User Reviews
Millennium SpaSalon by Harms Software
USER REVIEWS - All reviews
Purchased Date: April 01, 2008
Franchise Owner, Massage Envy
April 08, 2011
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Pros
Crashes less often than old system and has some nice features.
Cons
This software is over-complicated for our business needs and was over-sold to franchisees. We were told it would be customized to our business needs, but this has not been the case. It now takes 8 separate "clicks" to simply check out appointments and my desk staff spend more time staring at the overcrowded screen than looking at my customers! This tool is an impediment to sales and scheduling due to its cumbersome user interface and the over-abundance of features. We do not need 3 ways to access customer information - what we need is 1 button and 1 place to look for that information and a screen that doesn't look like a "Where's Waldo" picture to our new staff. We have hired staff members with years of successful spa management experience and still it takes a solid 6 weeks of training before they are comfortable on this over-developed software. This costs me time and money and creates a very stressful first few months for employees.
Overall
Even after YEARS of working with this software, our managers are finding bugs in the reports and holes in the security. It's great to have plenty of reports to choose from, but if the numbers aren't reliable, what good are they? And features are good, but there are many holes and work-arounds that have allowed very tech savvy employees to steel actual cash from clinics without being detected for months.
This software was created by a company that is excited about bells and whistles, but has lost site of the most important feature of any software program- usability. The folks at Harms seem to be unable to configure the user interface in a friendly, intuitive manner and it costs us time and money every day. They also seem unwilling to customize the software in any meaningful way. We truly dislike this product and the service we have received from Harms. We wish our company had never converted to it and would warn others against this program.
Purchased Date: June 01, 2008
Office Manager, Avante Laser & MediSpa
May 21, 2010
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Pros
Very user friendly. Anyone who knows how to use Windows can learn this software with little training. The Harms Technical Support Team is the best part of the software. No problem is too small or trivial. They will do whatever is necessary to make sure you have the answers you need. Payroll and inventory maintenance are easier than ever because of the extensive report system. By tracking client history and purchases in reports in such a detailed way, we are able to analyze product usage to better manage our product lines, scan for products that don't sell, and order more of those that do. I also love the Register screen and the ability we have to correct transactions. Our previous software did not allow corrections. There are reports for everything, including ones that track each employee for client retention, new clients per employee, referral sources, and productivity of employees.
Cons
The only complaints I have with Millennium are in booking appointments and using all the features. The process of booking appointments can sometimes be a little difficult if you have multiple technicians using one room for different services. This is easily manageable though with proper training for the staff. Another con is that the program is so extensive it takes time to learn and utilize all it can do for your business. We have had it almost 2 years and I still do not know everything this program will do.
Overall
I would highly recommend Millennium to anyone! Having used other products I know this is the best on the market. It does it all: inventory, employee compensation and scheduling, shop charges for backbar, appointments, activity logs to track employee productivity, package sales, gift certificates, all of our vendor contact info, and so much more. The greatest asset Harms has is their people. From the sales reps to the tech support, Harms has the best team of people I have ever dealt with in this industry.
Purchased Date: June 01, 2002
Vice President, Spa at Riverfront Ltd.
May 20, 2010
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Pros
I can't imagine a more comprehensive software anywhere for any industry.
Cons
I can't think of any.
Overall
We are thankful that we picked the right software to help our business be profitable.
Purchased Date: August 01, 2004
CEO, Bob Steele Salon, Inc.
May 13, 2010
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Pros
6 years ago we went from a training period of 2 weeks on our software for guest relations to 2 days when we introduced Harms Millennium Salon/Spa. Implementation was planned and executed well with training sessions remotely and onsite before we went live. Excellent information available in the reports module. We've increased our ability to book appointments 24/7 with online booking. There is integrated online gift card processing through Spa Boom as well as integrated credit card processing through the internet which is super fast and eliminates the need for a verifone machine.
Each year Harms produces a conference call the "User Group Conference" where they bring in industry leaders to share best practices. This is more than a Salon/Spa software company...this is business coaching company.
I can honestly say I wish we were taking advantage of all of the features this software system provides...there are so many!
Cons
Occasionally we have to run a file fix.
Overall
I would highly recommend this product! Our ease of day to day salon transactions, reporting and book scheduling has increase two-fold since our transition. We are excited to see when an update is available because we know there'll be a newly enhanced feature as these guys are always making enhancement recommendations from their users a reality.
Other features include: Mass texting and email, client selection feature, direct mail database integration, integrated client check-in alert through pagers, advance reports for all aspects of the salon/spa industry, web salon for management and service providers, mobile phone management, ability to set security levels for each action, Central Office to streamline information for multiple locations users and monitoring station that acts as a dashboard for the performance of the salon and/or individual service provider.
Purchased Date: August 01, 2006
Owner/Operator, Shag 86
May 13, 2010
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Pros
I have been a professional in the beauty industry for over a decade. Over the years I have come to realize how important it is for the growth and success of my business to be able to leverage a world class product like Millennium Software. The tools that Millennium provides help me run my salon from a business perspective as well as a stylist perspective. If I had to choose one thing that helped my business the most it would be the knowledge Ive gained on the key growth indicators. Millennium really focuses on education. Ive learned how important it is to focus on growth indicators like client retention and frequency of visit. One of my favorite features is how Millennium automatically pre-books the clients next appointment before they check out. It even lets my front desk know what products theyve purchased in the past! Because of these features my salon continues to grow year after year and I couldnt imagine my salon running so smoothly without Millennium!
Cons
None at this time - I wish i would have gotten Millennium sooner!
Overall
I used 2 other software programs before I purchased Millennium and nothing compares to it. If you want to grow and be successful in the beauty industry Millennium is the tool you need to make it happen.
Purchased Date: September 01, 2009
Owner, Funke Hair Body Soul
May 11, 2010
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Pros
Where to start, clients love internet booking, stylists love the ability to view their schedules/stats online. So many more reports available now, timely updates, customer service is outstanding and there when you need them. Group booking is awesome. Integrated credit card processing has been super fast and saves time on each checkout, and the ability for front desk to email guest confirmations is seamless. The automatic tracking of our rewards program is great. By the way, everything mentioned, Elite just can not do! I'd say what we've loved most is the overall time savings, reliability and customer service, these things will keep us as Millennium customers for years to come.....keep up the great work!!!
Cons
The conversion although fairly smooth on the Millennium side, took an entire shift in our payroll and record keeping methods. Elite had payroll integrated which was nice, and our books were kept by our accountant. Changing to Millennium required a transition to Quickbooks, and along with that the rather large learning curve associated with new software. At first I considered this a negative, but have since changed my mind. I can tell you now it was all worth it. Millennium has given us better control of our guest book and more importantly a cleaner way to track everything from stylist commissions to business finances which translates into a better view of our business overall.
Overall
If you are thinking about changing your current software, stop now and buy Millennium immediately. I wish I had purchased it years ago, or even when we opened 13 years ago.
Purchased Date: N/A
Training and Development, A Little Off The Top
May 10, 2010
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Pros
Product has a wealth of features that have really helped us improve, track and modify our business model. Justin Maconi has worked with us hand in hand.
Cons
General customer service can be a little on the difficult end at times when we cant get ahold of Justin. The receptionist for the corporate end is always difficult and rude with us but Justin always makes up for her lack of customer service skill set. Also, we would really love to take advantage of the memberships end (auto bill etc) unfortunately, it is a little pricey for a small business.
Overall
I would definitely recommend Millennium to any small to large salon and spa...it is a terrific tool.
Purchased Date: May 01, 2008
Manager, Sassy Hair Fashions
May 10, 2010
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Pros
I love how I can read booking percentages, and set goals. I am looking foward to the Conference in Maimi so we can use Millennium to its fullest capasity.
Cons
I have many little frusterations, but I feel they will all be taken care of in Maimi!
Overall
I couldn't reccommed millennium enough! From my very first phone call that I placed to recieve information, I felt as though I was speaking to a friend that was explaining to me without making me feel inadequate.
Purchased Date: May 01, 2010
Associate, Baltimore Spa., LLC
May 10, 2010
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Pros
Specific for Spa / Salon industry
Many features and reports
Cons
Can't edit historical closing transactions
Interface could be more intuitive
Overall
Good software
> Vendor Responses
05/17/2010 by Harms Software
Purchased Date: May 01, 2004
Controller, Stephen Szabo Salon
May 08, 2010
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Pros
Great staff and company that help you get the most from the software as a tool. Staff treats the end users great and values their time. You will grow your business using the features, tools, and reports in Millennium! They listen to the end user (their clients) when developing upgrades for their product. Customer service and tech support until you understand the product and everything works flawlessly. The software and staff are beyond anything on the market today.
Cons
Sales staff talks like they have just drank 10 red bulls, but will do anything / everything for the customer. No app for the iPhone.
Overall
If you purchase and listen to Harms when they guide you through the setup, use 50% of the features, you will recoup your investment in the software in growth in the first 6 months of use.
Purchased Date: N/A
Owner, ROCA Salon & Spa
May 07, 2010
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Pros
Saves us hundreds of dollars per year on credit card processing; the reports are amazing; fantastic customer service by people who have all actually spent time working in or owning a spa or salon; excellent training; ability to fine tune all aspects of booking, pricing, and managing the service providers; too much more to even begin to list. This program saves me enough time and money that it pays for itself in no time!!
Cons
I was using another software program that had extreme limits on what information could be transferred to Millennium, so the start-up was painful. However, that is not Millennium's fault.
Overall
You can't afford NOT to use Millennium - both financially and for its business-building tools!
Purchased Date: August 01, 2007
Manager, Contempo Salon & Spa
May 07, 2010
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Pros
Harms & Millennium are fantastic. Not only is their software great and has the ability to make a smooth transition within the salon and booking appointments, but their support staff is great and their technical support is fabulous. Jessica Blayer is our sales rep and she is always available for questions and for support with anything we may have going on with the software and any additions we need to have within the salon. The technical team is always available for questions and they are quick, to the point and always have the right answers for me and whatever my problems.
I would highly recommend Harms/Millennium to any type of industry that requires appointment software. It does everything for you & sometimes smarter than the user.
Cons
There is non at this time.
Overall
Great product and great support team!
Purchased Date: August 01, 2008
Owner, Milano Salon & Spa
May 07, 2010
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Pros
The reports are wonderful. It is hard to pinpoint one thing because it is an amazing system.
Cons
Sometimes I need to go to help to figure something out. I wish I had a bit more detail with the help reports.
Overall
One should NOT open a salon/spa, if they do not have Millennium. It is the best program by far.
