at a glance
Motivation Australia deployed NetSuite – a single integrated, cloud application – to gain real-time access to key metrics helping them approach fundraising activities including accurate donor reporting with more efficiency than ever.
- MYOB
- Excel spreadsheets
the client
About Motivation Australia
Based in South Australia, Motivation Australia is a not for profit organisation creating positive and lasting change. Their work supports people in developing Pacific Island nations to access rehabilitation and assistive technology – such as wheelchairs, prosthetic legs and walking aids. Motivation Australia works with local services to reduce the impact of impairment, remove barriers, and empower people with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest.
NetSuite gives us reporting flexibility, and at different levels. If we need to know how much we've spent in one region or on a programme, or even how much we've spent on technical resources using the funds from a particular funder, we can get that information in real time. It no longer takes up valuable time and that's really important for us.Alex PhilipsFinance Manager, Motivation Australia
the challenge
Motivation Australia’s system roadblocks
Prior to NetSuite, Motivation Australia relied on a cumbersome mix of legacy and spreadsheet processes to manage their local and international relationships, programs and finances. They were ready for a cloud financial solution that would deliver a deeper and broader view of their finances while supporting transparency, and accountability through modern reporting for their many stakeholders – both government and local/international benefactors. Beyond external reporting, they also required a solution that would allow internal reporting to be configured around the roles of staff, for example the CEO, board members and program managers.
Accurate and streamlined reporting cannot be underestimated in the not for profit sector. With better control over finances and data, Motivation Australia would be better positioned to dedicate more time to realising their mission, and less time battling clunky legacy systems and spreadsheets to deliver customised reporting.
Following an exhaustive requirements analysis, Motivation Australia selected NetSuite as their cloud financials platform and Annexa as their implementation partner. Both NetSuite and Annexa share a deep understanding of not for profit organisations and the challenges they face, making this duo a perfect fit for Motivation Australia.
the results
The transformation
By replacing manual processes and workflows with a smoother financial system and associated processes with NetSuite, Motivation Australia were able to build a stakeholder‐focussed framework of reporting while better managing their accounting and financials, and maintaining a constituent and donor database.
Today they have 24/7 access to real-time data giving them the tools to track and optimise the performance of their programs. This allows them to quickly convey this message to stakeholders, and make informed financial decisions for future programs. As an international development organisation the cloud-based platform allows them to securely access NetSuite wherever they roam – from head office to a small pacific islands. Because NetSuite is so extensible, Motivation Australia have been able to shape and grow their platform around their evolving needs -tightly integrating NetSuite with their unique programmes and global footprint.
Certainly, the largest impact for Motivation Australia – and their main motivation for implementing NetSuite – has been the advanced reporting capabilities. They now have easy and configurable reporting for executive leadership, board members, donors, auditors, and accounting. Meanwhile the fundraising and sales arm can access role-based metrics and analytics that support deep insight and decision-making – for historical or real-time data. This has ultimately given them a more complete picture of their performance, reduced the reporting overheads of the past and allows them to intelligently allocate funding to programs.
- Responsive to diverse needs of multiple local and international stakeholders
- Advanced reporting capabilities
- Transparent and accountable processes
- Visibility with customised dashboards
NetSuite’s reporting functionality has proven to be time saving and flexible for us, which translates to cost savings across our programs. We now have the insights needed to maximise how we use our funds and deliver the most impact for our partners and their clients. We're very proud of how much we allocate to our international programs and love to see our funds going to where they are really needed.Alex PhilipsFinance Manager, Motivation Australia