Random Thoughts on the Road...

I'm writing this blog installment from an Amtrak train after visiting Wealth Engine in Bethesda, Maryland. I'm using a Dell Latitude D630, with a built in Verizon broadband card for Internet Access at 125 mph. Though I would never call it broadband, it is good enough for email and browsing the web, and works well on the train. Though the laptop was a good bargain (~$1000), the broad band access costs about $60/month. However, it pays for itself whenever I am on the road at a conference, because currently conference centers feel they can charge over $500/day for Internet Access for our booth. My Verizon card eliminates that cost, so maybe one day they'll figure out they need to reduce their prices, but I doubt it.

We continue to see resounding success with integrating Wealth Engine into our DonorPerfect systems. I had a chance to talk to their staff, and I feel very comfortable that we are all on the same mission- trying to help clients get the most out of prospect research without breaking the bank. Like us, they are growing very fast and though the partnership is already successful, I feel that 2008 will be even better.

One definite comment came up during our training- one of the database experts at Wealth Engine made the comment that our filter/query building process was by far the easiest and most comprehensive she has seen, especially compared to Raiser's Edge. She even said that most RE users have to ask their IT staff to pull the specific filters that they need- an unnecessary cost of time and money.

Fundraising software should be easy to use and comprehensive- without breaking your budget. I think Wealth Engine is on the right track, and I look forward to expanding our relationship with them.