Blackbaud, a leading provider of software for social impact, has announced the integration of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft Power BI into its upcoming data and storytelling solution, Blackbaud Impact Edge. This integration aims to enhance the platform's performance, scalability, stability, and reporting capabilities for corporate customers.
Blackbaud Impact Edge is designed to empower corporate impact professionals to effectively monitor, report on, and communicate their organisation's social impact initiatives. The platform aggregates impact data from various sources, including employee engagement programs, philanthropic initiatives, and educational programmes, utilising insights from Blackbaud's YourCause and EVERFI solutions. It also incorporates trusted external data sources to provide a comprehensive view of an organisation's impact.
The integration of Microsoft Power BI Embedded will significantly improve data visualisation within the Impact Edge dashboard, enabling users to easily access key insights. This integration will also enhance the platform's stability, scalability, and overall performance.
Furthermore, Blackbaud is incorporating its generative-AI chatbot, Blackbaud Copilot, into Impact Edge, leveraging Microsoft's engineering expertise. This version of Copilot will enable Impact Edge to answer questions and generate content based on trusted information sources, including company branding guidelines, website information, and public-facing web domains. Future iterations of Copilot will introduce enhanced data visualizations, the ability to ingest various data formats, and improved access to structured data.
Dale Strange, President and Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Impact at Blackbaud, highlighted the benefits of the Microsoft integration, stating that it will enhance performance, stability, and scalability while ensuring data security. He lauded Microsoft's leadership in secure and scalable AI capabilities, emphasising their contribution to developing the "cutting-edge reporting and AI features" of Impact Edge.
Eduardo Kassner, Chief Data & AI Officer, Software & Digital Platform at Microsoft, echoed this sentiment, praising Blackbaud's innovative use of Microsoft services. He highlighted the platform's sophisticated generative AI, data access, and visualisation experience facilitated by Azure OpenAI Service and Power BI solutions.
Blackbaud is currently rolling out Impact Edge to corporate impact customers following a successful early adopter program. The platform is currently available to a limited number of customers, with all features undergoing continuous enhancement and improvement. New features, such as data alignment with industry standards like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Community Reinvestment Act, are also being incorporated. General availability of Blackbaud Impact Edge is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024.
