Thank you for your responses.
The evolution of smartphones has generated the opportunity and need to make communications “mobile friendly”. As an example, our Metro Sr website automatically resizes for the smaller smartphone screen. We also need to look for improved ways to communicate Metro Seniors news and perhaps weekly VP tournament announcements (emails?).
Over the last several years, ideas for improving our weekly tournament scoring process have bubbled up. Ideas have outrun the technology. Our current “paper based” Universal Scorecard process is:
- Time consuming – members and data entry
- Time delayed – mailing, bulk data entry
- Relatively expensive – mailing, printing, data entry
- Error prone – input and data entry
- Affects every member
Technology now exists. Smartphones are now in wide use. Essentially hand held wireless computers connected to the internet and central servers/systems.
Applications (APPs) that use smartphones for “Mobile Data Entry” are widespread and some are virtually free. These allow easy point – click data entry, automatic completion, error checking and math. They also allow immediate data transfer for use in central databases (like OurGolfStats).
We are exploring the opportunity to utilize Mobile Data Entry as a replacement for our current paper scorecard system. Within a few years, we expect that this will be the standard everywhere.
The decision for us is should we start now or wait. The Smartphone Survey will help in deciding when we start.
Do we have a “critical mass” of smartphones?
Do members have enough experience to use website or Mobile Data Entry APPs?
Do members understand the issues, problems, delays, costs, and time for paper scorecards?
Can we develop Mobile Data Entry that is faster, cheaper, higher quality and that members will use?
Do we see more opportunities?
- Fast, accurate, real time course surveys or course conditions reports
- Improved pace of play measures, real time
- Reduced efforts and time for volunteers (Starters / Scorers and administration)
- ???? More Ideas?????