Hi all, Has anyone integrated Convio with RE? We're looking into using this and Convio says their DataSync will directly interact with the RE database. RE doesn't seem to know what I'm talking about and is researching the issue. I'm aware that RE won't support 3rd-party software but wanted to know if anyone out there has had any experience with this. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Ray Mauder

Convio does NOT interact with RE at all. They are using misleading language and lots of Convio customers get duped by this. What Convio does is takes an export you have created and run and put into an excel document containing new records and updated records you want to put into Convio and uploads it to Convio and then sends out an excel spreadsheet of new and changed records (constituent and gift) that are in Convio and puts them into spreadsheets that have all the right header fields for an import you must then run. It is not a one step process but a 3, 4 or 5 step process that takes a lot of getting used to. The other thing is you pay them to set up the sync - pull your hair out through the process because they know little about RE and then are stuck with it. You want to change it - upload or download a new field you must pay $$$ to have them re-write the data sync. It is not customizable after your initial set up. Does it work? Yes. Does it work like they market it? No. In fact the marketing people are not technical and probably couldn't tell you anything about how it works. They just tell you they have a data sync and let you assume it is something it is not. Also, Convio's customer service thus far for me has been less than satisfactory. I think they are trying to improve this but I'm not holding my breath. *** I can spell, I just can't type. Where is spell check? Melissa S. Graves Manager, Development Database & Direct Mail Planned Parenthood of Connecticut [Email Removed] 203-752-2804

RUN, take a JET plane or rocket ship away from Convio. They will claim they intregrate in RE - they do not. Our organization has 4 years experience trying to get RE and Convio to play nice together. THEY DO NOT. Take the hit - buy BBNC and live a happier - less stressful life. Scott A. Crow Database Administrator Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization [Email Removed] [i]--- Edited at 12/4/2006 4:13:01 PM by Scott Crow[/i]

I agree. We currently have Convio and RE. We will move to Net Community as soon as funding is available. Convio is a good product for the user, but not for the company who uses it. We use Convio for 6 walks. The good news is that our constituency has really taken hold of online giving - at least 50% of the walk related gifts are given online. We have had very positive results to all of our online event registration and team raiser type events. We do not even try to integrate. I don't know the latest datasync information, but I can tell you that it was never a viable choice for us. It is an export/import type of function as far as I know. Also, there is an intrinsic problem with Convio - they don't separate organization and individual records. With BBNC, you would be able to have your team raiser type events and truly integrate with RE. We use Net Solutions now and find it easy to bring in the online donations. Nora Isaac Manager, Information Technology The ALS Association, Greater Phila. Chapter [Email Removed]

Convio's TeamRaiser product is a great tool for events such as Walks and Cycling events. Our participants absolutly love it and we have increased our online fundraising by 200%. Although not without a few challenges, and the additional cost of the datasynch it does work and at a fraction of the cost of the Blackbaud product. LauraAnn Bethea Stamford Health Foundation [Email Removed]