The 2 New Technology Trends That Activity Centres Can Benefit From

As you probably already know, emerging and ever more advanced technology and software is bringing about unprecedented and irreversible change to your industry. Just think how technology has changed your business in the past ten years. Your booking and payment systems use to probably comprise of just a diary and a pen. But now thanks technological advancements, activity providers like you have access to advanced and more efficient booking and payment systems.

I know it can be a bit daunting trying to get your head around all the latest technology and software trends and innovations. However the right technology if used in the right way can really help improve your company’s operating efficiencies and generate higher revenues.

In this blog I want to share with you the two most important technology trends for 2015 and 2016. After reading my blog I want you to have a far greater understanding of how technology is changing and shaping your business.

The Benefits of Cloud Software as a Service

Cloud software as a service (SaaS) is increasingly been adopted by business owners across all industries and the activity sector is no different. SaaS has been around for a number of years but is now only really coming into the business mainstream. If you want to give your business a competitive advantage then make sure to jump on the SaaS bandwagon as soon as possible.

Under the SaaS model you will subscribe to a licensed cloud provider and software applications are delivered via the internet and browser. This means you don’t have buy the software you simply rent the software app from a cloud service. Think of SaaS the same as you think of an electricity company. You don’t produce your electricity yourself; instead you sign up to an electric company and pay a fee for whatever amount of electricity you use.

Low Costs: The main advantage of the SaaS platform is the costs of maintaining servers, networks, maintenance, data backups, and storage capacity is zero.

No Location and No Equipment: SaaS businesses apps are accessible any-time and anywhere by using an internet enabled device. You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment when operating on a cloud service.

Automatic Software Updates: With the cloud platform you are always logging into the latest updated version of property management software solutions (PMS). You will never again be behind the curve when it comes to latest software for activity centres.

Calum Mclndoe in his blog, “Six Technology Trends Revolutionising Business”, writes, “Businesses like SaaS because, upfront investment is lower with the cloud as there are no initial hardware costs or associated expenses such as full time in-house IT staff to maintain the system.” Companies also favour the cloud because they like the idea of taking IT off site and freeing themselves of the headaches IT can bring.

Cloud software as service is finally entering the consciousness of the small and medium sized business owner and once it has arrived it will not be going anywhere, because the sky really is the limit for cloud computing.

Group Payment Software

Organising and collecting payment from group bookings must rank in the top three things sure to stress out activity centre owners and managers. Having to constantly chase up organisers and group members for payment, while also trying finalise the group size in advance of arrival is enough to stresses and frustrate the most penitent among us.

However there are group payment systems available for activity centres that are specifically designed to alleviate many of the problems and stresses linked to group bookings. The best group payment systems allow individual group members to book and pay for their accommodation online via smartphone/tablet/laptop/desktop.

Allowing individual group members pay online for their activity has two major advantages First, you receive payment weeks in advance of arrival, which is always nice. Secondary, a group payment system will automatically finalise the final the group size for you, no more endless calls and emails to your group organisers looking for a final number.

Conclusion

My goal for this blog was to share with you the latest technology trends which are dramatically changing and revolutionizing your business. Traditionally activity centres have been slow in utilizing new technology. But that has got to change, if you are to remain in business you have got to embrace new technology.