Advancements in software have allowed for incredibly tailored and user-friendly apps. Anything a company or user needs can be tailored to meet workplace and industry demands.
The same goes for kennel management. In particular, kennel management software offers many benefits for users. These can range from secure and centralized data storage to automated notifications.
In this article, we’ll discuss the following topics and why they matter for optimizing your pet care business:
- Why Does the Pet Care Industry Need Automation?
- 3 Game-Changing Benefits of Using Kennel Management Software
- 3 Key Tips to Overcome Challenges for Your Pet Care Business
- Why Choose Software Integration For Your Pet Care Business?
- What are the Features to Look For in Kennel Management Tools?
- What’s Next For Your Pet Care Business?
Why Does the Pet Care Industry Need Kennel Software?
The kennel management software market has grown due to various factors. These include increasing pet adoption rates (e.g., cats, dogs, reptiles, etc.) and overall pet ownership rates.
With more people becoming pet owners, there is a demand for pet care services. These can include veterinary or grooming services, dog hoteling, etc.
Operating a kennel business requires many processes, from handling customer information to sending timely notifications. While these can seem like small tasks, they can pile up quickly with the number of customers.
It is where automation can help your business. You and your employees can focus on what matters most by eliminating repetitive tasks.
3 Game-Changing Benefits of Using Kennel Management Software
From storing customer information to tracking appointments, there are many things you need a kennel management tool for. These days, you need to invest in software to keep various processes as efficient as possible.
Here are the biggest things your business will miss without the right dog kennel management software:
1. Ease of Daily Operations
As a pet care business owner, you value ensuring the best care for your clients’ pets. You should ensure their pets have up-to-date vaccinations and know if they have special needs, behaviors, or medications. With the right pet kennel software, you can ensure that the right pets receive the proper care without confusing information.
Inventory management is also much easier with the right dog kennel software. The software can help you track all kinds of treatments and medications. As a result, you can also track your inventory and restock accordingly.
2. Ease of Appointment Setting
Time is especially valuable for pet care businesses. You need to be able to accommodate fast-growing demands through quality pet care.
Cloud kennel management software enables you to meet customer expectations and needs through various processes. It can help you set up multiple bookings for different services simultaneously.
For instance, if you offer grooming services, you can create groomer availability windows and set limits on grooming appointments. Meanwhile, you can automate your services and set up discounts and package offers for daycare.
3. Improved Customer Satisfaction
The benefits of kennel management software can’t be overstated, as it improves overall efficiency.
Automating processes and streamlining scheduling are only a few key benefits that improve customer satisfaction. They even empower users to make all kinds of choices to enhance customer satisfaction:
- Create customized messages for customers
- Create alerts to match customers with their preferred pet groomers
- Set notifications for vaccinations, grooming appointments, etc.
3 Tips for Overcoming Challenges Your Kennel Business Will Face
As your kennel business grows, you will face more challenges that can affect your regular operations. These include maintenance, health and safety, staffing, and financial management. The good news is you can address them while keeping your pet kennel business running as smoothly as possible. Here’s how:
1. Invest in Your Tools
Your tools will be how you and your employees organize customer information. The right tool is required for everything from sending invoices to remembering customer specifications. As a result, you should invest in the best kennel management software that offers the right features you need. On top of that, you should invest in software that allows for third-party integration. With it, you can centralize all data and management tasks while spending less time switching between platforms.
2. Ensure Ease of Use for Your Software
A tool that’s easy to use means your employees will have an easier time adopting it. Before anything else, you should train your employees on the software’s key features. Knowing the tool’s capabilities and shortcuts can bring your team up to speed and process customers much faster.
When you try out a software, you can see if it’s user-friendly based on the following:
- Simple layout – The tool’s interface should be visually appealing with neatly organized buttons and menus.
- Intuitive navigation – Users can find what they need quickly and easily.
- Minimal learning curve – New users can understand and use the software without extensive training.
3. Consult Tech Support
Streamlined onboarding is another reason to invest in paid tools rather than free kennel management software.
This is because paid tools often have specialists to help you use them. They can also provide detailed information about the program while lowering IT expenses.
Furthermore, having your team undergo the initial training makes them more likely to adopt and trust the software.
How Do You Handle Automation Setbacks For Your Pet Care Business?
As your business grows, you’re likely to face potential challenges when it comes to scaling. This is especially true when you come from tools like free kennel management software.
Scalability can be an issue when businesses, particularly pet care businesses, don’t prepare for it. Not being able to handle an increase in customers can eventually lead to higher costs.
Additionally, there are all kinds of challenges you may encounter:
1. Issues with Integration
Integration issues can occur for pet care businesses using older platforms that don’t scale to their new needs.
These potential issues with older or even free dog kennel management software can cause delayed services and missed deadlines. As a result, your business may lose out on potential revenue.
The solution is to invest in integrating your software with tools that can scale with your business’s current needs. While it can take time and resources, it will drastically improve your operations.
2. Unfamiliarity with New Systems
Businesses that implement cutting-edge solutions first are usually among the first to thrive. However, new software can easily confuse first-time users.
Investing in third-party integration can help you bridge the gap, particularly when handling old data from legacy systems. Training and upskilling can also help users familiarize themselves with your tools.
3. Team Training on Software Use
Kennel management software is one of the best ways to simplify daily tasks. Because of this, it’s essential to upskill your employees when switching to a new platform or software.
Depending on your chosen software, transitioning from old to new tools can take time. Thorough training and familiarity can go a long way in securing your business’s long-term growth.
What Features Should You Look For in Kennel Management Software?
Finding the best pet kennel software for your business can be a challenge. You must consider key features, security, ease of use, and scalability. The good news is we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Here’s a list of the most important features you should consider when investing in good kennel management software:
1. Centralized Data Storage
Your kennel software should store relevant information about your furry customers in one place. Additionally, it should have cloud-based storage capabilities so you can access it anytime, anywhere.
These can include details like:
- Name
- Pet owner
- Breed
- Day of birth
- Sex
- Temperament
- Health records/vaccination status
2. Ongoing Maintenance and Support
Having access to your kennel management software online has many benefits. Aside from ongoing maintenance, the biggest benefit is access to live support teams who can help you with anything.
3. Fast, Easy Web-Based Scheduling
Pet owners sometimes want to check their pets in on a walk-in basis for many reasons. Because of this, they often can’t afford to wait for the next available appointment to drop off their pets.
With fast, web-based scheduling, you can turn them from disgruntled owners into satisfied customers.
Web-based scheduling is a key feature to look for because it makes booking much more convenient. The best kennel management software online can help you do this and more.
What’s Next for Your Pet Care Business?
Pet care will become an even bigger industry as more people adopt pets. With more pet care businesses catering to this increased demand, you also need to stand above the competition.
This is where good kennel management software becomes a crucial investment and a significant first step. Your software solution can help you take your business to the next level when paired with the right staff and facilities.
