Is a Cloud Hosted Bookings System Right for Me?
Since the launch of the Avalon Bookings On-Line system (ABOL) it has become increasingly apparent that for some users Cloud Hosted system does not provide the right solution for their requirements. In some cases, the right solution is simply to make better use of what they already have, but this has only been realised after time and effort had been spent trying to make an on-line system work.
So how can you avoid this?
Our advice is to spend some time defining your requirements from a booking system, who will be using it and what benefits you really need the system to provide.
Having defined those requirements and agreed with all who will be using the system, whether that is for day to day managing the bookings, or the finances and invoicing, or making policy decisions based on the data the system must provide, then examine why your current system cannot deliver that. If you cannot easily answer those questions then it might be worth speaking with your current supplier.
In the case of the PC based Avalon Bookings Manager, we frequently find that even customers who have been with us for many years do not realise what this system can deliver.
In some cases, we find that the driving force for change to a cloud hosted system is purely to have the flexibility for several people to have access to the program away from the office.
On a recent visit to a customer, the more we looked at this, the clearer it became that only two people needed occasional access to their bookings program away from the office. For others the information they needed could automatically be uploaded to a secure area on their web site, or by the simple expedient of a couple of reports being emailed each month.
Cloud-hosted systems deliver a very different experience from PC based systems and offer great opportunities to develop your business or center, provided you are ready to change your ways of working and embrace what these systems can offer.
PC based systems, such as the Avalon Bookings Manager, are based around the diary screen and everything flows from there. They are designed to be used in the office.
Cloud hosted systems such as ABOL can be run from wherever you have good Internet access and are based around the customer. They open the way to online bookings, payment gateways and many other benefits which can greatly reduce the administration load for busy centres or businesses.
So are cloud hosted systems the future? For many yes, but not for all, so the PC based systems will be here for many years to come.
If you would like to discuss your booking system requirements call us on 0330 900 0125 (standard UK land-line charges apply) or drop an email to roger@avalonsoftware.co.uk.
Roger Burfitt.