We are pleased to announce the release of SAM Broadcaster 2013. It has been a while in the making, but it is finally ready and we are happy to announce it is now available to download. We would like to once again thank everyone who pre-ordered SAM Broadcaster 2013. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us here. In this post we would like to answer some of the questions we expect to receive regarding SAM Broadcaster 2013.

How do I buy SAM Broadcaster 2013?

If you own a previous version of SAM Broadcaster, please visit the user zone and upgrade directly from there.

If you have never owned a copy of SAM Broadcaster, you can purchase by visiting:

http://spacial.com/sam-broadcaster

I have already pre-ordered SAM Broadcaster 2013, how do I download it?

You can download it by visiting your user zone and clicking the “convert to 2013″ button which will instantly upgrade your license key and give you access to SAM Broadcaster 2013.

What new features are available in SAM Broadcaster 2013?

This first release has made SAM Broadcaster 2013 compatible with Windows 8, but we have many exciting features (including web integration with SAM VIBE) planned for the start of 2013. Watch this space!

I purchased SAM Broadcaster v4 recently, do I get SAM Broadcaster 2013 for free?

Possibly. If you purchased SAM Broadcaster 2013 on or after September 1 2012, you are entitled to SAM Broadcaster 2013. To access SAM Broadcaster 2013, log into your user zone and click the ‘convert to 2013′ button.

Why does your website still show SAM Broadcaster version v.4.9.8 on the sales page?

SAM Broadcaster 2013 will be available to purchase directly from the website in early January (you are still able to purchase v4 and get an immediate free upgrade to 2013 in your user zone at the current time).

If I activate the license for SAM 2013 will I be able to use the old version?

No, as you purchased an upgrade to SAM Broadcaster 4.x and not an additional license

When do I get access to the SAM Vibe account that came with the pre-order?

It is planned for early 2013.

When will SAM Cast 2013 and SAM DJ 2013 be released?

Today! SAM Cast 2013 and SAM DJ 2013 are available now. If you have already purchased, you can access them here.

If you own a previous version of the software and you wish to purchase, please log into your user zone and click the ‘upgrade’ button.

Otherwise you can purchase SAM DJ by visiting this page or SAM Cast by visiting this page.

Anil,
Spacial.com

When we asked customers what they thought of Spacial there were generally three comments:

   1. Great software
   2. Lousy support
   3. No Documentation

We took this on board and decided to make some changes…

With the launch of SAM 2013 as well as the launch of our new cloud broadcasting solution SAM VIBE, we realized
we needed to make some changes, we needed to implement a better, and more efficient support system and we
needed to provide much improved product documentation.

We have also been working hard to produce better product documentation…

SAM VIBE was the first to receive a documentation overhaul and the first of these documents are available to
download here:

SAM VIBE User Manual
http://supportdocs.spacial.com/SAM+VIBE/SAM+VIBE+User+Manual.pdf

SAM VIBE Scheduling
http://supportdocs.spacial.com/SAM+VIBE/SAM+VIBE+Scheduling.pdf

The separate support portals also provide a product specific and ever-expanding knowledgebase which includes sections for Tips and Tricks, documentation and FAQs. This also gives us the opportunity to turn any repeat support request into a support document with a couple of clicks which reduces the time taken to resolve a customers’ problem.

With the implementation of the new helpdesk system, we set ourselves the task of responding to every new ticket within 4 hours during business hours and as you can see from the report, we have exceeded this and responded to most tickets within 2 hours (where you only see a single line on the report, this is where we responded to all tickets within 2 hours):

As we move forward into 2013, we accept we still have some way to go to provide the support service and the level of documentation we want to see but we have already received positive comments since we began the implementation of our changes and we are working hard to further improve the level of customer support and documentation.

Mathew,
Operations Lead,
Spacial.com

We would like to thank all our customers who have already pre-ordered SAM Broadcaster 2013. It is great to know so many of our clients are excited about the next release. There are however many customers with some questions about how the new licensing model will work and also what features to expect in SAM Broadcaster 2013.

In today’s blog post we will focus on the new licensing model and soon to follow we will have another blog post with some sneak peak information on what to expect in SAM Broadcaster 2013.

Should I wait to buy SAM Broadcaster v4 since SAM Broadcaster 2013 is around the corner?

Please note that if you purchased SAM Broadcaster v4.x after 1 September 2012 you will automatically be upgraded to SAM Broadcaster 2013 and also get a free SAM VIBE integration account for 12 months. So there is no reason to delay your purchase as you automatically get all the extra services at no extra cost!

SAM Broadcaster 2013 pre-order information

We extended the current special pre-order pricing until 15 November 2012. We highly recommend you take advantage of it. Remember the pre-order includes both software updates for 12 months (starting 1 Jan 2013) as well as a SAM VIBE integration subscription. To purchase the pre-order, log into the http://spacial.com user zone and use the purchase links located there. This is only for existing SAM Broadcaster customers that purchased SAM Broadcaster before 1 September 2012.

New subscription model: The basics

You will be able to purchase SAM Broadcaster 2013 at the normal retail price ($199 for PLUS, $299 for PRO and $699 for STUDIO).

This purchase will include 12 months of software updates, 30 days phone support and 3 remote support sessions.

During the checkout process the customer can optionally sign up for the yearly SAM VIBE integration subscription at $59 for the first year.

The SAM VIBE subscription gives you access to:

• All minor and major software updates during the subscription term.
• Included with the subscription is a 1GB SAM VIBE Standard account. (You can optionally upgrade this account to 100GB with multiple stations and more listener capacity at any later time)
• Ability to 1-way sync your media library metadata from SAM Broadcaster to the SAM VIBE cloud. This will enable the following cut and paste web widgets:
  • Now playing widget
  • Now playing + recently played widget
  • Browse library widget
  • Ability for visitors to browse library and make automated requests (Without the need for complicated firewall and router setups!)
  • Player widget
• And many other exciting features – some of which will be announced in our next blog post.

Fine print

• Initial software purchase includes 12 months of software updates. After that you need to sign up for the yearly software updates subscription in order to receive further updates.
• If you choose not sign up or renew your software updates subscription, then SAM Broadcaster will continue to work… but you will not be able to upgrade the software or have access to bug fixes.
• If you decide at a later date you wish to sign up for a new subscription to get new updates then the price for the updates subscription would be 50% more than the normal renewal price.
• Please note the SAM VIBE integration subscription also includes software updates. So if you choose this optional add-on subscription, renewing it will also renew your software updates for the next term.

Why the new subscription licensing model makes sense:

1. The subscription model allows us to release new features immediately!

Part of the reason why we are still on v4.x major branch is because traditionally we wanted to
add a super-duper major feature before we ask for an upgrade fee.

However, this was actually a very bad thing as it often meant we would “bench” some feature requests for a major update – which ultimately meant a lot of those just never got implemented! With the subscription model we can immediately implement any feature – whether it’s major or minor – as there is no reason to delay it. In fact, the quicker we can release the better.

2. Subscriptions are standard

We buy a lot of software to aid in our development process. So far this year every bit of software or service we bought was on subscription basis. The model generally is a win-win for a long term mutually beneficial relationship.

3. Pyramid scheme / Ponzi scheme

The old system really meant that new users were subsidizing development for existing users. The yearly subscription model is fairer as all active users contribute to the features and improvements of the product. Considering the great response we received from our clients so far in regard to pre-orders it is clear that people understand the positives and are excited about the future of SAM Broadcaster and SAM VIBE.

4. SAM Broadcaster 2013 is not just about bug fixes!

It’s about new features (yes, sometimes long overdue) … but also bundled services. SAM VIBE integration will become more and more interesting to existing SAM Broadcaster users. Unfortunately we can not disclose the full roadmap yet, but watch this space! You get all these services for less than $10 a month ($5 on pre-order!)

We are trying to really offer a lot of extra value with the subscription…

5. DJ seats

Lets answer a few quick questions:

Q: Will you offer DJ seat licenses with SAM Broadcaster 2013?

A: Yes. Although it will operate differently than today. (See below)

Q: So how will DJ seats work?

A: We will try to address some of the pain points experienced with DJ seats today.

• Station owners will be able to assign and revoke DJ seats in real-time.
• DJ seats will be tied to the master station and will only be able to broadcast to master station.
• Pricing is not yet finalized – but will be a lot less expensive than buying a full SAM Broadcaster license.

Q: Can I also upgrade my SAM Broadcaster v4 DJ seat licenses to 2013?

A: No. Just like you could not upgrade DJ seat licenses from SAM Broadcaster v3 to v4.

Q: Is there any special pre-order deals for DJ seat owners?

A: Yes. You can turn any DJ seat into a FULL license key using our amazingly great pre-order special. Contact support for more details. (Act fast! Offer ends on 15 November 2012!)

6. This is just too expensive for me!? What can be done?

We realize that for many broadcasting is a hobby and there is little revenue generated to fund it. As a broadcaster you have a few options to consider:

1. Stick with v4 until you can justify upgrading. (DJ seats will also continue to work)
2. Buy pre-order today! You can at least be sure you will receive updates and services till end of 2013. Then you can make the call if you wish to renew your subscription or not… (We extended the special offer and you can get the pre-order at $69 until 15 November 2012.)
3. Sign up at CheapestStream.com and get SAM Broadcaster LITE for free. No subscription required – your stream hosting is your subscription.
4. Switch to SAM VIBE. Depending on the storage size you need, SAM VIBE could be a more cost effective way to broadcast.

Once again we appreciate the overwhelming positive response we got with our pre-order offer. In the next blog post we will delve into some of the early specifics of what you can expect with the SAM VIBE integration of SAM Broadcaster 2013.

Louis
CTO and Co-founder
Spacial.com