Get RP Ready For 2017

I was brainstorming with a client recently who wanted a checklist to get ResearchPoint ready proactively for a really busy 2017, and it occurred to me lots of us could benefit from a similar process.

Because this is such a busy time of year for most development offices, I’ll share suggestions in short, manageable lists. The following ten items are “first things first” steps—quick ideas to fit into your hectic days that will set you up well for a second short list I’ll share in December.

1. Do you know the subscription level your office has for ResearchPoint and what the benefits are?  If not, log into your database, visit the upper left-hand corner of the Home page, and click Subscription Status.  You’ll find the subscription type, renewal date, and other useful details.
2. If you have users assigned in ResearchPoint who no longer work for your organization or no longer need access to the system, make those accounts inactive.  Visit Administration>Application users.
3. While you’re at it, review the system roles assigned to each user and make sure you’re still comfortable with the permissions each person has.
4. If you or your colleagues need a refresher about the basics of ResearchPoint or are new to the system and haven’t found this class yet, consider taking our complimentary class ResearchPoint: Introductory Essentials.
5. There’s also a session about WealthPoint searches, how to run them, and how to read the results.  Register for ResearchPoint: Introduction to WealthPoint if a review of that information would help.  It’s also complimentary with your RP subscription.
6. Now that you know your subscription level, the benefits, and how to work with WealthPoint searches, mark your calendar for a couple months before your RP subscription renews and plan to run any remaining WealthPoint searches in your contract.
7. If you have pages or functional areas of the database you visit regularly, add shortcuts to your Explorer Bar (left-hand side of the screen, grey navigation bar) to save a few clicks of your mouse. You’re looking for the “Add this page to my shortcuts” and “Manage my shortcuts” links.
8. If it’s hard to find queries in your Information Library, create and manage query folders to sort your queries for easy access.
9. Add the Research Lists you use regularly to your favorites list so you don’t have to dig for them.
10. And just for fun…are you adding pictures to RP for high priority records as you come across them?  If not, learn how and get started.

More ideas to come in a couple weeks!  In the interim, if you add something to your own to-do list as you check items off this one, would you share it in the comments section?