iMIS Review

I have used IMIS at two different associations (10 and 15). I have also used Personify (when it was TMA Resources) and a simple ACCESS-based custom system. IMIS works well as long as you do not over customize it. If you over customize it, it is hard to upgrade and the reporting is more difficult. I don't love IMIS, but I didn't find Personify any better. If you are trained well, it is a solid system and does all the typical AMS systems well. It also allows a lot of integration with other uses (meetings, accounting, etc.). However, if you are a smaller association or company-based with less contacts, I am not sure IMIS is worth the extra cost. More important than the AMS you choose is staff training. I have found at all the associations I have worked at that the staff uses the AMS less and less over time due to staff turn-over and increasing workload. They start keeping separate databases, because it seems easier/quicker. In the long run, you end up with an under-utilized AMS and fragmented contacts/data. The management must make it clear that separate databases is not tolerated and refresher AMS training needs to be conducted to make sure all staff knows how to use the system. Association live and die by the data they have on their members and prospects. Employees have to be reminded of this constantly or you have an expensive AMS that is way under-utilized.