NetSimplicity's Family Scheduler Software Chosen for ABC-TV's Newest Hit Reality Show
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2004--Just think how hard it must be for a single mother with nine children to schedule all those hundreds of activities, appointments, trips and outings each week. That's what the producers of ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" kept thinking, and that's why they decided to choose NetSimplicity's Family Scheduler software to help ease one mom's plight.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is ABC's newest hit program -- a reality show that takes the house of a deserving family and utterly transforms it in one week, including design, demolition, construction and decorating. Unlike other home improvement shows, however, this one focuses on the homeowners themselves, who've been chosen based on the life challenges they're currently facing.
The program that airs on May 2, 2004, features the Walswicks, a family with nine children and one mom, Martha, who lost her husband last summer after a three-year fight with cancer. A friend who was closely familiar with the family's situation nominated them for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
Helping the ten Walswicks get organized with their many activities, appointments and meetings was the primary reason that NetSimplicity's Family Scheduler was selected for the program. The scheduling software is installed on a new home computer included in the remodeling.
"What makes this show stand out is that the family we're doing it for absolutely deserves it," says design team leader Ty Pennington. "At the end of the show, we're standing there with 120 construction guys and all of us are holding back the tears."
It's Pennington who leads the team of six opinionated designers who occasionally butt heads as they try to complete the house overhaul on a fixed budget in only seven days, with no prep time. The construction site literally buzzes day and night until the shocked family returns home for the unveiling, often crying with joy and unable to believe how their original house has been transformed into their ideal dream home.
The show's producers had considered several different scheduling software solutions, but ultimately made the decision to go with Family Scheduler.
"We were absolutely thrilled to have Family Scheduler selected for the show," said Nancy Harris, vice president of software at NetSimplicity, the Austin, Texas-based firm that developed the product. "If anyone needs help with scheduling, it's certainly got to be the Walswicks. I'm sure they'll find it a lot easier to track who's going where, and when. We wish them all the best."
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" premiered as a one-shot special in early December 2003, and returned to the ABC broadcast lineup on Feb. 15, 2004. Since then, it's continued to show strong ratings, pulling in 10.2 million viewers to the March 7 broadcast.
The Family Scheduler edition of the show will air Sunday night, May 2, on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT.
About NetSimplicity
NetSimplicity is a proven provider of scheduling software for families, organizations and small-to-medium sized businesses. Its spectrum of products includes Family Scheduler and Meeting Room Manager, among others. Its parent company, Forgent Networks (Nasdaq:FORG - News), acquired NetSimplicity in October 2003. For additional information on NetSimplicity products, visit www.netsimplicity.com or call 512-437-2532 to learn more.
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