How many people at your organization can/do import data into RE? (Both gift and constituent). We are currently expanding the # of users of RE and the question has arisen should more than one person have the ability to import?

 Thanks,
Maryanne

As we are a much smaller RE user than many who use RE, we have one person who does importing, me.  

My first response is that for consistency and keeping database clean stick with one person.  But, if the work load requires more than one person, it shouldn't be a problem as long as you have good communication as to who is doing/has done what and that anyone doing the importing has enough training so that they know what they are doing. Do you have set procedures, standards/formats for data?   If you wanted to stick with one person actually doing the importing, a second person could prepare the data and do all the but the import. 

I think the biggest consideration is the workload.  Do you need more than one person to know how to import? After initial conversion and import, our need for constituent imports has been very small.  Our gifts our not entered through import.

Good luck.

I am a one woman importer -- well one woman most everything in RE.  We don't even have anyone else that can book gifts. I personally think we need to have one other person who can at least enter gifts, if not import.  The person I replaced was terminally ill and when she left they were without anyone who could do more than add notes or actions.  They went for 3-4 months without.  I really think my bosses are being short sighted by not having another staff member get a few more abilities in RE.  However, that being said, I have the feeling my job is as secure as anyone's trying to raise $$$ in this economic times.  As long as I can handle all that is asked of me, I am not going to push for others to learn.

Joann,  like everone else in these forums seem to be, I am working on a Policy and Procedure Manual in case others start entering data.  I am not going to go as far as how to Import, that can be learned elsewhere, but it will give the standards currently in use so that the data will be consistent.

I am also the only person who does importing in my office, although I'm fortunate enough to have two part-time data entry staff members.  We don't do a lot of importing, mainly for cleanup and a once-a-year data dump from our HR department.  Since we do imports so infrequently, for our purposes having one person learn the process and know it well is more efficient.  But, I have created a separate binder with the import user guide and all of my notes were I to quit or, as my boss fears, get hit by a bus.    For what it's worth, I am also the only one with supervisor rights and the ability to delete constituent or gift records.

I think Nina has a good point about other(s) being able to enter gifts.  We're a bit overstaffed here and that will probably change in the coming months, but I will strongly advocate for at least one other person having basic edit and gift entry capabilities. 

Good luck to everyone out there during these challenging times!

I am the only person (Records Coordinator)  who does this function in our office and I love it.  We have a part-time person and recently added a few positions to take the load off of our secretary who used to be a stand alone.  So much was left to not being done and the system has suffered.  It would be hard for more than one person to do importing, but they should know how to do it.  It is something that has taken me a lot of time to learn.  We do grateful patients by importing, as well as new constituents and payroll (pledge payments).  Once you know the concept, which is pretty detailed, then it is a breeze.  Automation is the way to go, because it really, in the end, is so error free as well as quicker.  There is a solution to every problem, when you become a little creative with RE.

Too many hands in the pie, could lose some of the integrity of the system.  Good communications is the key.   

Only those with supervisor-level rights do importing in my office. Not only should you consider workload, but you have to have people with the skills to import. If they don't have the skills, they need to be trained. I would not trust anyone to import into our database without having several years experience with RE and/or a solid understanding of relational databases. Importing is not for the faint-hearted!

 I am the only one here that does importing, but we are a small orginization to be using RE.  We found it best to have only 1 person do importing because if you don't do it often enough there is a lot of little details you can forget.

 Does anybody else use importing for Online Donations?  And are you willing to share your procedures?  We have been batching our gifts both online and cash/check donations but now we're evaluating directly importing online gifts to RE.  Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

Teresa Brown

 Development Systems Manager

Childhaven

316 Broadway

Seattle WA 98122

We have thousands of gifts processed montlhly by a caging company, which prepares files which I import into Raiser's Edge on a daily basis. I also do periodic imports of gifts from our hosted Web site. I use a third-pary plug-in, LockBox-O-Matic, which makes the process very streamlined. It gives me the capability to add constituent codes, attributes, gift attributes, relationships, and all the coding I need on a gift record. It also does dupe checking in an interactive process. It does have batching capability, though I am not utilizing that at present.

 I would be happy to discuss my process with you, if you are interested.

Hi Anbu,

I spotted you post on the Importing Forum and was wondering how you have got around the issue of importing the bank details for the direct debits and standing orders?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thanks

Anbu:

In our org i am the one only who does and can do import. We do imports for Online Gifts, Standing order, Direct Debits and Constituent. In my opinion it is good to have one as stand by so that things get done when THE ONE is off or on holidays. But make sure that you train the second person properly and keep the procedure notes up todate.

 Hi Kelly,

We still do the import business  every week. what is your question exactly?  do you want to import bank details or DD/SO? they both are entirly two different process. Again when you are talking about DD/SO, do you mean the recurring gift(as DD/SO set up) or the recurring gift- paycash(as installment)? if you prefer to talk over phone you can reach me at 02075821444. cheers!