You Shouldn't Switch from iMIS. Here are Ten Practical Reasons Why.
Every time you turn around, new software crops up that promises the world.
Technology is supposed to make your job easier but weeding through the pros and cons of your membership organization's tech stack can be a daunting task. From Association Management Software (AMS), Event Management, Donor Management, Content Management, Learning Management, and more, there are a lot of needs to juggle. And you need them to all connect to your Contact database. Finding the perfect, user-friendly solution that removes data silos while delivering robust functionality and cost-effectiveness can be challenging to say the least.
iMIS is built for your needs.
It’s the potent, multi-purpose Engagement Management System (EMS) that empowers membership organizations like yours to effectively manage relationships with members and perform all of the tasks listed above and then some.
If you’re considering switching from iMIS to another type of software, here are ten smart reasons to stay the course.
- It requires a significant investment in time and resources.
- You could end up paying more.
iMIS helps membership organizations control their costs. There's no need for extra software or hardware to maintain. The updates are made automatically in advance, making your IT budget more predictable and reasonable. On the other hand, switching from iMIS means incurring a brand-new upfront cost, as well as ongoing subscription and maintenance expenses. And that doesn’t even include unforeseen integration and customization costs that may be required.
- The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
No matter what platform you choose, the data you’ll be able to extract is only as good as what you put in. There is no magic bullet when it comes to data quality. In other words, switching to a new product hoping to get better, more accurate analytics won’t necessarily fix the problem.
- Your mission might get derailed.
It could take six months or longer to migrate to a new platform, depending upon the complexity and amount of training required. In an association landscape that’s always short on resources, this represents a loss of valuable time you could be using to serve your members and further your mission.
- They’re not built for your unique needs.
While heavily-promoted CRM products might sound tempting, it’s important to remember that these systems were not intended as association management software. Because they are new to the association market, they don't have the experience to fully comprehend and respond to the unique, complex demands of membership organizations.
- Security could take a hit.
Having too many people updating your website leads to inefficiencies and potential security issues. With iMIS, you have complete control over website permissions, limiting access and minimizing the likelihood of security breaches. However, if you switch to an open-source solution, it will require more involvement on the backend of your site and can leave your organization vulnerable to significant security threats.
- You stand to lose integration options.
When it comes to integrations, iMIS delivers virtually unlimited flexibility. Adding to its power, iMIS recently acquired TopClass by WBT Systems, the top-rated Learning Management System (LMS) for associations and non-profits. And when you work with an Authorized iMIS Solutions Partner (AiSP), you can feel confident that you’re always in capable, experienced hands. Making a switch could result in a DIY situation that quickly becomes unwieldly, complicated, and expensive.
- Accessibility may suffer.
iMIS allows your team members to access your membership organization's information from anywhere and on any device. Is your team working in other states or even other countries? No problem. Do you work from a desktop computer at the office but use a laptop from home and a phone when you're on the road? iMIS has you covered. If you switch to another solution, you may be stuck with an inflexible on-premise solution that requires longer days at the office.
- Making a move to a new software platform is complicated. The project itself requires a huge commitment in terms of time and money. There’s the inevitable downtime. And what about the retraining of everyone in your organization on an entirely new system, plus the time to learn the nuances associated with it?
- Who knows what kind of support you’ll get?
Backed by the power of Microsoft Azure, the world's leading cloud computing platform used by 95% of Fortune 500 companies, iMIS EMS offers unparalleled scalability, reliability, and performance. Client support is comprehensive, going far beyond the typical helpdesk. Phone- and web-based support are also available, as is a broad searchable knowledge base, online video tutorials, and help documentation. If you switch to a different platform, you’ll likely fall short in one or more of these areas.
- You may be left to figure it out on your own.