--- title: "Become Future-Ready" id: "54639" type: "post" slug: "become-future-ready" published_at: "2022-06-17T21:01:23+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T15:49:02+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/06/17/become-future-ready/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/06/17/become-future-ready.md" excerpt: "Today’s intelligent, streamlined AMS platforms enhance the staff and member experience—both now and into the future." taxonomy_category: - "Operations" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Association Management Systems" - "AssociationsNow" - "Digital Transformation" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Become Future-Ready *By Patrick Dorsey, EVP Marketing, Impexium* Association leaders need to look no further than the pandemic for a lesson in resilience. In a recent Dartmouth study, researchers concluded that a firm’s “[pre-pandemic level of technology sophistication had both direct and indirect effects on sales (opens in a new tab)](https://dcomin.host.dartmouth.edu/Publications_files/abn6021_CombinedPDF_v1.pdf) ” early in the health crisis. In another report, researchers found that digitally mature companies were[able to maintain strategic focus during the pandemic (opens in a new tab)](https://www.prophet.com/2020/09/the-2020-state-of-digital-transformation/) , while less digitally mature companies had to focus more on “implementing digital basics.” As any association leader who has guided their organization through the past few years knows, the association world is no different. Investments in modern, innovative technologies, from AMS to marketing automation platforms, provide associations with the tools necessary to manage their ever-changing needs—even pandemic-level ones. ### A Focus on the Future When choosing a modern AMS, associations should look for a solution that will help them innovate easily, do more with data, and expand their possibilities. They should seek to streamline operations, reduce development costs and reliance on corporate IT, and improve business outcomes. Associations should also ensure their AMS enables them to successfully scale their capabilities and work well with other products and systems. Perhaps most importantly, a modern AMS helps associations prepare for what’s next with the scalability and extensibility that ensures your AMS can evolve at the pace of their business. Any investment in technology can be time-consuming, expensive, and disruptive — so it’s understandable that associations are sometimes reluctant to make changes. But, as the pandemic illustrated, avoiding technological change can be the riskiest proposition of all. Legacy systems made up of siloed technology can’t hold a candle to today’s modern AMS solutions, which provide tools such as workflow automation, business intelligence, and AI. Now more than ever, organizations are embracing the value of using data to drive business outcomes. The good news is, modern AMS platforms embrace cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence that empower associations to use the data they are sitting on wisely. It’s no wonder Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called it the “[defining technology of our times (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/24/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-on-the-rise-of-a-i-the-future-we-will-invent-is-a-choice-we-make.html) .” ### Analyze, Act, and Automate Technology should help associations make the data they are accumulating work for their organization, delivering value by enabling users to *analyze*, *act*, and *automate*, regardless of technical ability. First, the modern AMS helps associations *analyze* the data they’ve collected. These solutions provide reporting and analytics tools that democratize access to data, enabling all departments to make data-driven decisions. Next, the modern AMS allows users to *act* on data, creating a data-driven culture that empowers every team member to become a data hero. The right tools enable all users to discover insights hidden in data and make confident decisions using up-to-the-minute analytics. Finally, *automation* helps associations streamline repetitive tasks across departments. To continuously improve staff efficiency and the member experience using the data in their AMS, associations need the ability to simplify tasks using AI models such as prediction, form processing, object detection, category classification, and entity extraction via a simple, intuitive interface. The modern AMS further empowers associations to build and launch apps using pre-built templates, drag-and-drop simplicity, and quick deployment. That’s where no-code and low-code AMS technology come in, eliminating traditional development efforts, reducing costs, and delivering a faster ROI. And that’s just for now—leading AMS vendors are already thinking of ways to further operationalize technologies like AI and automation as they evolve. To[quote Nadella once more, (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/24/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-on-the-rise-of-a-i-the-future-we-will-invent-is-a-choice-we-make.html) “the future we will invent is a choice we make, not something that just happens.” --- *Impexium’s Association Management Solution (AMS) empowers associations to make better decisions, execute with precision, and delight their members. To learn more about Impexium’s powerful membership, mobile, and analytics suite, [request a demo (opens in a new tab)](https://www.impexium.com/request-a-demo/) .* (piranka/E+/Getty Images Plus) [ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/) [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/) Tags: [#Association Management Systems](https://associationsnow.com/tag/association-management-systems/) [#Digital Transformation](https://associationsnow.com/tag/digital-transformation/) [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoEmpower Your Association with ASAE Business SolutionsJuly 22, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/07/22/empower-your-association-with-asae-business-solutions/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [VideoAssociations@Work with Benjamin Hopper: Money Makers Top Strategies for Increasing Non-Due RevenueSeptember 9, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/09/09/associationswork-with-benjamin-hopper-money-makers-top-strategies-for-increasing-non-due-revenue/) - [VideoAssociations@Work with Michael Tatonetti: Starbucks Pricing Hacks for AssociationsSeptember 9, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/09/09/associationswork-with-michael-tatonetti-starbucks-pricing-hacks-for-associations/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2022%2F06%2F17%2Fbecome-future-ready%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !