Not the simplest EMS to run, but it can do a lot
What do you like best?
There are very few limitations to iMIS for our association. You can integrate almost anything with it via bridges, SSO, REST API, etc. which is extremely helpful. We have integrated an automated email marketing system, mobile app, on-site event management system and other things. We have a really nice responsive website through the RISE site builder. It is easy to make members-only pages or restrict pages to other groups as needed which promotes membership growth. We have had a major jump in membership since we began using iMIS in 2017, which is due to a variety of factors, but the ease for members to join and renew through iMIS, as well as giving them reminders, has definitely helped with our volume.
What do you dislike?
This is not an easy system to configure - iMIS is definitely not something you take out of the box and start using quickly. You will need to pay a consultant to assist (added cost) unless you have someone on staff who is trained for this (unlikely). With that said, our consultant has been great and is like an extension of our staff now. The integrations with other systems have given us a robust tech setup for our members, but each one has its own cost. With all costs for iMIS, the consultant, and the integrations, we are paying a lot more total than I would have imagined in the beginning. We added the different costs over time and the growth of our association during that time has supported these costs.
What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?
Members are easily able to manage their membership status, event registrations, manage company staff and contact information. We are able to provide members-only content which has aided in membership growth (motivation to pay). Able to offer event registrations based on membership status, or require login for access to things. Integration with automated email marketing software has been a huge plus in keeping members informed of their individual status without importing/exporting email lists or creating many different versions of emails.
