When you do a google search for “kennel software” you will probably be surprised by how many options are out there. You have so many choices! But as you start investigating these options, the amount of features and technology jargon can leave you frazzled and even more confused than you were before you started your search.
Choosing which software your business will use is actually is one of the most important decisions you will make. Your software choice will impact how your employees do their job, it will affect your customer’s experience, and it will either help you sleep soundly at night or will keep you up and stressing about how your business is doing.
There are several critical areas you should consider when deciding which software solution will work best for your business and we have rounded them up here so that it will be simpler for you to choose a kennel software that will serve you well and help you build the business you have always dreamed of.
The first thing you need to know is the difference between installed software and cloud-based software. There are multiple factors that set these two apart, but the main ones to focus on is mobility, compatibility, and security.
While installed software rests in the system of one work computer or network, cloud-based software means that all you need is the internet to access it through several devices. Outside of your facility, you can look over your business activity on-the-go or at home through Macs, iPads, tablets, and smartphones. And with cloud-based software your data lives “in the cloud”, not on your computer, so there is no fear of losing all your data if your computer crashes. PawLoyalty Kennel Software backs your data up to two different data centers daily so your information is always the most secure.
Online booking
Simple Check-in & Check-out
Customer access to their pet’s profile
Operational reporting (i.e. feeding and medication reports)
Accommodates the amount of clients you have
During the demo, consider how easy the software is to use. Usability will become a key area over time as it will impact your employees day-to-day enjoyment of their job and also you will have staff turn-over and have to train new people. Ask yourself how big the learning curve will be once you start to train your staff. Finally, ask yourself does this software support your other business needs such as payment options, daycare playgroups, packages and discounts?
While on the call, ask the software representative who their biggest competitors are. A credible company is one who has already done the industry research for you. They are knowledgeable about their top competition and won’t hesitate to give you a side-by-side comparison. This is their chance to point out what differentiates them from other leading kennel software companies. Their opinions of one another will help you sift through a sea of software duds.
There are several critical areas you should consider when deciding which software solution will work best for your business and we have rounded them up here so that it will be simpler for you to choose a kennel software that will serve you well and help you build the business you have always dreamed of.
The first thing you need to know is the difference between installed software and cloud-based software. There are multiple factors that set these two apart, but the main ones to focus on is mobility, compatibility, and security.
While installed software rests in the system of one work computer or network, cloud-based software means that all you need is the internet to access it through several devices. Outside of your facility, you can look over your business activity on-the-go or at home through Macs, iPads, tablets, and smartphones. And with cloud-based software your data lives “in the cloud”, not on your computer, so there is no fear of losing all your data if your computer crashes. PawLoyalty Kennel Software backs your data up to two different data centers daily so your information is always the most secure.
STEP #1: You should evaluate your own business operations and make a list of the most important software features that will increase efficiency in specific areas. List your top 5 first.
Here are some examples of software features:Online booking
Simple Check-in & Check-out
Customer access to their pet’s profile
Operational reporting (i.e. feeding and medication reports)
Accommodates the amount of clients you have
STEP #2: Now you can go back to searching for software solutions.
We suggest using an independent review site like www.Capterra.com to find current and highly rated brands that other kennel owners would recommend. Compare your list of important features to those available through the kennel software systems available to narrow down your selection to top 3 potential options. Obviously we would highly recommend that you consider PawLoyalty Kennel Software as one of these to evaluate further.STEP #3: Speak to a representative from each software company. Call, email, or chat through their websites.
When you’re new to software, you need full customer support. Speaking with a representative allows you to test their customer service response time and the quality of support you will get. Being able to get a hold of and communicate well with your software company is indicative of how well they will be able to train you and help you navigate through the software if there are any problems.STEP #4: Schedule a demo. Now you’ve taken the next step to look at the software in-depth.
Pictures and video tours on the software’s website are a great first look, but it is always beneficial to you to see what the software would look like from a user point of view. A great user experience means that the software fits your business needs and your needs as the user.During the demo, consider how easy the software is to use. Usability will become a key area over time as it will impact your employees day-to-day enjoyment of their job and also you will have staff turn-over and have to train new people. Ask yourself how big the learning curve will be once you start to train your staff. Finally, ask yourself does this software support your other business needs such as payment options, daycare playgroups, packages and discounts?
While on the call, ask the software representative who their biggest competitors are. A credible company is one who has already done the industry research for you. They are knowledgeable about their top competition and won’t hesitate to give you a side-by-side comparison. This is their chance to point out what differentiates them from other leading kennel software companies. Their opinions of one another will help you sift through a sea of software duds.
STEP #5: Now that you have reduced your options to a few solid choices, go back to your Top 5 list.
If that list has changed over time, write down your reasoning. The point is to remain focused on your top priorities when choosing software. If it was not already on your list, you might have determined that customer service and support should be on your list and also the software companies' commitment to innovation and developing their product. Remember technology is always changing and you want the business you work with for your technology needs to be leveraging those changes to help your business.Once you have made your choice, mentally indulge in the new array features that are going to be available to you. Be thinking of how you can incorporate these advantages into your workflow. Features should always put your business at an advantage.
STEP #6: Software should be customizable to your business.
Software companies should understand that each pet business has a unique system of operations. This is why kennel software should be more tailored to you than vice versa. And even if you have to adapt to a new system, you and your staff should be happy with the results.
When you choose a kennel software company, you are creating a partnership similar to the ones you have with your own customers. Along with compatibility, good communication and flexibility are major factors in maintaining a successful partnership.
When you choose a kennel software company, you are creating a partnership similar to the ones you have with your own customers. Along with compatibility, good communication and flexibility are major factors in maintaining a successful partnership.
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