Orbund

I just wanted to say how I continue to be pleased with the services of Orbund even now at a different level. My most recent positive experience is related to discussions in classes. In some of my classes, I use discussion forum, however I did not like the fact that I didn't know a student had posted a comment unless i checked the class. I therefore contacted live help. I was told it was not possible so I should report it to my administrator who would seek to have this feature included.

To my pleasant amazement, the next time I logged in, before even speaking to the Administrator, I could see recent discussions on my start page. That is so very helpful. This experience reinforced what I already know - Orbund is limited only by the limitations of my imaginations! Thanks again and please convey my thanks to whoever it is really due.

Implementation:
We have been an Orbund customer since 2010. We had a complicated implementation (our programs were somewhat unique) but the team was very accommodating. I have suggested that a Business Manager who can sit down with the potential customer and walk through their programs would be helpful to determine the best set up and usage of the Orbund product. I think our initial understanding and training of the product was not thorough enough for us to work through issues without further assistance.
Customer Service
Once we were live the customer service team headed by Kaniz (who is very knowledgeable) is always pleasant and helpful. We had weekly meetings for a season and Kaniz and her team continue to be responsive when we have questions or issues. We are made to feel that meeting our needs is their main focus. Kaniz and her team are a delight to work with.

Suggestions:
I think a more thorough initial training (additional training materials, etc.) would help the client understand the system better and maybe some issues would be avoided or nullified.
I would like to see a more vibrant live help with follow up emails or phone calls confirming that the issue has been resolved and how.

The Orbund product has all the elements that we need to manage our school; student records, financial, course management, etc. Over time, It is evident that Orbund continues to improve its product with new features, updates, etc. always endeavoring to meet the expanding needs of its customers. I know it might be difficult, but it would be helpful to have a "heads up" when new features or changes are made.

Thank You

Their only customer service is [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] in an online tech support chat who often understands the system less than I do and has recommended 'fixes' that took hours to correct. We have a client rep that rarely communicates unless I send multiple emails copying his superiors. Their 'ticket system' for issues is only handled through email - which I rarely get responses for - and my average turn around on any ticket is 3 MONTHS+. There is absolutely no help when you need to handle major events like setting up a new school year. Email after email, call after call - no change in two years! If you want a student information system, I highly recommend moving along to another option.

The Orbund management system has become an essential member of the team at the Office of Registrar at our college.

We especially love the fact that it is customizable to our needs which are unique and evolving as we are a relatively very young educational institution. It appears to us that the only limits Orbund has is that of our imaginations. As our needs are identified the product is modified. This makes managing our student information system much easier. We have been discovering that the system can do more than we actually use - for example we recently used it for our admissions process, helping in making our office green. We have gotten rid of much of the paper work associated with admissions.

Orbund also keeps college community connected as it is used to communicate to all - students and staff alike about various matters. It allows for multi-dimensional communication as users on the system can communicate with each other.

We believe that one of the strengths of the system is the excellent customer support! It is amazing their availability - by whatever medium most convenient for us at the time - they make us feel so important it is almost as if we are the only client (which we know is not the case). Our customer service rep has become as a member of staff. Her name is a well know and we speak of her as if her desk was within our physical space.

We look forward to a continued relationship with Orbund management system. Our experience continue to improve with the minimal down time for system upgrade becoming less and less.

Well done Orbund!

Overall I would strongly recommend Orbund, without reservation, to Bible Colleges, Bible Institutes, as well as Universities and Colleges who are on a budget regarding their Web-Based SIS/CMS System. What a difference this software has made for the staff, instructors, and students @ the Palmer Institute! We can't live without this software now, especially because it is simply the best on the market.