| The largest YMCA and YWCA organizations in North | | | | ensures that you are selecting a software solution that |
| America rely on robust software packages to help | | | | will meet the needs of the entire organization, it will also |
| manage everything from program registrations, facility | | | | help drive adoption of the new software technology, |
| reservations and child care scheduling to membership | | | | as staff will feel personally involved in the |
| management, donation and payment processing, and | | | | organizational change. |
| Web site content management. To find the right | | | | 5. Hidden Future Fees. Know the total cost of |
| software for your YMCA, there are a few common | | | | ownership of the YMCA software from the outset. |
| mistakes you'll want to avoid. | | | | Just because a software solution requires no |
| | | | out-of-pocket expense doesn't mean it is the most |
| 1. Copycat Selection. Just because other YMCAs are | | | | cost-effective solution for the long-term. Understand all |
| selecting a particular software package doesn't mean | | | | fees, now and in the future, required to own and |
| that you should too. Evaluate why they're selecting | | | | operate the software. Additional fees may include |
| certain software, how it's meeting their needs, what | | | | annual license fees, maintenance costs, training fees, IT |
| the total cost of ownership is, and whether or not they | | | | investments, customer service support fees, upgrade |
| would buy the same software if given the chance all | | | | charges and usage costs. Understand the total costs |
| over again. If relying on industry peers for advice, | | | | of each software packages now, a year from now, |
| make sure to ask the important questions to see if | | | | and five years from now, before making your |
| your criteria closely aligns with theirs. | | | | selection. |
| 2. Focus on Features. Features are great. Poor | | | | 6. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow Technology. Beware |
| customer service support or high maintenance costs | | | | of investing in a dying breed of technology, such as |
| are not. Just because a software package may be | | | | outdated platforms, operating system or databases. |
| feature-rich (think fundraising integration, automated | | | | Older technologies may no longer be supported or |
| emails, etc.), doesn't mean it's the right software | | | | taught, and may even cause major issues when trying |
| solution for your YMCA. Make sure the software | | | | to upgrade. On the other end of the spectrum, you |
| meets your other requirements, including scalability, | | | | should also beware of technologies that are too new, |
| ease of use, budget friendly, 24/7 customer service | | | | as they have not yet proven their effectiveness and |
| support and customizable options. You'll want a | | | | your YMCA may be faced with navigating around |
| software solution that can grow as your YMCA | | | | technology bugs and errors. Look for a software |
| grows without interruption in service, data access or | | | | company with a proven track record for developing |
| overall business continuity. | | | | new software versions and upgrading customers |
| 3. Stranger Companies. It's important to know the | | | | without difficulty. |
| software company you'll be partnering with. Do your | | | | 7. Complex = Robust. Complex software does not |
| due diligence and look into financial data, company | | | | translate to feature-rich or robust software. It |
| news, customer testimonials and case studies, product | | | | translates to being complex. Know what you need to |
| data sheets, and accessibility of company contact | | | | achieve your desired results and don't buy anything |
| information. The more positive information you can find, | | | | more. You will not only be spending money that |
| the more established the company likely is. | | | | doesn't need to spent, you'll also be giving staff |
| 4. Solo Pursuit. Don't take on the software selection | | | | members more to do and learn that they wouldn't |
| process on your own or just with a group of | | | | ordinarily need to with their current workload. |
| department heads. Instead, involve other staff | | | | Implement only the software solutions you need right |
| members in setting the criteria, developing questions | | | | away and, with a scalable solution, you can add on |
| and evaluating software packages. This not only | | | | other features you want in the future without difficulty. |