Open Conference Systems

Open Conference Systems (OCS) is a conference management system developed by Public Knowledge Project (PKP). According to the vendor, OCS is designed to streamline the organization and publication of conferences, providing features for collecting and publishing speaker abstracts, managing peer review processes, creating conference schedules, and publishing conference proceedings. The system is said to be suitable for organizations of various sizes, including academic institutions, research organizations, professional associations, conference organizers, and event management companies.

Key Features

Abstract Submission: According to the vendor, OCS allows conference organizers to collect abstract submissions from speakers and authors. Authors can submit their abstracts through a user-friendly submission form, while organizers have the ability to set submission deadlines and customize requirements such as word limits and formatting guidelines.

Peer Review Management: OCS provides a peer review management system for conference organizers, allowing reviewers to evaluate submitted abstracts and provide feedback. The vendor states that organizers can set review deadlines, send automated reminders, and track the progress of the peer review process.

Conference Scheduling: According to the vendor, OCS offers tools for conference organizers to create and manage conference schedules. Organizers can set up sessions, allocate time slots, and assign abstracts to specific sessions. The system allows for easy rearrangement of the schedule and updates in real-time.

Proceedings Publication: OCS enables organizers to publish conference proceedings online. Accepted abstracts and papers can be compiled into a digital publication, accessible to conference attendees and the wider research community. The system supports various file formats for proceedings, such as PDF and HTML.

Registration and Payment: OCS facilitates conference registration and payment processes. Attendees can register for the conference through an online form, while organizers can set registration fees, discounts, and payment options. The system supports secure online payment methods, such as credit card transactions and PayPal.

Customization and Branding: According to the vendor, OCS allows conference organizers to customize the system to match their branding and design preferences. Custom themes and templates can be created for the conference website, and visual elements like logos and colors can be integrated. Email templates can also be customized for consistent branding throughout communication.

User Management: OCS provides user management features for conference organizers. Organizers can create user accounts for conference committee members, reviewers, and attendees, with the ability to define user roles and permissions. The vendor states that the system also supports easy user registration and password recovery.

Multilingual Support: OCS offers multilingual support to accommodate conferences with participants from different language backgrounds. According to the vendor, the system supports the translation of user interfaces and content into multiple languages. Users can select their preferred language for a personalized experience, and organizers can provide multilingual abstract submission forms and conference materials.

Reporting and Analytics: OCS provides reporting and analytics features for conference organizers to gain insights into conference activities. The vendor states that organizers can generate reports on abstract submissions, peer review progress, and registration statistics. The system also offers analytics on website traffic, user engagement, and content downloads, assisting organizers in making data-driven decisions.