What if the requested time period is sold out?
If the time period is sold out with non preemtable spots the contract spots can be allowed to go to make goods or the contract can remain on hold. The Account Executive would then be notified and allowed to modify the contract if possible
What if the time period requested is booked by lower priced spots?
If the lower priced spot is preemtable and a lower priority, the higher priced spot will be placed on the log in the lower priced spots place. The system will then try to reschedule the lower priced spot into another acceptable position/time period, or if unable, place the lower priced spot into make goods.
How are priorities set?
There are up to 36 priority codes and within each priority there can be implicit priorities by rate and schedule span.
How is copy entered? Can it be linked to multiple contracts?
Copy is entered as a copy order with rotation specifiers and run time parameters. Copy can be easily linked to multiple contracts.
Is spot placement on the log dictated by TIME PERIOD, PROGRAM or SOME COMBINATION.
Spot placement can be specified by time, program or user defined daypart.
How are combo orders handled?
Very easily! Simply select a channel group instead of a single channel on the contract schedule page and check the box for a combo spot (same time all channels) or leave unchecked as desired.
Log Generation, Tracking
How far in advance can a log be generated?
The schedule can be extended as far in the future as you like, even multiple years.
How are manual changes to the log effected?
The schedule can be hand edited in edit schedules. Drag and drop functionality makes this a simple process.
How does the system manage timing or competitive separation requirements?
Separation can be specified for advertiser, industry, product and additional separation on individual channel and system wide basis.
Prior to finalization of the log, what safeguards are in place to identify problems with spot separation (timing or competitive issues), missing copy, missing spots? Who is notified of these problems? How are they notified and when?
Spot separation will not be violated by the system. If manually overridden, a spot separation issue will show up on the discrepancy report. A discrepancy report can be run at any time. The discrepancy report will show missing spots (not taken off of hold) and missing copy, and a variety of other potential problems. In addition the system will not create automation schedule files with missing copy. This report can be emailed to interested parties.
Does the system provide any type of alert for accounts with credit problems? Can parameters be set to flag accounts that exceed a certain balance or have outstanding balances over 90 days old?
Preferences can be set up to show advertisers past due and/or over the credit limit. Contracts that are past due/over the credit limit will not be placed on the log unless they are overridden by a user with the appropriate access.
If credit blocks are possible within the system, who manages and has ultimate control over those blocks.
Contracts for advertisers with credit problems will not be placed on the log unless approved/overridden by a user with the appropriate access. You define the person who manages and has ultimate control over the credit blocks by setting parameters and permissions on the user record.
Operations and Reconciliation
What automation equipment do you interface with?
Summit has interfaces to most analog and digital automation equipment. If we don't already interface with your equipment, we can easily create a tight, seamless interface to the equipment that best meets your needs. Click here for a list of interfaces currently in use.
After a log is finalized, how can changes be made and communicated to MCO?
After the schedule is locked, the lock can be overridden by a user with sufficient access, then a new log can be printed or an automation file produced. This can be done within minutes of airtime if desired.
How is the log reconciled?
If you are using an automation system, a file from the automation system is sent to Summit and the reconciliation is done automatically. If reconciliation is done manually, run times are changed appropriately and missed spots are moved to make goods in edit schedules.
Sales Management and Reports
How far in the future can avails be viewed?
The avails browser and reports show the current and future scheduled programming and spots. Avails can be seen as far out in the future as the schedule is extended (the schedule can be extended as far in the future as you like, even multiple years)
What other sales and management reports will the system provide?
There are numerous sales and management reports and charts available: Inventory Usage Reports, Sales Reports, Sales Report Charts, Traffic Reports, Utility Reports, and others.. See report book online for details.
Can reports be generated and printed at any time or are there processing constraints?
Reports can be generated at anytime, and always reflect the most current data entered into the system.
Can reports be generated and saved in various formats?
Reports can be generated and saved in .txt, .xls, .rtf, .csv and other formats.
Can reports be generated and emailed to a third party?
Yes.
How much history can be stored by the system?
As much history can be stored as your computer memory will allow
Are reports available remotely?
Yes, by using our eReport module. Users simply request a report via email and it is returned to them. It is access and password protected. Remote system access via various methods is also possible. Contact Summit Support for details.
Can report access be restricted so A/Es see only their contracts/clients/data?
Very easily by setting up access restrictions on their user record.
Billing and Accounts Receivable
How are payments posted to the receivables?
To post a payment to receivables, you select the advertiser or agency, enter the payment amount, check number and then specify whether to apply to the oldest invoices, click to select a specific invoice, or choose to carry a credit balance.
How does the system handle billing for non-traditional revenue sources…ie. Sponsorships, billboards, packages, web advertising, etc.
Non-traditional revenue sources are handled on the miscellaneous billing page of contract data entry. These can be billed simultaneously with spots or on separate invoices.
Does the system allow both broadcast and calendar billing?
Summit’s system allows broadcast, calendar, end of schedule, end of flight, bill on demand and many other billing options
Is electronic invoicing available and compatible with Spotdata?
Electronic invoicing (EDI) is available, and is compatible with Spotdata and others.
Does the system provide a method of maintaining and accessing notes made in conversations with clients?
Notes made during conversations with clients can be maintained either in the contact manager or in the notes section of the advertiser record.
Does the system generate both invoices and statements?
Yes, the system generates both invoices and statements. Statements are optional and user configurable.
Can an invoice from a prior period be printed? How far back can it go?
Yes, an invoice from a prior period can be printed. You can go as far back as you have kept history.
Does the system interface with MRI (Music Reports, Inc.)
Yes.
Are Sales people able to review their aged accounts on-line? Is it in real time?
Sales people can review their aged accounts in real time on-line. Sales people’s access can be limited to their specific accounts.
Support and Maintenance
What about support?
24 x 7, of course. Not that someone is in the office all that time, but someone is at the end of a pager or cellular after hours. Click on the support button above for more information.
General
What modules comprise the system?
Glad you asked that! The modules page of the online user manual lists the modules in the system. Follow the links for more detail.
So, what does it cost?
It depends on the modules you purchase, the number of stations you want to operate from a single location, the amount of training and consultation you want, and whether you choose to purchase a license or lease the system. Installed cost starts at around $9,000 or $600 per month.
What external system interfaces do you have?
Summit has interfaces to many external systems, for importing programming, importing contracts and proposals, exporting avails, invoices, programming, etc. Click here for a list of interfaces currently in use.
What database engine does Summit use?
Summit uses the outstanding Pervasive.SQL database engine from Pervasive Software. Why did we choose the Pervasive.SQL engine? Click here.
What hardware/OS environments are available?
DOS or Windows clients; NT, Novell, or Linux client-server based systems, or standalone workstation systems.
What are the hardware requirements for the system?
Nothing really special. Click here for more information.
Is remote system access available?
Yes, remote system access via various methods is possible. Contact Summit Support for details.
How do we get up and running on the Summit System?
See the Planning and Implementation guide in the online user manual.
What versions of the system are available?
Three versions of the system, with varying capabilities and cost ranges, are available: TV-XT, TV-XL, TV-XS.
