Fencing Business Software?

[lanyingjie]

Yeah, but I need a web interface for everyone else to use etc. Hopefully not such a open ended system.

[chrisod]

I'm using a Google Spreadsheet to track our club championship points. It works great, and auto publishes an update any time I update the points. I believe I could integrate right into the website if desired, but I haven't bothered. I've simply provided a link from our website to the published version of the spreadsheet. The published version is view only - so nobody (in theory) can edit the data except me.

Another company Zoho has a wider range of online office apps that are available for free or very cheap use.

You could do everything you listed with the free Google tools.

[jfarmer]

Originally Posted by chrisod

I'm using a Google Spreadsheet to track our club championship points. It works great, and auto publishes an update any time I update the points. I believe I could integrate right into the website if desired, but I haven't bothered. I've simply provided a link from our website to the published version of the spreadsheet. The published version is view only - so nobody (in theory) can edit the data except me.

Out of curiosity, why not use askFred to handle your club championship points?

[chrisod]

In all honesty, I didn't know it was an option. I'll have to poke around AskFred and check it out.

[FoilyDeath]

Originally Posted by mfp

The better club software I've seen also allows members to check their account status and reminders, update their contact info and schedule lessons for themselves from anywhere using a web interface. (Luddites without web access just call in or walk in).

Typically after the switch to a member accessible web system, accounts are paid in a more timely manner, time spent on administrivial phone calls is reduced, postage costs go down and instructor/resource scheduling gets more efficient. For example when a lesson slot opens up, it's more likely to be picked up by another member if they can easily find out about it. Also some operations have found that allowing members to easily book on line has led to a sense of more "competition" for slots and better resource utilization and revenues.

However I have yet to see a fencing club use such software; it's becoming more common among flying and sailing clubs, though.

My UK club is kind of in the process of implementing this...we have a members section on our site, as well as online lesson booking, membership fees, and a profile. Its very much work in progress though...