Combining the forces of the internet and WAP phones, UltimateFilm.com provides bookers with a selection of search criteria enabling them to find suitable and available professionals instantly.
The service, called DiaryPlus, is a unique desktop based application providing rapid booking facilities for broadcasters and production companies. This is the first of it's kind in the world, and is currently being tested by UK broadcasters. UltimateFilm report that the feedback is very positive "... as a crew booker I'm already preferring to access my DiaryPlus info, rather than reach for the phone straight away...phone contact will always still be a part of the booking/job discussion process but to see availability at a glance saves time and effort."
DiaryPlus is local network software which allows Production staff in a company to see whether their favourite crew - or anyone in an extensive database - is busy or not. It works directly from the desktop so there's no time-consuming Internet logon procedure. DiaryPlus interfaces with WAP mobile phones allowing crews to discreetly receive and reply to offers of work on set or on location and add their own bookings from their WAP phones. The production staff can see their booking accepted on their desktop DiaryPlus software as well as an email response sent from the WAP phone.
"Many crew bookers find the Internet too fiddly for booking crews," said Joint Managing Director Matthew Davison. "What they need is a way of booking that is genuinely quicker than picking up the phone. DiaryPlus provides them with just that."
DiaryPlus automatically connects to the ultimatefilm.com website and downloads the availability of a booker's favourite crew. If none of them are available it provides a facility for searching from the database. By simply clicking on individual days, bookers can build up a Booking Sheet containing any number of individual technicians before transmitting all the bookings in one operation.
"It's a bit like a shopping cart on an e-commerce site," said Davison. "You simply fill your cart with everybody you need then complete the transaction in one operation. You can also save your booking details to a local hard drive for future reference. It's quicker and easier than making a phone call. It's also silent so it doesn't interrupt a shoot."
As well as responding to requests, technicians can enter new bookings, delete old ones and check their availability, all from their mobile phones. Full diary management is provided online by the website's powerful diary system.
Membership to ultimatefilm.com is free, the DiaryPlus software costs £100 for a single user licence per annum. 2 users £180, 3-5 users £250, 6-10 users £400, 10 + negotiable. The diary services costs the freelance only £65 per quarter.
The DiaryPlus software is currently available for Windows 9x computers and NT networks on CD ROM. Windows 2000 compatibility is presently being tested and a Mac OS version is planned for the late Autumn.
Full details are available on the www.ultimatefilm.com website.
DH
