Oftentimes, businesses can become stuck in their ways. If a process isn’t broken, why fix it? However, if a process is taking away valuable time and resources from a company…it’s time to make a change.
Today, there are a variety of technological advancements built to speed up workflows and automate otherwise tedious processes within organizations. For example, associations can utilize what is known as “AMS certification software.” By embracing software systems like this, organizations will see huge gains in productivity and customer satisfaction.
The business of credentialing has become a growing revenue source of associations and organizations. Credentials allow professionals to differentiate themselves, prove competency, and gain a designation of excellence from a third-party source.
As certification offerings grow within associations, software capabilities are rising to meet this need. For these organizations that run certification or credentialing programs, a specific type of association software is essential.
By employing an association management certification software, associations are not only getting more organized–but transforming day-to-day operations and workflows.
In this blog, we’ll be covering:
Association Management System Certification Software, or AMS Certification Software, assists organizations in streamlining the credentialing process and credentialing timelines.
AMS Certification Software can exist within associations in one of two ways:
A great association management software will have credentialing capabilities included in its framework. So, some associations and credentialing bodies will opt-in for software that covers all their credentialing needs. Meaning, credentialing capabilities exist alongside membership management, billing needs, and more.
For example, the Association Anywhere AMS provides a high-performance association management solution for professional societies and trade associations. This all-encompassing software improves productivity, data accuracy, and visibility across an organization.
It also includes education and credential management capabilities, which effectively configures, manages, and tracks certification, accreditation, and professional development programs.
Oftentimes, an association’s existing AMS framework will not have a strong certification program, in turn leaving credentialing systems unsupported. For those AMS’s lacking in credentialing, associations may seek out certification management software add-ons to pick up the slack.
This method allows associations to keep their existing organizational AMS and its subsequent processes. Then, they would only need to invest in an add-on as opposed to overhauling the entire system. This may look like a software plug-in that integrates into the existing framework or AMS provider to bolster its credentialing systems and processes.
For organizations and businesses that handle the credentialing, certification, or accreditation of their constituents, organization is everything. From the application process, test-taking, and all the way through to results and beyond–there are countless touchpoints of information to account for.
Currently, many credentialing organizations are still bogged down by manual processes and tedious information gathering. A proper AMS can quickly streamline these processes and take an organization from paper-based to complete automation.
Many organizations have the appearance of automation (i.e.: application forms on their sites or information portals). In reality, this information is still being sent to an employee to sift through, organize, and respond accordingly. This requires immense manpower and slows down credentialing timelines for constituents and associations alike.
For credentialing bodies and associations in particular, manually organizing and tracking the certification journey can quickly become a logistical nightmare. AMS certification software works to reduce the need for manual processes and instead drives constituents through the credentialing timeline using sophisticated software.
AMS Certification Software will target a variety of processes to add automation and simplicity to your workflows. Here are the main business areas certification software works to improve.
As an association or credentialing body, applications are a crucial part of membership management and test-taking processes. Often, associations will require applicants to submit a host of information–such as education and employment history–before entering into an association or taking a certification exam.
Some associations are still tackling these applications through paper-based processes. This is extremely time-consuming, and can easily be streamlined with the adoption of AMS certification software. By utilizing certification software, organizations can centralize and organize application data, and even automate communications to applicants.
Say a potential association member has submitted for membership, but is lacking the necessary education requirements. An AMS Certification Software can take this information and send out subsequent communications. This could look like an email to the applicant notifying them of their missing qualification, subsequent membership status, and any next steps.
The same goes for test-taking. Proper registration for many certifying or credentialing exams include confirming the candidate meets certain qualifications depending on the test’s requirements. Overall, certification software collects and groups data, allowing for streamlined communication or administrative review.
When registering for a credentialing exam through an association, constituents must follow a distinct set of steps.
In disjointed AMS or organizational workflows, test registration and scheduling exist outside of the AMS framework. Today, these processes are reflected in the system, and tracked alongside all other candidate data. Full integration with testing centers is a key component of AMS Certification Software, and further improves the workflow.
Constituents can apply, schedule, and pay for certifying exams all through the AMS application. Additionally, with all information in one place, constituents can monitor their status along multiple steps of the application and certification process. This even includes test results.
For example, constituents can get their test results back and review answers and errors in the system. If they fail the exam, they will receive automated options to retest. They may also be directed to educational materials (which can also be purchased in-system), or find open slots to reschedule.
If they pass, constituents will receive an automated notification of their results, and be directed to their certificate or results page. Overall, this automation provides a much smoother workflow and almost walks candidates through the entire credentialing process. This takes a lot of the burden of exam-taking and organization off of your constituents back.
Once this testing and candidate data is in the AMS, it is not only useful for the constituents, but the associations themselves. For example, credentialing bodies are consistently working to improve their certifications and stay on the cutting edge of their fields. With an AMS Certification Software, the streamlined data collection and organization allows for high-level analysis.
For example, after test results are collected, organizations can view what is known as “domain level” feedback. This provides information like what parts of exams test-takers were succeeding in, and which parts were causing issues. This allows associations to better vet the data coming back from the testing, and put results into a larger context.
AMS Certification Software can use this data to drive analysis such as:
The above analysis and data capabilities are all configurable, meaning associations can adjust metrics to fit their needs or unique testing qualifications. For example, only being notified of the need for review if the test falls below a certain percentile.
Certification software includes not just the gathering of data, but the communication that goes along with it. One of the greatest benefits of high-quality AMS is its ability to improve the quality, efficiency, and frequency of communications between association and constituents.
Within an AMS framework, several automated communications can be configured depending on the organization’s needs. For example, automated follow-up prompts could be sent after certain touchstones, such as exam registration or when results have become available.
Setting up automated messaging facilitates a back and forth between the association and their constituents, improving overall cadence and satisfaction. This also allows for efficient record-keeping of milestones within the credentialing journey.
As part of the recertification process for those undergoing certain credentialing timelines, there are often necessary milestones. These are usually activity-based qualifications that allow professionals to become recertified in their field, including time spent working, taking courses, or attending conferences/webinars.
Quality AMS Certification Software can integrate with learning management software and automatically track these milestones. For example, if you are taking qualified coursework or watching a webinar, this information is reflected in your profile. This offers immense ease for constituents who are aiming for recertification.
Constituents can also self-select credits, and submit other work that is collected by an AMS and then submitted for administrative review. Then, once accepted or denied, the AMS will add this information to a constituent’s record of progress.
Understanding exactly where you are in the credentialing journey (and knowing what you need to get done to achieve your credentials) is a huge selling point of quality AMS. This kind of transparency and organization has huge payoffs for users and administrators alike.
Ultimately, as these credentialing workflows are made more efficient (or even completely automated), associations gain something huge: time.
Many associations or certifying boards require a strong customer service presence for their members. The automation that comes with certification software takes away smaller, manual processes, and allows organizations the time to provide higher levels of service.
This means more energy can be spent in critical areas of communication and administration–not in answering emails or sifting through spreadsheets.
Looking for an AMS Certification Software that allows you to leverage technology and get rid of manual touchpoints? ACGI has the knowledge and expertise to provide you with a better staff and constituent experience, no matter what your credentialing process looks like.
As certification becomes a growing revenue source of associations everywhere, you need a software that reflects this importance. While a great AMS can streamline processes and improve user experience, poor software can put credentialing validity and your organization at risk.
ACGI has always made credentialing the key element of our association software. Plus, our service offerings are enterprise-class, proven systems that work within your existing workflow.
Modernize your association management, and take advantage of the technology that certification software has to offer with AMS certification software. You’ll love the results.
Need help determining what kind of AMS you need? Check out our blog, 5 Things Every Association Should Look For In A Credential Management Software.
For many AMS providers, certification is an afterthought. For ACGI, it’s a priority. Discover what we can do for your organization today, and request a demo.
