An Association Management System, often referred to as an AMS, is a computerized system which provides a non-profit organization basic database features to run its operations. Typical features include:
- Member database and member management
- Member dues tracking and payment(renewal dates etc.)
- Board and Committee management
- Event registration (for seminars, meetings, conventions and conferences)
- Product database (e.g. publications)
- Payments
- Reporting
- Donations and fundraising
Typically, an AMS will be linked to an association's public-facing website so that members and customers may interact with the association. These interactions may include purchasing memberships, products, events, and more. Interactions could also include non-financial transactions such as updating contact information and sharing documents through participation on committees or task forces.. Just like many other modern software packages, AMS started off as desktop software, progressed to client-server model and now a web-based (aka Software as a service model is being rapidly adopted. In web-based systems AMS become tightly integrated / interlinked with CMS (website content management system). Many small associations and clubs use a homegrown custom-developed AMS based on one of the popular databases like Microsoft Access, File Maker etc (or even something as simple as Microsoft Excel). Frequently, such an AMS system is complemented with external software for specific areas, for example event registration, online payment, e-newsletters etc. An example of a client-server system for larger associations is iMIS Examples of a web-based association management system that accommodates all sized associations are Polaris, netFORUM, or IMPak An example of a web-based association management system for small and mid-size associations and clubs is Wild Apricot There are also numerous companies which offer custom-developed or customized solutions including Computility, ARC Solutions, Inc.,Avectra, IRM systems, and Integrated Software Solutions, Inc.
