Business & Legal Reports (BLR) has been helping employers avoid legal problems for 25 years. Human Resources, Compensation, Environmental, and Safety managers know that they can count on BLR to keep them in compliance.

BLR's attorneys, researchers, and journalists are experts in their respective markets. They are constantly researching federal and state legislation, best practices, industry trends, and impending changes that can affect your organization. All BLR products are delivered in plain English and organized into practical, easy-to-read formats. BLR products are delivered in pring, CD-ROM, Internet, and newsletter formats.

In addition to receiving BLR's Safety & Human Resources Training Programs free with your EAI membership, BLR is now offering EAI members a discount when you order their Environmental and Compensation products.

Cintas is the largest publicly held uniform supplier in the United States. With over 130 sales and service locations, three regional distribution centers, and four manufacturing plants, Cintas can service a large percentage of our members' uniform needs. Cintas can also provide apparel for your "corporate casual," promotional, and company needs.

This agreement will include the following benefits:

• Members will receive a quarterly allowance based on their uniform rental purchases
• The ceiling price list will provide our members with a competitive rate but will still enable Cintas to meet competitive local prices
• Includes all Unitog purchases

EAI would like to encourage you to investigate this agreement before your current contract expires. You should also be aware that some supplier programs automatically renew unless they are given 60-90 days written notice. If you are already a Cintas customer and you find these prices to be more favorable, Cintas will prepare a new agreement. A representative from Cintas will contact you soon after you join EAI to explain the benefits of this program in more detail.

Do you feel you are getting the most competitive rate from your cellular provider? Is your staff spending more and more time analyzing your cellular bills? Wouldn't you like to get a handle on your cellular service? Would you like to reduce your monthly bills by 35-40%?

Cellular purchases are the one purchase a company makes without knowing exactly what they need:

• How many minutes an individual will need
• How many minutes will the entire organization need
• What special services will be required

Once you know what you need, how do you know you are getting the best deal?

• What plans do the carriers have available?
• How do you keep up with the changing rate plans?
• Can you depend on the carrier to offer the most economical rate plan?

Saving money will never be easier. CPS does all the work. All you have to do is provide them with copies of your last three months invoices. CPS will provide a free, detailed analysis of your account. Once you accept their recommendations, CPS will contact your carriers, inform them of the desired changes, secure any overcharges that may be available, follow up to ensure the plans have been implemented, and monitor your account for three months. CPS can also provide ongoing account management ensuring you are always receiving the best rates available, allowing your staff to focus their efforts on other areas of your business.

CPS's fee for their services is 50% of your first year's projected savings and any overcharges that are credited to your account. The fees are payable in three monthly installments. After the first year, you receive 100% of the savings.

We are confident that Corporate Purchasing Solutions can substantially reduce your cellular bills. One of the great benefits of this program is there is very little effort required on your part to generate a substantial savings.

TechCare is a private label extended warranty program that has been designed exclusively for Excellence Alliance members. TechCare has been created to provide extended warranties for new and previously installed residential, multifamily, commercial, and industrial equipment. The TechCare program will be administered by Equiguard, Inc. and will be backed by an A.M. Best "A+ Superior" insurance carrier.

TechCare is comprised of three distinct programs:

• Specially priced, frequently used packages are listed in the TechCare price sheets
• The hardbound Equiguard Price Book contains less frequently used packages not found on the TechCare price sheets
• Custom Project pricing can be obtained for packages not found in either of the above

Features and benefits of the TechCare program includes:

• An annual allowance amount
• Deeply discounted, net price programs contained in the TechCare price sheets
• A tiered multiplier for programs in the Equiguard Price Book
• Special pricing on custom projects
• Removal of a contingent liability from a self-funded program
• Uncover a possible surplus from a self-funded program
• A single source for all equipment manufacturers
• The ability to protect your customer base from the manufacturers' warranty programs
• Absolute customer retention for future repairs or add-on work
• Claim reimbursement at a flat or expanded rate schedule
• Simple claim procedures and fast turnaround for improved cash flow

To start taking advantage of the benefits TechCare offers, simply complete the TechCare Enrollment Form. You will receive a binder containing the TechCare order forms and the net price sheets. Equipment not listed in the TechCare price sheets can be found in the Equiguard Price Book. Use the Equiguard Price Book Order Form for these programs. All items not listed in the TechCare price sheets will use a tiered multiplier. For project pricing, use the Special Project Quote Form. Claims procedures, service agreements, and a list of Equiguard contacts can be found under the Claims Procedure tab.

We would like to encourage members that are self-funding their extended warranty programs to take a hard look at your risks and how the TechCare program can address them. Members that have not included extended warranties as part of their sales presentation are missing out on a great opportunity to not only secure your customer base, but lock up their business enabling you to profit from any future repairs or add-on sales. Call Mike Lutz with questions 630-881-3732.

HVAC Capital Corporation can successfully address your customer's budgeting challenges by providing a cost-effective solution that will differentiate you from your competition.

HVAC Capital has created a leasing program that is so simple that you can, and should, provide a leasing quote to every proposal you submit to your customers.

EAI's program with HVAC Capital is very easy to use and if you need more information please visit HVAC Capital's website at www.hvaccapital.com or call Larry Derrett at (713) 942-2028.

Paymentech is a full service electronic payment provider that will help your company determine the best combination of services to meet your everyday needs. By combining advanced, open technologies with creative thinking and one-to-one service relationship, Paymentech has become the premier choice for payment processing service.

Paymentech will exceed your expectations of a payment processing company by:

• Assigning a relationship manager who is knowledgeable about your business and experienced in theirs. This combination will lend itself to offer specific ideas and solutions for your unique situation.
• Focusing on what's most efficient and controlling the cost of doing business.
• Welcoming the opportunity to explore and develop innovative payment processing solutions.
• Providing 24-hour customer service (with real people at the other end of the line).

As an Excellence Alliance member, Paymentech will waive the application fee and the reprogramming fee.

Paymentech has the ability to process credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and JCB. They can also process Electronic Benefits Transfers (EBT). Other services include:

• Providing hardware and software to accept card transactions
• Check authorization/verification and check guarantee
• Processing authorizations and sales transactions electronically
• Settling, billing and generating client statements
• Developing payment processing solutions tailored to each business

There is more to Paymentech than state-of-the-art systems, premier point-of-sale transaction processing and their direct Internet gateway. They can help your business thrive by giving you more ways to succeed now and in the future by:

• Shortening the time it takes you to receive your funds
• Showing you how to generate new revenue streams
• Helping you spot industry trends
• Walking you through the steps to becoming an online merchant
• Providing you with easy and powerful online management and reporting tools

Paymentech offers state-of-the-art equipment at very competitve prices. To receive your customized payment processing solution, call Christy Hewitt at (330) 438-8400 and start saving today!

We are pleased to announce that Excellence Alliance, Inc. and Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. have reached an agreement that will allow Pre-Paid Legal to offer our members another great benefit to add to your employee offering, at no cost to you. Pre-Paid Legal can provide your employees with protection of their legal rights, security for their families, and peace of mind knowing that they have access to an experienced law firm.

Do you think your employees wished they had legal services because of:

• Lost security deposits
• Moving traffic tickets
• Need to prepare a will
• An IRS audit
• Overcharged for a repair

For a low monthly fee, you and your employees can have access to legal services to cover your most common legal needs. These services include:

• Preventive legal services
• Motor vehicle legal services
• Trial defense services
• IRS audit legal services
• Will preparation
• Other legal services

Benefits administration can often times be a burden. Not so with Pre-Paid Legal. There are no claim forms, no deductibles, no cancellation forms, and billing is once a month and can be done electronically.

Rob Vest will make a personal on-site visit to discuss their benefit options, answer questions, and enroll your employees. We have many members that have enrolled and have had excellence experiences utilizing Pre-Paid Legal's services: Cropp-Metcalfe Air Conditioning, Estes Heating & Air, Munn's Sales & Services, and Total Comfort are just a few. There has been no LESS than a 75% participation amont the employees even though it is 100% employee paid. Give Rob a call and discover for yourself this valuable, no cost benefit for your employees.

We are pleased to announce that Excellence Alliance Inc. has reached an agreement with Shubee, Inc. to become the preferred vendor of floor protection, safety and workwear supplies for all Excellence Alliance (EAI) contractors.

Shubee will offer to all EAI members the highest quality floor protection, safety and workwear supplies at the lowest prices available. With no minimums required and many products available, Shubee now gives EAI the ability to offer to its members a one stop shop opportunity and way to help keep the extra money that you have been spending on supplies where it belongs……in your pocket. Shubee is known for its unmatched customer service and excellent business practices. With Shubee, a deal is one to be honored, and their word is their bond. You are their boss. Your needs come first……..they come second. You can trust Shubee to get you the right product at the right prices.

Shubee will offer EAI members Shubee brand shoe covers for $46.95 per case and will offer all other Shubee products at a discount rate of 10% off of list price as published on the Shubee website (www.shubee.com). Due to pricing restraints from the manufacture, Bio Clean products are excluded from this discount offer.

Shubee also agrees to give any new member a free case of shoe covers along with a welcome aboard package on the behalf of EAI and Shubee for joining EAI.

Shoe covers…….. You got to have them, now EAI is giving you a way to save on your current pricing…… Giving your customer the level of protection and customer service that they deserve, earning their trust and standing out in a crowd has now become much less expensive. Now, you can save money while impacting your sales. Let them show you how a visit to Shubee can increase your profits.

For more information on Shubee products at fantastic prices, please go to their website and you will see why we are so glad to welcome them aboard. If you have any questions about their products, or wish to place an order give Daryl Andrews a call (877-974-8233) or (478)405-5494 or email daryl.andrews@shubee.com.

The NEWS is the industry's only weekly newspaper. For those that do not subscribe, The NEWS has been serving HVAC/R professionals since 1926. They are an excellent source for timely information on utility compensation, the consolidators' activities, labor issues, training and certification, indoor air quality, and many other issues. They bring unbiased facts you can count on.

The NEWS has been very supportive of Excellence Alliance and has given our organization excellent editorial coverage. Our agreement is the first of its kind for The NEWS. They will provide Excellence Alliance members 66% off their subscription price. Subscribe online by clicking here or by sending the EAI Discount Certificate to the Subscription Center at P.O. Box 3210, Northbrook, IL, 60065, to receive your discounted rate. If you are already receiving The NEWS, you may use the certificate to renew your subscription. You will also receive a free copy of their annual HVAC/R Directory and Source Guide. It contains over 600 pages of information on products, equipment, manufacturers, wholesalers, and more.