JP Consulting

PDS

ACS Technologies

The Catholic
 Software

Icon Systems

TLC Communications

The Church Bulletin

ParishSoft

Vian Corp.

Shepherd's Staff

Designed specifically for catholic parishes?

Yes

Yes

No, but the program is used by many catholic parishes as well as by other denominations

Yes

No

No. The terminology is all catholic but other denominations also use this program.

Yes

Yes

No, the program is used by various denominations

Where are you located?

Bryan, Texas

Phoenix, Arizona

Florence, South Carolina

Florida

Minnesota

Washington

Long Island, New York

Ann Arbor, Massachusetts

Glen Gardner, New Jersey

St. Louis, Missouri

What are your hours of operation?

24 / 7

10AM - 8PM Eastern Time

M-TH (8AM - 8PM),
FR (8AM-6PM)
Eastern Time

7:00AM - 6:00PM
Eastern Time

7:00AM-4:00PM
 Eastern Time

4:00 AM - 2:00 PM
 Eastern Time

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Eastern Time

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Eastern Time

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
 Eastern Time

How long has the company been around?

4 yrs

25 years

25

13 years

11 years

19 years

110 years

5 years

21 years

How many people are on staff?

2

17

310

12 people (family business)

Confidential

4

21

16

Confidential

$$
Cost of the various programs
 $$

Parish Management
 500 members - $250
3000 members - $350
unlimited members - $500

Church Office Management: new - $1500/ $1800 (more than 3 users);
 Trial CD or download - free; Upgrade - price varies

Sold by modules (listed below). Discounts apply when purchasing more than one module. All modules are interconnected and can share same data.

Catholic Parish Office Basic
less than 500 families - $695 500 or more families - $1,195

Revelations - $349

Census & Contribution (Religious  Education is included). There are several price levels from $450 to $995 (for stand-alone computer) depending on the size of the parish.

Census & Collection - $995 plus customization fees if desired.

Family Directory
399 families - $700
 999 families - $950
 1999 families - $1250
 Over 1999 families -$200/1000 families**

Church Contribution
 System - $85

Full Church Edition (Membership, Attendance, Contributions, and Finance) - $999

$ Cost $

Ministry Scheduling
500 members - $175
 3000 members - $250
 unlimited members - $350

Formation Office Management new - $1000/ $1300 (more than 3 users);
Trial CD or download - free; Upgrade - price varies

People - $600
 Contributions - $600 Attendance - $500 Organizations - $400 Reservations - $300

Catholic Parish Office Standard less than 500 families - $895 500 or more families - $1,395

Multiple-Users Plug-in - $199

$199 to add each new computer to the network for the total ceiling of $3000.

School Tuition - $995
plus customization fees if desired.

Offering and Tuition
 (Includes Pledge)
 399 families - $400
 999 families - $600
 1999 families - $800
 Over 1999 families -$125/1000 families**

Church Treasures - $85

Full Church Edition without Finance - $799

$ Cost $

Religious Education
 500 members - $175
3000 members - $250
 unlimited members - $350

Ledger
 new - $450
 update - $300

General Ledger - $600
 Payroll - $500
 Accounts Payable - $500
 Accounts Receivable - $400
 Fixed Assets - $300

Catholic Parish Office Deluxe less than 500 families - $995 500 or more families - $1,495

Multiple-Databases
(Churches) Plug-in - $79

Enhanced Security - $149

Religious Education - $995 plus customization fees if desired.

Religious Education
 399 families - $450
 999 families - $700
 1999 families - $900
 Over 1999 families -$150/1000 families**

Small Church Edition (Membership, Attendance, and Contributions; Limited to 150 families) - $349

$ Cost $

Youth Ministry
 500 members - $175
3000 members - $250
unlimited members - $350

Payroll
 new - $325
update - $250

Church Report - $250
Cass-it! - $300
 Max-it! - $300
 Ministry Scheduler - $500

Front-Page Website with upload Capabilities - $20/month

Campaign Tracking - $995 plus customization fees if desired.

Time and Talent
 399 families - $400
 999 families - $500
 1999 families - $600
 Over 1999 families -$100/1000 families**

Finance only $299

$ Cost $

Event/Facility Scheduler
1 user/year - $45
10 users/year - $99
20 users/year - $145

School Management
new - $1200
update - $600

HeadMaster
$500 - $2000
 (depending on the number of users)

Report Writer - $179

ACH Electronic Banking
The module is free; $.35 per transaction applies.

$ Cost $

Facility Scheduler
new - $450
update - $300

Classroom Manager
 $495 - $1995
(depending on the number of users)  

** Additional license fees apply for families over 1,999 and are calculated in increments of 1,000 families.

Demo versions

Yes, download for free or have it mailed to you on CD for free.

Yes

Yes

Yes, download for free or have it mailed to you on CD for free.

Yes, download for free or have it mailed to you on CD for free.

$19.95

Yes, download or order on CD for free.

Yes, download or order on CD for free.

Yes, download only, free.

Shipping Charges for the Program Package

Free

$35

Free

Free

Free

$7.50

Free

Free

$5.00

Can different parts of the program share same data (e.g. does inputting family info carry over to all programs)?

Yes

Yes - PDS Office Suite will eventually integrate all or most of the programs making all the data sharable. So far, Church Office Management and Formation Office Management had been integrated.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Can the program be put on a network?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No, but you can buy a $199 plug-in to provide full network capability

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Can data backup and restoration be done within the program (as opposed to backing up the whole program)?

Yes

Yes. There's a nice backup utility with a reminder.

Yes, there's a back up utility

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Do you provide technical support?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

What is the Cost of support?

1 program - $150/year;
 2+  programs - $250/year

$130/year or $55 per incident

$150-200/year on average but depends on the modules chosen

Free

$180/year

$99.50 for a stand-alone user $149.50 for a network user

$29/month

Annual 20% of the total package cost. This fee is mandatory but provides additional free services like online calendar, FTP remote backup (see the question on backup), and others.

Free

Any initial free support period?

1 month free

3 months free.

3 months free

Always free

2 months free

1 year free

6 months free

1 year free

Always free

Toll free number for support?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

No

Do you use any assistive technology for support?

No

No

PC Anywhere, DataStream, Terminal Server, which allow you to see their screen and the other way around with your permission.

Prerecorded and live video instructions over the internet and soon on tapes. PC Anywhere (you have to install it).

No

No

Yes, PCAnywhere

No

No

Can support be reached via e-mail?

Yes

Yes, but only for support subscribers ($130/year).

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

What hours can support be reached?

24 / 7

7AM-5PM (10AM-8PM ET)

M-TH (8AM - 8PM ET)
FR (8AM-6PM ET)

7:00AM - 6:00PM
Eastern Time

7:00AM-4:00PM
 Eastern Time

4:00AM - 2:00PM
Eastern Time

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Eastern Time

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
 Eastern Time

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
 Eastern Time

Can current program information be converted into your system.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

How is it done?

Mail or e-mail - will walk through what files to send.

Mail it. Read "Services" section on the website on how to prepare the data for a transfer.

Mail the data. First they convert a small part and ask you if you are satisfied.

Prepare the data. Mail or upload it to their website. Receive the converted data back on CD.

Prepare the data. Mail or upload or email the data. Receive the converted data back on CD.

Prepare the data. Mail or upload or email the data. Receive the converted data back on CD.

The conversion can be done on-site or through email.

Performed through email.

It's up to the parish to export the data from the existing application. The company only provides specifications on the format to which the data must be converted. There is an optional plug-in ($25.00) for the Church Contribution System, which imports the prepared data.

What's the conversion cost?

$250

$150, if complex than more.

The cost varies depending on complexity.

First 2 hours are free. After that the rate is $20/hour.

$99

$25 + 9 cents per family

Free

$1,000

$25.00

How long does it take to complete a parish transfer of Info?

4-5 days

3-4 weeks for an average transfer

2-3 weeks

2-3 weeks

2 days

2-4 days

About 1 week

1-2 weeks

Up to the parish

Are periodic updates available to current users?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes, they could be. You also get free upgrades within the first 6 months if there are any.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Is there cost for these updates?

No

No

No

No

Yes, unless you subscribe for support

No

No

No

No

Is there a manual?

Yes

Yes. Separate one for each program.

Yes, but they suggest using the embedded application's help.

Yes

Yes

Small booklet. The manual is on CD, you can print it out.

Yes (8 pages).

Yes

No, but it comes embedded in the application.

Cost of the manual.

$50.00 (printed copy);
 free on CD.

Free

Free

$35 with shipping or download for free from the internet

Free

Free

Free

Free

N/A

Is that free with the purchase of the program?

No, only when on CD

Yes.

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

N/A

Do you offer training classes?

No (but see consulting below)

Yes. Several times a year.

Yes, nationwide.

One-week training sessions in Cleveland, OH , Niceville FL, and Atlanta, GA.

Yes, several times a year.

Yes

No (but see about consulting below)

Yes

No, but there is a tutorial as a part of the application.

Cost of training class.

N/A

Less than $100 per day per person. See their website for specific programs/packages.

$100/190 per person depending on whether they have a computer for each student or not).

Free

2-day training.
1 person - $150
each additional person - $75

About $50/person. They conduct trainings in New Jersey occasionally, but don't have a set schedule.

N/A

Free with the purchase of the program. Also free phone-based training conferences (Teletrainings) are available through the company's technology.

N/A

Do you offer consulting trips?

Yes

No, unless it is sponsored by a diocese and attended by at least about 30 parishes.

Yes. Hands-on training. Consultant also customize the program for your parish.

Yes.

They've never done it but it could be arranged.

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Cost of consulting trip.

$750 per 8 hour day
($100 each additional hour)
 and travel expenses

N/A

$475/day.

Just pay for travel expenses. They can use any Diocese's facility instead of hotel.

Only pay for the travel expenses & accommodations

Only pay for the travel expenses & accommodations

Free

$800/day

N/A

How long is the consulting?

As long as needed

N/A

Full day

Full day

Full day

Full day

As long as needed

As long as needed.

N/A

The amount of people who can attend consulting?

any amount the facility can accommodate

N/A

Generally up to 8 people

The more the better

The more the better

The more the better

Unlimited

Unlimited

N/A

Do you have a return policy?

30 days

60 days

90 days

No

60 days

30 days

6 months

60 days

No, however the trial period is 90 days (download the demo).