for 24-48 hours.

Be sure to work with a paving company that utilizes the industry's highest standards of equipment and materials on every job, while adhering to proper safety standards for your sealcoating project.

Sealcoating Just Makes Cents!!!

Here are some of the benefits of sealcoating:

• Stops Weather Damage
  
  Asphalt sealcoating prevents the damaging effects of oxidation and water penetration.
• Prevents Oxidation
  
  The sun's ultraviolet rays harden and dry out the asphalt pavement surface.
• Beautifies Pavement
  
  Asphalt sealcoating restores original black color to asphalt and greatly enhances the overall appearance of property.
• Resists Gas, Oil, and Salt
  
  Asphalt sealcoating resists the highly damaging effects of gas and oil seepage and all other road chemicals including alkalis and winter salt.

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating

With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://www.pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

Why Porter Services Are Essential for Any Facility

Maintaining a professional appearance and upholding sanitation issues are daily challenges for commercial facilities. Day porter services are essential to maintaining the appearance of your entire facility including your lobby and offices. They perform invaluable, time-saving services and are an excellent way to control property maintenance costs.

Maintaining a professional appearance and preserving proper sanitation is an ongoing challenge for both small and large facilities. The health and safety of your customers and employees depends on the cleanliness of your office, lobby, facility and property.

Spotless Cleaning

Whether you manage a restaurant, retail shopping center, corporate building, school, park or new building site, on-site day porters ensure your property is well maintained and kept clean, down to the last detail.
Porters provide high touch commercial day services to complement other building maintenance services like high-tech sweeping services. Porters walk parking lots during the daytime hours to police areas for trash, scrape gum, remove cigarette butts from flower beds and wipe down trash cans.Additionally, these facility service individuals utilize a comprehensive porter service checklist which addresses the most common cleaning concerns. This checklist, of course, can be modified to meet the needs of the facility.

Customizable Porter Services

Some of the day porter services available and customizable according to the needs of your property are:

• Litter Removal
• Cleaning & Disinfection
• Restroom Maintenance
• Clean-up of Spills
• Customer & Tenant Interaction
• Trash Receptacle Wipe Down
• Change &Reline Trash Receptacles
• Graffiti Abatement
• Cobweb Abatement
• Window Washing
• Dumpster Clean Up & Maintenance
• Newspaper Stand Cleaning

Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly Rates

Porters can offer daily porter services on a flat hourly rate, daily, weekly or on a monthly basis.
When selecting a porter service for your commercial facility, be sure to find a company that recognizes that no two facilities are identical. A cookie-cutter service plan just won’t cut it for all businesses.

Your porter service should understand that all customers have specific needs and want tailor-made commercial building services. Enlisting the help of a property advisor at the porter service company should relieve the stress of facilities management by enabling you to work with one senior-level contact who will notify you of all site inspections via email, make frequent visits to your site, be proactive in managing any anomalies and ensure that your facilities needs are being met. Also, be sure to find a company that offers fast response times and 24-hour a day service, you will be glad you did.

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS offers a wide range of services that can be customized to meet the needs of each client. AFS provides a complete range of services, so our clients have the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property maintenance needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://afsflorida.com for an online proposal.

Hernon Manufacturing Exhibits at Manufacturers Expo Show in Monterrey Mexico

Successful tradeshow generates new customer opportunities, and provides education, samples, and equipment and product demonstrations to manufacturers in need of adhesives and dispensing solutions. 

Sanford, FL., March 27, 2013 –Hernon Manufacturing, the innovator in adhesives, sealants and dispensing equipment, attended the Manufactures Expo Show held at the Cintermex of Monterrey Mexico. This show is the leading international exhibition for manufacturing technology, automation and robotics.

“During the show we were able to showcase our not only our adhesive and sealants, but also our dispensing equipment including the Ultraspot 1000 and the Autobonder 2111,” said William Velez, Export Sales Territory Manager for Hernon Manufacturing. “We were successful in getting our products and equipment in front of manufacturers to explain the benefits of our products and to demonstrate the capabilities of our machines. We developed many industries contacts which we feel will lead to long term relationships.”

During the tradeshow, Velez was also able to spent time with two of Hernon’s Mexico City Distributors, Ingenia and Indada, who will be also visiting Hernon Manufacturing’s headquarters in Central Florida at the end of March.

Equipment Featured at the Show
The Ultraspot 1000 is a high intensity 200-watt ultraviolet light want/spot curing system for ultraviolet light cure adhesives and coatings. The advanced PLC control system allows the user to determine the proper cure time in manual mode then convert the resulting time to automatic mode. The PLC includes external control circuits for incorporation into an external control or response system. The UltraSpot 1000 features a bulb-life saving system to automatically shut down the system when left attended.

The Autobonder 2111 is the most advanced tabletop dispenser featuring 0 to 100 psi for dispensing materials of low, medium, or high viscosity materials. This dispensing machine is excellent for even the most aggressive and reactive chemicals. It contains a 100% solid state, six function timer, and timing ranges from .01 seconds to 9,999 hours with repeat accuracy 0.03 to 0.05g.

More About the Show

With renewed growth in the manufacturing sector, Expo Manufactura was an opportunity for buyers and builders to get together to exchange ideas and conduct business transactions.

“For Hernon, the exhibition created the best international business environment where we were able to speak with like-minded metalworking and manufacturing professionals to talk about key topics, resolve performance issues for manufactures and teach them about the products and determine which piece of equipment, that Hernon manufacturers, can help them achieve the best results,” added Velez.

Hernon Manufacturing’s high performance adhesives, sealants and precision dispensing solutions include more than 5000 products offering a complete solution for bonding, sealing and dispensing needs.

HERNON Manufacturing has been committed to delivering world class adhesive, sealant, and impregnation solutions along with precision dispensing systems for nearly four decades. A long-time member of Central Florida’s industrial manufacturing community, HERNON offers strong brands and technologies, all made in the United States, for a diverse range of industries including: Energy/Power Generation, Medical, Electronics, Electrical, LED, Automotive, Appliances, Sporting Goods, Ammunition, Communications, Aerospace, Aviation, High Tech Audio, Defense, Fire Suppression, Transportation, and Marine. HERNON Manufacturing is proud to be an ISO-9001 registered company whose products meet or exceed Mil-Specs. HERNON Manufacturing has been recognized as a top company in Orlando and is listed in the Orlando Business Journal’s Book of Lists. The company also was awarded the 2012 ThinkGlobal Exporter of the Year, named one of Florida's Top Companies to Watch in 2012, and has received the 2012 William C. Schwartz Industry Innovation Award for its advanced process for ammunition sealants. Visit http://hernon.com for more information.

President of Hernon Manufacturing Named Small Business Exporter of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s North Florida Office has announced Harry Arnon as the district winner for 2013. 

Sanford, FL., March 25, 2013 –Hernon Manufacturing, the innovator in adhesives, sealants and dispensing equipment, is honored to announce that Harry Arnon, President of Hernon Manufacturing has been named the Small Business Exporter of the Year.

The Small Business Development Center helps businesses become more successful and meet the challenges of tomorrow. As part of the program, small business owners are nominated and recognized for being outstanding leaders in the small business community.

Categories for the award include, Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year, SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneurial Success, the Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Small Business Award, and the Small Business Champions of the Year.

Mr. Arnon has being recognized as the Small Business Exporter of the Year for having significantly increased export sales and profits, encouraging other firms to export, and increasing jobs through exports, and innovative methods of creative markets.

In 1978, Mr. Arnon and his brother Josef started formulating adhesives in the basement of their home in Queens and incorporated Hernon Manufacturing Inc. In February of that year, the company was moved to a larger facility in Long Island City; and subsequently to a larger building in Brooklyn until constructing a new headquarters in Sanford, Florida in 1990. Today, Hernon Manufacturing has a global presence in a wide variety of industries and applications.

The Orlando area Small Business Week winners will be honored at an event hosted by the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida on May 21, 2013 at the Citrus Club. During the celebration the U.S. Small Business Administration will present its coveted Small Business Week awards spotlighting the outstanding contributions of business leaders and champions at the district level.

HERNON Manufacturing has been committed to delivering world class adhesive, sealant, and impregnation solutions along with precision dispensing systems for nearly four decades. A long-time member of Central Florida’s industrial manufacturing community, HERNON offers strong brands and technologies, all made in the United States, for a diverse range of industries including: Energy/Power Generation, Medical, Electronics, Electrical, LED, Automotive, Appliances, Sporting Goods, Ammunition, Communications, Aerospace, Aviation, High Tech Audio, Defense, Fire Suppression, Transportation, and Marine. HERNON Manufacturing is proud to be an ISO-9001 registered company whose products meet or exceed Mil-Specs. HERNON Manufacturing has been recognized as a top company in Orlando and is listed in the Orlando Business Journal’s Book of Lists. The company also was awarded the 2012 ThinkGlobal Exporter of the Year, named one of Florida's Top Companies to Watch in 2012, and has received the 2012 William C. Schwartz Industry Innovation Award for its advanced process for ammunition sealants. Visit http://hernon.com for more information.

Swap Negotiators Reduces Unwind by $70K for Medical Group

Swap advisors create transaction transparency by having access to the same live market data as the banks so that no hidden bank fees can be included when unwinding an interest rate swap.

Winter Park, Fl., March 18, 2013 – Swap Negotiators, an advocate for commercial borrowers, recently represented a large urology group in San Antonio, Texas unwinding an interest rate swap transaction and saving the group more than $70,000 in undisclosed bank fees. 

                  

In an effort to refinance its real estate debt, a large urology group became frustrated because of what appeared to be an excessive swap termination fee.  In the eleventh hour, the group engaged Swap Negotiators as their representative for the transaction.

Swap Negotiators acts as an intermediary between borrowers and their banks on all types of swap transactions including executing, modifying, unwinding, and assigning. 

“An important part of our team consists of former bankers that worked on the derivatives side of the bank.  They help us to create transparency and bring expertise to all borrowers when considering strategies and executing interest rate hedges,” stated Andy Johnson, an Associate with Swap Negotiators.  “We utilize the same live tools as the banks so that no hidden fees can be included.”

In this particular transaction to unwind an interest rate swap, the Texas urology group had been quoted an unwind fee of $1,518,000.  Swap Negotiators was able to conclude the unwind at $1,447,000; a difference of more than $70,000.  Additionally, Swap Negotiators' sister company, CMAC, negotiated to include the unwind value in the refinanced debt. 

“Although some of the savings were market-driven, the majority were not,” said Andy Johnson, an associate with Swap Negotiators. “The bank backed off of their payoff once Swap Negotiators had created transparency in the transaction.”

About Swap Negotiators
Located in Central Florida, Swap Negotiators provides advocacy, expertise, and advice on interest rate swap contracts for commercial borrowers and works in partnership with banks, commercial real estate attorneys and mortgage brokers to provide transparent pricing, valuations and ongoing support for the life of a swap. Additional information about Swap Negotiators can be obtained by calling (407) 264-7264 or by visiting www.swapnegotiators.com.

Media Contact
Andy Johnson
Swap Negotiators
Phone: (407) 264-7264
Email: andy@swapnegotiators.com

Hernon Manufacturing Receives LOI for Impregnation Resin

Letter of Intent (LOI) indicates Hernon Porosity Sealant 80151 is the ideal solution for Vaccuum Pressure Impregnation 


Sanford, FL., March 14, 2013 –Hernon Manufacturing, the innovator in adhesives, sealants and dispensing equipment, recently received a Letter of Intent from PlainStates Energy for its Hernon Porosity Sealant (HPS) 80151.

Having been sent a sample of HernonManfacturings’ sealant to test on an application in the stabilizing industry, the customer, PlainStates Energy in return signed a Letter of Intent to purchase the impregnation resin.

“The experimental Hernonsealant you sent me to try, works great for my application in the stabilizing industry,” said Jon Kennedy, Founder and Project Manager of Plain StatesEnergy. “I have found that with the Hernon sealant I get less bleed out when curing, very little smell, and better penetration than other sealants I have used over the last few years.”

The LOI further indicated that Hernon’s HPS 80151 is a” very good product” and that the customer would be promoting the product to his customers worldwide through his websites and other companies that he owns.

“As you can see, Hernon’s Porosity Sealant 80151 is an ideal choice for many applications,” said Director of Sales and Marketing forHernon, Edgardo Rodrigues. “This particular customers’ application is impregnating wood.”

PlainStates Energy projects their future volume on this product to be more than five hundred gallon per year or more.

PlainStates Energy is a vertically integrated company that is actively engaged in the development and construction of small and medium sized wind and solar power systems in communities across Minnesota and the upper Midwest. The company incorporates a hands-on management style to bring through to operation energy projects that are either individually or jointly owned by financial partnerships between local communitues, municipals, farmers, and landowners. For more information, visit http://plainstatesenergy.com.

 
HERNON Manufacturing has been committed to delivering world class adhesive, sealant, and impregnation solutions along with precision dispensing systems for nearly four decades. A long-time member of Central Florida’s industrial manufacturing community, HERNON offers strong brands and technologies, all made in the United States, for a diverse range of industries including: Energy/Power Generation, Medical, Electronics, Electrical, LED, Automotive, Appliances, Sporting Goods, Ammunition, Communications, Aerospace, Aviation, High Tech Audio, Defense, Fire Suppression, Transportation, and Marine. HERNON Manufacturing is proud to be an ISO-9001 registered company whose products meet or exceed Mil-Specs. HERNON Manufacturing has been recognized as a top company in Orlando and is listed in the Orlando Business Journal’s Book of Lists. The company also was awarded the 2012 ThinkGlobal Exporter of the Year, named one of Florida's Top Companies to Watch in 2012, and has received the 2012 William C. Schwartz Industry Innovation Award for its advanced process for ammunition sealants. Visit http://hernon.com for more information.

Interest Rate Swap Example

Attorneys advising commercial real estate clients on interest rate swap transactions can benefit from the services of a swap negotiator.

An Interest Rate Swap Example

A real estate attorney was contacted by a client wishing to enter into an interestrate swap agreement.  The description of the swap indicated that it would be based on 1-month LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate), have a 5, 7, or 10-year term, and that the notional amount would be structured on a 20-year amortization schedule. As of March 5^th, 2013, these breakeven swap rates would be 0.82% for 5 years, 1.26% for 7 years, and 1.73% for 10 years.  How do I best advise my client and what does all this really mean?  

LIBOR Explained

First, the London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR rate is the average interest rate that they would be charged if borrowing from other banks, or estimated by leading banks in London.  It is the primary benchmark for short-term interest rates around the world.

Interest Rate Swaps Explained

An interest rate swap is a widely used financial derivative instrument in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows.  In its most common form, a commercial borrower will pay an agreed fixed rate ("swap rate") in exchange for the "swap counterparty" to take responsibility for payment of its floating rate obligation. 

In the commercial real estate attorney’s interest rate swap example, the breakeven swap rates show the fixed rate a commercial borrower would have to pay (not including any loan spread) if they entered into a swap agreement where the borrower received the floating 1-month LIBOR rate.

If a commercial borrower enters into a 7-year interest rate swap, for example, they would pay a fixed rate of 1.26% for 7 years and in return they would receive interest payments based on the 1-month LIBOR rate.  The borrowers interest payments would be fixed while the money they received from the swap would be variable based on the 1-month LIBOR rate. 

The swap also indicated that it will be quoted at mid-market breakeven. This means the rates were reported at the average of the bid and ask prices of the market; it is considered the fair market value.  Additionally, as indicated in the interest rate swap description, the swap settles interest payments each month.

How Swap Advisors Can Help Attorneys

Advising clients on interest rate swap transactions can create a new revenue stream for attorneys.  Although these contracts are complicated financial transactions, a swap advisor can assist the attorney and his client in translating the banks information into plain language, taking the mystery out of a swap contract.  Having worked on the derivatives side of the bank, a swap advisor is the best defense to negotiate pricing and terms while reducing interest expense. Without a swap negotiator there is no transparency, and the bank can easily quote inflated pricing without the borrower's knowledge.

Clients Save Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars

By partnering up with a swap advisor, the attorney’s commercial real estate clients can save hundreds of thousands of dollars.  How’s that?  

Banks have historically charged excessive, uncontrolled, and undisclosed fees on all types of interest rate swap transactions allowing them to profit greatly by adding these hidden fees.  A swap advisor has access the same live data and computer models as the bank, which creates transparency and thereby reduces or eliminates banks’ undisclosed fees.  By working with a swap negotiator, clients gain peace of mind that their interest rate swap transaction is being handled by an expert and that their bank has not unfairly profited. 

Attorneys advising commercial real estate clients on interest rate swap transactions can benefit from the services of a swap advisor by creating transparency, providing peace of mind to their clients, and helping them save a significant amount of money in these complicated financial transactions. 

About Swap Negotiators
Located in Central Florida, Swap Negotiators provides advocacy, expertise, and advice on interest rate swap contracts for commercial borrowers and works in partnership with banks, commercial real estate attorneys, and mortgage brokers to provide transparent pricing, valuations and ongoing support for the life of a swap. Additional information about Swap Negotiators can be obtained by calling (407) 264-7264 or by visiting www.swapnegotiators.com.

Why Funeral Directors Use Tribute Center

Every day, thousands of funeral home professionals rely on Frazer Consultants funeral software for the ultimate in personalization options. Their all-in-one personalization suite, Tribute Center, contains funeral stationery software, funeral webcasting software and tribute video software. Because this software is so intuitive, it connects with the funeral homes funeral management software which enables funeral directors to enter information one time – saving countless hours of tedious work.

Frazer Consultants Tribute Center software is the premier software for the funeral industry. But, don’t just take our word for it;listen tohere’s what other funeral directors are saying:

Mark Smith of McAlister-Smith had this to say about Frazer Consultants and Tribute Center, ”Part of our process at McAlister-Smith for evaluating whether we wanted to change our memorial personalized stationery items that we were using was certainly looking at the profit margin on those items. We did have certain benchmarks on those margins that we needed to achieve and yet we wanted to make sure the end result was a quality product at a reasonable price for the consumer so that we were passing on that value to the consumer. With our due diligence that we did with evaluating the products and services that we were using compared to those that Frazer Consultants brought to the table, at the end of the day McAlister-Smith felt there was much more value that we could get the end user, that being the customer, a highly customized product, unique and fitting to their loved one that they were remembering and allowing us to achieve the margin that we needed to achieve with those products and offerings thus making it a triple win, great for Frazer Consultants, great for McAlister-Smith, but most importantly great for the customer.”

Watch Mr. Smiths’ video testimonial now:



Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

What Others Are Saying About Frazer Consultants

Frazer Consultants is a personalization, technology and consulting company for the death care profession. At Frazer Consultants their number one goal is to serve the funeral industry professionals and add value to their businesses. To do this, Frazer Consultants brings together a talented team of highly-skilled professional from around the world.


The professionals at Frazer Consultants not only understand the funeral profession, but more importantly, they are dedicated to helping each and every funeral professional reach their business objectives with the value added services which families want.

Kevin Clark with Lady’s Funeral Home had this to say about working with Frazer Consultants, “My relationship with Frazer Consultants started roughly three years ago; there business has evolved into the new Tribute Center that is great, very much up to date. The technology they have that we ourselves can use and provide to our families with the different themes that is carried across DVD’s, memorial folders, register books, thank you cards. My staff has picked up on it very easily. I only have to carry one type of paper, and that’s blank, and we create it from there. Families love it. And it’s very easy for me to provide more if we run out -just go back and make some more.

Frazer Consultants has integrated their software with various funeral home management software companies where you don’t have that double entry. It is connected to our management system and gets pushed out to their software. It’s easy.It’s simple.It’s cost effective.Your families will love it.

I would highly recommend Frazer Consultants for their technology, their support. They are very easy to work with, very innovative. Your families will love it, especially the DVD’s, they will come back for more.”

Watch Mr. Clarks’ video testimonial now:



Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Tribute Center Saves Time and Money

With just a few clicks of a mouse,funeral directors can create a completely personalized service using Frazer Consultants funeral software, Tribute Center. Plus, all of Frazer Consultants products are completed in-house, so funeral professionals will have what they want when they need it.

The personalization options Tribute Center has to offer are amazing. For example, the preformatted funeral stationery templates make each and every piece look like it’s been handcrafted. The user simply selects a theme for the funeral stationery for the service based on the deceased’s hobbies, interests, career, or religious background, and with a few clicks of the mouse the funeral director can have a complete set of customized stationery.

Next, upload family photographs; click a few buttons to add motion, graphics, intro and ending videos and the software compiles all the information into a cinematic quality tribute video.

Offering funeral webcasting streamed lived or on a delay is easy too. Connect a simple video package, install the software and follow the menu guided prompts. A secure, password protected viewing can be arranged in minutes.

Art Kunkle, the owner of Curran-Saffer Funeral Home in Apollo, Pennsylvania had this to say about Frazer Consultants funeral software:

“We have four funeral homes and we have our own crematory, we do approximately 250 funerals a year and approximately 230-235 cremations a year. Frazer Consultants has brought our business us up to another level in regards to the technology that we have now that we didn’t have before in regards to using personalized memorials, thank you notes, register books, laminated obituary’s, those kind of things. It has personalized everything to the families for what they want in regards to what they need, what they are requesting. And in regards to how the funeral homes need to stay marketable for themselves for what the consumers are now asking.

We need to simplify things because of the most important thing to us is the time that’s involved. We can do a complete set of memorials and register books with in fifteen, twenty minutes, if not less time. So, it makes a big difference in the structured timeframe in our day.

They have been very helpful in regard to the questions that they needed to have answered in a very quick and timely fashion. We are very happy with everything that Frazer Consultants has done for us.

Frazer Consultants has made our life more profitable in our business life. It has made things better for the families we serve in regards to the personalization that we now can afford to have and can give to our families.”

Watch the video now:



Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Frazer Consultants Releases 200 New Scenic Video Clips for Tribute Center Software

Hundreds of eight second cinematic quality video clips are now available to interweave with photos and music to personalize tribute videos created with Tribute Center video creation software.


Waunakee, WI.,March 11, 2013 – Frazer Consultants a personalization, technology, and consulting company for the funeral industry, announced it has released 200 new eight second scenic video clips for use with the company’s Tribute Center video creation software.

Thousands of funeral home professionals currently rely on Frazer Consultant's Tribute Center funeral software to produce world class tribute videos. This robust application features simple click technology. An easy three step process produces a world class video - simply import, edit and burn.

With the addition of these two hundred scenic video clips, a completely personalized DVD tribute video can be created for client families.“This wide range of videos provides client families with more personalization options that match any interest, hobby, occupation or religious background,” said Matt Frazer, Consultant with Frazer Consultants. “Whether the family is honoring a golfer, an avid outdoorsman, someone who liked to sew or knit, a snowmobiler, animal lover, or tennis player, Tribute Center has a video clip for all of these and more.”

The new video clips also include nature scenes such as autumn trees, deers, flowers, sunrises and sunsets. These new videos have been expertly created and designed to enhance the overall personalization experience for a family who wishes to honor their loved one with a tribute video. With such a large variety of new clips, families can be assured their tribute video will be a highly personalized memorial keepsake that is both comforting and professional.

Funeral professionals who are already using the Tribute Center software can download these new video clips from the online Tribute Center library so that they can be offered as an option to client families. Those interested in adding tribute videos to the services they offer can contact Frazer Consultants direct for more information.

“Tributes videos are a powerful combination of personalized photos, music, and videos that help tell a life's story," added Frazer. "Our 200 new scenic videos will take your tribute video personalization to the next level."

About Frazer Consultants

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Providing the Value Added Services Families Want

Frazer Consultants number one goal is to serve the funeral industry and add value to the funeral professionals’ business. To do this, we’ve brought together a talented team of highly-skilled professionals from around the world. Not only do we understand the funeral profession, but more importantly, we are dedicated to helping funeral professionals reach their business objectives with the value added services that client families are looking for.


Don’t take our word for it, just read what our customers, like Kathy Sweeney of McAlister-Smith are saying about Frazer Consultants Tribute Center funeral software:

“I love, love the library of stylized scriptures and poems because I can virtually find everything there and if I can’t find it, all I have to do is pick up the phone and they’ll make it for me, and you can’t ask for much more than that.

The first funeral we used it on was huge. It was the former Corner of one of the counties we served, a beloved gentleman and we knew we were going to have an enormous turnout. And, he was very special to us because he was a dear friend of ours as well as someone we did business with so it meant a lot to us to make all of the products, the tri-fold, the thank you notes, the video as poignant and as meaningful as we could.

I had a dual role that night because I had prepared everything, and then I was in the room kind of walking through the room greeting people. At one point I was I was standing watching the video and there was a lady next to me, she had the tri-fold out and she was looking at the TV and looking at the tri-fold. She didn’t know who I was. She didn’t know I was on staff. And she looked up at me and looked back down and said, ‘I just can’t believe how special this is.’I shared that with the whole staff because it was just - it still gives me goose bumps. She was just so touched. That’s what made it really special for us.”

Watch Ms. Sweeney’s video testimonial now:



Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Funeral Software for the Funeral Professional

Frazer Consultant's all-in-one personalization funeral software gives the funeral professional the ability to produce not only stunning funeral video tributes but also, the most personalized funeral stationery, keepsake candles, remembrance ornaments and live or recorded webcasts. Creating each product is simple and affordable.


Every day, thousands of funeral home professionals rely on Frazer Consultant's Tribute Center, here’s what one customer had to say:

Gail Swan of Maclean Funeral Home had this to say about Frazer Consultants, “Our daily operations are to serve the families who put their trust in our funeral homes to care for their deceased loved ones. Our relationship with Frazer Consultants started back five years ago. We were purchasing his memorial keepsakes angels. Our families just love them. We have been using them ever since.

We’ve had many people call us who have heard about these angels that we haven’t even served and asked if we’d be willing to give them one or sell them one. Well, of course, we give them one because these angels do what they’re supposed to do – they bring a little peace to a troubled heart.

I think the angels that we’ve purchased from Matthew and the memorial booklet in the tribute center is just a wonderful, wonderful way to give to a family a package that is so meaningful to them and it helps to ease a bit of pain at a time when they need that.

We have recently, this spring purchased his memorial booklet packages, we only bought a small supply - we started off small just to see how our community would accept them. Our families are really, truly blown away. Recently we served a family and they came back to us and they said, we couldn’t image we’d receive such a beautiful package all together and there are so many formats and so many different choices to choose from for the individual deceased persons. So, we are looking forward to a very lengthy relationship with Frazer consultants.

I would recommend doing business with Matthew and Frazer Consultants because they make it so easy and they provide such wonderful products to serve your families with.”

Watch Ms. Swans’ video testimonial now:

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.

Keeping the Funeral Industry Ahead of the Technology Curve

Many funeral directors will admit, the funeral industry has changed. Traditional, somber funerals are stepping aside for more personalized funeral services that make for a more fitting farewell.

McAlister-Smith Funeral Home is a funeral home that began on the peninsula of Charleston, SC back in 1886. Mark Smith of McAlister-Smith Funeral Home had this to say about the funeral industry:

“The market place we serve is definitely not the market place that I entered back in 1993.We have seen the increase in the families looking to personalize and make the funeral services or memorial services or whatever event it is that they are having much more highly engaged and personalized whether it be through utilizing catering events, floral tributes, video tributes, any type of written personalized stationery tributes as part of the memorialization and ritualization process.”

Frazer Consultants is a personalization, technology and consulting company for the death care profession. Thousands of funeral professionals rely on the company’s Tribute Center software every day for customized funeral stationery, tribute videos and funeral webcasting. It's our focus to provide world renowned solutions that help funeral home client families' better honor, celebrate, remember, and tell the life story – both easily and affordably.

Kathy Sweeney of McAlister-Smith had this to say about how Frazer Consultants Tribute Center funeral software:

“My job is to step apart from the day to day and look at the way we do business and see if we can’t find more efficient ways to deliver a superior product. What we did was it came down to analyzing it at a per funeral cost and that was impressive to him that we could reduce our inventory and our stocking levels. That they would always be fresh that I wouldn’t discover that I had over ordered on something that nobody else was ever going to use. What sold me was the type of things our administrative assistants, the people in the trenches, face everyday.”

Tribute Center Helps Business Achieve Goals

Smith continued, “At the end of the day, McAlister-Smith felt that there was much more value that we could get the end user, that being the customer, a highly customized product, unique and fitting to their loved one that they were remembering and allowing us to achieve the margin that we needed to achieve with those products and offerings thus making it a triple win, great for Frazer Consultants, great for McAlister-Smith, but most importantly great for the customer.

We are so very thankful to have the opportunity to partner with Frazer Consultants and we thank you for helping us serve our families better as we honor, celebrate and remember the lives we have the opportunity to serve through our funeral home. Thank you to Frazer Consultants.”

Watch Mr. Smith and Ms. Sweeney’s video testimonial:




Frazer Consultants primary products and services include inactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral register books, funeral stationery, and funeral keepsakes that include their award winning Life Journey Candle and Holiday Remembrance Ornaments. It is their focus to provide world renowned solutions that help funeral home client families’ better honor, celebrate and tell a person’s life story.