Leo Tolstoy
said that "everyone is trying to change the world, but no one ever
thinks of trying to change themselves."
A few weeks
ago, a very important decision was made to take an important step
regarding changing "ourselves" for the future of AAPG. The Executive
Committee approved the acquisition and implementation of two new
important software packages that will be the cornerstone for future
AAPG activities.
After a
comprehensive review of software utilized by professional associations
and societies, AAPG's IT subcommittee recommended iMIS for the association
management software, and Great Plains, for the accounting functions.
Over the
past 20 years, AAPG has had one of the top custom association software
programs in the industry built on an AS400 platform.
But while
AAPG's IT department has done a great job of keeping up with the
needs and demands of AAPG members, new off-the-shelf association
software packages have surpassed our in-house system and do not
require the constant custom development and related expenses.
Great Plains
is a Microsoft financial product with an excellent reputation in
the not-for-profit industry. It will serve AAPG and the AAPG Foundation
financial reporting requirements extremely well.
iMIS-integrated
Management Information Systems is one of the most widely used software
for societies and associations. The software, developed over 10
years ago by ASI (Advanced Solutions International), is utilized
by over 2,400 organizations. In the review process, iMIS kept coming
up as the primary software being used by many societies, including
several of our sister societies such as SEG and GSA.
The success
of iMIS as association management software can be traced to four
main areas:
- A
complete, professionally packaged end-to-end business and e-business
system, built to manage almost every aspect of AAPG.
- It
should not become obsolete, because iMIS is always upgradeable.
- Advanced
Solutions International, iMIS creator, has a goal and vision to
increase user productivity while making the product easier to
use.
- Includes
specialized service and support that have won industry-wide recognition.
The cost
associated with these choices was very carefully considered. The
total cost for the software, implementation and new hardware is
approximately $500K. However, AAPG and the AAPG Foundation anticipates
a payback for the new system in two to four years when considering
cost savings and comparing the costs associated with upgrading and
maintaining AAPG's current system.
The estimated
time for completion of the implementation is the first week in July.
The primary
benefits AAPG and its members will receive from the new iMIS and
Great Plains software include:
- Cost
effective Web-based solutions, which will allow for the Internet
to become the central portal for conducting business and communicating
with membership.
- Empowering
AAPG members and staff to perform tasks and create reports and
events on the Web without relying on AAPG's IT department.
- Improved
and streamlined efficiency in AAPG's business, membership and
committee processes.
- Improved
sales and marketing activities using technology to deliver strategic,
personalized programs.
- Greater
communication among multiple databases that requires back-and-forth
integration between the management system and various Web and
internal databases.
Members
can currently register for the annual meeting in Dallas and pay
dues online. The iMIS system will provide members with maximum Internet
access to most of AAPG's services and products, including the ability
for each member to check and update their membership files.
AAPG members
live in a constantly changing world. AAPG is continually exploring
ways to change with member needs and make AAPG products and services
better, easier and less expensive to access.