Think Big, Buy Smart
Everyone knows good things come in small packages, technology is no different. In today's world, software is an essential part of our daily lives. From smartphones and computers to cars and home appliances, software is everywhere. But not all software is created equally. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software, which (in some cases) is designed to be highly specialized and more lightweight than traditional custom-built software applications or platforms. More importantly, COTS is often purpose built to deliver high-value functionality to a specific user-base.
According to a 2021 report by App Annie, the average smartphone user in the United States had about 85 apps installed on their device. This number is expected to climb. By focusing on some of your biggest pain points and identifying solutions that can integrate with existing systems (where required), you can solve problems faster and more cost-effectively. For example, if I want to book a hotel room, it is very easy to go to the Hilton app on my phone and book a room in a matter of minutes. Recognizing that there are major enterprise systems behind that app, it provides a positive customer experience for me, while minimizing the impact on operations and call center workers.
The idea that you must wait for three to five years for a system to be built is part of a bygone era. Leaders are looking for quick returns on their technology investments. As such, most are creating incremental modernization roadmaps that leverage purpose-built solutions like Diona to solve immediate problems while integrating with existing systems and architectures.
Diona offers solutions that serve the specific needs of health and human services stakeholders by addressing business functions where specialized software can provide big impacts relative to operational efficiency and customer experience. Examples include:
Diona Uploads: Expediting and streamlining the process for clients to submit support documentation, eliminates the error prone paper process and improves timeliness. The result: engaging with clients in a modern and preferred manner. This includes things like birth certificates or utility bills for SNAP or licensing documentation for foster parents.
Diona Self Service: When people can help themselves everyone wins. Organizations administering child support, SNAP, TANF and other programs can improve service delivery and satisfy client needs, while reducing costs by empowering clients with information and capabilities that work when and where they need them.
Diona Visits: Improving workforce burden is a challenge with many human services programs. Equipping caseworkers with mobile systems of engagement gives them the freedom to leave their desks and spend more time doing the work that matters most.
Diona Investigations: Whether it is a child or adult protective services investigation, it is essential that the worker has access to essential data while out of the office and in the field to make better informed decisions, as well as the features needed to support the important documentation process.
Diona solutions also incorporate features that leverage the capabilities of the device to further extend the power of the solution, without increasing the cost of the product or requiring customizations (which takes time). With Diona, there is no need to wait for years to realize benefits. Significant effort and dollars have already been spent on developing robust capabilities that can be leveraged through the Diona native mobile solutions to support critical government programs.
Diona solutions are intentionally designed to perform specific tasks and integrate with other solution components through a well-defined interface that supports the unique needs of human services programs. When a state opts to include Diona solutions as a module or component of a larger architecture, they are obtaining the value that comes from purpose built, program focused capabilities for workers and clients.
When it comes to roadmap development, organizations are often faced with a choice between using a functionally specific COTS, like Diona, or investing in custom development (or a platform). While there are cases where custom development might be the best choice, in many cases, Diona is the superior option. Here are five reasons why:
Lower total cost: Due to the nature of being a COTS, Diona solutions are more affordable for individual organizations. The level of configuration is minimized, reducing the need for costly development resources. Custom development, on the other hand, requires significant investment in development and testing, which can quickly add up for the initial implementation, but also for long-term maintenance and operations.
Purpose built: Years of investments in research and development, usability testing and production implementations have informed the design of Diona solutions that were produced specifically for health and human services programs and practice. As native mobile solutions, users also get the benefit of the superior capabilities of the device, built by some of the brightest technology companies in the world, integrated with program specific functionality provided by Diona.
Faster implementation: Because it is purpose-built, Diona solutions require minimal configuration and integration, so organizations can start using it quickly. Custom development and platform configuration, on the other hand, can take years to complete to match the robust capabilities available within Diona solutions. This is a significant disadvantage in today's fast-paced environment with regulatory and practice changes.
Regular updates: Diona solutions are updated on a regular basis, with enhanced functionality, mobile operating version patches, and additional features based on new device capabilities. Changes needed on the app are easily achieved through a simple configuration interface. Custom development may require organizations to invest significant time and resources into maintaining and updating the software themselves or with an outsourced vendor.
Established track record: Diona solutions have been in use for years, with a proven track record of success. Custom development, on the other hand, is always untested and may not be as reliable.
While custom development and platforms may have benefits, leveraging a highly specialized product like Diona is the superior option for components that matter. Leveraging solutions that support existing processes and practice is a best-of-breed approach that allows resources to be more focused delivering solutions that make the lives of clients and the workforce easier. Solving problems now is not only an option, it is the smart thing to do.
Request a demo today. We look forward to engaging with you.