Connecticut based non profit is the first US charity to implement SAP Business One

Stamford, CT. - The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) is the first U.S. not-for-profit implementation of SAP's integrated small and medium business system solution - SAP Business One.

As part of their community involvement and support for business development, The Proceed Group LLC made a substantial contribution to the WBDC, in a combination of cash and technical support that made it possible for WBDC to purchase and implement the SAP Business One solution. The Proceed Group LLC specializes in SAP Packaged Services and provides management consulting and technology support services. Yvonne Hyland, President of The Proceed Group says "...we feel the WBDC fulfills a vital service within our community and believe they should be equipped with the tools to make their operation as efficient as possible - we were happy to be a part of this important improvement in their ability to provide even better service to their clients here in Connecticut."

The Proceed Group LLC has supported WBDC for many years by providing process and technology consulting. After learning WBDC was forced to reduce staff as a result of loss of some government funding, pressuring the agency to do more with less as so many small businesses are experiencing they suggested that WBDC evaluate using SAP Business One as a way to make their office operations and constituency relationship management much more efficient and manageable.

WBDC will use the enterprise functionality of SAP Business One to improve day to day operating efficiencies and streamline grant reporting. In addition, WBDC will apply the CRM capability of the system to help manage their relationships and provide support to thousands of clients and constituents.

Typically not-for-profit organizations are required to regularly report detailed information to a variety of private and governmental agencies. Reports and statistics need to be generated to qualify for certain grants as well as demonstrate compliance for funds used. This process is time consuming and requires employees and volunteers to produce a large number of custom spreadsheets and unique reports.

By using SAP Business One's integrated processes and utilizing the intelligent data - drag and relate - functions, an enormous amount of administrative time will be saved by WBDC.

"Despite a decrease in human and financial resources, WBDC's goal is to continue to meet the needs of its growing constituency without compromising quality. With the integrated constituent relationship management and ease of reporting of SAP Business One, we expect to achieve just that," said Fran Pastore, President and CEO of WBDC. "We were amazed by the ease of implementation and extremely pleased and impressed with the high level of professional help we received from our technology and consulting partner The Proceed Group, LLC; every small business should invest in SAP Business One," said Pastore.

The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) is a non-profit organization that promotes economic development through entrepreneurship. WBDC's goal is to increase opportunities for economic independence through comprehensive training, business assistance, networking and access to financial resources. WBDC also provides professional development for those individuals in need of career assistance.

WBDC is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBC) and the Office of Financial Assistance. The OWBO is established to help women become full partners in economic development through small business ownership. SBA's cooperation does not constitute or imply its endorsement of any opinions, products and/or services. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.

The Proceed Group, LLC helps its clients achieve real business benefits from using IT solutions - and to gain visible Return on Investment (ROI) from their technology investments. The Proceed Group, LLC is an American Express and SAP Business Partner. Contact: Yvonne Hyland at 203 921 0307.