Homeless Services Network of Central Florida

We are scheduled to upgrade our HMIS software from ServicePoint 4 to ServicePoint 5. This is considered a major upgrade, so it will require for the HMIS to be taken offline at noon on Thursday, 8/5 until noon on Friday, 8/6. Please inform the HMIS Help Desk right away at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org if you must have access to HMIS during that time.

Did you say “major upgrade”?

Indeed I did. ServicePoint 5 (SP5) represents the culmination of nearly three years’ work by our HMIS software vendor, Bowman Systems. This is not just changing the colors on the screen; a lot of effort was put into making ServicePoint easier to use. Here’s some of what you can expect:

• New user interface: New colors! Okay, so colors are not really that important, but those of us that have been using HMIS for a long time are pretty sick of seeing the same color scheme and we could do with a fresh look. (Am I right, Goodwill/HSN Employment Counselors?) However, the new color scheme is a part of an overall improvement in the readability of SP5. The software also has new fonts and better screen organization.
• Streamlined workflow: You can quickly open and close whole sections of the screen to get them our of your way. We can also configure the system to completely remove sections your program doesn’t need at all.
• Faster response: There is a lot less waiting for things to happen now. Yes, your Internet connection can still slow things down, but SP5 acts faster because it will access the Internet less frequently than before.

You say it’s better, but let’s see some proof.

We are offering three ways for people to see the new software.

1. We have a demonstration site immediately available for all current HMIS users with active accounts. You’ll be able to login and surf around the site on your own. Please contact the HMIS Help Desk at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org to request your login information.
2. Next week, we are offering guided tours of the new software for all users (past, present, or future) through web conferences. These web conferences will take place on July 12, 13, and 14 from 10am to 12pm. Please contact the HMIS Help Desk at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org to request access to one web conference session by 5pm on Friday, July 9.
3. Finally, we will have hands-on training sessions available both before and after the upgrade dates, August 5-6. Stay tuned for details on the availability of those sessions.

If you have any questions about anything related to HMIS, you can always contact our HMIS Help Desk any time via email at hmis {at} hsncfl(.)org.

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Uncategorized by Joel Remigio