DockMaster isn’t the type of company to sell a piece of software and leave customers to their own devices trying to figure everything out, regardless of how user-friendly the product is. The company offers considerable followup safeguards, with ongoing training and support for our marina management software.
The same goes for training, which DockMaster doggedly pursues through its weekly group training sessions, as well as one-on-one instruction and even on-site visits to ensure clients are able to handle the software without any difficulty and most efficiently. The reasons are numerous, but it comes down to one simple driving force behind every software transaction.
To DockMaster, the sale is only one part of the relationship; followup through customer support and training complete the relationship to ensure that DockMaster has a clientele that’s satisfied that the software not only address all of the company’s managerial needs, but are able to use the product to its full potential to garner faster and more efficient service.
In fact, training should always be part of a plan every time a marina management software system is sold, as there may be still obstacles a client may face when a new innovation hits the workplace. And while a company may have to juggle workdays involving their regular duties with learning software, getting to know the new product as soon as possible is critical. According to the MASIE Center Learning & Technology Think Tank, the number one reason why people have difficulties with software can be traced to inadequate training.
If clients have been unable to master the new product on the job, it may only be a matter of time before the company realizes the inefficiencies that not only don’t realize the return on that software investment, but will start eating away at the bottom line of the business. Calculating dockage fees at a marina with the latest software can be done in seconds, but in lieu of adequate training, staff may take longer to complete that task or opt to handle it manually, which takes up more time. Adding up these series of events, these shortcomings can contribute to delays, which increases costs in the long run. In a worst-case scenario, management might decide that the software was not only useless but a major contributor to company woes.
Ironically, that’s what management software systems are designed to avoid, and to take advantage of the features created to improve a company’s position, training is not only essential, but critical. That also means not only understanding how the product works, but realizing additional effects on the company besides greater efficiency and lower costs. Once the software is fully in place and mastered by the work force, companies may also restructure job descriptions and even job positions themselves. Work cycles might even be altered once efficiencies are realized as well.
And in the long run, greater time saving might even free up a company to expand or take on more projects than ever. Can a marina boost its slip rentals, increase services or obtain a higher ROI? Those are some challenges that may lie ahead and be easier to handle with the best training available.
Additional benefits, according to the Free Management Library, include a boost in staff morale and motivation, greater job satisfaction, lower job turnover and a more stable organization. If your marina is faced with the task of having to upgrade its software, or even make a first-time investment in the product, make sure the training is not only available, but complete and comprehensive enough that it meets all your company needs.
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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
