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Situation Summary
You currently use two systems to manage events across your business units:
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Scheduling Calendar — manually accomplished via Excel spreadsheets and and other
desktop software for different venues
- Events Management — event details are entered into the Booking Outlook System
(BOS)
The problem is that these two systems are not integrated, so information input or
modified in one system does not automatically update the other in real-time. This
lack of real-time information is magnified due to the number of personnel that use
these systems, including booking staff, finance, special event staff, sports properties,
production staff and company management.
Given this situation and your functional requirements, there are three main criteria
that you are looking for in a scheduling product:
- Provides a way for staff from different business units to securely access a centralized
calendar/booking system.
- Provides a way for internal staff from different business units to securely access
a centralized events management system.
- Integrates the calendar/booking system with the event management system to enable
information to be shared and updated in real-time between both systems.
SmartAdvice
Due to the various types of events managed, as well as the number of different business
units that must interface with the system, an enterprise-class event business management
system is needed. Enterprise-class applications utilize a modular approach so that
companies can choose modules that fit their specific business requirements.
There are three companies in particular that offer enterprise-class event business
management solutions in the sporting events and performing arts market:
Ungerboeck Systems International (USI) — Founded in 1985, USI offers
an integrated event business management solution which has a number of different
modules, including booking and resource management specifically for sporting venues,
such as Ford Field, Detroit and Reliant Park, Houston, which both hosted the Super
Bowl (in 2005 and 2006) using USI’s event business management systems.
RIC Corp — RIC is the largest competitor to USI, and has been around
since 1982. Some of their customers include the Indiana Convention Center and RCA
Dome, and the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Although the interface is
a bit more outdated in terms of look, the system requirements are minimal (a key
factor when trying to connect different business units/companies), and the system
is built on Microsoft .Net. Although it is not as modular as USI’s offering,
it offers features that MSG may want to utilize.
Dean Evans & Associates (DEA) — Founded in 1986, DEA offers facility
scheduling and event management software, and their customers include sports stadiums,
arenas and performing arts centers including the University of Maryland’s
Comcast Center and the Boston Conservatory. DEA’s event business management
system has several configurations based on one’s type of organization, and
with more than 1 million registered users, they have an impressive list of customers.
All three of these vendors offer enterprise-class products, and are used to dealing
with companies that need customized solutions, which is what you need. They are
very different from the myriad of the standard event management systems that claim
to offer a “one size fits all” solution. They also have experienced
support teams, which may be required when migrating from the existing BOS.
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