|
Marinalife Launches Boat Slip Reservation System
|
| |
Marinalife LLC, a MOAA Member located in Baltimore, Maryland, debuted its boat slip reservation system to marinas at Boating Week in September 2000. The reservation system is designed to help
marinas manage slip inventory by having the ability to make and confirm reservations online, handle group reservations, and obtain automatic reports (arrivals, departures, invoices, customer
reports, etc.) among other features. Joy McPeters, President/CEO of Marinalife, reported that "although we knew there would be a demand for this service, the response from marinas at Boating Week was outstanding."
By automating the reservation process, marina operators no longer have to handle a reservation request multiple times; they merely log onto the Marinalife website, key in their password, check availability, and make the reservation. "This system
is greatly enhancing operations at the Baltimore Marine Center with more efficient handling of our customers. It is increasing our business and improving our profits", says Jack Gardner, Assistant Marina Director at The Baltimore Marine Center.
Since the software resides on the Marinalife servers and is accessed through the Internet, there are no updates for marina operators to buy and install and no data backups to be made.
Once marinas are set up, system enhancements are instantly and seamlessly available to marina operators.
The extremely cost-effective system will also help marinas market their services to boaters throughout the US. By logging onto www.marinalife.com, boaters can obtain detailed information about member
marinas including amenities, a graphical map of the marina detailing slip availability on the requested dates, and a link to the marina's web site. In addition, boaters can directly access the Marinalife
reservation system through a link from the member marina's web site. Or these same services are available to boaters without Internet access through the Marinalife toll free number
(1-800-Rent A Slip). Marinalife has formed alliances with Maptech, Inc. and BoatStation.com (the boating and marine portal for CBS SportsLine.com) to drive more boaters to the Marinalife
reservation system and, ultimately, to Marinalife member marinas. Marinalife participated in the October 2000 Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show where recreational boaters received
a preliminary introduction to the system. Response from recreational boaters was overwhelmingly positive Ð "boaters wanted to go online and start making reservations
right then and there," according to Marinalife Chief Operating Officer, Tod Fishburne.
Marinalife is planning a formal launch to the recreational boating community in the Spring of 2001. For more information relative to the Marinalife reservation software, please visit
www.marinalife.com, send a request to info@marinalife.com, or call the Marinalife toll free number (1-800-Rent A Slip)
|
|
