Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: BoxOffice-Concession Software Systems

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Posted by Don Anderson (Member # 397) on 12-13-2004, 09:37 PM:

Toss up between RTS or Sensible Cinema software. Anybody use either touchscreen terminal setups?? Problems or concerns? Advantages or Dis-Advantages one over the other? Any help will be greatly appreciated. [Razz]

Posted by Rick T. Fire (Member # 2873) on 12-13-2004, 10:34 PM:

I've used Sensible Cinemas and it works pretty well, can't say antyhing about the other one though!

The Sensible Cinemas interface is clean and simple, and fairly configurable. Lots of reports are available too.

Posted by Tony Hall (Member # 2490) on 12-13-2004, 11:11 PM:

In my opinion you get better customer support and a lot more advanced options from RTS. Sensible Cinemas was a much cleaner, nicer, simpler interface in my opinion, but didnt seem to have all the functionality of RTS.

Posted by David Yauch (Member # 2754) on 12-14-2004, 03:33 AM:

We've only gone through MARS, RDS, and now Radiant. So I can't really help you. Mars is gone now, RDS wasn't so hot, and radiant is a buggy piece of shit.

Good luck.

Posted by Chase Hanson (Member # 2779) on 12-14-2004, 07:29 PM:

quote: David Yauch
radiant is a buggy piece of shit.

x11ty billion

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-14-2004, 09:43 PM:

Rts is robust and stable, once you're rolling with it. Setup is easy once you figure it out, but figuring it out is tough. The documentation (which you have to read onscreen, or print out yourself) sucks.

And you can't "register" during the evening when EVERY FRICKIN' THEATRE IN THE WORLD IS OPEN, you have to do it during the day, which is stupid. Registration should be available over the web, for cripesakes.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 12-14-2004, 11:58 PM:

We also use Radiant ... which I agree sucks, and it's also very expensive. We're currently looking for an alternative ... leaning towards RTS ...

Posted by Kris Brunton (Member # 432) on 12-15-2004, 10:34 AM:

I have installed the Sensible Cinema systems before and have been happy with them. I am not familiar with any other systems but the flexiblity in designing a system from the hardware side and utilizing the software has been very effective for me.

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 12-15-2004, 11:09 AM:

I have been happy with RTS and used it for several years. I constantly figure out new things I can do with reports and functions. Also very good tech support. They will cater the program to their customers as well. If you need something added, they will try.

Posted by James Pope (Member # 1189) on 12-21-2004, 07:51 PM:

We use Sensible Cinema, and I have no complaints except maybe a payroll attatched to it, but then it would cost more and I dint think we would have bought it. anywho Rusty (The Sensible Cinema man) has helped me out with any problems I have had and even help me get other theatres in my chain up and going. and even when I had a suggestion he listened, liked it and put it in the software. With the new option of internet ticketing and soon gift cards I dont know what else I would need. It is the easiest system for the 16 year old that I have ever trained someone on. I have never tried the RTS or the other one but coming from carmike's IQ0 and IQ2000 systems this one is a hell of a deal for what it cost and does.

Posted by Kenny Thies (Member # 1551) on 01-05-2005, 06:13 PM:

Don,

I have been using RTS for about a year and a half now, and I love it. We were the first of all our theaters to get it, and now we are putting it in all our theaters. I love it as a manager because I can have it up on my screen at home and view reports and watch ticket sells. I have even used it in conjuction with our internet cameras to catch a few employees giving "discounts". We use both box office and concessions. We just implimented credit cards which is fully integrated with the system. Very easy closing out the books at the end of the night. It has also helped alot in keeping track of money and shortages. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Kenny

Posted by Cory Isemann (Member # 2517) on 01-11-2005, 08:54 AM:

Has anyone heard of "EntTek" point of service software? Any good?

Posted by Bill Carter (Member # 156) on 01-12-2005, 09:12 AM:

Has anyone here ever swapped software while keeping their old system hardware? I'm thinking specifically of our Radiant system. We own the hardware (server, network, Windows XP-based touchscreens), but I'm going to be looking for software that's a little more stable.

Or, maybe I'll just drag the old MARS out of the basement. It was more bullet-proof than Radiant. [Wink]

Posted by Kenny Thies (Member # 1551) on 01-12-2005, 10:14 PM:

Bill,

RTS is windows based, so more than likely it would run on your current hardware. You can download a demo from their website. It is fully functional with the exception that you cannot complete a transaction (ie, ring up a ticket or concession). At least you could download it and install it on one of your workstations, if you have one that you can spare just to test it. I've had no problems with the setup and we have been running it for about a year and a half. Support is good, and if you have a request for an extra feature you would like to have, they are willing to listen and may add the feature in their next update of the software.

Updating the software is easy if you have broadband access to the internet with your system. It just takes a few clicks, and it pretty much updates automatically. The problem is, to take advantage of the new features, there are almost weekly updates to the software, not that you have to do it everytime there is a new update. I only do it if there is a new feature I really want. I have upgraded only 3 times in the last year. Twice to get new features, and once because I had to be updated to run credit cards thru the system.

Kenny

Posted by David Yauch (Member # 2754) on 01-13-2005, 12:53 AM:

quote: Bill Carter
Or, maybe I'll just drag the old MARS out of the basement. It was more bullet-proof than Radiant.

Until it decides to lose an entire weekend days worth of sales, permananently...

However it was a dream and never gave a problem until that one day.

Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 01-14-2005, 12:53 PM:

I have used Ready Theatre System since it's beginning....the DOS days. So that's something like 10 years.

One of it's greatest claims to fame I believe, is it will run just fine on any machine that can run Windoze.

It's only shortfall I believe, is lack of a manual for those using it for the first time. And the help file is less than helpful in some areas.

But with the recent addition of built-in Remote Control, Semi-secure/controlled access web browsing and email from with-in RTS, and it's many internet capabilities, I haven't run across any other software that can come close to it.
RTS can handle, gift cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, internet ticketing, time clock, payroll, export to quickbooks and more.

I've tried out Sensible Cinema several times over the years, and have never seen any reason to leave RTS.

Posted by Jacob A. Velleman (Member # 2533) on 01-30-2005, 09:06 PM:

What's that?

[ 03-02-2005, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Jacob A. Velleman ]

Posted by Adam Heath (Member # 2910) on 02-05-2005, 01:25 PM:

I have been using RTS for the past two and a half years and I absolutely love it. We don't use it to it's fullest potential here but it sure beats the hell out of PACER CATS....ugh...I hope I never see that [bs]

again.

Adam

Posted by Jeff Knoll (Member # 1145) on 02-09-2005, 10:08 AM:

We used to use Sensible in the DOS days, but migrated to RTS when we wanted to integrate the concessions. Now we really liked Sensible as a simple ticketing package we LOVE RTS for the overall solution for cinema management. Sensible's windows based suite product looks good, but it has BIG demand for hardware where RTS can run on pretty much anything.

As far as cost goes, RTS wins that one hands down! If you put this product up against OmniTerm, Retriever, RDS, etc. - it is a reel (reel... get it) bargooon!

As far as features, there are lots of excellent features to help us compete with the big boys. The in house debit card has to be my single favorite. Easy to use (and afford) Internet ticketing is outstanding. Integration with Rentrak and soon EDI makes the daily reporting chore a snap. Did I mention the integrated employee scheduler or the employee time clock?

AND, RTS's biggest strength (in my opinion) has to be the perpetual development process. They are always adding new features and they are always willing to listen to (and implement)suggestions made by users. Tech support is available when we need it and the Rob seems to always be available to work through those issues that are not as easy to resolve.

All in all - RTS is absolutely our recommendation.