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Frequently Asked Questions
Is IMPACT the right application for my organization?
Is SDS the right vendor?
How much does IMPACT cost?
What platform does IMPACT run on?
Where can I get support for IMPACT?
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This is the classic question that any potential user of any application must address. How do you determine whether or not a particular application is right for your organization. Or perhaps a more important underlying question is whether or not you should switch to another application. After all, the existing application is probably serving most of your needs, and the thought of switching to another system can be very disconcerting. For that matter, one of the best organization tools is a filing cabinet! Security is simple (a key). You have random access, sequential access, multi-media, etc. But, let's take these two questions in order of importance.
First, should you switch to another system? This is probably the far easier of the two questions. If you are reading this, it probably means that the existing system is not meeting your needs. For example, you may want to send a year-end letter thanking your major donors for their gifts to your organization. Can you do that with your existing system? Or, you may want to send a letter to all individuals that attended one of your special events, perhaps inviting them to another event. Can you do that with your existing system? Can you have two or more employees/volunteers access or update your data at the same time? If you consistently have questions you can't answer, or functions you can't perform, this should be an indication that you need to make a change.
The second question is more difficult."Is IMPACT right for me?" Having been in similar situations on numerous occasions, we can attest to the fact that selecting an application can be very difficult. Here are four steps to help you answer this question:
1. Determine your needs
2. Survey the available solutions
3. Select the application that most meets your needs
4. Ensure that the vendor will appropriately support you
Let's look at each of these steps in more detail.
1. Determine your needs: Your existing system, even if it is manual, is fulfilling certain requirements, even if it is simply producing mailing labels so that you can perform your mailings. Make a list of the functions you use in your existing application. Add to that list all the functions you want to perform but have been unable to, such as those items discussed in the prior paragraphs. And here's a tough one. Add to that list all the things you may want to do in the future, but are not necessarily immediate needs. This finished list should represent a fairly complete overview of your requirements. In the consulting profession, we call this process a REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS, and the resulting list a requirements list. We strongly suggest you review this list with your board of directors, employees, volunteers, etc. It is very important that this list be as complete as possible for it is the foundation of information you will use to choose the application that is right for your organization.
2. Survey the available solutions: There are many software solutions available and there are a lot of systems on the market. Do a little research. You may have colleagues that are using systems that they like. You can surf the internet and look for systems, etc. If you find some you like, ABSOLUTELY check out some user references. You cannot afford to select an application that does not work properly and efficiently.
3. Select the application that most meets your needs: At this point, review all of the available applications and determine which one most closely fits your needs.
4. Ensure that the vendor will appropriately support you: And finally, check out the vendor. How long have they been in business? How many individuals are involved? How many installations do they have? Is the vendor easy to work with? What are their support policies? Do they support the product in a professional and timely manner? Meet or talk to their existing clients. Ensure that the individuals representing the vendor are individuals that you have confidence in and can work with. And again, check out their references.
And, here's our final IMPORTANT suggestion! If you feel uncomfortable with any of this process, enlist some help. Many consultants and nonprofit organizations can assist you not only with the selection process, but with the requirements analysis too. There is a tremendous amount of information available, and personally, if we were in your position (and we have been), we would feel overwhelmed. After all, your job is not to be a software expert but to complete the mission of your organization. By the way, you probably shouldn't ask us. We're a little biased. Search for an independent third party to assist you with this process.
We sincerely wish you good luck. And of course, if we can assist in anyway, just let us know!
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I would like to introduce myself. My name is Stewart 'Stew' Meyers, and I am president of SDS. I've been in the data processing industry for over 30 years, from the old mainframe punched card days to the current PC "point and click" technology. I've analyzed, designed, programmed, documented, and implemented nearly every standard mainstream business application from the ground up.
In addition, I am thoroughly familiar with accounting and accounting concepts. I understand ledgers, subsidiary ledgers, journals, audit trails, controls, and their computer counterparts. I know how to create business applications that pass accounting muster.
I have a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oregon. Over the last 10 years, I have written applications in Microsoft Access and am fluent in both Microsoft Access and the underlying computer language, Visual Basic.
So, is SDS the right vendor? I certainly think so!
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Please click here to visit our pricing page.
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Hardware: IMPACT runs on any PC; we recommend 400 Mhz or faster, with at least 128 MB of RAM.
Operating System: IMPACT runs using Windows XP or a more recent version.
Software: IMPACT requires Access 97 or a more recent version.
Free Hard Disk Space: The IMPACT application requires approximately 12 MB; your IMPACT data, of course, is variable in size, but allow approximately 1 MB for each 500 patrons.
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Visit our Support pages for information on topics such as installation, conversion, education and training, telephone and e-mail support, licensing, upgrades and customization.
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A Testimonial from Elizabeth Lyon
"Not only did Stew program, install, and update IMPACT, he also adapted it to my highly complex project. Then he, and his program’s tutorial, led me through a first-time user’s learning curve, with clarity of instruction, good humor, and patience. That the end result, a published directory, would be lauded and the index nominated for an award is a credit that must be shared with Stewart Meyers."
-Elizabeth Lyon
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