What are your opinions regarding Broadcast Automation?

Sid Guel

Broadcast Automation Consulting

(210) 525-8433

sidguel@yahoo.com

The more the better...

Yikes...loaded question!

 Generally speaking, great when it works.  I've seen two major issues with it though.....the first is hardware/platform longevity, and the second is training related.

We all suffer through the fact that ALL of our computerized systems run on PCs which, within no more than 3 years, are so outdated that replacement parts are often hard to come by.  As Software manufacturers create or modify their product and bring the broadcaster new features, what often happens is that the existing platform will not support this, and so the station is forced to make another investment in hardware and the change-overs are quite often not as painless as advertised.

 Then there are the issues on the station end.  Training is a huge issue. Often there's only one "super user" who really knows the automation system...making his or her life miserable at times.

I know there are "complete" systems out there but what mid and small market station can afford them? 

 

 

Hardware / Platforms

All true.  The hardware / Platform issue is relevant in all industries, including broadcast.  It's something we have no choice but to deal with it.  If anything, upgrading these should be factored in as part of the upfront costs analysis or maintenance costs.

Training is a good topic. 

There is always turn-over in master control.  Those automation companies with the best cost-effective training programs will fare better.  Webinars are becoming more and more popular and I see them as a good alternative to face to face training.

 Costs

Several automation companies have come out with an entry-level / cost-effecient version of their automation applications.  The next two years or so will be the last of the "hay day" business for automation companies.  Smaller TV stations and broadcasters are the last to convert to digital.  It only make sense to go with automation to offset the cost of going digital.   

Indeed, training and independent upgrades are the aspects to dread. In itself, automation is great. But when it comes to getting the station to completely rely on it, it's akin to forcing the entire broadcast chain to rely on one or two people (the 'super-users' mentioned by jgrimes). That's hardly a comfortable situation for any broadcaster. The other is upgrades by any one manufacturer in the automation network. Although almost every major broadcaster now uses automation, it's no less than bizarre that manufacturers don't see it necessary to notify the automation vendor in advance about software or system upgrades. Very often, it's only when the panic calls arrive that my guys know something has been upgraded. These upgrades can be several in a year... and that makes things infinitely complicated. The solution I use everywhere is denial of access to both the internet and to installer privileges. Maybe the initial pack is outdated within the year... but who cares when it doesn't crash at all.

The term "Super User" as it applies to automation was coined many years ago as a way to save TV stations money when new employees came on board.  The original idea was to make one person in the station, the lead person for the automation system.  Sort of a System Admin person.   When a new person would come on board, the "Super User" would be responsible for training the new employee.  This saved the station money because they did need to fly someone to California to get training.  And visa versa, the station didn't have to pay to have a trainer come out to the TV station to train new employees.  Granted, some in these position may take advantage of their position.  In retrospect, however, it's no different than in any other field.  Especially IT.The problem with third-party device companies upgrading their software without advising the automation folks is an age old problem.  The automation companies that incur less of these problems are the automation companies that keep a constant contact with third-party vendors.  There are many in the industry that go by the old way of, "if it's not broke, no need to fix it".  A good automation company will always be on top of their game and know when a new version of software has come out.

 As much as I agree with you final statement, I must say it's an impossible task.  Those that don't stay up with technology, usually pay a big price at some point.  I've heard horror story after horror story about automation companies flying systems to TV stations overnight because the system they bought 5 or 10 years ago was never upgraded and finally went belly up.  As an independent consultant, I advise that you stay current with technology.