It’s a question we’ve heard more than once: “Why do we need a partner if the vendor says they’ll handle the implementation?”
It’s a fair question, and one worth unpacking, especially when leadership is watching every dollar.
Here’s the truth: Most AMS vendors (and similar platforms) focus solely on their part of the build. For example, if the vendor provides only a minimal setup (like configuring one membership type) and hands over the rest, your team is responsible for completing the remaining tasks. Sure, this builds familiarity, but it can also become overwhelming, fast. While your team is managing their regular duties, they’re now expected to implement and test a major system, often with minimal guidance.
That’s where we come in.
Partners (like our experts at Achurch) become your advocate, translator, and project stabilizer.
Vendors often just ask, “What are you doing now?”— but that risks moving old problems into a new system. Without a partner, you may end up paving the cowpath. A consultant/partner helps you rethink your processes, align with best practices, and avoid unnecessary customization. You end up with a bigger ROI because fully smooth implementations (and later, fully adopted technology) are better for your organization. Not just because it’s new, but because it’s truly aligned to your needs.
Working side by side with your team, a third-party partner is an ally to the organization throughout the technology transformation. Guidance through change and project managements increases the odds of hitting deadlines and reduces the risk of burnout. Achurch experts handle early-stage testing, which alleviates the frustration of early bugs and some fine-tuning during those initial rounds. We speak both “vendor” and “association,” helping ensure your voice is heard and that your project doesn’t drift off course. When tough conversations are needed to stay on track – whether with you or the vendor – your partner facilitates them.
We also provide what we call a “reality check.” The vendor will almost always agree to every request. Vendors will say yes to just about everything, but sometimes “yes” now leads to headaches later. We help you prioritize what matters most for go-live and what can wait. This insight comes from years of working inside associations and across dozens of vendors and systems on successful implementations.
Here’s what a partner brings to your side of the project:
- A client-specific project and launch plan
- Data conversion strategy, cleanup, mapping, and validation
- Test plans built for your organization and support in testing
- Tailored training materials for your team
- Help to translate current state to future state
- Assistance with process and policy change to avoid customizing system.
Don’t think of it as double paying. Think of it as investing in the success of your project. Let the vendor do what they do best. Let us make sure it all works for you.