SWS Vs. FinalSite

Kim Yager

We have recently launched our forward-facing website with FinalSite, but rely on Blackbaud services for everything else.  We are approaching contract renewal with Blackbaud and I am trying to determine what services we might lose by cancelling the SWS portion of our Blackbaud Contract.  Specifically, will we lose access the Registrations?  How about SchoolPress or PushPages?  Others?  I know we can migrate some of these functions to FinalSite, although we are not really eager to do so. However, we do not want to subscribe to duplicate services unnecessarily.  Any insight would be appreciated.

Candace Chesler

We have used the K-12 software since 2015 - and have never used the onMessage - School Website functions. In terms of the components you mentioned specifically - we do NOT have access to Registrations, SchoolPress or PushPages in K-12 - we manage all of that with Finalsite. We have integration between CORE and Finalsite. Using the Custom Fields in CORE and other dynamic tools in Finalsite - I am able to manage permissions for web access, directory fields and email distribution groups. 

Primarily - I prefer the forms function in Finalsite - allows us to create forms with conditional fields and forms that parents can fill out during the year as they need to instead of us having to publish a form for them or reset their previous responses. (Parking decals, change in authorized pick up person are two of our more common multi-use forms)

We had the Registration function in K-12 for a couple of years - used it primarily for our After School Programs and other student activities involving a fee. Registrations through K-12 always looked like "orphans" to me - with no styling on the page. With Finalsite we are able to build registration forms that are branded.

My understanding of PushPages is handled by Finalsite's Messages product. And if SchoolPress is a blog feature - then they have that covered as well.

One of the areas where Finalsite really stands out, in my opinion, is with their email messaging tools and the ability to build Workflows - to move people through a process. We have only just begun to use this tool focusing on parent recruitment. As I understand it - Finalsite and Blackbaud are partnering to increase the integration between the Admissions tools in K-12 and the email messaging in Finalsite. As I understand it - the goal is to be able to use Finalsite's tools to draw people to your site and then integrate the in to the Admissions side for a more seamless and branded experience. 

Personally, I have never regretted our decision to not partner with Blackbaud for our website. 

 

Kim Yager

Thank you for your detailed answer, Candace!  You addressed many of the questions that have gone unanswered through other channels!