Item: MIP Fund Accounting
Rating: 10
Author: Nikki Patterson

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

MIP is being used to track revenue and expenses for UW Advancement, UW Alumni Association, and the UW Foundation. It allows us to cut data into many different slices or combine specific data with ease. It also allows us to upload data from the university financial system electronically which cuts down on time and entry errors.

Pros and Cons

It has a relational data base so the same segments can be used for several areas but still allow for specification in reporting.
The review seats let us give access to people outside the finance department while maintaining the integrity of the data.
Easily manipulate reporting selections to quickly make changes and be able to analyze data in several different ways - by segment, by date, by columns.

I would like to be able to post annual budget figures by cutting and pasting from Excel. We used to be able to do that but the feature disappeared a few years ago.
The email feature does not work for us because of the configuration of the university servers. It would be great if you could explore the compatibility with large systems with several layers of security.
The adding reports to the Favorites section does not always work. Several times I have not been able to find the report I want to add in the drop down list. This happens regardless of adding the report and shutting down the system and restarting it.

Return on Investment

MIP has had a positive impact on ROI for us. The savings in staff hours has more than paid for the software and the annual maintenance fee.
MIP has enabled us to provide accurate data in a variety of report types.
MIP has given the report users access to timely data.

Effectiveness at Managing Multiple Fund Sources

I believe we have achieved this benefit by being able to track revenues and expenses from different funding sources. We can run reports on the data by a specific source or in combination. The system also allows reporting across fiscal years which is great if the funding sources runs on a different reporting timeline than we do.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Dynamics GP

For me, there is no comparison - MIP wins every time. When I first started using MIP, it was one of the few (if not the only) relational software out there. At that time the non-profit I worked for had 12 legal entities and needed something that could do the separation without have 12 different chart of accounts. When we needed new software in my present position, I felt MIP would fit the bill and it has.

Other Software Used

Trello

Likelihood to Recommend

MIP is the software to use if you need to track and report on several different entities/departments/units. We have three entities we work with and have to include some but not all of the same data in two of them. The import feature provides a mechanism to manipulate that data prior to importing. We can also combine data from the entities using one or more of the segments.

Users and Roles

14 - Financial accounting and management.

Support Headcount Required

1 - Our IT help has more to do with the university system than the MIP software.

Business Processes Supported

Accurate and timely revenue and expense reporting to managers.
Reporting transactions to managers and administrative staff.

Innovative Uses

We are able to record the same transactions in two legal entities.

Future Planned Uses

Possibly use it for charts.

Likelihood to Renew

It's the best software to fit our needs.

Products Replaced

Yes - Great Plains

Key Differentiators

Product Features
Product Usability
Prior Experience with the Product
Vendor Reputation

The feature of a relational data base was a huge selling point. It took the previous account codes down from about 250 to 50.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

I would not do anything different.

Implementation Rating

I would not implement without the help of a reseller.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Vendor implemented

Implementation Phases

Change Management Lessons

Change management was minimal - To always include all parties.

Implementation Issues

Figuring out what segments to use.
Trying to match the university legacy system with MIP so that transactions could be imported instead of entered manually.

Support Rating

Our reseller and the MIP technical support team has been very reactive when questions or problems have arisen. The reseller has been especially helpful in figuring what to do about entry problems.

MIP Fund Accounting Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response	None

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

Financial Reporting
Budget Entry
Transaction Entry

Difficult Tasks

Maintaining system security
Adding or deleting users
Chart of accounts report

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

Yes, but I don't use it

I love MIP!

Overall Satisfaction with Abila MIP Fund Accounting