Simplifying On-Site Registrations and Payments with POS Machines

Pulling lists and updating constituent data, and updating information in Raiser's Edge is now even more efficient!  While admins can pull data from Raiser's Edge independently with minimal effort, they still need to pull lists every time they want to pull constituent data, which requires them to keep moving between Almabase and RE. As we continuously make the database processes more efficient, we want to simplify how you create new records, pull  lists, and fix errors seamlessly.
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And that’s precisely what we’ve done with our latest auto-pull feature!

Dive in to find out more.

Add New Constituents Automatically with RE Lists or RE-Query

The auto-pull feature lets you set up and update RE lists and queries through multiple one-time and auto-recurring pulls, simultaneously. If a new profile or record is added to RENXT, the recurring pull will automatically add new information from RENXT to the directory, improving data accuracy. Admins can save time by setting up daily, weekly, or monthly auto-pulls.

‍Note: Recurring pulls allow admins to add only new constituent information without updating existing records, as the sync system handles updates. For bulk updates, administrators should create a separate one-time pull session with the recurring pull option disabled.

Pull email lists using RE list or RE-query and keep them fresh ‍

The new auto-pull feature streamlines email list management on Almabase. With the auto-pull update, admins can pull constituent data for email lists. For example, if you establish a daily pull for a list with 100 records on RENXT, any changes—such as adding or removing records—will be automatically reflected in your Almabase list. This means new records will be created for constituents not already on Almabase, and existing records will be updated accordingly.

Note: Almabase will periodically pull data from the RE list or RE query, and depending upon the type of configuration, it will add/remove constituents from the email group or list of records on Almabase.

Easily spot any errors and fix them seamlessly

The new sync data dashboard lets you set up and manage: set upone-time or recurring and view historical pulls, all in a single dashboard. If there are any errors in constituent records or email lists, you can fix them directly within the same dashboard by clicking on the "Fix errors" button, eliminating the need to switch different tabs on Almabase or RENXT.
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Our latest auto-pull feature is available starting today.

If you’re an Almabase customer, simply log into the platform's database settings to create your first auto-pull session.

If you’re not an Almabase customer, click here to learn more about our industry-leading integration with Raiser’s Edge NXT.

In today’s digital-first world, having a well-designed, functional website is crucial for educational institutions. Often, institutions using outdated tools lack the flexibility, aesthetics, brand consistency, and functionality required to meet the expectations of today’s digital-savvy users.

Almabase now offers a powerful integration with WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). This integration allows institutions to enhance their online presence with a highly customizable website while ensuring top-notch security and seamless support. This level of customization is crucial for standing out in a crowded digital landscape and ensuring that your website truly reflects your institution’s identity.

In this blog, we’ll explore what this integration entails, the benefits it offers, and the design services available to help you create a website that truly reflects your institution’s identity across all your webpages.

Seamless Integration with WordPress: What’s Included?

By default, Almabase comes with a default homepage with essential customization options like color schemes and logos to align with your school’s branding.

WordPress integration is a game changer for institutions that want advanced customization and flexibility. It unlocks advanced customization options, allowing you to either modify the default theme or create a unique theme tailored to your institution’s specific needs. This means you can fully leverage WordPress’s vast ecosystem of themes, plugins, and design tools to build a website that stands out.

Here are a few examples of our customers' WordPress pages:

1. Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation

2. Illinois Institute of Technology

3. Punahou School

Furthermore, all the features unlocked by the integration are available to every user at no additional charge. Whether you choose to customize the theme yourself or build a new one from scratch, you have the freedom to create a website that perfectly aligns with your institution’s branding guidelines.

For institutions that prioritize branding but may lack the time or staff to handle website design, Almabase offers professional design services to help bring your vision to life.

• Homepage Development: Whether you want to redesign your homepage or replicate another reference site, we offer tailored services to meet your needs.

• Internal Page Design: Help you create custom pages that resonate with your audience.

• Page Template Design: Help you build reusable templates that simplify content updates.

For users with or without WordPress experience

Whether you're familiar with WordPress or new to the platform, Almabase’s integration has you covered.

For Users with WordPress Experience:

1. Start with the default WordPress theme offered by Almabase.

2. Customize the branding, update the design of the header and footer, and modify the content of the homepage to highlight key programs.

3. Take advantage of features like:

• Access to Elementor Pro, a popular WordPress page builder

• WordPress front page customization

• Header and footer customization

• Access to paid plugins, like social media feeds

• Using WordPress for internal pages and posts

If you prefer, you can also purchase additional design services to replicate styling from another website or to assist with content migration.

For Users without WordPress Experience:

1. Start with the default WordPress theme offered by Almabase.

2. Easily add, remove, or modify content to reflect the key programs you want to highlight.

3. If needed, purchase additional design services to assist with styling replication and content migration, ensuring your website meets your expectations.

Regardless of your experience level, Almabase’s WordPress integration offers the customization flexibility you need to create a website that reflects your institution’s identity.

Robust Security & Compliance

Infrastructure

• Isolation: WordPress is installed in a separate, isolated virtual network, completely disconnected from Almabase’s production environment.

• Network Security: All workloads in the WordPress cluster use network security groups and appropriate firewall rules. Internet traffic is managed through gateway servers, allowing only HTTP(s) traffic.

Data Security

• Encryption at Rest: Data and OS disks are encrypted at rest using Azure Disk Storage Server-Side Encryption.

• Encryption in Transit: Data is encrypted in transit using TLS v1.2 or above, with HTTP requests redirected to HTTPS.

Data Backup and Recovery

• Regular Backups: Customized WordPress pages are backed up regularly to ensure quick recovery in the event of data loss.

Security Testing

• Routine Checks: We conduct regular security assessments and internal hackathons to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Application Security

• Restricted Access: Only authenticated users can access WordPress sites. Non-internet access from the WordPress cluster to the production cluster is disabled.

Almabase’s integration with WordPress provides institutions with an unmatched opportunity to create a highly customized, secure, and professional website. Whether you’re new to WordPress or an experienced user, Almabase offers the tools and support you need to build a site that enhances your alumni engagement efforts. With our expert support and robust security measures, you can focus on what matters most—building lasting connections with your alumni community.

[See it in action]

“Are we really doing well compared to our peers and industry benchmarks?” is a question that keeps many advancement professionals guessing. In an industry where performance can be highly variable and context-specific, having a benchmark to compare your performance to industry standards isn't just useful—it's essential.

Understanding where you stand relative to similar institutions can provide crucial insights and drive strategic improvements. That's why we've updated and revised our program reports, designed to give you a clear, actionable picture of your program's effectiveness and your standing in the broader landscape.

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Benchmark your progress with peer institutions for continuous improvement

These monthly reports go beyond simple round-offs of your community engagement. Leveraging AI-driven engagement data from peer institutions, we add peer comparisons to these reports, letting you see how your engagement strategies stack up against those of institutions facing similar challenges and opportunities. This helps you better understand your program's position within the broader landscape. These comparative insights are based on two key factors:

• Institution Type: Whether you’re a large state university, a focused college, or a nurturing high school, we tailor reports to include industry benchmarks relevant to your specific educational sector.
• Contactable Record Size: Do you have a unique number of contactable alumni who don't neatly fit into a pre-defined category? You'll receive reports on your program's performance from the previous month, ensuring data-driven decisions specific to your alumni base

Monthly ROI snapshots of your digital engagement programs delivered to your inbox

The new program reports, delivered straight to your inbox each month, will provide insights into your program performance and a clear comparison of overall engagement activity against the previous month. This means you can see precisely what's resonating with your alumni and what areas might need fine-tuning—all within a single, easy-to-digest format.

These fine-tuned reports provide detailed performance insights for individual programs, helping you tailor your approach to various alumni groups and segment your strategy more effectively.

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Scale community engagement with smart, automated tools

To ensure you're continually improving engagement, our platform also supports several automation tools. These tools can help you maintain consistent communication across directories, networking, recommendations, and email newsletters, making it easier to reach and engage your audience effectively. With these insights and tools at your disposal, you not only keep pace with your peers but also set the standard in scaling alumni engagement.

The new updates on program reports are available starting this month

If you’re an Almabase customer, you will receive these reports at the start of every month now!