b'FOGHORNFOCUS: TECHNOLOGYTech You Need: Ticketing and Reservation SystemsBy Karen Rainbolt, FOGHORN Managing EditorW hen it comes to technology there are a quite aWhen asked about the ticketing/booking needs his few must haves to run a successful passengeroperation requires for a smooth sailing, Scribner and his Vice vessel operation. One that rises to the top forPresident of Sales and Marketing Drew Yochum shared their many operators is a ticketing and reservations system thatmust haves. is advanced enough to do a multitude of tasks while beingBasic Online Booking Software Requirementssimple enough to use all day, every day by many people per- Cloud-based systems seem to be almost universal now, forming a wide variety of functions. Scribner said, which is benefi cial for the most part, but can Bob Scribner, President of Charleston Harbor Tours andhave drawbacks. Backup needs are an issue when the Schooner Pride in Charleston, SC, is one of those people thatoffi ces Internet goes down so you can still book customers relies on a ticketing/reservation system that offers high-techand answer questions. Yochum explained, We have expe-options with intuitive, easy-to-use functionality for hisrienced some issues when a large ISP went down and the operation that has four vessels, one of which is a sailingwhole system wasnt available for a while.Backups (4G yacht.or 5G services) are a must when you are dependent on the The right ticketing system isnt just a handy tool toInternet to book/see reservations.have, Scribner said. Its imperative for a wide array ofHaving an App for a ticketing system is advantageous functions, from managing bookings to marketing analyticsaccording to Yochum. An App or mobile App is very to accounting and operations. important to be able to access the system on the go for many KEEPING BAY AREA FLEETS IN SERVICE FOR OVER 40 YEARSBay Ship and Yacht makes it a priority to per-form on-time, quality service for all vessels. We are a full service shipyard cosistently serving Al- 5 1 0 . 3 3 7 . 9 1 2 2 ameda, San Francisco Bay, the west coast andwww.bay-ship.com the worlds maritime industry for over 40 years. A l a m e d a , C A6SEPTEMBER 2020FOGHORN'