Is 37signals stopping development of Highrise? (aka Export All Data)

Can import tagging have been requested more than bulk export? JF said, in March 2007, "It’s important and it’s planned". I can't leave Highrise because 37signals won't give me my data, and I'm very unhappy about it.

It is never wise to even begin to use a product unless you can see how you can get out in case you grow out of it, or it fails to meet your needs over time. If a company doesn't build an exit strategy into its product it shows a lack of confidence that they can meet ongoing user needs or stay competitive with rivals.

So fool you if you're already a customer: 37signals won't introduce full export until they are confident their product is clearly superior. The fact that they add other bells and whistles while ignoring this feature suggests they do believe their product offers an inferior value proposition compared to alternatives.

I agree, I'm on 37 Signals, and Im generally a pretty happy user, but I'm really questioning whether or not I should continue knowing that I can't get my data out.

There is a discussion similar to this on their forums, and they keep saying their servers are more secure than any place that we would store the data, but they're answering the wrong question.

People don't want a full export of their data just because they don't trust you to store the data, they want it so that they can leave, and if you have any confidence in your product, then you'll provide it just for peace of mind.

As I said in their forum, if you run a Software as a Service business, then by default just to keep up you have to provide:
- a user readable privacy policy, so I know what you'll do with my data
- an import, so I can get on to your service
- an export, so I can get back off of your service if you ever do anything I dont like. It helps keep the software company client focused!

Hear! Hear! Your three points are absolutely critical, Evbart.

This seems to be the general consensus. Personally for my company, it's a deal-breaker. I'm not going to invest the time/training/data entry in a system which I'm then held prisoner to, regardless of what the developers decide to do/not do in future. I was seriously looking at both Highrise and Backpack until 37Signals policy on this became clear to me.

Luckily Google Sites has now solved one of my problems, for a fraction of the cost of Backpack, and with no strings!

I'm checking out Pipeline deals as an option. It has the pipeline functionality that I want, AND it lets you export your data whenever you want. Sounds like a good match.

Is 37Signals going to allow data export or add CRM style pipeline tracking anytime soon? I saw a survey a few months ago within highrise asking for feedback, but I havnt heard anything since.

There's also BigContacts.com, BatchBook.com, and ZohoCRM.com. Highrise is a great tool, but if you need this option, take a look at these folks.