www.Thearbiter.net

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Has anyone ever used this? Or worked in an association that does?? I have applied to be our associations assigner (and have also started pricing straight jackets! ) ,and am using this as a selling tool for me....Is it reasonable? Work well? I am interested in the web-based version as the local school agency that assigns games uses something similar looking.

Thanks for all the help!

Lou

[scottk_61]

I have been in associations that have used it and I love it.
It is great especially if all of your members have email.

Unless your association has only a few members, it is worth every penny to your assignor and makes the assignment process much more equitable.

[Skahtboi]

I agree. Both the college and HS associations I work for use the online version of Arbiter, and it is easy, user friendly, and enables the assignor to make last minute scheduling changes and notify the affected officials with relative ease. It is well worth the expense.

[WestMichBlue]

I am in the vote YES column. Our association has used the PC version for two years. We schedule 6,500 games each spring for 200 umpires (HS BB & SB). We have upgraded to the on-version. Twice in the past two years we have re-evaluated Arbiter and reviewed competitor's packages.

For our size of operation, and to meet the members varying demands without resorting to a lot of manual adjustments, in our opinion Arbiter is the Lincoln to the Escorts (with comparable costs).

WMB

Edit added:

You will have to buy the on-line version; they are no longer supporting the PC version. But it is worth it. Not only can the assignor make changes on-line, but AD's can update their schedules on-line and umpires can get on-line to view their schedules and change personal data (update contact info, days not available, etc.)

About 85% of our members are wired. We are projecting savings of over $2,000 in reduced postage, paper, printer supplies, fax lines, etc. Of course we had to upgrade from dial-up to broad band, but we still have significant savings despite the increased software costs.

[Edited by WestMichBlue on Aug 15th, 2005 at 03:19 PM]

[SWFLguy]

My local football association is using it this year--
so far so good !!

[3afan]

LOVE IT - worth every $ !!!

[scottk_61]

I spoke to the Arbiter people yesterday and found out that if you want to use it, up to about 70 people, it is $6.00 per user or member.
And the price goes down in increments after that.

Unless my association (the one not using it) is just too stuck in the past, we are going to put it in as part of our association dues this year and run with it.

I am glad this post was originated, I had not checked into it in quite some time and now I REALLY feel like it is worth every penny.

[AtlUmpSteve]

If you like ‘TheArbiter’ system for assigning officials, it’s possible you may know an assigner who would also like it. If you tell them about us and the first time they call they use your name as the person who referred them, we will give you a referral fee of 15% of the first invoice for that person or, if you’re a good Samaritan, you can ask that we give them a 15% discount off their invoice. The invoice will indicate that the discount came from you.

Scott, if you need a referring association to get the discount, write me; I will gladly pass it to you.

Now, there are a few optional features which cost more. It is an annual flat fee additional $150 for TheArbiter to handle billing and payroll calculations. For a second $150 annual fee, the system will write the checks and 1099s. Also, more than one assignor (you need a back up person with access, don't you?) costs an added $50 each per year (after the first year; you can have two the first year for free).

Didn't add that to discourage you, just to help budget. I think it is great, and use it extensively, both ASA and High School.

[CelticNHBlue]

I do not assign using the Arbiter (I don't assign at all for that matter) but as an official who uses the Arbiter for three separate assigners, I love it.

I can block dates with all assigners at once and when I accept an assignment from one it automatically shows up as unavailable to the others. I sends e-mail notices whenever a change is made to my schedule so that I know right away. As an official, it makes tracking my schedule(s)so much easier. It appears from other posts that your group is large enough to make it worthwhile and I would strongly suggest you use this application.

[Steve M]

As a user for the past 3 seasons, I am most satisfied. I do not know what it is like as an assignor - I gave that up several years ago and do not miss it for even a heartbeat - though I am thankful to those who do assign. I have no doubt that this spftware & methodology are far better than the manual efforts I had to use.