Australian NFPs Plan Technology Upgrade
27 January 2011 at 11:28 am
Australian Not for Profits say they are planning to embrace new online technology in 2011, according to a new study.
Research commissioned by web-based software provider, Advanced Solutions International (ASI) found that that more than half (59%) of Australia’s membership associations plan to adopt a commercial Association Management System (AMS) in 2011.
According to a study from Lehman Associates on the ‘Australian Use and Satisfaction of Membership Management Software’, engaging an online audience is the key driver for updating technology for the Not for Profits in 2011.
In what is described as the first survey of its kind in Australia, 122 organisations were interviewed, highlighting a trend that the Not for Profit sector is increasingly moving away from in-house custom databases towards commercial solutions.
The study found that the primary reason given by respondents to upgrade or purchase new software was to enhance their organisation’s capabilities to engage and do business with members through their websites and other online applications.
Over a third (34%) of respondents felt their organisation had outgrown existing solutions, particularly in these areas.
Paul Ramsbottom, managing director of ASI Asia-Pacific, agrees that Not for Profits are increasingly choosing to implement commercial AMS solutions in an attempt to help run more efficiently and engage with members online.
Advanced Solutions International (ASI) is one of the largest, privately-owned global providers of web-based software for member and donor-based NFPs.
Published in December 2010, the 2010 Membership Management Software Use and Satisfaction in Australia study was developed by Lehman Associates LLC on behalf of Advanced Solutions International.
Data for this study was collected through an online survey of Australian associations and related organisations. A total of 132 fully completed surveys were obtained representing 122 organisations.
Its great to see that some research has been done which suggests that NonProfits are more likely to adopt technology in the coming year. Furthermore, the research shows that many nonprofits will be adopting commercially available membership management software.
As the survey was conducted by a company which sells online membership management software, that’s fortuitous. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!