Improved process automation saves time and money for Crimestoppers Charity
Project Summary:
Increased efficiency and savings through automation and process simplification
Better decision-making supported by accurate and timely business intelligence
Rapid and smooth implementation of Microsoft Business Central
Increased collaboration and knowledge sharing through the cloud
The solution has freed up around 12 man-weeks of time each year
About the organisation
Crimestoppers is a charity, independent of the police, giving people the power to speak up and stop crime, 100% anonymously, by phone or online, 24/7, 365 days a year. It is regularly contacted by people vulnerable, scared or afraid of the consequences of sharing what they know.
The charity has supported millions of people over the years and its international appeals have resulted in over 140,000 arrests. Crimestoppers Most Wanted gallery, launched in 2005, exposes those wanted by UK law enforcement resulting in over 5,000 arrests to date
The challenge
A review of existing systems and processes at Crimestoppers highlighted
three main issues. Firstly, the management data was insufficient, processes were slow and there was a heavy reliance on spreadsheets to both manage and provide management data.
Steve Mann, Director of Finance at Crimestoppers says, “We couldn’t provide answers to simple questions such as which contracts or customers generated what income and whether staff members were spending too much time delivering tasks manually. A new system solution would save time and support informed decision making.”
Solution
Steve explains, “My previous experience using Microsoft Business Central gave me confidence it would deliver the solution needed, at a cost appropriate for our charity. The board supported the change, so we set about finding the best partner to work with to do so.”
Out of three organisations shortlisted Xpedition was selected, following an on-site demonstration and by maximising out-of-the-box Business Central functionality.
It’s solutions architects exhibited a deep understanding of the product as well as Crimestoppers’ needs.
The Continia expense management system, being integrated with Business Central was a good solution to replace the previous manual process.The solution design was refined in workshops with Xpedition, along with data load and setup requirements.
Working with Xpedition
“You can measure the benefit of a partner by their responsiveness; Xpedition listened, understood our challenges and worked with us to find solutions.
Steve Mann, Director of Finance at Crimestoppers
Their support staff are well qualified, answered complex questions and
walked through the process to find effective solutions.”
Benefits
- Improved decision making with business intelligence
Increased visibility of financial surplus and budget tracking have improved the quality and timeliness of business decisions at Crimestoppers.
- Increased productivity
Automated and streamlined processes are reducing the time spent on routine and repetitive tasks; expense claims and month end closure, freeing up staff time to support colleagues and solve issues.
- Increased VAT claims
Simplified expenses processing has enabled Crimestoppers to claim an additional £3000 in recoverable VAT.
- Easy collaboration over the cloud
Business Central is enabling more collaboration between colleagues at Crimestoppers, both in the office and remotely
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