Challenge

This feature is aim to solve complexity of inventory creation and management.

Solution

Advendio introduces the Inventory Setup Assistant, a comprehensive tool designed to simplify the creation and management of inventory. This new feature includes various wizards into one cohesive product, aiming to streamline the inventory creation process for our customers. The Inventory Setup Assistant merges functionalities from Ad Specs & Rates Manager and Inventory & Rates Manager, offering both single and bulk creation options.

How to open the new assistant:

Navigate to the App Launcher and open the Inventory Setup Assistant

1. Go to the App Launcher.

2. Look for the Inventory Setup Assistant

Open

Capabilities

The Inventory & Rates Manager guides you through five different capabilities

1. Create all necessary components in bulk like Medium/Sites, Placements, Ad Types 

2. Create Ad Specs based on your created and already existing inventory.

3. Create Ad Prices for your Ad Specs as well as graduated prices.

4. Connect your Ad Specs with your Ad Server IDs.

Each step can be completed independently by simply clicking on the tab corresponding to the task you wish to perform.

Component Creation

Every ad spec consists of the three parameters: site, placement, and ad type. In this tab, users can create sites, placements, and ad types in bulk. These created records serve as inputs for the Creation tab and supplement existing inventory items.

Steps for creating site/placement/ad types;

• By clicking the gear icon next to the create sites, create placements and create ad types header you can configure which fields you need for bulk component creation.

• After adding all necessary fields you can fill them

• If you want to create more than 1 object simply click +Add More rows button and fill all required and needed fields.

• Click Save Sites/Placements/Ad Types button

Open

Ad Spec Creation

Within this section, you have the ability to generate Ad Specs by combining Sites with Placements and Ad Types. The page is divided into two segments:

• Ad Spec Creation: Begin by selecting a site, which will dynamically load the available placements and ad types. After selecting placements and ad types, simply click the "Create Ad Specs" button to generate multiple ad specs simultaneously.

• Created Ad Specs Table: In this table, you'll find a comprehensive list of the ad specs created through your actions. By clicking on the provided links, you can easily access and further edit your ad specs.

Ad spec creation steps;

Assign Placements and Ad Types to Medium/Sites to create your Ad Specs:

1. Select a Site to assign all corresponding Ad Types.

2. Select all Placements as well as Ad Types that belongs to this Medium/Site.

3. Click the button Create ad specs to create the assignment.

4. Check the Created ad specs list below

5. Repeat step 1 to 3 to assign other Placements and Ad Types that belongs to a Medium/Site.

6. Click the button Next to go on to the next step.

Ad Price Creation Tab

The Ad Price Creation Tab facilitates the setup of ad prices, covering all necessary fields visible on the right side of the table. Additionally, users can define rate steps per price by clicking on the icon provided. The table's fields are configurable, enabling users to select preferred fields using the gear icon next to the table header.

Ad price creation steps:

1. Select an Ad Spec (or multiple Ad Specs) to create and assign an Ad Price.

2. Enter mandatory fields like Billing Category, Currency, List Price and the checkbox Active

3. Enter other fields, if needed and visible in the page layout by clicking gear icon on the header.

4. Click the button Save all changes to create the assignment.

5. Repeat step 1 to 4 to create other Ad Prices

6. Click the button Next to go on to the next step.

You are also able to create Graduated Prices for your Ad Specs. Click the small Graduated Prices icon next to the field List Price and enter your ranges (From, Up to, Rate).

Link to Ad Server Tab

In this tab, users establish connections between ad specs and connection IDs from the ad server. Initially, the table is empty, and upon selecting a connection, ad specs and corresponding connection IDs populate the table based on the selection.

Assign Ad Server IDs to your existing Ad Specs:

1. Select a Connection

2. Select all corresponding Ad Server IDs.

3. Click the button Save to create the assignment.

4. Repeat step 1 to 3 to assign other combinations.

5. Click the button Finish to go on to the next step.

You can skip this step and click the button Finish if you do not use an ad server integration.

Publication Dates Wizard

We have upgraded the Publication Date Wizard to the Lightning technology platform. Users can now access this feature through the Inventory Setup Assistant. This enhanced functionality is exclusively available to holders of the Advendio ONE license.

Accessing the Publication Date Wizard

To utilize the Publication Date Wizard, navigate to the Publication Dates tab. Here, you will be presented with a calendar view showcasing all created publication dates.

Filtering Options

For a more streamlined experience, users can filter the calendar by sites and placements. Simply click the filter button located on the right side of the screen to apply your desired filters.

This improvement aims to provide a more efficient and user-friendly interface for managing publication dates within Advendio.

Edit existing Publication Dates

How to Edit Existing Publication Dates

To edit an existing publication date, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the calendar view in the Publication Dates tab.

2. View Details: Click on any calendar entry to see detailed information

3. Edit Information: In the detail box, you can edit and change the publication date information as needed.

This functionality allows for quick and easy updates to your publication schedules, ensuring that all information remains accurate and up-to-date.

Create individual or a Series of Publication Dates

To create a new publication date select the date in the calendar and click on the button: Create Publication Date/Create Series of Dates.

Create Publication Date

This will open an empty form on the right which you can fill with the respective data:

Create a new Publication Date by entering data into the following fields:

1. Publication Number - mandatory, this is the publication number which usually reflects your issue number or other recognizable name for your publication: The wizard displays only the first 20 digits!

2. Site - mandatory, here you choose your related site (magazine/journal/newspaper)

3. Publication Date (if you have clicked on a box in the calendar all date fields have been pre-selected for you).

4. All other dates are optional. 

5. Hit save.

We have introduced Placement-based publication dates to enhance scheduling flexibility. A new handling option for an optional Placement lookup has been added. If a Publication Date has both a Site and a Placement assigned, the Placement will only have Publication Dates on the days where it is applied. If a Placement has no specific Publication Dates assigned, the dates will default to those from the Site record. Placements are now integrated into the Publication Date Wizard, allowing you to assign publication dates directly to Placements. This new functionality ensures precise and efficient management of your publication schedules.

Create Series of Dates

If you have selected this button the first fields will be the same with the following changes/additions:

• Publication Number: Is generated therefore can not be manually edited. 

• Site - mandatory

• Placement - Optional

• Frequency - mandatory

• Start Date - mandatory

• End Date - mandatory

• Numbering - mandatory

• Start Number - mandatory

• Step Value - mandatory

• Prefix

• Suffix

We have introduced Placement-based publication dates to enhance scheduling flexibility. A new handling option for an optional Placement lookup has been added. If a Publication Date has both a Site and a Placement assigned, the Placement will only have Publication Dates on the days where it is applied. If a Placement has no specific Publication Dates assigned, the dates will default to those from the Site record. Placements are now integrated into the Publication Date Wizard, allowing you to assign publication dates directly to Placements. This new functionality ensures precise and efficient management of your publication schedules.

Content Wizard

The Content Wizard in Advendio is a powerful tool designed to streamline the process of setting up content and assigning ad prices. This wizard offers an intuitive interface that simplifies content creation and management, ensuring users can efficiently organize and price their content offerings. We have upgraded it to the Lightning technology platform. Users can now access this feature through the Inventory Setup Assistant. This enhanced functionality is exclusively available to holders of the Advendio ONE license.

Key Features of the Content Wizard

Content Creation:

1. Content Name: Enter the name of the content. For example, "Travel" as shown in the interface.

2. Parent Content: Link the new content to a parent content, if applicable, by searching and selecting from existing entries.

3. Active Status: Toggle to indicate whether the content is active or inactive.

4. Constant Quantity: Select the quantity type, such as "Frequency," to define how the content will be quantified.

5. Maximum Applicability: Specify the maximum number of times the content can be applied (e.g., "5.0000").

6. Maximum Applicability Unit: Choose the unit for maximum applicability, such as "Week."

7. Add Row: Click the "Add row" button to include additional content entries and their respective details.

Content Ad Price Assignment

Content Wizard: Content Ad Price Assignment

The Content Ad Price Assignment page in the Content Wizard is designed to facilitate the assignment of ad prices to specific content. This interface allows users to efficiently link content with their respective ad prices, ensuring a streamlined process for managing advertising costs.

Key Components of the Content Ad Price Assignment Page

1. Content Section:

   • Search Bar: Allows users to search for specific content by name.

   • Content List: Displays a list of available content, such as "Aller," "Bakery," "ELLE," etc.

   • Expand/Collapse: Each content item can be expanded to show more details or collapsed for a simplified view.

2. Ad Prices Section:

   • Search Filters: Users can filter ad prices by site, placement, ad type, and ad spec.

   • Search Bar: Enables users to search for specific ad prices using keywords.

   • Ad Prices List: Lists available ad prices with details such as "AP-0," "AP-1," "AP-10," etc., along with their corresponding ad spec names like "Print Partners_Standard Format_Half Page" and "Airport Banner_Arrival Area_Display."

Package Manager

We have also upgraded the Package Manager to the Lightning technology platform. Users can now access this feature through the Inventory Setup Assistant. This enhanced functionality is exclusively available to holders of the Advendio ONE license.

Navigation

• Accessing the Package Manager: The Package Manager can be accessed from within the Inventory Setup Assistant. Navigate to the appropriate section to manage your package-related ad specs efficiently.

1.Package Manager Overview

The Package Manager within the Inventory Setup Assistant provides users with an organized view of all Ad Specs that use the record type "Package." This feature is designed to facilitate the management and organization of package-related ad specifications.

Key Features of the Package Manager

1. Ad Specs Table:

   • Ad Spec Name: Displays the name of the Ad Spec, such as

   • Distribution: Indicates the distribution type, for example, "Individual" or "Linear."

   • Placement: Specifies the placement details.

   • Ad Type: Lists the type of ad associated with the package.

   • Site: Displays the site associated with the Ad Spec.

   • Last Modified Date: Shows the date and time when the Ad Spec was last modified.

   • Owner ID: Indicates the ID of the owner of the Ad Spec.

   • Target Group: Lists the target group for the Ad Spec.

2. Search Functionality:

   • Search Package Field: Allows users to quickly search for specific packages by entering keywords or phrases in the search bar.

3. Create Package:

   • Create Package Button: Users can create a new package by clicking the "Create Package" button.

4. Load More:

   • Load More Button: Displays additional Ad Specs when clicked, allowing users to see more entries if available.

Create or Edit Packages

To create a new package or edit an existing one in the Package Manager, start by clicking the Edit link next to the package name to modify an existing package or the Create Package button to initiate a new one. This action opens the Package Manager wizard where you can input and adjust the necessary details.

General Package Information

First, enter the general package information. Begin by specifying the Ad Spec Name (e.g., "Winterspecial"). Optionally, you can select a Placement and an Ad Type. Choose the appropriate Distribution type from the available options. If applicable, fill in the External Name and Product Search Name fields. Select the Billing Category for your ad price, and if you are creating an individual package with a fixed quantity, check the Fixed Quantity Package box.

Rate Information

Next, provide the rate information for the package. Click the New button to add a new rate. The Billing Category will be automatically selected based on your previous choice. Enter the Currency (e.g., USD) and the List Price (e.g., 100.00). If needed, select a Rate Card and input any Rate Criterion. Ensure that the Active checkbox is checked to activate the rate.

Adding Components

To add components to the package, search for Ad Specs and include them as components. Use the Filter Ad Specs field to enter a search term, and then click the Search Ad Specs button. Select the checkboxes next to the Ad Specs you wish to add and click the >> button to move these Ad Specs to the package components section.

Editing Component Price and Settings

In the Packet Components section, you can edit the prices and settings of the components. Select the appropriate Ad Prices if multiple options are displayed. Choose between Standard and Manual pricing methods. For manual pricing, you can overwrite the ad prices and use the percentage field to distribute the overall list price across items. If the package allows for optional components (individual packages only), check the Optional checkbox to enable these components to be deletable by the customer.

Saving the Package

Finally, click the Save button to save all the package details. The newly created or edited package will appear on the overview page of the Package Manager. If marked as active, it will be available for sale in all media campaigns.