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ParishSOFT News & Information
Press Release
Diocese of Trenton, NJ Selects ParishSOFT: Leveraging the Use of Today's Church Management Technology to Support Their Parishes and Enhance Data Sharing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2008
Contact: ParishSOFT
Michael Cusick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Phone: 866.930.4774
Ann Arbor, MI — ParishSOFT, the nation's fastest growing church management software company serving Catholic churches, announced today that the Diocese of Trenton has selected the ParishSOFT Diocesan and Parish product suite as their new standard technology platform. ParishSOFT products, with their ability to synchronize records to a common database at the diocesan level, will help the Diocese of Trenton streamline their computer systems, provide timely technical support to the parishes and gather statistics about parish families.
Multiple software platforms used at the parishes had made it increasingly difficult and time-consuming for the Diocese to gather consistent, complete family and financial data and consolidate those records into a format that was useful to the task at hand. For example, census information—as simple as the number of families in each of Trenton's 113 parishes—was inconsistently reported. Sacramental records and address updates made at the parishes simply could not be kept current at the Diocese via manual data entry methods. With the synchronized ParishSOFT database, the Diocese of Trenton and its parishes will have access to the same records. This means Diocesan staff will always have the most current updates available to them and reporting will be standardized.
The Diocese also wanted to offer Parishes a true accounting system that would help them implement financial controls and create accurate, consistent reporting formats. With reliable census and financial data, both the Diocese and parish finance councils can better understand each parish's position without having to spend a significant amount of time gathering on-demand information.
When the Diocese began searching for a new software system that would meet both their goals and the parishes' present and future needs, they invited those with financial and leadership roles in diocesan organizations to participate in the project. Kathy Moore, Director of Computer Services for the Diocese of Trenton, arranged meetings to review the goals of the project and to help everyone understand the data gathering and reporting requirements. After embracing the project, the teams worked together reviewing software functionality, attending formal and informal presentations, gathering data from other Dioceses and parishes, and interviewing various software vendors.
Following a thorough review, Diocesan officials selected ParishSOFT based on their programs' technical and functional software capabilities and their substantial support services.
The next step was to bring on board personnel and leadership at the parish level. Kathy Moore arranged meetings across the diocese, explaining the benefits of ParishSOFT's time-saving programs and asking for input on each parish's specific needs. Parish representatives appreciated the clear benefits of combining all financial, staff and parish family information in one common database. And they agreed on the value of streamlining business information processes and analysis, enabling greater data accuracy and improving information sharing.
The Diocese will now implement the ParishSOFT AIM suite of products for its diocesan offices and the ParishSOFT Parish product suite at all parishes. They have worked with a team of ParishSOFT specialists on project design and implementation of a phased rollout plan, comprising standard and advanced data conversion, system implementation, enhanced software customizations, comprehensive product training and technical support for each parish.
"This transition is a true partnership between the Diocese and the parishes," Kathy Moore said. "It was important to everyone involved that we take time to make the right selection and ensure that we were comfortable with the decision and committed to moving forward. Technology has now caught up with our needs, and there will be many benefits to all our hard work."
ParishSOFT Vice President of Marketing and Sales Mike Cusick said, "Our partnership with the Diocese of Trenton will bring a greater offering of church management technology and services to the Diocese and its parishes. Together, we look forward to supporting their ministries with unparalleled software and support, as well as creating a smooth transition as their parishes switch to ParishSOFT."
About the Diocese of Trenton
Established in 1881, the Diocese of Trenton encompasses Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. With a Catholic population of more than 804,000 in a total population of more than 1.9 million, there are currently 157 active diocesan priests serving 118 parishes.
About ParishSOFT
Founded in 1998, ParishSOFT offers a complete suite of church management software and web services that streamline operations and foster stewardship, collaboration, and communication. ParishSOFT continually invests in improving its software and web solutions, as well as adding new features and products. ParishSOFT presently serves 3,000 Catholic parishes and 35 arch/dioceses.