Talking about the TMS…

Is basic sufficient, or do you need a feature-rich system?

Your theatre management system is a powerful tool in day-today cinema management. Darren Briggs looks at some of the features you could take advantage of with a full TMS system.

FIRST OFF... WHAT’S the difference when it comes to managing your content? In simple terms, a TMS (Theatre Management System) is the software package which will run on hardware. This hardware — on a full system — Is generally known as a LMS – Library Management Server.

Larger storage capacity on the Library Management Server is one major use of the LMS, alongside running the operating system the TMS software relies on. The LMS and the TMS go handin-hand to manage content, playlists and scheduling efficiently.

The LMS is used to ingest all content from all sources, via the TMS software. Only content required on the individual playback servers is sent so as not to use the playback servers as general storage.

The latest Smart TMS functions can also manage and auto-delete content and playlists on the screen servers, optimising their local storage.

The TMS software then speaks to the screen servers, advert delivery systems, content delivery systems and even POS systems as the hub of all operations required, using the LMS hardware as the main Library for content storage.

ENTRY TMS OR basic level TMS Software often only provides enough interaction to add dynamic advertising packs. The systems don’t allow remote projector control or status of the projection system to be controlled or allow you to manage content from all devices on the network. Also the smaller the server the less content storage in general. That means these more rudimentary systems can’t be used as long-term storage and they don’t ingest from external delivery devices such as LANsat. For some sites that’s not a major drama, but for others its means substantially more manual management of content is required, ingesting to screen servers directly from such solutions as LANsat. Fine if you don’t put on many shows, but a more seamless solution can often deliver so much more — and that’s where a full TMS solution comes in.

A FULL TMS SOFTWARE solution, as you can imagine, provides Management of your theatres. A full TMS is usually licensed per screen per year, with the rationale behind this business model being that it adds far more control over your complex and updates regularly as the software is further developed. It ensures compatability with new servers and projectors as you upgrade your kit. Linking to a POS system is also a big advantage to cinemas where available, as it can auto-populate your schedule to match the box office.

A typical full LMS will have at least 11TB of usable storage. Generally, the smaller the cinema, the more varied a film program is played and therefore sites do find that local server storage does quickly become very full and larger capacity is often required.

CONTENT MANAGEMENT is key to ensuring an efficient cinema operation. A TMS will never replace fully decisions required on content, but the latest smart TMS solutions certainly give operators a huge helping hand. Control over the server and projector is also available on full TMS systems, avoiding the frustrating ‘Function Not available’ message you see on entry level systems when tantalising buttons are pressed.

If you opt for a full TMS software solution, you will find it goes hand-inhand with a large reliable LMS hardware solution. Omnex has a new LMS server designed to run the latest Screenwriter smart TMS software. This is a software widely used around the world and will integrate with your POS and all delivery server options. Give us a call if you’d like to know more!