Thin-client Internet AMS.What is thin client and why is it important to association management software (AMS AMS - Andrew Message System )? Put simply, thin client means your Web browser The program that serves as your front end to the Web on the Internet. In order to view a site, you type its address (URL) into the browser's Location field; for example, www.computerlanguage.com, and the home page of that site is downloaded to you. operates the management software over the Internet. All you need is your Web browser and an Internet connection. There's no local software for your desktop, and there's no local server for your network. Thin client replaces your desktop program with your Web browser and your local file server with your Web site. Advantages for associations Thin-client solutions can be particularly useful for association management, since they can be operated from anywhere: office, home, or meeting sites. Volunteers or part-time staff can be employed to use it from wherever they may be. But most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , thin-client solutions can communicate directly with your membership. Association management involves a lot of interaction with members and contacts: profile updates, applications and renewals, registrations, and general communication. By placing the management software on your Web site, thin-client solutions expand the software's reach to everyone, everywhere. Members and contacts, through your Web site, are using the same software your staff uses. Profile updates, applications, renewals, and meeting registrations when completed by a member online--are done. There's no re-entry RE-ENTRY, estates. The resuming or retaking possession of land which the party lately had. 2. Ground rent deeds and leases frequently contain a clause authorizing the landlord to reenter on the non-payment of rent, or the breach of some covenant, when the required by staff--a huge timesavings. Similarly, registrations, updates, and so forth, received by mail or fax, when entered in the office, automatically update the Web site. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With a thin-client solution you can e-mail to your membership and link them back to the Web site for all of these functions. This is more convenient for them, and it saves you time and money. Priorities that pay Thin-client solutions aren't for every thing. A good thin-client AMS solution doesn't have to tackle everything. Rather, it should focus on where it can save you time and money by eliminating duplication duplication /du·pli·ca·tion/ (doo-pli-ka´shun) 1. the act or process of doubling, or the state of being doubled. 2. of effort. For example, visitors to your site don't process your payroll, nor do they cut checks to pay your bills. Your existing accounting software continues to handle these functions. Your thin-client AMS merely needs to provide you with an easy way to transfer its information to your accounting package, whatever that package might be. What a thin-client AMS must handle is the revenue cycle: applications, renewals, registrations, product sales, fees, billing, receivables Receivables An asset designation applicable to all debts, unsettled transactions or other monetary obligations owed to a company by its debtors or customers. Receivables are recorded by a company's accountants and reported on the balance sheet, and they and include all debts owed , and collections. These are the functions where an AMS system interacts with the public. Having them in a thin-client solution will save you time and money. Because these functions are tied to your contact database, the solution must provide integrated contact management, communication, and support for e-commerce. As part of your Web site, it should manage features such as members-only sections, member log-ins, lost passwords, and similar issues. And it should include content management. A good thin-client solution will include a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Pronounced "wiz-ee-wig." It refers to displaying text and graphics on screen the same as they will print on paper or display on a Web page. (what you see is what you get (jargon) What You See Is What You Get - (WYSIWYG) /wiz'ee-wig/ Describes a user interface for a document preparation system under which changes are represented by displaying a more-or-less accurate image of the way the document will finally appear, e.g. when printed. ) editor for creating and managing the content and navigation of your Web site. Because the software resides on your Web site, your Web site provider often hosts thin-client solutions. This arrangement eliminates the need, and cost, for you to maintain your own Web server hardware, software, and security. It also allows the vendor to provide you with product updates automatically, eliminating the need for patches or costly upgrades. Thin client is definitely the wave of the future for Internet applications. It only makes sense that when the product is the Internet, activities should be managed by Internet-based tools. And given the growing availability of high-speed Internet See broadband. across the country, thin-client is likely to be the most cost-effective way to deliver AMS solutions. Thin-client AMS solutions provide huge opportunities for timesavings for associations. Donald W. Rome is president of internet4associations, Deerfield, Illinois Deerfield is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. A portion of the village is in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,420 at the 2000 census. It is one of the predominant suburbs that make up Chicago's North Shore region. . E-mail: dwrome@internet4associations.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] COMPANY BIO bi·o n. pl. bi·os Informal 1. A biography. 2. A biographical sketch or outline. Smart, Affordable Solutions: Association Management Software Designed for the Internet, Internet4association's CONTINUUM Continuum (pl. -tinua or -tinuums) can refer to:
Ideal for associations large and small, Office Manager[TM] and Web Manager[TM] are completely scalable. Web Manager[TM] includes content management, WYSI-WYG, POP mail, virus and spam filtering A software routine that deletes incoming spam or diverts it to a "junk" mailbox (see spam folder). Also called "spam blockers," spam filters are built into a user's e-mail program. , and statistical reports. Office Manager[TM] includes e-commerce, contact management, applications, renewals, dues billing, receivables, registrations, shopping cart, reporting, and communication. Combined, they are a cost-effective, thin-client AMS system. Contact: 847-948-0309 dwrome@internet4associations.com www.internet4associations.com |
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