MUSIC CONNECT DETAILS Requirements For Reporting Cost: Cost for submitting data to Music Connect is absolutely nothing! All that is needed is the ability to electronically send the data to Music Connect by either modem, email or FTP in the format required and have a SAN or CRN. POS System: A POS System is not required, but it makes it easier to report using one. As long as the file is transmitted as an electronic file in the proper spec format, Music Connect will accept it. Some of the POS systems we work with are Bookstore Manager, IRT/IBID, and Booklog. CRN/SAN: A SAN or CRN is required for all electronic submissions to Music Connect. A CMTA Reporting Number (CRN) is a unique ID number assigned to retail reporters. If your store does not have a SAN, please contact the CMTA at soundscan@cmta.biz. There is no cost for a CRN. Set-Up Time: Once a CRN is obtained and the Sales Data Agreement is faxed in, set-up time is approximately 1-2 weeks. Multiple Artists: Per Music Connect policy, a retail reporter must carry at least 5 different Christian artists' titles in order to report to Music Connect. In addition, each file transmission must include multiple UPCs to be processed. File Submission Since Music Connect charts are compiled on a weekly basis, it is imperative that the following guidelines for file submission are followed. Any problems with a file or the information contained therein may result in the exclusion of that file. Please carefully review the transmission guidelines and do not hesitate to contact the CMTA office with any additional questions you may have. Below is a list of basic details you need to know about reporting. Deadlines: The deadline for files to be received is Friday 11AM (Eastern Time). Reporting Week Range: Music Connect's reporting week consists of Friday through Thursday. Data is collected each week by the date range and only one week's data is processed each Friday. Any information sent outside of the current reporting week (date range) cannot be processed. Transmitting: Product must be electronically reported, both sales and returns, in the same Friday - Thursday week that the transaction occurred. Any "late scans" (scans reported the week following the transaction) will be voided. See Event and Pre-Sale Guidelines for more details. Event Sales: All event sales are now reported through AtVenu (www.atvenu.com). Please contact AtVenu to set up an account to report event sales. Group Sales: Music Connect tracks unit sales by individual customers; they do not track bulk sales or giveaways. CMTA may contact individual stores to clarify any unusually high volume sales. Your cooperation in identifying these sales is greatly appreciated. File Format Good Files: In order for a file to be processed, it must contain all information as detailed in the File Format page. Any files missing vital header or footer information or dates of sale separating each day product was sold will be deemed as a "bad" file and cannot be included. Main | Page 1 | Page 2