Hi everybody!
My name is Daniel Hardegree and I'm currently the Box Office Manager at our organization. We've been on Tessitura for almost three years and we have a pretty small staff and only a handful of us really use Tessitura beyond just selling tickets. We've discovered that there is STRONG need for someone who can fulfill more of a comprehensive Systems Admin/DBA/Systems Analyst/General IT role, and I'm looking to move into that position. I'm in the process of gathering details to compose a job proposal to our executive staff and I was hoping some of you guys would be able to point me in the right direction on some of the details. I'm mostly looking to see what kind of training and resources one would need for this position.
Here's a little background on myself. I've been the box office manager for 5 years and am the closest thing to a Tessitura Superuser at our organization. I ran point on the majority of our implementation process with oversight from our university's IT project manager and staff. I am currently in school pursuing a B.S. in Information Systems so I'm already on the path for this kind of role. I do have some basic SQL skills and understanding but not any practical experience with it.
As mentioned above I really need to discover what all training and resources I would need for this role. Anything you can provide would be greatly beneficial, and I look forward to your responses.
Thanks!
Hi Daniel,
We're a small org and I do all Ticketing, Box office, Data Analysis, Applications and DBA. I spent 5 years as a Box Office Manager and then Ticketing with a different org and then came over here last year to set up Ticketing and TNEW (previously we'd relied solely on the Venues to sell tickets). When I started last year I had zero SQL or database knowledge and a tiny bit of coding experience remembered from my Masters in Science, so I'm bit of an accidental DBA. Starting often felt like hearing a noise in the basement in the middle of the might and then having the bright idea to investigate. Pretty hair raising stuff.
With a bit of a grounding in SQL you should be fine. Like John and Gawain say it's practice, copy and steal for the most part. There are some great resources on the network for learning - I built my first SSRS report from reading TLCC2017 slides. Note that it's really handy to have someone to sit with you at least once and walk you through things like SSRS or Infomaker builds. If you don't have anyone on hand the Tess staff can quote you on 1:1 training. There was a big learning curve for me on getting across ALL business practices from Finance to Education to Development. I learnt more about our finance from writing finance reports that I'll ever wish to know.
Lastly the most valuable resource is the folks on the forum. If you need anything let me know. I've often said that a new DBA mentorship program would be great for Tessitura Community. I can also sent you my Position Description if that helps (or if you have insomnia).
Cheers,
H
Heath, thanks so much! Sounds like we are coming form similar backgrounds. Thanks for the information. I agree with you that a DBA mentor program would be fantastic. Luckily our organization is part of a large university so hopefully there may be some resources I can utilize to help with SSRS and Infomaker. And yes! If you could send me your Position Description that would be super helpful!
Heath, just realized I didn't provide my email to you. If you would still be able to send you Position Description you can send it to dhard89@uab.edu
Hi Daniel - just shot the PD your way.
Holler if you need anything in your journey. Happy to share my pitfalls and wins.
Terry - I'm always up for a Skype-a-friend