ToolBank USA Launches Game-Changing Tool Ordering System

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) ATLANTA – August 26, 2010 - ToolBank USA announced today that a new tool tracking system named LFNt (pronounced "Elephant") is now operational at the Atlanta Community ToolBank. Charitable organizations access LFNt to place tool orders and manage their membership; ToolBank staff access LFNt to keep track of borrowed tools, generate tool usage reports, and facilitate a satisfaction survey among tool borrowers. ToolBank USA staff access LFNt to review survey data in an effort to promote excellence across the growing network of ToolBanks, and to create new access points for new ToolBanks. The Charlotte (N.C.) Community ToolBank, founded in Dec 2009, will use LFNt once it opens its doors for tool lending later this year.

Each ToolBank stewards a vast inventory of tools (ladders, rakes, cordless drills and more than 100 additional types of tools) that charitable organizations may borrow for use in mission-related volunteer projects. Nonprofit representatives login to LFNt to place their tool orders and request a pickup time and date. The borrowing nonprofit pays a handling fee of 3% of the retail value of the tools borrowed. ToolBank staff uses LFNt to track tool borrowing and the payment of fees, while LFNt sends emails to borrowers with overdue equipment. LFNt is designed to reduce the overall administrative burden, allowing ToolBank staff to focus on improving the customer experience and ensuring professional execution.

In the fall of 2009 The UPS Foundation awarded $135,000 to ToolBank USA to develop a web-based tool inventory management and ordering system. In addition, a team of UPS volunteers engaged ToolBank USA bringing logistics and IT expertise to the project. The team of UPS employees was led by Nick Costides, UPS vice president of information services, who also serves on the ToolBank USA board.

"The UPS team helped to define the system requirements, executed the technology selection, and managed the design, development and implementation phases of the project," said Nick Costides, UPS vice president of information services. "UPS was not only able to support funding, but brought our global experience managing the flow of goods to help create a more efficient system for the ToolBank network."

Built on BMC Remedy technology, LFNt is largely the work of the Atlanta IT firm REM Enterprise Solutions. REM Enterprise Solutions donated more than $50,000 in skilled hours to the project. "It’s not every day that we can apply our core competencies to such an exciting project," said CEO and founder Robert Mason. "The ToolBank model is clearly headed for massive expansion. When the opportunity came up to support ToolBank USA in our own unique way, we were excited to get on board." The project is also supported by the in-kind donation of managed hosting services from Datapipe, Inc.

About ToolBank USA:

ToolBank USA is leading the national movement to make an abundance of high-quality tools readily available to non-profits and their volunteers through the replication of the ToolBank program. ToolBank USA provides the business model, training, infrastructure and systems support to ToolBanks in local communities, allowing the ToolBanks to focus on core functions of customer service, accuracy, and professionalism. Initial investment in ToolBank USA has been made by The Home Depot Foundation, The UPS Foundation and Stanley Black & Decker. ToolBank USA is bringing

About The UPS Foundation:

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. UPS promotes community involvement through its ongoing volunteerism and grant programs, environmental sustainability and corporate philanthropy. In 2009, UPS’s charitable contributions totaled nearly $100 million and UPS employees and their families contributed more than 1.2 million hours of volunteer service. The company can be found on the web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

###

 

For more information contact: Tools For Change® to communities across the United States.

Kevin Lynch

kevin.lynch@toolbank.org

404-963-2551 ToolBank USA   UPS8576