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Program scheduling for community access television centers. |
The Programming Management & Statistical Tracking System is a customized user friendly computer program designed to automate the processes of scheduling and playback of programming on one or more channels. The program is designed for the community access center and provides for scheduling, producer communications, program tracking, and statistical reporting. The PMSTS software also directly integrates with the companion Resource Tracking System to monitor user certifications & project management.
Simplify Your Program Scheduling
Reserve Air Time, Manage Conflicts, and Collect Statistics
Generate Producer Notification Letters
Create Tape Labels
Produce Statistical Compliance Reports
Generate MATCO & Leightronix Pro16 Event Lists
FEATURES
Automatically assigns playback devices from a pool of available equipment.
Custom help facility allows you to add your own topics and instructions.
Export information to a composite database for user oriented access using a general purpose report writer, spreadsheet, or other information extraction facility.
Generates Event lists for the MATCO 206/204 automated control systems.
Many reports can be directed to the screen or printer.
Mouse support simplifies scheduling functions.
Multi-user support through Local Area Networking.
Multiple channel programming.
Provides for series and individual program scheduling. (Graphically shows available air times & conflicts for one or more episodes: Shows selected days in 30 minute intervals.)
Schedule within a play log context for each channel to make changes or insert fill programming.
Schedule within selectable time periods: (Quarterly, Semi-Annual, Annual, etc.)
Scheduling of series by periodic intervals or specific dates.
Selection criteria is based on channel, play date ranges, program codes, and producer codes as applicable.
REPORTS
Custom letters to producers with/without play dates. (Producer Notification Letters, Renewal Letters, etc.)
List all plays of selected programs or series.
List of unscheduled time slots.
Mailing labels by Name, Zip, or District for selected mail codes.
New programs airing during a selected period.
Playback events list for the MATCO 206/204.
Playback logs for the playback center.
Playback schedule for public relations.
Producer master list by producer code or name.
Program listing for each channel customized for TV Host (cable guide listing).
Program master list by program code or title.
Program play date notification.
Programs not scheduled in a selected period of time.
Summary of activity by channel, program category and programming sources.
Summary of new program counts and hours by channel, program category (News, Education, A&E, etc...) and programming sources (Facility, Metro Area, Outside).
Tape labels with program number, title, episode, play dates and times.
Tapes needed in the playback center by title.
Weekly schedule matrix for each channel.
Other reporting of Producer, Program, & Schedule information.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PC compatible 486-66 or above.
Windows 3.1 or above.
16MB memory or more.
10 - 100MB Hard disk space available.
512k DOS memory available.
16MB or more expanded memory available.
RECOMMENDATIONS
High speed modem with support software.
Trackball or Mouse.
VGA color monitor.
Windows 3.1- 16MB memory or more.
Windows 95 - 32MB memory or more.
Networks - NOVELL / LANTASTIC / Window for Workgroups / Windows NT / or compatible
Stand alone file server.
High speed network cards.
PRICING
The basic package price is $3,500.
Technical support and program modifications are available at $75.00 per hour.
Onsite training is available at a rate of $600 per day plus travel, lodging, and expenses (Minimum 2 days).
Periodic program updates will be offered for 15% of the current purchase price.
Supplemental programs may be offered as separate products.
All prices are subject to change without prior notification.
The system is based on Microsoft FoxPro. This allows direct user accessibility of the data files from current versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, FoxPro, and ACCESS. (Jointly developed by Ron Tribbett Consulting & Portland Cable Access Television.)
Excerpt from an article by Jon Hazell. As reported in TV TECHNOLOGY (1992 NAB Extra)
PROGRAMMING MANAGEMENT
Another very important product for automated programming playback was introduced at the NAB this year. It's a multichannel scheduling program jointly developed by software engineer Ron Tribbett and Portland Cable Access in Portland, Ore. Cable systems often program multiple channels for cable access and pay-per-view. The traffic, scheduling and confirmation issues are the same for each of these channels as for a single broadcast station.
There are many fine scheduling programs written for one channel, but when Portland Cable Access went looking for a program that could handle multiple channels, one could not be found. The company decided to develop its own, and what they created proved so successful that they put it on the market.
The program is called the Programming Management & Statistical Tracking System. It can be used to schedule program playback for multiple channels. It produces documents such as television guide listings, playback logs, confirmation reports and even air date labels for tapes. Best of all, it interfaces with automation systems so that event lists can be downloaded from the program's host PC to the automation computer, eliminating the irritating duplication of data entry.
(Reprinted with permission from TV TECHNOLOGY)