We are pleased to announce that Simon Solutions now offers our clients the ability to use scanner and barcode technology with our products, CharityTracker Plus and Oasis Insight Plus.
The newly available features will enable clients to open cases and add assistance records with just a couple of scans, as well as print and use scannable ID cards. This will streamline intake processes and greatly reduce data entry time for assistance workers.
While the software is flexible and can work with many different models of scanners, we have tested and confirmed 100% compatibility with the Motorola LI2208 and Symbol LS4208. Both are widely available scanners and can be independently purchased from your retailer of choice.
Here’s how it works. (Be sure to view in full screen)
21 responses so far
1 S.A. Martin • Dec. 4, 2013, 7:01 p.m.
http://smithvillefoodpantry.com/
This would really streamline the intake process. Is there a possibility of price breaks on the scanners for non-profits? What is the approximate cost to set a system up?
2 Frank Rosch • Dec. 4, 2013, 10:17 p.m.
We here, at the Madison Church of Christ, love this addition of scanning clients! What a work saver! We're looking forward to starting 2014 with this new technology.
3 Frank Rosch • Dec. 4, 2013, 10:20 p.m.
Forgot to ask: how do you produce the scanning cards?
4 Audrey Noel • Dec. 5, 2013, 9:02 a.m.
I like the barcode scanning but how much does it cost and is it simple to install.
5 Ben Stedman • Dec. 5, 2013, 9:35 a.m.
@S.A.Martin: The scanners cost about $130, and a PLUS membership is required to use the scanning system. ($25 per user.) Please contact us and we'll see if we can work with you on getting scanning implemented.
Simon Solutions
888.764.0633
6 Ben Stedman • Dec. 5, 2013, 9:38 a.m.
@Frank Rosch: Awesome! We are happy to know that this feature will be helpful to you. The scanning cards are produced with any typical home/workplace printer.
If you have further questions, please contact us!
888.764.0633
7 Ben Stedman • Dec. 5, 2013, 9:41 a.m.
@Audrey Noel: You need to be a PLUS subscriber to use the scanning features. PLUS membership is $25 per user per month. You will also need to purchase a scanner. The scanner costs about $130. Once you purchase the scanner, you just plug it in and it's ready to go. No software to install. It's unbelievably easy.
If you need to know more, please contact us.
Simon Solutions
888.764.0633
8 KRISTINE HENRY • Dec. 5, 2013, 10:35 a.m.
This is great!! I am so excited to share this will all of my networks!
9 Rose • Dec. 5, 2013, 10:43 a.m.
When can we get started?
10 Ben Stedman • Dec. 5, 2013, 11 a.m.
@Kristine Henry: That's terrific! If they have any questions, we'd be glad to answer them.
Simon Solutions
888.764.0633
11 Ben Stedman • Dec. 5, 2013, 11:01 a.m.
@Rose: You can get started right away! Please give us a call so we can begin.
Simon Solutions
888.764.0633
12 Art Shaw • Dec. 6, 2013, 6:02 a.m.
We have a single data enterer for our pantry at this time. This may enable everyone to enter the transaction reducing the work of one individual. Our home visit teams enter the data and this may help in bringing teams up to speed faster. Our operation is small and it may not pay to do it. Is there any type of trial basis so we can see if we should move forward? I understand we would have to buy the scanner(s). What retailers have them?
13 Jennifer Gaudet • Dec. 6, 2013, 12:57 p.m.
http://www.htdiocese.org/ccht
What is the difference between Charity Tracker and Oasis Insight?
14 Ben Stedman • Dec. 6, 2013, 1:22 p.m.
@Art Shaw: I am going to call you to discuss the specifics of a trial period.
15 Ben Stedman • Dec. 6, 2013, 1:32 p.m.
@Jennifer Gaudet: CharityTracker and Oasis Insight are very similar services. CharityTracker is geared for communities that want to work together. Oasis Insight is geared for food banks and pantries.
The core functionality (client records, assistance records, relationships, notes, and alerts) is the same in both services. CharityTracker Plus offers a Request/Referral feature, and an Outcomes feature. Oasis Insight Plus offers an Events feature, and an Applications feature.
If you need a more in-depth explanation, we would be glad to talk with you on the phone.
Simon Solutions
888.764.0633
16 Roger Dennison • Dec. 7, 2013, 4:20 p.m.
Please clarify the cost for Plus membership. Is my pantry considered 1 user or is each ID I have considered a user? I have 6 users (volunteers who check in clients and massage the cases in the Oasis Insight database). $25/user/month can be a pretty big hit to a pantry. Even if I consolidate all 6 folks to where they share an ID, it is still $300/year, which buys a lot of food.
17 Christjon Axelson • Dec. 7, 2013, 5:31 p.m.
Is there a smartphone app that works with this? Phones can read barcodes :)
18 Ben Stedman • Dec. 9, 2013, 11:23 a.m.
@Roger Dennison: I would love to give you a call to clarify the cost for Plus membership. There are topics we need to cover that are better suited for a phone conversation.
19 Ben Stedman • Dec. 9, 2013, 11:30 a.m.
@Christjon Axelson: Currently we do not offer a smartphone app for using barcodes in CharityTracker and Oasis Insight.
We have heard from some our clients who they would like to use our services in the mobile format. So it is something we are working toward.
20 Cheri • Jan. 8, 2014, 4 p.m.
ID cards and bar code scanner are both AWESOME.. The scanner I ordered is plug and play, installed in seconds and this new feature is hands down fastest way to open a case or enter assistance.
Side note on the ID cards- we have encountered some with no ID, and having this feature has given us a way to give the most recent case a "temporary and only local ID" to use at xyz agency as a way to identify him, and others can look in CT and see that although he has no state issued ID we've confirmed him as best we could- local police confirmed his name through DOB and warrants to a degree they felt he is who he said he is.
21 Ben Stedman • Jan. 8, 2014, 4:18 p.m.
@Cheri: That is great to hear! We're so glad you are having a good experience with the scanner.
Thanks for taking a moment to stop by and comment!
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