ACS to Power Church Conversion *Experience*

[onemore4gsus]

I need to talk to Power Church users who have converted their ACS data (ACS "People") to Power Church's equivalent. We already use Power Church accounting/payroll. We'd like to know the pros and cons of changing over our ACS membership/attendance/contributions/visitation to Power Church.

Power Church end-users only please. Thank you.

[NeilZ]

I need to talk to Power Church users who have converted their ACS data (ACS "People") to Power Church's equivalent. We already use Power Church accounting/payroll. We'd like to know the pros and cons of changing over our ACS membership/attendance/contributions/visitation to Power Church.

Power Church end-users only please. Thank you.

First off ... having everything in one package does make it easier. There's no need to print out contributions info, and pass it on to someone to enter it in another system.

Secondly, you don't have to pay for two packages and two separate upgrades. Nor do uses have to know two separate interfaces.

Third, you don't need a separate server to run it, you can run Powerchurch on your church secretary's machine, and network the rest of your computers directly from that if you want.

Finally, Powerchurch Software will convert your data (for a fee) into the Powerchurch database format, saving you time.

I've been using Powerchurch for over 11 years now, and have not yet looked back.

[onemore4gsus]

NeilZ,

What database did you convert from? Thanks.

[NeilZ]

NeilZ,

What database did you convert from? Thanks.

It was a 'home grown' system ... wasn't worth converting, we (actually I) entered it all by hand. Took about a week of evenings ...

[Eden Whitehead]

The church where I work previously used ACS. It had not been upgraded in quite a while and, frankly, I hated it! We switched to PowerChurch Plus about 3 years ago and I am lovin' it! Unfortunately, the switch was done long enough ago that I don't remember details about how the conversion was done, except I'm certain we did it in-house (i.e., did not pay PC+ to do it for us). My recollection is that not everything converted exactly but what didn't convert was so minor that I didn't spend much time making the adjustments. After saying all that, I also need to say that I work for a small church.

Although I can't really help much in answer to your specific question, I absolutely recommend making the change!

Eden

[onemore4gsus]

Eden,

Actually, this was a big help. Thank you so much.

[NorthPointe Baptist]

I've used PowerChurch since 1996 and think it is a user-friendly product. I also think it is far more efficient to use all the modules PowerChurch has to offer. I've used other products including ACS and must say I prefer PowerChurch. About 4 years ago I helped a church convert all their data from ACS to PowerChurch by entering data directly into PowerChurch. The initial work was time consuming due to a mid-year conversion. However no one at the church knew how to use ACS and since I did not attend the church I was helping (my husband is a pastor of a local church in the same area so I should probably attend where he preaches ), I was not available on Sundays to answer questions for the volunteers entering data. The conversion to PowerChurch was the BEST choice. If you weigh the cost-benefits I think you'll be able to make a choice to use all the PowerChurch modules (A/P, A/R, Contributions, Payroll, Database, Equipment Inventory, etc.).

Hope you don't mind the long comment...I'm just a very happy customer
Chris Cannell
NorthPointe Baptist Church

[onemore4gsus]

Thank you, Chris. Your information is valuable to our decision making process!

~Lynn