AMS Vendor Matching: Your Shortlist in 5 Business Days
Vendor Matching
Researching association management software shouldn't take months. Vendor Matching delivers an expert-curated shortlist of 3-7 AMS solutions tailored to your association's size, complexity, and budget—typically within 5 business days.
No vendor commissions. No sales pitches. Just independent recommendations from 20+ years of AMS selection experience across 200+ associations.
Is Vendor Matching Right for You?
This service is designed for associations that:
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Need a qualified shortlist but lack internal expertise on 130+ AMS options
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Have narrowed to 2-3 vendors, but can't determine the best fit
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Want independent guidance without a full $15-25K selection engagement
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Are you experiencing selection fatigue from endless demos and sales calls
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Don't have a dedicated CIO current on association technology options
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Have a software budget, but a limited consulting budget
This service is NOT for associations that:
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Haven't yet confirmed the need to replace their current system (consider our Technology Health Scorecard first)
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Need full RFP development, contract negotiation, or implementation oversight (that's our Full Selection Service)
The Investment
1. Vendor Match: Starter
$700 Best for associations under 10 staff with straightforward requirements.
Get Your Shortlist — $700← Set Up Visit Now
2. Vendor Match: Professional
$1,500 Best for associations with 10 plus staff, chapter structures, regulatory functions, or complex integrations.
Get Your Shortlist — $1,500 ← Set Up Visit Now
How It Works
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Book & Pay — Select your tier and schedule your intake call
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Intake Call — 30-minute conversation covering your requirements, pain points, budget, and timeline
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Analysis — We evaluate your needs against 130+ AMS options using 25 years of selection data
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Delivery — Receive your written shortlist report within 5-7 business days
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Follow-Up — Professional tier includes a delivery call; both tiers include email support
Why Vendor-Neutral Matters
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Most "free" AMS advice comes from consultants who earn commissions when you buy. Their recommendations serve vendor quotas, not your association.
SmartThoughts is different:
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Zero vendor commissions — We're paid by associations, not software companies
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No partnerships or referral fees — Our recommendations are unbiased
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25+ years, 200+ selections — We've seen what works and what fails
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The $50,000-$150,000 cost of choosing the wrong AMS dwarfs the investment in getting it right the first time.
Common Questions
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How is this different from the free AMS advice you offer? Our free guidance helps associations think through their situation. Vendor Matching delivers a specific, written shortlist with detailed rationale—actionable recommendations you can take to your board.
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What if I need more than a shortlist? Your Vendor Matching investment credits 100% toward a Full Selection engagement if you proceed within 30 days. Many clients start here and expand.
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How do you know which vendors fit us? We maintain evaluation data on 130+ AMS platforms across 59 functional areas, updated continuously through vendor briefings, client implementations, and user feedback analysis.
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What if none of your recommendations feel right? We'll discuss on the delivery call (Professional) or via email (Starter). If we've misunderstood your requirements, we'll revise the shortlist.
Ready to End the Software Search?
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Stop Googling. Stop taking sales calls. Get an expert shortlist and move forward with confidence.
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Get Started with Starter For Shortlist— $700 | Get Started With Professional — $1,500
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Questions first? Email us or call 817-523-9801.
Not sure? Check out what our clients say
SmartThoughts has guided 200+ associations through software selection since 2002. We accept zero vendor commissions and serve associations exclusively—just 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations like yours.