Broderick Smith is the Managing Director of Prodigi Solutions, which was established in 2003.
He has an Honours Degree in Engineering and a Master of Technology Management. Broderick began his career in the IT industry in 1996 as a web developer. He then went on to sales, support and training of IT solutions to small business and Primavera project management software. In 2001 Broderick took a position at EOWA as the Web Manager responsible for the development and maintenance of this Commonwealth Government website and was a regular contributor and editor for EOWA's external communications.
Prodigi Solutions provides the childcare industry with professional IT products, services, on–going support and website development. Its exceptional customer service has made the company well respected with all of its clients. Prodigi Solutions is an Associate Member of Childcare NSW and an agent for Heartbeat4Kidz Childcare Management Software.
You can contract Broderick at Prodigi on
02 8572 8484 or brod@prodigi.com.au or visit their website at prodigi.com.au/childcare.
Forget Armageddon analogies and other end-of-the-world bogus stories, Broderick Smith has the simple truths to CCMS and how you can prepare in just five minutes.
Yes, yes, I've heard it all before – "CCMS is going to cripple my centre, and it'll cost me a fortune, and, and, and…" Centre Owners and Directors can be their own worst enemy – stirring up panic and despair over, well, nothing much really.
Seriously, the reality is this: Leaving CCMS to the last minute and making a mad dash at transition time to ready your IT hardware, Internet and software, only to be swamped by the day-to-day madness of running your centre – could make the change a complete nightmare!
This special feature will help you avoid the nightmare by outlining the key questions you should be asking yourself right now and by taking you through five simple steps. Our tick-box checklist at the end will enable you to ascertain your readiness, in as little as five minutes and should help you identify the areas where you need to take action.
So, no excuses…get going and get ready!
Timeline
The CCMS has been gradually rolled out to the Long Day Care (LDC) sector since July 2008 and centres should have set a transition date with their software provider and DEEWR for sometime in the future.
"It's all too soon," I hear many of you saying. But don't worry!
Services are gradually transferring to the new CCMS with all services due to be transferred by June 2009. If you're not likely to make your transition date tell DEEWR or your current software provider when you will be.
Internet Access
From talking to centre owners I have learned that the majority of Australian child care providers are NOT covered by some form of Internet access, whether this is dial-up, ADSL, satellite, wireless or cable.
"We only just got electricity last week" the Director of a rural centre informed me amusingly, "…let alone Internet access!"
However most of the Australian population can get some form of Internet connectivity. Try the Commonwealth Government website for information and if this doesn't help Whirlpool should be able to help you locate an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in your area.
In general terms, even if you're an outback, rural or an ‘in the sticks' kind of centre, there is almost (I still disclaim ‘almost'!) always a solution.
Hardware
It's devastating when centre directors are adamant that they "don't need a PC to run my centre." I still see some directors calculating staff rosters with a pencil and paper, taking no less time than it does to fly to the moon.
The fact is that you require a PC to be CCMS ready. If you already have a PC, great! Your next step is checking with your software provider to make sure it meets the minimum specifications to run the new CCMS software.
For those of you who now need to purchase a PC, there is hope! There is a vast range of PCs built to complement all business situations, including child care centres.
Remember to seek advice before you purchase, as you don't want to be sold a Formula One car to drive to the shops and you don't want a 20 year old tractor to tour reliably around Australia.
Software
The crux of the new CCMS is your software – it is the key to interaction between your centre and DEEWR.
Your software provider should have already alerted you to when they intend to be CCMS compliant – if they haven't told you, ring them NOW!
Ask them IF they intend to be CCMS compliant (some providers are exiting the industry) and WHEN they intend to be CCMS compliant. Make a note of this date, as you can't make the transition to CCMS until your software provider is ready.
Your software provider must also make training available to ensure a smooth transition.
If you don't currently have any software, you're still in a good position. You can simply purchase software from any number of providers, obtain training and away you go, ready for CCMS.
It's also a good idea to obtain assistance and advice when making your software choice as, like hardware, there is a wide range of software with different features.
Even if you have transitioned and don't like your software you can change – you're not stuck with it forever! Have a look at the other software providers and ask them how easy it is to change, you might be surprised!
Training
It's not often that I hear of centres spending time and money on IT training, which is extremely disappointing given that the child care industry seems to be largely IT illiterate.
A little IT training can dramatically improve the efficiency of day-to-day operations and will make the change to CCMS a lot easier.
If you happen to be CCMS ready in all departments, use your Transition Payment to train you and your IT dependant staff. If you already have software, make sure your software provider offers training in their new CCMS compliant system.
Do your centre and yourself a favour; set aside some money to send yourself and your key IT dependant staff on a training course this financial year. Experience shows that you WILL see a return on your investment.
Transition Payments
The Transition Payment is financial assistance for child care services to help them transition to the new system. The payment is a contribution to the costs that services may incur as a result of introducing new processes and systems.
All services approved for CCB before January 2008 automatically receive the $1000 one-off payment (per centre). The payment for larger service operators is capped at $1500.
LDC services should have received this payment in September or October 2007.
We strongly recommend that you set this payment aside and use it to assist with the transition. It could be used to:
- Upgrade your Internet to broadband (if necessary)
- Upgrade your PC (if necessary)
- Train your staff and yourself in general PC skills
- Train your staff and yourself in your new software package
DEEWR/FACSIA Related – Enrolment Advances and Centrelink Acquittals
Aside from the IT items required to be CCMS ready, DEEWR also requires that your Centrelink acquittals are up-to-date and that you have considered the Enrolment Advances feature offered by the new CCMS. As this article is concerned with helping you become IT ready we suggest you contact your industry association or DEEWR for more information.
Check your CCMS preparedness by completing our simple five step five minute checklist now. Click here to review and print your copy.
If you would like to comment on Broderick's article or share your CCMS experience with others click on CareforKids Social to add your comment
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