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"Case" database

Posted on 16 February 2006 at 12:28 pm
Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
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  • Anonymous
    16 February 2006 at 12:28 pm #2355

    I’m trying to research databases for tracking our interactions
    with people using our service.

    So far I’m even struggling to find what terms to search with.

    I’m told “Case database” is only really used when it
    relates to legal matters. I’m from the private sector
    where I guess the closest would be Customer Relationship
    Management but we need it more for capturing in detail
    what problems our service users are having.

    Would be really great if somebody could point me
    in the direction of existing software of even just
    what these things are called.

    Many thanks

    Sam

    Anonymous
    20 February 2006 at 4:59 pm #8290

    Sam

    I’m assuming you’e thinking of a system that can help you manage intractions with your core stakeholders (if you are a charity for the blind, this could perhaps be blind people using your services).

    Most of the threads on here relate to systems that help with fundraising and supporter care, but some of these systems also include functionality to help manage interactions not only with those who support a cause, but those who benefit from a charities work.

    There’s a myraid of systems – if you want to know more give me a bell on 07968 718966 and I’ll try and provide you with some insight

    Keith
    Purple Vision
    http://www.pvsystems.co.uk

    Anonymous
    21 February 2006 at 1:11 pm #8291

    Thanks Keith,

    Would you mind listing the main players here so
    if anybody is doing the same search they can
    also benefit from your pointers?

    The ever changing choice of politically correct words
    makes Google less useful than normal 😉

    Thanks again,

    Sam

    Anonymous
    22 February 2006 at 8:52 am #8292

    Hi Sam

    Apologies to those not covered…

    Fisk Brett – Progress
    Blackbaud – Raiser’s Edge
    Care Business Solutions
    Care data Systems – donorflex
    ESIT – ThankQ
    ASI – Imis
    Redbourne – Advantage Fundraiser
    Donor Strategy
    JAC solutions also have a fundraising solution (jacsolutions.co.uk)

    And there’s lots more – see other links in this forum for a more complete list of fundraising solutions. This is very much just a short list.

    As far as handling supporter/customer helpdesks, Fisk Brett’s system has an integrated solution (helpdesk pro I think it’s called) and I believe Ciber/Ascent have developed a similar solution for the Migraine Trust. Again, others may be able to offer solutions too.

    Hope that helps

    Keith
    Purple Vision

    Anonymous
    22 February 2006 at 12:36 pm #8293

    Thanks Keith,

    That should keep me busy for a while.

    Cheers

    Sam

    Anonymous
    22 February 2006 at 2:23 pm #8294

    OK – good luck. Let me know if you need any help

    Keith
    Purple Vision

    Anonymous
    22 February 2006 at 3:09 pm #8295

    Just introducing me to the phrase “service user” has
    been very handy. I would never have thought to call
    them that.

    As usual the problem now is to find out typical
    costs for these things. As usual you have to
    contact them, they don’t give you the full
    license costs, professional services required…

    btw is purple a third sector colour or something?
    You are from Purple Vision and Fisk Brett are
    all purple.

    Anonymous
    22 February 2006 at 3:27 pm #8296

    There is a story to the name – it has much to do with my colleague and founder’s trouble with differentiating between colours

    I think he has real issues with seeing Purple

    Costs – depends upon licences, modules etc. Professional services range between 600 and, ahem, 1150 pounds per day depending upon who you go with

    A 3 user system with some basic training and limited consultancy can be implemented for less than 10k with most of the suppliers on the list. Some for much less, as the software costs can be cheaper with some

    Anonymous
    23 February 2006 at 1:01 pm #8297

    if it doesn’t have to be charity-specific then salesforce.com will easily handle this. It’s highly customisable and licenses are cheap.

    Anonymous
    23 February 2006 at 1:26 pm #8298

    I’ve looked at salesforce.com and it is only cheap
    if you have the mickey mouse version and not too
    many users. I’m not that impressed with how easy
    it is to use.

    The other tip is don’t give them your email address
    or telephone number as they will never leave you alone.

    I would be more tempted by a vtiger solution but
    I’m not sure if anybody hosts it.

    Anonymous
    23 February 2006 at 1:37 pm #8299

    If you need a non-charity specific solution MS Dynamics CRM version 3 looks quite good – and is as cheap as chips

    Anonymous
    23 February 2006 at 2:06 pm #8300

    I’m starting to think the sort of thing I’m after
    is more like a call centre database or support
    database for tracking issues etc. I think
    salesforce.com has some issue tracking built
    in but mainly these solutions are heavy on
    sales automation.

    A friend that used salesforce.com heavily warned
    me that their claims to be “the most customizable”
    are a bit bogus as when he asked how they sent
    him a long of things they would no longer support
    if he changed titles etc.

    Anonymous
    23 February 2006 at 2:28 pm #8301

    On price it is hard to beat:

    http://www.freecrm.com

    Anonymous
    28 February 2006 at 5:48 pm #8302

    Hi

    Keith mentioned our case tracking software (thanks Keith) and almost got the name right – it’s Helplinepro. It may well be what you’re looking after, and is designed for just that kind of thing specifically for charities.

    Regards
    Robin

    Anonymous
    2 March 2006 at 8:27 am #8303

    Robin,

    Does sound interesting. How is HelplinePro different from generic help line software?

    Not a lot of information on the website. Is there more information anywhere on the net? Screen shots? Indicative prices?

    Many thanks,

    Sam

    Anonymous
    14 March 2006 at 5:31 pm #8304

    It depends what you mean by ‘interaction with our service’
    If you are after a system that logs all the data related to a call to a help line, including capturing who the caller is, who the client is( they may be different from the caller) why they are calling and what was the outcome, you may want to look at the Helpline solution we provided for a national helpline service. It may also be of interest if you need to be able to answer the most arcane statistical questions imaginable from your funders, who are concerned that your service really is reaching all its intended beneficiaries.

    I hope thats helpful

    Charles Bagnall
    CS Group

    I’m trying to research databases for tracking our interactions
    with people using our service.

    Sam

    Anonymous
    23 March 2006 at 4:38 pm #8305

    Hi Sam,

    Have you managed to find a suitable solution? I have recently joined Fisk Brett to head up Helplinepro and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further regarding your dilemma.

    I can be contacted on 01903 879379.

    Kind Regards

    Amanda

    Anonymous
    13 June 2006 at 3:20 pm #8306

    Hi

    I believe what you are looking for is classically refered to as CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Software. I am a freelance software consultant and can install a multi user system for you at very competitive cost and priovide support on an ad hoc basis to keep your costs under control. Give me a call and I can let you know more about it 07966 021560

    Anonymous
    19 June 2006 at 7:01 pm #8307

    Hi,

    Here at JA Computer Solutions, we have provided bespoke databases to numerous organisations to meeth their exact requirements. We have developed two such databases which match your basic requirements, a database which controls all aspects of homeless people and a database to track hostel residents.

    Please call our sales team on 0800 731 8764 if you need any further help with your search.

    I would suggest that your requirement is quite specific and therefore you woul need some tailoring of off-the-shelf software to meet your needs.

    Alan Owen
    MD
    JA Computer Solutions Ltd

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