Modernized Campaigns, Funds, and Appeals Records

Lee Grisham

I know this is going to trigger some database lovers, thinking of you @Joe Moretti 😉, but why is this the direction Blackbaud is going? A new What's New video just released yesterday for CFA records, linked below. I like the return to the "tabs" across the top, but I think it is still missing some essential customization of the "Analysis" tab. I was hoping it would be more closely aligned with what is currently in database. A big thing for us is using the GL Post Date instead of Gift Date, using Soft Credits and Matching Gift credits and being able to customize what is shown in the reports. It's good to see the mirroring of some aspects of the database records, but wishing it was more of a 1:1 when it comes to the reporting side as that customization is vital to being able to actually use the data in our case. I'm sure we'll see more next week on Tuesday.

Modernized Campaigns, Funds, and Appeals Records

Carlene Johnson

I agree that we all want CFA to be as close to DBV as possible. It is also important to remember that Blackbaud, like most software companies today, isn’t going to hold functionality until it’s 100% complete. And the reality is, it’s never truly “complete.

Releasing features as they are now means many users can get most of what they need without switching back to Database View, and Blackbaud can continue building and improving over time.

As the person who created the You Can Pry Database View From My Cold Dead Hands t-shirt, I would love nothing more than to see every piece of DBV functionality show up in Web View in a mostly identical way. I’m also realistic that development today looks very different than it did 10, 15, 20, or 30 years ago. Getting used to phased roll-out of features and functionality can be puzzling, frustrating, and frankly, exhausting.

But this is the reality of modern development. And, as you mentioned, we will hear more in the Product Update Briefings. I encourage you to provide feedback to BB (which you are through this post!) via the Idea Bank, Town Halls, PUBs, and other forums.