Randy Ivey, e-business development manager for Aphelion Inc., in Houston, Texas, and chairman of the task force behind the FISA survey, explains why technology is important for facilities: “The simplest explanation is that it saves time and money. Why should a club owner continue to perform mundane tasks that take away from what is most important and what they do best?

Technology, incorporated into club management systems, removes the burden of performing routine tasks, such as member check-in and verification, account maintenance, sales contracts, marketing, member billing and accounting. These tasks can now be relegated to a few mouse clicks, card swipes and key strokes.” On a more advanced note, Ivey adds that, “Technology can also alert a club manager about areas that need attention before they become critical, such pro shop sales.

It allows the club operator to focus on member relations, market planning, facility and equipment utilization, and future club expansion.”

Few clubs today operate without computer technology. The question, however, is whether your club is taking advantage of current technology to its fullest extent. Therefore, information to be compiled from the survey, according to Dinerman, will help club owners and managers to “get a better understanding of where they fit into the adoption curve for technology.” In other words, you can find out what other clubs are using, and how far ahead or behind you are compared to your competition.