Markham, ON (October 1, 2008)–Helix is happy and proud to announce that it is celebrating its twentieth year in business. Helix started operations in October 1988 as a provider of products and services for the IBM AS/400 series of mainframe computers. Early Helix projects included a 3-year exclusive contract with IBM to provide AS/400 training to IBM customers; development of a freight forwarding system for PBB Global Logistics; design and implementation of a move management system for Employee Relocation Services Ltd.; development of an automated reservation network for Tilden Rent-a-Car; and the implementation of a large enterprise-wide AS/400 system for Macleans Magazine. Helix also created a Computer Assisted Software Development (CASE) application that automated the task of writing software.
Helix volunteered on the United Way of Greater Toronto's (UWGT) technology committee and donated its CASE application to them to assist in the development of their Fundraising Management System (FMS). In 1990, as other United Ways became interested in FMS, UWGT contracted with Helix for the support, maintenance, and marketing of FMS. Shortly thereafter, Helix abandoned all other lines of business to focus exclusively on the nonprofit sector and, specifically, large United Way organizations.
FMS grew to be utilized by nearly 40% of Metro 1 United Ways (those raising $9M or more annually). By the mid-1990s, it became obvious that mainframe technology was too expensive for most smaller nonprofits, so Helix embarked on the development of a new Windows-based application called Andar. Although Helix relied on the business knowledge and expertise it had gleaned from its FMS experience, Andar was designed from the ground up, using the latest object-oriented programming and web-enabled technologies. Helix also partnered with Key Koncepts Data Solutions, Inc., a sales and marketing organization with a proven record with United Way organizations, to assist in the sales and marketing of Andar.
All FMS customers across the United States have since chosen Andar as their strategic donor management software. So far, 73% of all United Way Metro 1Cs (those raising $25M or more) have chosen Andar as well as nearly 60% of all United Ways raising over $2M. Helix is very proud to say that all of them remain loyal customers.
As Andar grew, it became obvious that it wasn't just for fundraising anymore. Andar now offers modules including Constituent Relationship Management (CRM), integration with Microsoft Outlook, online pledging, volunteer management, program outcomes measurement, information & referral, and many others. All of these modules are fully integrated into one database without the need to transfer information from one module to another. All information is live and real-time. In 2005, to reflect the true nature of the product, Helix rebranded Andar to Andar/360.
Andar/360's market share is growing at an accelerated rate and is now being used in 47 States... from Miami, Florida to Fairbanks, Alaska; from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon; to Honolulu, Hawaii. And Andar/360 is not used exclusively by United Way organizations – numerous Earth Share Federations, Community Shares, as well as religious and educational organizations have also chosen Andar.
Over the past two decades, we have established very close relationships with our customers and we have absorbed much of the culture of the not-for-profit sector. Helix views the mission of the nonprofits as critical to the functioning of society, and we see ourselves as a partner in this endeavour. Helix remains committed to providing technologically superior tools and to delivering the superb service for which we are known. We look forward to serving our customers for many years to come.
For more information, visit www.Andar360.com.
Helix is a leading provider of cost-effective, enterprise-wide fundraising and community support software to nonprofit organizations. Drawing on its 15 years of service and experience with the nonprofit sector, Helix offers within its “ Andar/360 Fundraising Software,” an integrated suite of products that addresses various missions of non-profits, such as fundraising campaign management, online giving,
allocation of funds,
outcomes measurements,
volunteer matching,
and community services
such as
Information & Referral (211).
In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Although Helix attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Back
View News Archive
| 
Friday Morning
Real Bedard's Blog