“What sets Merlin Software apart from other providers in the vacation ownership industry is that we come from the industry. We have developed and operated resorts and clubs, created lead-generation marketing programs and managed sales teams. And we created software based on our personal experiences – what we needed to get the job done then – and what resorts need today”.

So said Merlin’s chief architect Mike Pnematicatos as he launched the company’s latest Contract WebApp.

COVID-19 has changed the sales environment for resorts around the world. Face-to-face direct sales, the lifeblood of the industry, have been decimated as prospects have been unable to attend sales presentations. And with no guests onsite, in-house sales have collapsed.

Of course, many resorts have active telesales teams who can continue making sales working remotely from home. Indeed, as Merlin is a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS), our clients have been able to operate remote sales programs efficiently.  

But traditionally, these require admin teams to support them. And many of these had been closed or furloughed. Furthermore, our research indicated that many businesses have been looking to streamline their administrative functions and procedures.

As a response to this, Mike Pnematicatos realised that resorts in active sales needed a different approach and developed the Contract WebApp.

What is the Contract WebApp?

The Contract WebApp is a tool accessible on both desktop and mobile devices, allowing the salesperson to follow a pre-defined workflow to create a completed contract without any input from an administrator – and uploaded directly into Merlin.

The easy six-step process requires the salesperson to select and click relevant buttons and add general information. They can choose the type of sale (weeks or points), create invoices, and confirm any finance or payment schedules and email the completed contract directly to the purchaser. Or have it printed and sent by mail.

Importantly for the resort management team, the Contract WebApp is an extension of Merlin Classic and pulls data directly from Merlin. As such, there is:

• Real time inventory availability and management;
• No need to re-input the contract into Merlin – it’s already there via the WebApp; and
• The contract invoice and payment structure is created through the WebApp with no need to replicated anything in Merlin Classic.

How does the Contract WebApp work?

The following activities can be performed:

1 Search Name/Add Name

• View Name Details
• View Bank Details/Add New Bank Details
• View Direct Debit Mandates
• View Notes/Add New Notes

2 Select Type of Sale

3 Add Invoice

• Select Pricelist Items
• Structure Instalments

4 Confirmation

• Search/Add Marketing response
• Search and Link Appointment
• Add Agents
• Add Other Buyers
• Add User Notes

5 Payment

6 Summary

Print/Email Contract Paperwork

Like our Agent Desktop WebApp, the Contract WebApp follows a fixed workflow set by the resort that guides the salesperson through the contract take-on process.

The sales agent can capture the name, perform the sale, add an invoice, structure payment instalments, receipt payment and issue the contract – all from the desktop or mobile device.

Benefits of the WebApp: 

• Opens up remote sales
• Replaces face-to-face sales not possible currently
• Reduces admin costs
• Minimises mistakes as it follows a pre-determined flow
• Completes sales documentation efficiently

The salesperson needs only a device, an internet connection and login details. No hardware is required. Their access to other parts of the software is completely limited..

For our current software users, the Merlin Contract WebApp is available for an additional monthly charge and takes just three days to setup and implement.

If your resort is looking to find new ways to sell during these restrictive COVID19 times and want to reduce your administration costs, then arrange a demo of the Contract WebApp today. Contact our Head of Sales, Mark Thomas, today on markt@quickmerlin.com or +44 870 803 4418  | +1 646 233 3503