Software Solutions to Help Marinas Navigate into the Future

By Christi Kleiner

T

he marine industry relies on communication. In fact, effective communication might be one of the most important elements in running a successful marina. At the start of the pandemic, when most marinas were gearing up for the 2020 boating season, operators had to find ways to effectively communicate with two completely different groups. First, they needed to connect with their employees about mandatory closures and what those closures meant for staffing and daily operations. Then there were the customers and boaters who needed to be notified about marina and boatyard operations, what the closures meant for daily maintenance, and what procedures were going to be in place if and when business and operations would resume.

Putting Skills to the Test

Since face-to-face morning staff meetings and shaking hands with boaters as they arrive at the marina were actions of the past, marinas had to find new ways to communicate. Email and texting are perfectly acceptable and effective forms of communication, but there are some interesting software programs and apps available that aim to make running a business easier than ever before. Southpoint Marina in Rochester, New York started using Slack and When I Work two years ago. Slack is a channel- based messaging platform that can replace email and text messaging, allowing management and employees to communicate easily and effectively, all in one app. "While regular texting and emails also work, the Slack app keeps everyone in the loop and does a better job of keeping a record of what and when things are shared," said Anthony Daniele, president of Daniele Family Companies, which owns Southpoint Marina. When I Work is an employee scheduling software program that Southpoint Marina uses to manage the entire employee schedule. Management can fill shifts, change shifts, and approve time-off requests.

44 Marina Dock Age November/December 2020

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Southpoint Marina in Rochester, New York uses the Slack and When I Work apps to manage employees and marina schedules.

" While regular texting and emails also work, the Slack app keeps everyone in the loop."

-Anthony Daniele, president of Daniele Family Companies