ad tracking software [OT]

[Chris Denesha]

angela deangelo wrote:
> Chris,
> 
  > How is the Planning Software from Miles33?? In your opinion, better 
than
> ALS and CLS??
> 
> Thanks,
> Ang

Ang,

A huge benefit is having planning software that uses the same database 
as our front-end system.  Every time we open the daily issue we have all 
of the current ads, and we can Refresh when we want to.  If something 
has changed (color, size, etc.) there will be an error - as long as you 
review the error listing you'll be fine.

The database is SQL Server 2000, so we can leverage our current 
knowledge for report writing and data extraction.

The Retail planning seems to be on a par or better than ALS 3.  The 
Classified planning lacks look-ahead, which is irritating, although I 
think they are starting to look at it.

There are plugins for Quark 4 and 6 as well as InDesign, although I 
think the latter is not as fully developed.  The plugin pulls our 
templates based on how we defined the sections during planning and 
places our display ads.  It then takes the text of the liners from the 
database and directly flows it onto the page - no EPS extraction from 
the front end.

ALS/CLS are fading from memory, but I consider our planning capabilities 
with Miles33 to be functional and pleasing in comparison.

chris