Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  What is GrantedGE?

Answer:  GrantedGE, a sophisticated grants management system, was developed by Fusion Labs to fill a need within the information system requirements of non-profit foundations. It was determined that foundations required a software application that computerized the processes for managing grants through the entire lifecycle, including:

Question:  How does GrantedGE handled constituent relationships or financial functionality?

Answer:  GrantedGE links to CRM and financial packages.  GE was originally linked to Raiser's Edge and Financial Edge (Blackbaud, Inc. leading non-profit software packages), and still maintains a tight integration with those systems.  However, GE can also create links to other systems using its flexible Application Programming Interface (API) system.

Question:  What is the purchase price of GrantedGE?

Answer:  To receive a quote for GrantedGE, please contact Mark Hall at 214.739.5454.  Pricing is dependent upon size of organization, complexity of data conversion, training requirements, etc.

Question:  Where does the system run from?  On a local PC?  Installed on a server?

Answer:  System is installed on a server, with a client running on the workstation.  The system is compatible with terminal server and Citrix, if required.  The roadmap for future versions includes porting the system to a browser-based environment.

Question:  What type of database is necessary?  SQL?  Other?

Answer:  GE was originally developed for MS SQL Server 2000, and currently runs on MS SQL Server 2005 / 2008.

Question:  Do you offer participation in user groups?

Answer:  Fusion Labs conducts several user group conference calls to discuss current and future requirements.  Fusion Labs also holds user group meetings well attended by our clients.  In addition Fusion Labs has established a Sharepoint site where user have a series of forums for disseminating information.

Question:  What is your standard process for issuing system patches/upgrades?

Answer:  At the current time, Fusion Labs generally creates patch builds on a regular basis, and places these files on the Sharepoint site.  The upgrade is accompanied by a 'Whats New' list.  A client does not need to implement a patch or upgrade – but when implementing a patch/upgrade, the system will incorporate all previous patch/upgrades.

Question:  How do I access the Sharepoint site

Answer:  The sharepoint site is located at http://grantshare.fusionlabs.net and requires a userid and password to gain access.  If you do not have a user name and password, please contact the GrantedGE support desk at 214-217-9781

Question:  Is there a list of standard reports offered?

Answer:  GE has a standard list of approx 70 'out-of-the-box' reports.  All GE reports are created using Microsoft Reporting Services (SRSS).  It also has access to an end-user report builder that allows user-defined reports to be quickly created and provided on the reports menu.

Question:  Can custom data fields be added?  What type of User Defined Fields are available?

Answer:  All aspects of GE (grants, proposals, scholarships, etc.) have access to 'profiles'.  Profiles are user defined fields; no limit to the number of fields that can be defined.  Each user defined field can be categorized as text, numeric, date, boolean (yes/no), table-driven lookups.

Question:  What experience does your company have in converting data?

Answer:  Fusion Labs not only has implemented over 30 foundations to GE (several different systems including custom built systems), but also has a consulting group that has worked on numerous conversions for the last 30 years.

Question:  What is the average timeline of a conversion?

Answer:  GE conversions are generally scheduled for 2-4 weeks.  The duration is based on the complexity/integrity of the data and the quantity of different data sources.  The number of records does not affect the timeline, as most of the conversion is automated.

Question:  Does the system auto-generate letters?  Can they be customized?

Answer:  All GE correspondence and emails are based on MS Word templates.  These templates can be created and customized by the client / end-user and have full access to all database fields for grant related data.  GE has built-in functions for creating correspondence and emails both per individual grant / application and in a batch process (mail merges).