When IRE Canada first began exploring new database options in 2019, they weren’t simply looking for a software replacement - they were searching for a system that could evolve alongside their organisation. As a national provider responsible for sending Canadians abroad and hosting international participants in Canada, they needed a platform that could scale, empower a small team, and simplify complex compliance processes.
From the beginning, Hanover felt like a natural fit because of its industry-specific focus and as Rob, Director of Hanover, states, “The support works because we understand the context and the industry, so we can tailor it to what clients actually need.”
What began as a simple replacement for Microsoft Access has evolved into a multi-year partnership built on collaboration, innovation, and shared understanding, one that IRE Canada now describes as “a wonderful program that functions so well for us… nothing else compares.”

Operating on an Outdated System

Before Hanover CRM, IRE Canada relied on manual processes, limited reporting and a generic application that didn’t reflect the unique nature of their programs. Applications were paper-based, spreadsheets were essential to daily work, and communication history was difficult to track across a small team.
The move to Hanover wasn’t simply about technology, it was about removing burdens that slowed the organisation down. 
When Microsoft Access was discontinued, the need for change became urgent. After reconnecting with Hanover at WYSTC, IRE Canada began discovering the full potential of the system: automation, workflows, and tools aligned to the realities of international exchange.

Creating Programs Their Way

Rebuilding programs in Hanover gave the team complete autonomy for the first time. With clear stages, triggers, and workflows, they could design processes that matched the real participant journey. Before Hanover, they weren’t interested in relearning another system that couldn’t do what they needed and now they say nothing else compares. As their Outbound Coordinator, Kori, explained, “It’s so user-friendly. Once you understand… it’s easy.”
This transformation reflects Hanover’s philosophy of building technology for the industry and with the industry. As Rob puts it, Hanover doesn’t just deliver features, it helps organisations rethink how they operate: “We want to help organisations remove repetitive admin so they can focus on providing better service, growing their business and improving culture for their team.”
The result is a clear, scalable program structure that can be cloned and expanded in hours rather than days.

Customisable Applications for Every Program

Before Hanover, IRE Canada relied on a single generic application for all outbound programs. Participants often found it confusing, and staff had to rely on manual data entry and spreadsheets to fill the gaps. The team knew they needed something more flexible - something that supported the diverse nature of their programs.
With Hanover CRM, they were able to replace this one-size-fits-all form with multiple program-specific applications tailored to the requirements of each experience. They could add the exact questions they needed, introduce clear filtering and logic, and ensure consistent, structured data collection across every program.
This level of customisation allowed them to focus fully on the participant experience. Each form now guides applicants through a journey that makes sense for them, eliminating confusion and giving the team far richer insights.
Amanda, Outbound Team Member, says, “The customizable portion is amazing… Before, we had one application”
The shift gave IRE Canada the freedom to operate with greater clarity, accuracy and confidence - all while building application processes that finally mirrored the reality of their programs.

Efficiency That Scales

As IRE Canada deepened their use of Hanover CRM, automations quickly became one of the most transformative aspects of their rebuild. What once required daily manual effort, sending reminders, shifting stages, following up with applicants, or triggering next steps, is now handled automatically in the background. The team can clone existing automations, adjust the logic, and roll them out across new programs with minimal effort, creating a reliable system that supports their workflow rather than slowing it down.
These automations now manage large parts of the participant journey, reducing repetitive tasks and freeing the team to focus on higher-value support. For IRE Canada, this shift has been a game changer, especially as they prepare to introduce a fully automated process where participants can apply, pay, and receive their application instantly without staff intervention until submission. “This season, participants can apply, pay and receive their application without us touching anything unless they have questions.”
Rob explains that this shift is central to Hanover’s mission: “We remove the manual work that holds organisations back.” He continues, “We built the automation module because we lived through the manual pain in this industry.” Then they can spend more time on what actually moves the business and the experience forward.”
Alongside automation, the Communication Log has become an essential part of their everyday work. Every email, call, or conversation is recorded directly on the applicant’s profile, giving the entire team real-time visibility into interactions. This has eliminated the guesswork and back-and-forth that previously slowed them down. Amanda, their Outbound Team Member, says, “We use the communication logs all the time. Anyone can jump in and instantly see what’s going on.”
Whether someone is away or a case needs to be reassigned, the history is there, clear, centralised and accessible. The combination of automated workflows and transparent communication logs has created a smoother, more efficient, and more coordinated participant experience across the entire organisation.

A Knowledge Base That Enables Self-Sufficiency

As IRE Canada rebuilt their programs, they found the learning curve supported at every step by Hanover’s guidance and resources. The team highlighted how easy it was to self-learn within the system, supported by a comprehensive knowledge base filled with step-by-step videos and clear explanations.
The ability to quickly search for answers, watch short tutorials, and follow guided walkthroughs gave them the confidence to explore more advanced features such as automations, triggers and multi-stage workflows. This meant they could progress at their own pace while still knowing support was readily available whenever they needed it.
“The knowledge base is awesome… it’s really easy to find what you need, and the videos walk you through everything.”
Combined with friendly, responsive support from the Hanover team, IRE Canada felt equipped not just to use the system, but to truly master it, turning self-learning into a key part of their growth and success with the platform.

A Partnership That Truly Matters

For IRE Canada, Hanover has become more than software, it’s a trusted partner. From the very beginning, they felt not just supported, but genuinely understood. The team consistently emphasised that working with Hanover feels less like interacting with a software provider and more like collaborating with a trusted partner who is invested in their success.
Rob says, “We attend conferences, visit clients, and make sure we understand them as people - it’s how strong partnerships and win-wins happen.” This past year, IRE Canada was “at a conference and found ourselves telling other organisations, ‘You don’t know what you’re missing.’”
Their feedback is listened to, valued and often directly reflected in product development. Rob states, “We are in the industry and for the industry. We don’t just deliver what clients ask for, we add experience and ideas they haven’t considered.” 
What stands out for them is the level of personal attention they receive. Whether it’s quick responses, tailored guidance, or video walkthroughs made specifically to help them navigate a challenge, the Hanover team always meets them with patience, clarity, and a sense of genuine care. Kori says, “Working with Hanover feels like working with family. We always get personal attention, never just a ticket response.” 
This client-driven approach is core to Hanover’s shared-tenant model, Rob goes on to say, “Most organisations can’t afford a bespoke system. But with a shared system, everyone benefits from improvements and helps shape technology for the whole industry.”
This personalised support has given IRE Canada the confidence to explore new features, rebuild its programs, and take full advantage of the platform’s capabilities. They know they can ask questions without hesitation, request help when needed, and receive practical, friendly guidance in return.
More importantly, they feel heard. Their feedback doesn’t disappear into a queue; it becomes part of Hanover’s roadmap. “You genuinely listen to feedback and make the changes we actually need.” Community is at the heart of what we do at Hanover and, as brought up by Rob, “We grow the product by listening, collecting feedback and building for everyone.”
Partnerships like this also drive Hanover’s reputation and growth: Hanover’s Director, Rob, mentioned that “The majority of our new clients come from recommendations. These relationships are the foundation of our reputation.”
This ongoing collaboration has created a sense of partnership that goes far beyond software. For IRE Canada, Hanover isn’t just a system, it’s a team standing beside them, helping them grow, improve, and deliver better experiences for their participants every step of the way.

Round-Up

IRE Canada’s experience represents a complete modernisation of its operations. By rebuilding workflows, adopting customised applications and introducing powerful automations and communication tools, the organisation has moved from manual processes to a streamlined, modern system that supports their work at scale.
As Rob summarises, the partnership has evolved through stages of learning, collaboration and performance: “We now have a mutually beneficial relationship where their business is growing and their feedback is making Hanover better for everyone. Almost all of our new clients come through these kinds of trusted relationships and recommendations.”
With guidance from Hanover’s support team and the ability to self-learn through the knowledge base, IRE Canada gained the confidence to fully customise the platform to match their unique needs. What began as a database replacement has evolved into a partnership that shapes how their organisation operates every day.
From technology to partnership to shared improvement, Hanover has enabled IRE Canada to deliver their programs with greater clarity, efficiency and confidence than ever before.