Frequently asked questions

What is E-manda ?
E-manda is a Delaware 'C' Corporation dedicated to promoting excellence in the area of the due diligence process. Although our main market is related to due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, our product may be adopted to a variety of different record keeping and information gathering tasks and applications. E-manda enables mergers and acquisitions through a unique combination of software and hardware. E-manda consists of an electronic platform to manage and organize the various disclosure items needed to successfully merge, or otherwise transition, operations from one entity to another.

How does E-manda work ?
E-manda manages all 'objects' that are identified to the system as material to the present or future value of an enterprise. Objects may be financial statements, product gantt charts, sales plans, pipeline reports, tax returns, or any other relevant document. The management process involves security (including back-up and off-site storage), workflow (including the routing, approval and escalation of issues), scope definition, conflict resolution, meta-data (e.g. ownership, responsibility), expert tracking (e.g. area of expertise, qualifications, opinions) and the ability to monitor the progress of a task or a related deliverable. Objects are stored in a secure database and may be searched quickly in a variety of ways.

How long does it take to set up ?
The platform takes a day or two to set up and enable. The benefits begin to accrue from the second day of use.

Who is usually trained ?
A member of the internal merger or acquisition team and an Administrative Assistant to the CFO or another member of the Finance team. Usually two individuals are trained with one individual selected as the ‘system administrator’ and the other individual selected as the internal training coordinator for other members of the M&A team. The Administrator enables the members of the M&A team following training. As objects are defined to the system, they are instantly available for processing by members of the team.

How does security work ?
The CFO usually defines who has access to what documents and reports and the System Administrator implements the security scheme defined by the CFO.

What are the benefits of using this approach ?
As a member of the Board of Directors, you have a responsibility to the shareholders to ensure the transaction is in the best interests of the shareholders. E-manda provides vital documentation of your efforts on behalf of all shareholders. As an owner of a business, you want to be sure that you disclose all the facts in a timely and forthright manner. E-manda documents when and how your disclosures are made. This protects you from unwarranted accusations later should there be any "buyer's remorse". As a shareholder, you want to make sure your management team is ready, should the right offer come along. If an unwanted suitor tries to take advantage of temporary set back in the price of the stock, you want the management to be prepared to find a 'white knight' at a moment's notice. Management must propose the right 'value proposition' quickly and efficiently. As an employee, you want to hear, in a very direct and unambiguous manner, what options you have and how you may be affected in any transition. E-manda provides tools that assist management in communicating with affected employees. E-manda is a vital tool during any difficult transitions. E-manda also offers broad benefits even if a transition does NOT occur.

How long does it take to get a return on our investment?
In the case of some ‘last minute’ implementations, a complete return on investment may occur within days. We recommend implementing the system in advance of any anticipated liquidity event to enable management to prepare for the intense and often difficult process known as ‘due diligence’. You want your management team focused on running your business and on external markets, not on anxieties surrounding an upcoming transition.

What kind of services do you offer ?
If you are not engaged in a negotiation, we can help you define the due diligence items a potential suitor would want to evaluate. After the items are assembled, categorized, and indexed, we can help you assess your preparedness for any type of transaction, including the strengths and weakness of your operational documentation. If you are looking to acquire a company, we can help you define the process, participants, roles and the timetable for the transaction. We are prepared to act as an outsourced member of your due diligence team and provide expertise in a variety of disciplines, including forensic accounting, finance, operations, marketing and technology transfer.

What much does it cost to get started ?
Pricing depends on the size of your business and the amount of material that may need to be organized. The platform is licensed on non-exclusive, monthly basis while your deal is active (e.g. ASP model). Results are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Questions? Ask E-manda