After a snow storm cancelled ASAE Tech last year, Agilutions is excited to return and show the Association technology community their proven approach to delivering solutions using Avectra’s netFORUM AMS.  “We are very happy that Mother Nature cooperated with ASAE Tech this year and are looking forward to a very successful conference” commented Keith Ambuhl, Agilutions Solution Coach. 
ASAE Tech is specifically designed for an association’s technology staff members.  The schedule will provide learning sessions and an Expo where attendees can learn of the latest trends and products in the Association Technology world.  This year’s conference will focus on various topics including AMS Solutions, the changing role of IT, mobility, technology strategy, business intelligence, web analytics, data security, gaming, web 2.0, and other technological advances that will enhance the way an organization does business.
At the Agilutions booth (#320), the association community will see how the unbeatable pairing of Agilutions’ proven approach to delivering solutions and Avectra’s best in class AMS can lead to a successful implementation for any association, big or small. 
“Our customer-centric and service focused approach to technology projects has really helped us stand out as the premiere Avectra Implementation Partner.” Says Ambuhl.  “This conference is the perfect opportunity for us to share our vision of how netFORUM can help Associations better serve their members.”

The paper explains that well-designed certification management systems go beyond software considerations alone and should integrate an understanding of industry standards, customer service goals, and operational needs along with the appropriate technology, data collection, documentation, and standard operating procedures

Spruce summarizes the need for a system that has flexible configuration, accommodates exception paths, integrates structured workflow, automated accuracy, and provides real-time views.

The paper is freely available for download here: Agilutions Credentialing White Paper

Stephen Spruce is a self-proclaimed “Process Junkie” who believes that even the most complex processes can be broken into smaller and more manageable elements. He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1996 and after graduation developed telecommunication management and provisioning systems for Hewlett Packard and BoldTech Systems. Stephen’s introduction to the world of credentialing came in 2003 when he was hired as the technical lead and architect for Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards where he led a highly successful full implementation of Avectra’s netFORUM Enterprise to manage CFP Board’s certification processes and build a complete online application and renewal process for the CFP® certification.

Stephen co-founded Agilutions Consulting to provide technical solutions with a focus on customer success for the association and credentialing industries. His passion for innovative software approaches led him to evolve the idea of eXtreme Programming (XP) to create the Agile Solution Delivery methodology that Agilutions uses today.

Agilutions Consulting, founded in 2005, is a Denver, CO based software implementation team working primarily with associations and credentialing organizations. Agilutions is an Avectra Implementation Partner and provides technology solutions based on Avectra’s netFORUM Enterprise – Advanced Association Management System. Agilutions is a member of ICE, CNG, ASAE, CSAE, and AUG.

To learn more, visit www.agilutions.com or call 303.298.8562

“We look forward to attending ASAE 2010 to highlight the strong partnership we have developed with Avectra and to discuss the great opportunities Agilutions and Avectra working together brings to the association and credentialing market place” says Stephen Spruce, Agilutions Co-Founder and Solutions Coach.

Founded in 1920, The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) is a membership organization of more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing more than 11,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in 50 countries around the world. The Center for Association Leadership is the premier provider of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association profession. Together, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association community.

At ASAE 2010, Agilutions is excited to show the association community how the unbeatable pairing of Agilutions’ proven approach to delivering solutions and Avectra’s best in class AMS can lead to a successful implementation for any association, big or small.

http://avectra.com/about-avectra/avectra-news-events/latest-news/NewsContent.aspx?topic=Avectra-Announces-Results-of-Custom-Credentialing-Solution

MCLEAN, VA – July 13, 2010 – Avectra, the leading provider of web-based association management software (AMS), announced results today from the implementation of a custom credentialing solution designed for the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association (ASHA) by Agilutions – an Avectra implementation and solutions partner.

To manage the more than 6,500 certification applications received each year, Agilutions conducted an in depth process and technology consultation with ASHA and implemented the Agilutions Credentialing Solution, a custom netFORUM Enterprise module.

CSAE was founded in 1952 and is the “association of associations” for more than 250 association professionals throughout Colorado.

To manage the more than 6,500 certification applications received each year, Agilutions conducted an in depth process and technology consultation with ASHA and implemented the Agilutions Credentialing Solution, a custom netFORUM Enterprise module. 
“By improving our response time and service we not only create member value, we help them meet their professional goals.  Our partnerships with Avectra and Agilutions are key components of enabling our member’s success.” -  Mike Guerrieri, information systems director at ASHA.
The new system has significantly reduced the time from receipt of the certification application to review from an average of 21 days to 4 days – an improvement of more than 200%.  It has delivered not only faster response times but also flexibility, reduced financial risk, improved communications and improved member service.

Presented by Avectra—the leading provider of netFORUM association management software—the conference will attract a diverse crowd of more than 250 leading association executives, staff and IT personnel. Exhibitors and attendees will network, share information about products and services, and attend educational workshops.

As a Gold Level Sponsor, Agilutions will host a booth at the event and participate in a one-hour educational session. The session, which will be presented by co-founder Stephen Spruce, will cover new ways that credentialing organizations can utilize technology to streamline their online certification. Agilutions will also participate in a giveaway and host an opening night dinner to honor existing clients.

“We are so excited about the conference because it gives us the opportunity to connect with clients and reach out to new organizations that we can help streamline their online operations utilizing simplified technology,” says Agilutions Solutions Coach, Keith Ambuhl.

The conference will also feature an awards ceremony that recognizes the most innovative uses of netFORUM. Last year, Agilutions won the prestigious “Partner of the Year” award and was also honored as the first and only Avectra partner to have a project win the “Most Effective Implementation” award. This year, they hope to follow up strongly by receiving recognition for their outstanding work with their client-partners.

About Agilutions
Agilutions (pronounced a-jel-u-shens) is an Avectra Implementation Partner that utilizes expertise in technology, consulting and analysis to create agile solutions that turn great businesses into even better ones. Specializing in working with professional membership associations and credentialing organizations, Agilutions offers a boutique-type client experience that centers on quality, customer service and results. To learn more, call 303.298.8562.

The launch comes as the result of months of development utilizing Avectra’s netFORUM software. The goal of the project has been to standardize and streamline the processes and procedures the ASHA staff uses to manage and support Applicants in receiving the CCC-SLP and/or CCC-A certifications. The solution sets the stage to transform the lengthy paper-based application process into a more customer-friendly online application process. This way the Applicant will have the ability to “self-manage” and monitor the progress of their application and complete portions of the application online.

“We are excited to launch this exciting new application for ASHA because we know that it will have very positive results for their organization,” says Agilutions Solution Coach Keith Ambuhl. “Namely, the new Certification Application Module will enable ASHA to streamline their certification process by moving key processes into a centralized database and set of business rules.”

The new certification module is the second project that Agilutions has completed for ASHA. Last year, Agilutions worked with ASHA to implement a membership/dues/renewal payment import process that has proven to be critical in helping them to create a seamless member payment system. Overall, ASHA credits Agilutions with helping them utilize technology to make key improvements and is looking forward to continuing to develop a successful relationship.

“Agilutions is one of my favorite vendor partners,” says ASHA Information Technology Director, Mike Cuerrieri. “I consider them a strategic asset to my association. They embrace our objectives as their own and work side-by-side with us to achieve them. They are uncommonly quick at understanding business processes and have the unique ability to persistently and gently persuade end-users to accept improvements to business processes and system changes.”

About Agilutions
Agilutions (pronounced a-jel-u-shens) is an Avectra Implementation Partner that utilizes expertise in technology, consulting and analysis to create agile solutions that turn great businesses into even better ones. Specializing in working with professional membership associations and credentialing organizations, Agilutions offers a boutique-type client experience that centers on quality, customer service and results. To learn more call 303.298.8562.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 135,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists. To learn more, please visit www.asha.org.

“We are very excited about the updated Web site and how it reflects us as a company. The last year marked a profound increase in business for Agilutions and we are well-positioned for another amazing year,” says solutions coach, Keith Ambuhl.

Along with the streamlined Web site, Agilutions is also making a number of additional key changes in response to their explosive growth. Recently, they expanded into an additional office space at their downtown Denver location and hired a new account manager and programmer.  They also hosted a popular booth at the “Shine On:  Exploring the Spectrum of Credentialing” 2009 NOCA Annual Educational Conference and were invited to appear as an emerging technology company on the CNN TV Show, Inside Business Report.

In addition to exposure opportunities and an updated Web presence, Agilutions is focused on continuing to develop target technical solutions for a wide array of client needs. Recently they launched a new certification engine for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and built an application tool for the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

About Agilutions
Agilutions (pronounced a-jel-u-shens) is an Avectra Implementation Partner that utilizes expertise in technology, consulting and analysis to create agile solutions that turn great businesses into even better ones. Specializing in working with professional membership associations and credentialing organizations, Agilutions offers a boutique-type client experience that centers on quality, customer service and results. To learn more call 303.298.8562.