about: data developments: history
Data Developments was established in 1985 in response to a vicar with a need for a membership program. This first program - Rollcall - was written in CP/M+ and DOS and quickly followed by financial packages: Cashcall, Covenant and Donate. As interest in the programs grew Alan Redmond gave up his other business commitments to concentrate on Data Developments. Other staff joined and when Windows was launched the programs were re-written for this new operating environment.

The new Gift Aid legislation provided the impetus for Gift, which combined the strengths of Covenant and Donate with new ideas and compliance to the new regulations. Work expanded as a wide range of customers, from Goodyear Tyre Company and Wolverhampton Race Course to refuges for abused women in London and homeless men in the Midlands, commissioned software. In 1996 Stephen Ibbs, the other original partner, joined full-time after 22 years in lecturing in Further Education.

After much discussion Data Developments decided to focus on work with Churches and Charities. As legislation changed Data Developments worked with statuary organisations to ensure the updated programs complied with the new regulations and provided approved forms such as the R68 (Gift Aid form) and the Statement of Financial Activity (SOFA).

Training courses were developed and consultancy provided. Feedback from customers identified further features, which were added to the programs. A twice yearly newsletter and website were developed to provide updates and information.

about: data developments: present
We are constantly developing new products to expand the range of software available. In addition we always ensure that our software matches the latest regulations and in addition we continue to add new features requested by users to our existing range of church administration software. We announce these through the church press,via a twice-yearly newsletter and of course, on this web site.

about: data developments: future
We will continue to invest in and expand Data Developments to ensure that our service exceeds customers' expectations and that our software retains its high quality and meets all relevant new regulations.

about: data developments: training
Hundreds of users have found our training days invaluable:
'Excellent, very helpful session in a very conducive atmosphere',
'Very well structured and paced. Covered a lot of ground very clearly'.
'Excellent training day - thanks'
A range of courses are offered from introductory to advanced by trainers experienced in delivering Further Education IT qualifications. Training is providedat Wolverhampton Science Park, London, Edinburgh and York. Numbers are limited to ensure high quality training. Each person has access to a computer so they can follow the steps being demonstrated and complete sample exercises.

about: data developments: exhibitions
We have exhibited at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) for many years, attending those in London, Manchester, Birmingham NEC and Glasgow. We always look forward to meeting old and new customers on these occasions.

about: data developments: suppliers
Sunrise Software are widely recognised as the UK's leading supplier of Christian software packages. After examining all the church administration products on the market they decided that ours were the best and have now become our sole distributors to bible bookshops.