A future-proof technology solution to support the big picture.

The Challenge

Constrained by outdated and manual legacy Access database technology with minimal reporting capability, Disability Connect needed a new modern technology solution that would allow it to bring together and draw on data to effectively report on its impact to the board, government, other funders and its members, to better connect with the community and to scale its services to meet increasing demand. 

Mike Potter, Disability Connect’s CEO, says, “We needed a solution that would allow us to show the community impact we have, through data and statistics – not just for our government contracts but also so our members can see and be aware of what we do. The impact of COVID has also meant we need to provide more services to more people – more phone calls and more complex cases.”  

The Solution

To address these challenges, Disability Connect implemented Salesforce's Not-for-Profit (NFP) solution, tailored to fit the specific needs of the organisation. The move to Salesforce enabled Disability Connect to consolidate its data, automate workflows, and centralize key information across the entire organisation. Importantly, the system was fully integrated with the organisation's existing mail automation solution and customised to support critical functions such as seminar and workshop bookings.

The collaboration with Merkle proved to be instrumental in ensuring a seamless transition to Salesforce NFP. Merkle took the time to understand Disability Connect’s unique requirements as a pan-disability organisation and worked closely with the team to design a solution that fit their goals. Mike Potter commended Merkle's approach, saying, "The way that the Merkle team has worked with us has been fabulous. They’ve really taken the time to understand who we are – which, as a pan-disability organisation helping parents and children, isn’t easy."

The new Salesforce system was not only designed to meet the current needs of the organisation but was also future-proofed to accommodate ongoing optimisation as Disability Connect continues to grow and expand its services. The integration of key features like online bookings for seminars and workshops and the centralisation of data enabled the organisation to better manage its resources and track progress in real-time.

The Results

Salesforce NFP has significantly transformed Disability Connect's operations, providing key benefits:

Improved Reporting: Salesforce NFP has given Disability Connect access to accurate, real-time data, enhancing its ability to produce detailed reports that clearly demonstrate community impact.

Deeper Insights: The system offers a more comprehensive view of community needs, allowing for better service tailoring.

Centralized Data: Integrating data has improved visibility across operations, streamlining communications and decision-making.

Enhanced Efficiency: Automation and centralization have scaled service delivery effectively, especially in meeting the increased demands from COVID-19 impacts.

Operational Savings: The new system saves staff time, enabling focus on core activities like support groups.

New Services: Improved data management has facilitated the expansion of services, including a new counseling service for parents.

Security and Growth: The platform ensures data security and compliance, with scalability for future growth, including enhancements to donation and payment processes.