The CIMS User Conferences was back in the Wisconsin Dells for 2023. This event has grown to 88 cemeterian attendees and over 100 people in total when including CIMS and Ramaker staff members. The CIMS team had a great tine catching up with everyone, but if you weren’t able to make this year’s event, here is a summary of some of the key takeaways from this year’s conference:
1. CIMS Cloud Updates
Nathan Cavanaugh made announcements and presentations regarding CIMS Cloud Updates. These updates went live for everyone shortly after the event. Some key features presented were:
a. Web Application to Manage Work Orders
This is a tool that cemetery staff can use on their phones to view and edit work orders as they complete projects on the cemetery grounds. This web application can be accessed via the Work Order menu item in CIMS.
b. Reminders
It can be hard to remember everything you need to do to keep your cemetery running smoothly. The new Reminders tool allows you to tag a particular record with a reminder that can be scheduled for a particular date. When that date occurs, you will be reminded upon login. Reminders can be added to burials, grave spaces, work orders, markers, or customers.
c. Client Correspondence Tracking Tool
Do you need an appropriate place to track a conversation or email with a family member related to a particular grave space or burial. The most recent update to CIMS includes the ability to log correspondence so you have that history when you need it.
d. Enhanced Invoicing Capabilities
The CIMS team is working on a significant upgrade to the way CIMS creates invoices and quotes for items people purchase from cemeteries. This feature will be available soon, so stay tuned!
2. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a Powerful Tool
Many cemeteries struggle to fill gaps in their records. Our team showcased how GPR can be used to take a cemetery that has no maps or records and create detailed maps that can be incorporated into CIMS. By using radar systems that send a series of pulses to scan a defined area, GPR can detect underground anomalies such as burial locations, hidden objects, and water or utility lines without disturbing soil. It is a safe and effective surveying method perfect for sensitive sites like cemeteries. These findings are then incorporated into your online database and used to generate interactive maps. Ready to gain a better understanding of your cemetery? Get an estimate for ground penetrating radar at your cemetery.
3. Face Time with the CIMS Team and Other Cemeterians
It was great to get to meet up with cemeterians face to face —it’s truly the best part of the conference! Between the roundtable discussions and small group meetings, providing opportunities for cemeterians to get together and discuss their triumphs and challenges is what the CIMS User Conference was created for. Our team loves getting firsthand accounts of how CIMS is being used in cemeteries across the country. The feedback that we receive helps us prioritize new features and tailor future upgrades with the user in mind, helping us meet the unique needs of modern cemeteries. It’s a win-win!
Want to participate in our next conference? Details about the date and location of the 2025 CIMS User Conference will be announced soon. Click here to sign up for the CIMS newsletter and receive updates.
Interested in learning more about CIMS? Request more information about our cemetery software here.
