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I thought that the Infinity platform for RE wasn't supposed to be released until 2008? Did I miss something?? And what the heck is the difference between CRM and RE Enterprise??
This has to be one of the wierdest software releases I've ever seen...
__________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Doug Creek
RE Database Administrator
University of Alaska Foundation sndgc@email.alaska.edu
The weirdness of the whole situation has prevented me from putting this on the main page. I have no idea what is going on. Have a peek here for more discussion:
It seems as if Blackbaud now has (tho probably had ALL ALONG) a new strategy when it comes to Infinity....they were pitching it as a new platform that their products would run on. Now by distinguishing between RE and CRM by labelling RE as "fundraising software" and this supposedly new product (that runs on the new web platform) Blackbaud CRM "Constituent Relationship Management" software, they're attempting to say they have two completely different products . . so if you own one you have to buy the other if you want it's features.
I bring this up because at last year's conference during an Infinity session, Sean Sullivan answered a question saying that RE Enterprise clients who be given the opportunity to upgrade to Infinity without having to "purchase" the right to do so.
It sounds as if they're moving in a different direction that's financially driven.
__________________ things haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister.
It seems as if Blackbaud now has (tho probably had ALL ALONG) a new strategy when it comes to Infinity....they were pitching it as a new platform that their products would run on. Now by distinguishing between RE and CRM by labelling RE as "fundraising software" and this supposedly new product (that runs on the new web platform) Blackbaud CRM "Constituent Relationship Management" software, they're attempting to say they have two completely different products . . so if you own one you have to buy the other if you want it's features.
I bring this up because at last year's conference during an Infinity session, Sean Sullivan answered a question saying that RE Enterprise clients who be given the opportunity to upgrade to Infinity without having to "purchase" the right to do so.
It sounds as if they're moving in a different direction that's financially driven.
Just to add to this rather old thread...I attended the Vancouver conference a few weeks ago & Shaun's presentation on the "new platform" called Infinity. It's all really interesting & exciting stuff. Alot of it is very techie & way over my head, so I'll try to summarize my understanding of what was presented (but please don't quote me). The 2 "new" products they are working on - and have appeared to release to a select few - are CRM (which IS essentially RE Enterprise, the web based version) and a Direct Mail product. BBNC is also being redesigned to run on the new platform, as is RE8. They aren't really saying WHEN the release will be, but implying still sometime in 2008. We were told in the session that RE8 would be a standard upgrade to all paying maintenance customers, not an additional module or product. The difference between RE8 and CRM is the level of customization; CRM is going to be fully customizable. You can write directly to the backend of the database, create new tables, fields, whatever you need without invalidating your maintenance agreement. I'm sure they'll be alot of focus on this topic in Charleston this year, but I will not be able to attend. I hope those of you that do will pass along any additional info...
As the organization that probably had most to do with (forcing, encouraging?) BB to develop an 'enterprise' product to meet our needs, we haven't heard any more about RE8 (Infinity) beyond what was mentioned at the 2006 Conference or what you folks have here & on the blog link Peter mentioned above. My take on their 'non-announcement' - marketing hype to generate buzz (kinda like Microsoft hmmm - where is Marc from?) in advance of the 2008 release Sean suggested in 2006...and we will all still be part of their final QA department testing thru patch(es) 1 thru (get ready - here it comes) INFINITY (and beyond) Toy story 3 anyone?
__________________ Jim DiGiovanni Applications Manager, CSM Wycliffe Bible Translators jim_digiovanni@wycliffe.org Life is a series of short equations
Linear Mode
