SaaS BI helps non-profit identify needs

A Boston-based non-profit organization has implemented a business intelligence (BI) solution for advanced reporting and analytics. Cradles to Crayons, which provides clothing, toys and supplies to children in need, is using Oco analytics to gain visibility across its operations in Boston and Philadelphia, and to generate reports on operational and financial performance.

"The Oco solution was up and running within a matter of weeks, so we were able to see the business benefits right away," says Lynn Margherio, CEO and founder of Cradles to Crayons. "The solution enables us in real time to understand the key performance metrics for our business. That capability has proven invaluable to our organization.”

Margherio continues, “Before we had the solution, viewing the information contained within our databases was a painful and time-consuming process that taxed our limited staff resources. After implementing the BI solution, in seconds we can find the answers to just about any question we have. By integrating our data from multiple sources, the solution enables us to target our efforts more effectively to areas that need attention, uncover the most urgent needs and free up our staff to focus on our core business."

Management uses information from the analytics to improve services, allocate volunteers more effectively, understand order patterns, forecast supplies and support fundraising efforts, Oco recently reported. Oco is a software-as-a-service provider of business intelligence and data integration solutions.

Cradles to Crayons' “Ready For School” initiative gives school supplies to children living in low-income households. The goal is to equip them with a new backpack full of pencils, notebooks, folders and other age-appropriate learning tools, so that they feel prepared when they start the school year.