We use Blackbaud and have completed the conversion. Two years ago we
converted to AP/AR/GL to Financial Edge BUT chose not to do SB at that
time. The conversion required a significant amount of planning by our
controller (we did pre-conversion training for our controller as well),
conversion and then post-conversion consulting and training. We
experienced problems with the conversion and we had to do a tremendous
amount of work to set-up reports and exports. Our audit also took
longer as a result of the conversion.=20
This past February we did the SB and EE conversion. As a result of the
issues we had experienced with the FE conversion, we began planning a
year in advance. In addition to the typical conversion issues, we had
to rethink our SB process, develop new reports (report cards,
transcripts, attendance, contracts etc.) and our trainer did not
understand our business need and tried to make us conform to the
product. We ultimately found another trainer who was able to help us
fit our process to the product. This was a time consuming, resource
draining, expensive conversion. =20
Rahel Rosner
Chief Operating Officer
Solomon Schechter School of Westchester
965 students
2 campuses
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Ann Hamel
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 11:55 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Alternative to Blackbaud's Financial Edge?
We are a 250-student boarding/day secondary school and currently use
Blackbaud's Financial Edge. With our current software losing support at
the end of 2007, we are searching out what alternatives folks might
suggest to the expensive "upgrade" that Blackbaud is requiring.
1. If you have a product that you like and wouldn't mind sharing
that info with me, please contact me off the listserv (ahamel@fvs.edu)
with details.
2. If you use the same product and has already done the conversion
to the upgrade, could you share your experience with me?
3. Would anyone recommend retaining the product and seeking someone
outside Blackbaud to cover the support? We have been referred to
ex-Blackbaud employees in the past to answer questions that Blackbaud
support could not and wonder if this might be a viable solution.
Thanks for your support,
Ann
Ann Hamel
Director of Technology
Fountain Valley School
6155 Fountain Valley School Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
719-391-5330
ahamel@fvs.edu
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