VCI Solutions is a provider of sales and traffic software systems designed exclusively for broadcast and cable station operations.
As a steadfast contributor to the media market for over 26 years, VCI Solutions has become a trusted and reliable business partner for the future. VCI Solutions is committed to the success of its clients by providing the tools, flexibility, and knowledge they need for growth.
VCI Solutions is a privately held company, whose executive staff are among some of the top professionals in the broadcast and cable industry. Along with its rapid growth, the VCI Solutions team provides years of experience and know-how with a comprehensive understanding of the media market’s needs and wants.
Innovative Software
Orion® Software Solutions
VCI Solutions is responsible for the creation, support, installation, and training of the Orion® and Orion® Discovery Business System software that includes sales, traffic, and accounting applications. The software is a “back office” revenue and inventory management system for television stations and cable networks, completing all program and commercial scheduling from point-of-sale to point-of-air® (time content is sold right on through reconciliation).
The Orion® Discovery solution goes beyond traditional traffic system capabilities by providing predictive analytics and advanced reporting functionality.
Why Choose VCI Solutions?
Broadcast television stations and cable networks are operating in a multi-platform world, so efficiently managing and streaming their valuable content from point-of-sale to point-of-air has become a challenge. Stations are looking for new ways to more effectively manage their operation, while streamlining their multiple workflows to not only lower their operational costs, but generate an increased ROI. That being said, we are proud to provide our clients with real sales and traffic solutions that do just that.
Because of our strong commitment to the industry and our long-term partnerships, our clients feel safe knowing they will benefit from our industry leadership and understanding, a history of continual innovation and development, and thoroughly tested and reliable technology. We continually enhance our software systems and services for the ever-changing market, enabling our clients to:
- Better anticipate change
- More efficiently manage their business in a rapidly evolving marketplace
- Stay ahead of the curve with a competitive advantage
Historical Timeline
Bill Putnam was the founder of Springfield Television – the corporation owned 3 TV stations, one being WWLP – the Springfield, MA NBC affiliate. In 1976, Lowell Putnam, Bill’s son, graduated from college and went to work for his father. Lowell was given the challenge of creating a software package to replace Springfield Television’s existing system. Lowell sat with each person in the operation and learned their workflow and interviewed them on the requirements of a new system. Lowell with a small programming team, successfully created what became STARS I, and replaced the BIAS system at all Springfield Television properties. Springfield Television was sold in 1984, and Lowell started his own company, VCI Solutions.
As the industry has evolved, so has VCI Solution’s product portfolio. Stars I, now in its fourth generation and called Orion, has continued to set the pace for technological advancement in the marketplace. For example, VCI Solutions was the first to deliver:
- Hubbing/centralcasting capabilities. Currently, Orion can support more channels operating within a single database than any other vendor.
- Full integration between traffic and sales proposal systems: OneDomain’s ClearView and InVision’s Dealmaker
- The ability to drag and drop spots
- Bookends and donuts
- Desktop-based analysis toolkits based on OLAP (online analytical processing) to provide real-time, multi-dimensional analysis without the need for a separate reporting service