Many times, in an effort to conserve funds, nonprofit organizations make due with a collection of software that they attempt to use to manage their business.

With the increased availability of mobile applications, there are several which can be used to help caseworkers stay on top of their caseload (calendars, file storage, contact lists, etc.). There are many productivity applications for Windows, Android and in the iTunes market. Many of the tools available are also low cost or perhaps free.

One of the challenges with using a mobile app (or apps) to manage caseloads is the lack of agency consistency. Different people will have access to different devices and will use them differently. Information available to one caseworker is not necessarily available to the entire team.

Another challenge can be trying to get all of these productivity apps to communicate and integrate one with another. For many, this lack of integrating is one of the main reasons that they don't use their mobile device or tablet more in business.

In an effort to search for an alternative, many nonprofits have found that there are products that are designed especially with the nonprofit market in mind. These nonprofit software programs vary in several ways. It is important to evaluate each of them beyond the price tag to see which will be the best suited for your organization. Below, please find a few things to consider when you are in the market for a new software program for your organization or are looking to upgrade from your existing software product.

Is the program easy to use?

Whenever you begin to use any new software program, there is a period of time that you may feel like a duck out of water and want to run to the nearest eight year old for help! A program should not be so complex that you feel that you will never master it. Most people are able to adapt to new software fairly quickly however.

Does the program do what you need and if not, how much is lacking?

If you have a good idea of what you would like for your program to do, it is far easier to determine which product will best work for you. It may be rare for you to find something that fits all of your needs, and if you do - congratulations! If not, make sure that you prioritize your needs so that you can shop for the best fit.

Does the software offer upgrades and/or support?

This can be a big issue, since there can be bugs that come up and are only found through the use of a program. Otherwise, you may need support in the future. Live technical support is usually the mode of communication with which people are the most comfortable.  However, if the software company has a knowledge base and a useful forum - that seems to work very well for many audiences and user communities.