User Reviews
netFORUM by Avectra
USER REVIEWS - All reviews
Purchased Date: N/A
Director of Membership, National Defense Industrial Association
July 09, 2010
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Pros
I found the events portion of netForum to be intuitive. Without training, I was able to navigate to find quick answers. The reports have also been productive for me.
Cons
Registrant window is small.
Overall
For simply viewing and tracking marketing progress, it works for me.
Purchased Date: January 01, 2005
Web Services Manager, AUVSI
June 18, 2010
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Pros
* Attractive user interface
* Great customer support
* Consulting team who understands your needs, and is committed to bring them to life
* A lot of useful reports out of the box
* Supports an external web interface pulling in data from the database; allowing users to instantly update their own information online
* Helped us automate several cumbersome manual processes
* Has robust web services out of the box to integrate with third party systems expanding the power and efficiency of your data
* Comprehensive online documentation in wiki format
* Supports an annual user and developer conference which brings together users from different organizations to share ideas
* There is an independent user group who maintains their own online community discussing how-to's and best practices
Cons
* It is easy to underestimate the effort involved in getting this robust system online; be sure to define business rules and take the systems requirements analysis phase VERY seriously
* Post-implementation changes can be costly
* New versions come out so frequently that keeping up with new capabilities and internal documentation is sometimes difficult for a small staff
Overall
I can highly recommend not only the netFORUM software, but Avectra as a company. We had a failed implementation and reverted back to our legacy system at one point. The blame fell on both sides, but we were definitely not prepared for the project before we began. They were just as committed as we were to rebuild the relationship and get us moving forward. At the time, we were probably one of the smallest clients they had so the amount of attention we received was excellent. I've heard the implementation process has improved greatly since then, so the problems we experienced were probably not typical.
Overall, Avectra is a fun, energetic, fast-paced, forward thinking company - and they are qualified experts in association operations and data management.
Purchased Date: April 01, 2010
Executive Director, Mortgage BAnkers Association of the Carolinas, Inc
June 08, 2010
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Pros
We needed a product to save time in routine membership management. NetFORUM Pro is the answer. Sorting and queries are easy and diverse. Data provided on the website is nearly infinite. Committees can access minutes, reports and objectives. Communication among members is expanded. Event management is greatly simplified.
Cons
Implementation takes times, but we were told that on the front end. It's a lot like deciding to learn a second language. There are two modes of learning: 1)Learn a few tourist phrases and pretend you are conversant or 2) Become absorded in the language, use it every day and become proficient. The time required is well worth the result.
Overall
For two years I evaluated products and netForum Pro was the correct choice for our association. I am extremely pleased. Support has been excellent. There have been occassions where work arounds were needed. The netFORUM support staff has offered suggestions to meet our goals before the questions were asked.
Purchased Date: October 01, 2008
Director of Operations, American Society of Concrete Contractors
June 04, 2010
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Pros
We switched to this solution to put all of our membership data under one umbrella. Our entire website with the exception of the home page is run through the solution including event registration and online bookstore purchases. Now instead of having to keep member records current in three different places, we just have one program to learn and manage.
The implementation was a little tough just figuring out where our old data fit into the new model. We have a difficult member dues structure. The team at NetForum worked with us every step of the way.
The customer service is exceptional. Most of my questions are answered in the same business day.
Being an association I particularly like the fact that NetForum continues to update the product. They really listen to the users and implement changes to help their entire customer base. The upgrades take place typically 4 times a year and are included in price. No paying for upgrades!
Cons
My biggest negative is that NetForum now holds all of my member data and the essential information to run my entire association. I have not found a good way to back-up our database locally. So, should I ever decide to leave Avectra I'm a little concerned how smooth a transition it will be to retreive my data.
It is difficult to come up with a negative thing to say. There is a learning curve when starting the program for the first time, but that is with any program.
Overall
Very pleased with our decision. I would reccommend this program to anyone.
Purchased Date: N/A
Membership Manager, NGMA
June 01, 2010
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Pros
This software has been a dream come true. It was extremely easy to set up - I managed the implementation by myself during my busiest part of the business year. The implementation team was beyond fantastic and on the rare occasion I have needed assistance with something, the quality of the customer service has been exceptional.
Using the software has made my daily job so much more efficient and our members being able to manage their accounts is brilliant!
Cons
None that I can think of. This is a great management solution at an extremely fair price.
Overall
I would recommend this software and Avectra to anyone. I think it's a great product that is sold and supported by an extremely knowledgable and professional team.
Purchased Date: March 01, 2010
Treasurer, Parking Association of the Virginias
May 27, 2010
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Pros
The strongest pro for us is database management integrated with event management, web site, on-line store (including credit card processing), etc. Information imbedded in various modules in the software automatically post on the web site including individual information, event details, products, leadership, committees, etc. Email communication to the entire database or segments of the database is super-easy as is membership purchase and renewal. The people I have dealt with at Avectra have been professional, helpful, and encouraging. We had one person facilitating data conversion and another for the implementation process. After each session with the implementation person, I receive follow up information on what we discussed, what on-line resources I can tap for specific topics, and how to prepare for the next session. On-line resources including "help", overview and training videos, and an on-line community.
Cons
There is more functionality and reporting capability within the product than our association will use.
Overall
We are very happy we've found a single tool that will keep us in touch with our members and manage membership, events, credit card processing and the web site. Purchasing the software was a great investment for us.
Purchased Date: January 01, 2010
Director, Data Research, AFP
May 26, 2010
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Pros
Great system, very flexible if you buy the tool kit and have someone who is dedicated to the database administration and toolkit customization work. Without the tool kit you may end up paying lots of money to the Avectra consulting services for every tiny customization.
Cons
If you are not on 3.0, you do not have such powerful component as Workflow which allows you to automate many manual processes.
Overall
Good product. They host our database and we are quite happy with this arrangement.
Purchased Date: May 01, 2009
Executive Assistant, IASA
April 21, 2010
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Pros
It has the appearance of an outstanding system.
Cons
Most of the system doesn't work correctly. It is so complicated and confusing that even the most tech savy person will have trouble getting it set up. Their tech support can hardly ever figure out why it doesn't work.
Overall
This is a terrible system. Find something less complicated.
