Actually, I do all the time, Gary. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients or potential clients tell me “We’ve got free licenses from SF Foundation. Can’t we just use that for our AMS?” (Note their expectation.)

>>>today there is likely a very good solution that fits your real-world budget and delivers the increased value/success you need.

Agreed.

Today’s technology, including AMSes, need to come in many flavors. There are tools that are virtually free and, on the other end of the spectrum, tools that will easily set you back six figures. And there are tools in the middle that provide tremendous value.

I analyze value via this simple formula: “Quality/Price = Value” or “Higher quality/lower price = greater value.” Today’s AMSes come in different packages: need something cheap? You got it! It’s out there. Need an ultra-custom development that will meet nearly 100 percent of your business needs — you can get that too. But it’ll take longer to implement and cost more.

Take a look at your association’s very real needs. Take a peek at your budget. Demo different levels of AMSes, and get an accurate quote to see which one provides the greatest value for your organization.

There’s no magic panacea (us vendors won’t stop trying!), but today there is likely a very good solution that fits your real-world budget and delivers the increased value/success you need.

Great question, Jeff. Strategically, associations need to move from transactional to transformational. Too much of the AMS work is still focused on transactions (e.g., how do I process this order more efficiently). The transformational will occur when associations start looking at their data holistically, which includes really understanding who their volunteers are and how their members and customers want to engage with the association.

Many of the AMS products can address this now, but too many associations are still too focused on the transactional.

Am I answering your question?

Agreed. Demand excellence but not perfection.

I think this goes for almost everything; software, relationships, etc.

Question: What is the difference between excellence and perfection?

Answer: Excellence is achievable.

I think that for too long Associations have been dealing with sub-excellence and they should expect/demand excellence from their AMS.

-Sig

Mark, I wrote above, ” If your expectation is that a new AMS will be the answer to all of your problems, then you need to modify your expectations.” Are you saying that AMS vendors can now solve all of our problems? If so, please point me to them, I’d like to buy their company. ;-)

This was fine in 1994 when distributed software and SQL was new to the AMS world. 16 years later the vendors should get it right, no excuses anymore.