Published Jul 25, 2024
Learn a LITTLE Sharepoint, save a LOT of money
If your org already uses Microsoft 365, you should NOT be spending thousands on "case-management" software
Okay, I'm pretty new to the non-profit world, but this straight-up shocked me ...
It's come to my attention that client-serving non-profits can often end up spending disproportionate amounts of their budgets on bespoke software solutions for things like intake and case management.
(I'm talking north of $50,000 just for a decent way to digitally manage client relationships and records.)
Don't get me wrong, case management in the field of mental and/or physical healthcare can get very complex.
But a lot of it ISN'T.
A lot of it is just form-filling, calendar-scheduling, document storage, information retrieval/search, and process automation.
A.K.A. all things you can do with a handful of the Microsoft 365 apps you're already paying for — you just need to know how to stitch them together efficiently to minimize manual work.
So just a quick PSA to all the cash-strapped, client-serving non-profits out there:
If your team uses Microsoft 365, you absolutely *do not* be paying a vendor tens of thousands of dollars for basic "case-management" features like:
1. Online forms
2. Document storage and sharing
3. Intake and pipeline management
4. Analytics reporting
There are much more cost-effective ways to get these needs met — and still comply with security & privacy requirements — with apps you're already using.
Will write more on this shortly, but if this is something you're currently grappling with, DM me and I'll try to point in the right direction (toward saving your money, that is).
This blog was originally posted on LinkedIn in July 2024.
