Sydney-based software developer, Professional Advantage, will rollout a specialist aged care software package  throughout Masonic Homes’ across Adelaide and Darwin.

Professional Advantage’s Epicor SLS package is designed to provide Masonic Homes simultaneous control and management of its financial requirements as well as client billing, accommodation, lifestyle preference data and marketing functions.

“The rollout positions our company at least 6-12 months ahead of the ICT capability within SA and the NT’s aged care and retirement village sector,” Masonic Homes’ chief executive officer, Mr Doug Strain, said today.

“The system was selected after a rigorous process which included an independent assessment by Deloitte, working with the specific standards and requirements set by Masonic Homes,” Mr Strain said.

“The system has been installed on 40 sites elsewhere in Australia and that gave us a measure of comfort in ensuring it will position Masonic Homes’ ICT management as leading edge in the NT and SA.

“This is critical as individual lifestyle and health dynamics of each of our residents, in parallel with the needs of families suddenly faced with an aged care crisis, has necessitated more finite, instantaneous and relevant ICT management capability than previously existed within the sector.

“Modern aged care is now in many respects a hospitality business – with its users demanding leading edge service covering everything from accommodation, transport, entertainment, dining, extended family involvement, medical record management and complex personal health issues through to advanced nursing care.

“The selection of Epicor SLS will deliver Masonic Homes the ICT benchmarks and capability we need to more effectively run our business and minimise costs, without minimising service, to our residents and consumers.”

The Epicor SLS selected by Masonic Homes will see the aged care provider’s financial and resident information system rolled out by March next year.

The Community Services and Day Therapy ICT management components will be installed by June, while the third and final stage, line purchasing systems, is expected to be installed in July 2006.