Software is an essential component for the effective management of health clubs and training facilities. Yet, it is very common for health clubs to purchase software with some functions that are not completely integrated with each other. For example, a facility might buy software to manage memberships, then another to track and schedule personal training, then another system for fitness assessments. This is not a very effective way to run a business since each software program will contain data that is not in sync with other programs. This will fragment your data and make it more difficult to effectively manage your facility. This article will focus on how you can benefit by having all of your software programs completely integrated with each other.
Check-In
Check-In programs are very useful for tracking and verifying active members as they enter your facility. Good software will include bar-coded laser scanners and picture identification. The common mistake that club owners will make is that they will purchase separate Check-In software and Membership software. But, if a member becomes inactive because their membership expires, they will still be able to check-in, unless your staff remembers to record them as inactive. Staff will also need to remember to reactivate the member in the Check-In software if the expired member becomes active again. You can now clearly see the problems that will emerge as your facility grows, unless your staff keeps both systems in sync. A software system that integrates both types of programs will enable you to manage your facility more effectively. The last thing your business needs are members checking-in and using your facility after their memberships have expired.
Personal Training and Scheduling
Personal Training and Scheduling programs are frequently purchased separately from most club management systems. The main reason for this is because most club management software does not have effective personal training software that integrates well with both systems. If the software is not integrated, you will have to update both systems whenever the contact data is updated for a member. If the software is integrated, there are several benefits to which an owner can look forward. If the software is good, you can run reports to see what percentage of your members are actively training. You can set goals for your staff. You could also run reports to compare the money generated from memberships and training. Integrated software will provide you with an opportunity to make better business decisions with the available data. Additionally, you will not have to update member information for each system.
Fitness Assessments
Fitness Assessment programs are also frequently purchased separately. Most club management software does not have fitness assessment functionality that integrates well with other functions of your system. If the software is integrated with other programs in your facility such as personal training, there would be many useful and analytical reports that could be produced. Plus, the financial transactions produced by the purchasing of assessments would be included in money reports. This is important if you want to effectively view financial information that includes all money generated by your facility.
Point-of-Sale
Point-of-Sale programs that are used to sell products, such as water and health bars, are frequently purchased separately. If the software is integrated with your club management software, there would be many useful and analytical reports, depending on how detailed the system would be. By having an integrated point-of-sale system, you can include the financial transactions with other purchases in your facility such as memberships and training packages. Additionally, you can view the complete buying habits of your members for any time period. Financial Reports
If your software does not completely integrate your memberships, personal training, point-of-sale, and fitness assessments, you will not be able to produce effective financial reports to track the money being generated for your entire facility. Additionally, you could not produce information such as the complete buying habits of your members. Completely integrated software will produce this effective information.
In closing, you can see the tremendous benefits that you gain by having software that integrates all of your programs together. The current club management software that is available in this industry frequently includes software that is not fully integrated. Look for software companies that have ALL of their programs completely integrated. This will make the software product much more effective for your facility. With Complete Integration, your club management software will allow you to access invaluable data about your business.
Larry King is the Owner of SHAPE.NET Software. He can be contacted at 800.381.2082, or visit www.getshape.net.
