Penelope Software Reviews

“Holding my data hostage!!

Pros

I cannot think of many things that I like about this software. I have come across several much better alternatives that are more flexiv and user friendly. Apps like Asana for task management, Harvest for time tracking and various invoicing apps work better and cost less.

Cons

This software is very outdated. It lacks user friendliness, making it hard to navigate. There is no keyword search function resulting in case notes becoming an overwhelming and unusable mess. Generating excel reports is not possible only cumbersome PDF ones. It takes far too many clicks to accomplish even simple tasks. The customer service is subpar despite being customers for almost a decade. They only provide client data once and in a coding format that only IT professionals can understand. If you want the data in a usable format, they charge an exorbitant amount, equivalent to twice a year's service cost. They claim it will take 35 hours, which begs the question of why they don't have an efficient process in place for something they should be doing regularly. Leaving the service is nearly impossible unless you're willing to abandon all your historical data or pay a hefty fee. I feel taken advantage of, as they are falling behind their competitors.

“It is user-friendly

Pros

I can manage my caseloads easily by this product.

Cons

The FAQs are not as helpful as I would like. Some tasks like adding a not attending worker to every service file, consume a significant amount of time.

“easy to use and customize

Pros

I like how the software is simple to use and can be easily customized to fit the requirements of our program.

Cons

Generating graphs from our reports in Penelope is not possible and I find that disappointing.

“Great features but some need features

Pros

This database is exceptionally well developed. It offers great features that can be customized to suit your specific needs.

Cons

Certain features and reporting have restrictions that require extra effort on our part to make them work as needed. The inability to delete errors results in many unnecessary entries, cluttering and confusing certain sections.

“Makes it easy to manage everything

Pros

The software is simple, user interface for our frontline counselors efficiently gets new users up and running. Its excellent for day to day case documentation and file management.

Cons

Understanding our specific needs and customizing the software proved to be a challenge. The software offers a multitude of functions and options and we had to work through some errors using the sandbox environment.

“Recommended for non-profit organizations

Pros

It offers some level of customization and is easy to use. The pricing based on user licenses works well for smaller nonprofit organizations.

Cons

The software confuses new staff members by using different names for the same action such as Cart or Unit. And there is also a lack of reporting options.

“Best for case management

Pros

The ability to link clients, family members and case workers as a single entity in a single case is valuable. Creating event triggers to remind us to fill out assessments is a helpful feature.

Cons

It is not possible to download the backend data through the web interface. This needs to be done via a separate ODBC connection which is a bit of annoyance.

“Great features but should be more organized

Pros

It has the capability to capture data for every aspect of the process. It is feature rich. Reporting directly from the raw data (from the backend) is possible but we need to have some additional info to make it work effectively.

Cons

Data entry and retrieval can be confusing since information is scattered throughout the software. I also dont like the reporting feature because of many standard reports being too specific.

“Everything becomes accessible

Pros

Penelope is complete when it comes to documenting service appointments, client assessments, referrals, notes, agency workshops and meetings. I can access the raw data via ODBC and prepare it for reporting, grant writing projections or program surveillance. The built in reports are also useful. The feature that syncs appointments with Microsoft Outlook is very convenient. Athena Software provides extensive documentation for Penelope which I find extremely helpful. Managers can easily view staff caseloads.

Cons

Accessing raw data and preparing it is quite limited without paying for a support meeting. However the provided data dictionaries and data maps are helpful. In the beginning the login credentials for downloading data can be frustrating as they are not immediately updated by the engineers but once that is resolved, ODBC works reliably. Athena responds fairly quickly to other issues. Unfortunately they do not provide support for using R but thanks to sufficient documentation from R developers, I managed to figure it out.

“So many good features

Pros

We have created a procedures manual for our volunteers based on your instructions to perform specific tasks related to recording activities and events. Even our less tech savvy volunteers can perform well thanks to the intuitive case management features. Experienced volunteers can easily pass on the learned procedures to new volunteers.

Cons

The software has a lot of features and its value increases as we learn more about it. However the learning part can be challenging for volunteers who only come in once or twice a month for a four hour shift. Constant relearning and retraining are necessary which is why we maintain a procedures manual.

“Great customer support

Pros

The Engage tool (client communication) has had a significant impact on our interactions with clients especially during COVID lockdowns. The customer service and support are always prompt, knowledgeable and flexible to our needs. Although our particular business slightly pushed the Penelope system beyond its intended scope the Athena team has been incredibly accommodating and creative in resolving our issues.

Cons

Configuring and testing the software can be difficult. The testing environments are helpful but like any software, its impossible to fully understand the consequences of system changes without testing each expected output individually. I have seen other systems that handle this aspect slightly better than Athenas Penelope.

“Really helpful and user-friendly

Pros

I find Penelope to be a user-friendly and easy to use client management system. It is the most effective system I have used in my 15 years of experience with client management systems.

Cons

I cannot think of any issues at this moment

“Expensive!

Pros

I find the support provided through submitting tickets to be very helpful. The system stays up to date with new releases and Athenas backup service is very helpful for us.

Cons

While I know there are many other features available, we have not fully explored them. However based on our limited exposure the software feels quite expensive.

“Wish it were easier for us

Pros

Its not the most easy to use software because we have to get a trained team onboard with us to customize it as per our needs.

Cons

The software lacks ease of use and requires multiple steps for tasks that should be simpler. Obtaining information and generating reports for our funders is also challenging within the system.

“Customization is fantastic

Pros

The best feature of this software is its ability to integrate multiple programs with different services. It allows me to track our families and the services they use regardless of location or program. The convenience of accessing Penelope and the extensive support from Athena (trainings, guides on the website and direct technical support) are additional outstanding features.

Cons

In the start integrating this software with our current business processes gave us a hard time. The Excel exporting feature, or lack thereof was particularly difficult. While there is an option to export data it requires additional training and time especially when merging relevant identifying and service information.

“It has been a huge help

Pros

I like that using this program will enable our office to reduce paper usage and transition to digital health records.

Cons

The setup process is very time consuming and one should not underestimate the amount of time required for this project. And some of the terminology used differs from our geographical area and office which adds a lot more to the learning.

“Needs better interface

Pros

It helps me track the progress of our clients as they go through our four phase continuum of care.

Cons

There are aspects that are not easy to navigate. it is not clear how to reach the desired destination and one must undergo training in the process as it is not self explanatory.

“A little tricky to use

Pros

It provides most of the information I need so its going well so far.

Cons

I am having trouble obtaining the exact outcomes I need. I am not sure what else to say. There seems to be a lot of back and forth involved in retrieving information. When asked for specific details about an individual client its not as simple as it seems.

“Its complicated

Pros

It has everything necessary for conducting therapy and submitting billing. I don't think you did need anything else really.

Cons

This software was not easy to use for us. It could be due to the administrators setup but even after using it for years, it remains the same, hard to understand and confusing.

“Perfect for us

Pros

Penelope was the perfect solution for the advanced case management work our staff performs across the U.S. Our customized employment professionals required a case management system that allowed for detailed narrative descriptions and the team at Athena was able to accommodate this need.

Cons

It takes some time to get this system but the effort to learn it is definitely worth it.

“Innovative product for Behavioral Health Services

Pros

The software has advanced alongside our organization continuously implementing new innovative features.

Cons

Teaching new users the organizational structure behind the software can be difficult as it is not always intuitive. Also the Billing statements are overly complicated.

“Great Case Management Software

Pros

The software is intuitive for daily use. Its functionality and ease of access for reporting are excellent. Penelope has streamlined our cases and made them quicker to access.

Cons

After downloading a photo under a profile it is not fully visible, making it difficult for our restricted users to view a clients photo. Only the forehead is visible. It would be great if our case plans could automatically populate from the initial one so we wouldn't have to enter the same information again in the progress and closing plans.

“Good product

Pros

Well I really like most of the features of Penelope. Although some tasks require multiple clicks the benefit is that the options are highly accurate and match the actuals.

Cons

I wish there were ways to integrate Penelope reports with other software or vice versa, for better bookkeeping purposes. For now I have to manually crosscheck Penelope data with other sources like Square and Cashapp. It would be better for reporting if Penelope could integrate or establish links with external services.

“Using Penelope

Pros

The software is intuitive, adaptable and can be designed to fit the needs of our Case Management Program.

Cons

I wish there was a single report that could provide all the important data I need in one go.

“Excellent product!

Pros

The best part about this software is the exceptional customer support that comes with it. With the help of the Athena team we were able to customize it to meet all our case management requirements.

Cons

Its difficult to pinpoint what we like least about the software because it has been very helpful in meeting our needs. It does take some time to get accustomed to using it and exploring all its features but once you do, it becomes very user friendly.

“potentially great data base system

Pros

After spending the past year learning how to navigate the software our team is impressed with its ability to capture details. It has provided numerous opportunities for reporting data on our various programs.

Cons

The setup process for the system requires a significant amount of work. Another drawback is learning about reports and extracting data which often involves trial and error, resulting in a time consuming process.

“Good results

Pros

Its a great resource for storing records, adding updates and retrieving client information. Setting up new accounts is very simple.

Cons

Some parts are difficult to understand without consulting the written instructions.

“CSC

Pros

Its useful for scheduling and accessing client profile information.

Cons

It is not easy to generate the specific reports we need.

“Great so far

Pros

Penelope offers a great balance between functionality and ease of use. The interface is visually attractive and can be accessed on any device. The system is easy to configure. Penelope fulfills all our business functionality needs, except for accounting which we handle in another system.

Cons

The default reporting options are quite limited but there is an option to interface with Tableau for an additional fee. Setting up security measures can be cumbersome.

“Electronic web based office suite

Pros

The softwares scheduling function is user friendly and helps us optimize our time efficiently.

Cons

The reporting function is very limited. It would be great to have the option to generate queries that can be downloaded into Excel for further analysis.

“It does a lot

Pros

Penelope offers a multiple customizable option. As a counseling center with around 50 professionals we realized our software needs are unique. Penelope was able to provide customizable options and reports (additional cost) that fit our requirements.

Cons

The software is expensive (which is a positive) but its important to note that it takes time to train, set up, install, teach others and learn the best practices. Additionally transferring reports to Excel is inconsistent. There is currently no mobile version available (although they are working on it) which is essential for fieldwork or work during commutes. Once the mobile version is launched, it will be fantastic.

“Not user friendly at all

Pros

I am not a fan of Penelope at all as there is very little I like about it.

Cons

Scheduling clients, managing indirect appointments and collaborating with other staff members is very difficult. The fees are too high considering the limitations in basic reporting. Due to the high costs we can't afford enough licenses for everyone, resulting in a rotational system for entering information into the system.

“Some pluses, some frustrations

Pros

Penelope has many features that other software lacks such as generating statistical reports and tracking anonymous client interactions. It offers flexibility in customizing and tailoring the software experience to our organization. Overall it functions well for its intended purpose.

Cons

Penelope is not easy to learn and lacks user intuitiveness. The interface is not visually appealing and the statistical reports often fail to capture the required information. There are multiple small, confusing processes leave new users feeling disheartened. For instance reopening a case file necessitates deleting the "end date" before entering new information which should be automatically invalidated upon reopening.

“Excellent clinical software

Pros

It allows proper organization and ease of use. I use Penelope daily and our counseling clinic enjoys its benefits.

Cons

When we first started using Penelope, I accidentally deleted an entire file. However that bug has been fixed now which is great news.

“Beth Moore

Pros

I really like the ability to customize Penelope to suit our non profit needs.

Cons

It would be great if it could integrate with Google Spreadsheets.

“Our experience with Penny, so far

Pros

The tech support team is excellent and the flexibility in creating forms is fantastic.

Cons

The configuration and data migration process was confusing and took more time than I imagine

“Penelope Is Great

Pros

The software allows us to maintain precise records of our clients in an organized and easy to follow manner.

Cons

When collaborating with a group, scheduling everyone at the same time becomes impossible resulting in different time slots for each member. This inefficiently blocks out more time than necessary considering clinicians' availability.

“Penelope is reliable software for scheduling, case notes and financial needs.

Pros

I love the softwares reliability. The customer support is wonderful and the navigation is easy with clear instructions. It is truly user friendly

Cons

Pulling reports can sometimes be difficult and I prefer to have customizable reports. The search field is overly broad and lacks specificity.

“I like this program!!

Pros

I can easily read my staffs input by generating reports whenever I need them. I can also pull reports to Tableau to get a quick overview of my numbers.

Cons

For now Penelope can only be accessed from work computers with the VPN installed. It would be convenient to have access from personal computers as well.

“Configuration of Penelope

Pros

Navigating and accessing the software is effortless which is especially convenient for our team working at school sites. Its much easier to access client files compared to the days of using paper.

Cons

The complete implementation process, from initial discussions about our needs and usage to going live, took approximately a year.

“Penelope Provides an Opportunity for Quality Training for our Students

Pros

In an educational/training context I find it beneficial to be able to purchase "generic" licenses. Additionally the ability to customize our own forms and documents is a great advantage. The support provided is also the best.

Cons

Setting up our system was very time consuming task. Despite this there are still reporting issues that fail to meet our requirements.

“Penelope

Pros

The software meets the majority of our needs for tracking clients, staff notes, documents and scheduling space in our building for both internal and external meetings.

Cons

I am unable to create mailing labels using Penelope. The calendar for external group meetings does not consistently synchronize between the appointment icon and the monthly calendar on the side tab. I wish the calendar functioned more like Outlook and the search should encompass all options without requiring additional clicks.

“It's a great software that's easy to use once you've learned how to use it.

Pros

It serves as a record holder and allows all staff to complete documentation. Once you become familiar with the features navigating through it is a simplest thing.

Cons

It takes a while to become expert in using all the software features. Additionally only a limited number of users can sign in simultaneously.

“Pretty Good Software!

Pros

The customer support is amazing with quick response times. The software is very intuitive and efficient.

Cons

I have been using this software daily for several months and there was one instance where the site experienced a half day outage. It would be beneficial to have a dedicated app for easier access.

“the worst ever

Pros

It would be great if the software were more user friendly for the average person.

Cons

The software is not mobile friendly as it constantly logs me out every 15 minutes. Furthermore, email communication is remarkably slow sometimes taking a day to be received.

“Penelope By Athena, good program!

Pros

I like this program for our entire staff to use. Its not difficult to navigate and we all seem to like it.

Cons

I have no negative feedback to provide.

“WORK ON IT EVERYDAY

Pros

The program is generally straightforward and most things are easy to find. It gives clear reminders if something is missing.

Cons

Some aspects of the system are vert complicated which requires multiple screens to rectify a single claim.

“I used this system as a mental health intern - it was my first exposure to mental health software.

Pros

The software has various highly useful functionalities. If you like you can delve into detailed documentation.

Cons

The user interface is quite complicated making engagement challenging at times. There are multiple pathways to access different parts of a case file or input similar information, leading to confusion.

“Good program. Bizarre service

Pros

The program is good and easy to navigate similar to other programs with similar functions. Despite witnessing the oddest service, I have been using it for a long time and hesitate to switch.

Cons

The support experience was really bad. It took a week and numerous emails to receive assistance for a minor fix and they even charged a fee for a password change. I have never encountered such charges before and it left a negative impression.

“Penelope has given us great flexibility with our student counselor population!

Pros

Students can access it anywhere and the outcome measures are excellent. The ability to visualize score charts over time is particularly effective for clients.

Cons

Deleting certain errors is very difficult most of the times. Also The provided instructions still lack the clarity I desire. When establishing new outcome measures I continue to find the process complicated.