Bonterra Penelope

Avantages

We have been able to create a procedures manual for our volunteers based on your instructions to do the very specific tasks they need to know for recording activities and events for which they are responsible. Their experience with case management features is limited; however, even our less computer familiar volunteers are able to perform well. Procedures, once learned, can easily be conveyed by experienced volunteers to our new volunteers.

Inconvénients

There is a lot of capability of this software - as more in learned, it becomes more valuable; but the learning curve can be difficult for volunteers who come in to volunteer may once or twice for a 4 hours shift in a month. Re-learning/retraining is a constant - hence, our procedures manual.

Avantages

The versatility. It has a ton of user defined fields that can be setup in any combination that works for your agency. Billing is relatively simple and creating service units and activities is easy to do. Tech support has been very good over the years and the system is very rarely down. System outage issues just don't exist.

Inconvénients

I would like to have a report writer system build into Penelope instead of using pivot tables to create customized reports.

Avantages

The best part about this software is the customer support that comes with it. We were able to customize it with the help of the Athena team to meet all of our case management needs.

Inconvénients

It's hard to say what we like least about the software because it has been so helpful in meeting the needs for which we purchased it. It does take a little while to get used to using it and to learn all the facets but once you do, it's very easy to use.

Avantages

I like the ease of reporting functionality. It is very easy for me to see how often our clients are being serviced & how they are progressing within our programs. I like being able to link records with family members so we can get a wholistic view of what is happening with more than one client in a family group. The technical support that has been given to us has been fantastic.

Inconvénients

Penelope is more suited to a clinical environment. There are a number of features within Penelope that we do not use. Some screens are hard to navigate & has some functions that are not relevant to our program needs. In the beginning of the process members of the Penelope project team with MPREC had a teleconference with customer rep. This was a very long drawn out meeting & was one that all of us did not get any benefit out of. Please when introducing your product find a better person to try to sell the program. Her presentations were very monotone & quite boring. We found ourselves drifting away from the meeting.

Avantages

The ability to unite multiple programs with varying services is by far the best feature. This software allows us to track our families and the services they utilize, regardless of location and which program they attend. The ease of access to log into Penelope and the extensive help support (trainings, guides available on the website, and direct technical support) are additional key features Athena excels in.

Inconvénients

In the beginning, it was a bit challenging to integrate this software with our current business processes. The inability to export data using Excel is the most challenging. Although there is an option to export data, it requires further training and time especially with merging pertinent identifying and service information.

Avantages

The software is user friendly for those utilizing it daily. It's functionality of the software and its accessibility for reporting is great. Penelope has made our cases cleaner and faster to access.

Inconvénients

When adding a photo under profile, the photo can't be seen 100% after it's downloaded. So for our restricted users, it's hard to view a client’s photo because only the forehead if visible. It would be great if our case plans could auto populate from the initial one so we don't have to reenter the same information in the progress and closing plans.

Avantages

Overall, I really enjoy most of the features of Penelope. Although there are many clicks to do one single task, the benefit of this, is that options are highly accurate and match actuals.

Inconvénients

I wish there were ways to feed Penelope reports into other software or vice versa. This would help with bookkeeping purposes. As of now, it is manually required that I crosscheck Penelope data with other sources (Square, Cashapp). It would be more effective for reporting if Penelope could feed into or be linked with other outside services.

Avantages

Having spent the past year learning how to navigate the software, our team is impressed with the detail it is able to capture. It has opened up numerous opportunities to report data on our various programs.

Inconvénients

The amount of work it takes to "set-up" the system is not to be taken lightly. Another con is learning about reports and extracting your data...you're pretty much having to "play" with it which can become quite time consuming.

Avantages

Penelope has many features that other software does not, like pulling statistical reports and tracking anonymous client interactions. It gives flexibility in some areas to customize and tailor your software experience to your organization. Generally, it functions well for its purpose.

Inconvénients

Penelope is difficult to learn and is not very intuitive to use. It's not visually appealing. The statistical reports don't always have the capability to capture the information you need. There are quite a few small, annoying processes that leave new users frustrated (like re-opening a case file and having to delete the "end date" before you can put in new information. Shouldn't re-opening it automatically invalidate the end date?)

Avantages

The reports are easy to to understand - especially to non-user stakeholders and our clients. The forms are easy to create and adjust, and the billing/ cart system is easy for my staff to use for their billable hours.

Avantages

This is a really well developed database. Such flexible features to customize it to your needs.

Inconvénients

There are some restrictions with the features and reporting that require work on our end to make things work they way we need it to work. You are not able to delete errors so you are left with a lot of extra entries that make certain parts busy and confusing.

Avantages

Able to provide most information needed.

Inconvénients

Cannot get the acutal outcomes needed. I'm not sure what else you want me to say. There seems to be a lot of going back and forth to get information. Cannot get information needed for an individual client when asked for it. It's not as simple as it seems.

Avantages

Powerful feature set and configurability. Cloud based.

Inconvénients

Interface could do with some tweaks to improve navigability

Avantages

For the first time our organization has been able to capture better client and partner data that has allowed our multiple departments to work more cohesively. The ease of use of the Smart Documents and Forms has enhanced the way we gather demographic and program information for grants and funding purposes. While the overall functionality of the database has been very helpful to capturing client and partner data, we hope further updates with the Search function and Calendar will better serve our organizational needs, for example searching by Event Description (specifically Indirect Events). Both the launch support and technical support team have been wonderful to work with and respond quickly to our inquiries.

Overall: Cloud Based, Easy to create Forms, and Smart Docs are great features. Reports within Penelope are great for capturing basic information. Easy for most staff to use.

Inconvénients

It'd be helpful if more fields were more customizable and if reports could be more specific (more Breakdown options) in Penelope instead of having to utilize the Open Database Connectivity. Search function includes many fields to filter by, but not all the fields that we need- would like better customizable search options.

Avantages

It has the ability to capture data for every aspect of the process.
Feature rich.
There's the ability to report directly from the raw data (from the back end) but this requires a fair bit of extra knowledge to get it working effectively.

Inconvénients

The data is all over the place - you need to know where to go to enter/find what you're looking for.
Reporting is somewhat lacking - lots of standard reports but often quite specific.

Avantages

Somewhat customisable. Easy to use. Pricing by User Licence works well for smaller not for profit organisation.

Inconvénients

Different names used for the same action which is confusing for a new staff member. Eg. Cart or Unit. Lack of reporting options.

Avantages

it has a diary schedule linked to cart items. it's god if you only want Penelope to do one thing, ie, ATAPS service & payments

Inconvénients

UI poor resulting in clunky data entry and more time spent entering data.
not mobile / tablet friendly
Reporting function does not provide dashboard, only reports in pdf or that you have to cut and past into Excel.
Case file / service file structure creates privacy issues - we may have to move away from this product on the basis of legal advice
Lack of technical support available in Australia

Avantages

I like how the software is simple to use and can be easily customized to fit the needs of our program.

Inconvénients

I don't like how we can't generate graphs from our reports from Penelope.

Avantages

It assists with tracking our clients progress as they move through our four phase continuum of care.

Inconvénients

There are aspects that are not easy to navigate; it is not clear how to get where you want to go, you have to be trained in the process, it is not self-explanatory.

Avantages

It meets the majority of our needs for tracking clients, staff notes, documents and scheduling space in our building (both internal and external meetings).

Inconvénients

I can't create mailing labels from Penelope, the calendar of meetings (outside groups can schedule days/times to use our meeting rooms) doesn't always sink between the appointment icon and the monthly calendar (side tab). Wish the calendar worked more like Outlook. Search should be for anything vs. having to click an option.

Avantages

The fact that it's mobile friendly makes introducing the database a little more exciting to staff and executives.

Inconvénients

The lack of application or mobile software for worker use. I always get the weird look when workers ask "is there an app?" and I say "No" I'd certainly like to change that response.

Avantages

The tech support team is great and the flexibility of form creation is fantastic.

Inconvénients

The configuration and data migration process was a bit confusing and more time consuming then we planned on.

Avantages

I find Penelope an intuitive and easy to use client management system. It is the most effective system I have used in the 15 years I have been using client management systems.

Inconvénients

None that I can think of at this very moment.

Avantages

It is nice that you can build the site around your company. When you have questions, a support staff member is very quick in response.
We have 6 programs running out this program, which makes it easy to gather demographic data for all of them, in one place!

Inconvénients

The only negative was fixed. I had trouble trying to run cross reports for all our programs, but with granted access, I am now able to pull from an Excel spreadsheet for any report.

Avantages

The software really allows us to keep accurate records of our clients in an organized, easy to follow manner.

Inconvénients

When working with a group, it is not possible to schedule everyone at the same time which means different time slots for each group member. This blocks out more time than is real time for clinicians availability.

Avantages

I find the support through submitting tickets very helpful and with new releases the system is current and incorporates . Also having the backup done by Athena is very beneficial to us.

Inconvénients

I know there are a lot of other features offered but we haven't investigated them fully but from the limited exposure it feels very expensive.

Avantages

The scheduling function is easy to use and helps us ensure that our time is being used efficiently

Inconvénients

The reporting function is limited. I would like the option to pull queries that could be down loaded into excel for further slicing and dicing.

Avantages

The software does allow for customization once we have a trained team onsite

Inconvénients

It is not as intuitive and involves several steps for things that should be more smooth. It also is difficult to get information and reporting off the system for our funders

Inconvénients

not at all user-friendly, costly, unreliable for data compilations and billing processes, reports are bad and inflexible, can not be effectively or easily or cheaply customized and adapted to needs, I could go on. Would be pleased to talk to the CEO or senior directors to propose recommendations and provide more information

Avantages

24/7 access.
Security and support from Athena
Reporting feature allows us to see our organisation
Real time results

Inconvénients

Moving from laptop to tablet the forms don't resize well.
Would like ability to sort and filter my home page more..perhaps a search function

Avantages

User friendly

Inconvénients

Would like easier use of documents

Avantages

The flow of the product; user friendly (our placement students have no difficulty using this software); efficient; accounting portion; great customer service through the help tickets.

Avantages

The software is cloud based and has a wide application for use. We are happy with the software itself.

Inconvénients

The software's wide application for use means lots of options, unfortunately the knowledge base doesn't provide the level of information required or is not easy to navigate. The availability of local technical support and expertise in New Zealand appears limited. It would be good to have face to face contact to talk about our ongoing set up (new programmes) and reporting needs.

Avantages

I like that we are able to customize it for our non-profit needs.

Inconvénients

I would love it if it could merge with google spreadsheets.

Avantages

It has a lot of what you need for conducting therapy and submitting for billing. I don't believe you'd need anything else really.

Inconvénients

This software is not intuitive. It could be the way the administrator had it set up but it was extremely frustrating and confusing to use -- even after years of using it.

Avantages

Great resource for storing records, adding updates and retrieving information on clients. New accounts are very easy to set up.

Inconvénients

Some parts are difficult to navigate without referring to the written instructions.

Avantages

Penelope was the best solution available for the advanced case management work our staff do across the U.S. Our customized employment professionals needed a case management system that allowed for a significant amount of narrative description and the folks at Athena were able to accommodate this need.

Inconvénients

There's a bit of a learning curve with Penelope but it's well worth the effort to learn.

Avantages

Program good, easy to navigate like many other programs with similar functions. Have used this for a long time and reluctant to switch...so grinning and bearing it with the strangest service I have ever witnessed. Head-spinning actually

Inconvénients

Support is super strange. Took a week and too many emails to get help for a minor fix, and they charge money for a password change. Never been charged fir that before. Left a bad feeling

Avantages

The ability to link clients, family members, and case workers as an 'entity' in a single case. Creating event triggers to remind users to fill out assessments.

Inconvénients

I can't download the backend data via the web interface. This is done through a separate ODBC connection.

Avantages

I like the versatility within the site. We have numerous programs in our company that we run out of this system.

Inconvénients

When pulling specific reports can be hard because we don't have all the reports built in that we need.

Inconvénients

signs off every 15 min
not mobile friendly (iphone)
emails are so slow that it might take a day to be received

Avantages

I really like the reports feature. I am able to run a report on almost everything that I have to discuss and report on on a weekly basis.

Inconvénients

I not really fond of the date range on the reports feature. If it is possible can it include the setting "last week" or "previous week".

Avantages

Software is easy to navigate and to access since our team work at school sites and we sometimes do not go to our offices. Being able to access clients files is so much easier than when we were doing it by paper.

Inconvénients

It took about a year to complete from talks about what we want it and how we were going to use it to actually going live.

Avantages

Penelope provides a great balance between functionality and ease-of-use. The interface is very attractive and can be used on virtually any device. The system is easy to configure. Penelope provides everything my organization needs from a business functionality standpoint with the exception of accounting, which we do in another system.

Inconvénients

Reporting out-of-the-box is very limited, but an interface with Tableau is available for an additional fee. Security setup is very cumbersome.

Avantages

Integrated data

Inconvénients

Not overly intuitive

Avantages

It makes everything a lot easier to find regarding clients and workers. It helps programs run smoothly on the paperwork side.

Avantages

Customer support is awesome. They get back to you super quickly. It is very user friendly and efficient!

Inconvénients

I've been using this software daily for a few months and the site has went down once for about half of a day. Would love to see an app for it.

Avantages

I like this program for all our employees to use, its not hard to navigate and we all pretty much like it