By its nature, a good Ad Tracking System must be so simple to use that you forget the complex functions that are taking place beneath the surface. We've prepared this detailed checklist so you can make a comparison between Xpance and our competitors' products "beneath the surface".

Our Checklist

System Interfaces | Order Entry Interface | Layout Interface
File Management | Point of Entry Management | Production Information
Sales Information | Tracking Information | Reporting Information
Typical reports that built in to the display tracking system
Server Information
 

System Interfaces	Xpance
Ad Order Entry Systems - dynamic link to tracking system
- -Interface to all Ad Order Entry Systems
Layout System - dynamic link to tracking system
- -Interface to all Layout Systems
Pagination System - dynamic link to tracking system
- -Interface to all Pagination Systems
Desktop Publishing Applications (Macintosh)
- -QuarkXPress v3, v4, v5, v6, v7
- -Multi-Ad Creator v4, Creator2, Creator6, Creator7, Creator8
- -InDesignCS, InDesignCS2
Desktop Publishing Applications (PC) - -InDesignCS, InDesignCS2 Electronic Ad Delivery- dynamic link to tracking system
- -AP AdSend
- -Email
- -FTP
- -Other
Order Entry Interface
Interface to ad order systems to initialize ads including the ad number, publication, run date, classification, customer name, etc.
Tracking system dynamically manages ads and EPS files based on information changed in the order entry system.
Tracking system dynamically manages ads and EPS files based on KILL information from the order entry system.
Can produce modular, irregular as well as SAU sized ads.
Build correctly sized ads based on order entry system and publication information.
Layout Interface
Store the page locations of ads in the database.
Process layout changes from the layout system.
File Management
Delete EPS version of completed ads if a complete ad requires late changes.
Warn users of changes to EPS version for any late ad corrections.
Pre-flight all completed ad EPS files prior to sending the ads to pagination.
Show ads based on color information, classification code or other criteria.
Automatically manage EPS files in and out of the pagination system as required.
Point of Entry Management
Provide a single interface to process and pre-flight digital standard ads (EPS and PDF) that are received via a number of different means. The processing of these ads includes:
- -AP AdSend
- -E-mail
- -Bulletin Boards
- -FTP
- -CD-ROM, Zip, Jazz, DVD or other media
Preflighting of ads for missing fonts (both printer and screen fonts) - check fonts within imported images-morcor as well.
Links digital ad to an ad number stored in the Ad Tracking system (received from the ad order entry system).
Converted EPS files are managed (including archiving) for export to the pagination systems.
Production Information
Easy to use, intuitive user interface
Easy to convert current ads to new tracking system - including checking ad size, fonts, images-morcor and including the ad number to the ad.
Site defined ad production - ads are built on the network or locally.
Checking in an ad removes the ad from the user's working volume and returns it to the network, when ads are built locally.
Deliver ad elements directly to the user rather than the user going out to search for them.
Provide easy to follow ad workflow for set ads, spec ads, shell/ganged ads, pickup ads, camera ready ads, film ads and digitally received ads.
Intuitive and easy to move ads to next process in the production workflow, within the tracking system.
Ad builders can open and work on up to three ads, so they can copy information and/or stylized copy from other ads to increase productivity and consistency between ads.
Locks ads that are checked out for editing and let users know who is currently working on that ad.
When an operator is working an ad on, it is not possible for another ad builder to access the same ad. If the ad builder attempts to open an ad already being worked on, a message is displays who is working on the ad.
Manage all files including scans, logo's, ad copy from within the tracking system.
Automatically gather the ad files for the ad and delivers them to within the desktop publishing application.
Automatically size ads based on booking information and publication information. Must be able to run irregular or modular sized ads as well. (System is not based exclusively on SAU Sizes).
Searchable database by ad status, publication, name, ad number, description, sales rep, sales group, ad builder and rundate criteria.
Thumbnail views of ads. Both active and expired/offline ads.
After the ad has been output or saved for pagination, the ad is sent back with a status of "Complete".
Ad builders can view ads they previously worked on and can finalize, print them and other functions.
Bar-code tracking of physical locations of where the ad docket/job ticket resides.
Notification of incorrect ad size with various types of ads. Does not allow ad to be released until size issue is resolved.
Ability to import ads and artwork based on naming conventions, customer name, etc.
Ability to store permanent/library art on-line (safeguarded from archiving and purging).
Automatically expires (and compresses) old ads based on last run-date information.
Automatically moves ads for offline archiving. Shows offline media as well as a preview of an old ads.
Able to track, report and cost special sections and inserts.
In depth, intuitive Gang Ad functionality.
Sales Information
Easy to use, intuitive user interface
Ability to view on both Macintosh and PC compatible computers.
Ability to generate "call report" to show where ads are in the tracking system and be able to proactively contact customers for ad material.
Ability to share electronic "notes" between sales department and production staff.
Ability to generate customer previews of previously run advertising campaigns.
Ability to "soft proof" ads electronically from production.
Ability to "book" spec ads with creative department.
Ability to view available spec ads that were not sold.
Tracking Information
Tracks ad readiness at any stage within the production cycle and generates a history of the ad. Provides up to the minute status of ads in the production cycle as well as what operator last accessed the ad and on what station.
Comprehensive graphical display of where all ads are in the production cycle.
Tracks parent/child details in gang ads as well as the children having their own parent status with children details.
Tracks ads picked-up from other ads (and automates the pickup process).
Ability to track specs to actual sold ads for revenue tracking.
Track history of time spent on an ad for particular production function.
Track diary for audit trail and history of ad.
Productivity reporting on individual operators.
The ability to track and list the different production processes (copy entry, imaging, mark-up, corrections, etc.) that an ad has progressed through, including what was done at what time and by which operator so that a full history can be viewed.
Track elements of an ad with the ability to recall archived components to the user.
Keeps track of ads and elements when last used, as well as the original creation date.
Bar code tracking of returned ads and elements to sales reps, imaging, production department or other areas.
Monitors the adís status as it moves through the production process and records each step in the adís history.
Comprehensive status changes representing both electronic and physical tracking.
Reporting Information
Complete and comprehensive reports built into Tracking System
Reports are used to analyze every facet in the current and past production process. Reports include histories of individuals and groups of ads, and individual users and group productivity.
Reports include listing ads by advertiser or sales person for the sales department, or in various combinations.
Reports can be summarized for hour, day, week, month, quarter, year, pub date, main-run, etc.
Each file is tracked through production and this information is included in production reports.
Reporting to monitor the overall status of production. Specific reports are generated at key times of the day to help both users and managers meet production deadlines.
Ability to sort special section ads together and track through deadline based views for early press-run dates rather than pub-date.
Typical reports that are built in to the display ad tracking system
Complete and comprehensive reports built into Tracking System.
Ads due for proof that are not completed yet.
Ads due for corrections that are not completed yet.
Corrections - availability to track multiple corrections. Know how many times an ad returns for corrections and changes - by advertiser, sales rep and/or user.
The ability to track changes on ads for billable time.
Ads due for final output that are not completed yet and the current stage.
Late ads - materials received after established product deadline, which is based on type of ad.
Ability to track late ads.
Railroaded ads - no proof returned before output deadline.
Ad information.
Ad history.
Ads by publication date.
Ads in various stages of production process. Readiness for ads to be sent to other systems.
Users currently logged in/out.
Employee production report.
Location reports summary of ads (where they reside in production process).
Stand-by ad report, specific page placement and pub date.
Server Information
Server access and command privileges can be controlled with user log-ons.
Ability to modify files is controlled by the users access privileges.
A higher level of security for administration/managerial functions.
Functions are defined by user access privileges. Every user of the database has their own password and this is directly linked to the commands and views that the user can access.
Automatically archiving or purging of ads based on last run date.
Automatic purging and/or archiving based on last rundate.
Automatic updating of both database and client machines with a simple double-click.
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Morcor Solutions Inc
232 Dundas St. West
Suite 201
Napanee, Ontario
K7R 2A8
Canada
T: 613.354.2912
F: 613.354.0138
E: info@morcor.com