two co workers looking at software on computer

 

How to Choose the Best Venue Management Software

Posted on 17 January 2023

Venue Management

       

If you're in charge of finding and choosing a venue management software system for your business, you're likely to have a lot of questions on your mind. With so many different systems on the market, all with their own unique features and benefits, how can you be sure you're making the best decision for your company?


We’re here to help. We've put together some essential tips to make the decision-making process a little easier, helping you to choose the best venue management software for your needs. 

 

What to Look for in Venue Management Software

Venue management software can make your job a lot easier, however when deciding the right fit for your needs, factors to consider include:

Ease of use - The software should be easy to use, with a user-friendly interface. With multiple users using the software at the same time, having a platform that’s simple for both yourself and your employees to use will save significant time and money. The easier a software solution is, the more likely you are to use it to its fullest potential. 

Flexibility - Your venue management software should be flexible enough to meet your needs, both now and in the future. This includes having the capability to tailor quotes and marketing collateral to feature your venue branding, and being able to produce custom reports. 

Scalability - Venue management software should be able to grow with your business, expanding as needed. This is where cloud-based software comes in handy. By utilizing cloud infrastructure, the software can easily scale up or down based on your business requirements without the need for additional hardware investments. This flexibility not only saves on IT costs but also ensures that your chosen software can adapt to the changing needs of your business.

Features - The software should include all the features you need, such as booking and scheduling capabilities, inventory management, and customer management. Part of your chosen venue management software features should also include integrations. You want your software to work in tandem with systems already in place, including accounting, property management systems, and point of sale systems. 

Support - The software provider should offer excellent customer support, with knowledgeable and helpful staff. Venue management software like iVvy offers 24/7 support, which is ideal for venues like hotels that operate across multiple time zones and locations. 

How to Evaluate Your Venue Software Needs

 

When it comes to choosing venue management software, it's important to first evaluate your internal needs. This means taking a close look at your venue’s specific goals and requirements. Once you have a clear understanding of what you need, you can begin evaluating different software options

1

Consider the size of your organisation and the number of venues you manage. Make sure the software you choose can accommodate your specific needs. As we mentioned earlier, scalability is an important feature, particularly if you have plans to increase or downsize venue operations.

2

Take a look at the features each option offers. Does the software have all the features you need? Are there any features that are particularly important to you? For many venues, an all-in-one venue management system that includes live-booking functionality would be advantageous in increasing venue sales leads and improving conversion rates. 

3

Consider ease of use. You want to ensure your chosen venue management software is easy to use - both for yourself and your team members. Ensure software can integrate with third-party programs, apps, and tools to optimise efficiencies, with an easy avenue to access customer support whenever it's needed.

4

Finally, don't forget to consider the cost. For this step, an ROI calculator may be useful in determining a time period for profitability. Be sure to read the fine print on any extra fees or additional costs that may be involved.

 

 

Once you've considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of which venue management software is right for your company. To make sure you're making the best decision, be sure to consult with other users of the software. You can also read online reviews to get an unbiased opinion of different options. By taking the time to evaluate your needs and compare different software options, you can be confident that you're choosing the best venue management software for your organisation.

Benefits of Using Venue Management Software

Boost Efficiency

Centralise all your venue and event data in one intuitive platform. Track bookings, manage schedules, and handle payments with ease. Say goodbye to manual tasks and hello to more free time to focus on delivering amazing event experiences to clients.

Stay Organised

Keep your venue’s operations in perfect order. With everything organised and accessible via one central management platform, you’ll never lose track of contracts, client details, or event specifics again. Simplify your venue workflow and enjoy a stress-free planning process.

Enhance Customer Service

With all venue booking and contact details at your fingertips, providing top-notch customer service becomes second nature. Quickly respond to enquiries, personalise client interactions, and exceed expectations, setting your venue apart from the rest.

Maximise Profits

Optimise your operations to drive profitability. Reduce overheads, increase booking rates, and streamline processes to ensure your venue runs like a well-oiled machine. Watch venue revenue grow as you save time and effort by automating previously manual tasks and expand venue visibility by showcasing live availability and instant booking for your venue space.


Top 3 Venue Management Software Providers

iVvy

 

iVvy is a comprehensive cloud-based venue management software that enables hotels, stadiums, universities, and catering services to manage their events and venues more effectively. As a fully integrated solution, this all-in-one management platform streamlines the entire venue management journey, from enquiry to event day using automation.

 

Its CRM gives you the ability to capture and create leads, record activities, tasks & all email communication while providing a single view for every interaction with your customers across all venue properties. An online function diary enables you to have all quoted, tentative and confirmed bookings (both meeting spaces and accommodation) in one central view.

 

With iVvy, contracts and quotes can be created and signed off quickly with the addition of e-signatures. Similarly, invoice payment times can be sped up with iVvy Pay payment gateway. Virtual banquet event orders (BEOs) are updated in real-time, providing venue managers and catering staff with synchronised, up-to-date information on special requests or last-minute adjustments. iVvy’s marketing tools provide venue managers with a quality and cost-effective way to communicate with all event attendees, with custom branding available to match your venue’s brand image.

 

Custom reporting and analytics tools can provide valuable insights into event performance. By providing venue managers with data on attendee profiles, preferences, and purchasing experience, iVvy’s reporting functionalities can be a valuable tool for future planning and budget forecasting. iVvy software also integrates with 50+ third-party apps, programs and tools, allowing for even greater efficiencies in your venue’s working processes. 

 

 

Event Temple

 

Event Temple is a venue management software that offers a wide range of features to help you plan, promote, and execute your event. Some of the key features include:

 

Ticketing: Event Temple's ticketing system is easy to use and can be customised to fit your needs. You can sell tickets online, manage guest lists, and track attendance.

 

Marketing: Event Temple's marketing tools make it easy to create and send out event invitations, track RSVPs, and build a website for your event.

 

Planning Tools: Event Temple's planning tools let you create a detailed event schedule, manage speaker bios and presentations, and track budget expenditures.

 

Reporting: Event Temple provides detailed reports on everything from attendee demographics to ticket sales. This information can help assess the success of your event and planning for future events.

 


 

Ungerboeck

 

Ungerboeck is a venue management system that can handle everything from ticketing to marketing to on-site logistics. One of Ungerboeck's key strengths is its flexibility. The software can be customised to meet the specific needs of any event, large or small.

 

Ungerboeck venue software also offers a wide range of features, including:

 

Ticketing: Sell tickets online and manage attendee information

Marketing: Create custom event websites, track visitor behaviour, and send targeted email campaigns

Venue Management: Manage room assignments, catering orders, and audio/visual equipment

On-Site Logistics: Track participant progress, manage check-in/check-out procedures, and print name badges

 

How to Decide Which Software is Right for Your Venue


Knowing the right venue management software to choose from can be a difficult decision to make. You need to have a well-rounded idea of your expectations, needs, wants, and desired outcomes before you can take the next step of product comparison.

 

Start by making a list of:

• Reasons for needing event management software
• Software features you need to have 
• Features you would like to have
• Time availability for training and implementation
• Your desired outcome for using venue management software

Next, start your product comparison by shortlisting your selection of venue management software, and comparing their features against your determined criteria. From your shortlist, contact each software provider and request a product demonstration. Throughout the demo, find out more about the implementation process, onboarding, pricing, and enquire about any additional add-ons that may not be listed on site. This information will help your venue to make the best software selection for your needs,

 

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