An Opinion About Raiser's Edge
Celeste had inquired about my opinion on Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge (RE) in a recent comment (post). It's a program that has dominated fundraising and one that I've worked with quite a bit. However I should clarify, I don’t work with Raiser's Edge (info) directly. That is: not the database end of it. I do manage the installations, upgrades, maintenance, and troubleshooting, and currently work closely with a very talented in-house DBA. On occasion I do find myself in the development tools, though. Between the DBA’s experience and my own, I find RE to be a well conceived, well supported application. It does exactly what it is meant to do and seems to do so quite competently. More often than not, problems I come across have solutions found in the online knowledgebase. While the DBA has outwitted many of the Blackbaud support staff, I have felt they are all well enough trained for my needs, patient, responsive, and clear. That's what I need from my complex-application providers.
If you’ve not used RE, be prepared for a couple of things.
1) Complexity. Logically constructed and versatile though it may be, RE requires training for effective use. I would never setup an RE database without help. After training, new functions can be picked up relatively easily. It helps to have a dedicated staff person on RE, but there are plenty of consultants specializing in the product if needs arise.
2) Expensive. Blackbaud has made an industry out of charging non-profits exorbitant prices. Their products seem well worth it though. I would recommend RE if your non-profit can handle the initial and recurring costs.
Due to RE's costs, I recommend a few things. Speak to other non-profits that use RE to understand the full scope of RE's deployment into your organization. Don't limit yourself to just the ones Blackbaud provides as references. An investment of this level shouldn't just make fundraising and customer management easier. This product should shape the way your development department operates, opening up new roads to money and constituent generation. Have a plan for growth in place before you buy and be willing to change that plan as you experience the strengths and weaknesses of RE.
If you’ve not used RE, be prepared for a couple of things.
1) Complexity. Logically constructed and versatile though it may be, RE requires training for effective use. I would never setup an RE database without help. After training, new functions can be picked up relatively easily. It helps to have a dedicated staff person on RE, but there are plenty of consultants specializing in the product if needs arise.
2) Expensive. Blackbaud has made an industry out of charging non-profits exorbitant prices. Their products seem well worth it though. I would recommend RE if your non-profit can handle the initial and recurring costs.
Due to RE's costs, I recommend a few things. Speak to other non-profits that use RE to understand the full scope of RE's deployment into your organization. Don't limit yourself to just the ones Blackbaud provides as references. An investment of this level shouldn't just make fundraising and customer management easier. This product should shape the way your development department operates, opening up new roads to money and constituent generation. Have a plan for growth in place before you buy and be willing to change that plan as you experience the strengths and weaknesses of RE.
posted by Non-Profit IT Manager (MS) at
23:03
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5 Comments:
I would also add that before investing in Raiser's Edge speak to other similar organizations who use the software; both similar in size and in charitable cause. There may be limitations to what you can achieve because The Raiser's Edge does not facilitate your specific business requirements. Many organizations will ask Blackbaud or other independant consultants to develop customizations for their Raiser's Edge implementation so that they can continue to use the same business processes.
Speak to the vendors of your other IT systems. It may be that they have integration software that will enable you to transfer data between The Raiser's Edge and say your accounting system or your online fundraising system. This can be achieved natively in Raiser's Edge via file imports and exports but for a more automated approach a customization may be required.
David Zeidman
Zeidman Development
http://www.zeidman.info
By
David Zeidman, at 19 October, 2006 10:16
My US colleagues would agree with what you say about cost of consultancy. One of them said something along the lines of "in my 25 years in the industry I have never come across (rest of comment deleted, not because of obscenity, but because of possible offence to Blackbaud)".
I'm a UK RE user, so I have no vested interest in saying this: but there are independant consultants who may be a good alternative to Blackbaud's own. We've never used one, we just try and work out as much as we can ourselves.
By
Paul Morriss, at 20 October, 2006 11:41
In my experience, the trick to getting value out of RE is deciding to get value out of it. There are free resources available, like the RE Users Forum (http://reusers.server-planet.com) that helps users of the software network with and support each other to get the most out of their investment. The best part - Blackbaud has nothing to do with it :)
By
Peter, at 17 November, 2006 00:37
Blackbaud and Raiser's Edge, and all closed source software, counter the philosphies and missions of most non-profits. If only a viable open-source and free non-profit management suite were to be developed., Non-profits could free funds normally earmarked for expense bloat-ware and use them for their missions.
By
Anonymous, at 22 August, 2007 13:02
As a past development professional, I think very highly of the Raiser's Edge and regard it as one of the best fundraising software products on the market.
With that said, I also understand that the product is expensive and because of general maintenance fees for support, that leaves little or no money for training. As we know, fundraising staff turns over ever 18-24 months in most capacities, and finding replacement staff with RE knowledge can be a challenge.
I empathize. That's why I do what I do now.
Bradford Consulting Group LLC offers customized and affordable training and consulting programs for RE users. Visit them on the web at www.bradfordllc.com for more information.
By
Anonymous, at 24 September, 2008 16:40
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