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Author Topic: Ticketing and concession systems Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 01-26-2003 03:47 PM                        quote: ...from Mark: Buck, RTS is now ancient junk Maybe you didn't know about their windows version, Mark? We converted to this system recently, and have found RTS to be everything (positive) that's been mentioned already. There are areas where Sensible is flashier, such as ticketing sales and administration screens, and I preferred their email interface to the one that RTS uses (which indicates in the recipient header that the emails are coming from RTS software, and not the theatre). Sensible has reporting output that tends to be more graphical then RTS. However, in most areas where the system interfaces with the customer in real time, the RTS system has worked much better for us. RTS's approach to online credit card processing has produced an end result which works much better (in our experience) than the Sensible system, even though we use(d) the same card processing company with both systems. The RTS system keeps connections to their card processor available at all times, which Sensible does not appear to. Our card processing performance was AWFUL until we went to RTS. It took between 4 and 15 seconds just to get an indication that we had connected to servers BEFORE we could swipe the customer's card... then we had to wait for processing time which, for reasons I don't understand, never ran as fast as RTS. It was an embarrassment to be sitting there, staring at the screen while we (and the customer) waited for the system to work. We tried different computers and internet connections (DSL, Cable and ISDN) with no perceivable difference in performance. With the RTS system, you hit 2 buttons and swipe the card. Total processing time averages 3 to 10 seconds, and seems to depend more on the kind of card the customer provides than anything else. Of course, this wouldn't matter to any theatre that doesn't accept plastic. RTS allows for online ticketing now, and it works very well. Sensible is considering it, but has no function for it at present. RTS has a fully-functioning magnetic stripe gift-card package now, so customers can purchase gifts for any dollar amount. Sensible has non-functional buttons for future expansion. RTS has a show schedule screen which allows a visual representation of shows on-screen and intermission times. Sensible has a comparision function for potential conflicts, but you still have to draw things out to do up a schedule. We also had printer problems with the Sensible system which did not resolve with the installation of a replacement printer. The problem did go away with the RTS software. Overall, RTS will be more expensive... you have to relicense it every year, and some functions that are included with Sensible require separate payment. However, updates and customer support is included in the price. The Sensible system is purchased outright. However, it seems to me that the different levels of income heading toward the software developers HAS to have some bearing on overall levels customer service and support. Each system has something to offer, depending on the needs of the theatre considering them. Each system (and probably all the others mentioned on this thread) has areas of particular interest that an individual user might wish could be handled differently. However, I would not go so far as to call either system "ancient" or "junk"... and certainly not the system presently sold by RTS.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-26-2003 08:47 PM                     Yea, but Jack...how much did you pay for the software???? Probably 4 to 6 times more then Sensibles costs. And you have to pay a fee every year,....Most do, Sensible doesn't charge yearly. I doubt that Ready runs true 32 bit to make the most out of Win 2000 and XP? It definately does a CC transaction in less than 12 seconds, seen it happen in Aspen many times? Theirs also requires an open hs line and its interesting that they have their own CC processing deal going. What printers are you using? Haven't had problems there. Sometimes you do have to download a new printer driver, but thats no big deal, and only pops up if you are using a new never before used printer. With Sensible you get the first years support free, then there is a charge for support. No re-liscensing fees every year either...a much better deal overall. Jack, I'm not sure you had the same program..... Also does RTS interface directly with typical everyday spread sheets that are commonly used? Mark  |  IP: Logged Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 01-26-2003 10:41 PM                        Yah... on the cost, I do admit it will be more expensive for the RTS system... but it has the features I want to use right now, so I guess the tradeoff will be worth it... for me, at least. As for the long-term advantages of a yearly license over a system whereby you pay for annual support, time will tell. When I was more involved in broadcasting, I used to run into a traffic, billing & music scheduling package that ran on a monthly or annual pay basis. I can't say that I was impressed much by a system that would hold you up if you hadn't bought in for the next "period". I guess that's more common than I thought, though... Quickbooks pro has some kind of setup that works something like that... even authorizing over the 'net like XP. Heaven help you if you lose your internet connection! Rusty's approach to sales as opposed to support is a model that'll work fine for some. RTS does cost more, but has 24/7 support, and at least 3 programming-qualified people that I've worked with sofar. As I said, RTS already has internet ticketing and mag-card processing up and running. That is important to me, and is something I can't fault them for charging for. They also charge for the credit-card processing functionality... something Sensible does not... but my luck has been much better with the RTS program so I'm not griping right now about the cost. The printer is a Datamax. We've been around the block on drivers, and it just didn't work out. Curiously, both printers' cutting heads started jamming, so I'm not totally sure this is all the software's fault... but it does seem curious that we haven't had nearly the trouble since we changed. Re: reports... RTS will export to PDF, RTF, XLS and HTML. It just has more of a "text" feel to it than Sensible does. Anyhow... to each his own, I guess (look at the debate over ice machines!). Sensible is a good solution, and I really don't want to flame it much. It just wasn't heading in the direction we needed our system to go.  |  IP: Logged Donny Miner Film Handler Posts: 10 From: Fortuna CA, USA Registered: Jan 2003 posted 01-27-2003 03:47 AM                        We use Tim Harvey by TSS at our 6-screen theatre. Have to say it's an easy program to learn and a breeze to train employee's on.  |  IP: Logged Greg Borr Film Handler Posts: 39 From: Watervliet, MI Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-27-2003 10:27 AM                        Ancient Junk? As an authorized reseller of Sensible Cinema I understand you’d be opinionated, but ancient junk? RTS is developed with Visual Basic 6, which only creates 32 bit compilers, we take advantage of the NT kernel, re: 2000/XP as well as offering backward compatibility with Windows 95/98/ME. So yes RTS is a full “32 Bit” application. As for printer drivers, Sensible uses Windows printer drivers, this can lead to issues. We create our own drivers and compile them into the software, thus bypassing the Windows print spooler. As for CC transactions, RTS requires an “always on connection” it does not have to be high speed, just connected; our average transaction from swipe to confirmation is less than 3 seconds. RTS is dedicated to the theatre industry, we do not develop other products outside the industry, 2 of our partners are also theatre owners, our software is tested in our 4 local theatres prior to release, thus ensuring bug free operation. Why does RTS license the software? 1. If we have a bad sales year, the annual income from support ensures that we will be able to continue to maintain our staff of 5 full time employees and continue to develop the product. As in all businesses, the theatre business is cyclical, we want our customers to feel confident that RTS will be there for them 10 years down the road, and not just on the day we receive their initial check. 2. Programming, continually updating a product to maintain compatibility with all Windows operating systems can prove to be very costly, for instance every release of the software needs to be tested on at least 6 different versions of Windows to ensure compatibility. This allows us to let customers run the software on older or less powerful machines, we use a proprietary flat file database structure that allows for operation on machines with as little as a 233 MHz processor and 32MB RAM. Saving significant hardware costs. 3. Support, we staff our help desk from 10:00 am until 11:00 pm EST M – F and on 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm SA-SN after which calls are forwarded to the on call techs cell phone, in most cases it will be directly answered. Worst case you will receive a call back within 10 minutes. We provide true 24/7/365 support, a claim that not many software companies can make. 4. Affordability, with no large upfront fees, licensing allows customers to start using the software at a reasonable price. For instance, the software cost for a small theatre with one ticketing and one concession station would be $500.00 the first year and every year there after, no hidden fees, no per call support charges, $500.00 for software, 24/7/365 support, and all upgrades. There are many software companies offering programs tailored to the needs of theatre owners, some much better than others. I feel RTS is one of the best; of course I’m opinionated as well Greg Borr Ready Theatre Systems  |  IP: Logged Lance C. McFetridge Expert Film Handler Posts: 135 From: Penn Yan, New York Registered: Jul 99 posted 01-27-2003 12:16 PM                     Mark, I am curious how much do you charge as a reseller for the sensible program license for the box office and for the concession? As RTS pointed out, it seems that it is a straight $250 per selling station. How much is the yearly support package for the sensible, and do you charge for each individual selling station or can you purchase multiple station licenses? Do you have a module that will sell both tickets and concession from the same station and if so, what is the cost? thanks for your help lance  |  IP: Logged Buck Kolkmeyer Film Handler Posts: 5 From: Yorkville, IL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-27-2003 01:07 PM                     RTS has probably paid for itself over and over again with the payroll timeclock using a fingerprint reader. Its easy punch someone in and out with a borrowed password, it's a little more difficult to borrow a finger.  |  IP: Logged Ky Boyd Hey I'm #23 Posts: 314 From: Santa Rosa, CA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-27-2003 03:19 PM                       Mark, Apparently you haven't been reading bigscreenbiz.com We switched to RTS on August 9th of last year and are incredibly happy with the system. We got the Partner Tech touch screen terminals and its great. We implemented the debit cards and super savers in December. Ian and I love RTS and how wonderfully responsive Greg and Rob are to our needs, wants and desires. I've looked at the new Sensible Cinema on the web site, but spending some time with Rob and Greg at ShoWest last year and playing with the system in a demo version for a couple of months after that really sold us on them and their system.  |  IP: Logged Ky Boyd Hey I'm #23 Posts: 314 From: Santa Rosa, CA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-27-2003 03:34 PM                       Oh yeah, I forgot about the fingerprint readers...love 'em! A big part of our decision in switching was based on knowing Rob and Greg's continued development of their product as opposed to the languishing that happened with Sensible Cinema Box Office Pro while Rusty developed an integrated windows product. While I'm on the subject of Windows, let me just also say that the fact that the Partner Tech units run windows 98 appealed to me. We bought a new Dell computer for the managers station and I have to say I honestly can't stand Windows 2000 Pro, but then I'm a Mac guy at heart  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-27-2003 04:53 PM                        quote: I honestly can't stand Windows 2000 Pro, but then I'm a Mac guy at heart Is it too stable of an OS for you Ky?  |  IP: Logged Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 01-27-2003 05:18 PM                        quote: ...from Daryl: Is it ...(mac)... too stable of an OS for you Ky? Ouch!  |  IP: Logged Ian Price Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1714 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-28-2003 07:08 PM                     Our Windows 2000 Dell system crashed once very badly. We had to reinstall all the software to make it right. Still, it has a couple of gremlins which I can't excise. I admit that I can't excise them because of my limited computer knowlege.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-28-2003 10:52 PM                     I did a little checking in canada it would be defined as a criminal invasion of privacy for any employer or private person with out a court order to ask for directly or indirectly a fingerprint or anyone offering within Canada a device that as a requirement to employment that  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 01-29-2003 05:08 AM                        RTS is the best. I really like Radiants RTMS but the price tag and some buginess issues make RTS the hands down winner.  |  IP: Logged Greg Borr Film Handler Posts: 39 From: Watervliet, MI Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-29-2003 10:15 AM                        In regards to legality, RTS never stores the fingerprint image to disk. The software creates a fingerprint template, which is a 300-byte signature based on the fingerprint image. A template is created and stored in an encrypted file when a user registers. When the user later touches the sensor to authenticate, a new template is created and then compared to the 'registered' template. If there is a match, the authentication is successful. Templates are created with a proprietary algorithm that works much like a password 'hash' algorithm. It is a one-way conversion (i.e. fingerprint image -> fingerprint template) that cannot be reversed. This means that even if someone were able to crack the security of the system and steal the fingerprint template, they would not be able to create the fingerprint image. So while people will leave a copy of their fingerprints in many public places (e.g., on door handles, a drinking glass, a keyboard...) RTS never saves a copy that could be stolen. The fingerprint readers are legal in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and I imagine many other Countries. Greg Borr RTS  |  IP: Logged

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