I attended the Aptify Users Conference in Chicago last week. I always enjoy the users conferences because I get a chance to hear what the company is rolling out in the coming year, and I also get a chance to hear the experiences of the users themselves. Aptify is rolling out version 5.0 of their […]
Aptify Users Conference Read More »
One of the most significant changes to occur over the past couple of years in database management is the idea that the database must be more customer-friendly. Prior to Al Gore inventing the internet, when associations considered which database they might use, the only audience to consider was staff. That is, how would staff interact
Changing from a staff-centric to customer-centric view Read More »
I recently traded emails with an association colleague of mine, an executive director of a small association, asking him how his search for a new AMS was going. (He is not a client, but chose to do this on his own.) He has called the process “a train wreck.” Here are just some of his
When you compromise, no one is happy Read More »
I had the opportunity to sit through a lengthy demo of the Polaris product from ARC Solutions. Overall I was pretty impressed with what I saw. Their product is entirely web-based and takes advantage of all the latest technology available to web-based databases. ARC is still a relatively young business (7 years old) and still
ARC Solutions Demo Read More »
As I noted here, I was pleased to see an AMS vendor provide client access to their online help system. In a nutshell, the online help that is available from the vendor can be modified by the client to include client-specific business rules. This is a great concept and one that is long overdue. I’m
More vendors allowing changes to online help Read More »
Selection and implementation of a new association management system is an incredibly trying process. If done well, at the end of it all, you’ll have a new system that will address your organization’s business needs. There is a natural tendency to think “we’re finished” once the new system is up and running. But alas, our
Perform a six-month and one-year audit Read More »
I was attending a demo for one of my clients recently. They were taking a look at the IMPAK database from Integrated Software Systems, Inc. (ISSI). During the demo, the ISSI staff pointed out that there is online help on each screen of the database. But what really caught my attention is a simple utility
Another cool feature in an AMS Read More »
I recently received a copy of NTEN’s CRM Satisfaction survey (you can get your own copy here). Here are my reactions: One conclusion drawn from the survey suggests that “after sales support” and a “user friendly interface” were the two most valued factors in a CRM system. This nicely validates something I wrote almost eight
NTEN's CRM Satisfaction Survey is Released Read More »
I’ve written in the past about seeking success, and not perfection, in your data management systems. The same can be said for any implementation of a new association or content management system. During the implementation of a new AMS or CMS, staff will become very excited about the potential that a new system brings. Users
No software implementation is perfect Read More »
James Michael-Hill, Web/Database Manager for the Utilities Telecom Council, posted a note to the Avectra Users Group, explaining how he has built a utility for allowing Avectra's netForum to communicate with Drupal, an open source content management system. This is very cool for a couple of reasons: Because James is part of the Avectra users group,
The Power of the Users Group (and open source software) Read More »