Summer was a busy time at HAI, as the association conducted a wide-ranging software overhaul that touched every department and every member.
Most noticeable to HAI members and visitors is the new website (www.rotor.org), built with the assistance of web developer and new HAI associate member, 10 Pound Gorilla. The new site is supported by an updated architecture that enables a host of new features. The site also sports a much more modern look, with an emphasis on making it easy for visitors to find what they’re seeking.
The backbone of the project is HAI’s new association management software (AMS) that integrates significantly with the website. A big part of any AMS is a database, and HAI’s new AMS, provided by Impexium, allows users to more easily access membership information. With the new system, HAI members and customers can update their information online, renew their membership, and even manage their ROTOR subscriptions.
HAI members can now use their email address and set their own password when accessing the site. “One of the nicest elements of these integrations is the use of single sign-on technology,” says Ed DiCampli, chief operating officer of HAI and the driving force behind the software updates. “A member or visitor has access to most of our new features, and they only need to register and sign on once.”
HAI’s Education Department got in on the action as it opened the new HAI Online Academy. Through the academy, helicopter professionals can register and take online courses in a variety of subjects—anytime, anywhere around the world. The HAI Online Academy offers the courses below, and the list is growing:
- Safety Manager
- Maintenance Manager
- UAS Part 107 Test Prep
- Garmin 430/530 Master Training
- Strike, Snarge, and Safety—Your Guide to Wildlife Strike Reporting.
One of the methods HAI uses to communicate with members also got a facelift. HAI’s Business Development unit switched to a new email service provider that distributes ROTOR Daily and other email announcements. This service also integrates with the AMS, providing for better opt-in/opt-out options while continuing to maintain the security of users’ email addresses and other personal information.
In fact, integration of all the systems of the association—from membership renewal, to event registration, to picking out your booth space, and more—was one of the aspects that made the project both challenging and rewarding. But the goal was to ensure that all system users, including HAI staff, members, and customers, could conduct their business with HAI efficiently and effectively.
