FAQs about Updating to CDM+ 8.1.2

Some software users update to the latest version of programs as soon as they're available. Others wait, doing without important enhancements because they're not sure what to expect. We want all our users to enjoy the benefits of CDM+ 8.1.2 as soon as possible, so we're answering as many questions as we can in advance. If you have others, please call 877-891-4236 or e-mail us. We'd love to hear from you!

We're doing fine with the version we have. Why can't we go on using what we have indefinitely?

Nothing you do is more important than making sure the church's data is secure, and backing up frequently is key. One of the most important reasons to update is the automatic backup feature in CDM+ 8.1.2. Of course, we hope you are backing up regularly with your current version of CDM+, but wouldn't it be convenient to be able to schedule and perform backups without a third party program and back up to any media of your choice? With CDM+ 8.1.2, you can!

Automatic backups is a great reason to update, but it's certainly not the only one. See Why Update to CDM+ 8.1.2 for lots of other reasons, which include all the new products you can ONLY add if you have CDM+ 8.1.2.

If your current version is CDM+ Pro 8.0, you'll certainly appreciate the speed enhancements of CDM+ 8.1.2. In fact, moving from any version of "CDM+ Pro" to CDM+ 8.1.2 makes sense for the added integration between programs within CDM+. In CDM+ 8.1 and later, CDM+ Roommate is an integrated part of the CDM+ suite.

If you're still using CDM+ 7.x or earlier, you need to know that your version is based on a programming platform that was great for its time but is more than 11 years old and cannot take advantage of much of today's technology. Even if you are happy doing without such convenient features as remote data access, sooner or later you will need to replace hardware. If you get a new printer, for example, you may not be able to print to it from CDM+ 7.x or earlier.

With CDM+ 7.x or earlier, there's also the issue of turnover in your office staff. New employees who are unfamiliar with CDM+ 7.x or earlier will not be able to get official training on it. We will continue to support CDM+ 7.x on a $55/per incident basis as long as we have tech support staff who are familiar with it, but training new support staff on software that old would not be good stewardship of company resources.

Why isn't the suite called CDM+ "Pro" anymore?

Since the spring of 2006, all new suites shipped have been "CDM+." Users of "CDM+" and "CDM+ Pro" with the same version number (8.1.1, for example) have the essentially the same features, but the programming behind "CDM+" allows suites with mixed Windows and Macintosh platforms and suites with Standard versions of individual programs and Pro versions of others—a real cost saver for churches that need some programs in Pro (such as Accounting in order to have Payroll) but can use the Standard versions of other programs. CDM+ Roommate Facilities Manager is available as an integrated part of the "CDM+" suite, while it is a stand-alone program for users of "CDM+ Pro."

The CDM+ 8.1.2 update will bring all of our users into "CDM+." From now on, we'll all be "on the same page."

Users of CDM+ 7.x and earlier will note a change in terminology. We now refer to CDM+ as a suite with individual programs instead of a program with individual modules.

How do I know what version of CDM+ I have?

For older versions of CDM+, the easiest way to find out exactly what you have, including your release number, is to make sure your CDM+ program is running and then go to File > About CDM+ (Windows users) or CDM+ > About CDM+ (Macintosh users).

For CDM+ Pro 8.0 or later or CDM+ 8.1 or later, it's easier to log out of CDM+ and then log back in, noting the information on the login screen. Since you are performing this exercise to determine which version you have, you may want to try going to "About CDM+" first. If that brings up a screen with a logo but no version number, log out of CDM+ and log back in. The login screen will have the version number.

Compare what you see to the screenshots below. Clicking on a screenshot will expand it so that you can easily see the details. Note that some of the screenshots below are Windows and some are Macintosh. If you see a screen that matches yours except for the "Windows" or "Macintosh" border and background, that's the version of CDM+ you have.

We have a lot of work to get done, and we just can't afford to spend much time getting used to new software. What can we expect?

We offer lots of help to get you up to speed fast! If you're upgrading from CDM+ 7.x or earlier, CDM+ 8.1.2 is based on a completely different programming platform and some things may seem unfamiliar at first, but the productivity boost you'll experience will quickly make up for the small investment of time spent getting used to CDM+ 8.1.2. Plus, you'll wonder how you ever did without the new features.

Even before you upgrade from CDM+ 7.x (or earlier) or update from CDM+ 8.x or CDM+ Pro 8.x, you can familiarize yourself with CDM+ 8.1.2 by taking the online class, Fundamentals of CDM+. Take it as often as you like. You'll need a high speed Internet connection but your only charge is the long-distance phone call.

Then, upon upgrading from CDM+ 7.x or earlier or updating from CDM+ Pro 8.0, you automatically get a FREE Overview Training Credit for each of the CDM+ programs you own.* Each credit allows you to participate in an hour-long online Overview class, during which you view the teacher's computer on your monitor and participate in a conference call. Again, you'll need a high speed Internet connection and will pay for the phone call. Several people from your office can gather around the monitor and a speaker phone to take the class at the same time. Note: Overview Training Credits are not given to users updating from CDM+ 8.1 or later (or CDM+ Pro 8.1 or later) because these versions are similar to CDM+ 8.1.2 in how they work. If you have a new employee who could benefit from one or more overview classes, the classes are available for only $35 each.

Enroll in Premier Support, and you'll get even MORE FREE TRAINING! You'll get a Training Credit for each program you own, and these credits are unrestricted. That means you can use them for any of the online classes we offer (each credit is worth $35 when used this way) or for $25 off the cost of ANY CDM+ training, including our Annual Users Conference. More about training.

* A program is defined as any one of the following: Membership/Attendance, Contributions, Fund Accounting, Event Registration, Roommate Facilities Manager or Check-In/Check-Out.

We have so much data already entered. Will we have to enter that again?

No, the CDM+ 8.1.2 update converts your existing data. It does so on a COPY of your data, however, so if there is a power failure or some other glitch during the conversion process, your original data will not be harmed.

Will you help us convert our data?

Yes. We charge a fee for data conversions, but we can convert your data for you.

Is there any reason I shouldn't update?

Only if your hardware or operating system do not meet the system requirements. Check both Windows and Macintosh requirements here before updating.