Microsoft partner Advance Computing deploys Dynamics 365 to disability services provider ConnectGV

Victoria-based Advance Computing has deployed Dynamics 365 to Goulburn Valley-based disability services provider ConnectGV, after a service agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services ceased.

The organisation changed its model from a non-profit service to a more traditional business by shifting to the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) consumer-driven market.

With the NDIS, ConnectGV now has to create individual agreements with each and every individual it provides support to. This needed an IT systems overhaul.

“We are coming from a service agreement model with the State Government that provided the luxury of payment in advance for services provided to falling in line with more traditional business practices,” ConnectGV chief executive Carolynne Young said.

“The system needs to be malleable enough to incorporate both the business acumen and human element of services rendered.”

ConnectGV manages six accommodation facilities, an independent living unit, day options and numerous social enterprises which provide employment to hundreds of people with disabilities.

“We really wanted to harness the power of something that already existed and then modify it to allow ConnectGV to act quickly with changes,” Advance Computing solutions director Chris Motton said.

“One of the issues with the NDIS is that the criteria is shifting fairly quickly as the government changes the requirements, so we needed something we could tailor.”

The new system can help clients manage the process of working with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to ensure they receive benefits.

It can also provide coordinated support for clients, if there’s evidence that they’re separate from service division, compared to the original scheme which required complete separation between the service provider and the NDIA.

“Under the NDIS, they actually have to be able to log-on to a computer and access the portal,” Young said.

“The challenge is that out of all the families on our database there might be 15 that have an email address and are happy to receive information that way. So their ability to navigate IT systems is incredibly limited.”

She added that having all the data integrated and available for analysis means ConnectGV can use it as evidence going onto plans, ensuring families come out with a plan and with funding that captures their support needs.