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Project Overview
Each year Mercy Ships utilises the services of more than 1600 volunteers from more than 40 nations. Today, thanks to OutSystems Platform, prospective volunteers are able to submit their applications the same day, something that was previously next to impossible. Prospective volunteers now take an average of between one and two hours to complete an application, while some are able to complete the form in just 30 minutes, depending on the position for which they are applying. Thanks to OutSystems, Mercy Ships has seen a 20 percent increase in volunteer registrations for the charity in just two months.
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OutSystems is a viable contender for the 2015 [app] design awards UK, non-profit award category because it provides an enterprise Rapid Application Delivery (RAD) platform that makes it at least three times faster to develop apps once and deliver seamlessly across iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Web.
The Platform provides for deep integration with existing cloud and on-premises databases and systems of record. As a result, IT teams and customers, like Mercy Ships can increase productivity, manage change more effectively and innovate for changing customer demands. In the past year alone, OutSystems Platform has helped hundreds of organisations from both the public and private sector to create and deliver new apps successfully, dramatically reducing cost and time to market.
The world’s largest charitable floating hospital, Mercy Ships utilised OutSystems Platform to create a custom online application that has led to a 20 percent increase in volunteer registrations for the charity in just two months. Bringing free medical care to some of the world’s poorest people, Mercy Ships is almost entirely staffed by volunteers and it needed an online recruitment tool to help speed the volunteer application process. With no packaged applications available and a need for deep integration with existing systems, Mercy Ships chose a RAD platform to quickly deliver the custom applications it needed. Utilising OutSystems Platform, Mercy Ships was able to build an online recruitment tool that intuitively helps applicants with a range of skill sets and abilities to smoothly navigate the volunteer application process. OutSystems was selected because it allowed for out-of-the-box integration with the charity’s existing database. It also featured an intuitive interface and a quick learning curve that allowed Mercy Ships to tap internal resources and speed deployment, while simultaneously decreasing the project’s cost. Further, its cross-browser functionality would mean reaching even more potential volunteers, essential to Mercy Ships continued growth.
Today, thanks to OutSystems Platform, prospective volunteers are able to submit their applications the same day, something that was previously next to impossible. Prospective volunteers now take an average of between one and two hours to complete an application, while some are able to complete the form in just 30 minutes, depending on the position for which they are applying.
“An online application allows us to be more competitive in the non-profit/volunteer sector. It also allows us to provide better overall customer service to those interested in serving with us and helps in our recruiting efforts.” -- Angie Fadely, VP, Human Resources, Mercy Ships
In addition to Mercy Ships, enterprises in 22 industries across 25 countries have selected OutSystems to help them build enterprise-class mobile and web applications in a fraction of the time of traditional development. Organisations across the advertising/media, banking, business services, chemical/agriculture, consumer, education, engineering, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, retail, technology, telecommunications, transportation and travel and leisure industries all selected OutSystems to reduce their time-to-market and manage applications seamlessly across the software development lifecycle.
Project Brief
The world’s largest charitable floating hospital, Mercy Ships utilised OutSystems Platform to create a custom online application that has led to a 20 percent increase in volunteer registrations for the charity in just two months. Bringing free medical care to some of the world’s poorest people, Mercy Ships is almost entirely staffed by volunteers and it needed an online recruitment tool to help speed the volunteer application process. With no packaged applications available and a need for deep integration with existing systems, Mercy Ships chose a RAD platform to quickly deliver the custom applications it needed. Utilising OutSystems Platform, Mercy Ships was able to build an online recruitment tool that intuitively helps applicants with a range of skill sets and abilities to smoothly navigate the volunteer application process. OutSystems was selected because it allowed for out-of-the-box integration with the charity’s existing database. It also featured an intuitive interface and a quick learning curve that allowed Mercy Ships to tap internal resources and speed deployment, while simultaneously decreasing the project’s cost. Further, its cross-browser functionality would mean reaching even more potential volunteers, essential to Mercy Ships continued growth.
Project Need
Mercy Ships recruits for a wide variety of positions, each requiring a unique skill set. Lacking an online submission process, Mercy Ships' Human Resources Department was faced with an antiquated and inefficient recruitment system in terms of both manpower and accuracy. Once received, applications were reviewed and manually entered into the database, increasing the potential for error on top of the challenges of deciphering handwritten and poorly transmitted documents. Adding to this was the fact that applications could be submitted even without such critical information as health records or special licenses.
Mercy Ships needed a format that made sense from a user standpoint and allowed for full integration with its legacy system and database. Further, it needed a customisable solution, offering the flexibility to meet the needs of the wide range of positions for which they recruit.
Utilising OutSystems Platform, two staff members were able to build an online recruitment tool that is intuitive and helps applicants with a range of skill sets and abilities smoothly navigate the process.
Each person is taken step-by-step through an application that is customized based on the position for which they are applying. Based on how they answer certain questions, the application allows HR to gather additional information in areas pertaining to health or licensing, for example. Thanks to a check-list, applicants can gauge their progress and return to the form when they have gathered any additional documentation they need to submit, without having to start the process over.
User Experience
The online recruitment tool intuitively helps applicants with a range of skill sets and abilities to smoothly navigate the volunteer application process. featuring an intuitive interface and a quick learning curve that allows Mercy Ships to tap internal resources and speed deployment, while simultaneously decreasing the project’s cost. The application is customised based on the position for which volunteers are applying and the application allows HR to gather additional information in areas pertaining to health or licensing based on how they answer certain questions. Applicants can gauge their progress and return to the form when they have gathered any additional documentation. By moving the submission process online, the HR Department no longer receives incomplete applications, it captures all the necessary information prior to submission.
The accuracy of information has increased exponentially as HR is no longer dependent on deciphering handwritten applications. And, HR is now able to track a person's interest in a given position, they can be more proactive in reaching out to an interested party and helping them complete the application if there is a pressing need.
Returning volunteers have also benefited from the ability to update their profile, rather than resubmit an entire application each year--a major plus for an organisation that attracts many repeat volunteers.
Cory Creamer, Business Analyst, Mercy Ships: “OutSystems Platform made it so easy for me and gave me the widgets to do it without my having to understand exactly how it was being done.”
Community
Apps more than ever are helping our communities to connect and engage, from emergency services to Not for Profits to social groups, these apps not only assist in delivery but provide efficiencies importantly providing those at the coalface more time to do their important work whether it be fighting fires or managing the local team. It's not all serious though we're also looking for apps that work to help bring the community groups together with fun and enjoyable activities.
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