We are new to Blackbaud and own Raiser's Edge and Financial Edge (G/P & A/P). Trying to decide what if any training to sign up for. The manuals and knowledgebase look very thorough and thinking we may go without much if any training. Thoughts anyone?

It is DEFINITELY to your advantage to send a 'power user' to training. The interaction and personal interaction with the instructor will give you a chance to also take issue on anything unique to your site (conversion, business rules implementation, you name it). It is also a fast-track to get you going, whereas it may actually 'cost' you more if you don't get into that fast-track.

From someone who didn't get to go to training... RE is really very user friendly and I was able to limp along and figure out a way to do most of what I wanted to with a little help from BB support, the forum, and the Knowledgebase. But the longer I use it the more I realize how much more it can do for us, how ineffeciently we are doing what we are, and how much better, faster, and easier I could be doing things if I had just known from the beginning to to some tiny thing a little differently. Training is the best way to get the big picture so you can at least start off in the right direction. I wish I had had that benefit, still beg for it, and highly recommend that anyone else starting out GET TRAINING! Tina Wilfer Development Assistant Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Appleton, WI [Email Removed]

If you are totally new to RE and have to configure the database for your organization and if there is not anyone at your organization who has any RE experience I don't see how you can go without training. I did learn RE without any training back in the prehistoric ages when it was still on DOS but I am not sure I could do that today, with all the bells and whistles it has now. Denise Stengl All Saints Healthcare Foundation Racine, WI 262.687.2208 [Email Removed]