May June 2020 Marina World

INTELLIGENT MARINA SYSTEMS
The test of time -
when to revamp your MMS
or install a new system
by Chris Thomas
Computer software systems, e.g. marina and boatyard management systems
(MMS), like any business asset, need maintenance to deliver optimum
functionality. Internal and external change can impact the operation of a
business, and these changes should be reflected in your management
systems to ensure your business can grow and develop in tune with the needs
of the end-user.
What drives a need to change your
system?
One important driver of change is
managing risks to the business.
Unfortunately, in today’s business
environment there is an array of
bad actors and criminals with everincreasing
skill sets to penetrate your
business and systems to obtain data.
Couple this with the need to open
system access to staff, customers
and the public; and with more
sensitive information available in your
databases - e.g. payments, credit card
and personal bank details - regular
updates and maintenance are critical.
This creates an ever-increasing need
to ensure your computer systems
are updated with the latest Microsoft
system software, security controls
and patches. Your MMS vendor must
provide new releases to support such
updates.
Over time, all software develops to
be able to ‘provide more functionality’,
requiring more computing power
to maintain system performance.
Eventually, such upgrades will mean
you need faster computers. This,
in turn, will mean updated system
software which your existing MMS may
not support.
There are many contributing
factors that could become reasons for
reviewing your current MMS software.
One of these is ongoing MMS problems
and the continual need for costly
support.
Consumer behaviour has changed
and, as staff and customers are
becoming more familiar with technology,
they have higher expectations of
business anywhere, ‘do it now’ and
‘do it here’. Your business will need to
provide more responsive services to
your customers. MMS software vendors
should be providing continual updates
to meet such changes.
Increased regulatory compliance can
require improvements in your MMS
system. Recently we have all suffered
a massive life and business change
with COVID-19 forcing new business
practices and new compliance issues.
Internet access is becoming more
extensive, and more boaties have
access from their boats and are looking
for reservation and payment options
remotely.
A good MMS system will have the
capacity to meet and support changes
in your business.
But perhaps the most important
factor for change is complacency: ‘if it
ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. Complacency
can result in inefficient operations that
could be better served by a better MMS
solution and vendor. Good practice is
to be constantly looking for changes
to improve operations and customer
service, working with your MMS vendor
on ideas and reviewing new features
in the vendor release to see if they can
help improve your business.
Regular review and understanding
of the full features and capabilities
of your MMS and comparing it to a
quality MMS solution is good business
practice. Examples of a quality MMS
solution are:
• Removing the need for manual
pricing and calculations by staff
• Ability to audit and log vessel arrivals
(or parts used in the boatyard etc.)
and have complete confidence that
all revenue is captured and passed
through to your Profit & Loss and
Balance Sheet
Could you be getting better
information, increased staff productivity
and enhanced customer services with a
different MMS system vendor?
Chris Thomas is general manager of
Pacsoft International. Pacsoft has been
providing innovative marina-specific
software solutions for over 22 years
www.pacsoftmms.com.
www.marinaworld.com - May/June 2020 43