Harbourgate

Smoother Sailing with Storable Marine: How Harbourgate Marina Streamlined Operations and Boosted Efficiency

The Challenge: Overcoming Operational Inefficiencies

For Myrtle Beach, South Carolina based, Harbourgate Marina, managing marina operations effectively required a booking and management system that could handle slip rentals, fuel sales, and retail operations seamlessly. However, the legacy system they were using, FFM, presented several challenges, including:

Lack of cloud-based functionality, requiring a local server
Frequent connectivity issues due to outdated infrastructure
Limited accessibility and cumbersome reporting for accounting
Manual invoicing and communication, increasing administrative workload

“The biggest issue with FFM was that it wasn’t cloud-based. We had a server at the marina, and our location has frequent internet issues due to aging wiring,” explains Ira Smith. “If we lost connectivity, we could lose transactions or data, which was a huge problem.”

Additionally, manual processes for billing and customer communication were time-consuming, requiring physical mailings and direct calls to notify customers about payments and maintenance updates.

The Solution: Transitioning to Storable Marine

After evaluating multiple solutions, Harbourgate Marina, spearheaded by their corporate leadership, decided that Storable Marine was the best fit. The decision was driven by several key factors:

“[Storable Marine] stood out because of its ease of use and robust features. We knew that moving to a cloud-based system would resolve a lot of our operational headaches,” says Ira. “The ability to automate invoicing and communicate directly with customers through the platform was a game-changer.”

Implementation: A Smooth and Efficient Transition

The transition to Storable Marine was strategically planned, starting in October and going live at the beginning of the new year. Thanks to Storable Marine’s seamless QuickBooks Online (QBO) integration, data migration was quick and efficient.

“Because we use QBO, all our data pulled in easily, which made implementation smoother than we expected. [Storable Marine]’s team did most of the setup for us, so by the time we started using it, everything was ready to go.”

“The tutorials and help button on the platform are fantastic,” says Ira. “And any time we need extra help, we can call [Storable Marine]’s support team and get an answer quickly.”

Results: A More Efficient and Profitable Marina Operation

Since implementing Storable Marine, Harbourgate Marina has seen significant improvements across its operations:

Billing and Revenue Management Improvements

Reduction in Outstanding Payments:

With automated invoicing and online payment options, accounts receivable calls have decreased significantly.

More Efficient Revenue Collection:

Customers can now pay online or set up autopay, making revenue collection faster and more reliable.

Improved Reporting Accuracy:

Cloud-based records eliminate lost data issues, improving accuracy and reducing accounting headaches.

Operational Efficiencies

Streamlined Fuel and Retail Sales:

The point-of-sale system simplifies daily transactions, tracking sales across fuel and retail operations.

Enhanced Slip Management:

Automated meter readings and billing improve efficiency and reduce manual errors.

Better Customer Communication:

The built-in email and text messaging features allow the marina to send targeted updates to specific docks or all customers with just a few clicks.

Time Savings

Reduced month-end reconciliation by approximately one week

Streamlined reporting processes

Faster response to transaction queries

“It has reduced a tremendous amount of work,” Rafael emphasizes. “It’s actually saved me about a week’s worth of work every month, which I am grateful for. Month-end has always been a headache for me throughout my entire career, and for the marina, I don’t find it at all.”

The Human Touch: Support That Stands Out

Beyond the platform’s capabilities, Harbourgate Marina highlights Storable Marine’s customer support as a major benefit.

“[Storable Marine]’s team has been incredible. Whenever we have a question, they’re quick to respond and help us resolve any issues. The transition was smooth, and the ongoing support has been top-notch.”

Looking Ahead

With the efficiencies gained from Storable Marine, Harbourgate Marina is now looking to expand its offerings.

“We’d love to add more recreational activities, like a tour boat, in the future. With Storable Marine handling our core operations smoothly, we can focus on growth and new opportunities.”

When asked whether he would recommend Storable Marine to other marinas, Ira doesn’t hesitate:

“Absolutely. It’s one of the best marina management systems I’ve used. It’s easy to use, packed with features, and backed by a great support team. Storable Marine has made our operations so much easier, and I know it can do the same for others.”