Alumni management software consists of more than a series of administrative tools that enable you to run email campaigns, event registrations, social networks, donations and data-it's a life line to your relationship with former students. If you value building and maintaining a strong connection with alumni and prospective students at your institution, alumni management software is a valuable resource that can help you knit this community together.

You can find alumni management software designed for the size of your school or other custom built products by contacting a provider. With the following steps, you can weigh your options and determine how alumni management software can help you build a stronger relationship with former students:

1. Make it easy for alumni to exchange information and keep contact information current by giving them convenient access to alumni management software tools without the limitations of time and location.

2. Contact a software provider for an alumni management software list and assistance finding resources that can meet the specific needs of your institution.

3. Create an online community and bridge a gap between alumni and future students.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Manage contact information with the use of alumni management software

Alumni management software enables you to effectively keep in contact with alumni and also share experiences with future students at your school. These resources simplify the process of storing and keeping accurate information on important contacts.

I recommend: Alumni Network is alumni management software offered by Versation. This software is translated in Portuguese, Spanish, English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. It also offers an admin backroom, photo gallery, HTML email newsletter system, alumni search and provides access to former students who wish to update their own contact information. OmniMagnet offers AlumniMagnet Enterprise to universities that want to build an online alumni community. This tool is useful if you want to build multiple subcommunities.

Locate an alumni management software provider for custom made products

A provider can offer helpful alumni management software information about resources that meet a specific need at your institution. Choose from a variety of products that can help you streamline processes and focus on developing strong relationships with alumni.

I recommend: AlumniOnTheWeb provides a professional networking solution to help you stay connected with alumni. Give former students convenient access to an alumni database, news, events, photos, group pages and more with this affordable website solution. View an online demo. The Conenza Community Platform offers access perks as well as small business insurances and other benefits to entice alumni to your website. Watch a webinar.

Invest in alumni management software that helps you establish an online community

Use an online management system to create a community of students from the past, present and future. Online tools remove the barriers of time and distance and make it possible for alumni to connect with others. In addition, these resources can also support fundraising.

I recommend: Blackbaud has developed Online Campus Community to help you build an online interactive community with students and alumni. This application is a useful resource for small colleges. Exchange information, customize invitations, create blogs and more with the Community Module of the Encompass platform offered by iModules Software. You can also use this application for e-mail marketing, campaign management, an online alumni directory and gift processing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask an alumni management software provider if there are components that can be added to a particular resource that may further enhance your investment.