ENPS: Questions and Answers

Q: What makes ENPS different?
A: ENPS is an easy to use, easy to maintain system that gives users control over all resources in a newsroom. Some of the key features of ENPS are:

• A Powerful search engine for finding anything, anywhere in the system with a single search.
• The architecture of ENPS can turn an enterprise with several locations using ENPS into one “virtual newsroom”, able to easily and efficiently share information.
• Control of external media systems through the MOS (Media Object Server) protocol. From inside the ENPS interface, journalists can see, use, and control third-party devices, such as video servers, or character generators.
• Because ENPS updates are included and available to all customers, ENPS sites can take advantage of the best practices and innovation by ENPS users worldwide.

Q: How will ENPS improve my news operation?
A: ENPS reduces story research time, makes better use of archives and other news resources, and helps journalists get the whole story, not just the pieces that are easiest to find. Your staff will come to see ENPS as essential tools of their craft.

Q: What are the server and client hardware requirements?
A: Click Here for specs.

Q: How does ENPS compare with other large newsroom computer systems?
A: ENPS has accomplished what is still on the drawing board for most other vendors. AP takes advantage of the latest hardware and software components, and allows for future updates. ENPS is designed to allow additional technologies to be plugged in as they become viable for your operation.

Q: How reliable is ENPS?
A: Because ENPS uses a network of servers, this vastly decreases the chance that a server failure can affect a broadcast. The system has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it can operate continuously under the most demanding conditions.

Q: What support does ENPS include for roving correspondents?
A: A journalist has two options for using ENPS in the field. Users can make a dial-up connection through a phone line or internet VPN connection and have full access to all ENPS resources. In addition, they can work off-line, then connect to the newsroom and deliver the completed work.

A new ENPS product called SNAPfeed enables video to be sent to the newsroom from a laptop computer. Click here for more information about SNAPfeed.

Q: Does ENPS include an Internet strategy?
A: No newsroom system is complete without a strategy for easily repurposing news content to the web. Click here for more information about ENPS Web authoring and publishing.

Q: In which languages is ENPS available?
A: ENPS is designed for multi-language use. Non-English language characters can be written in any text window if the user workstation has installed the appropriate language version of the operating system.
In addition, on-screen commands and other text can be modified to native language and even local dialects.

Q: What new technologies does ENPS use?
A: ENPS relies on standard TCP/IP networking and operating systems. Advanced text retrieval techniques are used to allow journalists to highlight a sentence or phrase in a news item and, within seconds, obtain a list of related information from all over the world.

Q: Will data from my existing newsroom system be compatible with ENPS?
A: Conversion of data from other systems can be accomplished with custom programming as needed.

Q: Can ENPS be customized for my operation?
A: To develop ENPS, AP intentionally chose platforms and development tools that would lend themselves to customization. Many options to tailor the system are built-in. For example, system administrators can modify rundown configurations, wire handling, and user privileges.

Q: Is 24-hour, 7-day support available?
A: Yes, every news operation needs it, and AP provides it.