ACP is in a class by itself compared to other automation tools

About ACP

• ACP automates all aspects of your observatory, without depending on several other programs.  You tell ACP what you want, and it figures out how to get it done.
• ACP is compatible with most observatory hardware, as long as the hardware has an ASCOM driver.

What ACP does for you

• Browser layout for easier navigation:  ACP’s web interface uses Web 2.0 – the latest technology to make navigation easier and faster than ever.
• Easy single-target planning:  Contrary to what you may have heard, you don’t have to be a “computer geek” or know how to write scripts!   ACP does all that for you – it’s as simple as filling out a form to tell ACP what you want to do.  Then ACP does the behind-the-scenes work of figuring out how to do it!
• Observing Plan validation:  When you start your observing plan, ACP immediately checks for errors (technical or formatting) to prevent your plan from stopping in the middle of the night.
• Multiple-target automation:  You can take your images at the best time – when the objects are high in the sky, and minimize imaging through atmospheric turbulence.
• Complete observatory automation:  ACP assures you of high-quality images without having to micro-manage your observatory’s hardware and software.  ACP does this by managing every piece of your observatory automatically, and it depends on the fewest other programs – it only requires MaxIm DL and optionally, Focus Max.
• Create your observing plan anywhere, anytime — without ACP:  Planning and observing are completely separate – no other automation tool has this architecture.  You can take the plan back to your observatory for uploading; or with the Share Your Sky! remote access feature, you can upload your plan and run it remotely.
• Share Your Sky!™ remote astronomy option:  ACP’s optional Share your Sky! feature lets you use your observatory with the same browser interface while traveling, or share your observatory safely and securely with others on the Internet.
• Customer Service is second to none:  Our philosophy is "Software is a service business, not a product business." We provide the highest level of support, assistance, and response to customer needs.  Ask any of our customers -- they'll tell you. Our Communications Center is a lively and fun place to interact with other astronomers using ACP.  And Bob Denny, the ACP developer,  is virtually always reachable and will set aside development work to help in any way he can.
• For more information about ACP:  go to the main ACP website.