Even the best-run organizations can run into problems with their systems and software implementation. With permission from the organizations shown below, here are some real-life situations that Lyric Systems has helped to resolve.
Fundraising Systems Consulting
The Graduate Center – City University of New York
Scenario: You have no development systems manager. You have an obsolete DOS-based fundraising system. You’re about to launch a capital campaign and you need to staff up, build up the board and start maximizing the return on your solicitations.
Services provided:
- Assisted in the selection of a new fundraising system.
- Managed the software conversion from Fundmaster™ to Raiser's Edge®.
- Supervised the production of direct mail solicitations, invitations and the annual phonathon.
- Automated the production of acknowledgment letters.
- Trained the staff on Raiser's Edge.
- Designed and developed new standard reports.
- Provide on-going support as needed.
Hyacinth Aids Foundation
Scenario: You’re the director of development with little support staff. You have a home-grown MS-Access database that is out-of-date and out-of-control. It’s November and you have to mail your year-end appeal and find a new fundraising software package!
Services provided:
- Merged and combined data from 4 separate mailing lists.
- Created test segment groups for the end of year mailing.
- Assessed the status of the current MS-Access home-grown system.
- Reviewed fundraising software packages and made a software recommendation for subsequent purchase.
New York Public Library
Scenario: Imagine losing your systems manager on the day that you convert to a new fundraising system.
Services provided:
- Established application security for all users and groups.
- Analyzed and reported on the database conversion to Enterprise/CS®.
- Documented the specifications and developed an MS-Access application to update the database for their NCOA (National Change of Address) quarterly update process.
- Attended daily phone calls with the software vendor to resolve outstanding issues.
- Spoke with vendor's support staff and programmers to communicate client needs.
- Tested software patches and documented software issues.
Women in Development, New York
Scenario: You’re a membership organization comprised of 2000 active and lapsed members. Your membership database is in need of an overhaul and you need to select a new membership database software to manage it. You’re about to launch a new website and you have no one to maintain it and update it.
Services provided:
- Researched, evaluated and selected a new membership software package.
- Analyzed, cleaned and converted data from a homemade MS-Access database into the new membership database application.
- Set up membership rules, codes and reports.
- Documented database maintenance instructions for management staff.
- Maintain & update the new website.
Website Design and CMS Management
Caruso Consulting Corporation
Scenario: When Karen Caruso, president of Caruso Consulting Corporation, decided to create a corporate branding package, she turned to us to create a logo, web site, ads and stationery to promote her development consulting and career management services.
Services provided:
- Logo Design
- Web site Design, Implementation & On-going Maintenance & Support
- Sponsor Ad for Women in Development, New York Directory
- Business Card and Stationery Design