Is re:Members AMS Software The Key to Unlocking the Power of Membership Management?
- Chad Stewart
- a few seconds ago
- 8 min read
In our never-ending adventure called the "Search of a Membership Database Series", we've whipped up a software review of re:Members, formerly known as Impexium Membership Management Software. Now, hold your horses! This little summary isn't the whole enchilada; it's just a quick sneak peek at what Impexium's membership database software has to offer.
If you're itching to dive deeper, we are prepared to provide a much more detailed "Smart Report" for those executives in the not-for-profit world who crave a comprehensive rundown. The full report is up for grabs if you ask nicely, and it's been given the thumbs up by our team. This epic saga of a database software evaluation is packed with juicy details like company gossip, operational bells and whistles, eye-popping screenshots, client gossip, pricing secrets, and support shenanigans, all laid out in a fun question-and-answer style that even your grandma could navigate.
Review of re:Members AMS
Formerly Impexium
Summary of re:Members AMS:
re:Members AMS, formerly known as Impexium, is a cloud-based, enterprise-level Association Management System. The product is a core component of the broader re:Members integrated suite of solutions, which aims to unify an association's financials, member data, and administrative operations. The system is built on the philosophy that managing an association's business should be intuitive, leveraging the latest technology and conveniences expected in the for-profit sector to benefit both staff and members.
The re:Members platform's integrated nature is reflected in the statement from Paul Edelmann, CEO of re:Members, who noted, "Our unifying name reflects both the better-together nature of our products, and our focus on helping members because it's all about your members". The company structure suggests a dedicated, unified approach to the association and fraternal market, consolidating several established products under one brand. While precise, current employee numbers are challenging to pinpoint under the new unifying brand, the platform, formerly Impexium, demonstrated a strong presence in the market.
The Purpose Statement of the re:Members Software
The core purpose of re:Members AMS is to serve members more intelligently and profitably, strengthening the alignment between an association's strategies and its daily operations.
The platform aims to transform the way an association conducts business by providing a system that goes beyond mere productivity. It seeks to create value for all key relationships—members, customers, partners, prospects, and staff—ultimately reducing costs through increased flexibility and delivering a faster Return on Investment (ROI).
Simply put, re:Members exists to empower associations to focus on their mission by simplifying the operational and technological complexities that often slow them down.
What Makes re:Members AMS a Fit for the Association Market and Unique
What sets re:Members AMS apart is its design as an enterprise-level platform delivered through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model and its focus on a unified suite of solutions.
Unified Solution Suite: The biggest differentiator is its consolidation of AMS, Financials (re:Members Financials, formerly Billhighway), and CRM (re:Members CRM, formerly ChapterSpot) into a tightly integrated ecosystem. This integration is explicitly designed to break down internal silos, facilitating transparency and collaboration across the organization, which is a common pain point in the non-profit world.
Mobile-First DNA: Mobile applications are a fundamental part of the re:Members architecture. This is critical for modern member engagement, as staff and members expect the same level of mobile access and convenience they receive from commercial applications.
Comprehensive Enterprise Functionality: It provides a robust, integrated suite that supports a full range of association activities, from sophisticated committee management to detailed certification programs, which is the hallmark of a system designed for complex organizational needs.
Functional Goals of the re:Members Software
re:Members AMS is designed to be a comprehensive system covering a vast array of essential and advanced association functions. Its goal is to provide a single, integrated platform for a 360-degree view of the member, supporting both front-office engagement and back-office administration.
Key functional areas the platform is designed to support include:
CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Management of customers, organizations, prospects, contacts, and relationship information.
Membership Management: Setting up and managing membership types, statuses, and dues.
Events and Exhibits: Managing events, sessions, speakers, and detailed exhibits with interactive floor plans.
E-Commerce and Products: Setup and management of products (merchandise, publications) for the online store.
Financial Management: Creation and management of business units, payment methods, fiscal years, and the ability to manage and report on Orders, Invoices, Payments, Credits, and Batches.
Certifications and Education: Setting up certification programs and managing courses, exams, and educational credits, often through tight integrations with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Website & Portals: Setting up member-specific websites and managing content with a weblog/blog feature.
Fundraising: Creating and managing funds, appeals, and campaigns.
Data and Analytics: Providing basic and interactive dashboards for viewing business statistics and a Query Center for drag-and-drop data configuration and export.
Where Does re:Members AMS Fit in the Market?
Using the SmartThoughts Tier Classification Framework, re:Members AMS is a Tier II AMS solution, positioning it for the mid-to-large-size association market.
Tier Classification Rationale
The platform's features, especially its enterprise-level capabilities, the requirement for professional services (such as implementation and customization), and its emphasis on integration with specialized systems like Sage Intacct for accounting, position it firmly within the Tier II segment. However, re:Members can also be found at Tier I, so it's not solely a midsize association offering.
Target Operating Budget: Tier II solutions generally target associations with an operating budget of $3.5 million or more.
Core Characteristics: re:Members AMS, like other Tier II systems, focuses on a robust core member database and member portals, often leveraging best-of-need systems (like the Slayte event platform or MapleLMS for learning) via deep integration rather than forcing an all-in-one approach for every function. It supports greater depth in billing, events, and e-commerce, and offers more flexible options for tailoring functionality compared to lower tiers.
Comparison to Similar Systems
re:Members AMS competes directly with other strong Tier II players in the market:
MemberSuite (Tier II): Similar to re:Members, MemberSuite targets mid-to-large associations and is known for its open API and enterprise-level functionality. The choice often comes down to which company offers a better strategic fit and integration ecosystem.
Personify Trade (Tier II, aka MC Trade): Another competitor known for serving trade associations and chambers. The differentiator for re:Members is its cohesive product family that spans CRM and Financials, offering a potentially deeper integration out of the box than a system that requires third-party financial integration.
Rhythm AMS Software : While it's no longer the new kid on the block, it's still somewhat unknown but quickly asserting itself in opportunities.
Ideal Client Profile
re:Members AMS is the ideal fit for an association that exhibits the following characteristics:
Operating Budget: $3.5 Million or greater.
Complexity: Requires robust functionality for complex membership types, certifications, detailed event management, and chapter performance tracking.
Integration Needs: Seeks a seamless, modern financial, CRM, and AMS solution that works "better together" as a unified platform, but still values the ability to integrate specialized best-of-need systems like advanced LMS or advocacy tools.
A Quick View of re:Members Membership Software for Associations:
What does re:Members cost? The Investment
Determining the precise investment for re:Members AMS requires a direct consultation with the vendor, as pricing is highly dependent on an association's size, complexity, and required feature set.
However, historical public data for its former product, Impexium, suggested a starting subscription price around $175.00/month on some software listing sites, though this minimal figure is highly unlikely to reflect a true-fit solution for the targeted Tier II organization. The standard fee structure for the platform is an Annual 'SaaS' Subscription plus a one-time Implementation Fee.
Crucial Insight: As a Tier II system, the total cost of ownership will align with the market average for this segment. Tier II associations should budget for a total Year 1 investment ranging from approximately $43,000 to $188,000, covering software, implementation, data migration, training, and potential initial customization.
In the end, it is recommended to contact the software vendor directly for the latest pricing information.
re:Members Peer Reviews and Unique Feature Insights
Reviews of the former Impexium platform paint a picture of a powerful system that, like many enterprise solutions, requires a dedicated approach to implementation and adoption.
Key Insights from Peer Reviews:
Positive Feedback: Users frequently praise the robust functionality and the ability to handle complex membership and financial processes. Testimonials often highlight the system's ability to serve as a strong core database.
Areas for Improvement (Inferred): A common theme with many enterprise-level AMS solutions is the initial learning curve and the potential for staff to feel overwhelmed without sufficient, ongoing training. While reviews specifically for re:Members are still emerging post-rebrand, it's a known industry challenge for Tier II systems to ensure the interface remains intuitive despite the powerful, underlying complexity.
The Power of Integration: A unique insight is the value of deep, two-way integrations, such as those with the Slayte event platform and the MapleLMS, which seamlessly synchronize user data, payment processing, and access controls between the AMS and the third-party system. This tight coupling of best-of-need solutions is often cited as a feature strength.
Employee Satisfaction Inference
While direct, verifiable Glassdoor/employee review data for the new, combined entity is challenging to find, examining the overall commitment to an integrated, "better-together" philosophy offers an inference. Companies that invest heavily in unifying their internal systems and leadership structures—as demonstrated by the re:Members rebrand—often aim to improve the employee experience and reduce internal friction.
When employees feel supported by a clear company direction, it typically translates to more patient and effective customer support for the association client who needs assistance. However, this should always be an area of focused inquiry during a live vendor reference check.
What Does SmartThoughts Expert Analysis State?
Expert Analysis and Reasoning:
re:Members AMS (formerly Impexium) is a strong and compelling choice for the Tier II association seeking a modern, deeply integrated enterprise platform. Its recent consolidation of the AMS, CRM, and Financials into the re:Members suite is a highly strategic move that addresses the market-wide need for less friction between core business systems. This unification, if executed correctly, offers an out-of-the-box level of internal data flow and process alignment that could significantly lower the long-term risk and customization costs typically associated with multi-vendor, best-of-breed approaches.
The platform's commitment to supporting complex organizational needs—particularly its robust capabilities for chapter management and fraternal organizations—positions it well for associations with complex governance or multi-tiered membership structures. The emphasis on mobile-first and deep API integrations shows a clear focus on future-proofing the platform.
Conclusion: Association executives with operating budgets in the mid-to-high six figures and above should place re:Members AMS on their short-list. The key to a successful partnership with re:Members will lie in a rigorous discovery process to ensure that your specific business logic aligns with their platform's integrated workflow structure.
Choosing an AMS is not a decision to be taken lightly; failure is not an option in this critical technology investment. The re:Members AMS platform offers a powerful, integrated solution for associations seeking a scalable and modern system.
If your association is actively evaluating AMS platforms, save valuable time and eliminate risk. As trusted, objective advisors with decades of expertise, we can quickly validate your organization's true Tier fit and align your specific "must-have" features against the re:Members capabilities.
Association Executives not currently working with a consultant are encouraged to schedule a complimentary conversation for a free evaluation and/or the full, detailed Smart Report. You have nothing to lose and a successful digital future for your association to gain.
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 our 501(c) 6 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!
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