MEMBERPLANET BLOG
  • Log in
  • Sign up
  • Blog
  • Categories
    • Emailing
    • Event Planning
    • Fundraising
    • Leadership
    • Member Management
    • Mobile
    • New Features
    • Pro Tips
    • Reporting
    • Social Media

The Real Difference Between Membership Management Software and Association Management Software

10/17/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Learn how to decipher which management solutions are best for you
​You know you need software for your organization, but you’re not sure which kind. Research leads you to options for Membership Management Software and Association Management Software (AMS), but you can’t make out the difference between the two. You are not alone. Software that is used to track membership tends to fall into one of those two categories and, to make things more confusing, there’s no clear distinctions for either. However, based on the size of your company and the features you’re looking for, one of the two will clearly suit you better.
Association Management Software (AMS)
​An AMS has similar features to membership management software, like event and website management, but can also offer additional features such as targeted marketing campaigns, certification management, publication management, and awards management. These features are more involved and make the software more expensive than membership management software. Because AMS is more robust, depending on the package you choose, it can cost up to a few thousand dollars per month. 
AMS can also serve groups in very specific ways. For example, a housing builder’s trade association can utilize an AMS to provide services to members that includes accreditation, conferences, and group insurance rates. These needs would require a more tailored system than membership management systems. 
Membership Management Software
​Membership management software is typically used by social or shared-interest groups as well as small organizations that don’t need enterprise features that an AMS offers. Rather, member management software is good for those who simply need a central space to organize, manage members, and improve communications. From a cost perspective, membership management software is much more cost effective. Cost is primarily driven by the amount of members and member profiles, rather than specific features. For AMS, cost drivers can also include gross annual budget, number of events, and whether they offer certain subscriptions or products.
The organizations that would be better suited for member management software are those that use membership as a fundraising strategy to help achieve larger goals rather than for serving members. For example, booster clubs raise money through membership drives but you don’t have to be a member to participate. This type of organization might need a membership management system to track member dues and renewal dates, as well as be fully equipped with fundraising capabilities, but don’t necessarily need sophisticated functionality to track member benefits or awards.
Which system do I need?
Before making a decision between the two types of software, you’ll want to carefully define your membership processes and ensure you’re getting the best system (and features) for your budget. Ask yourself questions including:
  • What services do members get?
  • What member discounts do you offer?
  • How do you plan and market events?
  • Do members have responsibilities?
  • How do members register and pay for events?
  • How do you communicate with your members?
Make sure you’ve properly identified your needs, membership rules, events, and other concerns. Both software types will typically have different feature sets. If you’re a small organization, you’ll likely want to start with member management software like memberplanet. We offer powerful yet user-friendly solutions for all organizations and non-profits. If you’ve decided to take the next step to making your membership, and your life, simplified, create your free group today.
Get Started Today!
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Emailing
    Event Planning
    Fundraising
    Leadership
    Member Management
    Mobile
    New Features
    Officer Transition
    Pro Tips
    PTA Simplified
    Reporting
    Social Media

Who we serve
Associations
Nonprofits
Fraternal Organizations
Schools
Educational Foundations
Booster Clubs
Military
Faith-based
Homeowners Association
Political Campaigns
PTAs
Fraternal Undergrads
Fraternity Alumni
Sorority Undergrads
Sorority Alumnae
Fraternal Orders
Music Schools
Features
Overview
Membership Management
Events
Fundraising
Communication
Online Payments
Websites
Mobile App
Invoices
Group Text Messaging







​Pricing
Subscription Plans & Pricing
Enterprise Pricing
Case Studies



Support
Support Center
888-298-8845
Email Us


Company
Blog
Download Our App
Picture
Picture
Legal
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy

Picture
© 2021 memberplanet, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Log in
  • Sign up
  • Blog
  • Categories
    • Emailing
    • Event Planning
    • Fundraising
    • Leadership
    • Member Management
    • Mobile
    • New Features
    • Pro Tips
    • Reporting
    • Social Media