Success Stories

The Tacoma Rescue Mission

Overview

The Tacoma Rescue Mission has been helping people become their best by providing emergency relief and shelter, self-sufficiency programs to help individuals overcome poverty and prevention programs since 1912. For a non-profit in need of an accounting system with flexibility, functionality and support, the Tacoma Rescue Mission found a solution in MAS 90. In 1997, Sage's MAS 90 accounting software was installed at the Tacoma Rescue Mission and became an integral part of their financial management. Offering core accounting and ecommerce functionality, as well as business intelligence tools, HR and payroll, customer relationship management (CRM) and financial reporting software, MAS 90 builds a strong financial foundation for many organizations. For several years, the Tacoma Rescue Mission worked with a Seattle-based firm for support and maintenance of their MAS 90 software.

The Challenge

In 2004, it became clear that Tacoma Rescue Mission needed to find a new company to support their MAS 90 system. As a non-profit, the costs associated with working with a Seattle-firm were beginning to outweigh the benefits. The Mission was unable to attend many of the company's available classes and forums due to distance and time constraints. In addition, the actual cost of service was very high. They needed someone new to move forward with and turned to their Sage ABRA dealer for a recommendation. The firm, Hagel & Associates, recommended Mike Renner at Computer Accounting Systems, a Tacoma-based MAS 90 reseller and support center. Tacoma Rescue Mission met with Mr. Renner and signed up for his services immediately.

The Solution

Computer Accounting Systems and Tacoma Rescue Mission have an ongoing support relationship. In addition to providing support, Mr. Renner installed Payroll Direct Deposit Extended Solution Software and FRx Report Writer Software. These software additions allowed the Tacoma Rescue Mission to expand their functionality to include Direct Deposit, and created a more functional platform for running financial reports. In particular, the FRx Report Writer has received wide praise in the organization due to the quality of financial reports it creates.

Mr. Renner also upgraded the Mission to MAS 90 version 4.0 and has supported them on General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Payroll and Bank Reconciliation. Sue Horgen, the Finance Manager at TRM notes that the upgrade to version 4.0 did not go smoothly. "There was a snag, but Mike was right there to take care of the problem, " says Ms. Horgen. "Mike is very proactive. He's there when we call him, but he also calls us just to check in." With the upgrade complete, the Tacoma Rescue Mission and Computer Accounting Systems continued their work on making MAS 90 the right tool for the job!

The Outcome

Overall, the choice to use Computer Accounting Systems to support their MAS 90 system has been a very successful decision for the Tacoma Rescue Mission. "The decision to contract with Computer Accounting Systems is one we're glad we made. Our decision came as a result of the desire to do business with a local vendor and reduce our costs for services. Not only have we accomplished both objectives, we feel that the quality of our service has improved and that we are a customer that matters" says Ms. Horgen. In dollar figures, the switch to Computer Accounting Systems has decreased costs for Tacoma Rescue Mission by $2500.00 a year - a huge savings for this non-profit.

In addition to regular ongoing support, the Tacoma Rescue Mission is now able to take full advantage of their service provider, attending user group events sponsored by Computer Accounting Systems that fit into their busy schedule. "Mike has brought in different presenters for the user groups. It's a friendly group with good information," says Ms. Horgen, who has been asked to present information regarding her MAS 90 experience with the group.

Contact Computer Accounting Systems to learn how a custom accounting software solution can make it easy than ever to manage your organization.