Box Office Software
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Money Talk
Forum Discription: Questions about fundraising and promotion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1532
Printed Date: 11/21/24 at 11:44pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Box Office Software
Posted By: Jazzman2330
Subject: Box Office Software
Date Posted: 8/14/05 at 3:41pm
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We are a small non-profit theater group in Florida trying to improve our ticketing process. We are looking at commercial software, but are overwhelmed by the number and complexity of choices. Does anyone have experience in selecting a program for a small theater? We do about 25 dates per year, but plan to increase some in the future. One program is done in a small theater seating only 200 or so and the other is in a larger one that will accomodate 600. The small theater is open seating , but the larger one is reserved seating. Currently we do tickets on our home computer. Anyone familiar with BOW from Canada?
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Replies:
Posted By: gailact
Date Posted: 3/31/06 at 8:58pm
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We are a small theatre--130 seats--doing 5 plays/27 performances each. We just purchased Wintix software, after much research into different products. We found their software was best for our needs. Lots of theatres in our area are using this product. Check it out at boxofficeguys.com.
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Posted By: Cravens
Date Posted: 11/03/08 at 6:37pm
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We use Vendini, they are real time, so you can still sell over the phone or thru your website.
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Tracy
www.longmonttheatre.org
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Posted By: bones123
Date Posted: 11/03/08 at 7:59pm
We also use Vendini http://www.vendini.com - http://www.vendini.com , a great choice. We looked at everything. We're a large venue in Florida, but this system can work for any sized venue (I also used them at my previous job - smaller venue). Wish these guys were around 15 years ago when I got my start.
We just turned on the feature to allow patrons to pick their own seats (a fairly new feature). It's pretty amazing how easy it is to use. You can tell this system is different than the others - we thought they provided the greatest value.
Bones123
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Posted By: Maggie
Date Posted: 11/06/08 at 8:44pm
Any idea of the price range for the Vendini software? The website makes you call them. I'd just like to have any idea if it's $100's or $1000's. We use Wintix currently, it's okay, but I'm still interested in something with more to offer.
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Have a great day!
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Posted By: theatermanialee
Date Posted: 11/07/08 at 3:02pm
My name is Lee and I work for THEATERMANIA.COM and OVATIONTIX. In addition to being the largest consumer destination (approx 1 million visitors each month and 1 million registered members) for theater listings nationwide (which are free for theaters), news reviews, etc. TheaterMania offers targeted and cost effective online advertising solutions AND has also developed a proprietary WEB BASED BOX OFFICE SOFTWARE known as OVATIONTIX. Our pricing is competitive and we work with hundreds of theaters across the united states including well known institutions such as Shakespeare and Company in the Berkshires and universities such as the NYU Skirball Center, the Boston Playwrights Theatre at BU and the U of Miami Jerry Herman Ring Theatre as well as many community theaters.
If you are interested in learning more please feel free to contact me at leagle@theatermania.com or by phone at 212-352-0255 ext. 131.
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Lee from TheaterMania.com and OvationTix
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Posted By: bones123
Date Posted: 11/08/08 at 1:15am
Yeah, I'm not sure why they don't just publish the pricing. I can tell you that Vendini is inexpensive to get started, it was just a few hundred dollars when we signed up a couple of years ago. It can be a little more if you want thermal printers and barcode scanners like we needed - but we own the equipment (no leasing!). It's a pay as you go model, so it's pretty easy to work with them. If we sell a ticket, there is a small fee (for website sales, the fee is passed onto the patron in our case). Also, they didn't lock us into any "length of time" contracts (a big plus!).
At first, we found the system to be so easy to use and simple that we thought it had to be missing something (strange feeling). But everything is there and then some. It seems like they took their time to think the software through, rather than rushing things. I used Wintix a number of years ago and this system is just refreshing in comparison. I can actually say it has helped me enjoy my job again.
We really like the fact that our patrons stay on our website and aren't bombarded with "Vendini" (or another ticketing company's name) - which helps us build OUR brand!
Hope that helps.
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Posted By: Alain
Date Posted: 6/14/10 at 9:35am
I am nearly two years out responding to this thread but I thought it might help someone. I am a member of a community theatre in the UK and have struggled finding a software that does everything PLUS not loose or play with our money. All system actually take your money in their bank account and pay you at various frequencies and stages. Some pay you weeks after the show has ended - that is if they don't go bust! Our previous provider did go bust and that wasn;t a good experience loosing an entire run of performances (over 2,000 ticket's worth).
Well I couldn't find anything so I mixed work and pleasure. I own an online software company and have created a box office software especially with community theatres in mind. Yes Vendini is great and we learnt from them (we too offer real time booking) but they still hold your money! Teh system we've developed transfers instantly tickets sales money into your bank account. No risk - 100% secure even if I go bust you get your money. Even better we only get our (low) fees after your show run ends.
If you are interested in finding out more, visit www.thelittleboxoffice.com
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Visit my clever http://www.thelittleboxoffice.com - Box Office Software website!
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Posted By: sethnic
Date Posted: 6/21/10 at 7:10am
We have used Fusion Ticket for the last two productions. There were some bugs, but in general it was very effective. Payment is through Pay Pal, and the tickets are sent by e-mail.
It is currently in beta development, and is offered for free. You can make a donation and get some more features and so forth. I found the developers very supportive when we had bugs. Someday they will release this as a commercial package, and it will do very well.
Here's the link, http://www.fusionticket.org . Or just google them, Fusion Ticket.
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Creating a new company!
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Posted By: lu9091
Date Posted: 8/16/10 at 9:28am
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You have to consider this http://www.toptix-ticketing.com/products.htm - ticketing software which has a wide range of products and solutions. I personally know that they have reliable products, check if it fits your company needs.
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Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 8/16/10 at 3:16pm
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The theater we rent uses Vendini and we've been doing the ticketing through them. I don't know if it's the system or how it's set up but we've been having constant problems with back ups in the line. In the show we closed yesterday we were regularly starting 10 to 15 minutes late. I'm being told that going to general admission would solve the problem but I'm not sure if that's the total problem.
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Posted By: Paramitch
Date Posted: 11/04/10 at 7:32pm
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In case it helps, I've just written a piece about the Top 10 Box Office software choices, and it can be found here, at http://performingarts.about.com/od/Administration/ss/Top-10-Box-Office-Software-Solutions.htm - http://performingarts.about.com/od/Administration/ss/Top-10-Box-Office-Software-Solutions.htm .
I've included screen shots, links, quick overviews, as well as direct links to free trials where applicable.
I'd love your feedback, as well, if the piece is helpful (or if it isn't).
Cheers,
Angela
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Angela Mitchell
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Performing Arts Guide, About.com
http://performingarts.about.com
performingarts.guide@about.com
Twitter PerfArtsGuide
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