Maintenance plans

At donorflex, we know that cost of ownership is a key aspect of buying into a software product. History’s littered with software companies who didn’t invest properly in continuous product development and first-line client support services ~ and couldn’t afford to because they’d ignored the challenge of funding ongoing costs in this key area.

Prudent management means vendors have to charge in step with the level of service their clients require. That commonly results in Annual Support and Product Upgrade costs settling at between 15 and 25 per cent of the initial acquisition price. However, the final account is still about Total Cost and Value for Money ~ where donorflex offers a level of service, scope of operations and value for money that’s unmatched.

Mark Higgitt
donorflex
Media Services Manager

This thread, and the parallel thread concerning Raisers Edge alternative systems triggered in January by Babs’ query, hinges on users’ notion of value-for-money and judging the balance of risk that exists somewhere between working to budget and buying the peace of mind that comes with the safety net of a support system.

We know that many factors feed in to the very demanding task of assessing, selecting and buying a database, which is why ~ although no great secret ~ there’s no straight answer to Howard’s request for a summary of how donorflex approaches the issue.

I mentioned in my last posting that, if anyone drops me an e-mail ~ explaining their circumstances and needs ~ we’ll be happy to go through the support element of donorflex costs, and anything else they’d like to ask.

It’s no surprise to me that Lianne Ramage hasn’t yet taken up our offer to chat, despite her keen interest in finding out more about donorflex. Although she hasn’t yet declared her position, her two previous postings have hinted at a preference for Raisers Edge. That’s no surprise either, as she’s an account manager at Blackbaud.

Mark Higgitt
Media Services Manager
donorflex
mark.higgitt@donorflex.com