Computerease
Fitness Club Management Software
Ease-E-Club
This document contains information on what
items to consider before making your Ease-E-Club software purchase.
Co-Ed Club:
Most Co-Ed Fitness facilities want the Sign
In monitor to face their staff member.
This allows the staff member to visually verify that the person signing in is
the actual member by seeing their picture displayed on the sign in screen. They
also see any alerts and/or messages that should be brought to the member’s
attention. This setup usually requires that a staff member is present at the
sign counter when members record their visits.
A single monitor system will work here
because the staff member must visually see the monitor at all times in a front
desk type setup. Administrative tasks are usually scheduling for off peek hours
when members are not recording visits.
A second computer for back office or
administrative work can be networked to this sign in computer. (Additional $95.00 USD for the second user license). This
allows access to the system from 2 separate work stations.
A dual monitor system will also work here,
but is not as popular as in the Ladies Only facilities. In this case, both
monitors would face the staff member; 1 being used for sign in and the other
being used for administration. A “Serial” scanner would be recommended for this
type of setup. No second user license for the software would be required.
Ladies Only:
Most Ladies Only fitness facilities want one
computer monitor to face the member when they sign in and another monitor to do
administration. This allows the member to see their Name, visit totals and
measurement day when they record their visit. It also display and plays
messages and alerts for such things as Payments Due, Measurement Due, Contract
Due, Private Messages and Global Messages.
One way to do this is with a “Dual Monitor”
computer system (2 monitors linked to 1 computer). If this is your preferred
configuration we recommend a “Serial” scanner. The reason is because the Serial
Scanner will sign members in on the second monitor without interrupting what is
happening on the main monitor and you will never need to manually switch focus
to the Sign In monitor.
If you already have a USB scanner, this can
be converted to a Serial scanner by purchasing a serial cable from the scanner
manufacturer. (Usually about $25.00 USD).
Another way to have 2 monitors is to have 2
computers and a 2 user version of the Ease-E-Club software (Additional
$95.00USD). The computers are networked together and configured according to
our “Network” help document. Some people prefer this option if the 2 monitors
are to be separated by more than 10 feet. Network cable can run hundreds of
feet between computers.
Numeric Keypad:
NOTE:
You should never have a “Numeric Keypad” with a Dual Monitor system.
Many facilities are now using a “USB Numeric
Keypad” ($35.00 USD) instead of bar coded keytags. If this is used, the
membership number can be set up as the members seven digit phone number. The
member enters their number on the keypad to record their visit.
The advantages are cost savings by not
having to purchase a scanner or keytags and the members have no keytags to lose
or forget to bring with them.
If will be using a numeric keypad and want a
monitor facing the member when they sign in, you MUST have 2 computers
networked together and a 2 user Ease-E-Club software license ($95.00 USD add
on).
Hardware:
In general, if you have a
used computer manufactured within the last 5 years with a Windows XP operating
System, it will run the Ease-E-Club software.
Minimum Hardware Requirements:
64 MB RAM; 100 MB available
disc space; 17” or greater Monitor, Network ready; audio speakers and a Laser
or Inkjet Printer.
A Network Card will be required if you want to connect another
computer in a network setup.
A
If you want “Dual Monitors”, a Dual Monitor video
card is required.
A USB Memory stick is a recommended solution for backup.
A CD Burner can also be used for backup (External), but is not
supported by our backup utility.
If you want a TWO USER
networked computer system, the computer used for Sign-In can be a used “bare-bones”
system with very little, if any disk space requirements. Minimum requirements
are 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, 2000 or better, with a 100MB Network Card.
If networking 2 or more
computers a “Cross-Over” cable is
required for direct PEER-TO-PEER connection.
If connection is through a
“Router”, a “PATCH” network cable is
required.
Operating System:
The Ease-E-Club software
will operate on Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, Windows
2000, NT, or Windows Vista operating system.
Printer:
An inkjet
or a Laser printer.
If printing membership
cards, a Laser Printer should be considered.
Key Pad / Scanner:
If clients are going to sign
in by typing in their member number (eg. telephone
number) then a USB numeric key pad should be used. Do not use a keypad with a
dual monitor system.
If clients are going to sign
in using bar coded key tags or membership cards, on a single computer system
with one or two monitors, then a serial
port scanner is required.
If clients are going to sign
in using bar coded key tags or membership cards, on a two user computer
(networked) system then a USB scanner
is required.
Monitors:
While standard monitors will
be more than adequate, consideration should be given to having a flat screen
for the sign-in screen. This will save
space at the sign-in point and present an up to date image. Monitors that are
17” or greater are recommended.
NOTE: It is
strongly recommended that you have an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
attached to the main computer. This will keep the computer going for 5-15
minutes in case of a power outage and allow you to properly shutdown the
computer. Power interruptions and improper shutdown can cause corrupt files and
loss of data.
NOT RECOMMENDED:
The Ease-E-Club program will
NOT run on Apple/ Mac computers.
An Internal Wireless LAN is not recommended.
A Wireless LAN is OK for internet access, but not suitable for an internal LAN
environment.
Windows 95
or 98 or Millennium … No longer supported by Microsoft.