Good Interface for Frontline Fundraisers, But Not Advanced Enough for Backend Users
December 29, 2022

Good Interface for Frontline Fundraisers, But Not Advanced Enough for Backend Users

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT

The frontline fundraisers and other staff use Raiser's Edge NXT, while I - along with everyone else in Development Operations - tend to use the database view (RE 7.) I have about eight years of experience with RE 7, so I am more comfortable with it, but some of the functions that I use it for actually require me to use the database view (Assigned Solicitor assignments, queries, attaching media to records.) However, when I design trainings for the fundraisers (opportunities/proposals, actions, etc.), I make sure to focus on how to do things in NXT, since that is how they interact with the database. NXT is a great way to make the CRM more accessible and intuitive to fundraisers (as opposed to those who work more on the backend of the database.)
  • Easy to use interface
  • Good search function
  • Notifications when you're added to an action
  • Lists are limited compared to queries/exports
  • Need to make more fields have the option to be mandatory - fundraisers are always forgetting to add them!
  • Some fields don't exist in NXT and are mandatory in database view (Note Type within an Action)
  • Search function could compensate for acronym errors (if a user added spaces/periods between letters, e.g. "U S A A" or "U.S.A.A." instead of "USAA")
  • Easy interface
  • Browser-based
  • Work center
  • Reporting
  • More fundraisers using the CRM
  • Allows for collaboration across Development teams
  • If database view goes down, NXT might be accessible still, so less lost time
The Reporting function is a great idea, but too rigid and not customizable enough. We still have to rely on reports pulled from database view (and are purchasing Fundraiser Performance Management.) If Reporting was a little more robust, we could probably avoid that and the fundraisers wouldn't have to learn two systems. Also, why do NXT and database view/FPM use different words for opportunities/proposals?? That is an unforced error.

Do you think Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT's feature set?

Yes

Did Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT again?

Yes

It is appropriate for frontline fundraisers to use, but for backend users or "superusers," it is a bit limited. I know that Lists are not supposed to replace queries/reports, but some fundraisers feel frustrated that they always have to come to Development Operations to pull things. The Reporting function is a great start, but too rigid. It's annoying that if you add attachments via NXT, they may get lost in a record merge.