Two leading customer relationship management (CRM) software providers to the charity sector have announced plans to partner with other companies to improve and expand their services to users.

Software provider Blackbaud has linked up with O-Matic Software Solutions to offer a plug-in which expands the importing capabilities of its fundraising platform The Raiser’s Edge.

The Raiser’s Edge is the most widely used package for UK charities with 16 per cent of the market according to Civil Society’s Charity CRM Survey 2010, and will be the first product to market the Import-O-Matic tool to its users.

The plug-in, which streamlines data processing by increasing the efficiency of data entry and eliminating manual steps, already has 150 UK users.

O-Matic has developed a range of plug-ins designed to improve the functionality of Blackbaud products and the Import-O-Matic tool is fully compatible with both The Raiser’s Edge and the Raiser’s Edge(i).  

Web and email integration

Meanwhile IRIS NFP Solutions, which provides CRM services to 9 per cent of charity sector via its various products, has partnered with two companies, netXtra and Communicator Corp.

The strategic partnership with netXtra will allow charities to streamline the business processes between the web and their back office functions and receive an integrated web service.

Working with Communicator Corp, IRIS will offer users an email and SMS management system, delivered on a SaaS (software as a service) platform.

Communicator Corp’s platform can be fully integrated into the CRM system and makes it possible to run targeted SMS or email marketing campaigns, provide transactional receipts and streamline data transfer.