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  • 1.  Streamlining Data Imports-What Tools Are You Using?

    Posted 24 days ago

    Hi all,
    I'm curious what other tools or software you're using for data uploads into Raiser's Edge. Specifically interested in solutions that handle things like graduation lists, current students, parent data imports, email communication, and event participation, and ideally support automation or batch processing.
    Would love to hear what's working well for your teams!



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    Samantha Barrera
    Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
    samantha.barrera@tamucc.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Streamlining Data Imports-What Tools Are You Using?

    Posted 24 days ago
    Data pipelines can vary dramatically for all of the above use cases.   

    Quite often it's not simply a matter of what application you are using beyond the built-in import functionality of RE. It's also how are you engineering the data through preparation and modeling to get it from location A To location B. Then there is the question of what tool are you actually using to ingest into RE. These two stages have to work hand in hand.    

    Two popular data ingestion tools are Omatic and Importacular. Of course as RE makes its move to a web only interface, the abilities of these two longtime vendors change. A lot of customers are concerned about the lack of functionality that Blackbaud offers through its SKY API.  And that a lot of the features needed for heavy duty work don't exist in web view whereas they did in database view.  It will all boil down to what are the specific use cases. 

    Things you'll need to consider

    What are the applications where the data is origin

    What shape is the data in and how might it need to be manipulated to be RE-ready. 

    What tool will accomplish the task of moving from one location to the next   

    If you have specific use cases, feel free to reach out   

    Dave Woodley
    Unlock*Share*Connect
    Chief Data Officer
    University of Alaska Foundation



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Streamlining Data Imports-What Tools Are You Using?

    Posted 24 days ago
    I'll add to David's excellent comment SmartSYNC from SmartThing is another tool that's gaining some traction in the space. CData also has a connector, though I've never encountered it in the wild. In fact, if anyone is using it, I'd love to hear about your experience!


    Thank you,
    Isaac Shalev
    Data Strategy Expert
    Sage70, Inc.
    (917) 859-0151
    isaac@sage70.com

    Schedule a 30-minute consultation now:





    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Streamlining Data Imports-What Tools Are You Using?

    Posted 3 days ago

    We actually are currently CData Sync for exporting Data via the API into an on prem SQL Server.  It has worked pretty well aside from the Actions Endpoint which is seemingly a Blackbaud issue.  We also currently have Omatic for handling imports but the price is getting up there are we are looking for alternative solutions.



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    Kevin Kropp
    Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Streamlining Data Imports-What Tools Are You Using?

    Posted 16 days ago

    Hi Samantha,

    Did you see the BB InsideTrack session on Raiser's Edge NXT Import last week? They hinted that you'll be able to import gifts to a batch. Also some duplicate handling for importing new records and households (students, parents). FAQs from that session: https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/84591/import-is-coming-to-blackbaud-raiser-s-edge-nxt-what-you-need-to-know. Also, there is a web view version of Importacular you can try now for free - I'm finding it covers several of the gaps that web view import is going to have: https://www.zeidman.info/?dt_portfolio=importacular

    (I'm not affiliated with Blackbaud or Zeidman, just passing on info!)

    Best,

    Amy



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    Amy Daultrey
    Software Services Consultant
    Speaker on privacy law
    amy@amydaultrey.com
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Streamlining Data Imports-What Tools Are You Using?

    Posted 2 days ago

    I wrote an import tool EasyREimport that I have been giving away for a few years. It does a few different things to help with imports. While not as robust as Omatic it can take a spreadsheet of names, addresses and gifts and using an export you upload tell you who is already in your database while creating both the new constituent gift import and the gift import to add a gift to the record currently in your database. Very good for gift files that need to be imported without importing duplicate constituents. Also, useful when you have a list of names and addresses and just want to have the constituent id and import id appended. It then morphed into a full conversion tool where you could upload a single file of constituents or a split file of gifts and constituent records there is a mapping tool to map an import file that is very complete with multiple attributes and other fields. Free to download at EasyREimport.com no signup required. There are full instructions and sample data files. I have a couple of videos on the home page showing how it works and full screen shots. All processing happens locally on your pc. Obviously, this is geared for those using Raiser's Edge.

    Jim Evans

    Director of Advancement Services

    Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation



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    Jim Evans
    Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation
    james-evans@smh.com
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    Original Message


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