Updating or upgrading your human services software can be a daunting process. There are options available to meet any of your needs and to increase your organization's productivity.

Know Where You Can Grow Later

There are also as many options for software as there are variations in your budget. You want to get the best choice for your organization without compromising quality or key features that you need in order to make your budget. You also don't want to pay for bells and whistles that you don't need either.  There is also the uncertainty of getting a product with features that you are not sure if you want to have later as your business grows, but do not need at present.

How Important is it For the Software Vendor to Have Subject Matter Expertise?

Taking all of this into consideration, it can be a challenge to upgrade. This is particularly true for smaller non-profit organizations that may not be sure of the direction that they will be in the next several months or years. Many non profit organizations that work to improve the community have found the benefits of using software platforms specifically designed case workers, social workers and those in human services management.

After all, you would expect that the designers of a software platform be familiar with the type of work flow or best practice for a specific segment of non-profit organizations that make their needs unique. It would be similar to buying a manual on chocolate production from an automobile manufacturer and then wondering why things don't work the way that they are supposed to.

Is It Important to Know How Your Agency is Performing?

Some of the specific needs of non-profit human services organizations include security of files, case management or case alerts, a user friendly interface, and being able to access information from any internet connected computer, tablet or mobile phone. If a software solution can be adapted to meet other needs in addition, that is a bonus.  For many agencies - just having client data at their fingertips isn't enough.  In today's environment where funders are keeping their wallets close to their vests... performance management is becoming very important.  Tools that answer to questions like "How is our agency performing?" and "Are we meeting our goals?" and "How are our results in line with our mission?"... can only be answered with specific tools that allow you to set and measure key performance indicators (KPI's). 

Do Not Sacrifice Flexibility!

Knowing that each human service organization measures success differently - can surely make it difficult for software providers who may take a "once size fits all" approach to their product development.  When choosing a software platform - it's important to keep the mantra of "flexibility" and "easily customized" in your visor.  Being able to create your own programs, set your own alerts, tweak your own forms and set your own KPI's can make the difference between an expensive software platform that goes the way of the "Soloflex" (once a great exercise machine, now nothing more than a sophisticated plant hanger) or one that your agency continues to grow with as you look towards the future.

Is Technical and Client Support Important to Your Decision?

When looking for the right platform for your needs, it is also important to find out about how technical support is handled. Most technical support in the industry is outsourced, sometimes overseas (this may be the case especially if a company offers 24/7 technical support.)  It is helpful to know what you can expect as far as if tech support problems are handles as tickets or if you will have access to a live agent. Neither is definitively preferable, it is more a matter of personal taste. If you are a person that likes immediate assistance and are comfortable with online chatting, submitting a ticket or chatting with a agent online might be the better solution for you.