features
Software: Get upgraded
HCM asks the industry’s leading software suppliers about the new tech and software features you can look forward to getting your hands on in 2019
What new features will you be launching in 2019?
We’ll be delivering membership features to enable customers to build innovative new membership packages in a more dynamic way and with self-administration built in.
There’ll also be new apps, such as tablet-based active attendance to help in-club bookings and other new app features such as push marketing and referral promotions.
What makes your system special?
We’re differentiating in three key ways: helping customers save money in a tough leisure management climate which has been caused by reductions in government spending; investing in R&D to help customers keep ahead of the pack; and protecting their data and systems through state-of-the-art servers and security accreditations.
If clients were to vote on three leading USPs in our software solution they’re likely to be our reporting functionality, native app, and either digital marketing or integrated website solution. All these functions have features that help operators save money or engage their customers more effectively.
Our customers also enjoy that we’re engaging them, along with our partners and other stakeholders – such as Sport England, ukactive and the Open Data Institute – to further inform the direction of our R&D and investment.
A single platform such as Legend – which is a ‘one system, one solution’ package – has inherent benefits over older systems. These benefits include greater data quality and developability. These are key to being able to respond quickly to opportunities.
Tell us about your latest contracts
We’ve had another strong year, with 159 new sites installed to date.
Our most recent wins have been Causeway Coast and Glens BC, Lisburn and Castlereagh CC, and Mid and East Antrim BC, a win which follows the success of Newry Mourne and Down DC and Fermanagh and Omagh DC earlier this year..
Another contract worthy of mention is the City of Toronto, a large project in Canada.
What new features will you be launching in 2019?
We’ll be adding central operational reporting, as well as a new self-service kiosk, and credit card subscriptions functionality.
In a competitive software market, how are you differentiating your business?
We continue to add features to our online stable. Our differentiation is in the continued flexibility of our products and our drive to increase spend online for our customers.
Tell us about your latest contracts
We’ve partnered with Eden Fitness in London.
It was great to work with them. Our solution complements their online ecosystem. They offer a hybrid between a traditional and boutique-style gym.
What new features will you launch this year?
New features for 2019 will include web-based contact centre functionality to reduce costs and set up a team of experts to enable operators to meet their customers’ needs. This will free up front of house staff to interact with members more effectively.
We’re also adding PT booking functionality – a web-based tool to simplify PT bookings and management.
In addition, our system will get new integrated session ticketing – allowing ticketing of pool and other regular session tickets online and at the front of house.
Finally, we’ll be offering an Online Reserve List – all new central waiting list functionality to simplify the management of the most popular sessions and bookings.
Which features make your system special?
One key feature is The Leisure Hub, a self-service solution for the B2C market. Our software also works off a single login, so there’s no need to access multiple applications or websites, making it straightforward to use.
We also offer seamless integration with a wide range of apps and services and face-to-face account management and customer training, rather than online. This way, we can provide a more personaal service and discuss key objectives in a convenient way. Online and remote meetings are not nearly as efficient.
We work in close partnership with customers to stay on top of their current and future needs, to ensure we design and develop software which is based on their feedback.
Tell us about your latest contracts
One of our most recent wins is Moray Sports Centre, which is due to open in June 2019. The Moray Sports Foundation is providing a sports facility designed by the community (www.moraysportscentre.co.uk).
We’ve also signed Greenvale Leisure Centre, Mid Ulster Council’s flagship facility and Blair Mayne Health and Leisure Complex, the £30m facility which is named after SAS founder and war hero – Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne.
The Mayne Health and Leisure Complex will have a contemporary gym and fitness studios, a spa with sensory areas and holistic and beauty therapies, as well as a six-lane pool, splash and soft play areas, a blacklight adventure zone and a 100 seat café.
What makes your system special?
The Exerp Platform adapts to clients’ business processes rather than forcing clients to adapt to the system.
We’re constantly developing the system to meet the requirements of some of the world’s most recognised health and fitness businesses, such as Goodlife Fitness Canada, Sats Elixia, Pure Gym and Virgin Active.
Our data warehouse, which runs on Amazon Redshift, extracts and reconciles client data, giving clients easy access to fault-tolerant data for business analysis and reporting – a reliable source for critical business decisions.
What are your standout features?
The Exerp Staff Mobile App lets staff view their calendar and bookings, both for classes and personal sessions.
It also enables them to manage their PT bookings, view statistics on their classes and input their work hours.
The app also includes a Swap Board, where classes without instructors can be posted and picked up by other instructors in the club.
Our courses functionality enables operators to manage various courses, such as swimming and to organise tennis activities such as levels, ranking and scheduling.
At the same time, it streamlines reporting and billing of activities.
The system manages course waiting lists, and operators can move participants from one course to another, with the system calculating the pro-rated amounts to be paid.
What new features can you tell us about?
On the consumer side, we’ve refreshed our Fitbit integration within the Mindbody app, to deliver a more complete picture of users’ activity levels by loading key fitness data in one convenient place.
The updates aim to better immerse app users with the fitness metrics that matter most to them.
The integration digs deeper for fitness classes booked through the Mindbody app, by recording vital statistics such as heart rate in a new beats per minute (BPM) graph.
What makes your system special?
While many clubs traditionally run their software from a desktop, Mindbody mobile solutions enable operators to function on-the-go.
With the Mindbody business app, operators can run their day-to-day business from a mobile device which enables them to manage scheduling, control client info and check-in, and run their point of sale and marketing.
Additionally, with Mindbody branded apps, operators can create their own customised mobile app with their own branding and integration with online booking.
This is a powerful marketing tool – when clients are willing to give you prime space on their phone, you know they’ll be dedicated customers.
Tell us about your latest collaborations
We’ve partnered with Strava, the social network for athletes.
By syncing their Strava accounts with our app, people are able to share their participation in the 5.2 million fitness classes and wellness services offered via Mindbody.
This enables people to discover new classes, while sharing successes and accomplishments with friends along the way.
• Mindbody announced on December 24th 2018 that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners for US$1.9bn.
What new features will you be launching in 2019?
We’re working on an open API which will allow our software to talk to other systems and makes the client journey smoother.
The first phase will be launched during the early part of 2019 and will essentially make the functions which already exist within our software more intelligent.
It will do this by creating a smarter way of communicating and assimilating data quickly.
Premier is also looking to launch another new system this year, so watch this space.
Tell us more about Core
Core by Premier Software is a multi-layered solution that integrates with existing PMS systems and has been designed for both single- and multi-site operators.
Its functionality means it can be adapted to meet the needs of a growing business.
With over 400 reports to choose from, managers can do things such as track revenue, manage staff and monitor resources.
Core’s hero feature is its intuitive reporting system which enables clients to run data in real-time and also to keep track of their businesses while they’re on the go.
Core by Premier Software is accompanied by a support package which includes advice from a UK-based in-house support team; software updates; remote access between Premier’s customer care team and its clients and access to Premier’s mobile app for booking on-the-go.
The software is PCI-DSS certified, GDPR compliant and SEPA accredited.
What new features will you be launching in 2019?
We’re launching an in-app group heart rate and member loyalty programme, called FitSense Rewards My Body, as well as integrating with Body Composition Analysis
What makes your system special?
Our integrated solution provides an FCA-accredited billing service, club and member management, marketing and a suite of integrated products designed to boost member engagement and increase members’ overall length of stay.
Our FitSense member app and other integrated products include group heart rate and body composition analysis.
What new features will you be launching this year?
We’ll be adding more options to our web systems, such as an improved course management system, improved membership modelling, front-desk application and also waiting list handling.
What are the three main things which make your system special?
We offer more types of access and entry system control than most, including biometrics, while our integrated web systems offer online activity, class and course bookings, membership join-ups and complex registration procedures which work across all platforms.
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