Robert Weiner

JULY 10, 2012

We want a more efficient, more productive, easier to use, more flexible, “you name it” system. So if I acquire a new software product, how do I “cost justify” that without considering all the legs of the system stool? (We An inability to hire staff who know how to use or support the database in question. Time-management.

Database 181

Database ROI Donor Listserv 181

Robert Weiner

DECEMBER 21, 2012

A question was posted to a listserve for nonprofit techies looking for tips on training staff on a new database. The trainer needs to understand the database, present technical concepts clearly and without jargon, teach at the students' level, and be incredibly patient. Train end users on a sample database, not production data.

Database 166

Database Training Train Classroom 166

Robert Weiner

MARCH 17, 2013

Bottom line – (our software) received more “Excellent” ratings than any of the over 33 products reviewed! They have published numerous reports and whitepapers on technology for nonprofit organizations. The report they sent is actually from 2011, so I wouldn’t call it “recent” if I were them.).

Rate 138

Rate Database Donor Analysis 138

Robert Weiner

AUGUST 30, 2012

Today the news is that Blackbaud is killing off Common Ground , one of the two donor management products (aka CRMs or Constituent Relationship Management systems) that they acquired from Convio. They were still actively pitching the product to my clients just last week. I'm surprised that things turned out this way.

Blackbaud 264

Blackbaud Convio Database Austin 264

Robert Weiner

FEBRUARY 1, 2011

Idealware is updating its 2009 report on low-cost donor databases.

Report 122

Report Product Donor Database 122

Robert Weiner

JANUARY 27, 2012

Disclosures: I have clients that use both companies’ products, as well as products from their competitors, open source products, and homegrown solutions. My main questions are about product strategies. Will they really be willing and able to maintain all of these products and codebases? Here my perspective.

Blackbaud 222

Blackbaud Convio Open Source Product 222

Robert Weiner

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

This could undermine nonprofits’ willingness to use cloud-based (aka Software as a Service or SaaS) databases. But with a cloud-based system, when a vendor ends support or goes out of business the product can simply vanish. (And of course Blackbaud’s competitors are only too happy to capitalize on these fears.).

Blackbaud 171

Blackbaud Convio Database Statistics 171