Did you guys get this?
To our most valued soccer clients,
After 6 years of service and nearly 100% voluntary participation from the associations and clubs within WYS, WYS has decided to change software providers. We, most likely like you, were stunned to hear that the state organization was making a software provider change. We, most likely like you, were also asking, why and why weren't we told?
Apparently WYS will start using Korrio for their own internal processes (although most features aren't built yet according to posted information) and no doubt WYS will progress towards trying to sway or coerce you into using this product for your association or club down the road. If they could do it now, they would. There's just one problem, Korrio doesn't have much in their software product as far as we can tell. They have what we call the "shiny box" syndrome . Our definition of the "shiny box" means that they have a nice looking, glossy package, but not much inside. (Their company is so new infact, they don't even have a web site.) In our opinion (and we've seen this many times), they show some fluffy screenshots that seems fun, but when it comes to enabling the volunteers to actually get the work done, it leaves the members, volunteers or staff person with no tools.
So you have to ask yourself, why did WA Youth Soccer choose to work with a provider that has no experience in providing this type of software, hasn't been in business but about 1 year, had no money until about 30 days ago when they received 3.3 million in investment from undisclosed investors, and they virtually have no software built? Good question. Who are these guys?
And another question, why wouldn't they just work with Bonzi who custom built the software they have today exactly to WYS specifications responding to every request they made to enhance the product? The provider that spent countless hours working to bring new ideas on how to improve, streamline, and really bring value to everyone in the organization.
Finally, as a parent myself, I have to question the judgement of WA Youth Soccer chosing a company to work with children and non-profit organizations when they seem to promote a "frat boy environment and mentality". It doesn't make me as a parent feel warm and fuzzy and seems to promote out-of-control behavior which does not provide a good role model, in my opinion, for children.
See Korrio employment ad – it's tells you a lot about this company.
http://www.bonzicentral.com/doclib/Korrio%20Job%20Posting.pdfIn answer to the question WHY, we think we know why . . . read on to find out the whole story.
First the important questions you want answered . . .
We want to answer a question we know you are asking . . . your Bonzi software isn't going anywhere. If anything, we'll now be in position to dedicate even more time to serving you and bringing new enhancements in the coming months. We'll talk about this further in another letter. Furthermore, Bonzi is growing and we'll be introducing new partnerships and services to you over the next few months that no other provider can offer bringing a whole new level to our commitment to you to make your job easier.
Our values no longer align with WYS . . . we believe this is reason #1 why
In 2004 when I drove around the state and personally met with nearly every club and association, I promised to work for all of our clients and not take sides. And that's what we've done.
Who's side will Korrio be on?
You should know that:
The State Association asked us to turn off the software for clubs who were not doing what the state wanted them to do; we refused to do that protecting our clients' operations from being completely shut down and keeping kids off the field.
The State Association approached Bonzi to help them get control over each club's records and data; we refused to give them access because we told you that data would remain private and for your organization's eyes only.
The State Association asked us to cut services to the clubs but not cut our registration fee so WYS could get $1.00 out of the $2.50 you pay us for registration. That would have meant cutting support services or stopping development on critical features. WYS wanted to use that money to fund other programs and staff members within the organization. Bonzi refused to do this.
The State Association almost daily approached Bonzi to do something to help make their lives easier but rarely approached Bonzi with a request to do anything that would make life easier for the associations, clubs, the parents or the volunteers. As a matter of fact, there were many things they did that made life difficult causing extra hours for volunteers, like introducing the concussion compliance process after registration was completed and giving Bonzi only 1 week to complete the engineering for this new feature. For the last 6+ months in 2009 and early 2010, we worked nearly exclusively for WYS adding custom modules into their system at NO COST to WYS showing our "good faith" as we were promised WYS was "going forward with Bonzi". Now you know why some of YOUR features were delayed in getting to you. Bonzi refused to upgrade the software any futher until a contract was signed after committing about $200,000+ in resources to those upgrades. Thus the reason WYS will probably say that Bonzi refused to upgrade their software – darn right we refused!
WYS has been investigating ways to collect all registration fees and deposit them into THEIR bank account instead of the associations or the clubs. They would send you the net revenues once or twice a month and deduct THEIR fees before sending you the money. We had many discussions about how they could work this in a win-win fashion for the associations and clubs and WYS, but our suggestions were not well received apparently, because we believe they want ALL the money.
It's been our experience that state soccer associations are increasingly looking for control so they can leverage the money and data that flows through the clubs. Leverage meaning make more money by controlling your data and your money.
It's also interesting to note how WA Youth Soccer looks at itself when they tell us, "We are no longer a member services organization. We are now a marketing company." Now, they may have explanation for this statement, but we took it like they said it. Marketing companies need money to pursue their objectives. Marketing organizations don't serve members. You may be asking if those objectives are inline with what your parents and your organization agreed to pay for. Another good question.
Obviously Bonzi stood in WYS's way to achieving this goals and so we are no longer their provider. We made a choice, and our choice was to live up to the promise we made to the associations and the clubs.
You know Bonzi and our staff knows you . . .
After working with you for 6 years, we've come to know who you are, how your organization works and what's unique, how you like things setup, the features that are important to you. We aren't perfect, but our goal is to make your job easier no matter what we have to do to make that happen for you. As a result, we were rewarded with nearly 100% association and club participation with the Bonzi system in the state.
We love working with each of you as you support kids to play soccer. You are some of the most dedicated, hard working, supportive and committed people we have ever worked with. It is an honor to work with such fine people.
All of us at Bonzi do our best to honor your commitment to the kids by meeting your commitment with our own to provide you what people all over the USA routinely call the best software and support for soccer clubs available. Because of this Bonzi commitment, soccer clubs that use Bonzi don't leave our service and there's a reason why.
Like you, everyone at Bonzi is actively involved in supporting kids to play soccer as well as many other sports. Like you, we are not in this for power, status, control, or money… our primary commitment first and foremost is to you and the important programs you create for the children of your communities.
The Korrio "sales pitch" . . .
Korrio's probably pretty slick and will undoubtedly have a good sales pitch. Over the years, we've seen a lot in this industry. Here's some of the things we believe you'll be told. Tell us if we are not right about this.
You may get a slide show of how the system works instead of seeing it in action.
The software is free or is less expensive then what you're paying now.
If you let us deposit your money into our account, you'll save money – it's easier.
We have or will have all the features you need.
It's a better system.
You have to change (eventually they will say this)
If you want to upload your data, it will cost extra (eventully, they will tell you this)
We have all the support you'll need.
You can keep your data private and no one can turn off your software.
We have experience building this type of software and serving your type of clients.
You'll have your software by X date or promised features by X date.
Any promise that you need to hear will be made – that's how it works.
Based on our 10 years of experience, here's what we've seen and we believe you can expect:
The quality and functionality of the software will be a small fraction of what you have come to expect from Bonzi now and what you'll get in the future. Why? Because it's expensive to develop and keep developing good software.
The costs will rise dramatically but will be hidden from you or delayed until after you start using the software.
You will lose total control of your data… your records… your information; it will belong to the State Association from now on and NOT to you. They may tell you it's not the case, but we know first hand that WYS intentions are otherwise.
Your support will be cut, be supplied by a support staff that doesn't have years of experience with you, the software and the sport (it takes years for us to develop the kind of support staff we have today). We also suspect that you'll be asked to pay for support and it won't be cheap and it certainly won't be free and unlimited the way it is with Bonzi today.
The software, we believe, is principally geared towards competitive clubs, players and coaches. Which is great; we have those features too and are adding more, but when that's the main focus, about 90% of the members don't benefit but end up paying for those services.
If you need something changed or require immediate help, you won't get it.
Finally, we think you'll find software enhancements will be slow, your requests for changes will take months if they ever happen and your needs will fall on deaf ears especially if you are a recreational club.
Remember, someone needs to make a return on their 3.3 million dollars and they won't do it by matching features and services you now enjoy.
Some interesting facts . . .
It's estimated to take a club or association an average of 120+ hours minimum to train and transition over to a new software system assuming that system is equal to the one they currently. That's not including running the season(s).
Independent analysts have estimated that to build a similar software product to Bonzi with the same ease-of-use, quality and number of features would take a minimum of 3 years with a four person expert development team along with other technical staff members. Korrio appears to be only a few months old – they have a lot of catching up to do.
Is the grass greener?
We use an accounting program called Quickbooks in our company. It's solid and it does the majority of what I want. Sometimes I wish it did other things and sometimes it's annoying, but mostly it works very well and the support staff is incredibly fast to respond and help with problems. I could change providers, but there are no other providers that offer exactly what they do even though some of them say they do. When I "look under the hood", it just doesn't have the power and features I need. So I'm happy to stick with this product because I know they have new releases coming out, the staff works hard to support us and the product really does exactly what I need.
In my experience, the grass isn't usually greener. Can any software product be better? You bet, always. And that's why we never stop improving the software and our service based on your feedback.
Be sure to take a look at the upcoming enhancements announcement and see what's coming for next season.
Quick answers to your questions . . .
Nothing about your relationship with Bonzi will change. As a matter of fact, we'll have more time to serve you and will accelerate our development enabling us to bring new features faster.
Bonzi will help you get your data reported to your state association. WYS doesn't currently have a process for this, so we'll help them create one and let you know shortly how that process works.
Bonzi is growing which you'll hear more about soon, but this will allow us to bring you services and new products like never before!
Risk management services are a member service of WYS. They should be able to provide you with similar services through Korrio. Please contact them for further information. RMA is no longer available through Bonzi because WYS cancelled the service.
Concussion compliance will continue to work in your software. Bonzi will be offering concussion compliance for ALL of your events shortly.
Bonzi has not and will never share your data with WA Youth Soccer.
What's coming next from Bonzi . . .
For those who are interested, the real story about discussions between Bonzi and WYS. So you'll know the truth when they tell you "Bonzi was unresponsive".
Get educated . . . especially before it's too late. Make sure to read our educational kit so you know the questions to ask to safeguard your organization. And be prepared to make them "prove it".
Action plan of steps you can take to help you further understand this decision by WYS.
Article on what happens when the grassroots organizations lose their voice to the parent organization who is suppose to serve them.
Update on the new enhancements released and what's coming in the next 6 months. You'll want to see this!
Change is hard and losing control over what you've worked so hard to create is even harder.
If you don't like what WYS is doing now, imagine what it will be like when they control your club or association. On the other hand, if you think this might be an interesting option, just be sure to get educated before you make a decision for your organization.
Bonzi is a big supporter of the community-based sports organization. You provide incredibly important services to the children in your communities and have passion for doing so or you wouldn't dedicate the hours you do. And as always, it's our intention to serve and support youth soccer in the state and the volunteers who deliver those programs.
Just like the last 6 years, we are here to serve you. Should you wish to talk with us or if you have questions or issues, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Have a great weekend and we'll be in touch with further information.
Amy Pate
CEO
Bonzi Sports Software
Author
Topic: Bonzi vs WYS (1st round?) (Read 2647 times)