Choosing a management software for your sports centre in Quebec is not just about a list of features. Law 25 compliance, Moneris integration, French-language support, GST/QST taxation: these are all criteria that quickly eliminate poorly adapted American solutions. This guide provides you with the evaluation grid used by serious operators.

1. Law 25 compliance: non-negotiable

Since September 2023, any business that collects personal information in Quebec must appoint a data protection officer, keep a register, and allow data portability.

Check that the software: - hosts data in Canada or offers a clear transfer policy - allows exporting and deleting member data upon request - documents subcontractors (payment processors, cloud computing) - offers a compliant privacy policy

2. Moneris or Stripe integration

Moneris remains the dominant processor in Quebec for physical POS and Interac fees. Stripe shines for e-commerce and international subscriptions.

A good gym software lets you choose: - Moneris for in-branch payments + Interac - Stripe for online subscriptions and inter-provincial sales - Ideally, both in parallel depending on the channel

3. Multi-location and centralized management

If you plan to open a 2nd location within 24 months, demand from the start: - A single member database (one member = one file, regardless of the location) - Consolidated reports by location and global - Pricing per site with different possible rules - Access control that follows the member everywhere

4. Integrated access control

Doors, turnstiles, and lockers should never live in a separate software. Look for: - Compatibility with major controllers (Mercury, HID, ZKTeco) - Real-time synchronization between subscription status and physical access - Exportable entry log

5. Support and deployment in French

A translated American software is not a Quebec software. Ask for: - A support team that speaks French on a daily basis - Assisted migration from your current system - Included training for your team - A realistic SLA (response < 4h during business hours)

6. Evaluation grid: the minimum score

Out of 10 criteria, assign 0, 1, or 2 points: - Canada Hosting / Law 25 - Native Moneris - Native Stripe - Multi-location - Integrated access control - Class and private bookings - Branded member app - Exportable reports (PowerBI, CSV) - FR Support - Guided migration

Less than 14/20 = move along.

The right software is not the most complete, it is the one that covers your 10 real needs without forcing you to pay for 200 unused features. SGS by TrainIQ has been designed around these criteria since day one.