Blackbaud – Convio merger expected to close this week

The Department of Justice signed off on Blackbaud’s acquisition of Convio last week, and it looks like the deal will close this week. 

This is just the beginning of the story.  I expect that it will take at least several months, and probably several years, before the dust settles and we know what’s left behind.  David Lawson has been arguing that Common Ground is a goner and clients will be pushed to eTapestry.  Other outside experts I’ve talked to think Common Ground will get Blackbaud’s full support and will be targeted to mid-sized nonprofits.  eTapestry will be targeted to Blackbaud’s smallest clients.  Unfortunately, I haven’t heard anyone make a convincing case that Luminate will survive.  Then there’s Sphere and the aborted Raiser’s Edge 8.  We’ll see.  How’s your crystal ball?