Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT
By Blackbaud, Inc
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT involves several key steps, starting from initial setup to full deployment. While specific timelines can vary based on the complexity of the organization's needs, a typical implementation might take several weeks to a few months. The process includes:
Initial Consultation and Planning: This involves discussions with Blackbaud representatives to understand the organization's needs and how Financial Edge NXT can be tailored to meet those needs.
Setup and Configuration: During this phase, the software is configured to match the organization's financial management requirements. This includes setting up chart of accounts, projects, grants, and other financial structures.
Financial Edge NXT offers customization options to fit specific business needs. This can include creating custom reports, dashboards, and integrating with other software solutions:
Training: Blackbaud offers comprehensive training for new users, including online resources, webinars, and instructor-led training sessions.
Go-Live Support: As organizations begin to use Financial Edge NXT in their daily operations, Blackbaud provides support to address any issues that arise during the transition.
Customization:
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT can be customized to fit specific business needs. This includes:
Customized Budgets: Users can create customized budgets tailored to their organization's specific needs at various levels (organization, department, program, or project).
Integration Capabilities: Financial Edge NXT can integrate with other software solutions, enhancing its functionality and allowing for a more streamlined workflow.
Setup Fees: Initial setup and configuration may incur additional costs.
Training and Support: While basic support is included, advanced training sessions or premium support options may be available for an additional fee.
Blackbaud University: This provides comprehensive training options, including:
Over 40 online instructor-led classes that are CPE accredited
Certification Programs:
Professional Certification: A more advanced level for users who have completed Fundamentals Certification
Resource Library:
Community Forums:
Discussion forums where users can ask questions and share knowledge
Blogs:
Regular blog posts with the latest information about product releases, best practices, and tips and tricks
Events:
Chats with Tom events that provide insights into Financial Edge NXT roadmaps with the product manager
Step-by-Step New User Guide:
A comprehensive guide to help new users get started with the database
Recorded Webinars:
Created by the Blackbaud Customer Success team to walk users through features and functions
On-Demand Resource Library:
Offered by the Customer Success team to help users optimize workflows
Monthly Live Interactive Sessions:
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT implements several security measures to protect data:
Encryption: Blackbaud uses strong encryption mechanisms, including TLS 1.2, AES 256, RSA 1024, and other FIPS140-2 encryption algorithms across their environments and products.
Multi-layered security approach: Blackbaud employs the NSA's Defense in Depth techniques and layered security, including data protection, application security, host-based security, internal network security measures, perimeter security, and physical security.
Authentication: Blackbaud supports multi-factor authentication and integration with modern identity providers like Microsoft Azure Active Directory, Okta, and SAML-based providers.
Physical security: Strict physical datacenter security measures are in place, including card key access, biometric authentication, 24/7 security guards, and security cameras.
Application security: Blackbaud conducts routine vulnerability assessments and provides security training to their development community.
Compliance and audits: The company adheres to industry standard practices and frameworks such as NIST CSF, PCI DSS, SOC 1, and SOC 1 type 2.
Continuous monitoring: Blackbaud uses System Center (SCOM) for internal monitoring with customized management packs to detect and respond to issues early.
Cloud security: As Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is cloud-based, it benefits from robust cloud security measures, including data backups and security management.
Role-based access control: Administrators can set up security rights in both web view and database view to limit user access to specific features and sensitive information.
Regular updates: Blackbaud provides rapid, frequent enhancements to the solution every one to two months, which includes security updates.
These measures collectively aim to provide a secure environment for nonprofit organizations to manage their financial data within Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT.
Blackbaud releases updates to Financial Edge NXT regularly, with major updates typically announced in advance. Users are informed of upcoming features and changes through product update briefings and community posts. The updates aim to enhance functionality, improve security, and address user feedback.
Data Retention: Blackbaud retains Customer Data throughout the full term of the contract for a solution.
Data Removal: Upon cancellation of a solution, Blackbaud has a standard process to remove Customer Data in accordance with industry standards. Typically, after a customer leaves Blackbaud entirely or cancels a particular solution, Customer Data is decommissioned/removed from applicable infrastructure.
Backup Retention: Associated backups of Customer Data are retained (offsite) for 90 days before being automatically purged.
Legal Compliance: In some instances, Customer Data will be maintained to comply with legal and regulatory obligations.
Contractual Obligations: Blackbaud may also keep Customer Data to assist with fraud monitoring, detection, and prevention activities and to comply with tax, accounting, and financial reporting obligations.
Financial Edge NXT offers flexibility to scale up or down based on organizational needs. Contract terms, including renewal and cancellation policies, are detailed in the agreements with Blackbaud. Customers are encouraged to discuss their specific needs with Blackbaud representatives to understand the terms related to scaling and contract adjustments.
Renewal Notification and Automatic Renewal: Contracts automatically renew for consecutive one-year terms unless the client notifies Blackbaud in writing of their desire to cancel at least forty-five (45) days prior to the start of the upcoming renewal term.
Cancellation Window: To avoid automatic renewal and associated charges, clients must submit a cancellation request in writing to Blackbaud at least forty-five (45) days before the renewal date.
Renewal Term Length: While the standard renewal term is typically one year, there are options for longer terms, such as a three-year term, which might offer different pricing adjustments and conditions.
Notification of Renewal Terms: Clients are typically notified of the renewal terms and any changes to the subscription pricing or conditions at least sixty (60) days prior to the renewal date. This advance notice includes pro forma invoices for upcoming subscription renewals.
Fees Upon Cancellation After Renewal Window: If a cancellation notice is received after the 45-day window but before the renewal term begins, clients are generally required to pay the fees for the entire upcoming renewal term.
End-of-Contract Data Extraction: At the end of a contract, if not renewed, clients may need to pay additional costs for data extraction services to ensure they retain all necessary data housed in the Blackbaud system.
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT complies with various industry standards to ensure data security and privacy. This includes adherence to GDPR for European customers and PCI DSS for payment processing security. Blackbaud's commitment to compliance is reflected in their detailed security and privacy policies.
