Have you ever worked through stacks of annual conference registrations or tried to update a member's record in multiple databases and wondered if there's a better way to manage your association's data? Well, there is – it’s called an AMS.
AMS is the commonly used acronym for association management software. The number one thing an AMS does is ‘house’ your member database – keeping track of your members, their contact information, preferences, history and more in one central, comprehensive system.
But that’s just the beginning of what an AMS can do for you. Member-based organizations use an AMS to streamline their daily operations – everything from event planning to e-Commerce – so staff can turn their attention away from membership processes and back toward the members themselves.
An AMS is typically made up of core modules that automate tasks for:
- Member Management – manage member and prospect records, including contact information, history, renewals and dues.
- Committee Management – allow members to actively participate in committees by granting access to minutes, notes, member rosters and more.
- Event Management – simplify the planning, coordination and execution of your most complex events, meetings or conferences by allowing online registration, payment of registration fees, etc.
- e-Marketing Management – send targeted, personalized e-mails directly to individuals and/or groups – with no outsourced listservs.
- Certification Management – track member participation in your certification and education programs, including requirements, terms and designations to be awarded upon certification.
- e-Commerce Management – create an online store for products, merchandise, memberships, event registrations and subscriptions to members and prospects – empowering the customer with self-service options while drastically cutting down on staff time.
- Awards Management – recognize the efforts of individuals and/or organizations in your industry by tracking award entries, calculating scores, etc.
- Website Management – create your association website and publish unique content on a public and/or members-only website; allow members to access and edit their member profiles – ensuring the accuracy of member data and removing the added burden from your staff.
- Accounting – take care of your invoicing and track cash receipts and other financial transactions, including credits and inventory transactions, in one platform that syncs with your accounting software.
- Reporting – gain insight into mission-critical information with standard reports, queries and executive dashboards.
But while there are a wide variety of AMS solutions on the market – from out-of-the-box solutions to highly customized products – not all AMSs offer the same features that will ultimately assist in making your association more efficient and easier to manage.
When considering an AMS, always ask for a free demonstration to review functionality and ensure the system will not only meet your needs, but also grow along with your organization.