August 14, 2024 | Andrew Lawlor

Your member-based association is expanding, and with growth comes a tangled mess of member information, event schedules, and communication channels.
This is where association management software (AMS) can help.

What is Association Management Software?

Association management software is designed to handle the diverse needs of member-based organizations/associations, including tasks, data, and communications. Unlike basic customer relationship management (CRM), it encompasses a range of functionalities: membership databases, online engagement communities, event management, eCommerce, marketing, financial operations, and more.

This software aims to streamline your operations and simplify your workload. It should empower your team to efficiently manage the organization while providing members with a valuable and engaging experience.

Learn more about how Aptaria can help your member-based association with custom Salesforce solutions!

How can an Association Management Software help our organization?

Keeping Member Data Organized

AMS tracks member information automates renewals, and keeps engagement levels high, ensuring your member database is always current. 

Stress-free Event Coordination

Organizing events can be overwhelming, but AMS simplifies everything. From registration to ticketing, scheduling, and feedback collection, it’s all managed in one place.

Management of Financial Tasks

Crunching numbers is no one’s favorite job. AMS makes it a breeze by handling dues collection, invoicing, and financial reporting. Plus, it syncs up with your favorite accounting software, making money matters smooth and simple.

Stay Connected and Communicate Better

AMS centralizes your communication efforts, offering tools for email campaigns, newsletters, and social media, keeping your members engaged and informed

Personalized Experience

AMS offers features that allow for personalized member interactions. Use specific data like preferred names or membership types in communications to make messages more relevant. AMS also pre-populates form fields, making processes simpler for members. 

Simplified Website Management

Maintain a professional online presence effortlessly with AMS. It helps build and manage your website, keeping it sleek and functional without additional web development resources.

Reporting and Analytics

Make smart, data-driven decisions with AMS. It provides insights into membership trends, event success, and overall performance, helping you stay ahead.

Read more about the benefits of association management software for member-based associations here.

CRM vs. AMS? Choose a Platform That Can Be Both 

Think of an AMS as a specialized CRM, built specifically for member-based associations. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. 

Your average CRM is excellent for marketing, sales, and customer service operations and automation. But it may not give you the granular member management capabilities an AMS would.

So which one’s better for your membership-based association? The answer is “both.” 

Looking for association management software that’s the right fit for your member-based organization? Check out services offered by Aptaria – a top Salesforce CRM implementor.

To extract maximum ROI from your tech spend, you need a platform that’s a CRM and AMS blend, i.e., the general automation capabilities of a CRM and the specialized member management capabilities of an Association Management Software. 

Salesforce is one of the few platforms that can do this. It can be customized to function as a powerful AMS solution. A CRM-based AMS integrates the functionalities of traditional CRM systems with features customized for member-based associations. 

Salesforce as both a CRM and AMS gives you the following advantages.

Flexibility and Customization

Salesforce, for instance, offers extensive customization options, allowing member-based associations to tailor the platform to their specific needs.

Scalability

As your membership-based association grows, a robust CRM-based Association Management Software can easily scale to accommodate increased complexity and volume.

Aptaria is a leading Salesforce implementor that helps your member-based associations implement flexible and scalable CRMs.

Integration Capabilities

CRM-based AMS solutions often integrate well with other tools and systems used by member-based associations. This includes integration with accounting software, email marketing tools, and communication platforms.

Advanced Analytics

CRM offers sophisticated analytics tools, providing deep insights into member behavior and association performance.

Familiarity

Many staff members may already be familiar with CRM systems, potentially easing the transition to a new AMS. CRM-based AMS solutions are flexible and can be adapted to different workflows and requirements. 

When exploring AMS options, many membership-based associations consider Salesforce for associations. 

Salesforce offers customizable features customized for association management, including workflow creation, third-party integrations, community-building tools, and advanced analytics. While popular, it’s important for member-based associations to evaluate multiple AMS solutions to find the best fit for their distinctive requirements and budget.

Contact our expert Salesforce consultants and find the right association management software for your organization today!

And There You Have It!

Association management software has become an indispensable tool for modern associations, offering a comprehensive solution to streamline operations, enhance member experiences, and drive growth. 

By centralizing data, automating processes, and providing valuable insights, it empowers associations to focus on their core mission while efficiently managing day-to-day tasks.

As you consider implementing an AMS for your member-based association, remember that the right solution should align with your specific needs, scale with your growth, and ultimately contribute to your organization’s success.

Aptaria’s association membership management and consulting services could be the next step in transforming your association’s operations. With our deep understanding of association needs and expertise in implementing Salesforce solutions, we can help you set up an AMS that’s perfectly customized for your organization.

FAQs: Association Management Software

Q1. What is association management software used for? 

AMS automates and streamlines operations for associations, including managing member data, planning events, handling finances, facilitating communication, and generating reports.

Q2. What is the meaning of association management?

Association management involves overseeing all aspects of a professional or trade organization, including memberships, events, finances, and strategic planning.

Q3. What is an Association Management Software site?

An AMS site is the web portal or interface of the software, providing access to member directories, event registration, resources, and member-only content.

Q4. What is the difference between a CRM and an AMS?

A CRM manages customer relationships and sales processes, while an Association Management Software is specifically designed for member-based associations to handle member relationships, events, and association-specific functions.