Shelby Demo

I had an exciting conversation with Alfred Johnson, Steve Pruitt, and Frank Canady today that even included a bit of a demo of something Shelby has been secretly working on.  (at least it was a secret to me)  This wasn't an exhaustive demo, and I was watching, not driving, but let's just say I was really impressed!  This is probably not the "next version" of Shelby, but something completely different.  Co-existence is possible and expected.  Just a few quick comments:

The user interface is Browser-based.  They've done a nice job with AJAX and other technologies making it do a lot of in-place updating, very useful hover-text, and an over-all flexibility and convenience that was way beyond what I'd have expected

Even though browser-based, it's not necessarily assumed to be a hosted solution, but that's an option

Roles and rights and templates can be assigned so each user (or group of users) can have different screen layouts and access.  The screens can be configured down to a per-user basis, so now you really can have a data entry screen that matches your paper input forms.  Shelby has done a good job divorcing the UI from the underlying database structures

A very simple "find" function is present on all displays, so picking a new person, or group of people is quite easy (just the way it should be)

Shelby has introduced a new concept called "tags."  This is different from groups but certainly has some overlap.  I'm going to have to get more detail on what the key differentiators are between groups and tags and how you would decide which to use for what purpose.  Groups seems to be specifically targeted at "small groups," although I could see how tags could be useful there as well.

There is a feature called "meter level" which roughly corresponds to what some of us have been calling "Member Engagement Factor."  Each church can define their own criteria and scoring for the different items that are used to make up this score for each person.  The meter level is both a momentary score, but also has trending capabilities behind it.  I didn't see it, but the idea is that you can set triggers if you see a downturn in a trend so you have warning of something going on that needs attention.

The meter and trending data can be accumulated across the entire congregation(or maybe across selective groups?) so you can build this data into an overall health report.

There is a query function and report generator that is much more user-oriented than a lot of what Shelby has done in the past.  Per the quick discussion (I didn't actually see it), there is the ability to filter on previous results or combine the output of multiple queries to produce a new data set, and then you can re-filter from that data set.

I'm sure there will be a lot more to discover in this new product.  I can hardly wait for a chance to get my hands on this.  So, WatchaThink Alfred and Steve -- do you want somebody else to do a bit of hands-on playing with this new toy? 

Comments

[AJ]

I saw the same thing... I wasn't terribly impressed but thought it was a big step up from Shelby's normal offerings.

I hadn't heard that it could be a self-hosted option, though. That's a huge selling point, I'll need to talk to my contacts about that.

[T. Bradley Dean]

Wait, are you sure this was Shelby? Seems too progressive for them.

[burning_bush]

@t. bradley dean

the reason that you doubt if shelby created it is because shelby did not create it. the actual software was created by christs church of the valley in arizona. since it was written to interface with existing shelby offerings, shelby got wind of it and purchased the right to use it. there is quite a story tied to this little ajax product.

i would imagine that webview would perform better if shelby had the internal talent to satisfy the marketplaces needs.

[Bob Brown]

This is based off of the CCv Check-in system?
http://jonedmiston.blogspot.com/2006/01/check-in-system-part-1-introduction.html

That is great!

We have been looking for a check-in system like that, but we are not interested in FellowshipOne.

We already run Shelby and have for years, so the transition would be smooth for the decision makers. This would keep the client systems up to date more easily and allow use on Mac (I assume).

@ "burning bush" how do you know about this connection? Have you tried them or are you connected with one of the groups?

[Nick Airdo]

I'm glad the cat's head is finally poking out of the bag. I've seen this system and can tell you that it is a beautiful work -- both in the UI and in the code! And, anyone who is unimpressed with it is not getting a real demonstration of its functionality.

[LH]

It's a shame Shelby lost Matt Smith to Microsoft. He was definitely THE visionary in the organization. Huge loss for Shelby.

[Matt Smith]

First, thank you to the “fan club”. I can assure you, any technical “genius” I may enjoy is a direct blessing from God.

Now, being as I am somewhat removed from the immediate comings and goings of the ministry software world, I will indulge myself and make a few comments…

I feel after seven years with Shelby, five as the lead Development Manger, I have some insight into the successes, failures and challenges within the ministry software community. (Thanks Tony for your work creating communication around it all.)

The main point I wish to make is not necessarily technical but relational.

First, I believe the ministry software community should be just that, a community. Too often the companies that have chosen to align themselves with ministries (churches or otherwise) find themselves going it alone in what should and can be a common pursuit. These companies (Shelby, ACS, Fellowship One, Ascribe, etc.) have made a public pledge to ministry. This, in my mind, is a huge testament to their faith in and commitment to building and maintaining lasting relationships with the ministries they serve. It also shows concern in meeting ministry needs in spite of a potentially (likely, is my belief) less profitable marketplace and routinely less acclaim for their pursuits. During my tenure at Shelby, I was time and again amazed at the number of my colleagues motivated, not by personal gain, but by their strong belief in the ministry of the company. I assume this to be the case in the other companies I have mentioned as well. The ministry software industry should cherish this as an unique pillar. Most, if not all, of the companies involved are ministry, not financially, driven. If more can be done to create a community around this common pursuit by both the companies themselves and their customers, what a powerful testimony about how business and faith can align!

Second, I want to affirm what I believe many have already been mentioned. Ministry software should be about empowering relationships. God created man for just that, relationship. I will go out on a limb and conclude that if His primary concern was spiffy, flashy techno gadgets, He would have created those things first. Technology is like a hammer. Just a tool, only as good as the materials it was made from and the execution of its user. On its own, it creates no real value. It is not inherently good or bad. There must be a vision/pursuit that incorporates appropriate use into a grander outcome. I believe that grand outcome is relationships with Christ first and secondarily with each other. People yearn for their God. I think ministry software companies get that. I know ministries get that. I think they are each beginning to see how they can work together to accomplish that. In my last few years at Shelby, I truly experienced this as a truth.

Let me encourage all of us to press on and not lose faith in each other. To build relationships. To not take ourselves seriously, but God seriously.

Humbly, Matt Smith