NXT seem slower than the past version?

Sheila Searle

When adding invoices, cash receipts, or journal entries, the entry fields seem very slow to populate. In the prior version, we were able to type the account number and tab, and it would fill in. Now, if you don't wait for the dropdown, it chooses a random (or no) number. Very frustrating, since it slows down entry and wastes time. Also, causes errors when you are in a hurry - you have to double check every payment before you save to make sure the account number and project are correct.

Another issue I'm randomly having is when posting cash receipts, for no apparent reason, when I tab from the account number to the amount, the dollar sign flashes and then goes away. You then have to use the mouse to click into the cell and add the amount, but when you tab to the project, where it auto filled prior, now it doesn't. Also the fund no longer auto populates. This is purely random and will work for multiple payments, then just stop working. I've tried logging out and back in - sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.

This just doesn't feel like an upgrade - feels like a downgrade.

Jennifer Benson

I have had a help desk ticket out since 04/2024 and have also asked within this thread. Please create a help desk ticket. They are not listening to me and believe this is a one person problem when it is system wide. I can not work in the afternoons is it so bad. Every time I enter an invoice, post, attempt to add a journal ect I get the green dot.

Jeff Trzaska

@Jennifer Benson

They always give some BS tips for checking on your end to resolve the problem. I have found the problem is usually resolved by complaining about it. Then even though it certainly isn't on BB's end, it also gets fixed after you point it out to them. My hypothesis is that they are skimping on resources and they reduce the resources over time. Until you complain about it being slow. Then they plug in another server. It usually happens about every six months.

Amy Dybala

@Sheila Searle YES! I noticed this as well which is why I have been hesitant to even start using NXT. Rep on the phone kept telling me it was super-fast and the issue was on my end with my Internet provider. No matter how many times I said it was definitely slower, she kept repeating the same message. It sounded like she was reading directly from a bulletin of standard talking points. No help whatsoever.

Roberta A. Gilbert

@Amy Dybala:

@Sheila Searle YES! I noticed this as well which is why I have been hesitant to even start using NXT. Rep on the phone kept telling me it was super-fast and the issue was on my end with my Internet provider. No matter how many times I said it was definitely slower, she kept repeating the same message. It sounded like she was reading directly from a bulletin of standard talking points. No help whatsoever.

Data entry in NXT is definitely much slower than in the database, and the BB reps should just admit that. It is what it is, slow and internet-clogged. Since NXT is browser-based and not on a dedicated server, it will be more sensitive to internet traffic, both locally and remotely. That's just a property of browser-based software. I'm not happy about it, but that was a choice BB made, and we are stuck with it.

On the other hand, the interface design of having to wait for dropdowns before you can tab to the next field in any of the FE NXT modules, is really bad. Most of us have our accounts, attribute codes, project codes etc. memorised, and many (most?) of us are also keyboard-based. I don't even have my hands on a mouse when I do data entry, so having to stop at every field, and choose an acct number from a dropdown is a huge speed bump. Once again the designers didn't talk to accountants about their needs and work styles before gussying it all up, making it “pretty” but also pretty unusable.

Blackbaud reps, please don't suggest I write this up in an IDEA. That takes time also, to log in there, write it, advertise it, track it, etc. We have our own deadlines. Why don't YOU tag some of these posts as ideas and send links to the developers? That would be actually helpful, if the developers could read these discussions. Thanks!

Wendy Croker

@Sheila Searle - we currently have a ticket open for this exact issue. We've sent videos to prove what's happening so you are not alone. And it's not just a cloud issue, we use other cloud-based software that doesn't have that significant of a delay. It has really slowed our data entry down.

Sheila Searle

@Wendy Croker
Glad it's not just us. Thought we were being picky, but it's so frustrating when you have lots of entry, and mistakes happen because you don't have the time to examine each field before you move on to the next.

Sheila Searle

@Roberta A Gilbert
Exactly!!! You are having the exact same issues, which to BB may seem small, but like you said, moving your hands from the keyboard to the mouse, repeatedly, wastes time and interrupts the workflow. I'm so glad I started this thread - it's (sad) good to know we're not alone!

Sheila Searle

@Jeff Trzaska
Agreed!!!