sheepApp - What is it?

Describes the core features and uses of sheepApp and introduces ways it can be integrated to your website.

Joe Jeffries avatar
Written by Joe Jeffries
Updated over a week ago

The sheepApp is a web application providing specific tools and features for managing your workflows related to our core sheepCRM modules, for example;

  • New Member sign up

  • Event Ticket purchase

  • Making a donation

  • Submitting an application

It can be described as a self-service portal, members area or account area and it can be integrated to your website seamlessly with simple links, for example a 'Join now' button on your website can be linked to the first page of membership sign up in sheepApp.

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sheepApp is a core part of the sheepCRM platform, which means data is directly shared with your internal system, for example, if one of your contacts change their address in sheepApp, it's immediately updated in their contact record in sheepCRM.

Essentially sheepApp does these things (some are optional);

  • Provides an account area for your contacts (members, donors etc) to manage their own data such as contact details, consent records and interests. They can also access copies of receipts or invoices to download and view a copy of any messages sent to them such as emails.

  • Allows your contacts to engage with you and mange the workflow such as signing up to membership, renewals, purchasing event tickets, joining a team and submitting applications.

    • This handles the data capture, the payment capture and choices made by your contact.
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  • sheepApp can also support the experience of your contacts, such as giving access to view member benefits, download a PDF magazine or journal, or promoting regional teams or committees for people to join.

    • As sheepApp is part of the core platform these areas and content can be restricted so only active members can access them. This is out of the box so no need for any technical integration and these areas do not need to be built into your website saving you cost and effort.

These are specific examples of how sheepApp can be used with sheepCRM modules;

sheepMembership

  • Sign up, renew, manage membership, member benefits, membership card/certificate, member only content (e.g magazines) and access controlled features.

sheepEvents

  • Event listings & Ticket purchase (box office)

sheepTeams

  • Team (group) listings, follow, join or apply to join a team. Promoting team events and posting team news.

sheepGiving

  • Appeal listings, single donation payments, regular donation payments & gift aid declarations.

sheepSpaces

  • Venue listings, booking enquiries and booking available slots.

sheepForms

  • Application forms editing and submissions, viewing feedback.

These standard areas are also provided;

There are other optional features (subject to licence agreement) which provide further tools and experience for your contacts;

  1. Directories - data driven directories such as members or member vehicles.

  2. Archive - document archives which can be searched, access can be controlled e.g. for members only or if a purchase is made.

  3. Integrations / gateways to other platforms such as forums, training modules and commerce stores.

Options for sheepApp and integrating it to your website.

Everything above could be achieved with a customised website and detailed technical integration, using our API to automate data sharing and record creation in your CRM.

However, this will be an expensive and technical approach, so it's only suitable or attainable to those with that level of available resources and we think it's only necessary if you need a very specific custom user experience. Our team provides guidance and documentation for this approach as part of our chargeable services.

The aim of sheepApp is to provide you with all of these essential tools as part of your licence fee (NB: Some set up costs also apply), without the need and cost to build a customised website and deep technical integrations with your CRM.

However, there are options for you to find the best balance and set of tools for your organisation and its customers. These options are explained on the article below.

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