Articles by Scott Waschitz

DPS AdTracker™:AdTraffic Controller is a deadline aware solution to ad building and provides a fully electronic automatic workflow. Gone are the days of plastic ad jackets, materials racks and paper manifests. Directly within the DPS AdTracker™ X Client designers are automatically presented with the “next hottest ad” requiring production or corrections. All materials, notes and layouts are easily and instantly accessible.

The system constantly re-evaluates all the ads in the system based on deadline and only presents users with ads that have materials and are ready for production. Unlike traditional systems that require manual assignment of each ad to a specific user, DPS AdTracker™:AdTraffic Controller automatically places ads in design pools based on ad complexity. These pools of ads are automatically distributed to the appropriately skilled designers so that they build the ads you need completed next for deadline.

DPS AdTracker™:AdTraffic Controller also provides a management interface where supervisors are able to adjust the priority of an ad in a pool, to force an ad to the “top priority” or manually assign an ad for production by a specific designer.

DPS AdTracker™:AdTraffic Controller is a radical leap forward in ad production and tracking technology. It is available today as part of DPS AdTracker™:Enterprise Edition or as a purchasable plug-in module for the DPS AdTracker™ X Standard Platform!

US-based production outsourcer, Outsourcing USA, has selected the DPS AdTracker™ Platform to manage ad production, tracking and operations for both print and online ads. Outsourcing USA boasts 100% American ad production talent based outside of Wilkes-Barre, PA.   While the customers with any flavor system are able to interface with OUSA,  those with DPS AdTracker can leverage additional functionality due to the common platform and can seamlessly send and receive materials from within their DPS AdTracker™ X Client.  For more details, visit http://www.outsourcingusa.net/

With more than 360 installed sites and several Enterprise Customers, DPS, Inc. is the proven world leader in Advertising Production and Tracking Solutions.  DPS is poised to propel the industry’s digital transformation with a full suite of enterprise-class products including Web-based Ad Building, Online Ad Tracking, Web/Print Ad Production, Online Ad Proofing and Materials Submission.

FULL STORY:  Gannett consolidating ad production at 2 sites (using DPS AdTracker™)
Click here for the full story at NewsAndTech.com

DATELINE:  Gannett consolidating ad production at 2 sites (using DPS AdTracker™)
Click here for the full story at NewsAndTech.com

Gannett to Consolidate Ad Operations in Indy, Des Moines (with DPS AdTracker™)
Click here for the full story at EditorAndPublisher.com

DPS AdTracker™(:Enterprise Edition) Supporting Gannett Ad-Production Hubs
Click here for the full story at EditorAndPublisher.com

DPS AdTracker™:Enterprise Edition has been selected as the exclusive enterprise platform for Fairfax Media New Zealand. Fairfax Media New Zealand’s extensive portfolio of 196 publications includes nine daily newspapers including The Dominion Post and The Press, two national Sunday papers, sixty community newspapers, numerous magazines and Internet operations. With over three hundred installed sites, DPS, Inc. is the proven world leader in Advertising Production and Tracking Solutions. DPS is poised to propel the industry’s digital transformation with a full suite of enterprise-class products including Web-based Ad Building, Online Ad Tracking, Web/Print Ad Production, Online Ad Proofing and Materials Submission.

On April 1^st, AdSend will be changing the manner in which they deliver Electronic Ads to all Newspapers. If you have not already done so you will need to visit the AdSend website and make the appropriate changes necessary to continue to receive Electronic Ads from AdSend. The site is located at http://www.adsend.com

This information deals with DPS AdTracker sites that currently have full integration between AdSend and AdTracker. If your version of AdTracker has a direct link to incoming AdSend Electronic Ads you will be required to download a new version of the DPS AdTracker Business system application in addition to correctly configuring the new AdSend automated download application “IQ Chaser”. The information will assist you in correctly configuring the AdSend application to produce the appropriate AdSend to DPS AdTracker interface file.

Integration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

IQ Chaser to Business System Configuration

Q: How do I know if my AdTracker System requires this DPS Business system update ???

A: If your AdTracker System is currently configured to auto import AdSend PDF files directly into an AdTracker publication, you must implement this update. If you AdTracker publication list contains a publication named “AdSend” you must implement this update.

Q: If my current DPS AdTracker system is not configured to automatically import AdSend PDF files into an AdTracker publication, am I required to implement this DPS update?

A: If your AdTracker system is not currently configured to auto import AdSend PDF files directly into the AdTracker System, you are not required to implement this DPS update. You may be required to update your existing interface to AdSend PDF files. You can do this by visiting the AdSend web site at http://www.adsend.com.

Q: What exactly is changing that requires me to update my DPS AdTracker System.

A: On April 1^st AdSend will be changing how it delivers Electronic Ads to Newspapers. It will not only be changing how it delivers these PDF files but also the format of the electronic “Job Ticket”. The electroinic “Job Ticket” contains the information specific to the Ad such as “Advertiser Name”, “Size of the Ad”, “run date of the Ad”, etc. This electronic “Job Ticket” is used by your DPS AdTracker System to automate the import of the AdSend Electronic Ads into your AdTracker System. AdSend is changing the format and the delivery location of this electronic “Job Ticket”. Without this DPS update, AdTracker will not be able to automatically populate your AdTracker System with the AdSend Electronic Ads.

Q: If my AdTracker System does require this update how should I proceed.

A: Basically you will need to visit the AdSend web site noted above and register for this new AdSend Auto Download application called “IQ Chaser”.

“IQ Chaser” is an application you will need to download, configure, and begin running.

You will then need to configure the “IQ Chaser” application as shown in the screens below to produce the correct AdSend to DPS AdTracker interface format, and the correct delivery location for these electronic “Job Ticket” files.

You will need to download the latest DPS AdTracker Business System application, Install it, and insure it is configured properly for “IQ Chaser”. Please see the detailed section below for information on properly configuring this application.

You will then need to test this interface to insure it is configured and running properly.

Q: Can I implement this DPS AdTracker Update prior to April 1^st. Will my current system work properly if I update prior to the AdSend update?

A: Yes, the DPS AdTracker update can be implemented at any time. It has been designed to work with the old and the new AdSend electronic “Job Ticket” file formats.

Q: What will happen if we are currently using the automated AdSend to DPS AdTracker interface and fail to implement this change prior to April 1^st 2009 ?

A: You will no longer receive AdSend PDF files into your AdTracker System. You will be required to manually obtain these Electronic Ads from AdSend and manually import them into AdTracker.

Q: If my DPS AdTracker System does not currently have this nice Automated AdSend to AdTracker feature can I schedule a time with DPS Tech support to get this option implemented?

A: Yes, If you currently have an annual Maintenance contract with DPS, you can email a request to support@dpsadtracker.com. The DPS support staff will be happy to schedule a time to work with you to configure this feature within your DPS AdTracker system. Please note, due to the expected support requirements associated with this AdSend change, these appointments will not be scheduled prior to April 15^th.

In order to update your integration, you must configure IQ Chaser accordingly and have the latest DPS AdTracker:Workflow Server Business System.

You can download the latest Business System by clicking here.

Required configuration settings within the AdSend “IQ Chaser” application.

The screenshot below identifies the required configuration settings you will need to implement within the “IQ Chaser” setup screens to properly interface AdSend to DPS AdTracker.

All configuration specific to the AdSend AdTracker interface are on one screen in the “IQ Chaser “ application (Page 7 of the AdSend user manual).

Text box labeled “Download Location”

Please browse to the location specified in your current SQL.ini file associated with the line: (the path shown below will be different in your SQL.ini file).

Header Source Path=\\192.1.1.8\vol1\dps-ads\AdSend\

Text box labeled “Folder Structure”

This must be left Blank

Text box labeled “Auto Renaming”

This must be “[Ticket_ID]” (You can click the reset button and then click the “Ticket_ID” button to set this up.

XML Conversion Box

Click on the check box labeled “XML Conversion”, then click the “Browse XSLT” button until the choice is set to “C:\XSL\APXML.xsl”

If you cannot find the APXML.XSL file in your IQ Chaser install, you can download it by clicking here and unzipping it.

When all of the above tasks have been completed, click the save button.

Install the new DPS AdTracker Business System (BUS_SYS.exe) application and add the following line to the “[SQL]” section of your SQL.ini file:    Use ADO(Y/N/D)=Y

Start the new Bus_Sys.exe application

When your sales force is in the office, they aren’t making you money.  Mobile Edition allows them to interact with AdTracker™ from any phone with a web browser.

Mobile Edition allows Customers to access materials, view proofs, submit corrections and approve ads 24×7 from anywhere in the world!

Sales Representatives get this functionality along with the ability to order both Spec and Live Ads right from their mobile device or a special tab in DPS AdTracker™:Online X!

DPS AdTracker™:Mobile Edition works with all popular platforms and web browsers on both desktop computers and mobile phones.  This includes Apple’s iPhone, Windows Mobile Phones and BlackBerry Devices!

Available Q2 2009!

Enterprise Edition extends our existing products giving them multi-site capabilities. This minimizes administrative overhead by allowing regional or corporate IT departments to centralize DPS AdTracker™. Our products work in both hub-and-spoke and centrally-hosted consolidation models.

Express Edition allows ad production shops with a smaller workforce, ad agencies or advertisers to have Enterprise-class Ad Tracking features on a budget.

Instead of a hodge-podge of folders containing ad documents and artwork, Express Edition tracks materials centrally with a database.  No special skills are needed, as it connects your exisitng print and online ad production applications such as InDesign, Quark, Creator, Photoshop and Flash.  Ad materials display on a convenient palette within your application so that you can simply drag them directly on to the document.

Express Edition also includes the DPS AdTracker™:Online Web Portal.  This allows customers to submit materials, view ad proofs and make corrections.  Sales Representatives can also order both spec and live ads from the portal.

All of this is provided to you on a pre-installed DPS Appliance, so no specialized IT skills are necessary.  We ship you the pre-configured equipment (mini-server and backup) and train your entire staff.  Just plug and go.  After training, you will be up and going within an hour!

It is also priced attractively starting at $399/month for up to five users.  This price includes all hardware, training, support and future upgrades.  We offer the same feature set for both the Macintosh or Windows versions.  With Express Edition, you get Enterprise-class features at a “Mom and Pop” price!

The latest release of DPS AdTracker™ X for Windows now natively supports Presentation Virtualization with both industry-leading thin client environments:  Citrix and Microsoft Windows Terminal Services.

What is Presentation Virtualization?  Why should I consider it?
Presentation Virtualization makes it possible to run an application in one location but have it be controlled in another. With either Citrix or Windows Terminal Services presentation virtualization, you can install and manage applications on centralized servers in the data center; screen images are delivered to the users, and the users’ client machines, in turn, send keystrokes and mouse movements back to the server. When using Presentation Virtualization, administrators can present users with the individual applications and data they require to complete their task, or the whole remote desktop. From a user perspective, these applications are integrated seamlessly—looking, feeling, and behaving like local applications. All of this occurs over a lightweight network connection, also making it ideal for service bureaus, remote offices and home access. These client systems need minimal hardware specifications and can even run on hardware “thin client” devices such as Wyse Terminals.

For more detail on Presentation Virtualization Technology:
- Microsoft Windows Terminal Services
- Citrix XenApp (formerly MetaFrame/Presentation Server)

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Vegas for
mediaXchange

Please join us in planning for the FUTURE March 9-11 Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
A Brand New eXperience!
To book an appointment or to get a free show pass prior to
the show, please email linda@dpsadtracker.com

During show time, please just stop by the booth to setup your appointment.

If you can’t make it to the show, we’ll miss you!
We will have a DPS mediaXchange wrap up on our web site.

Easily introduce DPS AdTracker™:Online X to both Advertisers and Sales Representatives through the use of our video help tutorials.  Our “Ninety-Second Getting Started Tutorial” is perfect for all audiences and appears right on the login page.  We have also included individual help videos for the most common tasks. While we believe our system is very easy to use, we feel the addition of video will make your upgrade an even easier transition.  

Don’t take our word for it.  Click the “PLAY” arrow icon in the video below to see for yourself!

The Next Generation of AdTracker™:Online

DPS AdTracker™:Online X represents a radical leap forward in productivity and convenience. We’ve listened to users at our three hundred plus installed newspapers to bring you the most advanced version of DPS AdTracker™:Online ever! 

DPS AdTracker™:Online X has been entirely rewritten to dramatically improve performance and dovetail with the next generation “X” Clients. It also has a foundation for DPS to build additional web modules on.

Improved performance.

Users upgrading from AdTracker™:Online 3.0 will immediately notice performance gains on login, searching and paging.

Find ads faster.

AdTracker™ X style search capabilities allow the user to quickly drill down to find the ads they need by:

• Ad Number.
• Customer / Account #.
• Sales Rep / Team.
• Ad Status.
• If an ad is not found, archived ads can also be searched.

AdTracker™ Client-style Advanced Query.

The power of AdTracker™ X Client Advanced Queries arrives Online! Users are now able to build complex queries on any combination of fields to find the ads they need. Query and Sort on:

• Ad Number.
• Customer / Account #.
• Sales Rep / Team.
• Ad Status / Sub-Status.
• Type / Publication / Size.
• Date Range / Day Of Week. 

View crucial details without extra steps.

Just like the mini-expand pane in AdTracker™ X, when you highlight an ad, you can now see a thumbnail preview of the ad as well as the most important fields from the Electronic Ad Jacket.

Drag-and-drop materials submission.   

DPS AdTracker™:Online X now allows users to submit materials by simply dragging individual elements or entire folders on the upload screen. The system automatically determines the file types submitted and files them accordingly into the jacket.

Know when all materials are submitted.  

It is now possible for the user to automatically notify you that they have submitted all the materials for an ad. With a single checkbox, the system can change the status of the ad to indicate that all materials are in and the ad is ready for production.

Easier materials submission to a specific ad.

A user can submit materials directly to a specific ad by clicking on the ad in the main window and then clicking SUBMIT.

Simplified correction workflow.

The new upload dialog has provisions for corrections. Users who opt to submit corrections can now use a unified workflow that is the same as the original submission process.

Support for Flash Web Ads. 

DPS AdTracker™:Online X now fully supports both file submission, notification and electronic proofing of Adobe Flash Web Ads.

Video Help Tutorials make things easy!

Full video help tutorials are provided in each DPS AdTracker™: Online X site for both new and existing users.

Get started!

• Contact support@dpsadtracker.com to get started.
• Customers with a valid support contract can schedule an upgrade for early 2009.
• Not a DPS AdTracker™: Online Customer?  Contact us today for a sales quotation!

The attached document details the client installation of DPS AdTracker™ X for Windows.  It also includes information on the upgrade process that modifies live configurations to use the new version.  Please be sure to read this document in its entirety before attempting an upgrade.  

Download Installation Guide [PDF]

Gannett has set up an internal website using Microsoft Office SharePoint Services 2007 in order to increase and enhance collaboration and idea sharing among the Gannett sites that use DPS AdTracker.  The idea was that since a significant percentage of Gannett sites use DPS AdTracker, there is probably a lot of best practices and other good ideas to share.  Bottom line is that the site is intended to be used as a means for all Gannett sites to find operational efficiencies by ensuring that existing systems are used to their fullest potential.

The site includes:

• An area to house information about AdTracker-knowledgeable people at each Gannett location.
• A process to track issues that various sites are having with DPS technology.
• An area to submit feature requests for enhancements to DPS’s applications.
• An area to discuss other technologies that have been brought to bear that work in concert with DPS.
• A wiki to house documentation and how-to’s, and an area to discuss any customer service or revenue enhancement activities that are directly tied to the AdTracker system.

Gannett Wisconsin Media, a unit of Gannett’s U.S. Community Publishing Division, sponsored the site’s creation and is administering it with assistance from other Gannett sites.  For further details, please contact Alan R. Bruce, Publishing Systems Manager, at Gannett Wisconsin Media.

Gannett’s internal DPS AdTracker User Group site is available only to Gannett subsidiaries.