Web-based vs. Installed Fundraising Software

We are frequently asked why we decided to develop Patron Software as installed software instead of web-based.  After all, isn’t the Internet the way of the future?  Yes – if you’re shopping for shoes, or paying your bills, or publishing a website.

Call me old-fashioned, but when it comes to protecting my data, I prefer to be in control.

I know that there are a lot of arguments in favor of web-based Donor Management and Fundraising software.  Let’s take a close look at three of the top selling points and see if they hold up to scrutiny.

# 1 – You can access your data from anywhere in the world as long as you have an Internet connection.

That’s true.  But, what if you don’t have an Internet connection and you need information right now?  And, how about response time?  Entering and retrieving information can be painfully slow.  You are completely dependent on the availability and speed of your Internet connection.

# 2 – You don’t have to purchase expensive hardware.

Maybe.  You don’t need to buy a server or create a network in your office, but you still have to have computers in order to connect to the Internet.

# 3 – Your records are automatically backed up and maintained.

They probably are.  But are you 100% sure?  You don’t know where your data is being stored.  It might be in a secure data warehouse, or it might be in someone’s garage.

How does installed software stack up against these selling points?

# 1 – With options like GoToMyPC, Virtual Private Networks, Remote Desktop Services, and Virtual Network Computing, available, even installed software can be accessed and managed from the Internet.  Many of these services are free or available at a reduced cost to nonprofit organizations.

# 2 – Even if your Donor Management and Fundraising software is web-based, you probably still need to have installed programs like MS Office and QuickBooks to run your organization.

# 3 -At Patron Software, we advocate backing up your data and storing it off-site.  There are many free online backup services such as IDrive that are secure and easy-to-use.  But, there’s nothing like having a CD backup in your fire-proof safe.  A combination of local and off-site backups can assure you that your data is safe and protected.

What we haven’t discussed is cost.  With web-based applications, the cost goes up as your organization grows.  Adding a new user, or that one donor record that puts you into the next price category, can put a dent in your budget.

At Patron Software, you can have unlimited concurrent users and unlimited donor records for the same prices.

We don’t charge you for being successful – we support your success.