Tightrope Media Systems announces the release of Carousel 6.0, a major software update to the Carousel Digital Signage System. Carousel 6.0 includes a number of new features that improve the Template Editor used in the bulletin creation process, the utility of Alert Bulletins, and the functionality of the Remote Data Adapter.
The New Template Editor
The Template Editor in Carousel 6.0 has been completely rewritten to increase its utility and to adhere to Tightrope’s mantra, “Ease of Use”. Editing of the template is now a drag-and-drop process; text blocks are simply dragged into position, into shape and into size. Blocks can be easily duplicated, rotated, ordered, and also positioned within the template using the new “snap-to” guides which allow the user to align the blocks relative to one another. Tightrope has also added basic HTML formatting for text blocks, block shadow, block gradient and block reflection enabling users to quickly create highly stylized bulletins.
Additional content creation enhancements in Carousel 6.0 include the ability to preview the content you are working on in “full screen” mode during the creation process. A user can see exactly how the bulletin will look before it is published. Tightrope also added the ability to automatically create seamless backgrounds with Carousel 6.0. A user can import a background from a graphics program such as Adobe Photoshop, onto a multi-zone channel layout, and Carousel will automatically break up the image in accordance with the pre-established zones; a huge time saver.
Enhancements to the Remote Data Adapter
Carousel’s Remote Data Adapter (RDA) enables bulletins to be called and/or generated by XML data strings thereby opening virtually unlimited application possibilities. In Carousel 6.0 player status can be polled with the RDA, bulletins can now be selected via pre-defined tags, and bulletins can also be assigned to multiple zones by name or tag. In Carousel 6.0, the triggering of alert bulletins has been reduced to milliseconds, and any bulletin can be moved or copied into the full screen alert zone.
Upgrading to Carousel 6.0
In order to facilitate a smooth upgrade process, we are going to offer Carousel 6.0 upgrades to customers that have purchased Gold Assurance first, followed by those with Silver Assurance, and then we will offer upgrades to those that purchase Gold or Silver Assurance in order to upgrade to Carousel 6.0.
Please keep the following schedule and requirements in mind as you initiate your upgrade to Carousel 6.0:
- Those of you who have Gold Assurance and have Carousel 5.0 or higher will be able to upgrade your software beginning Thursday, January 21. The software upgrade will be free. Once you are ready to install the upgrade, send an e-mail support@trms.com and they will verify your eligibility and then e-mail back a license key. Remember, this is a self install.
- Those of you who have Silver Assurance and have Carousel 5.0 or higher will be able to upgrade your software beginning Monday, January 25. The software upgrade will be also be free. Once you are ready to install the upgrade, send an e-mail support@trms.com and they will verify your eligibility and then e-mail back a license key. Remember, this is a self install.
- Those who have Carousel 4.5 to Carousel 5.0 (build code 1008 or higher) will be able to upgrade your software as well, and you will not be charged for the software, but it will take approximately 2 hours of Tightrope support, billed at Tightrope’s hourly rate of $90/hr. in order to facilitate the upgrade. You will be able to upgrade your software beginning on January 29. If you decide you would like to upgrade your software, send an e-mail to support@trms.com and they will verify your eligibility and schedule a time to provide the support you will require for the upgrade.
- If you do not have Gold or Silver Assurance, and you want to upgrade to Carousel 6.0, and your software version is 4.5 or higher (build code 1008 or higher), you can purchase Silver Assurance and receive the upgrades. Contact your dealer to purchase Silver Assurance and they will help facilitate the upgrade to Carousel 6.0.
- If you have Carousel hardware that does not support Carousel 6.0, and you would like to upgrade, you will have to purchase new hardware. The good news is that Tightrope offers upgrade pricing at a tremendous discount to existing customer. Please contact your dealer for upgrade pricing.
As you know, we have recently started regular training webinars on specific topics of interest to Carousel and Cablecast dealers and customers. We will hold a special training session on Thursday, January 28 from 1PM to 3 PM Central time on utilizing the new Template editor and other new features of Carousel 6.0. In order to register, click here and complete the registration form.
Best regards,
Steve Israelsky
VP Sales/CMO
Tightrope Media Systems
612-866-4118 x 214
8 Comments
I want to seem more on Carousel 6 before I upgrade. Where are the screen shots? Where are the demo videos? Where is the Carousel 6.0 web page?
Hey Eric, we just announced that we’ll be hosting a live webinar that goes over the new features in Carousel 6.0. You can see the announcement (and find the link for registration) on our forum post here: http://gsfn.us/t/paqj
I hope this helps!
-John
We just had brand new equipment delivered on January 30 that has Carousel 5.2.7 installed. Why not 6.0? Will we be able to upgrade without charge?
Hi Stan,
All new systems come with a 90-day software warranty, so you’ll be able to upgrade your system to 6.0. Just make sure to register with us so you can recieve free support. Once you’re registered, you can send an email to support@trms.com explaining that you just got your system and would like to upgrade from 5.2.7 to 6.0. Our support team will send you links and instructions on how to upgrade.
-John
Hi, I was just wondering in August of 2009 we have upgraded to what I think was 5.2.7 and would our Carousel be able to upgrade free of charge to 6.0.
Hi Josh,
It depends on whether you have an active System Assurance contract with us. If you shoot off an email to support@trms.com they’ll be able to tell you the state of your assurance plan.
I hope this helps!
-John
When we do the upgrade, will our existing bulletins continue to play or will we have to go in and set them all up again? Thanks.
Hi David,
If you’re upgrading from a recent version of Carousel (for example, version 5.2), your existing bulletins will continue to work as they did before. You will not need to recreate them. Feel free to head over to our support forum if you’ve got more questions about the upgrade.
I hope this helps,
-John