Softscape

Company: Softscape
Company Description: Softscape provides web-based human capital management and case management software to enterprises and government agencies. With millions of global users in 27 countries, the company’s highly configurable systems are designed to improve organizational performance, shorten time-to-proficiency, ensure organizational goal alignment, and improve regulatory compliance.
Nomination Category: Company, Office & Product Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best New Product or Service

Nomination Title: Unique Softscape Technology Improves Homeless Case Management for Government Agencies

Tell the story of this nominated product or service (up to 500 words): its function, its features and benefits, and how it differs from competitive offerings. Include in your description the date in 2003 on which this product or service was introduced to the U.S. marketplace:

In March 2003, Softscape, leading provider of case management and human
capital management solutions, introduced a Homeless Case Management solution
to help remove individuals from the cycle of homelessness and become productive
members of their communities.  Softscape’s CaseOne for Homeless provides
government agencies with the first comprehensive web-based system to aid in the
planning and deployment of services aimed at removing people from the cycle of
homelessness.

According to Mel Martinez, the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD), 2002 research shows that nearly two and a half million
people experience homelessness in the U.S. every year.  With nearly a decade of
experience providing technology solutions to government agencies, Softscape was
uniquely suited to solve this critical issue.   An innovative, web-based
management system, CaseOne for Homeless automates the process of tracking
and analyzing a myriad of data including demographics, multiple family members,
services, education, employment, income, health and mental health, alcohol and
substance abuse, shelter characteristics, residential log/facility management, and
exit information. 

Recognizing the devastating effects of homelessness, the nation’s third largest
city, the City of Chicago, turned to Softscape to automate and manage the
homeless case management process citywide.  The City of Chicago chose
Softscape because of the system’s flexibility to meet the unique needs of the city,
and recognized it as an exceptionally cost effective solution.

The most comprehensive Homeless Case Management System available today,
CaseOne for Homeless for Homeless streamlines the management of prevention,
outreach, intake, assessment, emergency shelters, transitional housing,
permanent supportive housing, permanent housing and supportive services.  This
extensive automation enables agencies to focus on their common goals:
• Eliminate duplicate counting of cases
• Improve quality of client service by reducing mountains of paper and providing
faster access to housing, benefits, and services
• Increase consistency of data collection, definition, and use through on-line
sharing of information by providers
• Improve availability of data to aid participating programs and funding partners in
making planning decisions
• Use allocated services and Federal, State, local, and private funds more
efficiently by tying services to funding as provided or as part of prevention
• Easily measure program effectiveness
   o Automatically capture performance-based metrics and management data while
work is conducted
   o Generate detailed reports to analyze, identify, and track patterns in use of
services as well as identify service gaps and needs.

Softscape’s vision in technology innovation has led to the company’s outstanding
growth in 2003. The company’s goal was to help end the cycle of homelessness
by providing government agencies with comprehensive technology that solves the
problems of paper-based case management.  Softscape achieved this goal with a
revolutionary product that enables government workers to be more effective at their
jobs and provides better care to citizens around the world. 

List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. You may include links to product photos, service logos, etc. IMPORTANT: List each link on a separate line, begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.website.com]:

http://www.softscape.com/so_gov_homeless.htm
http://www.softscape.com/pdf/softscape_co_homeless.pdf
http://www.softscape.com/pressreleases/pr_03_03-03_homeless.htm
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/numbers.html

Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader(s) of the team that development this nominated product or service:

Dave Watkins, co-founder of Softscape, has worked for over a decade with federal, state, and local government agencies implementing a variety of case management and workforce development solutions.  As a result, Mr. Watkins and his team understand the unique challenges and needs of government agencies worldwide.  Leading the government team at Softscape, his commitment is to delivering innovative technology solutions, designed to cut costs and increase efficiencies by eliminating paperwork and enabling the sharing of data between organizations