SIMS offers a state-of-the-art solution for non-linear scheduling. With our SIMS extension, you can manage scheduling tasks associated with VOD, SVOD, mobile phones, broadband (IPTV) and other on-demand distribution outlets. Clients with non-linear rights on acquired and originally produced products can track and schedule those assets with or without an accompanying linear channel. A user-friendly layout allows quick and customizable access to data.

Manage non-linear scheduling rights with ease

For acquired or original product, the contracts area of SIMS allows users to:

• Define the clearance rights to multiple distribution platforms for each program, series or movie
• Set up clearance windows based on contractual rights that allow or restrict title usage
• Define the royalties to be paid to the producers including flat rate, percentage or minimum values
• Enter clearance information for each type of non-linear distribution defined on a title
• Track the number of non-linear uses for each title
• Link non-linear uses with linear channel plays using rules that control non-linear scheduling windows

Gain control over pitch contracts

SIMS gives you the power to define content commitments, title refresh rates and pitch requirements for contracts with MSOs and other non-linear distribution outlets. The commitments area gives you the ability to determine which combinations of episodes, specials, films or short interstitials will meet content requirements. Metadata output files can be generated in industry-standard formats for multiple distribution agents or can be customized in Excel or XML formats.

The Pitch Contracts area of SIMS allows users to:

• define agreements with MSOs and enter specific cable headend data
• adjust Title Content Pitch windows with an easy-to-use Gantt chart
• define file formats for data distribution, e.g., CableLabs®1.1, TVN, Comcast, etc.
• set pricing rates for revenue generation
• create content pitches
• define refresh rules for content

Pitch commitments can be generated based on a number of variables including:

• number of hours or titles
• genre
• user-defined custom codes defined for linear or non-linear selection (children's, adult's only, etc.)
• new, previously aired or mixed content

A comprehensive set of tools puts data at your fingertips

SIMS' rich functionality enables you to:

• use existing synopses and data fields or define additional fields to populate the metadata output file for title level control
• enforce title metadata character limitations for various synopsis and name fields
• quickly sort through thousands of titles during pitch scheduling with an easy-to-use selection window
• enter the suggested price and revenue splits based on your agreement with the MSO with our pricing screen
• control how each title is categorized for easy viewer navigation and selection
• rotate one or multiple series of titles automatically based on user-defined settings

The Pitch display screen has many data viewing options including an easy-to-use Gantt chart tool. Changes to title availability dates can be made quickly while still enforcing basic title availability parameters.

Customize your media definitions

With SIMS, you can customize media definitions that are specific to non-linear scheduling. Media classes are linked to the release process and the various metadata export formats. For example, the selection of a title automatically links its movie, preview and poster art assets to the pitch and allows easy tracking of each asset.