BLS-2008 A/S Edition

Product Overview

 

BLS-2008 A/S promotes the best league software for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2008 Server, Windows 2003 Server and Windows 2000. CDE uses its experience with bowling software and its strong relationships with the bowling industry and manufacturers to provide the best third party league software solution. It's not only the best league software available, it's the easiest to use.

BLS-2008 A/S continues to take bowling into the next century with the great features and reliability of our legendary BLS line of products, enhanced for the latest in software features. With a host of improvements to make your work easier and allows you to spend more time up front with your customers, then in the back office.

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) is supported with this edition of the premier league secretary software edition and includes forms, sanctions, membership cards & awards for use in the 2007/2008 bowling season.    Run a USBC Sport League? The Sports League version of the forms are also supported by BLS-2008. Also new is support for uploading data to USBC for the 2007/2008 bowling season, which will soon become a requirement of sport leagues.

CDE Software is also proud to be the first to provide support for The National Bowling Association (TNBA). Founded in 1939, the TNBA is open to all bowlers and has over 37,000 Adult and Junior Members. Leagues can be certified with both USBC and TNBA.

BLS-2008 and Master Bowler Database II also received Microsoft Works with Vista certification.

 

Product Details

 

Many of BLS-2008 A/S features are features CDE and its BLS product line have been doing for years. Such features include:

• Support - CDE provides a dedicated technical support number and trained scoring specialists available only to customers with the automatic scoring editions of CDE products. Support is also available via online chat, message boards, email, fax and mail.
• Exports team rosters, bowlers, handicaps and averages to the front desk. From the front desk software, a league is then sent to the lanes so the bowlers can bowl.
• Imports scores to minimize or eliminate manually entering scores and increased accuracy of scores entered.
• Supports lane movement, giving instructions to the scoring system for which lane a team is on each game. Example: Team bowls on lane 1 for game 1, then moves 2 pairs to the right for each additional game. (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• Supports saving scoresheet information. See where strikes and spares are. (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• Automatically turn on foul lights (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• Designate practice time (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• Control bumpers (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• Designate bowling as no-tap (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• League processor can send messages to the front desk, to indicate notes about bowlers who owe funds, earned an award, etc. (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• Send multiple teams on a lane (Feature dependant on scoring system compatibility)
• Password protection of leagues, for additional security.
• Free integrated bracket module to run brackets for your league(s).
  • Use to run brackets for fun, to make additional money for yourself, the league, the youth program or your favorite charity.
  • USBC allows brackets to be offered for USBC youth leagues, providing winnings go to scholarship fund.
  • Eight different bracket groups can be offered.
  • Each bracket group can be either scratch or handicap and can be a different price.
  • Each bracket group can either be offered for individual bowlers or teams.
  • Each individual or team can be entered up to 99 times for a total of 999 brackets per group.
• Includes new Master Bowler Database II [Available March, 2008]
  • Import common bowlers into a league
  • Share bowlers between leagues
  • Generate bowler reports across multiple leagues
  • Generate mailing labels
  • Generate Average Books from selected leagues
  • Import and export between Bowler TRAC
• Additional report capabilities available only to Pro editions.
• Additional rule options available only to Pro editions.
• Compatible with CDE Software's Aleksis Bowler's Kiosk, to export leagues and interactive bowler histories.
• Custom templates for reports and standing sheets.
• PDF Export of reports, including standing sheets.
• Import bowlers from Bowler Trac / BITS format
• Export bowlers from Bowler Trac / BITS format
• XHTML Export of reports, including standing sheets. XHTML 1.0 is the first major change to HTML's last major change was back in 1997. XHTML takes advantage of the newer features provided by the latest and most common browsers, including Internet Explorer 6 and the upcoming 7 as well as Firefox and Opera. It provides richer web pages as provides a larger compatible base of browsing platforms including cell phones, televisions, cars, handheld wireless devices and more.

Also included

• Installers and applications are digitally signed to provide assurance that the software you install is from CDE Software
• Manage as many leagues as you wish (Why pay more for each league or # of teams)
• Handles Scratch or Handicap Leagues - No extra fees
• Handles Bowler and Team Divisions - No extra fees
• Supports individual and team match points for game and series - No extra fees
• Handles USBC Vacant Team Draw System providing a fairer alternative to Bye teams
• Supports the major awards changes with the new USBC organization
• Backup your data directly to CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD+RW using integrated CD/DVD Writer technology that supports most CD/DVD drives.
• Easy to use score screen that allows for rapid score entry. Screen is easy on eyes, easy to read and looks like a recap sheet
• Multiple Reports are managed with customizable league standings, detailed reports, season histories and more - No Extra Charge
• Add graphics and watermarks from our bowling clipart CD-ROM's or your own creations. You control size, position and effects
• Sort team lineups by low to high average
• Fonts customizable of multiple reports
• Give your bowlers FREE access to INTERACTIVE standings with LeagueSecretary.com to dynamically show positions, rosters, histories and more
• FREE uploading standings to LeagueSecretary.com for certified USBC leagues AND non-sanctioned leagues
• FREE backup storage on LeagueSecretary.com to securely backup leagues for emergencies (One Click!)
• FREE uploading standings to USBC's own Bowl.com for certified leagues
• FREE uploading standings to USBC's own Bowl.com for certified Sport leagues
• FREE uploading of USBC Sports League Data to SportBowling.com
• Supports USBC Certified Leagues for 2007/2008 season with award detection and forms, membership forms, sanctions forms and more for the 2007-2008 bowling season.
• Supports USBC Certified Sports Leagues for 2007/2008 season with award detection and forms, membership forms, sanctions forms and more for the 2007-2008 bowling season.(The best program for Sport Leagues) - Weekly scores can be uploaded to LeagueSecretary.com for viewing
• USBC Youth Pepsi Tournament qualifications processing for the 2007-2008 bowling season.
• Record payments and manage treasurer duties with the built-in treasurer module to manage league finances to track by bowler or by team (why pay extra!)
• Ultimate Bowling League support - No extra charge
• Tie management has long been available to BLS customers addressing how to manage ties for standings and individual awards
• Individual and Team Awards managed by priorities for game or series or scratch or handicap or combinations within
• Web uploads - Have your own site too? Upload to both LeagueSecretary and your own website

BLS-2008 A/S requires access to the designated automatic scoring system for full use. Individual league secretaries should purchase the Pro or Standard edition of this software.

Compatible Automatic Scoring Systems

 

CDE Software interfaces with the largest number of automatic scoring systems available on the market. Even older scoring systems may be able to be interfaced by solutions offered by some our of partners.

Looking for a new scoring system? Each of our partners provides unique features and offerings. Because CDE Software does not recommend one partner over another, we strongly encourage contacting any of our partner's sales representatives to find what suits your business and budget. If you have any questions regarding the interfacing of our product with a partner, please contact our automatic scoring division staff.

 

Certified Scoring Systems

In order to provide improved compatibility and support, many of our scoring partners have chosen to have their systems certified by CDE Software. This process involves the scoring company providing CDE Software with a system to do constant testing and compatibility checks. This also allows for improved integration as well as diagnosis of any issues that may come up, in order to better identify appropriate action and resolution.

The following is a list of our Certified Scoring Systems:

• Brunswick Vector Plus
• Brunswick Vector
• Brunswick Classic
• PurrfectScore Purrfect Desk
• Steltronic WINS

Non-Certified Scoring Systems

Some of our scoring partners have either chosen to not be certified, have not yet begun the process or have let their certification lapse. These systems should perform very well with our products, however diagnosis of issues that may come up may be more difficult to troubleshoot or may be delayed in verifying compatibility checks.

The following is a list of our Non-Certified Scoring Systems:

• AK Microsystem LCS
• Brunswick CenterMaster
• Ebonite Vantage Matrix
• Joystick Front Desk
• Mendes (Please call for more information)
• QubicaAMF BOSS 8.3 and 9.x
• QubicaAMF Conqueror
• QubicaAMF Conqueror Pro
• QubicaAMF OVR
• Switch (coming soon)
• Twelve Strike Central Desk
• Viking 2001

Note: Some of the older scoring systems, such as AMF Accuscore, Accuscore Color, Accuscore Plus or Brunswick AS80/AS90 scoring systems are generally compatible by replacing the front desk console with a solution by our scoring partners. Such solutions include Purrfect Desk and LCS.

System Requirements

• Access to the designated scoring system required
• Processor: Pentium class 400 mhz min.
• Operating System: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2008 Server, Windows 2003 Server or Windows 2000 (Windows 98, ME and NT users, please see the Important Notes About Discontinued Operating Systems)
• Hard Drive Storage: 110-145 megs free space on hard drive (40 MB additional hard disk space required for installation. Space used may be less depending on prerequisite installs already present)
• Display: 800x600 or higher display resolution (1024x768 for optimal experience) with greater than 256 color depth (16 bit color recommended)
• Display Fonts: Display font size to Small Fonts
• RAM/Memory:
  • Windows Vista: Vista minimum requirements
  • Windows 2008 Server: 2008 Server minimum requirements
  • Windows 2003 Server: 2003 Server minimum requirements
  • Windows XP: 64 Megs min / 96+ MB Recommended
  • Windows 2000: 48 Megs min / 96+ MB Recommended
• Optical Drive: CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive 4x or faster (compatible with reading CD-R's)
• Printer: A physical printer or printer driver must be installed.
• Pointing Device: Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device
• Software Prerequisites:
  • Internet Explorer: Internet Explorer 5.01 or later
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0.5 or later (free from Adobe.com website)
  • Internet connection to use built in Internet features

 

Notice: These requirements are for the computer BLS-2008 A/S will be installed on. If you have a scoring system that is based on a non-supported operating system, such as AMF BOSS 8.x or Brunswick Centermaster, then you have several options available:

• Purchase a brand new scoring system (best solution, but highest investment)
• Purchase a replacement front desk / back office solution from your scoring manufacturer or a third party scoring product such as Vector Plus for Frameworks series scorers, Purrfect Desk from Purrfect Score, Conqueror Pro for BOSS / Conqueror Universal for Accuscore generation scorers from QubicaAMF. (great solution for a lower investment to carry you through until your ready to purchase a brand new scoring system)
• Purchase a new computer with Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Pro (best choice at this time) and network the new computer to your scoring network. While you can purchase the new computer from any source, we recommend that you purchase from your scoring system vendor for full support from the scoring system manufacturer. Providing that BLS can communicate and have access to the front desk (or server in some cases), it does not matter(good solution at the lowest price)

Important Notes About Discontinued Operating System:

No software company can effectively support any software for an operating system that the vendor is no longer selling, providing patches, addressing security issues, documenting or supporting. As of June, 2006, Microsoft officially dropped complete support for the Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows NT operating systems.

Because of the added capabilities and Vista operating system support, BLS-2008 will not function as designed with Windows 98, Windows ME and Windows NT, nor can be installed. If you have a system using these operating systems, upgrade the operating system to Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2008 Server, Windows 2003 Server or Windows 2000 or purchase a newer system with a supported operating system.

 

Pricing

 

Contact the Automatic Scoring division of CDE Software for current prices and availability of the software for the automatic scoring system installed at your center. This product is not available for online purchase.

Order Information and FAQ's

Here are a few FAQ's about BLS-2008 and ordering the software / upgrade for the 2007/2008 bowling season:

Q) When can I order BLS-2008?
A) Now.

Q) What does Q) and A) mean?
A) Question and Answer.

Q) When with BLS-2008 be released?
A) BLS-2008 was released prior to Labor Day, 2007. Manuals and CD-ROM's begain shipping on Labor Day.

Q) How do I order?
A) To order BLS-2008 from our online store, do the following:

Q) What does FAQ mean?
A) This is a frequently asked question we get all the time, which is why we're putting it in this FAQ. It means frequently asked question.

Q) What's a media kit?
A) That is the printed manual and CD-ROM.

Q) If I want the media kit (printed manual and CD-ROM), but I also want to download the program, what do I do?
A) Simply order online and select that you want the media kit and that you want physical delivery. When BLS-2008 is available, we will email all customers with BLS-2008 orders their registration code and download instructions.

Q) Can I order the program with the media kit and choose electronic delivery?
A) It wouldn't make sense to. You would be paying for something that needs to be physically shipped, which requires a shipping method and charge. Unfortunately, our online store may not prohibit you from doing this at this time.

Q) Can I order the program without the media kit and choose physical delivery?
A) Well, it wouldn't make sense to. You would be paying for shipping for a box that is empty, since you didn't choose to add the media kit. Unfortunately, our online store may not prohibit you from doing this at this time.

Q) Is BLS-2008 a league secretary program?
A) As a matter of fact, Bowling League Secretary 2008 (BLS-2008) is a league secretary program.

Q) What payment methods do you accept?
A) Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover and Paypal.

Q) Can you just bill me or my center (or ship COD)?
A) No. We had too many customers that abused the privilege.

Q) Do you accept PO#'s?
A) No. (AMF corporate centers can contact our autoscoring department for information regarding purchase orders).

Q) What if the computer I use BLS on isn't hooked up to the Internet?
A) Simply go to a computer that DOES have Internet access, go to the location that the download instructions give and download the software. Once transferred, you can copy the installers to a CD-RW, Memory Stick, Zip drive or other removable media. Then you can take to the computer BLS is on and install.

Q) Is BLS-2008 going to be a free update to my BLS-2007 or earlier programs?
A) No. BLS-2008 is considered an upgrade, which has a nominal fee depending on the edition.

Q) Is BLS-2008 going to be compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista?
A) Yes. BLS-2008 is part of Microsoft's Works with Windows logo certification program.

Q) Is BLS-2008 going to be compatible with Microsoft Windows 2008 Server?
A) Yes.

Q) Will BLS-2008 work on my Windows 98 or Me computer like BLS-2007 did?
A) No. Due to many improvements in the software, installer technology and Windows technology and due to Microsoft cutting all product support for Windows prior to Windows 2000, we can no longer hold back the capabilities of the software. The installer for BLS-2008 will no longer allow installations on Windows 98, Me or NT systems.

Q) What versions of Windows will BLS-2008 support?
A) Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2008 Server, Windows 2003 Server and Windows 2000.

Q) Will BLS-2008 work on a Mac?
A) Natively... No. But using Apple's Boot Camp or using a virtualization product such as Parallel's Desktop orVMWareFusion, you should be able to create a Windows install that you can run BLS-2008?

Q) How many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?
A) This will vary according to which study. Results have varied from 144 to 411.

Q) Will BLS-2008 work at small screen sizes of 640 x 480?
A) No. It requires 800x600 minimum (1024x768 for the MBDII Manager). Due to improvements in monitors and video cards, you should be running at 1024x768 or larger for optimal experience.

Q) Will BLS-2008 have enough features to replace my spouse?
A) No. As much as BLS-2008 will have for features, you will still be required to keep and maintain your spouse in order to relocate waste refuse, remove spiders, grab that can of tomato sauce on the top cabinet shelf and take printed standing sheets to the bowling center (you can upload the leagues to leaguesecretary.com yourself). Remember to water often and feed with care.

Q) Well... What features does BLS-2008 have?
A) We will be posting more information on BLS-2008 when we begin taking preorders.

Q) Will BLS-2008 still upload to LeagueSecretary.com?
A) Of course. LeagueSecretary.com is the premier website for interactive standings on the web.

Q) Will BLS-2008 still upload to Bowl.com?
A) You bet.

Q) Will BLS-2008 upload the required information for Sport Leagues?
A) Yes it will. USBC is beginning to require all sport leagues to upload their weekly information for statistical purposes.

Q) Will my BLS-2008 league be able to be used at my center who has an older BLS?
A) No. Due to added features and improvements to BLS-2008, a league ran in BLS-2008 will not be backwards compatible. (In fact, we have always maintained that our league files are forward compatible, not backwards compatible).

Q) If my league starts before BLS-2008 is released, do I have to do everything by hand or reentering my league into the new program?
A) No. Unless you are running BLS-2002 or earlier, BLS-2008 should be able to convert your BLS-2003 through BLS-2007 leagues to BLS-2008. BLS-2003 through BLS-2005 customers will have to reenter sanctioning information due to the changeover from ABC/WIBC/YABA to USBC.

Q) Will BLS-2008 be able to detect and print USBC awards, membership cards and sanction form for the 2007/2008 league season?
A) Yes.

Q) Will BLS-2008 be able to detect and print USBC, CTF or TNBA awards, membership cards and sanction form for the 2008/2009 league season?
A) No. BLS-2009 will be designed for the 2008/2009 USBC, CTF or TNBA season.

Q) If I don't get BLS-2008, can I buy a patch or module to make my older BLS able to detect and print USBC awards, membership cards and sanction form for the 2007/2008 season?
A) No.

Q) What if I have an old computer? Isn't there a way I can upgrade to BLS-2008 A/S and run my leagues, yet keep my old computer that has Windows 98 or NT?
A) Yes. Windows 98, Me and NT technology just cannot support the requirements needed on most new software, so the program can not be installed on that specific machine. However, by networking a newer computer with Windows 2000 Pro, XP Pro or Vista Business or Ultimate editions, BLS-2008 can be installled on the new computer and then communicate with the older computer.

Q) How much does a pound of feathers weigh?
A) One pound

Q) Will there be a separate installer for BLS-2008 if I have Vista?
A) No. Due to the changes necessary and the fact that Microsoft released Vista in the middle of the bowling season, we released a special installer designed for BLS-2007 that was compatible with Windows Vista. BLS-2008 will go back to having a single installer for all supported Windows installations.

Q) What editions of BLS-2008 will be available?
A) BLS-2008 will be available in the Standard, Pro and (A/S) Automatic Scoring editions.

Q) If I purchase(d) a previous BLS A/S edition, do I have to pay full price for the upgrade?
A) No. If you purchased BLS-2007 A/S or BLS-2006 A/S, you can purchase the upgrade to BLS-2008 A/S for a special price by calling our automatic scoring support division at 206.937.5744.

Q) If I purchase(d) the standard or pro edition, can I upgrade to the a/s edition?
A) No. The Standard and Pro editions are consumer edition products, whereas the A/S edition is an industrial division product.

Q) If I'm an individual league secretary and my center is getting BLS-2008 A/S, then I need to buy the A/S edition too, right?
A) No. Only bowling centers with compatible electronic scoring can purchase the A/S edition. Individual secretaries that use the software at home must purchase the Standard or Pro edition.

Q) What's a Key Grip?
A) The key grip is the chief grip on the set. Like a foreman, the key grip directs a crew of grips, some with specialized skills such as dolly grips, crane operators, camera car operators, etc. BLS-2008 has nothing to do with a key grip, but you always wonder what that is, in a long list of movie credits.

Q) The Pro edition also talks to the electronic scoring system, right?
A) No. Some customers confuse the Pro edition with the A/S features. The Pro edition has additional capabilities that many leagues require. Some centers that do not have compatible scores will choose the Pro edition. Centers WITH compatible scoring systems must purchase the A/S edition in order to communicate with the scoring system.

Q) If I'm a bowling center with the A/S edition, can I purchase the Pro or Standard upgrade to upgrade my A/S to the new version?
A) No. A/S customers must purchase the A/S upgrades.

Q) You have two numbers for sales and technical support. Who do I call?
A) If you are an individual secretary or a center that does not have the A/S edition of our products, then call 206.937.8927 for support (206.937.8069 for sales). If you have or need the A/S edition for your electronic scoring to work with BLS, then contact our separate automatic scoring department at 206.937.5744.

Q) Just how DO you pronounce Patrick's last name?
A) If you are a telemarketer... It's pronounced "Not Interested". But if you're a customer of ours... It's LAY-ko.

 

Note: No animals were harmed during the making of this FAQ. We hope you enjoyed our little info on BLS-2008 and appreciate the time you took to read through it.

Why choose CDE Software ?

• We leverage our longstanding experience as developers, league secretaries, league bowlers and center operations experience with bowling software (since 1975) to provide the sport of bowling with the best in bowling league and tournament software.
• We have strong relationships with our automatic scoring partners to insure compatability and available of new features.
• We support USBC and take the time to participate as exhibitors at the USBC national conventions. We take the time to listen to secretaries, associations, state directors and centers to continually evolving our products to serve the current needs of the sport and those who participate in it.
• We support BPAA and have long standing participation as exhibitors at the annual Bowl Expo convention. This also provides a means for our customers to interact directly with our staff and evolve our products based on the needs of our clients.
• CDE Software maintains close business and development relationships with all major scoring system manufacturers in order to keep up with the needs of the scoring systems and with their clients with league and tournament software products.
• If you have a question on your CDE Software product, CDE offers the largest number of ways you can get answers to your questions. This includes peer support with our online support community, interactive chat support, email support, telephone support, fax support, knowledgebase support and remote desktop support
• Our published and advertised address is our corporate headquarter's physical commercial address, compared to the use of a private mail box service or UPS Store / Mailboxes Etc service.
• Our pricing has the best feature value.
• In 2005, we donated one dollar for each BLS-2006 sold for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort provided by Red Cross.
• Over several years, CDE has sponsored YABA scholarships
• The league software of choice for many of the nation's larger bowling associations.