Newsletter | Team Northwoods

Our quarterly newsletter, The Compass, lets us stay in touch with customers and anyone interested in social services technology. View archived versions of The Compass or sign up to receive an electronic copy via email.

First Quarter 2020

We know a lot of agencies are grappling with the idea that what's happening today is going to change the workforce of tomorrow. Northwoods is dedicated to doing what we can to help our customers and all of the human services community navigate this challenging time. With so much work having to be done remotely or away from your team, we put together some tips for managing remote teams in human services.

Fourth Quarter 2019

At Northwoods, our “why”—the reason behind everything we do—is simple: improve outcomes for children and families by empowering the practice. Turning this belief into something tangible starts with meeting our users where you are or building technology that works whenever and wherever you do. To do this, we’ve observed caseworkers for hundreds of hours—going on ride-alongs, sitting in on home visits, shadowing them in the agency, and more.

Third Quarter 2019

Not so sure about the cloud? You’re not alone. There are plenty of counties, and even some states, still in the process of wrapping their heads around what—if any—cloud-based technologies are right for their needs. However, the benefits of the cloud, like reduced ongoing costs and automatic upgrades, are worth the conversation.

Second Quarter 2019

People turn over. Processes change. If the way you use technology doesn’t keep up with the way you work, the efficiencies and time savings you once gained may slowly trickle away—especially several years later. Read the blog to learn four tips to keep your technology on track.

First Quarter 2019

In case you’ve missed our previous emails, Microsoft will be ending support for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 on July 9, 2019, and Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 on January 14, 2020. These dates are quickly approaching, and we want to make sure you are prepared.

Fourth Quarter 2018

We’re excited to partner with the state of Ohio to implement enterprise document management in all 88 counties to transform human services delivery across the state! This project has been a huge undertaking for us this year, so we want to give you a quick update on what’s happening.

Third Quarter 2018

Director of Product Marketing Rupam Chokshi discusses the evolution of health and human services technology. Additionally, go "back-to-school" in Northwoods University to brush up on five Compass® Pilot skills in less than five minutes. Get updates from the NSC, plus check out our latest blog content.

Second Quarter 2018

Learn how your agency's dedicated Customer Success Manager can help you use our software to its full potential to meet your mission. Additionally, see what's new with Northwoods University, access resources to help ensure successful, long-term technology adoption, and check out our latest blog content.

First Quarter 2018

Chief Product Officer Don Abney shares how Product Delivery (PD) at Northwoods continues to evolve and innovate to meet customers' needs. Additionally, see what's new with Northwoods University (new Forms Design course!), celebrate Social Work Month, and check out our latest blog and Research Library content.

Fourth Quarter 2017

Learn how to handle the ripple effects of the opioid crisis on child welfare. Find out what's new with Compass® CoPilot, how to access Northwoods University, and how to merge cases in Compass® Pilot. Read about how two trends—dark data and cognitive search—impact social services, and catch up on our latest blog content.

Third Quarter 2017

Maximize your solution with Northwoods University. Read about Traverse®, our new case discovery solution, and learn how our Support Center helps keep your system running smoothly. Sign up for Research Library notifications, learn how to merge members in Compass® People, and read our latest blog content.

Second Quarter 2017

Read how one child welfare worker stepped outside her comfort zone and embraced technology to do better social work. Get access to Northwoods University, sign up for our Research Library, and meet Traverse®, our case discovery solution. Learn all about "dark data" in child welfare, and check out our latest blog content.

First Quarter 2017

Find out how our friends at Lenoir County DSS decreased turnover by 77% in their child welfare unit. See how we're celebrating Social Work Month with workers and supervisors at Carver County HHS and Sherburne County HHS. Plus, check out our latest blog content, including top conferences for human services.

Fourth Quarter 2016

Learn how your agency can leverage data from Compass® Reports to maximize efficiency. Check out written and video case studies to see how child support and adult & aging caseworkers in Lenoir County, NC are solving their paperwork problems and improving client services. Plus, read our latest blog articles.

Third Quarter 2016

Get a roundup of resources to improve your next technology implementation, debunk common child welfare social work myths, hear from a Cabarrus County DHS panel about the agency's redesigned lobby, and see what the ECM experts at "Big Men on Content" have to say about Northwoods' case discovery solution.

Second Quarter 2016

Learn how Cabarrus County DHS modernized their lobby and business processes to improve customer service. Get tips to reduce risk and increase user adoption next time your agency rolls out new technology. Catch up on our latest blog content, including a roundup of inspirational iPad wallpapers designed for social workers.