Isn’t it time to obtain a complete Membership Management Software? If so, the team at Avolin, the developer behind GoMembers AMS, believes that they have the best membership CRM option for your small to mid-size trade and professional association.
GoMembers OnDemand AMS Software Review
We are excited to share this quick look at Avolin GoMembers AMS, a nonprofit Association Management Software, AMS, for trade and professional associations. What is particularly interesting about this review is that many long time association executives & partners will likely remember the name GoMembers, but not necessarily Avolin (who purchased from Aptean). So, I will be referencing both names interchangeably.
For those interested in learning more about Avolin GoMembers AMS beyond this summary, we are available to share with you our thoughts about this membership software 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:
We have interviewed the Avolin GoMembers OnDemand AMS team, reviewed the solution in a brief overview, curated specific insights from the vendor, read through various website pages and read multiple reviews. This brief summary is a culmination of those insights.
Buyer Disclaimer:
There are many unique things which this system can do that are not mentioned for sure here. 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 GoMembers OnDemand Software:
Per Avolin's website, their product, GoMembers OnDemand AMS, is a complete software, services, and support solution for associations and nonprofit organizations that are looking to improve member services by streamlining the back office and enhancing front office processes all with one tool.
Founded as “Computility” as a business incubator in 2004. It grew self-funded until acquisition in 2008 by GoMembers. GoMembers was later acquired by Aptean in 2012.
In 2018, Aptean announced the sale of the portfolio of applications under its Vertical Business Applications Group (VBAG) to investment firm ESW Capital. The deal saw the VBAG applications formed under a single company to be known as Avolin.
ESW is known for buying, developing and holding software companies. They currently own 74 software companies. They have been around for 30 years.
Avolin now controls the following products: Pivotal, CoreTrac, Saratoga, Onyx, Agemni
Vision, i-Supply, Prologic, Knova, SupportSoft, Verdiem, Computron, GoMembers Enterprise, GoMembers OnDemand, MyAlerts, Placeable, SLI Systems, StreetSmart
& Avolin Protect./
While we are concentrating our review on the AMS, Association Management OnDemand Software, please note that Avolin does have solutions for Manufacturing Execution Systems, Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Supply Chain Management, Global Trade Management, eCommerce, Enterprise Feedback Management, and Event Management too.
Per LinkedIn, Avolin now has an estimated 98 employees with a negative growth of 18% in the last 6 months in headcount. On the AMS OnDemand solution, they have an estimated half dozen skilled team members charged with all facets of operations.
The average employee tenure is 2.5 years which is not very healthy for technology companies. In 2021, they hired a new VP of Sales, Chris Anderson, to lead the companies distribution.
The Key Features of GoMembers AMS:
GoMembers On Demand is a cloud based association management (AMS) solution so you can access your information from any device with an internet connection—no hardware needed. Further, by virtue of being OnDemand, SaaS, you may spend less on IT maintenance.
Their goal is to allow your team to spend more time focusing on what matters: your members and your mission. With your GoMembers OnDemand member database, you’ll be able to escape many of the challenges that face small to mid-sized organizations today. All your member data lives safely in the cloud so multiple users can access it from a desktop, phone or tablet.
The system includes the core attributes many AMS software providers extend to their clients such as:
SaaS Deployment
CRM (Constituent, Member, Contact Record Management)
Accounting Management
Member Management
Meetings Registration for Online registration
Meetings Event Management
Online services such as profile management, dues processing, event payments, committee management, directory, and shopping cart.
Website builder using DNN, content management software
Email/Newsletter Platform with email integration with Constant Contact
The system has three main parts of it’s AMS software solution:
Back Office: For staff, to track membership, event participation, marketing and sales, finances, and run custom reports in the database
Integrated Web Modules: For staff to build your own member-interactive web modules fully integrated with the Back Office and easily embedded in your current website. And, members to have 24X7 access to the solution to manage their participation and engagement.
Website Solution: all-encompassing Content Management System (CMS) that will give Association staff flexible layouts and built-in content editor to make maintaining and updating easy. (optional).
As a platform, the development is centered around the following principles:
Providing easy database updates
Flexible Integrations
Organization & Automation
Expanded Capabilities for all Associations
You may find some use in checking out a few videos on the platform here. Please call us to discuss how their system is unique.
Where Does GoMembers OnDemand AMS Fit?
The OnDemand GoMembers platform is best suited for small to medium-sized membership based organizations.
The online membership software fits best with staff who find themselves wearing many hats for their organization (running events, processing payments, updating the website, etc.).
GoMembers OnDemand is a self described “all in one” membership solution which aspires to develop a solution which can automate nearly all the administrative work and save staff massive amounts of time.
Those organizations who will likely find value in exploring this AMS comprise of some of the following traits and qualities:
Non-profit associations with 1-15 staff.
Non-profit association segments include: trade association, professional societies, clubs, chambers, foundations and association management companies are also candidates for this option.
Those organizations which desire a long term player in the market with many experienced teams members on staff to help them.
How Much Does GoMembers AMS Membership Software Cost?
From a pure financial perspective, GoMembers OnDemand extends a competitive value. From review, it is a fairly comprehensive solution. And, there are no extra outside fees except ongoing SaaS fees, which include all support, hosting and future upgrades.
As of 4th quarter 2020, GoMembers OnDemand may be licensed according to the following:
$79 per staff user per month for OnDemand licenses.
$99 per month for DNN, Content Management Software (optional).
License fees are typically paid annually upfront by their clients.
The implementation varies from client to client. But, it is typically $5,000-$8,000 for OnDemand. This implementation cost does not include the charges for web content management services centered around the DNN tool set. This would be separate and as a rule of thumb equal to those of the standard implementation charges for the core database.
Uniquely, there are no thresholds limits to system use such as database size or distribution limits for the customer.
Buyer Disclaimer!
It is very important to note and underscore here that pricing may change and it’s at the discretion of the software manufacturer to do so.
Every client is unique and software products evolve over time too. So, pricing may change from time to time. Therefore, this brief summary is not intended to be the final authority on pricing rather just a rule of thumb.
Please make no mistake or assumptions here. SmartThoughts does not sell this or any other software. We ask that you please consult directly with the software vendor for the most up to date pricing before making your final assessment.
What is the 911 Peer Review on the GoMembers AMS?
Like software options today, software peer review sites are all over the internet.
Below you will find several review sites to choose from on Aptean GoMembers AMS from it’s users (where applicable).
Buyer Note:
Before you check out the feedback found on these sites, my recommendation is that you please review our article on how to utilize these site and comments on various resources here.
Is GoMembers AMS the Best Membership Software for your Association?
Avolin's GoMembers may very well be your best fit.
However, to answer this question with certainty, we need to know more about what makes you unique. And, discuss other insights about this platform which we have curated, clients interviewed, and discuss more detailed information beyond just this summary.
Please know that our detailed analysis and expertise is available upon request. To be sure, our software analysis is not a “pretty brochure”, “marketing noise.” or a “sales pitch.”
Rather, we provide a free objective dialogue and insights designed to help nonprofit executives make a smarter software business decision.
If you are interested in some help with reviewing your options and comparisons, please check out our “vendor matching” services here.
Want More AMS Membership Software Reviews?
Please stay tuned to our ongoing "Searching for A Smart AMS Software" where we will continue to provide further insights into membership database software options designed for 501(c) 6 nonprofit membership focused organizations.
For the most recent published reviews, please click below:
And, to obtain a sample list of the database software reviews we have, you may follow the link here.
If you work for an AMS database software system and you would like us to include your firm in our software review process, please contact us.
Until next time, keep SmartThoughts in mind. Happy Software Buying!
