How to evaluate social care software suppliers

Choosing the right care management software for your organisation is an important decision. However, with the variety of systems available nowadays, it can be hard to find the right one. Luckily, we’ve created a guide to help you navigate the different options and can find the best social care software supplier for you.

Step-by-step guide to evaluate social care software suppliers

Where do you start when it comes to evaluating social care software suppliers? Here’s our step-by-step guide with suggestions and recommendations.

Ask other care workers and care homes

Before you get started, it’s a good idea to talk to other care homes and providers to see what their experience has been like with the digital platforms they have chosen. If you have contact with other care organisations that are similar to yours in size and requirements, reach out to them and see which supplier they have chosen.

Delve deep into the advantages and disadvantages, the features they believe are necessities and if there are any improvements they think could be made. By gathering this information, you can gain valuable insight for your decision-making process.

Make a list of your needs and prioritise

Of course, not every care organisation is going to have the same priorities as you so it’s important to make a list of your specific requirements. Even though it might be long at first, it does make it easier to navigate choosing a care software supplier.

Whether it’s a case of choosing the software to help with only a handful of tasks and the rest following once you’re familiar with the system or choosing a platform that can do it all right from the start, it’s important to know the “must haves” before you decide and if you need the software to be flexible around you.

Conduct further research on potential suppliers

Once you’ve made your list of priorities, conduct further research from the names other care organisations recommended and see what else is out there. One way in which you can find suitable care management software is from the Assured Suppliers list from Digital Social Care and NHSx.

This list has been designed to show that these suppliers are approved by relevant organisations and that these digital solutions can meet functional requirements and standards.

Always read case studies and reviews

Another way to gain first-hand and real-life experience of using care software is by reading case studies and reviews of the platform. Most suppliers should have some case studies on their site, so you may be able to find a care organisation similar to yours that has used their software. 

There may also be customer reviews on the software, whether that be through testimonials on their website, Google or Trustpilot reviews, or even shared on social media.

Prepare any questions you need answering

After all of this research and collating your priorities together, you will most likely have some questions to ask the suppliers. However, remember to talk to your team in order to make sure you meet their needs too.

Note down any questions they may have as well, so you can ask the suppliers directly how they would address your entire team’s requirements. Involving team members in the selection process ensures that you will choose the right system for all users.

Features to look out for when evaluating care software

As part of your further research on potential suppliers, it’s always recommended to look out for these features in their care management software.

Interoperability

Interoperability is defined as, “the ability to work together with other systems of pieces of equipment.” With care software, this refers to various healthcare information technology integrating and communicating with each other.

Features like eMAR, an electronic medication administration record system, are an example of this and features in Log my Care’s software. You can have full control over medication rounds, get notified when to administer medication, and easily stay on top of stock levels.

Strong security and compliance

Cyber security is a common concern for those that are wary of switching to a digital platform. Therefore, it’s vital that when evaluating care software suppliers, data security is prevalent and complies with GDPR.

At Log my Care, we understand that care organisations want to be assured that both their information and their service users’ data is safe at all times. Working with a team of security experts means our platform has robust measures in place to protect against online attacks. For extra reassurance, our platform is also GDPR compliant and meets all CQC standards.

Data analysis and reporting

Ideally, care management software isn’t just for performing day-to-day functions and tasks, it’s to help enhance the quality of life for the service user. Keep an eye out for software that can analyse its collected data and provide you with helpful reports to highlight any concerns for you to address.

Features like real-time reporting and a central dashboard are central to Log my Care’s platform. View daily logs, client health, staff activity and more, from one central location and create visual reports to help you make informed decisions.

Booking a demo 

Most care software suppliers will offer a demo of their system before you make any purchase which we recommend booking. You will be able to see a detailed overview of the platform’s functionalities and the features that are included or can be added, so you can assess whether it’s the right software for your needs.

You can book a demo with Log my Care where you can explore the solutions we have on offer. As well as looking through the functionalities of our care management software, we can also discuss building a pricing plan that works for you and answer any questions you may have. 

Implementation, training and support

How does the supplier implement the system? Do they provide training? Are they available for support if needed? All of these things are an important part of the onboarding process, as well as for your future needs. You need to be aware of everything that they offer and whether you have all the resources you need.

If you ever experience any issues or need any help with the Log my Care software, you can get in touch with us via our online chat, you can email us or you can visit our 24/7 self-service support hub.

We understand the switch to digital or choosing a new supplier after a previously bad experience can be daunting, especially with so many different options out there. There are a lot of different factors to consider and you need to find a solution that meets your organisation’s needs and your service user’s needs too. We have created a helpful resource, the “Choosing Care Care Management Software” guide to help you through this process. 

Log my Care’s platform has been designed to help save you time and money whilst delivering person-centred care. Explore the benefits and features on our website, or get in touch with us directly to discuss your requirements and book a demo.

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