Who uses AdActive?

AdActive is designed to automate artwork or advertisement production that is template based and data driven. The type of businesses that we have successfully identified to date include (but are not limited to):

• Advertising Agencies (for past paced global, national and regional advertising)
• Advertisers who do not need the creative input of an agency
• Retailers for point of sale, ticketing and marketing material
• Corporate publishing clients producing marketing collateral and forms etc

What type of business is suited to AdActive?

Many of our customers have started off thinking their business, situation or account is too demanding, too detailed, too varied, too quick turnaround, have too many “different” ads. But they are all now using AdActive very effectively. Key aspects are volume, ability to be template based and data driven. We can use our experience of a wide variety of accounts to judge where AdActive can help you – ask us to have a look at your ads and give an opinion.

Can we use AdActive remotely from other offices?

Yes, by using Terminal Services on a PC or Mac, remote access can be obtained to the AdActive database in exactly the same way as using the solution locally.

Is AdActive cross platform?

Yes, you can access and use the AdActive system from either a PC or a Mac. (NB - The AdActive Workstation has to be a Macintosh because the AdActive engine uses some Macintosh specific technology). The FileMaker Pro server can be on a Mac or PC.

Does AdActive support Mac OS X?

Yes, AdActive is now available as a Mac OS X Native application with QuarkXPress 6. Alternatively, if you are running earlier versions of QuarkXPress then you can run in Mac OS X Classic or in System 9.x.

Is there a web front end?

A web browser may be used for order entry but this is only suitable for very straightforward artworks. As yet, the user interface constraints of any current Web Browser have meant that all our current customers prefer to use to standard AdActive interface. This gives a much richer and more user friendly interface and enables much faster working with immediate data checking. If many remote users are to be connected then it would be best to use AdActive with a Web Browser via a custom-built web interface.

What database does AdActive use?

AdActive requires a good cross-platform database with tools which allow fast development for bespoke installations, and which enables features to be added remotely without taking down the whole database. The underlying database is FileMaker Pro, a cross-platform database supporting open standards and protocols. FileMaker Pro is supported worldwide by an extended development community and used by some of the world’s largest businesses and organisations.

Can AdActive connect to our existing database?

In most cases, yes, Filemaker Pro, can dynamically update the following ODBC sources: Text, SQL, Oracle (Windows) and Text, Oracle (Mac). JDBC is also supported. Additionally, XML export lets you export FileMaker Pro data to a virtually limitless number of applications.

FileMaker Pro also works seamlessly with Microsoft Office applications. You can create mail merges between FileMaker Pro and your Microsoft Word documents. The Send Mail script in FileMaker Pro allows you to send e-mails through Microsoft Entourage or Outlook. You can also exchange data with Microsoft Excel for charting, reporting and graphing.

What hardware do I need?

Because AdActive is scalable, each installation will differ according to the local requirements. In general terms, the main hardware components of the system will be:

1. The AdActive Workstation (typically an existing studio Macintosh – eg G3 or G4)
2. The AdActive database server (typically an iMac or similar)

In addition you will need some space on your File Server (whatever server you currently have – eg Mac, NT, UNIX server etc).

AdActive users can place artwork orders, track progress and approve artwork using their standard PC or Mac workstations.

The processing power of the AdActive Workstation solution will govern the speed at which the artwork is created. Multiple AdActive Workstations can be used to spread the processing load in very busy installations.

There is no set way in which the hardware ‘must’ be configured, and we can advise how to get the best hardware cost/benefit for any AdActive installation. AdActive is fully scalable from a small, low volume, single user system right up to one producing thousands of ads a week with many users.

What software do I need?

AdActive uses standard, off-the-shelf software together with the AdActive engine and database.

The AdActive Workstation will need the following software installed:

• AdActive
• QuarkXPress (version 4.0 + or 5.0 + soon to support Version 6)
• FileMaker Pro (version 6)
• Adobe Acrobat Distiller (where local PDF output is required)

The AdActive database server needs to have FileMaker Pro Sever installed if more than 4 users are to be connected, otherwise an ordinary copy of FileMaker Pro is adequate.

AdActive clients (eg account managers, account handlers, production managers etc) require FileMaker Pro (single user software) to be installed (PC or Mac) plus the usual web browser and email clients

Does AdActive work with InDesign?

Currently, all our AdActive installation are for QuarkXPress. As the leading and most widely used DTP application, Quark continues to dominate the market. Most agencies and studios have huge investments in software, training, operator experience and archives of documents which they are reluctant to abandon. We are monitoring with interest the progress of Adobe InDesign in the market and we will respond to demand accordingly.

How do AdActive templates work?

AdActive uses intelligent templates that are created in QuarkXPress. The templates are made using special place-holders and tags that identify the intended position of the components destined for the page. AdActive offers QuarkXPress users all the functionality required to create and maintain the templates.

Combined with the rules and logic in the AdActive database which govern the templates, AdActive offers a unique and powerful solution that is specifically designed to meet your requirements.

How long do AdActive templates take to create and who can create them?

This will depend somewhat on the skill and experience of the QuarkXPress operator involved and the complexity of the artwork or advert being constructed. Typically, once your installation is established it might take just a few minutes to add a new template along existing lines. A simple new design might take an hour to complete whereas a very complicated design may take up to a day to finish. The Automatrix support team are always on hand to offer advice and help in template creation allowing our clients to benefit from the years of experience we have.

What is the throughput volume threshold for making AdActive viable?

Local circumstances will differ, but in the case of adverts, it is likely that around twenty adverts a week on any single client account is the minimum volume to make AdActive offer a return on investment.

Practical volumes for other types of artwork need to be examined on a case-by-case basis and the entire production workflow should be considered to calculate the break point. We would be happy to advise.

Since AdActive is a complete workflow solution and does much more than just automatically create artwork (eg progress tracking, notification, dispatch, archiving etc) it may be that even low volume production will be suited in some cases.

Can AdActive automatically resize artwork on the fly?

Yes, one of the unique features of AdActive is the ability to resize artwork from a template to any dimension within specified quality control parameters in a matter of seconds. This feature enables you to fully fit a booked space without any ‘float’ without the need for hundreds of templates.

How long does it take to install an AdActive solution?

All AdActive installations are unique and require tailoring to match your specific requirements so it will depend on these specifics to determine how long installation will take. However, in most cases, from point of order, AdActive will normally be installed and running in around 4 to 12 weeks.

How much training is needed?

Different participants in the AdActive workflow will need different levels of training. Studio Managers or operators may need a full day or two initial training to familiarise themselves with the system and then operators may require some additional training to improve their template creation skills.
Account handlers or managers and traffic/production staff might need up to a days training to become proficient with AdActive.

Automatrix offers tailored training courses for everyone using AdActive.

How much does AdActive cost?

AdActive is normally charged for via a Pay Per Click (PPC) charge, which is geared to match the demands of the installation. This means that a straightforward, high volume account attracts a low PPC whereas a complex, low volume account would attract a higher PPC. Once we have understood your requirements in some detail we will be able to identify the likely PPC for you installation. Automatrix is happy to consider other charging models such as a fixed monthly fee should this better suit your business.

In addition, there is a charge for the work required to tailor the AdActive solution to meet the needs of your organisation (and where appropriate, any of your clients), install, test with your systems, set up initial templates and resource documents, train operators and other users. In order to determine these costs, we would normally undertake an implementation study where we examine your requirements and operation in detail.

Is there a demo version or online demo of AdActive?

We have found that animated software demos mean very little to the viewer in isolation and are liable to inadvertent misinterpretation. The only way to appreciate and understand the power of AdActive is to see a real world demo. We are happy to bring this to your offices, or welcome you to Automatrix.