FAQ’s DAYvid
SOFTWARE:
1) Does DAYvid run on both Mac and PCs? 2) What makes DAYvid different from other software providers? (e.g. Movie Magic, EP Scheduling, Gorilla...)? 3) Is web access possible? 4) Can existing or future xml database files be imported into the DAYvid system? 5) Can all the data on the server be exported to standard formats such as: Xcel? 6) In what format are contracts, texts, stills, documents, audio and video files stored? Are the files available outside a DAYvid environment as well? 7) How easy would it be to create a function for exporting budget information into a matching CSV file so that it can be imported into our accounting package? 8) Where can I buy DAYvid and how do installation and support work? 9) Is a license infinite if you buy it or does it expire at some point? 10) Is there a minimum amount of licenses you have to buy? 11) Is DAYvid available in other languages as well? 12) Is there a support team in my country? 13) How long has DAYvid been on the market and have there been many updates since it was introduced?
HARDWARE:
14) Can I install DAYvid on my server as well? 15) What kind of server do we use? 16) How does DAYvid manage remote operations? Is it based on www or VPN solutions? 17) What else can I use the DAYvid server for? Can it replace our current Leopard server and do all the computers that log in become monitors or do they co-exist side by side? 18) How are data backups carried out? Is all the data backed up on a separate HD and can you also back it up online? 19) Can the server be replaced quickly in case it crashes, catches fire or gets stolen in the middle of production?
1) Does DAYvid run on both Mac and PCs? Yes, DAYvid is fully Mac (and PC) compatible. Because DAYvid was developed for the film industry, we widened our focus to include Mac users.
2) What makes DAYvid different from other software providers? (e.g. Movie Magic, EP Scheduling, Gorilla...)? DAYvid is a film production software that effectively supports the entire workflow of a film production company. It is server-based and allows password-protected access from all over the world for a number of users simultaneously. What sets DAYvid apart is that it covers the entire project and office workflow from pre-production to post-production. DAYvid interlinks casting files, location files, address files, production timing, etc., in other words all project data. Moreover, all team members can be authorized to access the information from all over the world at the same time (of course with password-protected user logins). For producers, DAYvid ensures maximum efficiency, data protection and increasing knowledge management with every new project.
3) Is web access possible? As soon as the DAYvid software is installed on the client, DAYvid can be accessed via both the intranet and the Internet. If DAYvid is not installed – as is the case for clients – files can be accessed via the web using the DAYvid’s fileXchange mechanism.
4) Can existing or future xml database files be imported into the DAYvid system? This depends on what exactly you need. Out of the box, DAYvid is able to interact with e-mail servers. Further integration can be done upon client request.
5) Can all the data on the server be exported to standard formats such as: Xcel?
All printable data can be exported in the following file formats:
PDF
RTF
ODT
HTML
Single -sheet XLS
Multiple-sheet XLS
CSV
XML
Embedded images XML.
6) In what format are contracts, texts, stills, documents, audio and video files stored? Are the files available outside a DAYvid environment as well? DAYvid stores almost all data in a relational database (PostgresQL), which allows access via industry standard interfaces (like ODBC). This is also true for e-mail and the calendar. Videos are also stored in the relational database and are played on QuickTime. In other words, DAYvid can handle any media file that can be played on QuickTime. Usually, however, you should make sure that you do not put full-HD videos on DAYvid, as it is designed for medium quality MPEG files. Images can be either GIF or JPEG (RGB) and are stored in the database.
7) How easy would it be to create a function for exporting budget information into a matching CSV file so that it can be imported into our accounting package? Research has shown that developing a standardized budgeting tool is not a good idea at the moment, as accounting methods vary widely according to company. That’s why DAYvid was developed to allow you to link any kind of budget files to the project in question.
8) Where can I buy DAYvid and how do installation and support work? The quickest and easiest way to buy DAYvid is to purchase a DAYvid server. The DAYvid server is delivered ready-to-go right out of the box and can be integrated into your existing IT system right away. If a suitable server is already setup, DAYvid is installed to that location online. Support is available by telephone, e-mail and by direct access to the server.
9) Is a license infinite if you buy it or does it expire at some point? No, a license does not expire. Once you have a license, it’s yours - forever!
10) Is there a minimum amount of licenses you have to buy? No, there is no required amount of licenses you have to purchase.
11) Is DAYvid available in other languages as well? At the moment DAYvid ® THE PRODUCER is available in English and German. Using reference lists, translating the software interface into any other language is no problem.
12) Is there a support team in my country? Support is done worldwide over the Internet. Your system administrator can give us temporary and controlled access to the DAYvid server, allowing us to install updates or fix any bugs within minutes.
13) How long has DAYvid been on the market and have there been many updates since it was introduced? DAYvid ® THE PRODUCER has been on the market since 2006 with two major updates and a large number of minor improvements implemented based on user feedback.
14) Can I install DAYvid on my server as well? We officially support an installation on our hardware. Nevertheless, the system is fully Java-based, so an installation on an Apple server system should be technically possible. Existing server conditions will be cleared individually.
15) What kind of server do we use? The backend server runs on Linux using a JEE application server (Jonas 4.8) and PostgresQL 8.2 as relational database.
16) How does DAYvid manage remote operations? Is it based on www or VPN solutions? DAYvid handles remote connections through TCP/IP (in other words, if installed at a "visible" location, you can connect to DAYvid from almost anywhere in the world). Nevertheless, your DAYvid server is usually placed behind a firewall for security reasons (in fact, we also require this for support). If the server is behind a firewall, access from the outside world is blocked. If you want to access the server from anywhere in the world, you need to punch a hole through your firewall, and a typical VPN solution is the perfect solution for doing that.
17) What else can I use the DAYvid server for? Can it replace our current Leopard server and do all the computers that log in become monitors or do they co-exist side by side? DAYvid is not a file or mail server, and as such is not a replacement for a Leopard server. Think of it as a database server with a very specific purpose, i.e. managing your data in a structured way. You can continue using your Leopard server for storing data that is not stored in DAYvid.
18) How are data backups carried out? Is all the data backed up on a separate HD and can you also back it up online? As every company has its own backup routines, we recommend incorporating DAYvid backups into your existing backup processes. No, it is not possible to run DAYvid backups online. We recommend using your existing network backup routine.
19) Can the server be replaced quickly in case it crashes, catches fire or gets stolen in the middle of production? Yes, you can obtain a replacement within days.
