Raiser's Edge NXT - Database Review - Training - Processes and Procedures - Data Cleaning - Gift/Direct Debit Processing - Procurement - Implementation - Raiser's Edge Software Audit - Hiring and Building Teams - General Database Management
Raiser's Edge NXT
Thinking about the move? It’s easier than you think.
After a fairly slow start, there now seem to be more and more not-for-profits making, or thinking about making, the switch to Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Whilst the term ‘database migration’ can spark fear in many (and not enough in some), the truth is that the switchover is much simpler than it sounds.
We can advise on whether it is the right move for your organisation, manage the move and get users up to speed with the new look, feel and functionality of NXT.
Database Review
Are you optimising your database?/Are you making the most of your database?
Is your database not functioning as you think it should? Are users or senior management unable to get the information they need? Has confidence in it been shaken? Has your chief executive ever uttered words to the effect of: “We should look into getting a new system!?”
These are all quite common as databases progress and maybe it is in need of a bit of tender, loving care.
The truth is that in a lot of cases, the database as a product is perfectly fit for purpose; it is the application of it that lets it, and your organisation, down.
There are a number of reasons for commissioning a Database Review. Processes may need reviewing, data may need restructuring, tables may be in need of order and cleaning. Perhaps there is no consistent approach to the database across the organisation and different areas operate in silos, creating confusion and inefficiency.
It is amazing how often we come across people using very long and lengthy methods to achieve something when there was a much more efficient way of doing it available, but no-one had ever had the time or knowledge to find it.
Whatever it might be, we can review your organisation's use of the database with the key stakeholders, identify improvement areas and develop processes and procedures to ensure you optimise your database as a resource.
Training
Based on your data and tailored to suit your needs
The training of users is essential to the wellbeing of any database and its users.
Not only does it help with the upkeep of consistent processes, but is also a great enabler to users, making them feel better supported and giving them the confidence to work with one of the most important and powerful tools at their disposal.
Whether it's one on one or group sessions, we provide training from the basics up to more tailored packages, based on your data and processes, (or maybe processes we have developed). This means that users will have direct points of reference that bring relevance and clarity to their day to day work, as opposed to the more vague conceptualisations available in some training offerings.
Policies and Procedures
Nail down your processes and ensure greater understanding
Whilst we specialise in The Raiser’s Edge, we are also aware that you need to pick the right solution for your organisation. There will always be compromises, but it is important to scope out what you need a database to do and why, and then find the best system for your requirements.
It is very easy to end up with the wrong solution by not mapping out your exact requirements, but that is not the end of it. Understanding the crucial choices to be made when assessing different products is essential, and it is not always as obvious as you might think.
It is also vital to identify the key stakeholders and ensure they are involved in the process, as their buy-in is a key factor in the acceptance, timely adoption and success of this kind of project.
We will facilitate this scoping and work with you and potential suppliers to find the appropriate solution based on your requirements.
Data Cleaning
Get advice on your data cleaning requirements, the advantages and pitfalls
Regular cleansing of the data is another vital ingredient of good data management. Not only can it improve your relationships with contacts, but can actually save money as well.
You cannot always rely on people to tell you when you have got it wrong. Consequently, your suppression flags will always be found wanting if you are relying on information coming back to you from mailing recipients.
Whether it be flagging deceased records, address changes, movers, duplicates or "goneaways", all can avoid embarrassment at best and offence at worst, when contacting the people on your database. Relationships can take years to build and seconds to ruin with dirty data. Don’t let your organisation be caught out.
Data cleaning can be a huge and wide-ranging task and is a term often talked about, seldom understood. We can help you to build a consistent plan for cleaning the data on your database, arrange a data audit, work with data cleaning houses, build a common understanding of the parameters, requirements and possibilities (and impossibilities) and administer the necessary changes.
Gift/Direct Debit Processing
Building a consistent approach to gift data across the organisation
Are you getting what you need from the gift functionality of your database? Are you having issues with processing direct debits?
Raising money is, obviously, one of the primary goals of your organisation, so it is crucial to have a consistent approach and remain accountable to donors and service recipients alike. It is, therefore, important to have a consistent and efficient method of recording this income on the database.
We can review your current donation procedures and direct debit processing to ensure you have a consistent approach across the organisation that fits in with your finance team, and enables accurate reporting and transparency.
Procurement
Make sure you pick the right solution
Whilst we specialise in The Raiser’s Edge, we are also aware that you need to pick the right solution for your organisation. There will always be compromises, but it is important to scope out what you need a database to do and why, and then find the best system for your requirements.
It is very easy to end up with the wrong solution by not mapping out your exact requirements, but that is not the end of it. Understanding the crucial choices to be made when assessing different products is essential, and it is not always as obvious as you might think.
It is also vital to identify the key stakeholders and ensure they are involved in the process, as their buy-in is a key factor in the acceptance, timely adoption and success of this kind of project.
We will facilitate this scoping and work with you and potential suppliers to find the appropriate solution based on your requirements.
Implementation
Ensuring you start off on the right foot
As with Procurement, key stakeholder involvement is crucial at this stage. Clearly the projects are intrinsically linked. However, if we are coming in once the decision has been made, and the procurement process perhaps wasn’t what it could have been, it’s not too late!
The implementation stage is the most important part of the process of getting your CRM up and running yet, too often, it is either rushed or developed with little or no input from the people who will actually be using it.
It is worth investing the time to get this right rather than facing the inevitable problems down the road. Confidence is a very fragile commodity when it comes to databases and if it is damaged from day one, it is very difficult to restore.
Many of our roles have involved troubleshooting systems that were not set-up properly in the first place. It is crucial to take a structured approach to implementing a new system and defining the appropriate roles and responsibilities to ensure that standards do not slip.
If, a couple of years down the line, the database feels out of control and in a state of dis-order, then any confidence that has built up is easily shaken.
We will work with you to ensure that not only is the database implemented to do what it is needed to do, but that the correct procedures are in place which will provide the structure to carry the database forward.
Hiring and Building Teams
Make sure you have the right team in place to carry your database forward
With an increasing reliance on the database, especially as you ask it to do more, it is crucial to have the right people in place. You need a team with a “can-do” attitude who can make sure you get everything you need from the system.
A good database team will be at the core of good data management, employing and promoting best practice as well as enabling the organisation to harness the full potential of the CRM on a day to day basis.
Experience has taught us what what it takes to build a strong database team and the importance of getting the right staff. We can help you select and interview the strongest candidates with the right knowledge and skills set to help you build the best team for the job.
Raiser’s Edge Software Audit
Optimise the performance of your Raiser’s Edge database; don’t be held back.
On occasions, some of the problems being experienced with Raiser’s Edge, such as slowness, crashing, licencing, curious error messages etc, can be caused by issues with the software or hardware. This is often an overlooked area, but just as vital to a healthy database as good data management. Confidence can quickly erode if these sorts of issues pervade users on a continual basis.
We can help with any problems you may be experiencing which could be linked to the software or hardware that might be hindering the functionality of the database. We can work both with users and the software vendor to create plan to improve your system’s
General Database Management
Temporary cover or shaping a new role
Like any process or function in an organisation, the database needs managing. Databases are very rarely self-managing and a good database manager can provide the glue that sticks all the various elements and requirements together.
Without that central management, the promotion of the database as a central resource and all the consistency and procedures required for an accurate and reliable tool can, even with the best will in the world, quickly evaporate.
Our experience covers all aspects of database management, so we can provide cover as a database manager for an interim period, or help to shape the role of a database manager within the team or organisational structure.
Contact
If you need our help with your database, have any questions or would like some advice, then please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.
07958 996951