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The Little Engine Often Needs a Push
Submitted Nov. 24, 2014
We are a small association (less than 10 full time employees) with over 5,000 employees. We've had the system in place for over approximately 6 years. It is a system that is utilized primarily for membership, accounting, meeting registration, website hosting, and e-commerce (online store). The system is built on a accounting foundation. It is a very easy system to use. It is probably one of the least expensive system for areas ( i.e. membership, store, registrations) and the functions work okay; they have not changed much since the system was developed. From viewing AMS demos, it is a system that is way behind the curve as many associations are now only working to increase member engagement, have interactive and engaging website, have higher level accounting tracking needs (outside of Quickbooks), and require advanced email marketing capabilities (for advance campaign or data tracking) as a all-in-one. Requesting the development of more functions such as electronic membership cards, online store enhancements, creation of new form functions, etc. have been frustrating. You know it is available out there with out systems but it may not make it as a need to do within this environment. We tested the online journal application and immediately knew that it would cause more frustration, would not give us a polished, professional look and would create more the issues we were trying to solve. We opted to purchase an external software. After reviewing a demo of a content management system built on applications, it is easy to see how much time would be saved if we didn't have to do things pretty much the same way it has been done for years. It is an adequate system for the very small association who have the basic level of needs for handling multiple small scale functions and are not looking to expand drastically over the next few years. The staff who work on the back-end have been cordial and responsive (even when they have to give you a solution that is not adequate). For associations with more current technologies needs (esp. as organizations that require more application-based system), and who are trying to do more within one system, I would not recommend. We have outgrown the system and are looking for other systems within the next year or so with higher level capabilities. For other associations just launching or have relatively similar needs, this may be the perfect system.
