Introducing Game Management System

[markmcgary]

Originally Posted by Libby K

*whirrrrrr* Message for you, sir! still makes me twitch.

Monty Python?

[John Retkowski]

not to mention that god-awful notification noise in the middle of matches/music. *whirrrrrr* Message for you, sir! still makes me twitch.

Yay I'm not the only one!

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by solopilot

This feature was initially tested at your MidKnight Mayhem, though I did not publicize it.

In fact, you didn't even tell the Event Coordinator about it! (Granted, I was a little busy...)

I kid - but that's a really good solution. Thanks for explaining the separation there.

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by solopilot

Hi Libby & Mike, perhaps you are commenting on something else, not GMS. GMS was not used for Pit Administration last year.

However, GMS does have a new Team Notification function that addresses your valid concern. It will not lock out data traffic from cell phones and it does not require team members to connect to an event WiFi. It gets its data from the Internet. This feature was initially tested at your MidKnight Mayhem, though I did not publicize it.

A description is at: http://gms.pejaver.com/UserGuide-TeamNotification

--raj

Ah, now that I think about it, the app I am talking about is called "Pit Helper" I believe.

[Brandon_L]

Having used this for queuing all last season, it's absolutely fantastic. No more scribbled notes and messy match schedules. It shows us queuers if the team is on the way to the field or not or already there, or if they've been given a warning to get their butts out there. It just makes the process a whole lot smother.

Originally Posted by Libby K

Personally, I'd rather stick with the loudspeaker requests - because then everyone's going to hear it instead of having to actively check the website.

I'd have to agree with this, I'd be more likely to hear a part request over the pit loudspeaker and just grab it and walk over to the team rather then be constantly checking my phone (which I don't have a smartphone anyway sooo...)

Edit:

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

Ah, now that I think about it, the app I am talking about is called "Pit Helper" I believe.

Welp, nevermind then. Let's just not use whatever it was again

Keep up the awesome work, Raj

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by Brandon_L

I'd have to agree with this, I'd be more likely to hear a part request over the pit loudspeaker and just grab it and walk over to the team rather then be constantly checking my phone (which I don't have a smartphone anyway sooo...)

Ideally they would do both. Not that it matters but it is a web app so you could use a laptop as well.

[solopilot]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

As for an Apple version, I vote no. A decent android tablet is very inexpensive compared to the least expensive iPad. Not worth the time and red tape, IMHO. At MAR events it is not BYO, the tablets are provided to volunteer staff. Standard hardware simplifies things.

You are right, but I was considering an IOS version for people that bring their own devices. Not every region/district would supply their volunteers with tablets. MAR is unusual in that it actually cares about the volunteers having a positive experience during the event.

Strangely, though 80% of the world uses Android, 80% of the FIRST community seems to use Apple. Wonder what that implies...

--raj

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Libby K

*whirrrrrr* Message for you, sir!

Yes, monty python. That "whirr" is an arrow (with a note on it) embedding itself into the character speaking.

Originally Posted by solopilot

Strangely, though 80% of the world uses Android, 80% of the FIRST community seems to use Apple. Wonder what that implies...

We have too much money here in the Northeast Mid-Atlantic?

[Ken Best]

As an inspector at The MAR Mt Olive event, the GMS allowed our process to work much quicker and allowed any inspector to follow up on any teams inspection at any time. The ability to visit any pit and have everything with us helped alot. Knowing which team was ready, in process of, or being completely inspected was shown on the pit map on the tablet. The information available and having the game manual in the tablet also helped. There were a few teams with major inspections items were the information in the tablet was essential, yet wasn't overwhelming. It's amazing how many teams do not have a game manual with them. The queuing system also worked great from what I have heard. Looking forward to using it again, Thanks Raj