How much time to invest in current gen TeamRaiser?

Jason Thomas

Hi Everyone, 


This was my org's first full year using TeamRaiser. There was definitely a steep learning curve. TeamRaiser has a lot of moving parts. Customizations will require a lot of work. 


In webinars, I've been learning of what is to come in next generation Luminate peer-to-peer. My understanding is that a new full blown p2p solution will debut sometime next year. Therefore, my question is how much more should I invest in professional development/continuing education around this current gen product?


As of now, there is lots to know around pagewrapers, page builders, system tags, and so forth. I'd hate to continue investing my time, and in a few months, a slick new drag and drag solution rolls out and makes my current knowledge obsolete. 


Thanks,


Jason 

Philip Nawrocki

Hey Jason,


I think you are still going to have to use current-gen TR. BB is only rolling out e-mail next year.


Take a look at the roadmap video that was just posted in the community to see where things are at. The timelines on these deliverables shift a lot though.
https://community.blackbaud.com/forums/viewtopic/5/37325


That is why I think current-gen TR will still be as it is for awhile.


Thanks,


Phil

Lawrence Rush

We've found that TeamRaiser is a huge time investment as well. Training aside, our peer-to-peer fundraisers have found the system to be difficult to navigate. For smaller peer-to-peer type events we've migrated to other platforms such as Eventbrite and Crowdrise. We'll actually be moving away from TeamRaiser and Luminate completely this coming year. For what we need we've found Engaging Networks to be the best solution. Ideally, we'd be using Blackbaud's array of solutions.

Kent Odland

This is a good question and discussion and I'd like to add some more context.


In October at bbcon, we shared how our existing Peer-to-Peer product line is evolving away from point products (TeamRaiser, everydayhero, JustGiving) and toward a total solution that leverages the strengths of each within a single user experience.


Our first release will be available to a small set of customers as part of our Early Adopter Program and is targeted for the end of 2018. The first release will be focused on customers with smaller P2P event fundraising needs and will have a more intuitive user interface.  We will continue to add more capability over time.


That being said, TeamRaiser (as well as the other individual products) will continue to advance on their own for some period of time. This will give you the opportunity to continue using TeamRaiser for your more complex needs and then determine when it makes sense to start using the new Blackbaud Peer-to-Peer capability for some or all of your P2P fundraising initiatives.


Cheers,

Kent Odland

Senior Product Manager, Peer-to-Peer

SheryAnne Wui

Lawrence Rush:

We've found that TeamRaiser is a huge time investment as well. Training aside, our peer-to-peer fundraisers have found the system to be difficult to navigate. For smaller peer-to-peer type events we've migrated to other platforms such as Eventbrite and Crowdrise. We'll actually be moving away from TeamRaiser and Luminate completely this coming year. For what we need we've found Engaging Networks to be the best solution. Ideally, we'd be using Blackbaud's array of solutions.

Interesting decision! We have been using TeamRaiser for the last 3 years, and like all products, there are pros and cons. I find the design aspect of building a registration page(s) challenging being that I'm not skilled in html coding. And, then there is the cost of TeamRaiser... Have you transitioned to Engaging Networks? We also have Raisers Edge, so I'm wondering if Engaging Networks syncs with RE, or did you purchase Importomatic?


Thank you,

SheryAnne

Lawrence Rush

We have transitioned to Engaging Networks and are using SuperImporter for syncing with RE. It's similar to the RE-LO connector, but with far more options in terms of mapping ability. Like you said every system has its pros and cons, but overall we are very happy with the switch and it has proven to be the best solution for us. 

Brian Mucha

Kent Odland:

This is a good question and discussion and I'd like to add some more context.


In October at bbcon, we shared how our existing Peer-to-Peer product line is evolving away from point products (TeamRaiser, everydayhero, JustGiving) and toward a total solution that leverages the strengths of each within a single user experience.


Our first release will be available to a small set of customers as part of our Early Adopter Program and is targeted for the end of 2018. The first release will be focused on customers with smaller P2P event fundraising needs and will have a more intuitive user interface.  We will continue to add more capability over time.


That being said, TeamRaiser (as well as the other individual products) will continue to advance on their own for some period of time. This will give you the opportunity to continue using TeamRaiser for your more complex needs and then determine when it makes sense to start using the new Blackbaud Peer-to-Peer capability for some or all of your P2P fundraising initiatives.


Cheers,

Kent Odland

Senior Product Manager, Peer-to-Peer

This is a totally separate product, not a module of Luminate. If the ultimate path now is to break up the LO product line into stand-alones that don't communicate I don't see the advantage of sticking with Blackbaud.