Cloud technology isn’t new, but there are still plenty of businesses who haven’t yet taken advantage of it. However, there’s no business that can’t benefit from cloud technology, so if you haven’t taken the leap yet, now is the time!
If you run a golf business, you should already be using cloud-based software.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, golf has gained even more favour. It’s socially-distanced, out in the fresh air, and an easy way to keep fit and healthy, while staying safe.
If you have still not adopted cloud technology for your golf operations, here are some of its benefits that will help you make up your mind and switch for good.
Safer, faster POS systems
Your point-of-sale (POS) system can make or break your business. Switching to a cloud-based POS system means that the system is stored online, rather than on a server or a hard drive.
For starters, this makes a huge difference to the speed. Online POSes function at a much faster level, so you can get more tee times booked, or more pieces of equipment sold in a shorter period of time.
Not only is this efficient and helps you to essentially book more business, but it goes a long way towards improving the customer experience too. The quicker and easier the sales process is, the more satisfied your customers will be and the more likely they will be to come back and even spread the word to their peers.
Adopting the cloud model also saves infrastructure/hardware costs. Updates take place automatically, and troubleshooting can be done online, without the need for calling in an IT professional.
All in all, if you don’t have a cloud-based POS yet, you can save yourself a whole lot of cash, time, and frustration by making this switch.
Cloud telephony
Phones are still very much alive, even in this digital world. If your golf business has a phone number, then cloud telephony is something you should be considering.
Cloud telephony is simply a phone system that opiates through your internet connection. One of the biggest benefits of this is the fact that it doesn’t just redefine your calling systems. Other communication channels like instant messages, video calls, and your CRM are all moved to the cloud with it.
If you have a phone handset, you can connect it directly to your internet network instead of the landline. Alternatively, you can invest in a softphone on your computer, which eliminates the need for any hardware.
It’s quick and easy, requires no installation, costs less than a traditional phone system model and comes with a variety of features, such as:
- Call forwarding to a private phone
- Call forwarding based on input selections
- Video conferencing
- Toll-free phone numbers
- Call recording
- IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems
Using IVR, in particular, can save plenty of time when it comes to things like answering frequently asked questions. These can include what time your club or business opens, how to book tee times, whether visitors are welcome, and so on.
System integrations
When you’re using different hardware for every system, integration is impossible. However, with cloud-based technology, the integrations of supporting apps is extremely simple.
What you want to integrate really depends on your business. Cloud telephony systems and other methods of communication like instant messaging, email, and company-based apps, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can all be integrated to provide a more seamless customer or employee communication system.
Moves with you
In the past, if you had to leave the course or shop for a while, someone else had to answer the phone and important emails had to wait.
With the introduction of cloud technology, you can literally take your business with you wherever you go. Call forwarding allows you to answer calls no matter where you are, and you can access your CRM from anywhere with an internet connection, giving you ready access to all customer data.
There’s no need to rely on anyone else to get stuff done for you. This is ideal for small businesses that are run by small teams, but it has important implications for all kinds of business owners.
Reduced costs
Running a golf course or owning a golf shop is no cheap feat. It requires stocking up inventory, managing clients, bookings and the like.
Using cloud technology is significantly cheaper than using traditional phone systems. There are no installation fees, no hardware to maintain, and no need for costly upgrades or reinstallations. Hardware malfunctions also become a thing of the past.
Records of sales, tee times, salaries, and all other important information is stored online. In times of disasters, your business information will be safe and sound thanks to the robust Disaster Recovery Protocol’s (DRP) offered by cloud providers.
Troubleshooting doesn’t usually require a call to an IT professional either. However, for the times you can’t solve the problem on your own, the support experts of cloud service providers are ready to assist you all year round.
Analysis of golf-related information
Retailers and golf clubs aren’t the only golf businesses that can benefit from cloud-based tech. Coaches have a huge arsenal of detailed apps at their fingertips, to assist with everything from swing analysis to providing real-time distances on the course.
These apps are invaluable for remote training purposes. Certain apps even connect coach and student, allowing the golfer to video their own swing and share it with the coach, who can write notes or even draw on the image.
This is significant for coaches, as it expands their reach to golfers outside of their local circle. You no longer have to be standing next to a student on the golf course to give them advice and coach them to a better game.
Conclusion
The benefits of cloud technology for golf businesses far outweigh the cons. While sports are still considered to be practical, tangible, hands-on experiences, sports business doesn’t have to be.
Switching to cloud-based services can do wonders for your business. Golf courses will see improved efficiency in the way their tee times are booked and how customer questions are answered. All of these changes will have a massive improvement in customer experience, provided the technology is correctly implemented. The same goes for golf-related retailers.
All in all, there’s no good reason to not switch to a more reliable and durable cloud-based system. Not only will you see an upswing in business, but also a reduction in costs, as well as stress levels.
Bio:
Jordan Fuller is a golfer and a businessman and understands how the two work together. He shares golfing knowledge and reviews on his website, Golf Influence.
The author’s views are entirely his/her own and may not reflect the views of Servetel.
