Provide a brief description of the Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative?
Jolera developed a web-based application to collect multi-media data from many different databases world-wide to create a consistent, high-quality package of information for child sponsors. The resulting application significantly reduced operating costs, decreased approval times, increased donations, and enhanced the customers brand image.
Describe what makes this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative original or innovative?
Plan is a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people around the world to support social justice for children in developing countries. Each year, their work impacts the lives of more than 3.5 million families and their children in over 25,000 communities. A significant portion of their funding comes from child sponsorships. Each sponsoring family receives a package of information about their sponsored child, the community, and programs. The package contains pictures of the child and community, artwork done by the child, a refrigerator magnet, etc. The data to compile the information package is stored in many database sources around the globe. The process to compile all the required information was very labour intensive and time consuming so Plan Canada asked for Jolera’s help in simplifying and streamlining the process and technologies. Luckily, there is a single piece of information that is consistent within every database world-wide; the Child-ID. Jolera designed, developed, and implemented a web-based application that allows Plan Canada staff to simply enter the Child-ID. The application then accesses all of the various databases and collects all pertinent data. The data is compiled into a standard template and presented to a volunteer who checks the quality and ensures that all content is included. If there are any issues with the content, the volunteer can reject, change, delete, or resubmit the request. Rejected content automatically notifies the originator to make modifications or add additional content. When the volunteer approves the template content, the job is added to the appropriate print queues and the final materials are produced. The result, for Plan Canada an additional 10 FTE capacity to allowing staff and volunteers to focus on value-adding activities. The quality of the materials sent to sponsors and donors is greatly enhanced, adding to an improved experience with the Plan brand. The time required to produce each package has been substantially reduced. The workflow associated with approvals for content has been greatly simplified. Over 6500 high quality, lower cost packages are produced every month using the new solution which represents a 1000% increase in monthly volume.
Describe the improvement this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative made to the customer’s sales or revenues. What changed?
A reduction of 10 FTEs to manually compile the packages 1000% increase in monthly package production Enhanced brand reputation (quality, speed, cost effectiveness) Lower operating costs allow more donor dollars to go toward doing good work
Describe the improvement this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative made to the customer’s efficiency. What changed?
Simplified approval processes Enhanced data quality Consistent quality output A reduction of 10 FTEs to manually compile the packages.
How did this Solution, Service provided, or Initiative improve the customer’s ability to serve its internal and/or external clients?
Internal staff had significantly more capacity to perform value-adding tasks Donors receive more accurate and consistent information on the sponsored child More donor dollars are available to serve their important global mission.
In what ways does this Solution or Service Provided go above and beyond industry norms and expectations?
There is no commonly available product that does this sort of thing. The requirements were quite unique and required a unique knowledge of the organization and their goals. Because of Jolera’s position in serving not-for-profits, we have an ability to help apply good practices and knowledge across the sector.
How does this solution further your customer’s green or environmentally friendly plans?
Because the data is compiled into pdf files before being printed, Plan now has the ability to migrate sponsors away from receiving paper packages of information to receiving the information electronically. The result is still a high quality and customized product with even further cost reduction and environmental impact for paper and transportation. The enhanced donations continue to aid less fortunate communities world-wide to develop green solutions such as clean drinking water, sanitation, and other necessities that we take for granted.
