Do they hate the system?
When an association asks me for help finding a new AMS, I always ask if there's any chance the association would be interested in keeping their current system (perhaps upgrading it to the latest version). Fixing what you have is almost always less expensive and less disruptive than implementing a new system.
More often than not, the answer is no. Very often I'll hear: "Staff hates the current system."
And here's the thing: If staff really does hate the current system, there's almost nothing you can do to salvage the system for any reasonable long term.
One association executive I worked with characterized his relationship with his AMS as "an abusive spouse." That is...not good.
So if you're thinking of moving to a new system, consider the possibility of improving the one you have. But if the level of vitriol aimed at your AMS is off the charts, it's probably time to change systems.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
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