8 considerations when choosing an NDIS Client Management System

Expert blog series | 2 minute read

Author: Victor Zappia | Organisation: Stepsoft | Contact: vzappia@stepsoft.com.au

NDIS-client-management-system-considerations

Choosing the best NDIS Management System for your organisation can be a daunting task, and can be very costly if the wrong choice is made. Choosing the right system is essential to allowing your business to grow, to deliver quality support to clients and to managing your costs.

A good system will help your business to operate efficiently and grow. A poor system or set of systems will hinder business growth and create unproductive stress and frustration for business owners, management and staff.

There are many systems on the market that, collectively, will perform all of the functions typically needed by NDIS Providers. These include accounting, rostering, appointments, records management and other systems.

One also must consider whether to purchase a single, integrated system that includes most of the core functionality needed in a single system, or a collection of specialised applications each of which excels at its particular function.

A good integrated application may offer some operational efficiency advantages over a collection of specialised applications. Specialised applications may be better when one or two functions are the main activity of the organisation.

8 things to consider when choosing:

1. Cost

How much will it cost to set up and what are the ongoing fees.

2. Function

Does the system provide the essential functions needed, or can it be quickly re-configured and adapted to suit?

3. Ease of Use

Is the system easy to understand and use while still providing the functionality needed. A system that is easy to use but does not provide the functionality needed is no better than a system that is very functional but difficult to use.

4. Scalability

Can the system grow with you so you don’t have to start again in a few years’ time when you have grown your business and need greater functionality?

5. Efficiency

How efficient is the system or systems you are considering? Does it require duplication of data entry or effort, which will add to your costs? What level of integration is needed between the different functions your business needs to perform?

6. Training & Support

Does the supplier provide sufficient training and support, both of which are critical in early stages of the implementation?

7. Data Quality

Data will, over time, become one of your most valuable assets. Often overlooked, data quality is the key to excellent reporting capability, and to transportability should you wish to move to another system in the future.

8. Privacy and Security

Does the system have the appropriate security and privacy measures built into the software? Is the system audit-proof?

In the end it’s about choosing the best fit for your organisation and choosing systems that will work together to allow your business to operate in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

Victor Zappia, Founder and Managing Director, Stepsoft Pty Ltd

Victor Zappia is the founder and Managing Director of Stepsoft Pty Ltd, founded in Canberra in 1998. Victor, a professional software developer for more than 30 years, is the original designer, architect and developer of Foxtrot CKS (Customer Knowledge System), Foxtrot for NDIS, Foxtrot for Link-up and other versions of the Foxtrot system. Victor has extensive experience in the design, development and implementation of numerous software applications and IT management systems for the Federal Government, Professional Associations, Sporting groups, Community Sector organisations and NDIS Providers.

Victor is passionate about designing and building highly adaptable, scalable, efficient, business software that is fast, reliable, easy and pleasurable to use.

You can contact Victor via email or by visiting the Stepsoft website.