Phone System Update

We have successfully replaced our phone system.
We ask for your patience as we work out the kinks and adjust to this new structure.
We are always available via email as well: support@trailblz.com

October was National Cyber Security Awareness Month

In observance of National Cyber Security Month (October)https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-cyber-security-awareness-month-october/

We wanted to provide our customers with some tips for securing your database.


Automate your Online Donations with Our Integrated Donation Form

If you aren't yet taking advantage of our integrated donation form, we would love to help you get it setup!  This form has many benefits:
- money is processed directly into your bank account
- the donor can stay on your website throughout the entire process
- the donor will receive a custom thank-you email
- the data will automatically be collected into your database

First, you'll need to activate a merchant gateway account that we integrate with: https://www.trailblz.com/Credit-Card-Payment-Merchant-Gateway

Second, you'll need to generate the iFrame code and insert it into a donation landing page on your website.
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYJOszM9CoU
- Article: https://www.trailblz.com/kb/?action=view&kb=214&cat=0&qq=iframe

Third, create a custom thank-you email responder:
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQhVau54b48
- Article: https://www.trailblz.com/kb/?action=view&kb=329&cat=0&qq=responder

Here's an example from our nonprofit demo site (feel free to test it with a fake credit card number): http://www.pandamonium.us/donateV2.html

Geocoding and Mapping Your Address Data

Today's Tip (Additional Service): take advantage of our geocoding tools to map out segments of your database or your entire universe of constituent records.

1. From the Voters / Donors List, load the records that you want to geocode.

2. Select File > Reporting > Mapping - Select Addresses for Geocoding.



3. Select your accuracy preference and click [OK] (most customers opt for the more accurate option).  This will trigger an email to our support team to begin the geocoding process on the selected addresses.

4. You will be sent an invoice for the service, and a notification once complete (expect 1-2 business days).

5. Launch the Trail Blazer IQ mapping tool by following File > Reporting > Launch TrailBlazerIQ (mapping)...



6. You can then view your data on a map and perform a variety of tasks with it, such as drawing turfs around the selected points that you want to canvass, call, or send direct mail to.



Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTGEihGDZwU

Give us a call for help: 1-866-909-8700

More Additional Serviceshttps://www.trailblz.com/Support/AdditionalServices

Hot Off The Press: Learn How to Access Trail Blazer on your Mac Computers

This Knowledge Base tutorial walks through the steps to access your Trail Blazer database on your Mac computers via the free Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 application: https://www.trailblz.com/kb/?action=view&kb=1384&cat=0&qq=mac

It also digs into important configuration steps so that you can import and export between your Mac and Trail Blazer, as well as how to print to both your local printers and as PDF files.

Take Advantage of Training

Has your organization taken advantage of our free training program?  If not, we highly recommend that every person that needs to learn the Trail Blazer software on your team attends our Intro Training Class: https://www.trailblz.com/LearningResources/Events

After you've completed intro training you will have access to ongoing tech support and further training in any topic of your choice.


Semi-Retirement For Mark

To Our Customers,

Many of you have worked with Mark Panger over his many years with Trail Blazer. Mark announced to us a while ago that as of September 1, he will be moving to half-time. With full retirement coming in several, all too soon, months. Along with this reduction of time will be a shift in his duties.

Mark will be focusing on the behind-the-scenes operations of Trail Blazer and will immediately phase-out of direct customer support. He will help cover phones for many days at lunchtime, but otherwise, his day to day will be supporting the support staff and management at Trail Blazer.

Mark started with Trail Blazer in 2006 after working with an organization that was using Trail Blazer. He liked it so much he joined us! Over the years Mark’s roles have included
· training,

· support,

· data migration,

· sales,

· FEC compliance,

· controller,

· and, of course, lead bottle-washer.

We are delighted that Mark will still be available as a resource to our company and especially our customers. But even more, delighted that he will get to spend more time with his grandkids and his volunteer activities.

Updates to the Desktop Application (v7.1.7485.17233)

In today's release of the desktop version, there are a handful of notable changes:

  • - Deposit Multi-Select items for Deposit: when doing a deposit you can use the normal [Shift] and Control keys to select multiple lines for deposit
  • - Deposit - Filter by Batch Mode: you can now filter by batch mode for a quicker selection of items for deposit
  • - Custom Genders: you can now create your own custom gender types (either by going to the System Manager > Lists area, or from within a contact's record card > Profile tab > Gender drop-down)
  • - NO Thank You Donors: if you create an attribute that starts with the words 'No Thank' you can then filter out those people by default in the Contributions - Thank You Letter List

Please call or email our Support Team to learn how to take advantage of these new upgrades.

To get the latest update:
 https://www.trailblz.com/software/
 

Pro Tip: Saved Search Favorites on your Mobile Device

Are you utilizing the Trail Blazer Mobile Basecamp app to the fullest?  One feature that many of clients like to use is the ability to access saved search favorites for tasks like call lists.  For instance, you may want to reach out to new donors while you're on-the-go.

First, you'll need to create and save a search favorite in your database: https://www.trailblz.com/kb/?action=view&kb=204&cat=0&qq=favorite

That saved search will then become available on the free Mobile Basecamp app via your iPhone or Android device.  Here's an example:

Please contact our Support Team if you need a hand setting this up: 1-866-909-8700

Covid-19 Economic Injury Loan for Nonprofits

To all of our nonprofit customers that are facing stressful financial situations during the Covid-19 outbreak, we encourage you to look into applying for the government's economic injury loan (grant).  The loan application (it's pretty short on details) can be found here: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/

This short-term loan opportunity (that converts into a grant for nonprofits) can help with your payroll and rent expenses for the next few months.  You can contact your local banking institution to see if they are participating in this program.

Here to Support You



It's a crazy time for our world, to say the least.  With all the uncertainty, we want to reassure you that our team is here to support you with all of your Trail Blazer needs.

Our office hours are still the same (8-5 Central Time M-F) and 24/7 emergency support.  Our team will primarily be working remotely.  Please don't hesitate to call or email us for any support-related questions, to schedule a training, etc.

Be well.

Phone: 1-866-909-8700

Email: support@trailblz.com

Knowledge Base: www.trailblz.com/kb

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/trailblazersoftware

Accessing Trail Blazer Remotely

We've received quite a few inquiries on how to access Trail Blazer from home.  The links and tutorials below will help you to get up and running on Mac, PC, smartphone, and tablet.  Please call or email tech support if you need assistance.

Download and login on a PC: https://trailblz.com/kb/?action=view&kb=2&cat=0&qq=pc

Download and login on a Mac: https://trailblz.com/kb/?action=view&kb=255&cat=0&qq=mac

Quick links for downloading on the App Store and Google Play store: https://www.trailblz.com/Download

You can either contact your database admin(s) or tech support if you need your Database Name.

 

 

Trail Blazer v7 Now Available

A new version of Trail Blazer is available for download: https://www.trailblz.com/software/ 

 

You'll need your Database Name the first time you login.  Please contact your database admin or tech support if you need yours.

Note: This is a special download, the first time, going from Version 6 to Version 7 because of some security changes requires a new download.