Evaluating Web-Based ChMS Vendors
Questions for Differentiating between Web-Based Solutions
While there are many methods for doing similar things we believe you'll find some significant differences between the various Church Management Software (ChMS) vendors and Fellowship Technologies if you do your homework. A key difference is that Fellowship One is a 100% web-based solution often referred to as Software as a Service or SaaS; however, many ChMS vendors now market themselves as web-based and/or SaaS, so how do you tell them apart? Following are a list of questions you might find helpful in your evaluation.
Does the software require that it be installed on your local computer?
A pure browser-based solution allows you true anytime, anywhere access regardless of whether it's your computer at work, your spouse's laptop, a public computer at a local library or coffee shop, or perhaps even an iPhone. All you need is a web browser to get up and running.
Does the application run equally well on PC and Macintosh computers?
Macs are becoming increasing popular, especially in churches. A pure browser-based solution built on web standards will likely run on both.
Is the application easy to use?
The application should be written with simplicity in mind. It should be as easy to learn and use as Amazon.com.
Does the application leverage web-based tools and interfaces or is it simply a client application redeployed onto the Internet?
A native web-based solution will take advantage of web-based concepts like tagging and linking, and it will leverage technologies like CSS and AJAX to deliver a rich user experience without degrading performance.
Has the vendor developed the application from the ground up with the SaaS model in mind?
A firm foundation is essential in order to provide the right security, scalability, reliability, performance and efficiencies that are the key elements to a successful SaaS offering. The proper database architecture (multi-tenant), application architecture (web-based from top to bottom), and systems infrastructure (data center, monitoring tools, etc.) is essential.
Does the vendor provide true "no-touch, no cost" upgrades at regular intervals to their browser-based and thin-client products?
A key factor is a SaaS company's ability to deliver regular upgrades to features / functions, and rapid fixes to any issues that arise, without requiring the client to manually download or install the updates.
Does the vendor provide an API to extend the core functionality of their product offering?
Another success factor is the ability of the vendor to provide an Application Programming Interface (API) so that clients and business partners can write custom add-ons and applications to extend the product's core feature set.
Do you believe the vendor is on the right technology path to succeed in the new Internet economy?
A new economy is rapidly forming whereby vendors seamlessly connect to one another to form a mash-up of applications that ultimately increases the value to the end user far beyond what one vendor can do alone. Examples are Google, SalesForce, and most recently FaceBook. It is imperative that the vendor is building on a technology platform that can allow them to compete and thrive in this new economy.
Is the vendor's SaaS delivery model their core competency or is it simply one delivery option among others?
A wise saying is "focus on doing one thing and do that one thing very well." A pure SaaS company focuses 100% of their time and talents from Development to Sales to Consulting to Support on delivering and improving their product offering.
Does the vendor offer Support options that complement their SaaS delivery method?
Because a SaaS application should be accessible anywhere, ANYTIME, and that availability is the responsibility of the vendor, then the vendor should provide extended support hours to meet the expectation of availability 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
