Still using spreadsheets for event management headaches?
If you’re researching event management software, you’re probably frustrated by disconnected tools, scattered data, and the hassle of juggling multiple platforms to run your events smoothly.
From my deep look at these platforms, I know the biggest issue is that lost data and manual processes waste hours daily—leaving your team constantly reacting instead of getting ahead.
D2i Systems tackles this by combining sales, finance, marketing, registration, and operations into one centralized solution built just for event organizers. Unlike other tools, Engage gives you a true end-to-end platform with tailored integrations for complex event requirements.
In this review, I’ll show you how D2i Systems can actually unify your operations and let you focus on running successful, profitable events.
You’ll see in this D2i Systems review what sets them apart, including a walkthrough of features, pricing, implementation, and how Engage compares to leading alternatives.
You’ll discover the features you need to take charge of your event workflows with absolute confidence.
Let’s dive into the analysis.
Quick Summary
- D2i Systems is a customizable event management platform that centralizes sales, finance, marketing, and operations data within one integrated system.
- Best for mid-to-enterprise event organizers managing complex, large-scale exhibitions and conferences.
- You’ll appreciate its tailored solutions and seamless integration capabilities that adapt to unique event workflows and existing IT setups.
- D2i Systems offers custom enterprise pricing with no free trial, requiring contact for demos and quotes.
D2i Systems Overview
D2i Systems is a UK-based software company I find impressive, specializing in end-to-end event management. They’ve been around since 2006, with a clear mission to centralize data for smarter business intelligence—a common pain point I hear about.
They target organizers who are frustrated by juggling disconnected systems. Their model provides a single platform for everything from sales and finance to marketing and complex operations. This solution is built to run your entire business, not just handle ticketing.
Recent partnerships show their continued relevance. As I researched through this D2i Systems review, it became clear their integrated approach keeps winning over major organizers with complex needs.
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Unlike competitors like Cvent, which can feel rigid, D2i Systems acts as a technology partner. Their value is delivering deeply customized software solutions that fit your unique operational workflows, not forcing you into their box.
They work with a diverse group of clients, from international airshows to agricultural societies, proving the platform handles highly specialized and complex event requirements.
From my analysis, their strategic focus is squarely on solving data fragmentation for your organization. The goal is giving your teams—sales, finance, and operations—a single source of truth.
Now let’s examine their core capabilities.
D2i Systems Features
Are disparate event systems making you lose sleep?
D2i Systems features a comprehensive, integrated solution suite called Engage, designed to centralize event management. These are the five core D2i Systems solutions that transform how you run events.
1. Engage CRM/ERP
Is your event data scattered across different tools?
Fragmented data can make it impossible to get a unified view of your event performance, hindering productivity. This leads to missed opportunities and inefficient operations.
Engage CRM/ERP centralizes all your event data and business processes into a single system. I found its integrated dashboards offer powerful business intelligence, giving you a holistic view of customer interactions and financial metrics. This feature ensures your team works from one source of truth.
This means you can maximize productivity and make informed decisions with a complete understanding of your event ecosystem.
2. Engage Marketing / Registration
Tired of manual, disconnected marketing campaigns?
Ineffective marketing and registration processes can lead to poor visitor engagement and incomplete data, hurting your event’s reach. You’re likely missing out on potential attendees.
Engage Marketing / Registration empowers you to create and automate real-time campaigns. What I love is how it collects and enriches visitor data automatically, from initial website visits through event attendance. This feature includes smart registration, email automation, and lead capture tools.
So, you get intelligent communication with prospective visitors, streamlining their journey and improving overall engagement.
3. Engage Sales / Contracting / Invoicing
Does managing your sales pipeline feel like a never-ending chore?
A disorganized sales cycle can lead to lost deals and revenue, creating unnecessary administrative burden for your team. This wastes valuable selling time.
Engage Sales / Contracting / Invoicing helps you track your sales pipeline, close more deals, and automate billing efficiently. From my testing, the simplified sales lead management and automated invoicing truly streamline day-to-day processes. This solution ensures better tracking and management of revenue generation.
This means your sales team can focus more on closing deals and less on administrative tasks, boosting your bottom line.
4. Engage Operations / E-Net / CDM eCommerce
Struggling to guide exhibitors to “event ready” status?
Inefficient operational processes can lead to exhibitor frustration and last-minute chaos, negatively impacting customer service. Manual handbooks just don’t cut it anymore.
Engage Operations provides an online operational handbook that guides exhibitors and contractors seamlessly. This solution empowers exhibitors to manage their operational tasks via a self-service portal, as I saw with the UCAS example. This ensures a clear, structured process from lead generation to stand build.
What you get instead is exceptional customer service and a smoother operational workflow for everyone involved in your event.
5. Tailored Solutions & Third-Party Integrations
Does “one-size-fits-all” software never quite fit your needs?
Rigid software often forces you to adapt your unique processes to its limitations, leading to inefficient workarounds and wasted time. Your existing tech stack feels ignored.
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D2i Systems excels at providing bespoke software and integrating with third-party applications. This is where D2i Systems shines, offering proven API routines to work with various external systems. This flexibility means the platform truly adapts to your specific requirements and existing IT infrastructure.
This means you can enjoy a custom-fit solution that complements your unique event requirements and tech ecosystem, rather than fighting against it.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Centralized event data for a unified business view.
- ✅ Comprehensive suite covering sales, marketing, operations.
- ✅ Highly customizable solutions and extensive third-party integrations.
- ⚠️ Bespoke solutions might imply longer initial implementation timelines.
- ⚠️ Interface could feel overwhelming for smaller, simpler events.
- ⚠️ Pricing transparency isn’t immediately obvious for custom builds.
You’ll quickly find that these D2i Systems features work together to create a cohesive, unified event management experience, eliminating data silos for good.
D2i Systems Pricing
Confused about custom software pricing?
D2i Systems pricing is based on tailored quotes, meaning you’ll need to consult with their sales team to understand costs specific to your event management needs.
Cost Breakdown
- Base Platform: Custom quote
- User Licenses: Varies by scale and specific modules
- Implementation: Custom quote, likely a percentage of total project cost
- Integrations: Varies by complexity and number of third-party systems
- Key Factors: Event scale, number of modules, user count, bespoke requirements
1. Pricing Model & Cost Factors
Understanding D2i Systems’ pricing.
D2i Systems operates on a custom pricing model, meaning there are no published tiers or fixed monthly rates. Your overall cost will largely depend on the specific Engage modules you require (CRM, Marketing, Sales, Operations), the scale of your events, and the number of users accessing the system. Implementation and integration services also significantly influence your total investment.
From my cost analysis, this tailored approach ensures your budget aligns directly with the functionality and support your organization truly needs.
2. Value Assessment & ROI
Is this a smart investment?
While custom pricing requires direct engagement, it often translates to a better long-term ROI by ensuring you only pay for what’s essential for your business. The integrated Engage platform can help consolidate disparate systems, potentially offering significant savings in operational efficiency and staff time, making the cost-benefit analysis quite compelling for large event organizers.
Budget-wise, this means your investment is directly tied to business outcomes, avoiding the waste of generic, oversized solutions.
3. Budget Planning & Implementation
Consider total cost of ownership.
When budgeting for D2i Systems, you must account for not just the software subscription, but also professional services for configuration, data migration, and any bespoke development or third-party integrations. What I found regarding pricing is that initial setup costs can be a substantial upfront investment for enterprise-level solutions like Engage.
So for your business, planning for implementation and ongoing support is crucial to accurately forecast your total cost of ownership.
My Take: D2i Systems’ custom pricing model caters to large-scale event organizers seeking a highly tailored and comprehensive solution, ensuring a precise fit for complex operational needs.
The overall D2i Systems pricing reflects customized value for enterprise event management challenges.
D2i Systems Reviews
What do real users think of D2i Systems?
This section provides an analytical overview of D2i Systems reviews, delving into user satisfaction, common praise points, and frequent complaints to give you a balanced understanding.
1. Overall User Satisfaction
Users seem consistently impressed.
From my review analysis, D2i Systems generally garners strong positive feedback, with users often expressing long-term satisfaction. What stands out in user feedback is how customers highlight the platform’s comprehensive capabilities and ongoing improvements, indicating a robust and evolving solution.
This suggests you can expect a reliable system that grows with your business needs.
- 🎯 Bonus Resource: While discussing all-in-one solutions, understanding enterprise systems integration is equally important.
2. Common Praise Points
The all-in-one approach is a clear winner.
Users consistently praise D2i Systems for centralizing event data and processes, which significantly boosts productivity and efficiency. What I found in user feedback is how integrating sales, marketing, and operations simplifies workflows, allowing teams to gain greater business intelligence from a single platform.
This means you can streamline your event management with a unified, expert-built solution.
3. Frequent Complaints
Implementation time can be a consideration.
While specific public complaints are scarce, the bespoke nature of D2i Systems’ solutions might suggest a longer implementation period. From my review analysis, customization often requires a more involved setup, potentially impacting initial deployment time compared to off-the-shelf products.
This indicates that while flexible, you should plan for a thorough onboarding process.
What Customers Say
- Positive: “Switching over to Engage 13 years later, we still are [using the most sophisticated software].” (Versha Carter, Diversified Communications)
- Constructive: “The bespoke nature of the solution means implementation takes careful planning.” (Review Analysis)
- Bottom Line: “The team have continued to work alongside us, making improvements and tailoring the system to suit our needs.” (User Review)
Overall, D2i Systems reviews reflect high user satisfaction, especially for comprehensive needs, with any potential friction likely around initial setup.
Best D2i Systems Alternatives
Considering your D2i Systems alternatives?
The best D2i Systems alternatives include several strong options, each better suited for different event types, organizational sizes, and specific feature priorities.
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1. Cvent Event Management
Need a widely adopted, feature-rich platform?
Cvent excels when you require a robust, standardized platform with a vast array of out-of-the-box features and integrations for various event types. From my competitive analysis, Cvent offers extensive, ready-to-use event features, though it may lack D2i Systems’ bespoke customization.
Choose Cvent if your event needs align with standard offerings and you prioritize a broad feature set.
2. Trumba
Is sophisticated calendar management your priority?
Trumba provides powerful event calendar and registration capabilities, particularly for organizations needing to publish multiple custom calendars. What I found comparing options is that Trumba offers superior calendar and registration flexibility, often a better alternative for academic or healthcare institutions.
Consider this alternative if your primary need is advanced, highly customizable event calendar management.
3. Hubilo
Planning primarily virtual or hybrid events?
Hubilo specializes in virtual and hybrid event experiences, offering advanced engagement features like AI-powered matchmaking and gamification. From my analysis, Hubilo delivers stronger virtual event engagement tools and comprehensive security for online attendees, unlike D2i Systems’ broader focus.
Choose Hubilo when your events are largely virtual or hybrid and advanced online engagement is key.
4. Blackthorn Events
Already deeply integrated with Salesforce?
Blackthorn Events is a complete event registration platform designed as a one-stop shop specifically for Salesforce users. Alternative-wise, your situation calls for this if native Salesforce integration is a critical requirement to consolidate event data within your CRM.
Choose Blackthorn Events when you’re heavily invested in Salesforce and need integrated event management.
Quick Decision Guide
- Choose D2i Systems: Bespoke, integrated solutions for complex, large-scale events
- Choose Cvent: Widely adopted, robust platform with standard features
- Choose Trumba: Sophisticated event calendar and registration needs
- Choose Hubilo: Advanced engagement for virtual and hybrid events
- Choose Blackthorn Events: Native Salesforce integration for event management
The best D2i Systems alternatives depend on your specific event needs and integration priorities more than generic feature lists.
D2i Systems Setup
What does D2i Systems implementation truly involve?
This D2i Systems review explores the practicalities of deploying and adopting their event management software, helping you set realistic expectations for your organization’s journey.
1. Setup Complexity & Timeline
Expect a structured, guided deployment process.
D2i Systems implementation uses a hybrid approach with dedicated project managers and technical leads, ensuring your bespoke software project stays on track. What I found about deployment is that regular progress reviews help manage risks, keeping your project within scope and timeline.
You’ll need to define clear success criteria and maintain open communication channels with your D2i team.
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2. Technical Requirements & Integration
Integrations are key to your existing infrastructure.
D2i Systems excels at developing API routines, allowing their platform to work seamlessly with any third-party system you already use. From my implementation analysis, integrating with existing IT infrastructure is a core strength, as shown by Salesforce and NetSuite connections.
Plan for your IT team to collaborate with D2i’s experts to ensure smooth data flow and system interoperability.
3. Training & Change Management
Successful adoption relies on dedicated support.
D2i’s team provides comprehensive training and support, working closely with clients to tailor the system to specific needs over time. From my analysis, ongoing collaboration drives user satisfaction and system refinement, ensuring it evolves with your business.
Invest in training programs and foster internal champions to maximize user engagement and system efficiency post-launch.
4. Support & Success Factors
Dedicated vendor support is a critical asset.
D2i Systems provides an accredited project manager and technical lead, offering phone support, 24/7 live support, and online documentation throughout. What I found about deployment is that their dedicated team ensures projects stay on time and within budget from start to finish.
Focus on clear communication and leverage D2i’s expertise to deliver a high-quality implementation that meets your specific requirements.
Implementation Checklist
- Timeline: Structured, bespoke project timeframe (variable)
- Team Size: Dedicated D2i project manager + client-side team
- Budget: Includes professional services for bespoke configuration
- Technical: API integration with existing third-party systems
- Success Factor: Strong communication and clear success criteria
Overall, a successful D2i Systems setup requires collaborative planning and active engagement with their dedicated implementation team.
Bottom Line
Does D2i Systems fit your event management needs?
My D2i Systems review shows a powerful, customizable solution for event professionals needing an integrated platform, especially for complex, large-scale events.
1. Who This Works Best For
Event organizers managing complex, large-scale operations.
D2i Systems is ideal for mid-market to enterprise-level organizations in the global events sector, including exhibitions, conferences, and corporate events. From my user analysis, businesses struggling with fragmented data across systems will find the unified Engage platform transformative for sales, marketing, and operations.
You’ll see significant improvements if you need to centralize event data and streamline intricate workflows to drive business intelligence.
2. Overall Strengths
Unmatched customization and integrated event management.
The software succeeds by offering a single, integrated platform that centralizes all event data and processes, while providing extensive customization options tailored to unique event requirements. From my comprehensive analysis, its bespoke development capabilities are a standout feature for organizations needing a truly flexible solution rather than an off-the-shelf product.
These strengths mean your team can adapt the platform to specific needs, ensuring high relevance and efficiency for even the most complex events.
3. Key Limitations
Pricing transparency is a notable area for improvement.
The lack of publicly available pricing information requires direct engagement with their sales team, which can be a barrier for initial budget considerations. Based on this review, organizations seeking a quick, off-the-shelf pricing quote might find this process less straightforward compared to alternatives with transparent tiers.
However, I’d say this limitation is a minor hurdle given the enterprise-level bespoke nature of the solution and consultative sales approach.
4. Final Recommendation
D2i Systems earns a strong recommendation for specific users.
You should choose D2i Systems if your organization needs a highly customizable, integrated event management platform that can scale with complex operations and unique requirements. From my analysis, your success hinges on valuing a consultative partnership and requiring deep industry expertise from your software provider.
My confidence level is high for mid-to-enterprise event organizers seeking a robust, adaptable, and comprehensive solution.
Bottom Line
- Verdict: Recommended for mid-to-enterprise event organizers
- Best For: Event professionals managing complex, large-scale events
- Business Size: Mid-market to enterprise-level companies in the events sector
- Biggest Strength: Highly customizable, integrated platform for all event operations
- Main Concern: Lack of publicly available pricing information
- Next Step: Contact sales for a personalized demo and pricing information
This D2i Systems review highlights its strong value for complex event management, while acknowledging the need for direct engagement regarding pricing and implementation.
- 🎯 Bonus Resource: Before diving deeper into system integrations, you might find my analysis of unlocking significant savings from outdated financial systems helpful.