What low cost software (<$1000) exists to best enable automated
creation of a schedule of classes for my training center. I am looking
for software that would allow me to input:
a list of classes
the number of days associated with each class (typically 1-3
consecutive days)
How many times per quarter/year/etc. to offer the class
A minimum number of days/weeks/months between each class
a list of cities
how many classrooms are available in each city
and preferably some criteria (such as I don't want to offer the same
class in two cities on the same date)

The ideal software would output a calendar with those classes.

I'm not interested in stuff that schedules actual students. I want
something that creates a calendar automatically. If nothing can be
found that does what I need it to, than I don't want to pay $20. I'll
pay $10. If you find something perfect for me, I'll pay between $20 -
$50. I expect fairly close to what I am looking for for $20.

sjledet,

At your kind request, I am posting my comment as an Answer.

I am delighted you felt this information was a help to you. If you get
the chance, please post a note telling me how your search is going.

A couple of scheduling packages that may meet your needs are: 
 
http://www.antinoos.gr/en/orologio.htm 
 
http://schedulexpert.com/index_corporate.html 
 
Ask Jeeves has a list of packages that may or may not provide the
functionality you desire:
http://www.ask.com/channels/index.asp?catkey=Top/Computers/Software/Educational/Administration_and_School_Management/Scheduling_Utilities&ad=Scheduling_Utilities
 
Search Strategy

automated education scheduling software
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=automated+education+scheduling+software&btnG=Google+Search

course timetable scheduling software
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=course+timetable+scheduling+software&btnG=Google+Search

Before rating my answer on this question, if you require additional
information or assistance, please post a request for Answer
Clarification.

Regards,
aceresearcher

---

Clarification of Answer by aceresearcher-ga on 12 Nov 2002 10:32 PST

Hello again sjledet! 
 
I just wanted to verify that that my response to your question met
your needs, and that you are well on your way to a scheduling tool
that does the trick for you.

Google Answers, and its Researchers, rely on Ratings by customers for
a sense of how well we're performing.  Please take the time to rate
the quality of my Answer, giving it 5 Stars if it met your needs!

Thanks!
 
aceresearcher

http://www.cyber-matrix.com/csched.html
http://www.milum.com/

Thanks for the comments. I had previously viewed both of these.

Most of the stuff out there is for manually managing schedules. I'm
looking for an auto scheduler.

The cyber-matrix auto schedules students automatically to a schedule
you create manually, but I want something that creates the class
schedule automatically.

A couple of packages that may meet your needs:

http://www.antinoos.gr/en/orologio.htm

http://schedulexpert.com/index_corporate.html

Ask Jeeves has a list of packages that may or may not provide the
functionality you desire:
http://www.ask.com/channels/index.asp?catkey=Top/Computers/Software/Educational/Administration_and_School_Management/Scheduling_Utilities&ad=Scheduling_Utilities

Hope this information is helpful to you!

The orologio was new info, as was the Jeeves list. I was aware of
SchedulExpert but $25K to $150K was way out of our price range.

We are currently evaluation orologio now, and I'm going to spend more
time on the Jeeves list. In any case, you've earned your $20 bucks,
IMO. Maybe more if orologio or one of the others pan out.

This is my first time using the service, so I'm not sure where to go
from here, but I will approve the $20 if it's posted as an answer.