For more than 80 years AERA, an international network of professional engine builders, rebuilders and installers, has helped its members increase their bottom line. In addition to traditional association programs and services, such as conferences, publications, and government relations, AERA offers a host of creative products and technical services available to help members grow their businesses – a toll-free tech line, a Business Generation Network, including templates for Web sites, Member discounts on multiple products, and specialized software – PRO-SIS (PROfessional engine Specification Software) and SMS (Shop Management Software).

According to Ellen Mechlin, AERA Controller, the decision to replace the group’s association management system was driven by a desire for a new convention registration package as well as the need to upgrade AERA’s accounting software. “We also wanted all member information to be in one database and be able to interface with the accounting system and with our Website, www.aera.org,” she added.

AERA selected Morant Information Systems to complete the project, which was authorized in late October 2005 and released for testing in February 2006. “We were referred to Morant through another provider,” said Mechlin. “Morant offered a package that provided the integration we were looking for and was affordable for our size association.”

As part of the contract Morant modified its Membership, Member Support, Dues Billing, Conference Management and its new released Customer Service programs, providing integrated capabilities and enabling AERA to support its unique service offerings. Specifically:

• Membership and Membership Technical Support Management Program. AERA offers a unique service to its members – AERA professional staff respond to the Members calls concerning Engine Rebuilding and Engine related questions. On average AERA responds to more than 1,000 calls per month. This is one of AERA’s most prized membership benefits and accounts for much of the organization’s track record of maintaining and growing their membership numbers.



• Customer Service Program. AERA offers separate software support subscriptions to its members (PRO-SIS and SMS) and tracks each service call. The new system offers complete billing and invoice management capabilities for these subscriptions and other products available through AERA. The new program allows AERA to manage this operation and generate the required subscription invoices that are independent from Membership dues. At the same time, because of the integration feature, members are notified immediately if their software support contracts are about to expire or if their memberships need to be renewed in order to continue to receive software support.



• Integrated Custom Membership, Dues Billing, Conference Management, Customer Service and Central Accounting system. The central financial management system offers an effective way to view all transactions for each member company from one screen and enter the payments against any transaction. Then the system allows for one-step posting to the accounting system.



• Web Conference and Trade Show Registration system. Morant installed a robust Web registration system that offers detailed and flexible on line registration capabilities. Several different conferences and meetings can be set up on line. Each conference is capable of offering a number of special functions, seminars and events. The system offers online credit card and check processing capabilities. It also allows for customized confirmation letters.

The Result: Efficiency and Better Customer Service
About Morant Information Systems