Can anyone recommend good course/event management software

  • It has to handle secure, online payments and preferably not be SaaS. Ideally with a SQL Server backend? We have fairly complex needs in terms of the data we capture at time of registration (by complex I mean more than most packages offer as standard).

    Maybe my Googling skills are lacking, but anything decent I can find funtionality wise seems to be SaaS (often with the datacentre in the USA, which is not ideal as we are UK based), which, as a DBA, doesn't fill me with joy.

    Many thanks

    Bex

  • Might be worth having a chat with Sage - they do a product Snowdrop which we are phasing out here (UK based).

    Among the different modules in it is a course booking / organising module - don't use it my self but it may be of help

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  • Thanks for the recommendation. I'll give it a look.

    Bex

  • You are looking for a Learning Management System. I've used a few, but none that I liked. The one I dug into the most was from some company in Utah (LearningTree?) . It wasn't well designed, and we ended up just hacking around the tables and adding our own modules to get what we wanted. Not the best solution.

    I did see this: http://moodle.org/ open source, so might be a good building platform. Ultimately I think you might end up customizing things for what you want.

    Joomla has one as well: http://www.joomlalms.com/compare/

    Also a directory: http://www.capterra.com/learning-management-system-software?gclid=CLb20Ozku60CFXMBQAodoEUwBA

  • Hi Steve

    Thanks for your reply and suggestions.

    We already have Moodle in a different part of the organisation as an LMS. What I'm looking for is just an event/course registration solution that has online registration capatbilities (we have one that is too basic for our needs and cannot be customised). We are a specialised FE, and this is for registrations for short courses - without the need for any indepth academic data being captured (no grades, or class scheduling or course materials). It is just name/address/ability to capture lots of extra information/payment facilities I need. I can find ones that pretty much do want we need (eg Cvent), but my problem is that they are all SaaS. I prefer to 'own' our own data - it also makes reporting easier when wanting to tie with other systems as all the solutions we have looked at offer canned reports which can be exported (which we can of course import in etc...) I understand why most are SaaS, I was just hoping that someone might know of I gem I hadn't yet found.

    I'm pretty much resigned to having to go with one of the SaaS ones.

    Many thanks

    Bex

  • Sorry I couldn't help. So many people are going SAAS since it's an easier sales cycle for them.

    If I had the LMS, I might look to extend it with custom work for the same cost of buying a service, but that's a business decision.

    Good luck

  • I really appreciate your input. I agree, I would be looking at developing in-house, but as I'm just the DBA it is not my call. SaaS seems to be the only viable option for this unfortunately.

    Cheers

    Bex

  • On the very rare off-chance that anyone has a similar need, I just thought I'd post an outcome to my original search for a good Events Registration/Online Booking and Payment software with a SQL backend. I eventually tracked down a very good product (not sure if we will buy it, but that's not my decision). Evocos from Silverbear (www.silverbear.com). Ticks so many boxes for us, has a SQL backend (rare as most are SaaS), is flexible, and the interactions we have had with their staff have been very professional. Very impressed with them.

    Bex

  • Thanks for the update, and an interesting solution. Some things in there we should have added to the SQL Saturday site.

  • If you are still looking for an event management software why not try OPTIMO software solutions?

    http://www.optimosoftware.co.uk

    They provide software for events, venues and sponsorships.

    It's highly flexible, has many features such as ticketing, booking, CRM etc

    It is available on a traditional server too - you can call Alex on 0203 289 1438 or email alex@optimosoftware.co.uk for more information

    Hope that helps,

    Carlene

  • With the proper conducted course is well for career object. My one friend has just started one online tutorial course with video. Besides that I did forget to ask the resource of that tutorial. Anyway I think its good and flexible for us to go with such kind of way.

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