Online entry systems

[billb]

We would like to offer online entry for our next regional event. Any advice on which system to go for?

[openadventure]

Strikes me you have 3 systems out there

SPORTIDENT http://www.sportident.co.uk/entries
FABIAN4 http://www.fabian4.co.uk/
OENTRIES http://www.oentries.com/

Might be a few others, seems like the standard rate is about 5% which you may or may not have to add VAT which might be key depending on accounting in your club. Whilst people might baulk at this its pretty good when you consider most systems for running charge 10% e.g. runnersworld, active online, etc.

Personally I think its quite an important issue as effectively the entry system is an extension of your website, so if it crashes or uses a payment provider that people have problems using (I use to use Paypal and that caused quite a number of problems) you might want to stear clear. Definately recommend going through the process of entering an event using the system, in case there is other advertising or registration required.

If you have a big series of events or want to keep yourself independent consider developing something yourself, but be prepared for alot of time working with a developer (and I mean ALOT of time!). The costs for online transactions are about 2-2.5% via an internet merchant account or 3-4% for something like paypal.

No worries
James

[NeilC]

ntrees http://www.ntrees.co.uk/
Vuggles http://www.vuggles.co.uk/software
MDOC entrysystem@mdoc.org.uk

[Mrs H]

I think you'll find my opinion somewhere on this page
http://www.fabian4.co.uk/organiser/testimonials.aspx

[awk]

As a user (i.e. customer), I much prefer those that have start lists/entries displayed. The two best I've used in past months (I've used most of those listed above) have comfortably been fabian4 and oentries. Fabian4 proved particularly good when I had to change our JK entries. I've no idea, though, how much they all cost, or how easy or otherwise they are to use as an organiser. HTH.

[Simple Soul]

HALO decided at the last minute to use an on-line entry system for our Regional event earlier this month. We went for Fabian4 which a brief analysis seemed our best option. Very pleased with the response. Simple checklist to follow by me, a relative computer illiterate, meant it was set up in 24 hours, with brilliant communication. Our website guy had no problems in getting the link working. Can't speak for the other systems but would definately use Fabian4 again.

[Paul Frost]

Another vote for Fabian

I did a lot of research for the EckO SOL/Future Champions cup final in 2006 and decided on Fabian.
This was probably the first time that online entry had been used in Scotland outside of the 6Days, and I was keen for it to be taken up by more clubs, so wanted the experience to be good for competitors.

I t was very easy to set up, payment was as promised and support excellent.

I have heard of problems with those that use PayPal or Google for payment. As an organiser it can involve time sorting/matching payments to entries. Fabian sorts out the money side and just sends one cheque.

[Klebe]

I used Fabian4 for Beaudesert and they were very good, (and very patient as I asked them all sorts of, what to them were probably, very basic questions)
Fabian4 do not do start times. You will still need to sort out how you are getting from the entry list to a timed start list.
We downloaded a file from Fabian4 which then let us allocate start times using another piece of software.
No doubt the more technical minded can explain this processs better.

[RJ]

I used oentries for our Regional event in April 2007. I asked for the ability to add and edit start times to the website listings.... the coding was done, and the system was a treat. Early entries asked for specific start times/blocks and they were allocated and added to the web on a daily basis. This is one area where 'early entrants' should benefit.... by being able to choose their start time (roughly) and see it soonish. I found that one or two people wanted their times changed for one reason or another, and they actually suggested an alternative time from looking at what had already been allocated on their course.

Of course the very best system would be on the BO website, linked to rankings, levy, membership and where each member could have an account that can be debited every time an event was entered. Using internet banking we could remove all the 5% charges!!

[openadventure]

RJ - from an outsiders point of view I couldn't agree more BO (and what a PR blunder that anacronym is!) would be the ideal, but I fear they missed the opportunity 2 or 3 years ago when the likes of the above providers set up shop. BO would still have to pay a transaction fee for the direct debit account system you are suggesting but it would cost a massive amount of money to develop, and is far flung from a bit HTML calling PayPal to charge you £7.

The guys who run my system are just setting up the results import which means competitors will see their results in their profile, it will also set up a lifetime league all for a bit of fun really and to recognise the regulars. Its one of those great ideas I had and thought as a competitor I'd like to see, boy if it known it was going to be so tricky.... you wouldn't believe how many ways people spell their name.

[Nottinghamshire outlaw]

BO - PR blunder? Actually NO - as I understand it the Marketing Manager wanted the new logo to have the picture of what orienteering is (a running, navigation sport) along with the word Orienteering - to convey to outsiders what our sport IS and what it is called. What does 'BOF' mean to people outside the sport? Nothing.

So what do intelligent orienteers do with the 'new' name? Many have to shorten it to something which the rest of us think is a smell and then blame that on 'BOF' for doing that. The British Orienteering Federation still exists as a company so we could still call it BOF internally but NOT outside the sport.

The problem is that even though this has been said many times (and more than once by me) the message still hasn't reached people who insist on acronyms - and that's a real problem for marketing - there's too much jargon and mystery and maybe that's what makes us seem to be a secret society and not attractive to others.
End of rant! (:

[openadventure]

BO... Oops - stood on a landmine there. I'll take note not to comment on such matters.

[harry]

It's clear that oentries and Fabian4 are the best systems available for event organisers at the moment. Younger more technically minded people seem to prefer to use oentries - I prefer it especially since it was redeveloped using Google checkout payment gateway instead of the clunky and complicated Paypal.

Fabian4 is an older system so it has been used more so more orienteers, especially in England are familiar with using the system but oentries is cheaper 3.9% compared to 5% for Fabian4.

I also think oentries is a more flexible system for the user, ie me, since it has no link to the BOF database. It annoys me when I put my BOF number into Fabian4 to save time but then have to go back and change things if I want to use my international club or whatever. In oentries you just have your own account so you basically log into that and then click to enter and click to pay -it just seems more simple & takes less mouse clicks!

[Gross]

Harry shows no signs of favouritism at all:)

[Spookster]

The MDOC entry system has the advantage of being free, so you only pay the credit card transaction costs (which all systems incur). It's not as functional as some other systems, but still perfectly adequate, so we (SYO) still use it for all pre-entry events. It's easy to use, and Ian Watson (its author) is also very helpful if required.

MDOC entry system