How to Use Microsoft Tools with Salesforce-Powered AMS Software
Associations are all about connections. They connect with members, link members to each other, and serve communities. But today, those connections depend on technology. For most associations, this means using AMS software to manage member data, events, and communication. Yet an AMS alone isn’t enough. It should be able to connect directly to the most popular platform, Microsoft.
Microsoft tools are everywhere. In 2024, Office 365 had over 400 million paid users, and Microsoft Teams had more than 320 million monthly users. [Source: Office 365 for IT Pros Business of Apps.] With so many associations using tools like Office 365, Teams, Power BI, and Copilot, they often think an AMS built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the best choice. But a Salesforce-powered AMS can often work better.
Why? Salesforce is easier to use, quicker to customize, and allows you to connect with many more apps in AppSource. By combining Salesforce with Microsoft tools, associations keep their data secure, their teams connected, and their members engaged—all in one place. To understand how these platforms work together, let’s explore how associations can connect Microsoft’s most popular tools—Active Directory, Teams, Power BI, Microsoft Copilot, and Office 365—with a Salesforce-powered AMS.
Active Directory: Keeping Member Data Secure
Active Directory (AD) works like a digital security guard for your system. It controls who can access what information. But when you connect AD to Salesforce-powered AMS software, it does even more. It keeps member data safe and makes managing access simple.
First, members and staff use one login (Single Sign-On or SSO). This means they don’t need to remember different passwords for each tool. For example, a board member can use one password to see financial reports, while volunteers use the same login to access event details.
AD also uses role-based access, which means each person only sees what they need. For instance, the finance team can view donation records, but the events team only sees the guest list. Since AD connects to Salesforce, you control all of this from one place.
Microsoft Teams: Connecting Members Easily
Microsoft Teams makes it simple for people to connect and work together. When linked to a Salesforce-powered AMS, it becomes even more powerful. Associations can create Teams channels for different groups, like committees, event planning, or member support. This way, everyone knows where to go to share ideas and get updates.
For example, a member committee can use Teams to discuss upcoming events, share meeting agendas, and vote on decisions. Event planners can keep track of tasks, assign roles, and share timelines. Member support teams can answer questions, resolve issues, and share helpful resources—all in one place.
Teams also makes sharing documents easy. Leaders can upload files, share reports, or work together on presentations. Members can read important updates, share feedback, or ask questions. With everything in one place, it’s easy to keep everyone on the same page.
Power BI: Seeing Data More Clearly
Power BI is a powerful tool that helps you see your member data clearly when you connect it to Salesforce-powered AMS software.
Instead of digging through long spreadsheets, staff can look at easy-to-read charts and graphs. For example, a dashboard can show how many members joined each month, which events were the most popular, and which members are most active. This helps leaders spot trends more quickly.
Power BI can also pull data from different places in Salesforce. This means you can see all your important data in one view. For instance, you can see which members signed up for events, who donated, and which emails they opened. With this complete picture, leaders can see what’s working and what needs to change.
Microsoft Copilot: Saving Time on Tasks
Microsoft Copilot is an AI tool that helps with routine tasks. But when you connect Copilot to Salesforce-powered AMS software, it does even more.
Copilot can send member renewal reminders automatically. So, instead of staff checking who needs a reminder, Copilot does it. It can also create event reports without anyone having to type up details. Even better, it can write personalized messages, like welcoming new members or thanking them for attending an event.
If, for instance, your association hosts monthly webinars, that process can be very manual. Normally, staff would have to send out invites, track RSVPs, and follow up. With Copilot connected to Salesforce, it can do all of this for you. It can even look at past events and send invites to members who attended similar webinars before. Members get the right messages, and your staff has more time to plan great events.
Office 365: Connecting Files to Your AMS
Office 365 is a tool that helps you create, share, and organize documents. Connecting it to Salesforce-powered AMS software makes it even more useful. This connection means documents and files saved in Office 365 can be directly linked to member records in Salesforce. For example, when a team creates an event schedule in Word, they can attach it directly to the event record in the AMS. This keeps everything in one place.
Teams working on documents together can see changes in real time. A member planning committee can add their ideas to a shared document. Staff can edit details while board members leave comments. Since changes save automatically, there’s no confusion about the latest version. Also, because the document is linked to Salesforce, it’s easy to find later.
Instead of sending documents back and forth by email, everything stays in one place. Staff can spend less time searching for files and more time helping members.
Best Practices
To get the most out of these tools, associations should:
- Keep Member Data Safe with Active Directory: Connect Active Directory to Salesforce so you can control who sees what. Set up strong passwords, and make sure only the right people have access.
- Create Teams Channels for Easy Communication: Set up Teams channels for different groups, like committees, event planning, or leadership. Because these channels connect to Salesforce, you can share files and notes directly linked to member records.
- Build Dashboards with Power BI to See Member Trends: Use Power BI to create dashboards that pull data directly from Salesforce. This lets you track member sign-ups, event attendance, and engagement.
- Save Time with Copilot’s Automation: Let Copilot handle routine tasks. Since it connects to Salesforce, it can send automatic renewal reminders to members, write thank-you emails after events, and even update member profiles.
Keep Documents Organized with Office 365: Use Office 365 to store and organize documents. Connect it to Salesforce so important files, like event plans or membership guides, link directly to member records.
Is Element AMS the Right Fit for You?
Microsoft tools like Active Directory, Teams, Power BI, Copilot, and Office 365 make work easier. But to get the most out of them, you need an AMS that works with them. That’s where Element AMS comes in.
Element AMS, built on Salesforce, keeps your association organized and your data accurate. Member records update automatically, so you never have outdated information. Events are simple to set up and track, with registration, reminders, and follow-up messages all managed in one place. You control who sees what, keeping member data secure. Communication is clear, with automated emails for renewals, event invites, and follow-ups.
But is it right for your association?
Take the Fit Quiz to see if Element AMS
is the best AMS for your organization:
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