Gold Coast, QLD – August 16, 2024: ONGC is thrilled to announce that the Veterans Wellbeing Management System (VWMS) has won the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) category of the prestigious 2024 CRN Impact Awards.
The VWMS is a groundbreaking solution that has streamlined the consultation, management, and processing of information, communications, and tasks for volunteer Advocates supporting veterans in need. It directly addresses the procedural limitations that often cause extended processing times for veterans seeking vital support, care, and government funding. The solution emphasises the core pillars of the seven wellbeing domains identified in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Veteran-Centred Wellbeing Model, which was subsequently adopted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“It is an incredible honour for us to be named the CRN Impact Award winner for the ESG category,” says ONGC Systems CEO Steve Dawson. “This award recognises the amazing work that the ONGC team has completed with the Veterans’ Wellbeing Network Mid North Coast (VWNMNC). We are proud to contribute to addressing critical issues such as homelessness, addiction, disability support, and mental health. A massive thanks to the network for trusting us to help them build this solution.”
Veteran services processing cut by 25-30%
The system was developed by ONGC in conjunction with the VWNMNC, which provides essential support services to veterans. It is a collaborative initiative among various Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) across the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Additionally, the project received the support of the Commonwealth Government which supplied funding under the ‘Veterans Wellbeing Grant’ for the development of the solution.
VWNMNC President Geoffrey Harrison shared, “Timeframe reduction for wellbeing and claims preparation has been achieved by the Advocates. This flows from a reduction in typing the same data multiple times and the ability for the team to case manage. I would estimate a 25% to 30% reduction in the time it now takes to produce a decision-ready claim – allowing us to be better prepared for future waves of veterans seeking support.”
Improved efficiency, collaboration, and communications
Building the system also involved consolidating information silos into a centralised database. This helped to streamline operations, improve data management and reporting capabilities. Moreover, the VWMS encourages a collaborative approach to veterans’ wellbeing services. Seamlessly integrating with VWNMNC’s digital phone system ensured a unified communications experience and further boosted efficiency.
Thanks to ONGC’s involvement with Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact business, the team was able to leverage grants and donations to deliver the solution, with minimal impact on the non-profit organisation’s operational costs.
Transformative impact on veterans’ wellbeing
The VWMS has demonstrably improved the lives of veterans in several ways.
Firstly, the reduced administrative processing time allows Advocates to dedicate more time to directly supporting veterans.
Secondly, by enhancing collaboration, the VWMS enables Advocates to specialise in specific tasks. This has led to a further 40% reduction in administrative burden for Compensation Advocates, allowing them to submit more claims and provide more strategic support.
Thirdly, the system has significantly improved veterans’ access to critical resources. Faster processing times mean veterans can access vital support services, care, and government funding quicker.
Lastly, the VWMS also delivers positive environmental and governance outcomes, such as:
- Digital record-keeping, minimising paper waste.
- Enhanced data security by leveraging security features of the Microsoft Power Platform to safeguard sensitive veteran data.
- Efficient resource management, improved data governance, transparency and accountability, by leveraging capabilities within Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem.
A model for the future
The VWMS is a shining example of how technology can be leveraged to drive positive change. ONGC is actively exploring how the solution can be adapted and offered to other ESOs across Australia.
The solution continues to be showcased across ESO’s around the country where there has been continued interest in its development and expansion. This provided validation for the project and opened avenues for future collaboration and support.
About ONGC
ONGC is a leading IT and cyber security services company with offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and on the Gold Coast. We empower Australian organisations with tailored digital strategies and solutions, enabling them to protect their valuable assets, achieve their goals, and grow their business.
We are committed to helping Nonprofits drive their mission forward through technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and business process automation.
