MAILBAG: What Traffic Systems Are In The Forefront of Popularity / Usability?
Hi TDGA:
This is going to sound like a random question but our company is currently shopping new traffic systems (we’re on "xxxxxxxxx" right now), and they are looking for something that is ‘more user friendly’ and has more advanced digital billing/abilities to it than ours does. I just thought that maybe since this is kind of your realm of expertise, you might know of some systems that are in the forefront in terms of popularity/usability, etc.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
TDGA has elected to withhold the name and station group of our member, since we prefer not to identify specific software providers.
TDGA RESPONSE:
Sorry for the delay in responding. TDGA is caught in a catch-22 when it comes to recommending one system over another. That's why we ask our members once each year to help gather opinions by conducting a Traffic Software Satisfaction Survey. The most recent was released in January, 2010. The next will not be out until Jan of 2011.
It's available in the Members Resource Library section under "Traffic Software Products Reviews." http://www.tdga.org/members-only/bm/library/software-reviews/index.shtml
We offer a comparison report of the top systems with 5 or more responses to score. We also offer an expanded individual report with more questions and answers to analyze.
You mentioned "more user friendly" as a criteria. That differs by nearly every singe user- One man's junk is another's treasure as far as features. Or does it mean so simple that it can't handle unique orders? With the changing demands on Radio (and TV, too), what is a standard need today will definitely be replaced by features you may not think are important for today's needs. (Web Ad scheduling, for example...)
I can't (won't is a better word) help with my personal opinion, although I feel there are only two or three really good ones in each price bracket. I shudder to think how many stations buy on price rather than the performance features they really need for Sales & Traffic to do a better job of controlling and maxinmizing their inventory. If you buy on "price" alone, you deserve what you end up with. (Of course, we don't all need Cadillacs, BMWs, Mercedes, etc.)
Check out the Reviews. It reflects the opinions of those actually using the systems day-in and day-out. We think it's one of the more valuable services offered by TDGA!
Larry
Larry Keene, CEO
TDGA-Traffic Director's Guild of America
26000 Avenida Aeropuerto; Bldg. 114
San Juan Capistrano CA 92675
TDGA-Traffic Director's Guild of America
26000 Avenida Aeropuerto; Bldg. 114
San Juan Capistrano CA 92675
Published Jul 21, 2010
