Beacon CRM - Brilliant, but....
Beacon CRM is, essentially, a relational database like many others, but this one is built for Charity management and at first glance looks really good.
I'm used to working with relational databases, and write databases with Filemaker Pro (another very flexible relational system). So I was expecting to tear into Beacon and set it up quickly for the Charity I'm working with. No point in writing one in FileMaker if all this is there for the taking.
But after four days looking at a trial version, I'm not finding it as easy or straightforward as others clearly do. Part of the problem is that there isn't a single 'instruction manual' with the tables, their fields, and relationships clearly mapped out. It's all there, but you have to read different 'courses' on different web pages (or set out in 'guides'), which take you through the basics bit by bit - fine if you're new to databases, but I found myself wanting to see the tables, which fields are in which tables, and the relationships so I could understand how different tables are linked in relationship.
None of this is mapped (or I've not been able to find it), so I've been left scratching my head in frustration. Trying to set up a Volunteer section with a form and the relevant management cards for the Volunteer team leader has stumped me. A slightly more complex 'ask' for selling shares in blocks of 50 for a Community Benefit Society has me totally lost and waiting for the customer development team to log in.
And although the development support staff are quick to respond, they only work Monday to Thursday.
But these are 'newbie' findings. Looking at the database, it's clear that once I understand how the relationships between the tables actually work, then this will be a very good solution for us.
Meanwhile.... its early Saturday morning and I'm waiting for Monday when the development staff log on....

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