What Are AMS Integrations and Why They Matter
AMS integrations are connections between your association management software and external systems. They allow data to flow between platforms automatically, eliminating manual data entry and keeping information synchronized across your technology stack.
Most associations use tools beyond their core AMS—WordPress for their website, an LMS for continuing education, event platforms for conferences, or community platforms for member engagement. Without integrations, staff manually copy data between systems using CSV exports and imports. This leads to errors, wasted time, and data that's always slightly out of sync.
Why Integrations Matter
Data Consistency
Member information stays synchronized across all platforms. Update once in your AMS, reflect everywhere automatically.
Better Member Experience
Members log in once instead of managing multiple passwords. Their information is always current across all touchpoints.
Reduced Staff Workload
Eliminate hours of manual data entry and CSV exports/imports. Free staff for member-facing activities.
Workflow Automation
Trigger actions across systems automatically—when a member renews, their access is restored across all connected platforms.
Integration Architecture Overview
i4a follows a hub-and-spoke model. Your AMS is the central hub—the source of truth for member data. External systems connect as spokes, pulling data from the hub when they need it. This architecture means member information stays centralized rather than fragmented across multiple systems.
How Systems Connect
- REST API — Programmatic access for custom integrations and developer builds
- SSO/OAuth 2.0 — Member authentication across connected platforms
- WordPress plugin — Pre-built connector for seamless WordPress integration
- Scheduled data sync — Automatic push of member data to connected systems
Connected systems pull member data from i4a on scheduled intervals or when members log in. i4a maintains the master record while connected systems get the data they need through scheduled syncs and on-demand lookups at login.
API Access
The i4a REST API provides programmatic access to your member data through standard HTTP endpoints. Developers can read member information—enabling custom integrations with any system that can make API calls.
What You Can Do
- Pull member data into custom mobile apps
- Sync membership status to proprietary systems
- Build custom dashboards from i4a data
- Automate workflows based on member events
- Connect systems without pre-built integrations
Data Available
- Member profiles and contact information
- Membership status, types, and expiration dates
- Event registrations and attendance
- Transaction and payment history
- Custom fields and activity logs
API Security
API access uses token-based authentication. All requests require HTTPS encryption. You can revoke access instantly when needed.
Example API Request & Response
Sample member data endpoint and JSON response
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Single Sign-On allows members to log in once and access all connected systems—your website, LMS, and other third-party tools—without separate passwords for each system.
How SSO Works
i4a serves as the identity provider. When a member clicks "Login" on any connected site, they're redirected to i4a for authentication. After entering credentials once, they're redirected back with their session active. No additional logins needed. If their membership expires, access is automatically restricted across all connected systems.
One Password
Members don't manage multiple credentials
Fewer Reset Requests
Reduces password support tickets
Centralized Control
Disable access in one place
Supported Protocols
i4a SSO uses OAuth 2.0, the industry standard for secure authentication. This works with most modern platforms that support OAuth—including learning management systems, community platforms, and custom applications.
Learn more about Single Sign-On →
Single Sign-On Authentication Flow
Single Sign-On architecture diagram for associations
WordPress Integration
Many associations maintain their public website on WordPress while using i4a for membership management. The i4a WordPress plugin bridges these systems, enabling member-only content areas, SSO login, and automatic content gating based on membership status.
How the Plugin Works
- Install the i4a WordPress plugin on your WordPress site
- Configure connection credentials to link with your i4a database
- Tag content as member-only, specific membership tiers, or public
- Plugin checks member status in real-time against i4a on each page load
What Syncs
- Member login credentials synchronized
- Membership status checked on each page load
- Content access adjusts when membership changes
- No duplicate user management needed
Compatibility
- Works with self-hosted WordPress installations
- Compatible with major managed hosts
- Works with most themes and page builders
- Requires WordPress 5.0+ and PHP 7.4+
Learn more about WordPress Integration →
WordPress + i4a Integration Workflow
WordPress Website
Status Check
i4a AMS
WordPress website integration with the AMS platform
Integration Partners
Beyond API, SSO, and WordPress, i4a has experience integrating with popular third-party platforms. These integrations are configured by our team—you request an integration, we discuss your needs, build and test the connection, then go live.
Event Management
Stova, EventsAir, Cadmium, Swoogo, iPlanIt — push member data for registration, attendee lists, and badge printing.
Learning Management
TalentLMS, Inquisiq, Elevate, Blue Sky — push member data for course enrollments and access control.
Community Platforms
Higher Logic, Tradewing — member permissions update automatically when membership status changes.
Publishing & Career
Wiley, SAGE, RedShelf, Boxwood, Web Scribble — journal access and job board integration.
View all Integration Partners →
Integration Partners Ecosystem
How External Systems Access i4a Data
External systems query i4a to check member status, verify credentials, or pull member information. i4a remains the single source of truth—data flows outward, not back in.
Common Integration Scenarios
Member Renews → Access Restored
Member pays renewal in i4a → External systems check status via API → WordPress restores access → LMS verifies enrollment → Community grants permissions
WordPress Checks Status
Visitor tries member-only page → WordPress plugin queries i4a API → Status verified in real-time → Access granted or login prompt shown
Event Platform Pulls Data
Member registers for event → Event platform queries i4a for member data → Pre-fills registration fields → Applies member pricing automatically
Member Lapses → Access Restricted
Membership expires in i4a → External systems query updated status → WordPress restricts content → Community revokes permissions
Data flows outward from i4a to connected systems. External systems query the API to check member status, verify credentials, or pull member data. i4a remains the single source of truth.
Secure Outbound Data Flow
Data flows outward from i4a — external systems query the API to verify member status
IT and Security Considerations
Integrations must be secure. i4a implements multiple layers of protection for all integration connections:
Authentication
- Token-based authentication for API access
- OAuth 2.0 for SSO connections
- Predetermined token expiration policies
- Instant access revocation when needed
Encryption
- All API calls require HTTPS (TLS 1.2+)
- Data encrypted in transit
- Secure credential storage
- No plain-text password transmission
Permissions
- Granular access controls per integration
- Read-only API access
- Restrict access to specific data types
- Separate credentials per connected system
Data Protection
- i4a remains the source of truth for member data
- External systems query but don't modify core data
- Member records protected from external changes
How Integrations Make Each Module More Powerful
Integrations extend the capabilities of every i4a module by connecting it to specialized external tools:
- Membership — Connect status to website access, LMS enrollment, community permissions. When someone renews, access restores everywhere automatically.
- Events — Share member data with specialized event platforms, virtual event tools, and mobile event apps for personalized registration experiences.
- Email — Sync segments with external marketing tools if needed beyond built-in capabilities. Target communications based on data from any connected system.
- Portal — Enable SSO access to external resources and third-party member benefits. Members move seamlessly between systems.
- Reporting — Pull data from connected systems for unified analytics.
Your AMS isn't limited to what's built in—it extends to encompass whatever tools your association needs while keeping member data centralized.
Explore i4a Integrations
Schedule a demo to discuss your integration needs. We'll show you how i4a connects with your existing systems and keeps member data centralized.
TL;DR — Integrations Summary
- What they are: Connections between your AMS and external systems (WordPress, LMS, event platforms, etc.)
- Why they matter: Eliminate manual data entry, keep member info synchronized, improve member experience
- Architecture: Hub-and-spoke model—i4a is the central source of truth, external systems connect as spokes
- API Access: REST API for custom integrations with token authentication and granular permissions
- Single Sign-On: OAuth 2.0 authentication lets members log in once for all connected systems
- WordPress: Plugin enables member-only content with real-time status checking
- Partners: 30+ pre-built integrations for events, LMS, community, publishing, and more
- Security: HTTPS encryption, token auth, granular permissions, data protection
Frequently Asked Questions
i4a can integrate with virtually any system that provides an API or accepts incoming data. Common integrations include WordPress, learning management systems (TalentLMS, Elevate), event platforms (Stova, EventsAir), community platforms (Higher Logic, Tradewing), and custom internal systems. The REST API enables connection to any system with development capability.
SSO lets members log in once and access all connected systems without additional passwords. Instead of remembering credentials for your website, LMS, community, and portal separately, members authenticate once through i4a. This reduces login friction, eliminates password reset requests, and creates a seamless experience.
Not for most integrations. Partner integrations are set up by our team—you request an integration, we discuss your needs, build it, and test it. Custom API integrations for proprietary systems do require development resources. Our team helps determine what's needed based on your specific requirements.
Yes. All integrations use token-based authentication, HTTPS encryption for data transfers, and configurable permissions that limit what each connection can access. You can revoke integration access instantly when needed.
Most partner integrations can be configured in one to two weeks. Our team handles the setup—you request the integration, we discuss specifics, build and test it, then go live. Custom API integrations depend on complexity and may take longer. We provide timeline estimates during planning.
If an integration fails, the system logs the error and can alert administrators. Your core AMS data remains safe—integration issues don't affect the main platform. Most issues stem from external system changes (API updates, credential expiration) and are resolved by updating connection settings.
