Industry
Human Services
Company HQ
Massachusetts
Number of Employees
100-200 employees
Client Since
2019
Transforming nonprofit technology to improve and expand services for adults with developmental disabilities
Every day’s work is a labor of love when your organization’s mission is to help adults with developmental disabilities become productive members of the community and be happy at home and at work. But it’s tough to provide the highest level of residential support, day services, and employment assistance when your team has to rely on paper and phone calls to get their work done.
Pete, the nonprofit’s long-time president, believes that “together we can overcome adversity and challenges no matter how great.” He knew a working partner who could provide comprehensive IT services would enable his staff to overcome tech challenges to achieve their goals more efficiently.
Teaming up with our experts at Davin Tech Group has enabled this nonprofit to significantly upgrade IT infrastructure and processes, increase data security, and access ongoing tech support.
The challenge
Modernize tech capabilities and strengthen cybersecurity
The organization’s biggest challenge? “Everything technology!,” says Darci, clinical director. Technology is the foundation of everything they do, from data collection to communications to interactions. “Before Davin Tech Group,” Darci adds, “Peter and I were pretty much the computer people around here, fixing computers and so on. We wanted to get that off our plate.”
Their systems were woefully outdated, negatively impacting their ability to serve clients effectively. So, instituting a strategic IT management plan was a top priority. But many of their employees aren’t especially tech-savvy. So, they needed IT solutions that would work for everyone.
Everyone on this nonprofit team agrees “it was a good day” when they were introduced to our team at Davin Tech Group.
“Davin Tech Group is consistently professional, polite, kind, and very responsive. They are special, special people.”
The goals
Modernize IT infrastructure, improve data security, and train staff
Every improvement in nonprofit technology directly increases the organization’s ability to serve its clientele and fulfill its mission. And while data security is always paramount, for nonprofits that handle confidential personal data within strict HIPAA compliance requirements, security is mission-critical.
This organization not only needed new systems and stronger security, they needed help learning how to use their new tech to best advantage.
The solution
Partner with experts who understand nonprofit IT management and strategy
Organizations often call on Davin Tech Group for specific outsourced IT services such as high-level strategy and consulting, infrastructure planning and management, cybersecurity, or office solutions. However, it was clear to us that this organization needed a comprehensive suite of solutions to boost IT capability and productivity — a big project to get them online and up to speed.
Our team worked alongside their internal team, taking a holistic approach to address all of their tech concerns. We revitalized their IT systems and streamlined management, removing barriers and resolving sluggish processes to improve overall functionality.
On an ongoing basis, we’ve supported them as an extension of their team. For example, when the nonprofit got a new phone system, our DTG crew teamed up with the phone provider to work out all the wiring and tech set-up to ensure the project went smoothly.
The process
Establish a collaborative working relationship to update technology and create a scalable IT plan for the future
“We’ve been nothing but thrilled with their response and their professionalism throughout the whole process,” says Pete.
Our teamwork approach to achieving an IT upgrade for this nonprofit helped them feel confident that they chose the right IT services partner and would be able to trust their system management going forward.
“They’re like embedded members of our team – an extension of our office.”
The outcome
“Now we have a safety net”
“Every single thing we do now is based on computerization,” says Pete. Staff are getting online to either get information or pass information. “We have several sites where staff have to be able to access and document everything from the hours they work to the objectives that they’re working on with people they support.”
The timing of this tech overhaul was perfect. We completed their IT upgrade just before the COVID lockdown went into effect, ensuring people could work seamlessly from home to support clients, attend virtual training meetings, and continue to offer services they would not have been able to do six months earlier.
We also partnered with them to complete a grant application to help the organization go fully electronic so they can use electronic health records and everything associated with that.
With the up-to-date IT solutions we put in place, people are getting more done in less time.
“The ability to focus on our work brings real peace of mind,” adds Pete.
The results
More efficient client services, expanded programming, happier employees
Now, the organization operates efficiently thanks to up-to-date technology and ongoing support. In fact, they have been able to expand their client-service programs to include a new type of tech-based support aptly called Remote Services. Teams use assistive technology and adaptive devices to, for example, remotely observe a patient taking their medication on schedule. This enables the organization to serve more people while staff can use in-person time with clients in more meaningful ways.
Partnering with Davin Tech Group has boosted the nonprofit’s capabilities in multiple ways:
- Transformed communication and client care
Staff can communicate through technology and manage all of that comfortably. Everyone now has their own email address, which simplifies communication and access to administrative and tech support when needed.
- Fast-tracked onboarding support
DTG trains all new employees on the organization’s systems and hardware, so they can get up and running quickly. It’s been a game-changer. People especially appreciate that our team members can modulate their support to each individual’s level, so everyone feels comfortable and gains confidence.
- Increased staff mobility
People are no longer tied to their desk. When staff visit residential homes, they take along a laptop and go room to room rather than being stuck in a single area. Management and admin teams can go anywhere and do anything. Even on the go, double authentication sign-in assures that data is well-protected in compliance with HIPAA standards.
- Saved time and money
The security upgrades we put in place enabled them to save money on their cybersecurity insurance policy. And they’re saving precious time, too. “It’s almost impossible to quantify how many hours have been diverted to other things because we don’t have to spend so much time on systems that weren’t computerized before,” notes Pete.
- Secured access to ongoing support
“When you reach out to them, they’re right there or they call you right back and stay with it until they resolve the issue,” reports Laureen. At Davin Tech Group, we see responsiveness as a critical piece of the services we offer. We understand that if clients aren’t able to reach us and get help quickly, then they can’t do their jobs.
“Davin has really been a godsend to us. No one complains about technology any more!”
We are proud of our role in helping this nonprofit establish robust IT infrastructure and management so that they could serve more clients, more personally and effectively. And we appreciate the ongoing relationship that enables us to continue supporting their work.
