I would like to connect a mail program (Mailchimp or Constant Contact) and maybe a CRM, any ideas or suggestions?
No API. Some users set up web-scrapers in the past; the result is we now have a recaptcha.
Integrations can be done one way into a CRM by downloading the CAPWATCH files and pushing them into a database for a CRM; there is no way to push data INTO e-services, however.
Quote from: Holding Pattern on January 21, 2020, 02:43:33 AM
No API. Some users set up web-scrapers in the past; the result is we now have a recaptcha.
Integrations can be done one way into a CRM by downloading the CAPWATCH files and pushing them into a database for a CRM; there is no way to push data INTO e-services, however.
So a one time "snapshot", not a realtime integration? And why? APIs are part of the modern world, how are we supposed to manage communications - 3x5 index cards and phone trees?
Quote... how are we supposed to manage communications - 3x5 index cards and phone trees?
If you know how to integrate APIs, then you already know many other ways to manage communications. Create your own and enter your Squadron folks into it manually the first time.
I don't understand why folks want to recreate eServices on their local system. Use a contact list for local names and numbers. Use eServices for all else.
Keep it simple.
Quote from: etodd on January 21, 2020, 03:00:40 AM
Quote... how are we supposed to manage communications - 3x5 index cards and phone trees?
If you know how to integrate APIs, then you already know many other ways to manage communications. Create your own and enter your Squadron folks into it manually the first time.
I don't understand why folks want to recreate eServices on their local system. Use a contact list for local names and numbers. Use eServices for all else.
Keep it simple.
Simple? Yeah. Download a list every week, import same, cleanup and repeat. Sort of not very respectful of time.
If you know enough about APIs for them to be useful to you, you also know the
havoc they could wreck on a system which still has members using @juno email addresses
and who enter an AOL keyword to find eservices.
Just for curiosities sake, what would you want to be updating via an API?
You could always use CAPWatch and SIMs.
Quote from: Eclipse on January 21, 2020, 05:31:08 AM
If you know enough about APIs for them to be useful to you, you also know the
havoc they could wreck on a system which still has members using @juno email addresses
and who enter an AOL keyword to find eservices.
Just for curiosities sake, what would you want to be updating via an API?
You could always use CAPWatch and SIMs.
I run just such an API fed database and have no clue what problem you are referring too. (And with well over 10K in email addresses, Juno, AOL, and yahoo included, not that that matters!)
As I said, I'd like to get an updated member feed for MailChimp/ConstantContact and in the future a CRM.
How many members are you adding and deleting each week? Is the turnover that high? Constant contact is easy to add the occasional new member, and delete someone who has quit.
Quote from: JohhnyD on January 21, 2020, 01:56:57 PM
As I said, I'd like to get an updated member feed for MailChimp/ConstantContact and in the future a CRM.
What on earth would you need those services for?
A CRM to manage a unit's needs? That's a stretch to say the least.
If manually downloading the data is too much trouble, use the Powershell script.
Quote from: etodd on January 21, 2020, 03:42:20 PM
How many members are you adding and deleting each week? Is the turnover that high? Constant contact is easy to add the occasional new member, and delete someone who has quit.
I use it for MailChimp for wing-wide things (before our IT gurus setup an email distro with everybody's eServices-listed email vs the distro thats just our wing provided email accounts). This gives us a second avenue for advertising things like activities and wing-level events (ie. conference, encampment, etc). Then moms & dads can opt out if they want.
We use multiple communication channels to ensure that our communications are not being missed. Some people respond to a more graphical email presentation, others prefer a straight up text email. Whatever, thats fine. I can also see things like my view and open rates in Mailchimp, which is handy for ascertaining if your communication is having any effect. On more than one occasion someone has told me they didn't see a particular email when Mailchimp says not only did they view it, but they clicked on a link in it. Hmmmm.
So for a wing that has enough emails to fit within Mailchimp's free-tier, its very handy. I just dump the member and member contact into a little Access DB and it spits out a fully formatted CSV ready to drop into Mailchimp. On our list of "eventually nice to have" things is that same CSV coming out of our automated provisioning system so I don't even have to fool with Access and the process becomes more independent of skill.
Wing-wide being the key phrase there.
Quote from: Eclipse on January 21, 2020, 04:24:07 PM
Wing-wide being the key phrase there.
Yes. I was under the impression the OP was just talking about something for his Squadron, hence my question about turnover. IDK? It just isn't that big of a deal for local use.
Quote from: etodd on January 21, 2020, 03:42:20 PM
How many members are you adding and deleting each week? Is the turnover that high? Constant contact is easy to add the occasional new member, and delete someone who has quit.
Volunteer time is limited - automation is smart. I am manually doing this, when I have time.
Quote from: Eclipse on January 21, 2020, 03:53:15 PM
A CRM to manage a unit's needs? That's a stretch to say the least.
Really? Have you ever used a CRM? With well over 100 members, parents and supporters, having a CRM allows for really powerful messaging and management.
Quote from: Eclipse on January 21, 2020, 03:53:15 PM
If manually downloading the data is too much trouble, use the Powershell script.
You may have stumbled into what I am looking for, what is a "powershell script"?
Quote from: NIN on January 21, 2020, 04:14:35 PM
Quote from: etodd on January 21, 2020, 03:42:20 PM
How many members are you adding and deleting each week? Is the turnover that high? Constant contact is easy to add the occasional new member, and delete someone who has quit.
I use it for MailChimp for wing-wide things (before our IT gurus setup an email distro with everybody's eServices-listed email vs the distro thats just our wing provided email accounts). This gives us a second avenue for advertising things like activities and wing-level events (ie. conference, encampment, etc). Then moms & dads can opt out if they want.
We use multiple communication channels to ensure that our communications are not being missed. Some people respond to a more graphical email presentation, others prefer a straight up text email. Whatever, thats fine. I can also see things like my view and open rates in Mailchimp, which is handy for ascertaining if your communication is having any effect. On more than one occasion someone has told me they didn't see a particular email when Mailchimp says not only did they view it, but they clicked on a link in it. Hmmmm.
So for a wing that has enough emails to fit within Mailchimp's free-tier, its very handy. I just dump the member and member contact into a little Access DB and it spits out a fully formatted CSV ready to drop into Mailchimp. On our list of "eventually nice to have" things is that same CSV coming out of our automated provisioning system so I don't even have to fool with Access and the process becomes more independent of skill.
Can we get a system wide set of services like that?
Quote from: JohhnyD on January 22, 2020, 02:20:21 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on January 21, 2020, 03:53:15 PM
A CRM to manage a unit's needs? That's a stretch to say the least.
Really? Have you ever used a CRM? With well over 100 members, parents and supporters, having a CRM allows for really powerful messaging and management.
Um, you mean like Outlook Contacts? Sure man, I'm all over that, I can sort by LastName >OR< FirstName, and
in Ascending or Descending order. High-end Mage level.
Quote from: JohhnyD on January 22, 2020, 02:20:21 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on January 21, 2020, 03:53:15 PM
If manually downloading the data is too much trouble, use the Powershell script.
You may have stumbled into what I am looking for, what is a "powershell script"?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/overview?view=powershell-7
The actual script verbiage can be found in the download area of CapWatch.
If reinventing the wheel is something you enjoy, have at it, but you don't need
to "manage" and "message" 100 CAP members.
Quote from: Eclipse on January 22, 2020, 02:55:18 AM
Um, you mean like Outlook Contacts? Sure man, I'm all over that, I can sort by LastName >OR< FirstName, and
in Ascending or Descending order. High-end Mage level.
Well, no. But nice try.
Whoosh...