Version 9.01 has been released for all current users of Version 9. See the full notes about Version 9.01 or read further for a summary

Key Changes in Version 9.01.02

The key enhancements in this version are the introduction of:

• A key fix to the web listener that deals with one possible security issue that should be dealt with as soon as possible.
• an easy way to include google analytics code in your web pages and e-blasts.
• the Hot Seat Analyzer that lets you find which seats are worth more to you and adjust prices accordingly

Recently, a number of venues have been upgrading to PCCharge 5.9.2 to help reach PCI 1.2 compliance.

We have just been alerted that the recent Microsoft Patch #222853 has a very serious impact on the upgrade process and must be done in a specific way, otherwise you might need to reinstall the operating system on the PCCharge machine.

In general, the fix is simple, install the specific Microsoft patch first, then reboot the machine before upgrading to PCCharge 5.9.2.

We have just added a feature to Theatre Manager's facility module that we wanted to do for a long time call the Hot Seat Analyzer. You can now easily analyze the frequency of usage of each seat and/or the value or worth of that seat to a venue under a number of circumstances.

Introductory pricing ends July 31st.

The June ArtsMan Chronicle is now available for your reading pleasure. It contains a number of articles such as Rick Geary's kind and generous comments about Saratoga Performing Arts Center's very pleasurable experience as a large venue converting from TicketMaster.

There is also a cool example of how the Facility Management module can be used to schedule and notify your volunteers and/or artists of rehearsal schedules, where they should be, and integration with their own calendars. Introductory pricing ends July 31st.

Mostly, we are excited to announce the imminent release of Version 9. In addition to the many enhancements that you've come to expect, there are two key features.

We receive a fair number of questions about the upcoming implementation of HST and how Theatre Manager handles transitional ticket exchanges. You may wish to read the transitional rules and the background reference material so you can implement your own exchange policy.

Please do not consider this as tax advice (always talk to your accountant). It is, however, information to be aware of that pertains to how to use Theatre Manager at this time if you are affected by the HST transition.

We would like to bring this to everybody's immediate attention. It concerns a story on a web site called Performink Online. After reading it, you may wish to take corrective action and edit the ticket faces for your venue.

Background

Apparently, Harris Theatre in Chicago (they are NOT a Theatre Manager customer) is being sued because their credit card receipts printed the expiry date and their insurance settled out of court - even though no actual damages occurred to the customer. The article talks about how some lawyers have used this same law to target restaurants and other consumer outlets.

This is a US specific law is called FACTA - the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (non-authoritative link for more info) which has a subsection repeated below. There does not appear to be a similar Canadian counterpart.

I’d like to share with you the results of a survey done by the Centre for Arts Management and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University. I’d like to thank each of you who responded to this survey as it is indicative of a tremendous vote of confidence in Theatre Manager in the survey's results.

There is an update release for all venues running version 8 of Theatre Manager.

See the full notes about Version 8.24 or read on for a summary.

Key Changes in Version 8.24

Version 8.24 is primarily a bug fix release that addresses a number of issues found and change requests to the recent enhancements for facility management, Paymentech Orbital, online course sales, and online management of household patrons.

We recommend that those using versions 8.10 and later upgrade when possible to obtain the bug fixes.

There is a major release for all venues running version 8 of Theatre Manager.

See the full notes about Version 8.23 or read on for a summary.

Key Changes in Version 8.23

• The web module now supports serving pages in multiple languages.
• Courses/Classes can now be sold on line.

On behalf of everybody at Arts Management, we'd like to welcome Saratoga Performing Arts Center as new users of Theatre Manager.

The Troy Record published an interesting article in December