NXT Rollout Plans?

@Cara Valentine Are you already using RE NXT or are you in the implementation process and migrating your data into RE NXT between now and December 2025?

@Cara Valentine - I recommend you follow PSG's on-going webinar series where we'll cover the new features in WV. We recently hosted a webinar on WV Queries - you can check out the on-demand recording here:

@Cara Valentine Make sure you attend the product update briefings and check the updates list every time you log in. I'm totally with you in that I'd like to know what's coming and when to expect changes, but we're usually finding out a bit as we go these days.

@Cara Valentine
While Blackbuad has a general plan for webview development (shown usually through PUB and BBCON), it is not a strict timeline, there's really no “prepping” for change. When change happens, Blackbaud usually will have webinar series and training.

As for training in general, it really depends on if you are from RE going into RE NXT or something else going into RE NXT:

if you originally was RE, now going into RE NXT, then it should be more easy as the concept of how data are stored is already known. You can slowly introduce webview functionality to your staff. We went from RE to RE NXT, so our plan was:

• CRM staff (i.e. dbm, dba) go in and try everything on webview, determine what is good, what is not so good, and what is bad
• Hold a meeting with power user of org and expose them to the findings
• let the power user go and play with webview especially around the specific roles and responsibilities in each of their own area
• hold a org wide meeting for all RE NXT users and show them webview
  • constituent record, the moveable tiles, editing, etc
  • gift record
  • fundraiser work center
  • List (constituent list and new mapping feature, gift list, opporunity and action list)
  • look at some of the default dashboard (if they are meaning when crm staff and power user investigated/determined)
  • event management

@Cara Valentine, for us, full webview implementation centers around waiting for Batch to be fully operational. BB has communicated that they plan to enable database-view-type functions in webview Batch. When that happens, our rollout will formerly begin in earnest.

Of course, BB doesn't have a hard and fast rollout date. And, they seem to be in the habit of doing partial rollouts, where most but not all functionality is available. That being said, I have determined that webview is finally functional enough to begin a slow and easy transition. Our general plan for 2025 is this:

Happening Now:

• We are beginning to implement Events in webview, but only on back end processing. We use webview registrations that don't require payment, but all payment processing still occurs in db-view and OLX until webview Batch becomes functional.
• We are currently beta-testing recurring gifts and the Portal in webview with a small handful of employee and former employee donors.
• We are testing our more basic query functions in webview, allowing our staff to become comfortable with that process. (Not all query fields are yet functional.)

Once webview Batch is improved and Batch reports are enabled (but no sooner than summer, our slow season):

• We will transition the rest of our recurring gifts and event work to webview.
• We will switch from OLX donation forms to NXT webview forms.
• We will test all gift processing in webview.

Once queries obtain Address Processing functionality, and better Export options are enabled:

• We will test transferring mailing list activities more fully into webview.
• We will test audit/financial reporting usage in webview.
• We will more fully transition prospect management processes into webview.
• Gift acknowledgement and printed pledge reminders can likely begin to switch over.

Of course, Config work, Admin controls, Appeal/Fund records, and Reports will simply have to be tested out as they are released.

@Rose Dixon There has been no official communication about an end date and BB has always given notice of such things well in advance. There is a rumor that database view will be gone in December 2025, but I think that is a misunderstanding of the actual announcement that the goal is for webview to be fully functional by that time. Webview being fully functional does not mean database view will immediately be removed.