Big Apple Cycling Team Members Grow Tenfold: VIdegree Provides Management Solution

"Cycling is a very relaxing sport. Regardless of the individuals skill or fitness level, I just want everyone to stay safe and enjoy the joy of cycling," said Big Apple Cycling Team founder, Mr. Cheng Ji-Yuan (also the Apple team captain). The Big Apple Cycling Team was established in May, 2003. At the time, the cycling culture in Taiwan could be said to be in its infancy. In addition, most cycling teams at the time existed for the purpose of entering competitions. Therefore, in 2004, Mr. Cheng decided to gather two or three of his good friends to help advocate the concept of cycling as a leisurely activity. The small group of friends also simultaneously began to spread bicycle maintenance advice and health tips.

After the team was established, it attracted large amounts of regular working class individuals and retirees who simply wanted to cycle as a leisurely past-time. Their numbers quickly increased from around 100 members to 400. In order to promote cycling education helping cyclists protect themselves from sports related injuries or other even more serious dangers, the organization opened classes to the public at a community college. As soon as registration for the class opened, a large number of students signed up, resulting in an increase in the number of available classes from one a semester to eight. Every week saw an attendance of over 200 students. With such rapid growth, the management of students and member lists became an issue that could not be ignored. For example: Insurance, absences, event records; the large amount of information that needed to be managed had become a huge headache for the Apple team captain and his wife.

"Originally with just one class, I could simply use Excel to make all my records. But since growing to hundreds or even thousands of members, using Excel has become more trouble than its worth," stated the team captain's other, very capable half, Ms. Li Yong-Xian. For example, when coming up with curriculum, if you wanted to know which routes students have yet to ride, you would need a software tool with both compile the data and also perform screening. This is when one of Ms. Li's former colleagues recommended GSS's VIdegree to her. As a continuing user, Ms. Li's former colleague was also able to help show her the basics of VIdegree, allowing her to pick up and understand how to use the service in no time.

The biggest worry most users have when deciding whether or not to switch to a new system, is that all the data will need to be re-entered. The couple had actually asked one of the students from the community college to help them design a custom system based on their needs. Before using it, they also took a few training courses on how to use it, but in the end, it wasn't as easy to use as it seemed. Other than the fact that data importing was a multi-step and complex process, the interface was also hard to get used to. Furthermore, it cost money to add any additional features, and for a cycling team, money was not a resource they had much of. New features really weren't an option, so the custom system has been laid aside. It wasn't until they tried out VIdegree, that the couple unanimously gave the thumbs up, and decided to switch to a new system once and for all.

Because VIdegree supports the importing of Excel files, a great deal of time was saved in creating our data files, allowing us to very quickly be able to use it to make records. Due to the fact that students on the team often ask teacher Apple for help with bicycle maintenance such as replacement of a pump, oil and etc. These sorts of maintenance all require regular inspection and replacement. This is where VIdegree was a lifesaver. The task reminder setting was able to remind Ms. Li to then in turn remind students that it’s time to perform another maintenance check. In addition, on each student's birthday, the system will also automatically send them a happy birthday message. "A lot of students often thank me!" Under Ms. Li's care, the team has come to operate like a great big family.

The cycling team holds events frequently. Ms. Li also makes registration records for each class and outing in VIdegree. This allows her to clearly know which students signed up for an event, allowing her to easily count heads and prevent issues such as there not being enough lodging etc. After each event, Ms. Li then comes up with a post-event report and shares it with everyone in the "Big Apple Cycling" forums. "Another really nice thing about VIdegree is that it makes it really easy to distribute e-newsletters. We publish and send out e-newsletters to our members on a regular basis to let everyone know what events are available outside of the courses offered at the community college." Ms. Li says, the newsletter has also led to several inactive members joining us for our events once again.

"Using Videgree to manage our member base has reduced my work hours by nearly 80%. That time can now be used to learn new things or simply enjoy some quality time with my husband." Also, the current way of managing things has helped set us apart from other cycling teams. We are better able to address and understand the needs of our member base and the results show in the fact that almost two new classes must be opened every semester to meet demand. "Such things should be left to the professionals." Apple's captain Mr. Cheng mentioned, "Because GSS's cloud based service is continuously kept up to date, the system continues to become better and better at meeting the needs of its users. What's best is that there is no added fee required to enjoy the updates. Reshaping conceptions of cycling as something that is healthy and for everyone, is something my wife and I are both passionate about. We want to thank the team behind VIdegree for allowing us to focus on our members and cycling. They've given us much more time to share our interests with a greater amount of people."