Introduction > Overview

Background

Owning, training, working and trialling dogs has increased dramatically over the past 50 years and shows no signs of diminishing in popularity. The consequence is that the demand on Field Trial Clubs and Societies is increasing; membership lists run into the hundreds, an owner can be a member of 30, 40 or more Clubs and applicants to run in a Trial can well exceed 150. Whilst the conduct of Trials is ‘regulated’ by the Kennel Club, it falls to a Club to administer and manage the process of organising and running a Trial or Test from start to finish. In addition there is the responsibility of managing membership lists, subscription renewals, standing orders, etc. Many have taken advantage of modern technology using office automation to help them; some (but not all) Clubs have their own web sites but the task of keeping them up to date is clearly challenging as many are out of date.

Some Clubs place their Schedules on their web site and provide downloadable Entry Forms. The problem faced by an Owner who belongs to 40 Clubs is to try to remember how they are to receive Schedules which could by post, by email or from the web site depending on the Club’s preference, or a combination of all three methods.

So with modern technology and the power of the Internet, the Field Trial Management System© was conceived and born. It was born out of need and necessity and not simply because if it is a computer it must be better.

How does FTMS© help?

FTMS concentrates all the information required to manage Trials and Working Tests on one system via one web site. It also helps with the administration of members and subscriptions.

oImproved member service

▪Automated email reminder service for:

•New Trial

•Draw Closing date

•Result of Draw

▪Enter a Trial on-line

▪Automated payments

▪View the outcome of the Draw on-line

▪See the results on-line

▪No waiting for the post.

oMore effective planning.

▪Real-time Calendar showing all Trials from all Clubs

oReduced costs and increased revenues.

▪Reduction in postage and stationary costs

▪Significant reduction in administration effort

▪Cuts wastage and helps the environment

oMore effective management

▪No missing emails or ‘lost’ phone calls

▪Freedom for members to access information when and where they like – on the move or at home.

▪Global presence 24/7

This not only enables the user to access the system from any computer with an Internet connection but also removes the need for any local dedicated IT resources (web sites,hardware, staff, etc.)

oData security is enhanced by the use of User names and Passwords. Each user name has an associated privilege level, which allows access to specific data only.

oAccess security

oThe ‘Help’ menu gives the user rapid access to the:

▪User Guide

▪Systems support