Feature rich integrations and rapidly developing technology allow DockMaster to better serve the boating industry
The marina industry has long had a base of passionate boaters and marinas have striven to maintain customer loyalty. While loyalty is still an important foundation, the industry has now begun to see an influx of new boaters with some focus now turning to making those new boaters into long-term customers.
Marinas are now in a position where customers are eager to get back to their normal routines. They also are coming off a huge surge in boating demand during the pandemic, as many first-time boaters emerged. With pandemic restrictions and social distancing guidelines in place, many turned to boating as a newfound hobby or passion. Now that everyone is getting back to their normal lives, the challenge will be to keep these newer customers, while at the same time serving the long-time boaters.
Marinas don’t want to lose that personal touch they’ve built with passionate boaters. So how can you find that balance in keeping up with evolving technology, while staying true to your foundation?
The answer can be found in investing in technology that was developed with the industry and its customers specifically in mind.
DockMaster Software has been serving the industry for over 35 years and has continued to update their technology to best serve the industry. With all the changes the industry has seen in recent years, DockMaster has adapted their software accordingly, thanks to new features, and seeking powerful integration partners that are just as passionate about the marina industry.
Let’s examine how DockMaster’s marina management software for the boating industry is well suited to serve the industry for both the present, and the future.
What can DockMaster’s products and services do for marinas and boaters?
The boating industry software’s flexible system allows marinas to properly manage wet slips, rack storage, yard and winter storage, moorings and other cyclical billing items. The marine software system allows marinas to track every aspect of operations including customer movement history, slip availability, revenue management and so much more.
Boaters ultimately receive a better experience when dealing with marinas powered by DockMaster, thanks to enhanced technology options. DockMaster offers an integration with Shopify, allowing marinas to open their own online store, where customers can order parts and items online. Not only does this add revenue streams for marinas, but it allows boaters to shop and book safely, all with the added convenience of ordering online.
Exceptional customer service can be maintained, even by going digital
While DockMaster’s solutions were already offering options for ways to complete transactions and services through technology, social distancing guidelines have certainly pushed these to the forefront.
Among the rich features and integrations provided by DockMaster’s suite of solutions are:
While DockMaster’s solutions were already offering options for ways to complete transactions and services through technology, social distancing guidelines have certainly pushed these to the forefront.
Among the rich features and integrations provided by DockMaster’s suite of solutions are:
DockMaster Mobile: Service techs can complete work orders using a mobile time clock, card and scheduler. This allows technicians to complete work orders and keep managers updated on the status of jobs by recording all details on the DockMaster Mobile app. Managers can keep track of the actual amount of time spent on work orders, without using any time consuming, error prone paper processes. This also provides for fewer people to touch paper documents, thereby lessening the spread of bacteria.
Customer texting integration: Marinas can text customers via Kenect, which maintains stellar customer service and reputation management, in contactless fashion.
More power in boaters’ hands: Integrations with SpeedyDock and BoatCloud pave the way for boaters to carry on with their consumer habits in a safe manner. Boaters can do everything right from their device, including scheduling their launch, and adding products and services to their bill. This all gets pushed to create a POS ticket into DockMaster, which reduces the need for physical contact between customers and staff.
Online Store (integration to Shopify): Marinas can open their own online stores, which can be a new revenue stream and reduce daily contact with customers who would otherwise have to physically enter a business to make their purchases.
DMPay: DMPay allows marinas to email invoices and statements to their customers, with a simple click and pay process. This helps speed up the A/R process while eliminating the need for their customers to come into the office to provide a paper check or payment or face to face interaction.
DockMaster’s benefits built to serve the industry well into the future
DockMaster’s parts service and inventory modules allow businesses to track and manage work orders more effectively. Managers can have more control over shop consumables and make their service department more profitable by tracking orders more efficiently, and maintain one work order for all types of services. The system’s flexibility allows the system to meet the needs of any sized marina.
Additionally, DockMaster provides all the necessary tools for efficient inventory tracking, including purchasing and receiving, with point of sale (POS) and the service management (Work Order) features.
DockMaster has both an on-premise and hosted cloud-based solution available. Our hosted customers can easily transition to a work from home model if they reduce staff physically present in the workplace. Marinas can go paperless and ensure that business can keep flowing.
DockMaster has, and continues to change the boating industry
The boating industry is quickly making technological advancements with customers now being provided the option to continue boating activities with less reliance on physical interaction. In turn, marinas can now be managed more efficiently, as processes become more streamlined and the reliance on paper processes dwindle.
Future of technology in the marina industry
s with any industry, new technologies will continue to emerge and it will be up to marinas to determine where this technology can better serve them than older practices. As more and more consumers take their spending online, marinas will have to be willing to provide those options for customers, as well as getting creative in ways they communicate. With younger generations slowly being drawn to boating, marinas will have to find new ways of reaching this younger demographic.
They’ll also expect to receive a similar streamlined experience they’ve grown to expect in all their consuming habits. Marinas will have to remain adaptive to these emerging trends.
How does DockMaster stand out from competitors?
DockMaster’s main strength comes in that we are the back office application that was specifically designed for the marine industry. Thanks to our powerful third party integrations; supporting consumer facing applications, we are able to offer our clients more flexibility and functionality. By working with fellow industry professionals, we’re in a better position to facilitate boater and staff safety. With a staff full of marine and marina experts, the solutions provided will continue to serve the industry’s needs as it continues to evolve in the coming years.
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DockMaster Software is an industry leading management system for marinas, boatyards, and boat dealerships. DockMaster includes Unit Sales, Prospecting and F&I with fully integrated financial management and numerous integrations with CRM applications, dealer websites and text/messaging services. The Service module includes estimating, labor tracking, and complete parts management with ordering/receiving, subcontractor fulfillment and invoicing. DockMaster Mobile allows technicians to clock on/off jobs from any mobile device. Visual Marina™ management includes storage & billing, occupancy tracking, reservations and dry stack management, including integrations to leading consumer applications for boat rentals, online reservations, concierge/launch scheduling and our new Fuel Integration with FuelCloud. DockMaster also includes Point of Sale, Order Entry with eCommerce and a complete accounting system. Learn more at www.DockMaster.com and follow DockMaster on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Or email info@dockmaster.com
