Case study: GambleAware transforms operations with Access ERP

The challenge...

GambleAware recognised the limitations of its reliance on legacy ways of working and outdated finance software, realising that these tools lacked the agility and resilience required to meet the evolving goals and increasing demands of the charity. Fuelled by a commitment to break free from legacy constraints, GambleAware embarked on a strategic journey towards digital preparedness, acknowledging the need to stay ahead in an expanding gambling industry. This led to a pivotal decision, to implement a new financial management system.

GambleAware’s Head of Finance Berhe Gebru explains;

“Previously, the charity over relied on using Excel spreadsheets and Sage 50 but, over time, it was felt these were not to be agile or dynamic enough to support the goals Gamble Aware had, nor the demands that will be put on it. They were the opposite of robust and resilient. Certainly, in the case of Excel, Gamble Aware was acutely aware that this reliance had to end. When you consider the gambling industry growing in size every year, Gamble Aware had to be digitally prepared to deliver more support – across the business.”

The Solution...

Through Access Financials, GambleAware now have total transparency on reporting whenever they want to run it. The visibility of such data enables the charity to make prompt, data-led decisions.

The implementation of Access technology has significantly improved GambleAware’s efficiency and strategic approach, making them digitally mature. Access not only delivered robust tech but also provided excellent training, ensuring self-sufficiency while maintaining a strong partnership focused on helping the charities succeed.

“It has made a huge difference implementing Access technology. Working with their consultants has helped shift our approach. We can see – everyday – what the technology can do so that helps shift our approach and how we use tech day-to-day, month-to-month to achieve our strategic goals. Working with Access has made a huge difference and we are proud to partner with them.”

Our Customer Success Manager is always doing more to help us – proactively and reactively. All in all, working with Access has helped us manage our time, our processes and display how we are delivering projects and the financial effectiveness in doing so. It would be fair to say, we have become digitally mature working with Access and the tech is robust and resilient meaning peace of mind comes from working with a partner who clearly aims to help charities like ours.

“The visibility we now have means we can forecast and report with so much assurance. Reports can be generated for the board, and we can also go into unheard of detail with specific projects ensuring we are tracking the path of costs and budgeting. Everything is so much more efficient. Reporting is consistent and thorough, and we are now in a solid position to push on further.”

“With board reporting an absolute, we now have a financial timetable we can meet to ensure we are meeting our obligations. Working with the team at Access, has meant we have configured reports that help us day-to-day and also strategically plan projects to help those who need our help.”

The Result...

GambleAware now have a system in place that allows them to oversee project management alongside Finance, creating greater flexibility and oversight across the business. 
 
“The decision to implement Access was a sound one as we now have an array of tools that helps us manage day-to-day requirements as well as oversee projects to a successful conclusion. Since using Access Financials we now have a dedicated project management team with their own Director, working closely with our Finance team. GambleAware desperately needed that ability to use tech for successful project management. This area of our business was undeveloped and unreliable – we have now rectified that.”

Access delivered an integrated cloud-based solution that included:

• Access Financials featuring accounting, budgeting, reporting to assist GambleAware in managing their day to day financial process
• Access Expenses – an online system designed to help businesses manage and track employee expenses efficiently
• Access CRM - designed to help businesses manage their interactions and relationships with customers and potential customers

We have found a great solution to help us grow. What’s important to note is Access didn’t just deliver the tech and leave us to it. Their training, for example, is first-class and helps us understand how to maximise the tech and generate reports we need to make critical daily and monthly decisions. Patient, diligent, helpful and solution-focused. We are now completely self-sufficient, yet working with a leading tech supplier. It’s hugely reassuring.

“I have had experience of using many of Access’ competitors and it’s reassuring working with the systems we have in place that are leading-edge, yet extremely intuitive to use too. I hear this every day from across the business and it reinforces the reasons for implementing Access Financials and we have no complaints.”

Summary

GambleAware are looking ahead to supporting those who need them and raising awareness on the impact of gambling, with the certainty of a technology partner in place to help the charity grow.

We have our wishlist of new reports and ways of working and Access are very responsive to helping us implement them. Equally, they will come to us with innovations to help our lives easier so this a relationship built on very firm foundations and we’re looking forward to working with Access to help us achieve even more. Taking the leap to new technology was a big step, but we’re so glad we did.

GambleAware®: Gambling Help & Gambling Addiction (begambleaware.org)