Customer stories


University of Michigan Wolverine Swim Camps

Into the Swim

Before you can learn to swim, you need to jump into the water. And designing a database is the same -- there comes a point where you just have to open the box, load the software, and get started. Just ask University of Michigan Women's Swimming coach Jim Richardson, who created a smooth, efficient data management system for the Wolverine Swim Camps with FileMaker Pro, the award-winning database software application from FileMaker Inc.

Located on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, the Wolverine Swim Camps offer a wide range of programs for swimmers of every skill level, from ages 9 to 18. There are also special programs geared to the triathelete and to the advanced Master Swimmer seeking to attain a new level of performance excellence. It's a program that's produced a number of record-setting, championship caliber swimmers over the years. "I believe we've had success due to the personal level of our service," comments Jim. "Our ability to access information rapidly has created a high level of confidence in our clients."

FileMaker Pro makes it happen -- organizing inquiries from prospective clients, helping to handle the registration process, administering billing programs, in short handling all the necessary data-management functions at the camp office. And Jim himself created the program with no outside consultants and no expertise in database design. "I read the manual and bought a couple of self-help books," he explains. "I used a template to create a data entry form for each camper, and wrote scripts and forms to create the output required by departments within the University. Now, we can access our information much faster than before. It used to be registering 800 children for five weeks was a difficult process and printing forms for registration, balances, and so forth was even more difficult.  But now, using scripts, buttons, and forms, we can access and print any information we need with just a click."

Jim considered using Microsoft Access, but soon settled on FileMaker Pro instead. "I chose FileMaker Pro because I preferred its format for creating databases," he continues. "And I was told by our IT expert that FileMaker Pro would do more in the long run."

And so it has. Jim's system is compact -- two databases containing about 2800 records total -- but it gets the job done quickly and reliably. "FileMaker Pro saves time and makes it easier to find entry errors," Jim notes. "We provide our customers with rapid information retrieval, which is very important when you're registering about 180 kids in two hours on a Sunday afternoon!"

FileMaker Pro works for Jim, and he's now eager to learn more about this versatile, powerful tool. "I want to learn how to handle emails and interactive processes between the database and our website," he declares. "I hope to find the time to learn more about the power of FileMaker Pro. I've exhausted the database learning opportunities, and I'd like to learn more."



Contact information

Contact Info for Customer:

Jim Richardson
Head Coach, Women's' Swimming
University of Michigan
734-647-0500
jimrich@umich.edu
http://www.wolverineswimcamp.com


Filemaker Contact:

Kevin Mallon
Public Relations Manager
FileMaker Inc.
408-987-7227
kevin_mallon@filemaker.com
http://www.filemaker.com


Overview
  • To learn to swim well, you've got to dive right in. And in creating an effective database program, University of Michigan swim coach Jim Richardson finds the best way to get started is to dive right into FileMaker Pro.
Industry
  • Higher Education
  • Non-Profit