MEMBER DATA AND
CONTENT
MANAGEMENT,
MEMBERSHIP DATABASE
INNOVATIONS
Comparing iMIS 20 to CiviCRM

UNDERSTANDING OUR CURRENT
TECHNOLOGY
Using iMIS 15
 Does not integrate fully with our website
 Requires programming skills or costly outside support
to upgrade
 Adding additional features and functionality is costly
 Licensing and hosting fees are expensive
 A newer version of iMIS is available that will add more
functionality


WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
 Do
we reinvest in iMIS and continue to build on
our current platform?
 Do we look for another solution?
 What do we need to take into consideration in
making the decision?

THE PROCESS
 Identify
our needs
 Summer
of 2015 did a survey about database use,
requirements and requests
 Complied survey answers and began reviewing
database solutions
MEMBERSHIP
MANAGEMENT
TRAINING AND
SUPPORT
CUSTOM
REPORTING
KEY REQUIREMENTS
DONATION
MANAGEMENT
EVENTS
MANAGEMENT
WEB AND
SOCIAL MEDIA
INTEGRATION

THE PROCESS
 Review
data management solutions
 Several
options eliminated based on cost or lack of
features/functionality
 Two options selected as potential solutions: iMIS 20
and CiviCRM
iMIS 20





Cloud-based, mobile-ready, and PCIvalidated.
Proprietary software
Requires costly third party support to
customize and develop
It includes options for membership,
fundraising, events, product sales,
certification, email, online
communities, automation,
dashboards, website management,
and more.
iMIS can be used on any device.
CiviCRM




Web-based, open source constituent
relationship management (CRM).
Highly customizable and free to use
and develop.
Offers online and offline fundraising,
grant tracking, event planning, donor
and member management, advocacy
campaigns, case management,
communications and bulk email and
more.
This software integrates directly with
WordPress.

THE PROCESS
 In
depth review of both solutions
 View
demos and proposals for both CiviCRM and iMIS
20


IMIS 20 – C-Systems
CiviCRM – CiviDesk

THE PROCESS
 In
depth review of both solutions
 Get
feedback from external organizations using both
solutions


IMIS 20 - Various users at IMIS user conferences
CiviCRM - Community Counselling & Resource Centre
(Peterborough)

THE PROCESS
 In
depth review of both solutions
 Discussion
with external organization about transition
from iMIS to CiviCRM

Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

THE PROCESS
 In
depth review of both solutions
 Internal

review comparing iMIS to CiviCRM
Key factors of features and functionality, technical
requirements, security, strengths and weaknesses, and
costs
Features
and
functionality
Strengths
and
weaknesses
Cost
Technical
requirements
Security
How they compare?
iMIS
CiviCRM
Features and
Functionality
• Desired features and functionality are available
in iMIS 20.
•System modular, meaning each component is
it’s own stand alone module.
• New modules can be purchased as needed,
but are costly to develop and install.
•Custom integration needed to work with current
Wordpress website
• Desired features and functionality are available
in CiviCRM
• System is open-source with a very active user
community.
•Upgrades and developments are typically easy
to find for free or little investment
•Built for the Wordpress platform
Technology
•Mac OS, Web browser (OS agnostic), Windows
8
•Linux, Web browser (OS agnostic)
Security
Data to be housed on Canadian server
Data to be housed on Canadian server
Cost
Implementation Costs - Year 1: $31,260.00
Basic Annual Cost (Year 2): $8,459.12
Basic Annual Cost (Year 3 +): $14,458.12
Implementation Costs - Year 1: $9,899.20
Basic Annual Cost (Year 2): $4,339.20
Basic Annual Cost (Year 3 +): $4,339.20
Total: $54,177.24
Total: $18,577.60
How they compare?
iMIS
Strengths
• End user friendly
•Branch familiarity
•Known entity with large support team
•Continuing product development and support
•Active user community (NiUG)
•Past investment not lost
CiviCRM
• End user friendly
•Cost friendly
•Cost based on number users/monthly
•Not modular
•Open-source
•Active user community
•Have done IMIS conversions before
•500+ extensions available
•Different payment processors can be assigned
so branches can collect payments via website.
•Support/mentoring included in monthly cost.
•No additional hosting fee for database.
How they compare?
iMIS
Weaknesses
•Costly for initial implementation.
•Modular – cost for new modules as needed.
•Support costs.
•Response time to requests can be lengthy.
•Cost for customizations.
•Need SQL training.
•Hosting fees – and limitations on
recommended suppliers (ie must use ETech)
•Software is proprietary.
•Encouraged to abandon WordPress in favour
of RiSE platform.
CiviCRM
•Training of a new system/change may be difficult
for branches.
•Need to move web hosting.
•Unknown company. Concern if company folds
will support be available.
•Lesser known product in market place.

THE PROCESS
 In
depth review of both solutions
 Site


visits to see CiviCRM and iMIS 20 in action:
IMIS 20 - Canadian Labour Congress
CiviCRM - Canadian Thoracic Society and Canadian
Respiratory Health Professionals

THE PROCESS

In depth review of both solutions

External review from independent consultant
iMIS 20
CiviCRM
Summary Results: Fair
 Critical Summary:
Summary Results: Good






High Implementation Cost
High Maintenance Cost
High Developer Cost
High Support Cost
Moderate Level of Technical
Understanding Required
High Level of Stability Due to
Installation Specifications

Critical Summary:






Low Implementation Cost
Low Maintenance Cost
Low Developer Cost
Low Support Cost
Good Level of Technical
Understanding Required
Moderate Level of Stability
Due to Installation
Specifications

RECOMMENDATION FROM EXTERNAL CONSULTANT


With proper training, education and development I would strongly
recommend the use and implementation of CiviCRM for
Canadian Parents for French.
Consistency in Front End as well as Back End user development
and training is key. All back end users should be required to
have a working knowledge of PHP & SaaS.

CONCLUSION

iMIS 20


Recurring costs and lack of timely support are largest issue.
Based on these two issues, we have decided to look at alternate
solutions.
CiviCRM

Looks to be the best solution if cost is the deciding factor. If
support and organizational history is the deciding factor, switching
may pose a bit of a risk.

RESOURCES

iMIS 20






iMIS product tutorials :
https://www.youtube.com/user/ASICommunity
iMIS 20 help site : http://help.imis.com/20.2/index.htm
Proposal submitted by C-Systems
http://www.csystemssoftware.com/
https://www.etechcomputing.com/
http://www.advsol.com/

RESOURCES

CiviCRM





CiviCRM sandbox/demo site for Wordpress:
http://wpmaster.demo.civicrm.org/
https://civicrm.org/
Proposal submitted by CiviDesk
Slides and presentations available from CiviCRM
https://www.cividesk.com/

RESOURCES

Internal/External documents





https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Preview/?sm=k6PLJPzJCGPbO
jaj3rmZsKgRGoDpoK9zS1_2BJYWQ3RU8_3D
Survey Analysis (summary of survey responses)
Civi vs iMIS (comparison doc of current and two new systems)
Civi vs iMIS (cost analysis)
External report (Dan Tucker)