/// CASE STUDY 05
Climbing to New Heights
Custom gym management software that replaced off-the-shelf limitations. An operational nervous system built specifically for climbing gyms.
Custom gym management software that replaced off-the-shelf limitations. An operational nervous system built specifically for climbing gyms.
Off-the-shelf gym management software promises everything. Member check-ins. Payment processing. Access control. But here's the dirty secret: these systems are built for generic globo-gyms, not niche communities.
Climbing gyms aren't typical fitness centres. They run on trust, waivers, RFID tags, shoe rentals, day passes, punch cards, and the kind of operational quirks that make off-the-shelf software feel like wearing someone else's climbing shoes.
Friends & Allies isn't just a climbing gym — it's a Johannesburg institution. A community hub where regulars know regulars, and the vibe matters as much as the walls. Their challenge? Legacy gym software that almost worked.
We didn't install another off-the-shelf platform. We built an operational nervous system designed specifically for how Friends & Allies actually runs.
A first-time climber walks in, scans a QR code, completes a digital waiver on-brand with Friends & Allies' colours and voice. Their information flows directly into the system. No clipboard. No retyping. On the wall within minutes.
The front desk becomes a command centre. One interface for check-ins, day passes, shoe rentals, punch cards, and membership sales. RFID scans pull up member profiles instantly.
We replaced the broken payment integration with a system that actually reconciles. Automated reminders. Clear failed payment workflows. Members whose payments lapse get flagged before they reach the door.
KPI dashboards show what's happening on what days. Which membership types are growing. Where drop-offs occur. Not vanity metrics — actionable insights for running a better gym.
A seamless journey from waiver to wall. Digital forms. Instant card linking. Renewal reminders that feel helpful, not nagging.
A single screen for everything. Quick sales. Member lookup. Payment status. No tab-switching. No system-hopping.
Visibility into operations. Member trends. Revenue patterns. The data needed to make decisions, not just record transactions.
We didn't just replace software — we embedded ourselves in how Friends & Allies operates. Weekly calls. Feature requests turned around in days. An app that evolved alongside the business instead of forcing the business to evolve around it.
The result? A gym that runs smoother, onboards faster, and finally looks like itself — from the waiver form to the check-in screen.
Niche businesses deserve niche solutions. Generic software forces unique operations into generic boxes. By building custom, we didn't just solve today's problems — we created a foundation that grows with them.
Custom software that fits your operations, not the other way around.
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