CIMS Light vs. CIMS Platinum: What's the difference?

To invest in online cemetery maps, or not to invest in online cemetery maps, that is the question.

That’s the question that many cemetery managers face when thinking about upgrading to cemetery management software, at least.

While cemetery mapping software comes with many advantages, not all cemeteries can justify the investment. The good news: Today’s leading cemetery software companies offer products for all cemeteries and budgets.

In this post, we take a closer look at two CIMS cemetery software products: one without digital maps (CIMS Light) and one that includes mapping (CIMS Platinum). We’ll break down their key features and outline the big differences between the two software products.

CIMS Light: Entry-level cemetery management software

CIMS Light is a budget-friendly cemetery management product for municipal, religious, and private cemeteries that want to digitize their records and streamline day-to-day operations. The same easy-to-use database that powers all CIMS products powers CIMS Light, allowing cemeterians to track which plots are occupied, reserved, and available.

CIMS Light stores all cemetery data on the cloud, meaning that users can access burial records and cemetery documents anytime, from anywhere with an internet connection. While CIMS Light does not include online cemetery mapping, it packs many advanced features, helping cemeterians:

• Assign work orders and create contracts and deeds.
• Create custom fields to track cemetery data.
• Download reports.
• Get unlimited technical support from CIMS.
• Keep cemetery records safe with cloud-based storage.
• Save documents related to burials, markers, and transactions.
• Save time with automatic software updates.

CIMS Light is also compatible the following additional services from CIMS:

• Burial Search
• Data Migration
• Ground penetrating radar
• QuickBooks® Module
• Salesforce Module
• Timeline Memorials

CIMS Light offers a great starting point for cemeteries that are ready to digitize their records but can’t yet afford interactive maps. Many current CIMS users began their cemetery software journey with CIMS Light. Plus, if you decide to add mapping later on, upgrading to CIMS Gold or CIMS Platinum is a breeze.

CIMS Platinum: Best in class cemetery mapping software

CIMS Platinum is a powerful cemetery management product for municipal, religious, and private cemeteries that want to take control of their cemetery maps and access advanced grave-level features. CIMS Platinum runs on the same intuitive database and record management system that serves as the backbone of CIMS Light. However, all the interment records, deeds, and documents stored in CIMS Platinum are linked to an interactive map of your cemetery. In other words, with CIMS Platinum, your cemetery is your online map.

GIS mapping technology sets CIMS Platinum apart from many other cemetery management products. GIS is the foundation of every CIMS Platinum map. It’s this foundation that allows the CIMS team to create spatially accurate maps with near-exact plot sizes, burial locations, burial shapes, and replicas of grave markers. With highly accurate cemetery maps, users can access real-time insights into what’s sold and what’s available.

While industry-leading mapping is CIMS Platinum’s standout feature, the software packs many other management tools. Users can also:

• Create contracts, deeds, and work orders from the CIMS dashboard.
• Create custom fields to track cemetery data.
• Protect maps and records from harm with secure, cloud-based storage.
• Report on cemetery operations.
• Save documents related to burials, markers, and transactions.
• Save time with automatic software updates.
• Share their cemetery’s story with smart maps.
• Tap into decades of cemetery experience with unlimited support from the CIMS team.
• Track sales activity and identify new opportunities.
  
  

CIMS Platinum users can take advantage of every additional service offered by CIMS, including:

• Burial Search
• Data migration
• Drone imaging
• Ground penetrating radar
• QuickBooks® integration
• Salesforce integration
• Timeline memorials
• Tree and vegetation management
• 360-degree imaging

Key differences between CIMS Light and CIMS Platinum

There are three key differences between CIMS Light and CIMS Platinum: access to online maps, which additional services are available to users, and price.

Difference #1: Mapping

CIMS Light users can access a wide range of cemetery management tools. However, the product does not include online cemetery maps. CIMS Platinum, on the other hand, links all cemetery data to a smart map of cemetery grounds.

Difference #2: Additional services

Since CIMS Light does not include mapping features, the product is not compatible with mapping-related additional services like drone and 360-degree imaging. CIMS Platinum is compatible with all additional services from CIMS.

Difference #3: Price

The CIMS team believes that more efficient cemetery management shouldn’t break the bank. That’s why CIMS offers three distinct cemetery management products at three different price points. In general, CIMS Light is less expensive than CIMS Platinum. Get price estimates for implementing CIMS Light or CIMS Platinum at your cemetery here.

See CIMS Light and CIMS Platinum in action

The best way to learn whether CIMS Light or CIMS Platinum better fits your cemetery’s needs is to see both products in action. Schedule an online demo with a CIMS expert to learn more about your options.