Registering for Free Events without using the Cart

Staff and public users can register contacts and guests for free events without using the cart, making registration quicker and easier. Free events support fully customizable confirmation pages and communication templates, and public users can directly waitlist other contacts when a free event reaches capacity. See Registering for free events for the full details.

Important! Free events use a separate registration confirmation page and communication template. The communication template is stored on the confirmation page, and it must be updated because it contains ASI- and iMIS-specific details. Since the template is tied to the confirmation page, both the page and the template are required to be updated. See the documentation and related video.

Processing recurring payments on a specific date

To prevent recurring payments from being collected early, clients can configure payments to queue up to 28 days before their collection date. The required setting, Allow scheduling of payments in advance (Settings > Finance > Pay Central > Automatic payments tab), is enabled by default.

From the Retrieve processed payments tab, staff can view submitted payments that are scheduled for collection. If a customer cancels a recurring payment, any queued payment will automatically fail. See Configuring the AutoPay settings for full details.

Logging changes to Communication preferences

Changes to a members communication preferences are now logged in the Change history. See Managing communication preferences for full details.

Reporting on membership promotion codes

The following updates have been made to enhance reporting on membership dues promotions:

• OrdersWithPromotions business object updated to include additional properties
• PromotionUsageByItem business object introduced
• Promotion Analysis SSRS report enhanced
• Promotion Usages and Top promotion codes queries updated to use OrderWithPromotions business object as a source
• Discount-related properties added to the following business objects:
  • InvoiceSummary
  • CsInvoice
  • InvoiceLines
  • InvoiceLineData

Introducing the AI Content Creator (Available Upon Request)

The AI Content Creator helps you quickly draft content based on your topic. After generating the initial version, you can review, edit, and tailor it to fit your needs before publishing the content. See Generating AI Content for more information.

Note: This feature is currently only available to clients based in the United States and will be gradually rolled out beginning with version 20.3.211. If your organization would like to be included in the first phase of the rollout, please email productowners@advsol.com.

Enhancements

In addition to the exciting new features above, the following enhancements are included in this release.

Performance

• Performance improvement when saving panel sources - Systems with a large number of panel sources — especially those that use multi-select properties — will see significantly improved performance when saving the panel sources after editing them or adding columns. In one test case, a process that previously took over a minute now completes in just a few seconds.
• Caching for alert sets - Alert sets are now temporarily cached in the browser, significantly improving performance.

Advertising

• Adding a Purchase Order (PO) Number a to Media order - Staff users can add purchase order numbers when creating advertising media orders. This makes it easier to do the following:
  • Use the same purchase order number for multiple ads without re-entering it.
  • Include different purchase order numbers within the same Buy.
  • Once an order is posted, the purchase order number appears in the invoiced description line.
• Setting a default Representative –Territory for media orders in Advertising - Enabling Default selection for media orders created on staff site (Advertising >Settings > Representative-Territory) automatically sets the representative, territory, and commission for all media orders created on the Staff site, eliminating the need to select them each time. Only one representative, territory, and commission combination can be set as the default.

Membership

• Preparing links for cash-based membership invoices - To pay cash-based membership invoices, links must be updated to use InvoiceKey instead of InvoiceId as the URL parameter. See Paying invoices using a direct link for more information.

Events

• Enhanced itinerary management for event program items - Event program items have been enhanced with a Remove button for simplified itinerary management, an improved date selection menu, and updated styling for selected items.
• Event registration options renamed to Admission options on event pages - Registration options are now referred to as admission options on event pages, such as in the Event Details. Additionally, when registering more than one contact, the name of the selected contact will also appear next to Admission just as it does next to Program and Questions.
Click to view image

Fundraising

• Overriding the transaction date in Give Now - Staff users can override the transaction date or select different batches on Give Now pages if manual batches are enabled.
Click to view image

Other

• Editing a contact's status as a public user - Public users can update a contact’s status from the Contact Mini Profile if they have edit access for the selected contact and Allow status editing is enabled.
• reCAPTCHA keys renamed to Site and Secret keys - The field labels in iMIS (Settings > Contacts > Account management) have been updated to Site key and Secret key to match the terminology used by reCAPTCHA.

Documentation

Beyond the documentation created for the new features and enhancements listed above, the following resources were developed through internal projects and in response to client feedback, support inquiries, and other requests:

• Mini table of contents added to most articles: Most content drop-downs have been removed from documentation articles in favor of a new mini table of contents at the top. This makes it easier to jump directly to specific sections within an article.
• New pre-upgrade checklist item: Updating events that used the Desktop EXPO module
• New upgrade scripts:
  • Fix Issues Prior To Export
  • Finding Subscriptions needing updated BT ID for cash list billing
  • Identifying overfull IQA folders
• New articles:
  • Posting a payment without an invoice
  • Generating invoices in iMIS
  • Generating an invoice for a lapsed member
  • Organizing the shop list of products
  • Deleting contacts
  • Editing text in the website footer
  • Saving a PDF or other file to someone's account
  • Moving content from one website to another
  • Moving queries from one folder to another folder
  • Editing the CSS of a RiSE website
  • Finding content items (iParts)
  • Editing events
  • Changing the iMIS date format

Reversing and rebilling renewals — Including accrual invoices

The Reverse and rebill option allows staff users to streamline billing corrections for both persisted cash and accrual invoices. Clicking Reverse and rebill takes staff users directly to the Generate renewals page with the original billing details already filled in, making it easy to adjust and regenerate the billing. This feature replaces the preexisting process for rebilling and is now the only way to rebill a renewal.

See Reversing and rebilling membership renewals.

Automatic timestamps added to new panel sources

Newly created panel sources now automatically include two system-managed, read-only fields. These properties are added by default, cannot be deleted, and help provide better tracking of panel data changes:

• CreatedOn: Records when the panel data was originally created.
• UpdatedOn: Records the most recent update to the panel data.

Existing panel sources will be updated with these same changes in a future upgrade.

Creating a query of cancelled Stripe direct debit mandates

To mitigate missed recurring payments, it is recommended to create or modify an existing IQA query to identify cancelled Stripe direct debit mandates so that staff users may reach out to customers before the next payment is due. See Creating a query of cancelled Stripe Direct Debit mandates.

Identifying all invoices with a purchase order (PO) number

The Customer Reference property has been added to the InvoiceSummary business object, so that staff users can use it as a query filter to identify invoices with PO numbers. See Reporting on all invoices with a PO number.

Upgrade Changes

• Badge field updates now apply to individual registrations - Previously, the Organization Name (Company) was stored on the shared Address record, so updating a registration would inadvertently update other registrations that used the same address. Now, badge-specific fields, such as Informal Name, Title, and Company are stored directly on the badge. This ensures that when you update these fields during registration, the changes apply only to that specific registration, not others.
• Media orders management enhancements for easier searching and invoicing - The Media orders management area has been updated with several improvements to streamline search efficiency and order creation:
  • Buy Id search field added to the Post orders and Unpost orders tabs
  • Order Number column now visible in the Post orders and Unpost orders tabs
  • Order Number search field added to the Unpost orders tab
  • Select All checkbox has been added to the Media Schedule tab
  • Staff can now combine multiple selected media orders from a Buy into a single invoice
• iMIS installer includes a checkbox that allows TLS termination: The iMIS installer was updated with a new checkbox, Allow TLS termination. Review the on-prem upgrade documentation for details.

Persisted cash membership invoices (available upon request)

Persisted cash membership invoices improve how cash-based membership joins and renewals are handled by generating and retaining standardized invoices and invoice lines in the database. Each billing action — whether a new membership or a renewal — creates its own distinct invoice that can be independently paid, reversed, unapplied, or refunded. Existing cash invoices will be upgraded automatically, and credit handling has been enhanced for smoother transitions.

Some key functionality includes:

• Invoices persisted across terms that remain actionable.
• One invoice line per billing product with retained billing dates.
• Supported for membership joins and renewals, payment adjustments, invoice adjustments, Subscription API, and Dues Importer.

Enhancements

• Streamlined itemized renewal - Once an optional item is added to a renewal billing invoice through a renewal adjustment invoice, the itemized renewal screen is no longer available for users. Staff can still adjust prices or remove items through Finances > Invoices > Adjust invoice > Adjust line items.
• Streamlined cash billing renewal corrections - Membership renewal corrections for cash billing types now work the same way as correcting accrual billing types.
• New RenewalAdjustment invoice type - The RenewalAdjustment invoice type has been added in order to support persisted cash-based invoices.
• Advertising enhancements - The following upgrades have been made to Advertising:
  • Is Active field for Ad Adjustments - Staff can now enable the Is Active option to mark an Ad Adjustment as active. Once active, only the Ad adjustment name and Adjustments value fields remain editable, helping preserve data accuracy while allowing limited updates.
  • Quantity field for Media orders - Staff users can now enter a Quantity when adding Media orders. This creates multiple identical orders at once, saving time and reducing entry errors when scheduling orders.
• New CSS class keeps the event summary visible - A new CSS class keeps the event registration summary visible while users scroll through an event page. Staff users can easily apply it to custom event content for a smoother user experience.

Upgrade Changes

• Maintain previous balance option deprecated - The Maintain previous balance option for the Cash accounting method is no longer available.
• InvoiceDetailCash shortcut deprecated - Once persisted cash membership invoices are enabled, Invoice.aspx page will no longer use the InvoiceDetailCash shortcut; instead, all membership invoices will use the InvoiceDetail shortcut regardless of whether the invoices are cash or accrual based.
• Changes to upgrade and post-upgrade processes as list billing is deprecated - When upgrading, open cash non-dues invoices must be reversed and regenerated.
• Automatic image optimization - Images in the document system are now automatically web-optimized, resulting in faster load times and lower data usage with no visible loss in quality.
• Gen_Tables.TIME_STAMP property removed - As part of this upgrade, the Gen_Tables.TIME_STAMP property has been removed from Business Objects. Custom BOs using this property must be updated, as IQAs based on them will no longer work. Going forward, custom BOs should not include the TIME_STAMP property to ensure compatibility.

Summarizing AR journal entries for GL exports

When enabled, the Summarize AR journal entries setting at Settings > Finance > General returns a summarized row for each journal entry. If disabled, the GL export includes detailed rows for each journal entry.

importing payment mandates using the workbook converter

Staff users can now import existing payment mandates using the Metadata column in Workbook Converter. This change allows for the smooth processing of recurring payments on accounts where users had previously given consent, ensuring a seamless transition to the Stripe gateway.

new format property added to the display tab in iqa

The Display tab of a query now has a Format column where staff users can choose what format they want specific properties to display in.

Enhancements

• iMIS Assistant unavailable with Report Writer and cart - While working in the cart, Report Writer, or a page with the Report Writer Display content item, iMIS Assistant is not available to use.
• Updates to creating promotions - The following updates were made regarding creating promotions:
  • Promotions can now be marked as Active to make it available to be applied onto qualified products.
  • The delete icon has been replaced. To delete a promotion, select it and click Delete.
  • A maximum of 250 promotions can be applied automatically or manually if the promotion is marked as Active and the promotion is within a valid date range, if a date range is specified. (If a promotion is not set to be automatically applied and is Inactive, the code cannot be applied.
• Enhanced visibility and tracking for Process Automation Scheduling Tasks - The Logs tab in Process Automation now shows Scheduling tasks along with the next five Scheduled tasks. There are also two more Scheduling tasks events: Scheduling task trigger job completed and Scheduling task failed.
• Specifying Organization or Individual customer types for media assets in Advertising - Staff users can now specify whether an advertiser, agency, or Bill To contact added to media assets in Advertising is an Organization or an Individual.
• Itemized renewals always visible for staff users - Staff users now have full visibility into itemized renewals at all times and can adjust dues invoices without needing a billing cycle that has Use for itemized renewals enabled.

Upgrade Changes

• Improved reversal for non-dues subscription invoices - Reversing non-dues subscription invoices now automatically clears the Bill Begin and Bill Through dates, which are combined into the Term dates field on the subscription details.
• iATS gateway deprecated - Staff users no longer have the ability to add a new iATS gateway; however, existing iATS gateways remain supported. Any questions regarding payment gateways should be directed to your AiSP, CPIL, or payments@imis.com.

Documentation

In addition to documentation created for the new features and enhancements listed above, the following documentation was created in response to client feedback, support inquiries, and other external requests:

• Events: Getting Started Guide

Advertising enhancements

The following features have been added to optimize and improve the Advertising module:

• Advertising Sales representative update to public site – Staff users can now assign a sales representative and territory to media orders purchased on a public site when configuring Sales representative settings under Advertising. Only one Representative-Territory combination can be selected for this option.
• Media assets available on public site option – Staff users can now make media assets available for public purchase with a simple toggle. When creating or editing a media asset, enabling the Available on public site option ensures it’s accessible to public users.
• Email required for public media assets - To enhance communication and transaction tracking, an email is now required when enabling the Available on public site option for media assets.

More Advertising enhancements are coming in a future release.

Enhancements

• Duplicate Merge - Plus rebranded to Premium - Duplicate Merge - Plus is now Duplicate Merge - Premium, marked by a pink diamond icon instead of the green PLUS button.

Upgrade Changes

• Stripe ACH and Direct debits have been implemented for the following regions: United States, Australia, and the European Union.
• The iMIS Assistant chatbot is disabled by default.

Documentation

In addition to documentation created for the new features and enhancements listed above, the following documentation was created in response to client feedback, support inquiries, and other external requests:

• Pre-upgrade checklist: The pre-upgrade checklist was enhanced to note when each task can and should be performed. Each task is now designated with a specific category (1, 2, or 3).
• Understanding non-dues billing: New section that goes over important dates related to the non-dues billing process.
• Configuring monthly, quarterly, or yearly membership offerings: New article that goes over how to offer monthly, quarterly, or annual membership options through a single member type, specifically useful for those configuring flexible membership options using AutoPay.
• Searching for queries: New article that goes over how to search for queries using the existing functionality on the RiSE Dashboard.
• Stripe FAQ: New article that covers frequently asked questions regarding the Stripe gateway. This article is organized by region.

iMIS Assistant chatbot

The iMIS Assistant chatbot, powered by AI, helps staff users find information and receive personalized assistance to their questions. The iMIS Assistant is connected to the help site, enabling it to answer questions about the Staff site. The iMIS Assistant chatbot is enabled out-of-the-box but can be disabled (Settings > AI).

Adding panels to invoices to collect custom invoice data

Invoice-based panel sources and panel definitions are now available, providing staff users with the ability to add custom data to an invoice. For details, see Creating invoice-based panels and Adding invoice panels to invoice pages.

AutoPay enhancements

The following AutoPay updates have been made to improve transparency and simplify the payment management experience:

• Retrieve processed payments - The Retrieve processed payments tab (Fundraising > Automatic payments > Process payments, OR Membership > Automatic payments > Process payments) has been upgraded with new detailed payment information columns, progress trackers, and convenient links to streamline navigation.
• Saved payment methods - Saved payment method names (Account page > Preferences > Saved payment methods) have been renamed to locally used terminology, such as "Account” in the UK, and “Checking/Savings” in North America.
• Using open credits for recurring AutoPay transactions - Open credits may be used to pay or partially pay recurring transactions.
• Expanded limit for retrying failed AutoPay payment requests - A new setting, Retry failed payment requests, has been added to the Automatic payments tab (Settings > Finance > Pay Central) that allows staff to set a limit for the number of times a payment can be submitted through Process recurring donations and Process recurring renewal payments.

Excluding products from promotions

When adding or editing products, you can exclude specific products from promotions. By default, all products are eligible for promotions, so if you want a product to be ineligible, make sure to disable the promotion setting.

Staff site Style Updates

The following styling enhancements have been made throughout the Staff site:

• Enhanced Orion theme - The Staff site theme (Orion) was enhanced with new colors, buttons, fonts, and tab styles.
• Plus features rebranded to Premium - Plus features, which require a license, have been rebranded to Premium features, indicated by a pink diamond icon that replaces the green PLUS button. These premium features include the following:
  • Duplicate merge
  • Advanced email
  • Form builder
  • Process automation
  • Scoring
• Reorganization of the Utility Navigation in the staff site - The Utility Navigation in the Staff site has been reorganized to include the search bar aligned on the right, followed by the cart, iMIS Assistant, Easy Edit, override transaction date, on behalf of, and account profile/sign in and out options.



• Requesting more information about an available feature - Click any available feature on the Enhance your iMIS experience page (Help > Enhance iMIS) to view details and access a Learn More button, which leads to a page to request more information about the licensed feature.

Enhancements

• Refunds for Stripe direct debits in the UK - Direct debit refunds can be processed directly within iMIS, eliminating the need to navigate to the Stripe gateway portal.
• GiftHistory business object enhanced with additional properties - The GiftHistory business object has been enhanced with new properties, such as Is Pledge, Is Soft Credit, Fiscal Month, and Fair Mkt Value, offering users greater flexibility and control when crafting queries and generating reports based on giving history.
• Changing the customer type from the Contact Mini Profile content item - Staff users can update an individual or organization’s customer type by going to the appropriate account page and editing the Contact Mini Profile content item.
• Excluding cash invoices from the Trial Balance report - A new parameter, Exclude Cash, has been added to the Trial Balance report that allows users to omit transactions related to cash invoices.
• Extended character support for contact addresses - Addresses now support extended characters, such as Greek characters. This enhancement ensures accurate entry, storage, and display of Extended characters across event confirmations, invoices, contact profile pages, and wherever else addresses are used.
• Identifying queries with incorrect syntax expressions - The RiSE Dashboard's new alert empowers system administrators to easily identify custom IQA queries with incorrect syntax expressions.

Upgrade Changes

• Easy Edit automatically disabled on logout - Easy Edit automatically disables upon logout. To continue editing, simply re-enable Easy Edit when you log back in.
• Automatic joins for business objects - Certain out-of-the-box business objects, like CsActivity and NetContactData, now automatically include relevant joins when added to a query.
• Dismissing the upgrade alert message - After an upgrade, the Upgraded Completed Alert Message can be dismissed by clicking the X icon.
• Enhanced promotion criteria prioritization for qualified customers - Previously, promotions with an IQA for Qualified customers could still be applied to non-qualified customers if the other limits were defined (Maximum cart uses per customer, Maximum cart uses overall, or Minimum cart total). Now, IQAs for qualified customers take highest priority. If an IQA is defined, only customers in the query are eligible for the promotion, even if the other limits are set.

Documentation

• IQA reference sheet
• Reporting using the fiscal year
• Understanding non-dues billing