Center Stage Software Forum

We give up - temporarily

bruce — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:30:10 -0600

A couple things have become apparent:
1. The SIM interface (with encrypted card swipes) is not suitable for a desktop interface.
2. The VPOS interface is incomplete and Authorize.net has no announcements that they are getting it ready.
3. The Microsoft browser control used by the SIM interface is not ready for prime time either. And, there is very little documentation available.
4. There are companies that certify our customers for PCI compliance. In the default configuration, Wintix has no problems.
5. Wintix has been changed to not allow either IC Verify or PC Charge.

So, why not use the old-fashioned AIM interface? Life will be much easier for everyone.

Re: Current news

bruce — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:32:35 -0700

However, we need to test the program with more users. We can't allow them to be out of business just because they have a retail account instead of an e-commerce account.

Re: Current news

diane — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:24:12 -0700

Bruce,

This is what I am concerned about:
The current method of processing credit cards, AIM, will remain. However, it will have a warning that it is not PCI DSS compliant. The reason for this is that the SIM interface requires an e-commerce account. Switching from a retail account to an e-commerce account may take a little while. We do not want to leave our customers unable to collect money. Wintix5 does conform to the "Best practices" guidelines (http://developer.authorize.net/resources/files/developerbestpractices.pdf). What Wintix does not have is the certification. In other words, you can continue using the AIM method with confidence and proper security.

As you and I have discussed, I don't think it's a good idea to provide our customers with a choice for pci compliance vs non pci compliance.

Correspondence with a payment processor

bruce — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:28:40 -0700

Dear

As we discussed on the phone, I have 2 questions. Both of them relate to PCI compliance and falling out of scope.

First question: We have changed out software to use the SIM interface for Authorize.net. Because our software does not "process, store or transmit" any credit card information, it falls out of scope. That is what we want. However, it seems that our customers need to switch from a retail type merchant account to an e-commerce account.
A) How much time does that take to switch account types?
B) Will the customers have any change in their discount rate?

Second question: We have been debating leaving in the old AIM interface as an option. We know this is not a good idea. However, the application conforms to the "Best practices" requirements. We are confident that it would be certified if we wanted to submit it to a QSA.

Most importantly, if the SIM interface does not work, our customers could use the AIM interface. They would not be put out of business.

The question is, "How serious a violation is it if a non-certified (but still secure) application handles credit card transactions?"

Please let us know.

Bruce Rowe
Center Stage Software

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hi Bruce,

I'll see if I can help on these:

1) Understood.
a) About a day or so.
b) If they were on a retail (card swipe) rate structure before, they will move from card swipe "retail" rates to mail order / internet rates. The cost increase is usually about 50 basis points or so for the base rates.
2) I think leaving AIM is a pretty necessary option. I'm not sure of Visa's rules and penalties related to non-certified software applications. Are you already working with a QSA?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I responded:

Ouch. "50 basis points" translates to .5%. Plus, there is an increase in the per transaction charge of 20¢ to 25¢. I guess that comes from not being able to use cardswipes. Well, we can't do anything about it.

By the way, Authorize.net will not accept a card swipe. Why don't you? You could do it either with a separate page for our software to go to. Or, you could use a little javascript to sense that the card number was scanned. It would not be difficult. And, it would give you a feature you could advertise.

> 2) I think leaving AIM is a pretty necessary option. I'm not sure of Visa's rules and penalties related to non-certified software applications. Are you already working with a QSA?

Any dealings with sensitive data is done on Authorize.net's site. All we are dealing with is the information that Authorize.net sends back. This is basically the authorization and reference number.

Therefore, we do not fall under the PCI purview.

Thank you for the information. Have a good weekend.

Bruce Rowe
Center Stage Software

Current news

bruce — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:14:29 -0700

The update has come out. It has not been as simple as planned. However the conversion is well within your capabilities. Here is a list of the changes:

* Wintix no longer supports IC Verify
* Wintix no longer supports PC charge
* There is no way to 'fool' Wintix and force it to encrypt and save card numbers. That section has been removed.
* The field cardnumber is still part of the credit card log. However, it only contains the first digit and the last 4 digits. Everything else is asterisks.
* There is a new payment type: Authorize.net SIM - PCI DSS compliant. This payment type will bring up Internet Explorer and automatically connect with Authorize.net. The card number, expiration and CVV2 will be entered there. The authorization and transaction ID are automatically entered in the credit card log and the sales record. From our testing, we have discovered that this SIM interface is at least as fast as the AIM interface.
* The current method of processing credit cards, AIM, will remain. However, it will have a warning that it is not PCI DSS compliant. The reason for this is that the SIM interface requires an e-commerce account. Switching from a retail account to an e-commerce account may take a little while. We do not want to leave our customers unable to collect money. Wintix5 does conform to the "Best practices" guidelines (http://developer.authorize.net/resources/files/developerbestpractices.pdf). What Wintix does not have is the certification. In other words, you can continue using the AIM method with confidence and proper security.

This all sounds well and good. To some extent, it is "security theatre." An absolutely secure Wintix will not help unless all the other guidelines of the PCI Security Standards are followed. In particular, keystroke loggers, are a common form of malware. Other items are personnel issues and physical security.

We wish business was not like this. Like most everyone else, we just want to do our job and serve our customers.

These requirements are now a part of any organization that handles money. Along with backing up and balancing the daily sales, taking care of security is now part of the job.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

Queries we have collected

bruce — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:44:54 -0600

The following are queries we have collected during the time we have been using MySQL as a back end. Some of them bay be helpful to you.

The easiest place to enter them is in Mailing list | Generate a mailing list | Export email

* I need a list of everyone who came to more than 5 shows in the last 2 years:
This query is part of Wintix now. Click on Reports | Other reports | Count of performances attended

* What day of the week is the busiest:
select dayname(today_date) as day, sum(total_tix) as tix, sum(total_sale) as sales from mainsale where today_date > '2010-10-01' group by dayofweek(today_date);

* What time do you get your sales:
select hour(today_time) as Hour, sum(total_tix) as Tix, sum(total_sale) as Sales from mainsale group by hour(today_time);

* What month is the busiest:
select monthname(today_date) as Month, sum(total_tix) as Tix, sum(total_sale) as Sales from mainsale group by month(today_date);

* What week of the year are you the busiest:
select weekofyear(today_date) as Month, sum(total_tix) as Tix, sum(total_sale) as Sales from mainsale group by weekofyear(today_date);

* Historical data from Oldsales - by year
select year(today_date) as Year, lpad( format(sum(total_tix),0),6, ' ') as Tix, lpad(format(sum(total_sale),2),13, ' ') as Sales from oldsales group by year(today_date) order by today_date;

* Historical data from Oldsales - by year and month
select year(today_date) as Year, monthname(today_date) as Month, lpad( format(sum(total_tix),0),6, ' ') as Tix, lpad(format(sum(total_sale),2),13, ' ') as Sales from oldsales group by month(today_date), year(today_date) order by today_date;

* All sales within a date range for both mainsale and oldsales

( select master.event_type, show_date, show_time, showname, theatre, location, total_tix, total_sale,
customer.first, customer.last, company, address, customer.city, state, zip, phone, email
from mainsale
left join master on mainsale.master_id=master.master_id
left join customer on mainsale.customer_id=customer.customer_id
where today_date >= '2006-12-05' and today_date <= '2009-12-04')
union
(select oldmaster.event_type, show_date, show_time, showname, theatre, location, total_tix, total_sale,
customer.first, customer.last, company, address, customer.city, state, zip, phone, email
from oldsales
left join oldmaster on oldmaster.master_id=oldsales.master_id
left join customer on oldsales.customer_id=customer.customer_id
where today_date >= '2006-12-05' and today_date <= '2009-12-04')
order by last, first

Version 6 improvements

bruce — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:10:29 -0600

Here's what has changed:
Unlimited prices (version 5 was limited to 48 fixed prices plus unlimited special prices plus comps)
Unlimited payment types (version 5 had 10 ways to collect money in a separate field. If more payment types were needed, the pay types would be put in the pay10 field).
More options for each price. Now, each price has:

Each show has 2 additional options:
Display an opportunity to donate on the final page
Send an emailed notification a specific number of days before the performance

Re: iPhone Application for Show Information and Ticketing

DaleR — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:18:47 -0600

Thanks for your inquiry about the iPhone Application.

The application provides a way for clients on-the-go to get in touch with venues without the need to sit at a computer or call the box office.

The application works in conjunction with Wintix & Webtix. The goal of the application is to keep the app simple, effective, and easy to manage. By using RTT from Centerstage, the application retrieves all of the data from your server and saves it for future reference. Each time the application is run, it retrieves the latest show information. For the show to appear in the application, it is as simple as adding a Domain name to the list of Domains in Wintix.

The application is customized to your specific venue. To get started with the app, mTix Solutions has you provide images, web site addresses, venue information, contact information, and other specifics you would like to see integrated into the application. If you look at the application that has been created for the Cascade Theatre (the link provided above goes to iTunes), you will notice that each show has its own image. These images are retrieved from the Wintix database and are using the image fields from the specific show. Currently the Cascade Theatre is using 2 out of the 3 available.

There is a great deal of information that can be conveyed in the application and its created specifically for you. If you would like a brochure for the application or have any additional questions at all, please feel free to email me at dale@mtixsoultions.net or visit the mTix Solutions website at www.mtixsolutions.net.

Thanks for your interest. Hope to hear from you soon.

Dale Reed

Re: iPhone Application for Show Information and Ticketing

mjlF95 — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:07:22 -0600

This app sounds really cool. How could we use this app for our instance of Webtix/Wintix?

Re: How to Discount a Single Performance

bruce — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:48:45 -0600

Changing the prices on that performance should work. Every performance has its own set of prices. Changing the prices for one of them will change the totals for the sales.

Note: this only works if you have not been selling tickets yet. If you change the prices after you have been selling tickets, you will get very interesting totals in your reports.

How to Discount a Single Performance

jeremyhoff — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:30:41 -0600

Howdy,

Is it possible to discount a single performance for a show?

Thank you,
-jeremy h.

Re: iPhone Application for Show Information and Ticketing

DaleR — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:24:47 -0700

New features have been added to the iPhone Application. Currently, the application now supports Push Notifications, a great way to send out information to iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad users. Also in the latest version, is the ability to view all performances and prices that are associated with each performance. Future features that are in progress include Facebook and twitter integration, and also a more enhanced Push Notification system to allow users to choose what kind of notifications they receive.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in contact with me by email at dale@mtixsolutions.net.

Dale Reed
mTix Solutions

iPhone Application for Show Information and Ticketing

DaleR — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:55:29 -0700

Hello iPhone Users and Theater Administrators,

RE: Show Information and Ticket Purchases

An iPhone application is in development that utilizes RTT provided by Center Stage. The app, utilizing RTT, updates itself as the app restarts. The listing below details some of the features that are already released or currently in development. Input on what you, or others, would like to have included in the app, as well as any difficulties encountered would be appreciated.

Currently, the Cascade Theatre of Redding California has a version out on iTunes for free. Check it out at: View in App Store.

iPhone App details:

Again, please feel free to suggest what you would like to see in the iPhone app.

Dale Reed

Software Updates

bendru — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:54:24 -0600

Software update announcements for Center Stage Software's Version 5 product line.

Wintix5

Tixsales5

MinTix5

Webtix5

RTT

ScanTix

Re: Bar coding tickets

bruce — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:56:29 -0600

Scantix has been released.

After dealing with a couple scanner companies, we decided to go with a generic scanning program that worked through the browser. That means, it will work with any scanner. Hand held scanners always have a browser. Corded scanners have a browser on the computer they are communicating with.

Connections can be through either the cell phone network (using a SIM card) or through a wireless network (WiFi). Connections are through an encrypted connection.

For the documentation, take a look at: Scantix

After first year with V5 Wintix and Webtix

Phillip — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:55:16 -0600

After one year here at Big Top Chautauqua, bigtop.org, I have nothing but praise for wintix and webtix. Though it took some effort and careful work up front (be careful to think through all the possible pricing and seating plan scenarios) once done, the systems worked very well. I am happy to share some worksheets we developed for setting up. Because our facility is a tent with an irregular layout, I'd venture our setup was a little more demanding than some venues. This very first year, Webtix sold just over 50% of our 7212 transactions, and captured emails 100% of the time! Now we have perfect mailing list data for all new sales including emails tied to sales data so we can save on our efforts to contact our customers and know we have good data. Phillip

Re: Improvements and enhancements

mashpd — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:28:23 -0600

Suggestions for new improvement and enhancements...

Free Event Listing: Educational institutions have many events that are free; creating a consolidated calendar and events feed is easier if listing a free event were possible in the base code.

Length of Program Time for better event feed and .ics export results. A hard coded 2 hours doesn't work for all events.

Dynamic site syntax (or word usage) as it relates to the type of event it is... for example theatre, sports, conferences, etc...
If you sell a sporting a event on Webtix5, the language the site uses isn't appropriate.

Dynamic form choice variables: For registration sometimes it is necessary to collect all the names. If someone can register for an event with 1 or 10 persons attending, having a dynamic response for the form choice options to require the collection of the desired information on each person is ideal. Currently the only option is to code the maximum number of responses possible and have no ability to force or require the entry before finalizing the registration.

We currently have customized workarounds for all of these, but I believe they would enhance the Webtix Product overall and should be incorporated into the core code.

Manoa Valley Theatre in Honolulu, HI

diane — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:32:35 -0700

In case you're in Hawaii, or want to find a reason to go - READ THIS!! This is one of our customers who has just upgraded to Wintix version 5 and the Webtix rental.

HONOLULU (March 3, 2010) - "We are very excited about the just completed upgrade to our online ticket sales system," MVT producing director Dwight Martin announced today. Customers will find it easier to transact their online ticket purchases and the MVT box office "will never be closed" for customers who favor self-directed, no hassle purchasing.

Online ticket purchases are available through Manoa Valley Theatre's website at manoavalleytheatre.com. By clicking on "buy tickets" on the homepage, customers are taken directly to MVT's ticket database where purchases can be made "operator free" at any time of the day, night, weekdays or weekends. No more snags from purchasing sold-out performances, and no more 72-hour advance purchase requirement for online buys.

Of course, MVT's helpful and friendly box office personnel continue to be available by phone or at the walk-up window to assist customers during established box office hours.

The website ticket purchase module offers the following opportunities:

* purchase tickets when most convenient for you
* learn immediately of sold-out performances
* see hold-over performances the moment they go on sale
* see special promotional prices as they are available
* watch "sold out" performances yourself for availability of exchanged tickets
* receive your ticket order receipt immediately from the website to confirm your transaction

Flex-pass holders please note: Flex-pass redemptions do still necessitate a phone call to one of our box office clerks for processing.

Tickets to Hair (March 4-21), Sleuth (May 20-June 6) and Once Upon One Time (July 8-25) are available online starting immediately.

"We hope our online customers are pleased with these improvements," Martin stated. "We're always trying to enhance our customer service and we feel this upgrade will very positively impact our customers online purchasing experience."

Constructive customer feedback is always welcomed as we continually strive to make improvements to our system and our box office services. Call MVT at 988-6131 or email businessoffice@manoavalleytheatre.com.

MVT's computerized box office system has been developed by Center Stage Software in Seaside, California (www.centerstage.com).

"Manoa Valley Theatre...a wonderful way to spend the evening!"

Re: Alternatives to "FormChoice" for custom info gathering

jeremyhoff — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:56:05 -0700

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the tip. We used code similar to below to capture Spouse names for a marriage conference.


Please Provide the Name of you and your Spouse:

Re: Big Top Chautauqua's early observations

diane — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:47:27 -0700

Dear Phil:

I read your posting. I really want to thank you for complimentary words.

Big Top Chautauqua's early observations

Phillip — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:07:27 -0700

We've now just begun using Webtix and the results are very preliminary as we've had little time to announce it's existence to our patrons. With just 4 of our 50 show lineup available for sale, Webtix sales amount to 56% of total sales. We are delighted that this effort is proving itself from the start to be an incredible tool that will save us untold dollars forever into the future.

The site is at: bigtoptickets.org

Re: New Webtix user on line

bruce — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:58:03 -0700

Some notes:
Phil changed the colors in Webtix
He put in different graphics for the sold seats
He does a lookup on the customer's phone number (rather than the email address)
He collects donations
Seating chart is color coded according to price
He is using Windows 2003 server

The site is at: [bigtoptickets.org]

New Webtix user on line

Phillip — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:40:33 -0700

Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (BTC) has just begin use of Webtix. After working with Center Stage Software's Tixsales and Wintix products since about 1994, we had added this fine complement to our box office operations and are very excited at the obvious benefits of this product. BTC was established in 1986 as a non-profit and as such has a critical need for referential integrity between our customers, donations, sales data and addresses including email addresses. With Webtix, following a lookup using the customer's phone number, they, not BTC, will forever be upgrading contact information with a necessary accurate email address. This greatly enhances our ability to builld and execute individual targeted email campaigns based on the purchasing and donation behavior of our decades-old customers. Yahoo!

Re: Alternatives to "FormChoice" for custom info gathering

bruce — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:16:15 -0700

Take a look on pages 33 and 34 in the Webtix manual ( [centerstage.com] )

The example there uses FormChoice variables for dropdown lists. Just as easily, you can add text fields. As long as the variable name begins with "FormChoice," The variable and the variable name will be saved with the sale.

Alternatives to "FormChoice" for custom info gathering

jeremyhoff — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:16:13 -0700

I notice the formchoice option in the docs for drop-down lists.

Does Webtix support the collection of free text, such as an additional name field? We have an event where we would like to collect the names of each person in the party for purchasers who purchase more than one ticket. Essentially this is a

Re: Clever use of images on the seating chart

Anonymous User — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:27:31 -0700

The example references was very nice.

We would like to do something similar here. What application is best to use for this and would I be modifying only the two seating chart files CDX and pln files?

Venue management

bruce — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:40:15 -0600

We are working on the venue registration and editing section. If you are interested in looking at it, go to [centerstageticketing.com]
Either email us your comments or post them here.

Clever use of images on the seating chart

bruce — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:32:59 -0600

One of our persistent questions is how to best display seats on a chart. Albert of eStockton has come up with one of the best solutions to date.

He did a couple things:
Make the grid for the seats 2 pixels wider on each side
Find images that made sense to him and do a few modifications.
He made them a transparent gif's. That way, the underlying colors would show through the images.
He used these images to display the available seats.
When a seat is selected, the displayed image changes to a solid bright yellow.

Take a look at: [boxoffice.estockton.com]

Re: How to best handle Shows with hundreds of performances

bruce — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:07:21 -0600

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The calendar functions in Webtix will put the list of performances in an on-screen calendar. That will make things easier for the customers.
In Wintix, you can search for a specific date if the customer asks for that. If the people ask for a *range of dates* let us know. We have a free program, Mintix which is intended to sell that way.
As far as the "parsing massive amounts of dates and information" don't worry. MySQL can handle anything you can throw at it.

How to best handle Shows with hundreds of performances

mashpd — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:07:10 -0600

We are about to pick up a new contract that involves sketch/improv comedy.... so it is basically just the same show done 4 times a week, every week. Of course each performance is different because it is improv. Has anyone handled a situation similar to this? On the webtix side of the equation I am worried that it would be difficult for an online buyer to select this show only to have a list pop up that is ten miles long making the selection process of a performance seem overwhelming just because there would be so many performances. I have considered breaking the performances down into "show months" or possibly performing a phased creation of performances having only 3 months of viable performances at a time, and then at the beginning of each month adding a new month of performances to the existing show. On the wintix side of the equation, I am worried about the parsing of massive amounts dates and information. If anyone has some thoughts about their experiences, please share.