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Features
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- NETWORK ENVIRONMENT
Max Television has been designed to handle multiple Channels (or Stations) across
multiple Markets, and each Channel can contain multiple streams. There is no
theoretical maximum number within the system that enables broadcasters to
utilize Max Television in line with their market focus.
The feature provides the unique facility to schedule and broadcast network
events. Eg, programs, commercials, promos, and interstitials across the
network and mix and match events across Channels and Markets.
- COMMERCIAL SALES and SCHEDULING
The management of Commercial Bookings in Max-Television is geared towards
maximising sales revenue through utilizing the available inventory in the best
possible way and providing the flexibility to accommodate all forms of innovate
selling.
Bookings can be taken for a network or for combinations of channels and/or
markets ranging from single spots to multiple spots in one action. Bookings can
span a range of times, days, weeks, programs, campaigns, sponsorships,
contras, specific breaks (eg. sporting events) and combinations – all of which
can co-exist in the one booking. A sophisticated Ratecard facility ensures the
channel’s inventory is sold according to value and any discounting is monitored.
Advertising sales can be captured via the booking function or directly from the
Max-Media Sales Proposal System (MMSPS). The integration with Max-Media
enables sales proposals to be automatically converted to bookings that have
taken into account live avails, and program formats. Alternatively bookings can
also be transacted from electronic spreadsheets or the internet via the Media e-
Link facility.
- AVAILABLE INVENTORY
Available times and spots can be printed or accessed on-line, providing sales
persons with immediate information prior to bookings being generated.
Avails are accessible across the network or by individual Channel (including
Region) by:
- Daypart (afternoon, evening)
- Time Range
- Date Range
- Program
Filters can be set to include/exclude Break and Spot types. Avails can also be
filtered, allowing Max-Media to select spots based on availability, to achieve
tarp targets or Reach & Frequency targets, even though the schedule may have
spots booked that are pre-emptible. The net result is realistic proposals that not
only employ current inventory levels but also utilize inventory in the most
effective manner.
Client details and program formats ensure that the latest information is
available.
- PROMOS and SCHEDULING
Promo scheduling works in a similar manner with its own set of criteria to
Commercial Scheduling. Promos can be scheduled with the automatic
schedular and/or inserted manually in the schedule. All Promo spots can
optionally have an associated internal “charge” so that if need be the
opportunity cost of utilizing inventory for promos can be measured.
- PRESENTATION
The Presentation function provides the framework for the format of the
broadcast. It enables the user to bring together contents of the Program,
Commercial, and Promo Schedules plus Interstitials as the blueprint for the
Transmission Schedule.
- TRANSMISSION SCHEDULES
The scheduling of Programs, Commercials, Promos and Interstitials is an
independent process. Once these schedules are prepared Max-Television produces
the Transmission Schedule by merging the components.
This happens in real-time, on screen and once the user is satisfied with the
Transmission Schedule, it can be downloaded to the On-Air Automation
System, together with other data such as dubbing details.
- COMMERCIAL and PROMO MATERIAL
Max-Television maintains a database of commercial material with Client/Agency
association including details such as key number, cassette number, location,
status, FACTS number, product code, description, duration, dubbing particulars,
valid date/time range, etc.
Fast tracking functions enable the user to quickly locate material needed for
transmission, determining missing material, dub material, material that has
expired, recognise the salesperson and know what material belongs to a
Client/Agency.
- BALANCE and FILL
The "balance and fill" facility is an integral part of Max-Traffic and enables
television operators to establish various Filler Stacks, to hold commercials for
filling unsold spots.
Any number of stacks can be established and the user can invoke the
appropriate stack from which to automatically include filler spots, in the
schedule.
The contents of filler stacks is controlled by the user. Filler stacks can be
created manually or automatically, based on parameters such as high priority
clients, spot type, product codes etc. Separate stacks can be created for the
Network or for each Channel.
- PROGRAM LIBRARY & INVENTORY
The Program Library and Inventory function provides a central repository of all
program information gathered from the acquisition phase through to program
transmission. The data base facility enables the user to enter whatever
information is available on the program (or other material) at the time, and to
build on the information as programs go through phases of assessment and
usage.
A number of reports and display options are provided that enable the user to
examine the status of programs eg. programs requiring subtitling, program
editing and censorship details including panel remarks, program versions,
program asset and liability position, program usage against contract, etc.
- PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS/PREVIEWS
The program acquisition and preview functions facilitate the negotiating and
buying of program inventory. Each program can support many previews that
can be entered before or after contracts are negotiated. The system accepts
whatever minimal data is available and builds upon it as more becomes
available during subsequent phases of the acquisition process.
- CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT
The system supports numerous deal structures for both free-to-air and pay
television.
All rights across Channels, Regions, date/time, etc. are maintained and a
comprehensive Contracts Ledger manages the financial position of each
contract including the asset and liability position of programs.
- PROGRAM SCHEDULING
As programs are put to air the system automatically updates usage and adjusts
the asset and liability position where applicable. Amortization can be by Run of
programs, defined Date/Time periods, or a combination depending on the
broadcasters amortization policies.
- SUPPLIER PAYMENTS
Supplier payments can be linked to Runs, or to a predetermined Payment
Schedule. The user has complete control over payments due now or in the
future, and the Liability position of the broadcaster is immediately available for
any time period.
- EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION
In addition to the standard reporting, Max-Television includes a report generator
which provides the means of obtaining ad hoc reports when necessary. All
reporting, whether can be easily accessed using PC tools such as
spreadsheets, word processors, graphic packages, etc. including the option to
cut-and-paste any portion of a screen display to a PC tool. (The system utilizes
the clipboard feature of MS-Windows).
- BILLING CHANNELS
Max Television includes the facility for centralised or decentralised billings by
enabling individual or combinations of Channels to generate their own bills.
Billings and collections can therefore be managed from different outlets (eg.
countries, geographical areas, etc).
- CASH RECEIPTING
The Cash Receipting process can operate in a centralised manner for the
Network, or decentralised by Billing Channel, and provides a number of
automated facilities to streamline the process (eg. automatic calculation and
deduction of Agent's commission). The Billing Channel option provides the
capability to receipt cash collectively for all Channels and/or Network, or by
individual Channel.
- FULL WINDOWS FUNCTIONALITY
Max Television includes full MS-Windows functionality with all the features one has
become accustomed to expect. Single and Multi-Channel/Multi-Market planning
and scheduling is driven by a unique graphical interface that utilises fully
functional ‘drag and drop’ interaction. Pop-up windows provide detail when
required, with further options available with left and right clicks of the mouse.
Colour is used throughout the system to represent anything from genre to
scheduled events, and to easily identify data items and exceptions.
- ELECTRONIC TRADING
Max Television comprises the Media e-Link module which enables business to be
transacted electronically via the Internet or Email. Bookings for advertising can
be captured from either medium and processed within Max Television, with
confirmations returned to the user electronically.
All reporting within Max Television can be automatically directed to an Email
address without user interaction. The subject of the Email is produced by Max
Television and comprises the report Id and Title. Email addresses can be derived
from address lists contained in User profiles, Salespersons details, and the
Client/Agency database. The reports can be delivered in a .TXT format for
access via MicroSoft tools such as Wordpad, Notepad, etc; or in a .XLS format
for access via MS-Excel; or in a .HTM format for access via a Web Browser.
- INTERFACES TO EXTERNAL SYSTEMS
Max Television includes a Standard Interface Module that enables interfaces to
other systems to be easily adapted. Interfaces are available for a number of
On-Air Automation Systems, Finance Systems, Market Research Systems,
Spreadsheets, etc.
- USERCODE/PASSWORD
Access to Max-Television is subject to a comprehensive security system which
enables the management to control who has access to what facilities. Users (or
groups of users) are assigned a usercode, password, and an access level. If
their access level is below that assigned to the function, access to it will not be
possible; nor will the function appear on their menu option.
This enables the system administrator to determine what information and
functions are made available to different classes of users. Normally senior
management and the system administrator have access to all functions, while
Television operators for example, are given access to the scheduling functions but
not access to the organization's revenue information.
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Screen Shots
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Further Information
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