accounting (AR/AP) package available as part of the program, but they=20
are not cheap. We got them as we were trying to integrate all of our=20
databases and to have an integrated, hosted solution for our SIS and web=20
presence. Final choice was between Blackbaud and Veracross/Finalsite comb=
o.
Advantages: Hosted offsite, comprehensive student information system=20
that allows you to track students and parents from cradle to grave,=20
while allowing development the ability to gently and individually=20
solicit funds and track giving. Good admissions module and developing=20
ability to attach files to individual records, very comprehensive audit=20
log, relatively easy to create a custom query (much easier than the=20
power school demos I've seen), has API that FinalSite has already=20
integrated and is not too difficult for other web services to integrate,=20
very easy to share student information and grades with parents, almost=20
everything can be done through a web browser.
Drawbacks: Unless you are a traditional school, the gradebook that=20
teachers us is not very flexible. Veracross is not SIF compliant (they=20
don't think private schools use SIF), custom reports (report cards, etc)=20
are an extra cost item, etc. True power users will want to run the=20
client, which only runs on Windows, no supported users group.
Veracross also does not have a scheduler (not even a walk-in scheduler)=20
so we use Longhouse ClassA.
Some days they seem like the best company in the world; other days you=20
wonder how they ever sold their first product. However, every time I get=20
discouraged I attend a webinar for a competing product and I see that=20
those products do not have the integration or power in Veracross.=20
Actually, I believe the Veracross folks are sitting on a goldmine (the=20
back end is the same as the one they use for their enterprise management=20
program) if they can only capitalize on it.
Derrel Fincher
Director of Information and Communication Technology
Graded - The American School of S=E3o Paulo
(Associa=E7=E3o Escola Graduada de S=E3o Paulo)
http://www.graded.br
(55 11) 3747-4800 x160 | Fax (55 11) 3742-9358
On 10/7/2009 2:19 PM, Amy Brudin wrote:
> Does anyone have any experience with Veracross? We are looking at them =
right
> now& I'd love hear anyone's thoughts....
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A forum for independent school educators
> [mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Dave Baker
> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 12:52 PM
> To:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: Re: School Software
>
> We also use inResonance and are very happy with it.
>
> Dave
>
> David Baker
> Mount Tamalpais School
> Dean of Technology
> Math Department Chair
> http://www.mttam.org/
> dbaker@mttam.org
>
>
> A forum for independent school educators<ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> on
> October 7, 2009 at 9:26 AM -0700 wrote:
> =20
>> I would echo a vote for inresonance. We use Portal in our
>> Admissions Office and Keystone in the Registrars Office. They also
>> just added a new module for posting grades and comments online
>> which our families have liked. The support is great and the
>> training worthwhile.
>>
>> Kaye Caplin
>> Portsmouth Abbey School
>>
>>
>> On 10/7/09 11:56 AM, "Renee Ramig"<rramig@sevenhillsschool.org> wrote=
:
>>
>> We use Blackbaud. It is expensive and takes a lot of training to
>> really use it well.
>>
>> I strongly suggest going with one of the InResonance solutions
>> (http://www.inresonance.com/) They are Filemaker based, so much easier
>> to learn to use, and also much more flexible for your school. The
>> people that work there are great, the pricing is less than Blackbaud
>> (both initially as well annually for support), and the customer
>> satisfaction tends to be significantly higher than with Blackbaud from
>> my experience.
>>
>> Renee Ramig
>> Seven Hills School
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: A forum for independent school educators
>> [mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Brandon Watkins
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 6:36 AM
>> To:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>> Subject: School Software
>>
>> Hello Everyone,
>>
>> We are looking at switching to a different provider for our school
>> management software. We are currently using Senior Systems, but are
>> looking to make a change. I was wondering which software package or
>> packages others are using for student management, gradebook, registrar
>> etc. and if you are using a package that integrates business office
>> functions such as accounts payable and receivable and if not what
>> accounting software you are using.
>>
>> Thank you for your time,
>>
>> Brandon Watkins
>> Director of Technology
>> The Independent School
>>
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D-L
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