The Ever Changing World of The Cell Phone.

Today we are more connected than we have ever been.  Not just with each other, but with technology.  30 years ago, computers were no more than large adding machines or expensive typewriters (at least that's what most people used them for).  Today you theoretically could keep your entire computer in your pocket (prime example is the Motorola Atrix which can be converted into a laptop); and this is only the beginning.  Soon, we will all have one computer that we carry around and plug into different docks at different locations.  This computer is our phone.

Smart Phones are all the rage; everyone has one.  They help us stay connected to the world around us.  Membership Management Services is the first Synagogue Software Company to utilize your smart phone with their Synagogue Phone App.  This app lets your members, clergy, and staff stay connected like never before.  From posting the Rabbi's Blog to your Member Directory, everything is there right when you want it.

The app itself is extremely easy to use, and is customized to each synagogue.  Some synagogues have chosen to use it  only  for their staff as a way to stay connected on the go; including a master calendar so that everyone is on the same page when it comes to meetings, events, and other important dates.  On the other hand, some have chosen to go the Member route, and utilized such features as Streaming Services, Picture Galleries, and important phone numbers.  

The best thing about this app, is how Membership Management Services has priced this app for everyone!  At only $275 for current customers it's a steal.  You pay the one time set-up fee and your members are able to download it for free from the Android Market and iPhone App Store.

Even if you aren't a MM2000 customer, you can still order the app for $295; Membership Management Services can even pull data out of your current software to get your Member Directory working on the app.

If you would like to take a look at a sample version of the app, head over to either the Android Market or iPhone App store and just search MM2000.

Data roaming on cell phones no longer a problem!

We all go on trips, some for business, some for pleasure, and we all have the same problem: what to pack.  Clothing is the easy part; I know I'm going to Mexico, so I should pack some shorts, or I'm traveling up to Canada for the week, I should probably take a sweater.  The one thing we always seem to have trouble deciding to take with us is our cell phones.  Personally, I take my cell phone everywhere, including trips, as it is more than just a phone. It is my music player, my video gallery, my camera; it does just about everything. The only problem is when I get to my destination. Sometimes I forget to turn it on Airplane Mode (disabling the cellular signal so I don't get charged for roaming). An Israeli startup company has fixed this for you. No longer do you have to worry about surfing the internet with your Iphone and being charged thousands upon thousands of dollars on your next bill. The company, Onavo, has developed a way so that your searches and web pages go through their servers first, compressing your data. For those of you without smart phones (Iphones, Android, and Blackberrys) when you surf the internet, just like at home, data is sent back and forth.  Your carrier will give you a certain amount of data for free and when you go over, will tack on extra charges.  By compressing your data, a smaller amount of information is passed back and forth between the carrier’s server and your phone, and you will not be charged these overages.  The carriers will also charge for 'roaming' with your data just as they do with your cell phone minutes.  By going through Onavo servers, you are no longer roaming, and therefore won't be charged with roaming fees. Onavo has almost every carrier on board with this.  The carriers are happy because you are taking up less of their bandwidth (data being passed back and forth) and customers are happy because it costs them a lot less; a win/win situation for both parties. Onavo is currently only available for the Iphone, but they are working on an Android version (and more than likely will move to Blackberry soon).  If you have an Iphone and are worried about going over your allowed data limit, or are traveling out of the country or even out of your area of service, I would recommend picking up this app.  Currently it is free, so get it while you can before they start charging for the service.

Creating Revenue Out of Nothing!

Times are hard right now, and we are all fighting for donations and revenue, especially for non-profits.  Thus, we must find new ways to generate revenue. I've discovered a great way to generate that revenue without having to do much work. JudaicaBeautiful is a site that does just that.  They are a company that works with Synagogues to help them make money.  They provide you with the items to sell and you post them on your website.  They take care of everything; all you have to do is host it.  Best part is, you get part of the sale.  You host a page on your site, with items that they sell.  When one of these items sells (from your website) they give you a percentage of the sale.  They sell anything, and everything Jewish!  From accessories (watches, key chains, money clips) to candy, gift baskets, and more!  They even do ecards!  They essentially expand your small sisterhood gift shop into a large organization offering more than what you can host in the small space.  They are online at JudaicaBeautiful.  Go check them out and see how they can work for you!

The Future of Synagogue Software An Interview With Jim Gelles

There has been a lot of talk lately in the Synagogue Software industry about new platforms, and new directions. With Rakefet leaving the market, Synagogues all over the world will be looking for something new. So I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to sit down with one of the leaders of the Synagogue software community, Jim Gelles, owner of Membership Management Services and publisher of MM2000. He was kind enough to spend some time with me and answer a few of my questions.

Mike: Jim, thanks for this opportunity to sit down with me. So give me a little background, how long have you been in business?

Jim: I started working with computers in the late 70's, mostly selling computer systems. It wasn't until 1987 when I got into software. In '87 I started Membership Management Services with the intention of selling specifically to synagogues.

Mike: Why synagogues, why not go into something a little bigger?

Jim: I thought that the synagogue market was one that hadn't really been explored. It was a niche market, and so we went for it, and I've continued since then. We felt it was important that we specialized; only working with Synagogues.

  

Mike: How do your account for staying in business for over 25 years?

Jim: The one thing that Membership Management Services has been successful at is continuing to keep up with the development of software. In the late 90's, when Windows really took off, we moved from a DOS to Windows Package. Because I do a lot of the programming, and own the company, I had the knowledge and was willing to put the time in to move from one platform to another. That's what made us successful. We are one of the few companies that can say they've been successful moving from one platform to more effective ones.

Mike: Is this what makes MM2000 and Membership Management Services stand out above the rest?

Jim: MM2000 stands out because after almost 25 years of development it's what synagogues need. MM2000 has been developed over the years by letting the synagogues tell us what they want, and us modifying the program to match their needs. This has made our software into a more diverse and complete package.

Mike: So what is the next step?

Jim: Well there is a lot of talk right now about going to the cloud, this is indeed the future. We're determined to take another leap forward just like we did with DOS (to Windows), by rewriting our entire package in the language of the internet, JAVA. The project is currently being worked on and by the end of the year we will have something to show everyone at the Conventions.

Mike:  So what is "cloud computing"?

Jim: The cloud is a methodology that allows access to data from many locations. It makes it very easy when you're sitting at home, your office, or even an airport to be able to access your data.

Mike: That is most interesting!

Jim: Well, it also raises a lot of concerns in terms of security; it's not something to just be rushed into. With saying all of that, there are many technologies out there right now to move to the cloud. In fact, a few of our customers have already done this. They are successfully running MM2000 with their data locations separate from their main office.

Mike: Can't synagogue members then just change their own data willingly without the synagogue ever knowing about it?

  

Jim: We feel that it is very important for the back office to be separated from the front office; we don't want the members to be able to manipulate the Synagogue's data. That's why MM2000 is designed with an optional App (module) called MMOnTheWeb. With MMOnTheWeb members can update their records, make donations, and even register for school or events. But because it's a separate application from MM2000 the synagogues never have to worry about members actually accessing the back office. Everything flows back and forth between the two programs smoothly all while providing a huge layer of security.

  

Mike: So why haven't you switched over fully to a cloud based program?

Jim: I think in the next couple of years the internet will be a lot more secure, but at this point every one needs to be very concerned with security. With huge companies like Sony, Google, and even the CIA are being hacked, right now the security just isn't there. That doesn't mean that the cloud isn't on our mind, and that the cloud isn't the future. That's why we are moving to JAVA, the language of the internet.

Mike:  So JAVA is the next step?

Jim: Yes. We are really excited about this. Going to JAVA will accomplish a lot of things. First, like I said, JAVA is the language of the internet. This way we can run the next version of MM2000 as a browser based program, giving you the ability to access the program from anywhere. But even before that, by moving to JAVA we will be able to run on just about any platform; Mac, Windows, even on the Ipad/Iphone and Android. So you truly will be able to run on anything.

  

Mike: That will make the Java version really convenient to access.

Jim: That's not all. You will also be able to theme the next version of MM2000, just like you would any web page. Think of it this way, you go on Constant Contact and select a certain look for your email. Our JAVA product will have the same capabilities. You will be able to pick your colors, font, and general look. I'm really excited to see what synagogues will do with this!

  

Mike: So why go with JAVA and not some other platform?

Jim: JAVA seemed like the most reasonable. We looked at going other directions like .Net, but we didn't want to be tied down by the limitations of just Microsoft. I'm looking at the long distance future, not just the short term future, and in 10 years how will Microsoft fair against everything else? I mean who knows, Android could become the dominant operating system. If we went with .Net we would have been forced to use only a Microsoft Database. As good as they are, they still have limits to what they can do. I see PC's and Ipads (tablets) as the future, and by going to JAVA we are already ready for this.

  

Mike: Is there anything you would like to close with? Anything you want to tell anyone out there?

Jim: Well to close, I like to think that our 25 years of experience speaks for itself. We successfully moved from one platform, DOS to the next, Windows, and now we are taking the next giant leap into the true internet age with JAVA.

  

We've always been about our customers, the synagogues, and what they want, and what their needs are today. MM2000 is an easy to use, user friendly software package. Because of that we have been able to offer the lowest support prices in the industry, usually 30% less than our competers. So even though we have more features than other software, our cost of ownership is much less than the rest of the industry. For example we charge $1100 per year for unlimited multiuser support.

For those who are looking for new synagogue software or just want to find out why MM2000 is the best solution for Synagogue software, check their web page at www.MM2000.net . You can also reach MM2000 & Jim Gelles, by phone at 818/988-0008 or e-mail at jim@mm2000.net. 

 

( The interviewer, Mike Gelles, is the Director of Markting for Membership Management Services, and also the son of owner, Jim Gelles.)