“Cybex’s new feedback system, Asset Management, allows customers to register each product online using the product’s unique serial number. Once registered, customers are able to automatically report equipment faults directly to our service department, and view the service history log for each piece of equipment.

“It also allows staff to track equipment usage, so they can swap machines around if, say, one spot in a row of treadmills is more popular. This ensures even usage, increasing equipment’s lifespan.

“Another function sets and tracks tasks for gym staff – which can include cleaning or maintenance checks – to ensure each piece of equipment is being managed correctly and efficiently.”

“We’ve seen a decline in direct calls to the office thanks to the implementation of our online service portal in August 2014. This allows customers to log in to a website and view a stock asset list, raise service calls, view progress of service calls, request parts and export KPIs.

“Our in-house service engineers have also been issued with tablets giving access to the new service/stock management software, so all calls, service history, parts and availability are viewed and updated seamlessly. As a result, we’ve seen an improvement in the speed and efficiency of service calls.

“Each customer is given a digital and hard copy handover pack, including details on how to access and use the online portal.”

“Our extensive survey revealed it’s all about reliability, so the new Precor Experience Series treadmills incorporate a new motor drive system that draws fewer amps and improves internal cooling, which in turn increases the reliability of electronic components by four times.

“Another key addition is the brand new Active Status Light, which alerts facility staff and service technicians, at a glance, when service or maintenance is needed. It flashes yellow every 1,000 miles to indicate that maintenance is required.

“The new machines are simple to install and very easy to clean, avoiding small cracks that are difficult for the cleaning crew to reach. By incorporating feedback from service technicians, we’ve also ensured our new treadmills are even quicker to service, with common maintenance jobs such as replacing the belt or deck achievable in just 20 minutes or less.”

“As an independent service provider, the more we know about what our customers have, the more predictable our parts stock can be.

“Our engineers have a hand-held device linked to our management system, and this allows them to capture data relating to the condition of the equipment – right down to detail like wear and tear on belts. Our parts stock is adjusted every time we start a new service agreement with a customer.

“We provide our customers with a service manual that shows them how to regularly clean and preventatively maintain their equipment in between their preventative maintenance service: it never costs as much to maintain equipment properly as it does to have a high number of reactive call-outs and a shortened life of equipment that hasn’t been looked after.”

“Service is one of the major reasons customers choose SportsArt. They can take delivery of equipment on the basis that, should any replacement parts be required, they’ll be delivered within 24 hours, and if an engineer needs to fit them, they’ll arrive within the following 24 hours.

“Our new warehouse has spare parts for every piece of equipment, so they can be shipped within hours of a client needing them. Most importantly, we’ve developed the SportsArt Customer Service Portal, which will shortly be launched on the UK website. The portal allows customers to order parts, book an engineer and use Live Chat to get advice.”

“Equipment will break down, so it comes down to the speed of response. Our first-time fix rate is regularly at 95 per cent and our standard call-out time is just over 24 hours – well below the average of 48 hours in the UK. Our engineers have a critical parts list and appropriate spares on the van.

“The more problems you can fix first time, the more engineers you have to respond to other calls.

“Equipment quality is also vital. Take something like the bracket the pedals are attached to – a common thing to break. We produce 60,000 bikes a year and we haven’t had a single breakage to that part on any of them. If you get the quality right, then it frees up your engineers.”

“A poor experience can come at any stage within a process, so at Life Fitness we monitor all of our internal and field-based staff, the way in which they perform their roles and our overall service operating procedures.

“We’ve found that using service performance data in a more investigative manner has been particularly valuable, as it helps to highlight underlying factors that may exist within a customer’s own operating procedures. We’re then able to discuss these and work with customers to help ensure these issues can be minimised. This may involve offering simple documents for staff to use, setting up temporary courtesy visit schedules or giving additional maintenance instructions.”

“We’re constantly testing and updating so our equipment continues to be highly durable and maintenance-free. Most indoor cycles are designed to last around three years, but our M3 Bike easily surpasses that average by years.

“A big challenge facing clubs is the ability for them and their customers to download information, so with the new M3i, which launched earlier this year, we looked at a number of routes. That included USBs, but we discounted them because of breakage potential. The M3i is the first group-ex cycle with a Bluetooth wireless display, so it can be ‘partnered’ wirelessly with either a phone or tablet.”

“With customers increasingly looking to keep their assets for longer, service and maintenance and cost of ownership are bigger priorities than before. Service providers that can offer efficiency and dependability, as well as in-depth product knowledge, have the advantage.

“Recognising this, Technogym underpins all its service contracts with agreements that promise best-in-class time to service and first-time fix rate. We also invest heavily in product development to increase product reliability and durability.

“Clients can phone, email or book services round the clock through TG Direct, our online customer portal.”