Advocates and IT staff find the program very user friendly, and answers our needs for case management records very well.
In addition, access to code for customization is very important to our program. Because code in Prime is open source, we have been able to accomplish most customizations inhouse. When the customizations were beyond our ability, KCW staff were very prompt and proficient with assistance.
Prime is user friendly and can easily be customized. Prime has special programs to enter any specific data that may be needed for other grants/funders. Reports may be customized easily. If the data is inputted, a report may be ran to gather information needed for any report. The most important feature is that the software is very affordable.
Back in CY2000 - we moved oru clients database from Turbo Cases to Kemps. We were one office (with 12 employees) at the time - but saw LSC reconfiguration looming on the horizon...and knew that we had to upgrade. I spent many hours assessing the available database packages at the time and settled on Kemps because of ease of use and because it was based on MS Access. This was, of course, a stand-alone version. I took a couple of MS Access classes and attended one KempsCaseworks training. After this training, I was able to do significant customizations to the Kemps database.
While every program has its pros and cons, I think that Prime version 8 is excellent, for LSC CMS purposes. All essential features for public interest practice case management work well and are easily accessible through remotely in a multi-office setting. Customization of this program, while not trivial, is very doable with comparatively accessible levels of programming experience. In more recent years, Kemp and his staff have been able to connect in remote gotomeetings sessions and solve many problems as they do arise.
The Prime SQL CMS packs a lot of power, some good tools, thorough search capabilities, and hundreds (literally) of built-in reports. With the front end being built on a Microsoft Access (which has its own flaws) foundation, customization and help resources are easy and plentiful. Being a past software/firmware/database programmer, I have come across a handful of perceived flaws in the back-end structure regarding data storage and normalization. Though not fatal, far from ideal.
I have used Kemps Case Works for two and a half years, performing intake through our Lawline program. Once trained on this program it is extremely easy to use, following a very logical step by step process. The drop down fields are wonderful, cutting the typing time in half and allowing us to wrap up cases quickly. It is easy to filter cases and callbacks to limit the amount of time spent scrolling and there are multiple ways to search for a particular case. I would like to see the ability to filter in the error reports, but you can’t have everything I suppose.
We are currently using Prime SQL version. It is extremely easy to use and just as easy to teach someone to use. We are able to easily track numerous grants and are able to easily create reports to track all the grants. We have created an online intake form that is completely integrated with Prime, including the numbering system. This integration with Prime has given people who are in need of our services, 24-7 access. We run several offices around the state and have instant access to Prime anywhere we go using Remote Access software.
When the web based version of PRIME is available, we will upgrade to that version. We have made many customizations for use with our Helpline as well as file closing reviews and special views for part time advocates who have their own practices. These views allow for certification by the attorneys that no conflicts exist between their private clients and our client population, and they view only those cases they have certified. Customization is easy, the special programs for HUD and VAWA reporting are easily modified and adding new special programs is also quick and easy.
The Prime software is easy to customize. With the special program option, we can create a table and form to capture any data a new grant requires without expense. I very seldom have problems with the software. If we do encounter a problem, John is usually able to assist us quickly. The software is very reasonably priced also.
We've been using the program for over 10 years. For the first 6 we only used it as a database for cases and time but now we use it as a case management system using a lot of the features, like PBI, Callbacks, Intake Questions and FAQ's, Client Trust, Agencies, Time, Matters, document assembly, special programs, and project management. The strengths are the reasonable price, the ability to make customization on your own rather than having to pay someone else to do them, the ease of use, and the ability to get information out of the system easily.
