The Assistant Manager Blog

Introducing the TAM Report Sample Guide

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:22:54 GMT

When budgets are tight and costs are rising, raising prices can feel like the only option. But for many organizations, there is a smarter path: increasing the value of each transaction instead of charging more for the same experience.

By making a few simple adjustments to how you present tickets, donations, memberships, or merchandise, you can increase revenue in ways that clearly add value for your customers. Instead of relying on price hikes, these 5 TAM strategies help you create more opportunities within each transaction, turning everyday purchases into substantial gains for your organization.

1) Implement a Round Up donation at the TAM Cash Register.

Rounding up from $18.40 to $19.00 does not feel like a donation in the same way a $10 or $25 ask does. It’s spare change. Because the amount is so small, more people say yes and participation is what drives results. If even half of your visitors contribute a Round Up donation , you’ve suddenly created a steady stream of micro-gifts that require no extra campaigns, events, or mailers.

2) Strengthen Your Membership Program with Auto-Renew.

Memberships can be one of the most reliable and impactful sources of ongoing support for any organization. But when renewal depends on members remembering to opt in each year, even your most loyal supporters can unintentionally lapse. Shifting from manual, opt-in renewals to automatic membership renewal is one of the simplest ways to improve retention and create long-term financial stability. When memberships renew automatically, your focus shifts from chasing renewals to nurturing relationships.

3) Offer Exclusive Promotion Codes

A well timed promotion can drive immediate retail sales, especially when it feels exclusive. Creating special offers for members or recent ticket buyers encourages additional spending while reinforcing the value of their connection to your organization. With TAM’s Promotion Code program, you can easily create targeted promotional campaigns that can be applied at point of sale or on eTAM.

Promotion Code Strategy

When a specific SKU is purchased include a receipt message that contains a promotion code for savings on a return visit.
Hold a Friends & Family event where a promotion code is given to select customers/members.

4) Use POS suggestion prompts to drive add-ons:

TAM’s point-of-sale suggestion feature displays a custom message to the cashier when specific items are added to a transaction, making it easy for staff to recommend related products, donations, or upgrades in the moment. These timely, consistent prompts help increase add on rates and can significantly boost your average dollars per transaction.

5) Use Bundles to Increase Value Per Purchase

Ticket or Inventory bundles are a fantastic way to increase revenue while making customers feel like they’re getting more for their money. By packaging related items or experiences together at a set price, you can encourage higher spending without the perception of simply “adding on” extra costs.

Bundle Ideas

Multi-attraction or multi-day experiences
Family or group visit packages
Gift ready retail bundles

These revenue driving options are already built into the TAM software you use every day — they just need to be implemented. By taking advantage of these existing features, your organization can unlock meaningful gains using the software you already have in place. For guidance on any of these options or help getting started, contact the TAM Help Desk at 866-435-7826 or Help@tamb2cc.com.

5 Easy Ways to Increase Revenue Without Raising Prices

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:57:36 GMT

1) Implement a Round Up donation at the TAM Cash Register.

2) Strengthen Your Membership Program with Auto-Renew.

3) Offer Exclusive Promotion Codes

Promotion Code Strategy

When a specific SKU is purchased include a receipt message that contains a promotion code for savings on a return visit.
Hold a Friends & Family event where a promotion code is given to select customers/members.

4) Use POS suggestion prompts to drive add-ons:

5) Use Bundles to Increase Value Per Purchase

Bundle Ideas

Multi-attraction or multi-day experiences
Family or group visit packages
Gift ready retail bundles

Experience the Future of Museum Operations at InterActivity 2026

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:40:00 GMT

Museum professionals are constantly looking for better ways to manage operations, strengthen visitor relationships, and create a more connected guest experience. At the 2026 Texas Association of Museums Annual Conference, TAM Intelliware will be showcasing how The Assistant Manager™ can help organizations do exactly that.

Held this year at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas, the conference brings together museum leaders and professionals from across the nation. TAM Intelliware will be exhibiting at Booth #32, where attendees can see firsthand how The Assistant Manager supports museums and cultural organizations with a complete suite of ERP and POS solutions.

Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of capabilities, including:

Ticketing
Fundraising
Membership Management
Group Sales
Ecommerce
Point of Sale
Inventory Management

In addition to these core features, attendees can also learn more about SmartCRM™, Business Intelligence tools, and mobile device options designed to help organizations stay connected and operate more efficiently.

The Assistant Manager is built to help museums bring all areas of their organization together in one place. By connecting commerce, guest engagement, memberships, ticketing, fundraising, and reporting, organizations can gain a true 360 degree view of their visitors, members, and constituents.

Whether your museum is looking to improve the guest experience, streamline day to day operations, or make smarter business decisions with better data, the TAM Intelliware team will be available to answer questions and provide live demonstrations throughout the conference.

Stop by Booth #32 during the TAM 2026 Annual Conference to meet the team and see how The Assistant Manager can help your organization work smarter and serve your community better.

Booth Hours

Monday, April 20: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, April 21: 8:00 AM – 2:15 PM

Visit TAM Intelliware at the Texas Association of Museums 2026 Annual Conference

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:29:06 GMT

Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of capabilities, including:

Ticketing
Fundraising
Membership Management
Group Sales
Ecommerce
Point of Sale
Inventory Management

Stop by Booth #32 during the TAM 2026 Annual Conference to meet the team and see how The Assistant Manager can help your organization work smarter and serve your community better.

Booth Hours

Monday, April 20: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, April 21: 8:00 AM – 2:15 PM

Help Desk or TAM Online Learning Academy? The Fastest Path to Answers

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:17:45 GMT

When a question comes up during a busy day, you need answers fast. Whether you're helping a customer, processing a transaction, or setting up something new in TAM, knowing where to turn can save valuable time.

The good news? The Help Desk is always available to you but many of the answers you need are already right at your fingertips in the TAM Online Learning Academy.

�� When to Use the Online Learning Academy

For many everyday questions, the fastest path to an answer is actually the TAM Online Learning Academy .

This resource is available whenever you need it and is packed with step by step guidance on how to use features across the system. You can quickly look up how to complete a task and keep moving.

The Learning Academy is especially helpful for:

Learning how to set up features
Training new staff members – be sure to check out the Fact Sheets and FAQ section.
Refreshing your knowledge on processes you don’t use often
Finding guidance outside of regular support hours

Because it’s self service, you can search, watch, and learn at your own pace — whether it’s during a quiet moment or right in the middle of a busy shift.

�� When to Contact the Help Desk

The TAM Help Desk is your go to for:

Technical issues
Errors or unexpected behavior
Questions specific to your system setup
Urgent situations that need immediate attention – please call the Help Desk rather than email

If something isn’t working the way it should, or you’re stuck and can’t move forward, the Help Desk team is ready to step in and get you back on track.

The Best Approach? Use Both!

Think of the Learning Academy as your first stop for “how to” questions and training, and the Help Desk as your partner for troubleshooting and system specific support. Together, they give you the fastest path to answers, helping your team stay productive and your operations running smoothly.

To get registered for the TAM Online Learning Academy or have a question that requires hands on assistance, contact the Help Desk at 866-435-7826 or Help@tamb2cc.com.

What if every purchase, ticket, donation, or membership signup could also help you better understand your customers?

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:00:53 GMT

What You'll Learn in 60 minutes

· How to design sales and limited-time promotions that boost revenue

· How to create and use TAM promotion codes

· How to set up group pricing to increase dollars per transaction and units per transaction

Why Attend?

This session will equip you with practical strategies you can apply right away to get the most value from the promotional pricing options in TAM. Our experts will share proven tips to save time during check out, avoid mistakes, and optimize how you offer promotions to your customers.

Choose a Session

· February 10 at 12:00 PM EST

· February 12 at 5:00 PM EST

Each session covers the same content-choose the time that works best for you.

How to Register

Email the Training Department at training@tamb2cc.com with:

· The session date you'd like to attend

· The names and email addresses of attendees

You'll receive a confirmation email and calendar invitation with dial-in/joining details.

We look forward to seeing you at the webinar!

At Your Service,

TAM Training Team

�� training@tamb2cc.com

☎️ 866-435-7826

�� www.theassistantmanager.com

The TAM Training Department invites you to a free live webinar on Promotional Pricing

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:00:36 GMT

What You'll Learn in 60 minutes

· How to design sales and limited-time promotions that boost revenue

· How to create and use TAM promotion codes

· How to set up group pricing to increase dollars per transaction and units per transaction

Why Attend?

Choose a Session

· February 10 at 12:00 PM EST

· February 12 at 5:00 PM EST

Each session covers the same content-choose the time that works best for you.

How to Register

Email the Training Department at training@tamb2cc.com with:

· The session date you'd like to attend

· The names and email addresses of attendees

You'll receive a confirmation email and calendar invitation with dial-in/joining details.

We look forward to seeing you at the webinar!

At Your Service,

TAM Training Team

�� training@tamb2cc.com

☎️ 866-435-7826

�� www.theassistantmanager.com

Connecting TAM and Salesforce: Seamless, Reliable Data Integration

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:57:46 GMT

Managing data across multiple systems is one of the biggest challenges for organizations TAM’s Salesforce Sync was designed to fix exactly that problem, providing a clean, dependable, near real time flow of key data between Salesforce and TAM.

Whether you're using Salesforce as your CRM or storing additional data there, TAM’s Salesforce Sync eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and keeps your records consistent across platforms.

A Two-Way Flow of Meaningful Data

TAM’s Salesforce Sync is built to support how organizations actually work, by keeping the right data flowing in the right direction.

Customer and membership information from Salesforce stays aligned with TAM, ensuring frontline staff always have accurate details when interacting with guests or members. At the same time, transactional activity from TAM flows back into Salesforce, giving teams deeper insight into purchasing behavior and engagement.

Together, these syncs help create a more complete picture of each customer or member, without extra effort from your team.

With Salesforce Sync, organizations benefit from:

Fewer manual updates
Reduced data errors
More consistent records across teams
Better visibility into customer and member activity

The result is smoother operations and more confident decision-making.

Customization for Every Organization

Because Salesforce environments vary widely, TAM intentionally engineered Sync to be adaptable.

Common customization points include:

Field naming differences
How membership IDs are stored
Optional barcode mapping
User defined fields
Complex Salesforce schema variations

TAM can work with each organization to ensure a clean, accurate integration that respects their unique Salesforce structure.

Conclusion

TAM’s Salesforce Sync bridges critical systems to create a unified, modern data ecosystem. With flexible configuration options and a dependable sync engine, it’s a powerful enhancement for any organization using Salesforce.

Interested in adding the Salesforce Sync to your business?

Contact your TAM Account Representative or email sales@tamb2cc.com .

Email Communication Customization Using the Admin From Email Enhancement

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:03:27 GMT

We know that clear communication matters especially when purchases need to be routed to the right person or department. With TAM version 12.12, we’ve introduced the Admin From Email enhancement, giving you greater control over order notifications and confirmations.

What Is the Admin From Email Enhancement?

The Admin From Email enhancement allows you to assign a specific email address to an individual Event or Program. When a purchase is made on eTAM:

The customer’s confirmation email is sent from that assigned email address
The organization’s order notification is sent to that same email address

If no Admin From Email is set, TAM will continue using the default email address defined in Admission Parameters.

You Asked and we Delivered.

We understand that many organizations have different departments or team members responsible for different events or programs. This enhancement allows you to:

Route notifications directly to the correct department or staff member
Ensure customers receive confirmations from a relevant, recognizable email address
Reduce missed emails and internal follow ups

Simply put, the right people get the right information, automatically.

Ready to the Admin From Email Enhancement?

The Admin From Email Enhancement is available now in TAM version 12.12. If you need help getting started or want to learn more, please contact the Help Desk at 866-435-7826 or Help@tamb2cc.com .

Introducing eTAM Private Events: Exclusive Access, Complete Control

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:08:02 GMT

At TAM, we’re always focused on enhancing your experience and giving you more control over how you sell tickets and connect with your customers. With the latest enhancement in TAM version 12.12, you now have the ability to create eTAM Private Events, events that are available only to the customers you choose.

What Is an eTAM Private Event?

An eTAM Private Event allows you to restrict event access to a select audience by using a unique, shareable link. The event is not publicly visible on your website only those who receive the link can view the event and purchase tickets.

This enhancement is ideal for:

VIP or invitation only events
Donor or member exclusives
Private previews or presales
Curated or limited attendance experiences

You stay in control of who can attend, while your customers enjoy a seamless and secure online ticket buying experience.

How It Works (From Your Customer’s Perspective)

Once you share the private event link:

The customer clicks the link you send them.
They are taken directly to the private eTAM event page.
Tickets are purchased just like any other eTAM event, simple and familiar.

Ready to Use eTAM Private Events?

The eTAM Private Event feature is available now in TAM version 12.12. If you need help getting started or want to learn more, please contact the Help Desk at 866-435-7826 or Help@tamb2cc.com .

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Hours

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:31:51 GMT

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

TAM Intelliware’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day hours of operation will be as follows:

Monday, January 19 ^th – Closed

Important! As always, the Help Desk is available for emergency support 24/7/365 at 866-435-7826. Our administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 19 ^th and reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20 ^th .

New Merchant Track Guide Now Available in the TAM Application Learning Academy!

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:27:57 GMT

New Merchant Track Guide Now Available in the TAM Application Learning Academy!

We’re excited to share that a brand new Merchant Track Guide is now available in the TAM Application Learning Academy! This guide walks users through every key feature of Merchant Track, a powerful tool designed to help you efficiently manage and analyze your credit card and gift card processing activity.

Merchant Track gives you real time visibility into transactions, funding activity, chargebacks, gift card operations, and more. From the Dashboard’s quick snapshot of daily volumes to detailed reports like Funding by Transaction, Chargeback Summary, Merchant Statements, and Gift Card Operations the guide shows you exactly where to find the information you need, fast.

Whether you’re tracking daily sales, reconciling deposits, researching a specific transaction, or reviewing monthly statements, this new guide helps you get the most out of Merchant Track’s reporting tools and navigation. It even includes tips like drilling into Funding IDs, exporting reports, sorting by column, and more to make your workflow easier and more efficient.

Why This Guide Matters for TAM Users

· Helps you quickly understand and use the full power of Merchant Track

· Saves time when researching transactions or reconciling your accounting

· Improves accuracy with clear step-by-step instructions

· Supports both new staff and experienced users who want to deepen their knowledge

· Provides visuals and explanations directly aligned with TAM’s latest features

Head to the TAM Application Learning Academy today and check out the new Merchant Track Guide!

It’s ready for you, and it’s an easy way to sharpen your skills and get even more value from your TAM system.

Not registered for the TAM Application Learning Academy?

Contact the Help Desk at Help@TAMb2cc.com and ask to be registered.

Warm Wishes and Holiday Hours

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:08:50 GMT

From all of us, we want to send warm wishes to you and yours. May your holidays be filled with joy and surrounded by loved ones.

TAM Intelliware’s holiday hours of operation will be as follows:

Wednesday, December 24th – Closed, Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 25th – Closed, Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 31st – Closing at 3PM CST, New Year’s Eve
Thursday, January 1st – Closed, New Year’s Day

Important! As always, the Help Desk is available for emergency support 24/7/365 at 866-435-7826.

Something New Is Coming: A Fresh Look for TAM

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:48:19 GMT

We’ve been quietly working behind the scenes on something special, and we’re almost ready to show you!

Our team has been hard at work redesigning the TAM interface with one goal in mind: making your day-to-day experience smoother, faster, and more intuitive.

We heard you.

Over time, you’ve shared valuable feedback about what you love in TAM and where things could be a little easier. We listened. From simplifying everyday tasks to giving the screens a cleaner, more modern feel, this facelift is built around how you use TAM.

This UI/UX update isn’t just about a new coat of paint. It’s cleaner layouts that focus on how you move through the application, simplifying workflows, decluttering screens, and adding the polished look you deserve. Whether you’re managing membership profiles, running reports, or tracking donations, you’ll soon notice how much easier it all looks and feels.

Familiar, but better.

We know change can be exciting, and sometimes a bit daunting, so we’ve made sure the new design still feels familiar. You’ll recognize the TAM you already know and trust, but with a cleaner look, more innovative organization, and small touches that make a big difference.

Coming Soon…

We can’t share all the details just yet (where’s the fun in that?), but here’s a hint: expect a cleaner design, smarter navigation, and a modern feel that brings your experience up to a whole new level.

Stay tuned, the new look is just around the corner, and we can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been building!

Notice the clean layout and updated color schemes.

All of your familiar programs and reports with a modern look

Interested, but you don’t have the module?

Contact sales@tamb2cc.com to discuss adding Donations.

Operational guidance only; not legal advice. Confirm and follow your state’s rules before implementing changes.

Updated window styles for a fresh look

Keep the Change- Retail Life After the Penny

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:54:24 GMT

What we know (as of November 3, 2025)

Pennies are on the way out. The mint has been winding down production, but the pennies already in your drawer are still legal to use.
There isn’t one national rule for rounding. Retailers are doing their best while waiting for clear federal guidance.
Encourage credit card use by using signage
our state’s rules come first. Some states require you to give exact change for cash. If that’s you, stick with exact change. If rounding is allowed, you can use the suggestions below.

Quick note: We’re sharing operational tips—not legal advice. Confirm your state’s requirements before making changes.

If rounding is permitted in your state: practical options

Scope: These suggestions apply only where state rules allow cash transaction rounding. Credit card transactions remain unchanged.

Cash-only rounding at checkout

Rule: Round the final total (after discounts and tax) to the nearest $0.05 for cash payments only.
Examples: $12.01-$12.02 ® $12.00; $12.03-$12.04 ® $12.05
Customer note (receipt or sign) “Cash transactions rounded to the nearest $0.05”
Add a receipt message: TAM Office>POS>Receipt Messages

Penny float/micro variance

Keep a small penny cup to handle ± $0.01-$0.02 differences on cash when needed

Adjust Retail Prices on a Few SKUs

Price changes won’t likely help, once tax is added; But if a SKU frequently sells by itself and constantly causes a rounding issue, adjusting the price makes sense.

Donation Round Up (module required)

Availability: Round up at the register is available if your organization is licensed for TAM Donations

How it works by default: The system automatically suggests rounding the transaction to the next whole dollar (e.g., a $12.92 total suggests a $0.08 donation to reach $13.00)

Customer-chosen amount- Shoppers can choose a different round-up amount. The cashier edits the donation amount on the prompt to any value the customer requests (e.g., the customer prefers $12.95- enter $0.03 instead of $0.08). It’s still processed as a Donation Round Up.

Voluntary & separate: Round up is optional and separate from cash rounding policies. Use it whether your state requires exact change or allows cash rounding.

Enable Donation Round up: TAM Office>System Utilities>Setup>Point of Sale>Quick Donations

Interested, but you don’t have the module?

Contact sales@tamb2cc.com to discuss adding Donations.

Operational guidance only; not legal advice. Confirm and follow your state’s rules before implementing changes.

Need a quick TAM refresher? Try our new Fact Sheets

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:29:47 GMT

Ever wish you had a quick, plain-English refresher for a TAM task? Now you do. Our new TAM Fact Sheets are short, printable guides that help you get from “How do I…?” to “Done” in just a few steps.

Each Fact Sheet covers what matters: when to use it, step-by-step instructions, key settings, and common gotchas to avoid. They’re great for shift refreshers, onboarding, and keeping best practices consistent across your team.

A Few You Can Grab Today:

Accounting & Back Office: Accounting Export, Platform Fee, Token Card on File
Inventory & Devices: HandHeld Link (Inventory Entry Program), Manual Inventory Count, Register Configurations
CRM & Memberships: CRM Duplicate Search, Customer Consolidation, Membership Merge, Returning eTAM Memberships
eTAM & Commerce: Resend eTAM Gift Cards (enhancement), eTAM In-Room Delivery (enhancement), Tax-Free Event Setup
Admin, IT & Reporting: Creating Filters, Viewing Users Logged In & Registers in Use, Create a UNC Path / Identify Event Log
Integrations: Amano McGann Parking Integration

We’re adding more based on what you ask for and what we see in support. Don’t see what you need yet? Tell us.

How to Access

Log in to the TAM Application Online Learning Academy:
https://tam-retail-div-of-lode-data-systems-inc.academyocean.com/auth/sign/in
Scroll to the bottom of the main page to TAM Fact Sheets .
Choose the Fact Sheet you want to review.

No Academy access yet? Email training@tamb2cc.com .

Want something specific?
Send a note to training@tamb2cc.com with the subject Fact Sheet Request and a brief description of the scenario you’re solving.

TAM Intelliware Showcases Powerful Benefits of The Assistant Manager to Organizations at IAAPA Expo 2025

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:00:33 GMT

Leading ERP/POS software application, The Assistant Manager ^TM (TAM) will be showcased.

The TAM Intelliware team is set to showcase its latest powerful application options at this year’s International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo.

This year’s event is being held in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center. Visit us at Booth #4743.

The team will be on hand to demonstrate a whole host of TAM’s options including Ticketing, Fundraising, Membership Management, Group Sales, Ecommerce, POS, and Inventory Management.

Attendees can also check out the exciting application elements such as SmartCRM ^TM , Business Intelligence, and a range of mobility options. As a proven and industry leading-solution, TAM is Built to Converge Commerce ^TM of all business units within your organization and provide a 360-degree view of guests, members, and constituents.

Visit the TAM Intelliware Booth #4743 at the IAAPA Expo 2025 on:

Tuesday, 11/18 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, 11/19 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, 11/20 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday, 11/21 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

TAM in the Cloud: Fast, Simple, and Reliable

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:53:27 GMT

Running a point of sale in a museum or attraction requires speed, uptime, and peace of mind. That’s precisely what TAM in the Cloud delivers.

What It Is

TAM in the Cloud is a managed service built on Microsoft Azure. It combines local speed with cloud reliability:

Front of house performance: POS stations like TAM Cash Register and TAM Dining run locally for fast transactions.
Cloud protection: Your data and services live in Azure for security, uptime, and backup support.

You get performance at the counter and redundancy in the background.

Why It Matters

No servers to maintain or babysit
24/7 reliability and monitoring
Built-in security and data protection
Scalable resources that grow with you

What We Handle

We manage your TAM server, database, applications, backups, updates, and system performance, so your team can focus on guests, not infrastructure.

What You Manage

You’ll handle your local network, internet connections, and workstation updates. Your TAM team can guide you with best practices and network diagrams.

Scaling Made Simple

If your traffic grows, resources scale quickly to keep performance strong. We’ll help size your environment and adjust services as needed.

Implementation Overview

Setup: We deploy your TAM environment in Azure.
Connect: POS runs locally; data lives in the cloud.
Go Live: You operate; we monitor.

Quick FAQ

Is POS fast?

Yes, POS runs locally for speed.

What if the network goes down?

Redundancy minimizes downtime.

Do we need more IT staff?

No, we handle the heavy lifting.

Can we scale later?

Absolutely.

Ready to Learn More?

For a tailored walk-through or pricing, contact your TAM Account Representative or email sales@tamb2cc.com .

Get Ready for the Busy Season: Adding Associates and Users in Advance for Optimal TAM Performance

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:15:18 GMT

The busy season is often the most exciting and demanding time of the year for museums, attractions, zoos, and cultural institutions. Increased foot traffic, seasonal events, and special promotions often mean more staff are brought on board.

When your team grows, so does the need for smooth, efficient access to your TAM application. Planning ahead and adding your seasonal Associates and Users before the rush begins can make a world of difference in keeping your operations running smoothly.

Why Adding Associates and Users Early Matters

Many organizations wait until the busy season is already in full swing to add new Associates and Users to TAM. This often leads to unnecessary stress and operational hiccups. Here’s why it pays to act early:

1. Seamless Onboarding

Setting up Associates and Users in advance gives your seasonal staff time to log in, learn the system, and get comfortable before they’re on the front lines. This will reduce first day confusion and login issues as well as give new hires the chance to train in a low pressure environment.

2. Uninterrupted Operations

The last thing you need during your busiest days is a line at the cash register because a new staff member can’t access the system. Adding Associates and Users ahead of time ensures everyone has the right permissions and access from day one so your team can focus on guest experiences, not troubleshooting software access.

Best Practices for Preparing Your Associate and User List

To make the most of TAM’s capabilities during your busy season, consider these tips:

Review Past Busy Seasons

Look back at previous years’ staffing levels to gauge how many Associates and Users you’ll need this time around.

Identify Roles and Permissions

Assign the appropriate TAM permissions for each staff role — from cashiers to inventory receivers to group sales, give the Associate and/or User access only to what they need.

Add Associates Users in Stages

If you’re hiring in waves, add Associates and Users as you finalize each new hire group. This avoids last minute bulk setup.

Schedule Training Early

Encourage new Associates Users to complete TAM training before peak days arrive, so they feel confident using the application.

How TAM Makes It Easy

TAM’s Associate and User management tools are designed to grow with you. Whether you’re adding just a handful of seasonal staff or expanding your team significantly, you’ll benefit from:

· Simple Associate and User setup with intuitive administration tools.

· Flexible role based permissions to protect data integrity.

· Centralized oversight and easy updates so you can quickly adjust access levels or deactivate Associates and Users as staffing needs change.

By adding your Associates and Users early, you’re setting your team up for success before the busiest days arrive. You’ll ensure new staff members are ready to deliver great guest experiences and that your operations remain smooth, even when traffic peaks.

Don’t wait for the first long line of the season to start thinking about access. Review your Associate and User needs to get everyone set up in time for a stress free, high performing busy season.

Maximize Inventory Season Efficiency with HandHeldLink and Zebra TC22 Devices

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 22:32:38 GMT

Inventory season can be one of the most challenging times of the year for businesses. Whether you’re managing hundreds or thousands of SKUs the accuracy and speed of your inventory counts directly impact your operations and customer experience. That’s why having the right tools is crucial.

At TAM we’re committed to helping you simplify this process. By pairing HandHeldLink with the Zebra TC22 inventory devices, you can transform inventory season from a stressful chore into a seamless, productive workflow.

Why HandHeld Link is a Game Changer for Inventory Season

HandHeldLink is designed to take the stress out of inventory season by giving you flexible ways to capture your counts, whether through handheld scanners like the Zebra TC22 or other supported devices. Once collected, the data flows seamlessly into TAM, ensuring fast, accurate reconciliation and reducing the risk of manual entry errors. The result is a more efficient inventory process that saves time for your team and keeps your inventory records reliable.

Why The TC22 Device Is The Perfect Partner

The Zebra TC22 is built for the demands of busy inventory seasons. Its combination of performance and durability makes it an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes. The speed, and reliability of your handheld devices directly affect how smoothly your counts go and the Zebra TC22 delivers on all fronts making it the smarter choice for any organization.

Ready To Make Your Next Inventory Season Your Most Efficient Yet?

With HandHeldLink powering seamless data capture and the Zebra TC22 delivering fast, and reliable performance, your team can complete counts more quickly, reduce errors, and keep your operations running smoothly.

At TAM, we understand that every minute saved during inventory season means more time focused on your mission and your customers. By equipping your staff with the right tools, you’re not just simplifying the process, you’re boosting productivity, and setting your organization up for long term success.

If you’d like more information or have questions about this module and device, please contact TAM Sales at 888-843-1476 or email sales@tamb2cc.com .

New on eTAM: Resend Gift Cards with Just a Few Clicks

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:51:25 GMT

We’re excited to introduce a new enhancement to eTAM that gives your customers more control and flexibility when it comes to managing their digital gift cards.

With an update to TAM version 12.10.2, customers can now view and resend previously purchased gift cards—all on their own, directly from their eTAM account. No need for them to contact your staff or wait for assistance. It’s a simple feature, but one that makes a meaningful impact on your customer experience and internal efficiency.

Why This Matters

Let’s face it—mistakes happen. Maybe a customer typed the wrong email address for the recipient. Maybe the gift card landed in a spam folder. Maybe Grandma never saw it in her inbox at all.

Until now, resolving those situations meant a phone call, an email, or even a refund and repurchase. But not anymore.

With this update, your customers can handle it all themselves—easily, quickly, and with full confidence—right on your eTAM website. That means fewer calls to your team, faster resolutions for your guests, and a more polished, self-serve experience that today’s shoppers expect.

This enhancement is part of our ongoing effort to make eTAM as flexible and customer-friendly as possible.

What’s New?

The new resend feature gives your customers the ability to:

View a complete list of the e-gift cards they’ve purchased through your eTAM site
Resend a gift card email to the original or a new recipient at any time
Edit the recipient’s name or email address before resending, just in case anything was entered incorrectly
Complete the process independently, without needing to contact your support team or wait for assistance

This added functionality gives your store the kind of polish and professionalism that builds trust and loyalty—especially during busy seasons like the holidays, when gift cards are a popular choice.

The entire process is quick, intuitive, and mobile-friendly—designed to make the experience as smooth as possible for your guests.

Need Help?

If you’d like a demonstration of this enhancement or assistance enabling this feature, our team is happy to help. Just send us a note at Training@tamb2cc.com , and we’ll walk you through the setup or answer any questions.

Empower Customers, Streamline Support

This enhancement is a small change with a big impact:

Customers get more control
Staff get fewer support requests
Your site offers a more modern and convenient shopping experience

It’s another step in helping you deliver the kind of retail service today’s customers value—flexible, fast, and frustration-free.

Let’s make your e-gift card experience even better.

Maximize Your Team’s Success with TAM’s Comprehensive Training Options

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:42:36 GMT

At TAM, we believe that effective training is key to unlocking the full potential of our system and ensuring your organization operates smoothly. That’s why we offer a variety of training solutions designed to meet your needs and help your team stay confident and proficient with TAM.

Why Invest in Ongoing Training?

Staff turnover, new team members, or changes in your workflow can create knowledge gaps. Whether you're onboarding new staff or looking to refresh existing skills, our comprehensive training options are tailored to support your organization’s growth and efficiency.

Benefits of Our Training Programs

Our training sessions provide an excellent opportunity to deepen your team's understanding of TAM's features and best practices. We can help you explore how TAM integrates into your current processes and offer ideas on workflow adjustments to maximize productivity. These sessions are especially beneficial when you want a broad overview or hands-on guidance to ensure your team is fully equipped to leverage TAM effectively.

How Our Training Supports Your Goals

While our Help Desk excels at technical support questions, organized training sessions focus on providing a broader understanding of the system, workflow optimization, and the strategic use of TAM’s features. Whether it’s a refresher for seasoned users or onboarding for new staff, our training programs are designed to empower your team.

Stay Ahead with Ongoing Education

Investing in ongoing training helps your team stay up-to-date with TAM software updates, new features, and best practices, ultimately driving greater efficiency and success.

Get Started Today

Are you interested in scheduling comprehensive training sessions for your staff? Contact us today at training@tamb2cc.com to learn more and schedule a program tailored to your organization’s specific needs. We’re here to support your continued success with TAM.

Boosting Membership Renewals with SmartCRM™

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:33:51 GMT

Memberships are the heartbeat of thriving organizations, powering museums, attractions, and nonprofits by fueling engagement, loyalty, and long-term sustainability. But keeping members engaged and renewing year after year can be a challenge. That’s where SmartCRM™ , part of The Assistant Manager (TAM) platform, steps in to make the process easier, smarter, and more effective.

The Challenge of Membership Renewals

Traditional renewal campaigns often rely on manual reminders, generic emails, or staff phone calls. These approaches can be time-consuming for your team and less engaging for members. Without the right tools, renewal rates can slip, leading to lost revenue and missed opportunities for long-term relationships.

How SmartCRM™ Helps

SmartCRM™ is designed to take the stress out of membership management while driving better results. Here’s how it works:

Automated Reminders : Send timely, personalized email reminders before, during, and after membership expiration dates.
Targeted Messaging : Segment members based on membership level to deliver communications that truly resonate.
Self-Service Renewals on eTAM : Provide members with a link you’re your eTAM site for an easy online renewal process they can complete in just a few clicks.
Centralized Data : Track engagement, communication history, and renewal status all in one place.

The Benefits for Your Organization

By using SmartCRM™ for membership renewals, you can:

Increase Renewal Rates : Personalized, automated outreach ensures no member slips through the cracks.
Save Staff Time : Free your team from manual follow-ups so they can focus on building relationships and other revenue generating tasks.
Boost Member Satisfaction : A simple, user-friendly renewal process keeps members happy and engaged.
Drive More Revenue : Higher retention means more predictable and recurring income for your organization.

Real Impact

Organizations using SmartCRM™ have reported automated engagement not only reduces workload but also creates a consistent, professional experience for every member.

Membership renewals don’t have to be a headache. With SmartCRM™ , you can turn what was once a manual, time-consuming process into a smooth, automated system that drives results. More renewals, less effort, and happier members; that’s the power of SmartCRM™.

Smarter Inventory Made Simple with TAM HandHeld Link

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:27:00 GMT

Keeping track of inventory can feel like a big job, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s why we’re excited to host our upcoming webinar, Smarter Inventory Made Simple with TAM HandHeld Link .

In this session, we will walk through Inventory Basics and show you how TAM HandHeld Link can help streamline your workflow with flexible options that fit your needs.

· Inventory Entry Program

· TAM Inventory App (Apple & Android)

· Zebra Scanner

· 3 ^rd Party Count

Whether you’re new to TAM or looking to optimize your current process, this webinar will provide you with practical tips and hands-on insights to simplify your inventory management.

�� Choose the session that works for you:

· Monday, October 14 ^th at 10:00 AM EST

· Wednesday, October 23 ^rd at 4:00 PM EST

��Register today by emailing training@tamb2cc.com with your preferred session.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to make your inventory process smarter, faster, and easier with TAM HandHeld Link!

TAM Self-Serve Dining Kiosk: Revolutionizing the Guest Experience

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:39:47 GMT

In today’s fast-paced dining environment, customers expect speed, convenience, and a seamless experience. The TAM Self-Serve Dining Kiosk delivers exactly that, an intuitive solution designed to streamline operations while boosting revenue and lowering labor costs.

How It Works

The TAM Self-Serve Dining Kiosk empowers guests to take control of their dining experience. Using a simple touchscreen interface, customers can:

* Browse menu items with photos and descriptions

* Customize their orders to match preferences or dietary needs

* Pay securely with multiple payment options

Once the order is placed, it is transmitted directly to the kitchen display system or printer, ensuring accuracy and speed. Guests then receive an order receipt, making the process smooth from start to finish.

Why It’s Beneficial

For customers, the kiosk offers:

*Faster Service- Reduced wait times and no need to stand in line

*More Control- Ability to review and customize orders without feeling rushed

*Enhanced Experience- A modern, tech-driven interaction that feels effortless

Positive Revenue Impact

The TAM Self-Serve Dining Kiosk isn’t just about convenience; it’s a revenue driver. The engaging and interactive nature of the kiosk often encourages customers to explore the full menu, leading to greater sales of high-margin items. This increases the average transaction value and ultimately drives higher revenue for the business.

Reduction of Labor Costs

One of the most immediate benefits for operators is the reduction of labor costs. With kiosks handling the ordering and payment process, fewer staff members are needed at the counter. This allows team members to be reallocated to higher-value roles, such as food preparation, customer assistance, or upselling in other areas of the business.

By reducing dependency on front-line order takers, businesses can operate more efficiently and save significantly on staffing expenses without sacrificing service quality.

The TAM Self-Serve Dining Kiosk transforms the dining experience for both customers and operators. Guests enjoy a faster, more personalized ordering journey, while businesses benefit from increased revenue and reduced labor costs. It’s not just technology—it’s a smarter way to run your dining operations.

If you’d like more information or have questions about this feature, please contact TAM Sales at 888-843-1476 or email sales@tamb2cc.com .

Introducing accessiBe Integration

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:40:49 GMT

Accessibility is Easier than Ever to Implement

For the past several months, TAM Retail has thought long and hard over how to provide assistance to our partners over the issue of website accessibility. After considerable research and study, TAM Retail is excited to announce its partnership with accessiBe.

But First… What does “website accessibility” mean?

It means accessible to persons with disabilities, which makes good sense. As we’ve said in past blogposts, online shopping will continue to have substantial importance even after isolation restrictions are removed. The disabilities community is a large percentage of the population, with spending power, that both needs and wants to be online.

The World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative developed guidelines and success criteria organized around four principles for web content:

Perceivable – presentable to users in ways they can perceive;
Operable – must be operable by the user;
Understandable – understand the information as well as the operation of the interface; and
Robust – content should remain accessible as technologies and user agents evolve

Their Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) include text and time-based media alternatives, keyboard functionality, and compatibility with assistive technologies. WCAG is the go-to standard. The problem is: How to tackle the herculean labor of compliance without undue burden or financial hardship?

Our recommended solution? accessiBe!

What AccessiBe does, and why we like it.

accessiBe utilizes two components that, together, achieve WCAG compliance. The foreground application handles the UI (user interface) and design accessibility requirements, allowing persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI and design to their individual needs.

This includes font and color handling, animations, content highlighting, audio muting, and a search engine allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of words and phrases. The background application is AI, machine learning powered, which optimizes the accessibility level of your website every 24 hours. This AI engine remediates the website’s HTML accessibility issues, as well as functionality and behavior, to the use of blind people using screen readers, and people with motor impairments using a keyboard to operate websites. This makes it comprehensive and cost-efficient, two traits TAM Retail believes in.

accessiBe works with all browsers. It is a session-based tool that adjusts the website on the fly after it’s been fully loaded and rendered. There will be no difference in browsing experience for someone who has not activated any accessibility features.

With one line of JavaScript, your website will be fully accessible in less than 48 hours. Upon completion you will be given an Accessibility Statement for your website, the first sentence of which reads as follows:

We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

We’d be happy to tell you more, and probably will in the next few months. In the meantime, we’re excited to start this journey with you. Contact our sales department to get started, at (888) 843-1476, or sales@tamretail.com .

TAM Intelliware Holiday Hours | Labor Day 2025

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:39:11 GMT

Happy Labor Day ! TAM Intelliware Holiday Hours

We wish you all a safe and relaxing Labor Day.

TAM Intelliware’s holiday hours of operation will be as follows:

Closed Monday, September 1st for the Labor Day Holiday.

As always, the Help Desk is available for emergency support 24/7/365 at 866-435-7826. If you need assistance feel free to call the number listed or click the button below for help!

Our administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 1st.

Our office will reopen for normal hours on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Get Ready for Tax Free Weekend

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:55:59 GMT

Get Ready for the Back-to-School Tax-Free Season with Confidence!

As the back-to-school rush approaches, many customers will take advantage of tax-free shopping events to save big. These events often lead to a surge in foot traffic and transactions. That’s where TAM comes in—to help you manage the rush with confidence, accuracy, and full compliance.

Simplify Your Tax-Free Event Management with TAM

If your organization participates in a tax-free event, our software provides built-in tools to streamline the process of managing temporary tax changes:

Easily remove or apply tax designations to qualifying SKUs before and after the event.

Use the Mass Tax Change program to update multiple SKUs at once efficiently, minimizing manual effort and reducing errors.

This structured approach ensures all eligible SKUs are handled correctly, allowing you to maximize your promotional efforts during tax-free events.

Learn More and Get Support

Whether you're new to TAM or want to optimize your current process, visit the TAM Online Learning Academy for comprehensive resources.

For step-by-step instructions on using the Mass Tax Change program, review our Tax-Free Event Fact Sheet—a straightforward, user-friendly guide - or watch the video below!

Prefer live assistance? Contact our trainers at training@tamb2cc.com for personalized support.

Here’s to a successful, organized, and profitable back to school tax-free season!

How Unified Systems Impact Zoo Operations and Revenue

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 19:32:11 GMT

The Hidden Challenge Facing North American Zoos

Picture this: It's a busy Saturday at your zoo, families are streaming through the gates, your gift shop is bustling, and the café is packed. But behind the scenes, your staff is juggling multiple disconnected systems just to process a simple transaction. Sound familiar?

You're not alone. With 238 AZA-accredited facilities across the United States serving 195 million visitors annually and generating $22.5 billion in economic output, the zoo industry represents a significant economic force. Yet research reveals that less than 10% of American zoos are AZA-accredited, meaning over 90% face minimal oversight and lack streamlined operational guidelines.

This fragmentation creates a domino effect of operational challenges that impact everything from staff productivity to visitor satisfaction—and ultimately, your bottom line.

The Real Cost of Operational Fragmentation :When Systems Don't Talk to Each Other

Modern zoos operate complex financial structures that would challenge any business. Research shows that about 60% of zoo operating budgets come from earned income, including:

Admissions (ranging from $55-65 for family visits at major facilities)
Membership programs requiring continuous renewal management
Food and beverage operations with complex commission structures
Retail sales dependent on visitor traffic patterns
Educational programs requiring separate scheduling and payment systems
Donation management across multiple campaign types

When these revenue streams operate in isolation, facilities miss critical opportunities for cross-promotion, bundled services, and integrated customer experiences.

The Hidden Operational Costs

The zoo management software market, valued at $289 million in 2025, reflects growing recognition of technology needs. However, implementation challenges persist:

System Integration Problems:

Multiple disconnected platforms creating data silos
Staff spending significant time on manual data reconciliation
Inconsistent customer experiences across touchpoints
Limited ability to track visitor behavior comprehensively
Training overhead for seasonal staff across multiple systems

The Staff Challenge:

Research identifies staff turnover as one of the biggest challenges facing zoo leaders. When team members leave, it increases workload and stress on remaining staff, particularly in facilities operating on a primary keeper model where knowledge becomes siloed with individual employees.

The Solution:

Unified Zoo Management with The Assistant Manager

One Platform, Every Revenue Stream

The Assistant Manager addresses the fundamental challenges facing North American zoos by providing an integrated platform that manages admissions, retail, memberships, donations, inventory, and reporting—all in real time, all in one place.

Core Integration Features:

Unified ticketing system handling general admission, timed entries, educational events, and group passes
Real-time inventory management across multiple zoo locations
Integrated membership management with automatic discount application
Consolidated donation platform with round-up capabilities
Comprehensive reporting providing board-ready financial analytics

Addressing Your Specific Challenges

Staff Training Made Simple

TAM's built-in training modes directly address significant staff turnover challenges. The platform enables efficient onboarding of seasonal employees while maintaining service consistency across all departments.

Performance Management Support

Learning from successful zoo performance management transformations, TAM provides the data infrastructure necessary to support accountability systems. Consolidated reporting enables managers to track performance metrics across all revenue streams and operational areas.

Revenue Optimization

With 60% of zoo budgets dependent on earned income, TAM's unified approach enables:

Cross-promotion opportunities between admissions, retail, and food service
Bundled service offerings to increase per-visitor spending
Real-time inventory management preventing stockouts and overages
Integrated membership benefits increasing retention and satisfaction

The Financial Impact: What to Expect

Direct Cost Reduction Opportunities

Research on integration platform implementations shows zoos can expect significant cost savings through:

Technology Consolidation:

Reduced licensing fees through platform consolidation
Lower training costs via unified system interfaces
Decreased maintenance expenses through single-vendor relationships
Eliminated data reconciliation labor through automated integration

Operational Efficiency Gains:

Reduced manual processing time across all revenue streams
Improved inventory turnover through better demand forecasting
Enhanced staff productivity through streamlined workflows
Decreased error rates in financial and customer management processes

Revenue Enhancement Potential

Industry analysis shows that with major facilities managing $50-180 million in annual operating revenue, even modest efficiency improvements generate substantial impact:

5% operational efficiency improvement = $2.5-9 million annual savings
3% revenue increase through integration = $1.5-5.4 million additional income
Combined annual impact = $4-14.4 million improvement in financial position

Your Roadmap to Unified Operations

Phase 1: Assessment (Month 1)

Comprehensive audit of existing systems and associated costs
Staff impact evaluation focusing on training overhead
Revenue stream analysis to identify integration opportunities

Phase 2: Core Integration (Months 2-4)

Deploy unified ticketing, membership, and POS systems
Implement systematic training protocols using built-in capabilities
Establish performance metrics following successful zoo management models

Phase 3: Advanced Optimization (Months 5-6)

Leverage comprehensive analytics for strategic decision-making
Use unified systems to support expansion and facility improvements
Position your facility as an operational excellence model

Why Unified Management Isn't Optional Anymore

The evidence from North American zoo operations clearly demonstrates that system fragmentation creates significant operational and financial challenges that directly impact both facility sustainability and visitor experience.

Research from leading facilities shows that unified operational systems deliver measurable benefits in terms of staff productivity, financial performance, and visitor satisfaction. The implementation of systematic operational management creates "a culture of high performance, high engagement and high productivity."

By unifying ticketing, dining, membership management, donations, gift shop operations, and all other ecommerce services into a single platform, zoos can:

Eliminate operational silos that create inefficiencies and increase costs
Reduce system complexity and associated training overhead
Improve staff productivity through streamlined workflows and automated processes
Enhance visitor experiences through integrated services and consistent interactions
Generate comprehensive analytics for strategic decision-making and board reporting

Ready to Transform Your Zoo Operations?

The transition to unified zoo management represents more than a technological upgrade—it's a strategic transformation that positions your facility for sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.

The research consistently demonstrates that the question isn't whether to unify operations, but how quickly you can implement integrated solutions to capture the significant benefits of consolidated management.

Ready to see how The Assistant Manager can transform your zoo operations?

Schedule Your Demo Today →

Discover how our unified platform can streamline your operations, boost revenue, and create exceptional visitor experiences—all from one comprehensive system designed specifically for attractions like yours.

The Assistant Manager powers operations for zoos, museums, parks, attractions, hospital POS systems and entertainment venues across North America. From ticketing to retail, memberships to donations, we provide the integrated platform you need to thrive.

TAM’s New Feature for Digital Membership Cards

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 21:04:22 GMT

Enhance Member Engagement

We’re excited to introduce a new feature that streamlines membership management and boosts member engagement: TAM now supports digital membership cards through integration with multiple membership management platforms. This enhancement allows your members to access their membership information conveniently and securely on their smartphones.

Why Digital Membership Cards Matter

Digital cards can be stored on any smartphone, including Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, providing members with instant access wherever they are. This convenience encourages members to keep their cards readily available for event check-ins, proof of membership, or quick entry, significantly improving their overall experience.

Organizational Benefits

Beyond enhancing the member experience, this feature helps your organization reduce manual processes, cut printing and mailing costs, and eliminate lost cards. It’s part of TAM’s commitment to simplifying operations and making membership management more efficient.

Real-World Impact

Imagine members quickly checking in at events with their phones or presenting proof of membership without having to search for paper cards. These small but meaningful improvements can lead to greater member satisfaction and engagement.

Transform Your Membership Program Today

Join organizations already benefiting from this innovative feature. TAM’s digital membership card support makes engagement smarter, easier, and more accessible.

If you’d like more information or have questions about this feature, please contact TAM Sales at 888-843-1476 or email sales@tamb2cc.com .

 We’re excited to help you modernize your membership experience!

How It Works

Synchronizes active memberships regularly through TAM’s system.
Automatically creates and emails personalized digital cards to each member.
Updates cards automatically if membership details change.
Supports families with multiple members, ensuring everyone has their own card.

Benefits of Integrated Ticketing, Memberships & Retail

bruce.lode@fullsteam.com (Bruce Lode) — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 20:55:33 GMT

Benefits of Integrated Systems for Cultural Institutions

Integrating ticketing, memberships, and retail sales into a single unified system provides museums with transformative operational advantages that address critical challenges while unlocking new opportunities for revenue growth and visitor engagement. This comprehensive integration creates a foundation for streamlined operations, enhanced data insights, and superior guest experiences.

Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Museums implementing integrated systems experience significant operational improvements through the elimination of redundant processes and manual data reconciliation. Unified commerce platforms reduce manual workload through automation of previously disconnected processes, enabling staff to focus on mission-critical activities rather than administrative tasks. The consolidated approach eliminates the need for staff to switch between multiple platforms to complete transactions, reducing wait times and streamlining operations .

This integration particularly benefits museums suffering from what researchers describe as "task saturation," where staff members feel overwhelmed with more responsibilities than time and resources allow. By automating routine processes such as membership renewals, inventory tracking, and financial reporting, integrated systems help alleviate operational stress while reducing the likelihood of human error that occurs during manual data transfers between siloed systems.

Enhanced Financial Management and Revenue Optimization

The financial impact of system integration extends beyond simple cost savings to encompass sophisticated revenue optimization strategies. Museums utilizing integrated platforms can implement dynamic pricing strategies for special exhibitions and peak times, maximizing revenue while maintaining accessibility. The unified data view enables cross-selling opportunities by identifying relationships between different revenue streams — for example, targeting exhibition visitors with relevant merchandise or membership upgrades based on their visit patterns and preferences.

Integrated systems simplify financial management by consolidating transactions in one place, making it easier to track revenue streams, optimize pricing, and streamline reporting. This eliminates the complexity of managing multiple merchant accounts with different terms and conditions that release funds on different schedules. Museums report significant cost savings through reduced redundancy and improved resource allocation, with operational cost reductions that can be redirected toward mission-critical activities.

Comprehensive Data Integration and Analytics

One of the most significant benefits of system integration is the creation of a unified data ecosystem that provides unprecedented insights into visitor behavior and preferences. Museums with fragmented systems experience five critical data problems: duplicate data copies that skew sampling efforts, inconsistent search capabilities across different systems, limited analytical insights due to fragmented data, increased operational complexity, and missed opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration.

Integrated platforms enable museums to track the complete visitor lifecycle, from initial awareness through repeat visits, facilitating sophisticated customer relationship management that builds long-term loyalty and support. The comprehensive data view allows institutions to understand visitor behavior patterns across all touchpoints, identifying trends that inform exhibition planning, retail strategy, and operational optimization. Museums implementing integrated data management systems experience improved decision-making capabilities through access to real-time metrics spanning visitor flow, sales performance, membership engagement, and operational efficiency.

Personalized Visitor Experience and Engagement

Integration creates opportunities for highly personalized visitor experiences that extend beyond traditional service delivery. Museums can develop complete visitor profiles by combining ticketing and point-of-sale data, enabling targeted promotions and personalized service recommendations. This unified customer view allows staff to access comprehensive purchase history across all touchpoints, fostering customer loyalty through tailored interactions.

Modern museums are using visitor analytics to measure dwell time, peak hours, and popular exhibits, directing operations toward visitor-centric experiences and strong audience engagement. The integrated approach enables real-time inventory synchronization between physical and online stores, preventing inconsistencies in stock and pricing that frustrate visitors 1 . Museums can offer seamless experiences where visitors can renew memberships, register for programs, make purchases, and donations in a single transaction, eliminating the need for multiple system interactions.

Member Benefits for Integration and Loyalty Enhancement

The integration of membership systems with ticketing and retail creates seamless benefit application that enhances member satisfaction and retention. Museums can automatically apply member discounts at point of sale, create member-only shopping experiences, and track benefit utilization across all touchpoints. This integration enables sophisticated membership management where benefits like free admission, priority access, and retail discounts are automatically recognized and applied regardless of the transaction channel.

Museums report that integrated membership systems facilitate more straightforward membership sales and renewals, allowing visitors to redeem loyalty benefits directly at the point of sale and creating frictionless experiences for repeat customers. The unified approach enables museums to offer membership conversion opportunities at any touchpoint, with mobile point-of-sale systems allowing staff to interact with guests in line, offer discounts and specials, and convert tickets to memberships on the spot.

Streamlined Staff Operations and Training

Integration significantly reduces staff training requirements and operational complexity. Rather than requiring proficiency across multiple disconnected systems, staff members can master a single unified platform that handles all customer interactions. Museums utilizing integrated systems report checkout speeds that are twice as fast as traditional approaches, with high-volume institutions experiencing substantial improvements in transaction processing efficiency.

The unified platform approach reduces the chance of human error by centralizing operations and eliminating the need for manual data entry across multiple systems. Staff can access comprehensive customer information, process various transaction types, and generate reports from a single interface, reducing the cognitive load and potential for mistakes that occur when switching between different platforms.

Cross-Selling and Revenue Diversification

Integrated systems enable sophisticated cross-selling opportunities that maximize revenue from each visitor interaction. Museums can bundle different services — combining admissions with retail products, dining experiences, or special events — creating higher-value visitor experiences while increasing average transaction values. The unified data view allows for identification of purchasing patterns and preferences that inform targeted marketing strategies and product recommendations.

Museums implementing integrated platforms can offer gift cards and memberships that work seamlessly across all revenue streams, encouraging broader engagement with institutional offerings. The ability to track visitor preferences across multiple touchpoints enables targeted promotions such as membership discounts for returning visitors or special offers on popular gift shop items.

Real-Time Inventory and Capacity Management

Integration provides real-time visibility into both physical inventory and visitor capacity, enabling dynamic management of resources and experiences. Museums can implement timed entry functionality that eliminates admission wait times while providing data for optimizing exhibit layouts and staffing schedules. Real-time inventory tracking across gift shops and multiple locations prevents stockouts of popular items while reducing excess inventory.

The unified system enables automated reordering and inventory management, with notifications when stock levels fall below predetermined thresholds. This capability is particularly valuable for museums with multiple retail locations or seasonal merchandise, ensuring consistent availability while minimizing carrying costs.

Simplified Reporting and Compliance

Integrated systems dramatically simplify reporting requirements by consolidating data from all revenue streams into unified dashboards and reports. Museums can generate comprehensive financial reports, visitor analytics, and operational metrics from a single platform rather than manually compiling data from disparate systems. This streamlined reporting capability supports strategic decision-making and regulatory compliance while reducing the administrative burden on staff.

The unified approach enables real-time monitoring of key performance indicators across all operational areas, allowing museums to identify trends and respond proactively to changing conditions. Museums can track membership growth, retail performance, and visitor engagement through integrated analytics that provide actionable insights for continuous improvement.

The integration of ticketing, memberships, and retail sales into a unified system represents a strategic imperative for museums seeking to optimize operations, enhance visitor e xperiences, and build sustainable revenue streams. This comprehensive approach addresses the fundamental challenges of data silos and operational fragmentation while creating new opportunities for personalized engagement and revenue growth. Museums implementing integrated systems position themselves to thrive in an increasingly competitive cultural landscape by leveraging technology to serve both operational excellence and mission fulfillment.

For museums looking to stay relevant, responsive, and financially resilient, integrating ticketing, memberships, and retail into one unified system is no longer optional — it’s essential. This approach not only eliminates inefficiencies and data silos but also empowers teams to deliver seamless, personalized experiences that today’s visitors expect. From smarter staffing and inventory decisions to real-time insights and loyalty-driven engagement, integrated systems transform operational complexity into strategic clarity. Museums that embrace this unified model aren’t just keeping up — they’re setting the pace for a more connected, visitor-centric future.

How to Adjust Retail Prices in TAM

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:08:37 GMT

Adjusting Retail Pricing

Respond to Rising Cost of Goods Sold

Rising costs due to tariffs can squeeze your retail margins—are you prepared to adapt? Implementing strategic pricing adjustments is essential to maintaining profitability and staying competitive.

Fortunately, TAM offers powerful tools that make updating your inventory prices quick and effortless, whether you have just a few items or tens of thousands. Our Mass Price Change feature streamlines the process, saving you valuable time so you can focus on what matters most: providing excellent service to your customers.

Plus, you can easily communicate upcoming price changes by adding a custom message to receipts, helping to foster transparency and maintain trust with your shoppers.

Stay ahead of rising costs—use TAM’s tools to adjust your prices confidently and keep your retail business thriving.

If you’d like more information or have questions about this feature, please contact the TAM Help Desk

We look forward to hearing from you.

From the Inventory Management menu, select Mass Price Change.

The Mass Price Change Create window will appear. From here, follow the prompts to create your price change.

Once created, you will be able to preview all SKUs included in the price change. You can manually change the items included if you do not want the price to change or if you want the price change to be different than how it was set up.

Transforming Cultural Institutions Through Unified Technology

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 03:37:59 GMT

Converged Commerce Solutions for Museums

Museums face an increasingly complex operational landscape where managing disparate systems across ticketing, retail, memberships, and fundraising creates inefficiencies that hinder both visitor experiences and financial sustainability. The solution lies in converged commerce — a unified technology approach that integrates all museum operations into a single, seamless platform. As a pillar strategy for modern cultural institutions, converged commerce represents the evolution from fragmented, siloed systems to cohesive digital ecosystems that drive operational excellence and enhanced visitor engagement.

How The Assistant Manager Serves Museums

The Assistant Manager (TAM) provides specialized converged commerce solutions tailored specifically for museum operations . TAM's comprehensive platform addresses the unique challenges faced by cultural institutions by connecting every aspect of museum operations — from admissions and memberships to gift shop sales and donor engagement — within a single, unified system.

TAM's museum-specific offerings include streamlined admissions and ticketing capabilities that enable both online and on-site ticketing with flexible pricing and access control. The platform facilitates fast check-in and validation through mobile scanning, kiosks, or turnstiles, while providing live attendance monitoring to track visitor flow and analyze peak hours for data-driven decision making. The solution operates with reliable offline mode functionality, ensuring museums can continue operations even without internet connectivity.

For membership and development operations, TAM integrates membership sales and renewals with donor management systems, creating a comprehensive view of supporter engagement. The platform's retail and gift shop functionality provides real-time inventory tracking , point-of-sale capabilities , and seamless integration with membership benefits and special promotions . This unified approach eliminates the traditional disconnection between different museum departments, creating operational synergy that enhances both efficiency and visitor experience.

The Challenge: Museum Operational Fragmentation

Modern museums operate in what researchers describe as a "content silo trap," where different departments use separate systems that create walls between content domains and operational functions. The typical medium to large museum manages collections, archives, and libraries with three different software solutions, while donor information resides in separate databases — often multiple ones — preventing institutions from recognizing that an artist in their collection might also be a significant donor.

This fragmentation extends beyond just software systems. Museums face mounting operational challenges including decreased funding, bureaucratic delays, lack of digital innovation, and an overall absence of data culture and strategic data management. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the precarious nature of this fragmented approach, revealing that 87% of museums had only 12 months or less of financial operating reserves, with 56% operating with less than six months of backup funds.

Data silos create five critical problems for museums: duplicate data copies that skew sampling efforts and waste storage space; inconsistent search capabilities across different systems; limited analytical insights due to fragmented data; increased operational complexity; and missed opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration. These inefficiencies manifest in real-world consequences — staff spending hours manually reconciling data between systems, missed revenue opportunities from disconnected customer touchpoints, and frustrated visitors encountering inconsistent experiences across different museum services.

Research indicates that museums with fragmented systems experience "task saturation," where staff members feel overwhelmed with more responsibilities than time and resources allow. This operational stress contributes to staff burnout and turnover, further exacerbating institutional knowledge loss and operational inefficiencies.

The Converged Commerce Solution for Museums

Converged commerce represents a transformative approach that breaks down operational silos by integrating all customer-facing sales channels, critical data, and supporting management systems through scalable infrastructure. For museums, this means creating a unified ecosystem where ticketing, retail, memberships, donations, and visitor services operate from a single data store with total visibility across all operations.

The unified commerce model enables museums to make informed decisions, improve operational efficiencies, and better serve visitors through real-time data synchronization. Unlike traditional omnichannel approaches that merely connect different systems, converged commerce creates a truly integrated platform where changes in one area automatically update across all connected systems.

Implementation Best Practices

Successful converged commerce implementation requires a strategic approach that prioritizes flexibility, configurability, and accessibility. Museums should begin with a comprehensive audit of existing systems and data flows to identify integration opportunities and potential challenges.

The implementation process should emphasize staff training and change management , as the transition from siloed operations to unified commerce represents a significant operational shift. Research suggests that successful implementations focus on demonstrating immediate value through quick wins — such as simplified reporting or automated processes — while building toward more comprehensive integration over time.

Museums should prioritize solutions that offer modular scalability, allowing for phased implementation that minimizes operational disruption. The chosen platform should support both current operational needs and future growth, with integration capabilities that enable connection with specialized museum systems for collections management or conservation tracking.

Future Outlook

The evolution toward converged commerce in museums represents part of a broader digital transformation that positions cultural institutions for sustainable growth in an increasingly connected world. As visitor expectations continue to evolve, museums implementing unified commerce platforms will be better positioned to deliver the seamless, personalized experiences that modern audiences demand.

Emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, IoT integration, and advanced analytics will further enhance the capabilities of converged commerce platforms, enabling predictive analytics for visitor management, automated environmental controls for collections preservation, and personalized recommendation systems that enhance both visitor satisfaction and revenue generation.

The converged commerce approach aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainable operations and mission-focused resource allocation. By eliminating operational inefficiencies and maximizing revenue optimization, unified platforms enable museums to redirect resources toward their core educational and cultural preservation missions while building financial resilience for long-term sustainability.

The future of museum operations lies in embracing converged commerce solutions that break down traditional silos, creating integrated ecosystems where technology serves both operational excellence and mission fulfillment. For cultural institutions seeking to thrive in an evolving landscape, the transition to unified commerce platforms represents not just an operational upgrade, but a strategic imperative for sustainable success.

Ready to implement a converged commerce approach for your museum? Book your discovery call today and discover how an integrated solution can help your museum today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Hours

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:00:00 GMT

A new article has been posted to the TAM blog by Bruce Lode:

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

TAM Intelliware’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day hours of operation will be as follows:

Important! As always, the Help Desk is available for emergency support 24/7/365 at 866-435-7826. Our administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 20 ^th and reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21 ^st .

TAM Annual New Version Subscription Service Rate Increase Effective March 1, 2025

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:00:00 GMT

To our valued customers,

Effective March 1, 2025 TAM Intelliware will be increasing our Annual New Version Subscription services from 19% of the Retail Value of your perpetually licensed TAM Software to 20%.

This increase is necessary as many of our organization’s costs have been increasing. Costs that include support of our team members and a number of other operating expenses.

This increase will be included (and 20% noted) on all Annual New Version Subscription Renewal contracts expiring on or after March 1, 2025.

This small increase will help us continue to provide the premier 7/24 support you are a custom to, as well as may new and exciting features and capabilities that are roadmapped for release in 2025 and beyond.

If you have any questions relating to this matter, please contact your TAM Account Representative or the Help Desk team for assistance.

I and the entire TAM team appreciate your understanding in this matter and our continued mutually beneficial relationship.

Sincerely,

Grisel de la Torre
Director of Client Technical Services

Warm Wishes and Holiday Hours

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:15:00 GMT

From all of us, we want to send warm wishes to you and yours. May your holidays be filled with joy and surrounded by loved ones.

TAM Intelliware’s holiday hours of operation will be as follows:

Important! As always, the Help Desk is available for emergency support 24/7/365 at 866-435-7826.

Transform Your Year-End Inventory with TAM: Efficiency & Expertise Awaits!

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:00:00 GMT

As we approach the year-end, it’s that time again—the season that often fills retailers with dread: physical inventory. But with TAM, this once-stressful task has become a breeze. Thanks to TAM’s powerful mobile integration and variance posting capabilities, your team can complete inventory with precision, in half the time, and with fewer people.

If you’re looking to refresh your skills or fine-tune your process for the most efficient count yet, TAM has the perfect solution.

Level Up Your Skills with the TAM Online Training Academy!
Our TAM Online Training Academy offers an updated series of video training sessions covering every aspect of the TAM inventory process. These easy-to-follow videos are packed with valuable tips and advice to make you your organization’s go-to expert on physical inventory.

Ready to Get Started? Register NOW for FREE! Simply email “Enroll Me” with your contact information to help@tamb2cc.com .

Prefer Personalized Training? If you’d like a more personalized approach, you also have the option to schedule a one-on-one training session with one of our TAM Training experts. For individualized guidance tailored to your team’s needs, simply call our Help Desk at 866-435-7826 to arrange a session. Our experts are here to help you make the most of your TAM system!

Make this year’s physical inventory the smoothest yet with TAM’s tools and training at your side!

Holiday Hours and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:00:00 GMT

Thank you for your continued support and patronage over the years. We are grateful for your continued patronage and are here to proudly serve you.

We wish you all the best, and a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving!

TAM Intelliware’s Thanksgiving hours of operation will be as follows:

Important! As always, the Help Desk is available for emergency support 24/7/365 at 866-435-7826.

TAM Intelliware Showcases Powerful Benefits of The Assistant Manager to Organizations at ASTC Annual Conference 2024

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 20:15:00 GMT

Leading ERP/POS software application, The Assistant Manager ^TM (TAM) will be showcased.

The TAM team is set to showcase its latest powerful application options at this year’s Association of Science and Technology Centers Annual Conference.

This year’s event is being held in Chicago, Illinois at the McCormick Place. Visit us at Booth #132.

The team will be on hand to demonstrate a whole host of TAM’s options including Ticketing, Fundraising, Membership Management, Group Sales, Ecommerce, POS, and Inventory Management.

Visit the TAM Intelliware Booth #132 at the ASTC Annual Conference 2024 on Saturday, 9/28 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday, 9/29 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

TAM Intelliware Showcases Powerful Benefits of The Assistant Manager to Non-Profits at AZA 2024 Annual Conference

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:00:00 GMT

Leading ERP/POS software application, The Assistant Manager ^TM (TAM) will be showcased.

The TAM team is set to showcase its latest powerful application options at this year’s Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference.

This year’s event is being held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the BMO Centre. Visit us at Booth #603.

The team will be on hand to demonstrate a whole host of TAM’s options including Ticketing, Fundraising, Membership Management, Group Sales, Ecommerce, POS, and Inventory Management.

Attendees can also check out the exciting new application elements such as SmartCRM ^TM , Business Intelligence, and a range of mobility options. As a proven and industry leading-solution, TAM is Built to Converge Commerce ^TM of all business units within your organization and provide a 360-degree view of guests, members, and constituents.

Visit the TAM Intelliware Booth #603 at the AZA 2024 Annual Conference on Tuesday, 9/17 from 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM and Wednesday, 9/18 from 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM.

Happy Labor Day! TAM Intelliware Holiday Hours

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:19:00 GMT

We wish you all a safe and relaxing Labor Day.

TAM Intelliware’s holiday hours of operation will be as follows:

Closed Monday, September 2 ^nd for the Labor Day Holiday.

Important!

As always, the Help Desk is available for emergency support 24/7/365 at 866-435-7826. Our administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 ^nd , and reopen for normal hours on Tuesday, September 3 ^rd .

Announcing Platform Fee Capabilities To Offset Credit Card Fees

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 17:03:00 GMT

Looking for ways to offset credit card fees? This new feature in TAM will help!

TAM’s Platform Fee can be easily implemented on customer facing and ecommerce transactions of all products and services including; merchandise, food, admissions, memberships, and donations. This feature is offered through TAM>Pay and free of charge for those with in force subscriptions.

This feature allows your patrons to show their support by covering all or part of your organization’s credit card fees*.

If you would like to learn more about this new feature, attend a demonstration of how it works! Contact your account representative or email us today at sales@tamb2cc.com .

If your credit card processing is not currently integrated in TAM, remember to inquire about special promotions available to help get to processing affordably and quickly!

*some restrictions may apply and vary based on your organization’s location.

The Assistant Manager Blog

Introducing the TAM Report Sample Guide

5 Easy Ways to Increase Revenue Without Raising Prices

Experience the Future of Museum Operations at InterActivity 2026

Visit TAM Intelliware at the Texas Association of Museums 2026 Annual Conference

Help Desk or TAM Online Learning Academy? The Fastest Path to Answers

What if every purchase, ticket, donation, or membership signup could also help you better understand your customers?

The TAM Training Department invites you to a free live webinar on Promotional Pricing

Connecting TAM and Salesforce: Seamless, Reliable Data Integration

Email Communication Customization Using the Admin From Email Enhancement

Introducing eTAM Private Events: Exclusive Access, Complete Control

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Hours

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

New Merchant Track Guide Now Available in the TAM Application Learning Academy!

Warm Wishes and Holiday Hours

Something New Is Coming: A Fresh Look for TAM

We heard you.

Familiar, but better.

Coming Soon…

Keep the Change- Retail Life After the Penny

Need a quick TAM refresher? Try our new Fact Sheets

A Few You Can Grab Today:

How to Access

Want something specific? Send a note to training@tamb2cc.com with the subject Fact Sheet Request and a brief description of the scenario you’re solving.

TAM Intelliware Showcases Powerful Benefits of The Assistant Manager to Organizations at IAAPA Expo 2025

Visit the TAM Intelliware Booth #4743 at the IAAPA Expo 2025 on:

TAM in the Cloud: Fast, Simple, and Reliable

What It Is

Why It Matters

What We Handle

What You Manage

Scaling Made Simple

Implementation Overview

Quick FAQ

Ready to Learn More?

Get Ready for the Busy Season: Adding Associates and Users in Advance for Optimal TAM Performance

Why Adding Associates and Users Early Matters

Best Practices for Preparing Your Associate and User List

How TAM Makes It Easy

Maximize Inventory Season Efficiency with HandHeldLink and Zebra TC22 Devices

New on eTAM: Resend Gift Cards with Just a Few Clicks

Maximize Your Team’s Success with TAM’s Comprehensive Training Options

Why Invest in Ongoing Training?

Benefits of Our Training Programs

How Our Training Supports Your Goals

Stay Ahead with Ongoing Education

Get Started Today

Boosting Membership Renewals with SmartCRM™

The Challenge of Membership Renewals

How SmartCRM™ Helps

Real Impact

Smarter Inventory Made Simple with TAM HandHeld Link

TAM Self-Serve Dining Kiosk: Revolutionizing the Guest Experience

How It Works

Why It’s Beneficial

Positive Revenue Impact

Reduction of Labor Costs

Introducing accessiBe Integration

Accessibility is Easier than Ever to Implement

But First… What does “website accessibility” mean?

What AccessiBe does, and why we like it.

TAM Intelliware Holiday Hours | Labor Day 2025

Happy Labor Day ! TAM Intelliware Holiday Hours

Closed Monday, September 1st for the Labor Day Holiday.

Our office will reopen for normal hours on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Get Ready for Tax Free Weekend

Get Ready for the Back-to-School Tax-Free Season with Confidence!

Simplify Your Tax-Free Event Management with TAM

Learn More and Get Support

How Unified Systems Impact Zoo Operations and Revenue

The Hidden Challenge Facing North American Zoos

The Real Cost of Operational Fragmentation :When Systems Don't Talk to Each Other

The Hidden Operational Costs

One Platform, Every Revenue Stream

Addressing Your Specific Challenges

The Financial Impact: What to Expect

Your Roadmap to Unified Operations

Ready to Transform Your Zoo Operations?

TAM’s New Feature for Digital Membership Cards

Enhance Member Engagement

Want something specific?
Send a note to training@tamb2cc.com with the subject Fact Sheet Request and a brief description of the scenario you’re solving.