Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: is any one using RTS for there POS

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Posted by Robert D Hall (Member # 5674) on 10-25-2012, 05:41 PM:

I have been shopping around for new POS software and RTS seems to be a really good system. but compared to others there price looks to good to be true. Is any one on here using them? If so hows it been working for you?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-25-2012, 05:47 PM:

Having had to integrate various POS systems this past summer (or two) people with RTS seem to be very pleased with it.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-25-2012, 06:34 PM:

How do you mean "too good to be true?" Did you miss the part where you have to pay the $425+ per station EVERY YEAR?

I think it's a bit of a ripoff considering they really have done no major changes or improvements to it since we started using it about 8 or 10 years ago. About the only thing that's changed is the price keeps going up.

I have a love/hate relationship with it, but it's a stable system and works well.

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 10-25-2012, 06:54 PM:

Maybe I should write one of those things one of these days.

It's something that I have no use for myself, though, and nobody has ever approached me to create anything quite like it. It would be a good excuse to play with GTK+ touchscreen programming, I suppose.

Posted by Robert D Hall (Member # 5674) on 10-25-2012, 07:35 PM:

Mike you must only have one terminal. They start out at 425 for one terminal but the price gos down the more terminals you have. We have 12 so the price per is 168. And compared to all the others i have got quotes from. They are any where from five to ten time less. I just got a quote today for 48 grand for setup and 8 grand a year for license. Maybe i am just looking at really high priced software. Do you know of any other pos software thats comparable in price to RTS. I would love to check them out?

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 10-25-2012, 08:06 PM:

Possibly mine, if this stuff commands prices like that and if you're not in a really big rush to get it up and running. Feel free to email me your requirements and I'll look into it and do some thinking. Are we talking about a complete accounting package (which would probably not be something that I want to get into because I really don't know a lot about accounting and, frankly, it bores me) or just a POS and ticket management program? Concession inventory too? Anything else?

This reminds me of a situation that happened a decade or so back when a guy that I know who has a publishing business was telling me that he needed a piece of software to create plates for his press. The software was going to cost him between $50,000 and $115,000. Holy mackinaw! I talked him into waiting a bit while I did some thinking, and started researching printing and plate layout, then wrote him a program that meets his needs for a small fraction of the price that the "big guys" wanted for it. It took me about six months but he got a better deal, and now I know a lot more about printing than I did before too, which isn't a bad thing either.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-26-2012, 01:16 AM:

quote: Robert D Hall
Mike you must only have one terminal. They start out at 425 for one terminal but the price gos down the more terminals you have.

We have two - which is pretty much the minimum unless you have a BO/concession counter all in one. You're right that it gets cheaper the more you have, but those first few are spendy:

1 Station: $425
2 Stations: $850
3 Stations: $1100
4 Stations: $1300
5+ Stations: $100 per additional station

As usual, the "little guy" makes the least money but gets the highest price.

Even if you have 12 stations you're still paying over two grand a year for software that has really had no major improvements at all, outside of some under-the-hood tinkering (I assume) to make it work with newer Windows and comply with credit card regulations.

I've thought about going to Sensible Cinema because you own that system, but I have to admit I like the RTS help line being there if necessary (which of course is part of what you're paying for). So...like I said, it's a love-hate relationship. I like the software but I wish they'd make some improvements in it. They have a forum but it hasn't had any real activity in years.

Posted by Robert D Hall (Member # 5674) on 10-27-2012, 09:37 AM:

Mike do you know how much Sensible Cinema charges for there software and to get you up and running?

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-27-2012, 10:35 AM:

The TREC Center uses Sensible Cinema.

I was told it is a per-terminal fee of somewhere around $200 but without recurring charges.

Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 10-30-2012, 09:56 PM:

Having used RTS for cinema and a live venue I can say that its a solid easy to use system that can do anything you would ever want in a cinema. There are some drawbacks though...

1. It IS expensive. There should be a higher setup fee and a much lower yearly fee.

2. If the server goes down or looses connection to the network NOTHING will work until l its fixed.

3. Tech support is great UNLESS you need them after about 1am EST. Iv called and waited about 10 minutes and no tech ever came on the line. (I eventually figured it out)

Other than that its a great system. Set it up and get used to it and its a breeze! Plus the techs are very helpful in any problems you may have.

Posted by James Pope (Member # 1189) on 11-02-2012, 09:19 PM:

I have personal experience with RTS and Sensible Cinema. Also 7 other more expensive options.

PM me and we can talk about them in as much detail as you would like.

Posted by Michael Putlack (Member # 6523) on 12-07-2012, 01:00 PM:

I feel like film-tech should get into the POS business. They know the ins and outs of what operators need, and I have a feeling they could make it more affordable. *hint* *hint*

Posted by Andrew Thomas (Member # 7000) on 12-07-2012, 01:36 PM:

My business partners are both software developers. We are going to build our own POS system over time. Once it is in stable release, I'd be happy to let you guys check it out and see how you like it.

Posted by Mike Hillyer (Member # 7436) on 01-21-2013, 04:40 PM:

What are the common options out there? Why do people move away from an existing solution? What need is typically not being met?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-21-2013, 05:53 PM:

I can't speak for others but I think "cost" is the big reason people move.

When we got RTS it was $250 per station per year. It has gone up dramatically in the last few years with no real major upgrades or even "appearance" tweaks. It's fairly cheap on a per-station basis if you have a lot of stations, but if you (like most small theaters, I'm guessing) only have a couple of stations it's pretty expensive and has to be re-bought every years.

It's kind of an ugly program; it has the look of being written and designed by computer nerds. It could REALLY stand a makeover in the interface (including fixing a couple of typos here and there). But, it's functional, works well and fills the needs we have, plus the employees are used to it, so here we are.

If something else came along that could be purchased one time, and worked as well (and got good reviews from users) I'd definitely explore it.

quote: Robert D Hall
Mike do you know how much Sensible Cinema charges for there software and to get you up and running?

We got a quote from Sensible a couple of years ago and I don't remember the specifics, but I seem to remember that including all the setup fees and etc. it was about two grand for us. I could be wrong -- I'll dig around a little and see if I can find the quote we got.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-22-2013, 06:49 AM:

Mike...Robert's theatre already has gone with RTS.

Posted by Mike Hillyer (Member # 7436) on 01-22-2013, 10:12 AM:

See to me a willingness to move for price means a lack of perceived value, that the software is filling a role but not increasing revenue or decreasing costs, and so it becomes a cost itself.

Thanks for the answers, greatly appreciated!

Posted by Ronda Fitzsimmons (Member # 1418) on 01-28-2013, 09:13 PM:

Why we use RTS: Simple but configurable. Easy to run box/concession combo stations, easy to train staff, easy to track inventory and cash, acts as time clock, show scheduler, cash register, store card manager, gift card manager, multi-level password protection for all functions, credit card terminal, tons of useful reports, and even a zip code survey function we use for single questions when gathering marketing data. Per caps, daily, weekly, monthly pre-programed reports, box office reports, sales tax reports, configurable between theatre or historical comparison reports, and it can be set up for back office backup data pull, in theatre backup data push, flash reporting, and direct remote login. 24/7 telephone and remote login support. It can also serve as a multi-theatre gift card server, so gift cards can be bought, sold and used at any location. And it can serve for online ticketing, advertising display control, and cooks hotdogs. OK, so I haven't actually convinced Rob to set up the hotdog cooker yet, but I'm pretty sure he could make it do that. They just updated their backend to SQL, which hopefully will give more access to the odd reports we want. I like them a lot.

Posted by Jay Glaus (Member # 6011) on 02-12-2013, 01:42 AM:

I use RTS in the concession and Sensible Cinema in the box office. I hope some day to convert everything over to RTS, I think RTS is a really good software. The only thing I don't like is the licensing fee you have to pay each year. I do not believe any other POS (at least that I know of) is like that, it's pay once, own the software. If you have many stations it can add up quick. Aside from that though, I like it.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 02-12-2013, 11:07 AM:

I've been a huge fan of RTS for well over 10 years, but some of the basic needs that they somehow seem unable to address are starting to become aggravations.

In my view, they have real weaknesses in two areas... communication with their clients and getting obvious needs integrated into their software.

The largest issue I think sits out there now, is the inability of the system to manage split-tenders. In a drive-in configuration, we have carloads show up all the time where the patrons want to pay separately. This requires multiple tickets for the car, which we normally avoid with the system. The other problem this issue causes is with Hollywood Movie Money, where their coupons cover only part of a ticket and the customer has to make up the difference. RTS is unable to manage either situation. Many of us have been asking, and they've been promising action on this for years.

Yes, the system looks a little clunky, but why does that matter? I don't think I'd be in favor of spending extra money to make it look pretty. Function is what makes a difference to me.

Another system has emerged, which will split-tender all day long, but does not have the back-kitchen pickup window... another must-have for us. I don't want to run two systems, because it would split up per-cap calculations.

I really want to give these guys the benefit of the doubt, but I have to admit nearing to point where the annual cost vs movement on customer needs is getting to be a problem for us.

Posted by David Zylstra (Member # 4230) on 02-12-2013, 01:41 PM:

quote: Jay Glaus
The only thing I don't like is the licensing fee you have to pay each year. I do not believe any other POS (at least that I know of) is like that, it's pay once, own the software.

Many other systems have a yearly support fee that covers your right to get the latest updates as well as access to end user support, but the support costs are many times a percentage of what the original fees were.

From my analysis RTS works for small locations, but once there ends up being a break point of POS count where other systems become cheaper.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 02-12-2013, 03:33 PM:

Aside from the not being able to split sales, I'm a little annoyed with the wasted time of having to press a button to bring up a menu for making sales via CC's, another for GC's, and yet another for picking up tickets.

With other POS's I've just swiped credit cards, gift cards, and used the barcode scanner and the system figured out on its own to charge the appropriate card and/or print up the tickets.

Though this complaint is relatively minor, but would be also relatively easy to fix imo.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-12-2013, 03:59 PM:

I compare RTS to Quickbooks. I use Quickbooks at the theatre and also our auto parts store. Quickbooks + payroll service costs about $600 a year, or about $325 in the years we don't upgrade the software. With each upgrade there is always an extensive list of improvements, some of which are good for us and some of which we don't use. And even if we don't need all the changes, there is almost always some kind of tweak or redesign to the interface -- not enough to be confusing but enough to make you feel more like you're getting "the latest technology" for your money.

RTS on the other hand while costing far more, still looks and works the same as it did in 2003.

I can see not wanting to make sweeping design changes due to the difficulty of re-training part time help on the system, but there is undoubtedly a long list of improvements that customers would like. Just for example, I wish the system could pull a synopsis + rating information for a movie off of the internet into a pop-up window, for those times when a customer calls and wants a description of a movie. This should be quite easy to do, I'd think.

Unfortunately their forum hasn't seen any activity (and no response by the RTS people) in years, or at least that's the way it was when I last looked.

Posted by Eryn Arnold (Member # 7446) on 02-18-2013, 01:04 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Just for example, I wish the system could pull a synopsis + rating information for a movie off of the internet into a pop-up window, for those times when a customer calls and wants a description of a movie. This should be quite easy to do, I'd think.

RTS does have the option to add a synopsis (and rating) when you set up the film. Also with the most recent update all you need to do it double tap on the film title and any information/synopsis you have entered about the film will pop up.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-18-2013, 11:37 PM:

I guess you missed the part of my post where I said I wish it could PULL A SYNOPSIS OFF THE INTERNET. Having to set it up manually is nonsense in this day and age.

Posted by Andrew Thomas (Member # 7000) on 02-20-2013, 11:24 PM:

Anybody out there using any POS (RTS or otherwise) on a Microsoft Surface/Surface Pro? Needing to add an additional terminal and it seemed like that might be a good option.