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AMS Software Review of aarwinMEP

Updated: Jun 28, 2021


Is the next evolution in member engagement systems here? The developers of aarwinMEP, JL Systems, believes that it is!


aarwinMEP AMS Software Review


We are excited to share this quick look at a new player in the AMS software market, aarwinMEP AMS, an Association Management Software, designed for small to midsize trade and professional associations from JL Systems.


For those interested in learning more about aarwinMEP beyond this summary, we are available to share with you our thoughts about this membership software and others and how it fits into the larger membership software market today.


Suffice it to say, we have curated, interviewed, and prepared more detailed information for executives employed in the not for profit association industry to set up a time to discuss at length. Our software reviews are designed for those who would like fair and objective insights into the capabilities of this AMS software for nonprofit program.


Our Sources: Over the course of a decade or so, we have worked with the executive team at JL systems team many times to help our clients review their Noah AMS solution. Therefore, we believe that we have a good foundation of knowledge about their executive team, culture, and customer service reputation.


That said, since aarwinMEP is a new offering, launched in November 2020, we have reviewed the solution mostly online and reviewed demonstration overviews with their team, curated specific insights from the vendor for various use cases, read through countless software website pages, & read testimonials from peer to peer reviews.


This brief summary is a culmination of those insights.


Buyer Disclaimer: It can’t go without saying, there are many unique things which this system can do that are not mentioned. And, some possible holes too.  So, be mindful of this fact. While we believe this is a good summary, this short review should not be your only source of the truth!


Introduction to aarwinMEP AMS Software:


Per Founder/CEO, Jon Danforth, they developed this solution because they felt like associations today were hungry for a change. After years of working with associations, he felt like their was a desire for a better "Best of Breed" approach to the challenges.


In other words, he believed that association executives wanted a membership software that connected to all of their Third Party Software. And, they listened and acted by developing aarwinMEP which took this idea to a whole new level with an expanded API library that is able to connect the AMS and Member Website to any system.


They have a tagline, “We are delivering an evolution in member engagement”.  It’s the driving philosophy behind everything they appear to do.


While a relatively small boutique software developer, JL Systems is a well known software developer in the association market with more than three decades of proven experience focused on the needs of the Association market for trade and professional organizations.


Please note that JL Systems has two product lines: Noah AMS and now aarwinMEP.


As of 2021, the JL Systems team has an estimated handful of clients on their aarwinMEP solution but close to a hundred on the Noah AMS product. Their primary HQ is located in Springfield, Virginia.


Per LinkedIn, JL Systems now has an estimated 20 plus employees. As of 6/2021, the average employee tenure is 5.2 years which is very healthy for technology companies who tend to have a considerable amount of turnover. Since 1982, they have had a steady growth and appear to take care of their employees long term.

The 911 on aarwinMEP AMS Software:


aarwinMEP AMS is a capable AMS for membership focused organizations built from the ground up to be used by users on all devices.


aarwinMEP is a fully integrated member engagement platform. The team at JL System recognizes that associations need more than an AMS, more than a CRM and even more than a website and a CMS. They believe that it is imperative to provide members with every technology available to allow them to engage with their association, their content and most importantly to take advantage of your membership offerings, your meetings and events, your fundraising opportunities and everything else you provide to your industry and the profession to which your members serve.


And equally important they believe in allowing your members to do so through every available device from their phones, tablets, notebooks, laptops and even most certainly their desktop pcs. And to be able to do so through traditional websites and browsers, and fully functional mobile apps for both iPhones and Androids. AarwinMEP brings all of this together in a single platform.


In comparison to other AMS options, the membership management software is extendible and offers an extensive selection of modules to help nonprofits manage their membership database, meetings and e-commerce activities. In addition, the AMS also provides many association with an adequate amount of pre-built reports.


aarwinMEP is three systems but one solution. The system includes 3 main areas for: staff administration, member portal, and all within a member facing native mobile application .


Further, with aarwinMEP associations are now afforded the following integration possibilities:


aarwinMEP Functional Summary:

  • Full organization and employee management, with three levels of organizational hierarchy tracking

  • Supports Professional and Trade Associations

  • Allows for Chapters, Regions, Special Interest Groups, Communities and more

  • Unlimited Membership categories, fees and dues rules

  • Fully configurable membership directories with advance search built in

  • Governance Management

  • Meeting, Events and Courses Management, with calendars and registration modules including Group Registration and Discounts

  • Unlimited, free Bulk Emailing from queries you build and save without any knowledge of SQL

  • Fundraising

  • Online Store

  • Fully PCI Compliant eCommerce

  • Advanced reporting and exporting available

  • Full A/R accounting with direct integrations into all major accounting systems

  • System Admins have control over all configuration areas of the system

Where Does aarwinMEP AMS Fit?


This AMS software is best suited for membership focused organizations. 


Generally speaking, the demographic profile of an organization who will likely fit this AMS comprise of some of the following traits, qualities, & interests:

  1. Non-profit membership focused organization with 5 or more staff. But, aarwinMEP supports all sizes of organizations and offers many different membership types that include organizational and individual.

  2. Non-profit association segments include: trade association, professional societies, clubs, chambers, foundations and association management companies are also candidates for this option.

  3. Non-profit membership focused organization that are frustrated with limiting AMS options.