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Author Topic: How much access should the end user have??? Dan Williams Film Handler Posts: 11 From: Southampton, NY United States Registered: Feb 2018 posted 12-28-2018 09:23 PM                     Long story as short as possible... I have been involved in the day to day technical operation with an art house for the last 5 years. A year ago I handled the installation of a Barco 10s running a Doremi IMS. About 6 months ago said art house brought in a new Director who implemented a bunch of decisions to cut costs and as a part of those cuts I was just l told that our yearly contract would not be renewed in the new year. They have brought someone in who has almost no technical knowledge because well, “it’s just pressing a few buttons”... Cureently there’s basic access to run BluRay content via the SDI input via the default startup state and basic projector control via iPad and the cinemate app. Anytime we run DCP content it’s done by a qualified tech via web interface... So, the question is whether I leave it as simply the basic access and tell them that “any actual projectionist” will be able to handle the rest or do I actually walk them through access to the IMB and the Barco Communicator? What’s the right thing here? Thanks!  |  IP: Logged Justin Hamaker Film God Posts: 2253 From: Lakeport, CA USA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 12-28-2018 09:32 PM                        I would be reluctant to teach anyone unless it is someone with at least some technical knowledge of the systems. I don't see why a "button pusher" should be taught anything more than how to change the format. Teach them too much and there is a risk they start poking around where they don't belong.  |  IP: Logged Dan Williams Film Handler Posts: 11 From: Southampton, NY United States Registered: Feb 2018 posted 12-28-2018 09:45 PM                     Agreed, it’s also about protecting their original investment. I guess the meat of this question is whether or not to go into the media block, loading and playing content or just leave it as “a qualified tech will know how that works”? Or is that a bad practice because after all... it is a system they own.  |  IP: Logged Stephan Shelley Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 854 From: castro valley, CA, usa Registered: Nov 2014 posted 12-28-2018 09:56 PM                     Yes one of the common misconception all is need it to push a few buttons. The other one is once it is installed you can lock it up and never have to touch it again. I say you have no obligation to train anyone. But as you say the do own the equipment so you should give them a list of all relevant logins and passwords. Tell them to call if they need help but it will be at the no contract hourly rate.  |  IP: Logged Martin Brooks Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 900 From: Forest Hills, NY, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 12-28-2018 09:59 PM                        Assuming your contract is up 12/31, it's a moot point. Else, tell them you can't train anyone unless your contract is renewed (for another year) and that you work on a long-term contract basis, not a per diem basis. If they insist, charge them $2500 per day.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-28-2018 10:51 PM                     Walk away the day your contract is up. Your responsibility only goes as far as you are being paid to go.  |  IP: Logged Dan Williams Film Handler Posts: 11 From: Southampton, NY United States Registered: Feb 2018 posted 12-28-2018 10:54 PM                     I’ll definitely present them with a service agreement for next year they can choose to accept or not... With that said if I do a proper hand off of the system... Where do you draw the line on handing off vs teaching? Do we do passwords and basic operation, do I go through all the operations of the server with them or do I leave that open ended and simply say that those functions are only available to a qualified or certified tech? What do you all do?  |  IP: Logged Justin Hamaker Film God Posts: 2253 From: Lakeport, CA USA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 12-28-2018 11:08 PM                        I wouldn't go any further than basic operations. Ingesting and loading content, building play lists, and playback operations. I would not get into any maintenance or repair functions, including things like changing bulbs. I would definitely make sure they have all necessary passwords for operation purposes, but I would be reluctant to hand off any tech passwords. If you do give them any tech passwords, I would make sure to be clear about how those passwords would allow someone access which could result in them screwing up settings and impacting their presentation.  |  IP: Logged Dave Macaulay Film God Posts: 2321 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Apr 2001 posted 12-28-2018 11:09 PM                     Leave the default passwords in place and walk away. You don't, IMO, have an onligation to train anyone. But changing passwords so they can't access the system if they just call Barco and ask, that could lead to trouble for you. They own the equipment and can do as they wish with it.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-28-2018 11:17 PM                     quote: Dave Macaulay Leave the default passwords in place and walk away. You don't, IMO, have an onligation to train anyone. And if (when) people say, "But...but...but...who is going to teach people to run the booth?" your answer should be, "You should have thought of that before you terminated my contract."  |  IP: Logged Marcel Birgelen Film God Posts: 3357 From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2012 posted 12-29-2018 07:54 AM                     It obviously depends on the particular contract you have, but usually you can't simply refuse training your "replacement", no matter how demoralizing it might be. That said, it doesn't mean you have to be great at it either. And never spend any second longer than that you're contractually obliged to spend on it. And sure, every time you're doing something more than just pushing two buttons, like changing a lamp, tell them the potential implications of letting an untrained tech doing this.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-29-2018 09:29 AM                     quote: Marcel Birgelen It obviously depends on the particular contract you have, but usually you can't simply refuse training your "replacement", no matter how demoralizing it might be. If your contract or job description say that you must train others then, yes, that's true. But, if not, you can simply walk out the door. Practical reality dictates a solution somewhere in the middle. I think you should give somebody some basic instruction on how to operate the system but you should NOT have to teach somebody else to do your job. If they want somebody to run the system properly they must PAY somebody to do it.  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 12-29-2018 09:40 AM                     I, personally, would not train ANYONE that would be coming in to take my job. I doubt any contract would say that you have to. If they want to bring someone new in, they should train them themselves. As far as passwords go, we changed ALL default passwords on all equipment here. That's the whole point of changing them. You don't want just anyone accessing things. Also, maybe I'm being a dick here but if we were ever replaced, why would I give them the passwords? You want someone else to run the booth, let them figure things out. Owners and management love to cut costs because, in the end, we're only "pushing buttons" anyway.  |  IP: Logged Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-29-2018 10:25 AM                        Why burn your bridges? Make a graceful exit and let them know you are available for renewing the contract at any time. There's a good chance things will get screwed up enough often enough they will realize they are wasting more money than saving.  |  IP: Logged Dave Macaulay Film God Posts: 2321 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Apr 2001 posted 12-29-2018 11:16 AM                     "As far as passwords go, we changed ALL default passwords on all equipment here" There is ample case law to establish that you will be held liable for the costs of repairing this sabotage, lost income caused by it, and also subject to punitive damages. Bad idea.  |  IP: Logged

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