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.
