Michael's conversation with Ernie from Association Now
Few months back I had a privilege to share my thoughts on the modern Integrated Best-of-Fit approach to IT architecture with Ernie Smith - a Senior Editor of Association Now. Below is a brief excerpt from that conversation with the link to the complete article for those who are interested to learn more:
"If your association has been leaning on custom integrations that feel costly and difficult to manage, know that with a little digital glue, you might be able to connect all your disparate apps—social networks, email providers, and online communities—together.
The concept is called iPaaS, or integration platform as a service, and it’s a growing trend that is finding new interest among associations. It simplifies integration among different types of tools by streamlining the connection of application programming interfaces (APIs)—essentially, interfaces that allow different tools and their data to connect with one another—utilizing a low-code or no-code interface.
Michael Getter, the head of systems and technology for the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium and a backer of iPaaS’ uptake in the association sector, compares it to the approach one might take to home automation—say, if you want to be able to turn off your lights using a voice-driven device like Alexa.
Different pieces of software perform different functions. But without a platform that allows them to communicate, these pieces of software aren’t able to “talk” to one another. APIs serve as these platforms.
“This is what we’re trying to get to the association space,” Getter said..."
What's next?
IBF (Integrated Best-of-Fit) architectures are not only for associations, and have penetrated all areas of technology. Think of home automations, when various systems in your household like lights, washer, dryer, kitchen appliances, sound systems, security systems, all can communicate with each other and with you. This is the latest step in IT architecture evolution and smart and forward-looking nonprofits are quickly adopting this way of thinking as it is cost-effective, vastly improves operations and member service via automations, supports better data governance, and increases ROI.
If your association is starting to think about replacing its AMS or some other mission critical systems, it is important to approach this process from the latest way of thinking about your future systems architecture. We are always here to answer any questions.
Comments