We've been told that we need a separate web server with 2 GHz processor, 1 GB ram and RAID 1 drive at a minimum. I've placed a call to BB's Sales department to see if they offer the same functionality in BBNC.

I really appreciate all of the input on this subject. I just had a pretty intense webex/conference call with Sachin Wadhawan and Smokey Mountain from Convio. The primary topic was the integration with RE. I printed all of your issues and asked them about each one without sharing that I had received this info in a RE Forum. It made for a pretty long meeting and they have to get back to me on a few of the issues. We are also going to have a similiar meeting with GetActive too. I'm pretty sure we'd come up against the same type of limitations when dealing with integrating with RE with either company. If anyone has any input on GetActive or more info on how the NetSolutions is superior, I'd love to hear about it either on the Forum, on the phone or via e-mail. Thanks! Trini Ramos Database Coordinator Monterey Bay Aquarium [Email Removed] 831-648-4927

Trini - I'd love to hear what you find out from Convio. I had a second conference call with them today and it also took a while because I too brought up some of the issues on the RE forum. If you wish, feel free to contact me offline at: [Email Removed] Thanks, Ray [i]--- Edited at 12/12/2006 6:40:22 PM by Ray Mauder[/i] [i]--- Edited at 12/12/2006 6:41:14 PM by Ray Mauder[/i]

I would suggest to anyone considering the Convio integration with RE to have Convio take you through the entire process. You may be taken just to the export from Convio - you want to see the import process. It's difficult to judge the cost of additional procedure and cleanup. I've found that examining these types of issues can change your vision of what is "cost effective". Nora Isaac Manager, Information Technology The ALS Association, Greater Phila. Chapter [Email Removed]

We currently have NetSolutions and would say that to purchase that module would be a very basic entry point into email marketing. The online giving pages you can create with NetSolutions are, at best, bad. The information you receive about the effectiveness of an e,mail campaign is VERY limited.

I would warn you to be very clear on what your goals are before purchasing a solution, either from Convio, Blackbaud, or another vendor.

We have used NetSolutions for three years and are moving to NetCommunity. We chose it over Convio for price and database integration.

If I can help in any way please contact me. [Email Removed].

We're looking at purchasing Convio and I don't see the reason to have their Connector. It appears to me that the DataSync would provide everything except to 'automate' the process. (Plus that fact that the Connector is supposed to access our live database. I cringe when I hear that.) Does anyone use the DataSync without the Connector? If so, do you lack any functionality that the Connector would provide? I'm not sold on the idea we need it and need to justify my opinion. Thanks!

i don't think most of us have the connector yet since i believe it just became available recently. i did get to hear all about it at the convio conference in november and it does sound cool but my big question is why should those of us who have already paid for the custom data sync pay again to get the connector and for heller to design it? Sandy Hart Project Bread Development Data Manager [Email Removed]

Does your DataSync do everything you need it to? The way Convio portrayed it was they would design the DataSync specifically for us. How well does the DataSync work?

I'm a tough one to ask about the data sync because i started here less than 3 months ago and those who knew how it was set up are gone so we're in the process of figuring out what was done and how we fix it - apparently it hasn't been running properly for at least the last 8 months. i will say that it took some time but convio has been very helpful getting me up to speed (once we were able to get our account manager and others outside of regular support involved). the biggest problem i see with the data sync is that when you call the convio support there really isn't anyone there who can really help since it is custom and designed for each org so customer support has been very difficult. my one other big issue now remains that they are doing such a big push for the connector but we've already paid for the custom sync so why would we pay for the connector and a heck of a lot more for it to be written custom for us through heller consulting. my 2 cents is that we paid for a custom sync and if they now have a way to streamline it we (those of us already paid) should benefit from their new knowledge - okay - i'll get off my soapbox now :) --i should also say that i am a past netcommunity user and wish that we (here) looked into it more when the decision was made a year ago. don't get me wrong, netcommunity has issues of it's own but they seem to be working on them. Sandy Hart Project Bread Development Data Manager [Email Removed]

OK, thanks everyone for your input. I have to make my final recommendation today and I'm not convinced we need this Connector. However, I cannot tell if I can get around purchasing it. I do NOT want the Connector accessing my live database (supposedly a ‘benefit’) for a multitude of reasons but need some more information. Convio’s standard line is that we DO need it but I don't see why. Has anyone been able to purchase JUST the DataSync and not the Connector?

We have the custom datasync and it seems to work fine. We use it to import gifts and update constituent information. However, I agree with others who have said that you can't easily modify or add fields without paying lots of money to Convio. I also agree it's difficult to get at some of the information that Convio collects. We have created some work arounds that allow us to do a mail merge file, export it to Excel, format the file, and import to RE. We also looked at the connector but we discovered that our custom datasync was actually better and gave us more information then the connector would give us, so no reason for us to buy it.

Thanks again for the input. We have signed with Convio (because it does address a lot of things that I have heard Net Communities does not.) However, that said, we have already conveyed our reservations AND have told them (Convio) upfront that we will not be utilizing certain functionality. We were told the Connector and DataSync are one and the same and cannot be separated. Due to the fact that we have been asking Convio very specific questions and have reservations from the onset, Convio has drawn up a specific contract that will allow us to discontinue our association with Convio after (1) year, penalty free, if we feel their software package does not meet our needs. The Development Department (which I am part of) will have to determine how we want the Connector/DataSync configured in the next 2 or 3 months. I am hoping to glean more help/wisdom from Convio forum users as to what pit falls to avoid during this process.

What did you think Convio did better than NetCommunity? We will be moving from Convio to BBNC in the next year. Scott A. Crow Database Administrator Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization [Email Removed]

Hi Kristen

We currently have Convio.  I have a lot of problems trying to get the data out and into Raiser's Edge.  It sounds like you figured out a way to do this.  Can you share that with me.  I've been going back and forth with Convio and they are no help at all.  I'm looking for a way to pull out all the information we gathered for our recent walk.  I want constituent, gifts, sponsors, teams, etc. without creating duplicates in RE.  Any suggestions would be helpful.  You can email me privately.

Patti

I would love to hear some feedback too. We have Convio and just finished (after 4 months) importing records from our Walk into Convio. We had to do it with exporting from Convio to a csv file, cleaning up the file and then importing the records into Raiser's Edge. Someone else exported and imported the gift records into raiser's edge, which was a long painful process. We had a conference call with Convio regarding the data sync yesterday, and we are still not sure how and if it will work. We really want to see the process from Convio to reassure us that it will work. I would love to hear from someone that used the data sync from Convio.

Julianne