Highlights
- Overlooked iMIS features can offer simple ways to improve everyday processes.
- Small efficiencies can have a big impact when they eliminate repetitive tasks.
- Better data gives you greater confidence in the decisions you make.
- Useful functionality only delivers value when you put it to work.
Some of the most useful iMIS features are the easiest to miss.
Most people learn the parts of a system they need and stick with them. If those tools are doing the job, there’s not much reason to explore what else is out there.
But that can mean missing out on some useful functionality. Sometimes a simple shortcut or a better way to catch problems early can make a real difference in day-to-day work.
Here are five iMIS features that are worth a closer look.
1. Stop wasting time hunting for information.
Knowing what you need is one thing. Finding where it lives in iMIS can be another.
Universal search through the RiSE dashboard lets you search across different types of content from one place. Instead of navigating from one area to another, you can access what you need more quickly.
Saving five or ten minutes on a search may not seem like a big deal. But when it happens regularly, those minutes add up. Finding what you need shouldn’t take longer than using it.
2. Look before you build.
There’s a certain satisfaction in creating something exactly the way you want it. But that satisfaction might be short-lived if you discover afterward that you didn’t actually need to start from scratch.
iMIS includes sample and preconfigured content that can be copied and adapted for custom pages. Rather than beginning with a blank slate, you can use an existing framework and modify it to meet your needs.
You get a head start without giving up the flexibility to make it your own.
3. Catch data problems before they spread.
A bad address may seem insignificant until it affects a mailing or member communication. The same is true of missing or incomplete information. One small problem can quickly become an issue in other places.
The iMIS Data Integrity Dashboard helps identify potential issues, including inaccurate contact information and incomplete membership data, so you can address them earlier. It can flag missing contact details, addresses, membership information and other data-quality issues so you can address them earlier. (Source: iMIS Documentation, iMIS Dashboards Overview)
That matters because data is fluid. It moves through iMIS membership management, reporting and other processes that depend on reliable information. Finding problems closer to the source keeps them from affecting the work that comes later.
4. Make consistency easier to maintain.
When multiple people create or update web content, little differences have a way of creeping in. A button looks different on one page. Someone develops a new solution for something that already exists elsewhere.
The built-in iMIS Style Guide provides reusable design elements and other tools that helps keep new content consistent.
That means less reinventing and fewer one-off approaches. It also makes it easier for different people to contribute while still creating an experience that looks and feels like it belongs to the same organization.
5. Let automation tell you when something needs attention.
Process automation can save time by keeping routine tasks moving in the background. It can also help you catch problems when something doesn’t go as planned.
The Process Automation Logs tab shows when an automated process has failed, making it easier to identify and address the issue before it creates problems elsewhere. Alerts can also put important information front and center.
Even if you’re already using these tools, there may be additional processes or alerts you can activate to make everyday work more efficient and keep important information from slipping through the cracks.
Making better use of iMIS features doesn’t always require a new tool or a major project. Sometimes, taking a closer look at what’s already available is all it takes to find a better way to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I find iMIS features I may not be using?
Start with tasks that regularly take too long or require unnecessary workarounds. Then look at whether iMIS already offers a better way to handle them. An experienced iMIS partner can also help identify capabilities that may be underused.
- Do I need to use everything that’s available?
No. More functionality isn’t automatically better. Start by identifying what you need to improve, then look for the tools that can help you do it. If something doesn’t solve a problem or support a real need, there’s no reason to use it.
- Where should I start when exploring underused iMIS functionality?
Look for an easy win. A recurring task that takes unnecessary time or creates frustration is often a good place to start. Even a relatively small improvement can matter when that task happens frequently.
- Can better use of iMIS reduce the need for additional software?
In some cases. Before adding another application to solve a problem, it makes sense to determine whether iMIS already addresses the need. It may not eliminate the need for another solution, but you’ll make that decision with a clearer understanding of what your current system can do.
- How can I help my team discover more useful iMIS features?
Make ongoing learning part of using the system. When people know where to find help and learn about available tools, they’re more likely to discover better ways to work.
Could you be getting more from iMIS? IBC can help you identify useful functionality you may be overlooking and determine where it could make the biggest difference for your organization. Let’s take a look at what you’re using and what you may be missing.
About IBC: At IBC, we have a deep understanding of the critical business needs and processes specific to associations, non-profits, and unions. We ‘get’ your culture, your goals, and what drives you, too. Focused exclusively on and dedicated to delivering the most effective AMS, LMS, and Cloud Financial Software for our clients, we’re well-versed in identifying and applying the integration techniques that will save you time and money. Since 2001, our cutting-edge products, unparalleled responsiveness, and award-winning services have helped organizations like yours increase their operational and financial performance by leveraging best practices and proven solutions. For more information about IBC, please visit the website at www.ibconcepts.com or call 443.603.0215.
