Difference between revisions of "Dot2DotCommunications:About"

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About Dot2Dot Communications

Dot2Dot Communications is the leading global provider of software solutions for the outdoor advertising industry. Incorporated in 2011 with its head office in Toronto, Canada, Dot2Dot Communications has a world wide partner network. The Company sells its products worldwide through a combination of direct sales and strategic partners. Our Suite of enterprise products, Ad Manager, empowers companies to manage, fulfil, and maintain their total business needs. We work with all departments to integrate the best practices, achieve greater efficiencies and productivity. Our solutions are proven to drive sales, manage operating costs, and standardize business practices. Ad Manager products are PC-based and scalable to provide adaptable, robust and modular systems. Used in either manual or automatic advisory modes, our software solutions will help to standardize operations and take action to improve your bottom line. All systems are backed with superior training and experienced dedicated support.

That's smart. That's Ad Manager.

Leading technology is just the beginning. More than great software, it takes a partner to understand and work with your specific business needs and wants. It takes an end-to-end solutions provider with a proven track record and a commitment to meet the challenges and opportunities your team faces. Simply put, it takes Dot2Dot. Ad Manager allows your enterprise to work faster, better, and smarter. Sell more efficiently, reduce gaps, fewer credits, consistent reporting. In short, we make the challenge simple - in a way that no other outdoor solutions provider can. For over 25 years, the Dot2Dot team has built a strong global customer base. We work with over 600 users, from 200 different branches spread across 9 different countries. Using our deep industry experience and dedicated team of experts it's our mission to work with you to succeed. Outdoor Made Simple.

Advanced Inventory Management

Ad Manager's core module. Inventory Management is an intuitive, user-friendly set of tools to manage, fulfill and maintain your total business needs. Accessed by all departments, integrated business practices will improve profitability, timeliness, quality and, ultimately, customer satisfaction.

Drive Sales

Manage Operating Costs

Standardize Business Practices

Easily define, apply and reuse business logic and processes to effectively collaborate among departments and/or markets. Increase productivity.

Ad Manager - Inventory Management Checklist

Multiple ways to chart; assign individual Faces, drag and drop from a list, interactive manual charting, auto charting, visual charting, map charting

Ability to schedule Faces already on other (Space Available Bonus, Trade, Public Service, etc) contracts

Easily add/change/remove dates, designs, durations and posting types for all scheduling

Maximize inventory use by setting up gap criteria

Skewing capabilities to target showings

Generate high quality customized mapping for proposals and contracts

Assign billposters to handle posting tasks

Update completion information quickly and easily

Comprehensive reporting. Numerous existing reports including industry standard reports

Export reports to PDF, HTML, Excel, Word, or Text Files. Create your own custom reports

These are just a few of the many features and benefits found in Inventory Management. For more information on Inventory Management contact us at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

Advanced Mapping

Display your inventory using the most important demographic, socio-economic and geographic data to produce targeted proposals. Ad Manager's fully integrated Advanced Mapping module is a comprehensive package of mapping tools designed specifically for Outdoor.

Empower Sales and Marketing to Deliver Winning Proposals

Drive Corporate Brand Exposure

Deliver Targeted Campaigns

Leverage our custom built tools to deliver quality service. It's easy and sure to make an impression on your clients.

Ad Manager - Advanced Mapping Checklist

Assign or remove locations from a proposal directly from a map

Create proximity circles around client locations

Chart showings based on proximity circles

Apply thematic shading based on face or demographic data

Save shading templates for future access

Use different types of maps including mall diagrams and floor plans

Generate electronic or hard copies for your clients

To learn more about Ad Manager's Advanced Mapping contact us at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

Ad Manager Add-Ins

Proposal Generator

Dot2Dot Communications' Proposal Generator is a powerful sales tool that uses Excel and your Ad Manager data to create and deliver proposals - and eventually contracts. Customized to meet your business practices, this easy-to-use wizard seamlessly accesses your data and guides Sales through the process of generating great proposals.

Here's how it works - Sales launches the Excel wizard which automatically launches and asks them to logon to Ad Manager using their read only access. Once the wizard opens, the user follows the prompts to custom build a proposal that will meet their client's specific needs. As each Sales Person enters their request, it is date stamped and placed into a queue to receive those locations. Should their client accept the proposal OR require modifications, it's already in the system; the Market Scheduler simply pulls up the Subcontract, makes the necessary modifications, or updates to indicate contracted, and then generates a Contract through the Proposal Generator wizard. At this point it's ready to go to the client for signature and off to Billing to create an invoice. It's that easy! Proposal Generator Steps: Create new request for Contract Modify new request for Contract Create Contract Create Bill Schedule Dot2Dot's Proposal Generator was developed with, and for, one of the leading Outdoor companies in North America. It's easy-to-use, efficient for ALL departments and is sure to increase the number of proposals generated, and the number of Contracts signed! To learn more about Ad Manager Add-Ins, contact us at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com.

Documentation

This help manual is only available in on-line format. If you are interested in printing a particular topic, go to that topic, select PRINT and PRINT THE SELECTED TOPIC. If you want to print information from one of the Books, select a topic in that book, and select PRINT and PRINT THE SELECTED HEADING AND ALL SUBTOPICS.

eAd Manager

eAd Manager is the engine needed to deliver "real-time" information from Ad Manager via the Internet for both internal and external use. An extension of your corporate web site, you decide what information you want to expose. 24/7 Secure Access to Request and Review Proposals Online Proof of Performance Attract a Larger Client Base Quickly & Economically Improve profitability, timeliness, quality and , ultimately, customer satisfaction. eAd Manager lets you provide more choices and opportunities to build and improve client relationships. Harness the power of the Internet to share information and effectively communicate. Here are some examples of how you can automate your operation both internally and externally:

eAd Manager - Internal Checklist

AEs, Management, Operations, Marketing, all departments have access to critical information to: Request and review locations Check avails Run Reports Generate photosheets Deliver Proof of Performance (POP) Verify inventory workflow

eAd Manager - External Checklist

Advertiser, Agency, Media Buyer have 24/7 secure access to request and review proposals, and view POP. Take a look: Using a personalized ID and password, the user logs on to view their personalized area of the site They can then request a proposal using the available locations prompts. An email is automatically generated and sent to the market scheduler where faces are selected and scheduled using Ad Manager The user is notified via email when the proposal is ready for viewing. At their convenience they log-on to review the showing and detailed face information. At this time they can either accept or reject faces from the showing Once the showing has been finalized a contract is created, sent and signed. Next ... User logs on at any time during the campaign(s) to review the status, as well as print valuable proof of performance reports that include date and time-stamped photos. To cap it all off - generate a campaign summary report Time saved is money earned&ldots; for both you and your clients. Increase effeciency and productivity using the Internet. To learn more about eAd Manager, contact us at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

eNews

enews is a bi-monthly electronic mailing that helps you get the most out of Ad Manager. Each issue features a handful of frequently asked questions (FAQs), a valuable "feature report", a helpful fact about our software, what the latest news is, and more. To view the latest issue of enews or access previous issues, visit our site at: http://www.dot2dotcommunications.com/news/

Events

Each year, Dot2Dot Communications attends and hosts a number of events related to the outdoor industry. For a listing of the events we will be at this year, visit our web page at http://www.dot2dotcommunications.com/news/

Financial Module

Ad Manager Financial is a powerful link to manage your accounting needs. Dot2Dot Communications currently links with several accounting systems including MAS 90, MAS 200, Claris, Great Plains and QuickBooks. Using our Financial module your accounting department is able to transfer both billing and leasing information.

BILLING

One data set. Ad Manager's Financial allows for billing as an inherent component of Inventory Management. A seamlessly integrated, logically sequenced interface that facilitates flexible, secure invoice scheduling, and is supported by powerful reporting tools.

Ad Manager - Financial Billing Checklist

Flexible billing schedules (monthly/weekly/boradcast calendar)

Integrated commission tracking

Integrated with Leasing for % lease payment calculations

Multiple billing items with each Contract

Customized invoices

Automatically include posting lists with invoices

Flexible importing and exporting of data with in-house accounting package

LEASING

Leasing is an integral part of the Outdoor Industry. Supported by sophisticated revenue cost analyses, Ad Manager's Financial is strong and getting stronger with the following enhancements...

Ad Manager - Financial Leasing Checklist

Automatic renewals (monthly/quarterly, annually, semi-annually)

Flexible schedules

Multiple lease payment schedules for each lease

Flexibility to find lease details using any structure information - e.g. what's posted, face, date

Easily allocate revenue to structures to determine lease profitability

Track utility payments for each site

Review and track lease payments

To learn how you can streamline your daily billing and leasing operations, contact us at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

Maintenance

Accountability is paramount. Ad Manager Maintenance adds value to your operations by recording, scheduling and tracking the maintenance and repairs of your structures.

Reduce Operating Costs

Minimize Administration of Tasks

Ensure Your Locations Are In Top Condition

Maintenance is a seamless integration with other Ad Manager modules. With built-in reminders, it provides you with timely and accurate information to deliver superior quality of maintenance.

Ad Manager - Maintenance Checklist

Define jobs in terms of efforts and costs

Define your maintenance cycle and build your preventative tasks and routine check routes. Then review individual workloads - or all your routes

Allows for multiple structures at any given site

Maintain a history for each of your structures

Create incidents (e.g. broken glass at bus shelter)

Generate tasks to resolve incidents (e.g. fix bus shelter)

Track tasks and assign tasks to work orders based on priority. All tasks are accounted for; they will remain in the queue until marked as completed

Report on each site's profitability by tracking the revenue generated versus maintenance work completed

Run numerous reports - repair lists, pending repair lists, repair completion summaries, work order histories, work order histories, damage reports, location status summaries, and more

To learn more about Ad Manager's Maintenance, contact us at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

Dot2Dot Communications Sales Office

Dot2Dot Communications' Sales staff provides professional, friendly service to assist you in determining which solution is right for you. For information on our products and services contact our sales staff at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com.

Multimedia

Ride the boards in the comfort of your client's office. Ad Manager Multimedia provides sales and marketing with the tools to create powerful presentations of your inventory.

Showcase Inventory with Powerful Presentations

Easy Access to Visual Representation of Your Inventory

Any Electronic Format in One Database

Develop your own multimedia library showing different creative, different distances, maps, floor plans, technical and legal drawings with each site.

Ad Manager - Multimedia Checklist

Store electronic formats (photographs, videos) in one database for one click access

Store multiple images for each Site, Face, Design

Store multiple images for each completed Posting Task

Attach any electronic file to Contract/Subcontract (copy of contract, video creative); Site/Face (Floor Plan, maintenance lists); or Design (Original Artwork, client approval form)

Surround View allows you to showcase premiere locations - zoom in and out, or look around the structure

Video drive by

To learn more about Ad Manager's Multimedia contact us at sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

Offices

Dot2Dot Communications has set up local offices to deal with clients' specific needs. For a listing of our offices, visit our web page at: http://www.dot2dotcommunications.com/contact/

Our Web Site

Dot2Dot Communications' web site provides the latest information about our company, its products and services. Users can access our online FAQ, check for the latest updates to our software, and find out what upcoming events will be attended or sponsored by us. All this information is available at

http://www.dot2dotcommunications.com/

If you are currently online, information on Dot2Dot Communications' products and services can by obtained by simply selecting the appropriate link below:

Our Web Site

For more information on Our Company

For information on our Products

For information on our Services

For Support Assistance

For a list of our Partners

For a list of Upcoming Events

Partners

Dot2Dot Communications' partners with industry leaders to enhance the functionality of its products and services. Our diverse business relations allow us to empower our users with new and better ways of doing business. Our partners include hardware and software vendors, system integrators, consultants and VARs.

Press Releases

Learn more about what is happening with Dot2Dot Communications. Who's installing Ad Manager, what new strategic partnerships we're signing, new product announcements and more. http://www.dot2dotcommunications.com/news/

Product Support

Providing the support you need, when you need it As part of our customer care, we offer comprehensive, flexible programs developed to support our products once implemented. Our client services team are dedicated professionals who know the Outdoor industry. We take pride in our close working relationships with ALL of our users and in our ability to meet their specific needs. It's our goal to ensure you're maximizing your investment. Product support ranges from: Phone advice Webinars Remote system diagnostics Modem E-mail PC configuration FTP site Internet

Dot2Dot Communications Telephone Support

Ad Manager users have access to technical support staff who can answer any issues you may have regarding the use of our software. Support Offices: Canada: 416-391-7555 Ext 226, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time Technical Support can also be reached by E-Mail, at support@dot2dotcommunications.com Our staff can answer questions concerning the use of our software, problems related to using our software and can connect to your computer through the communications package, WebEx. For more information about our Product Support, contact us at support@dot2dotcommunications.com.

Products

Dot2Dot Communications' Suite of products, Ad Manager, are built on a solid foundation of leading edge technology and best practices. Whether you're operating within a single market poster plant or a global multi-media operation, Ad Manager is built to manage all media types with ease. The Suite is component based, allowing our clients to select those modules that meet their current business needs. As needs expand, additional modules can be installed quickly and easily.

The Power of Information

Together with our strategic partners, we are proud to deliver the first comprehensive media management solution. One system that gives you easy access to the information you need to run a more effective, profitable operation. See and analyze the total flow of data within your organization. Drive growth. Our tools were designed to assist you with developing a strategic direction; and to run a smarter, more focused operation.

We've Made Managing Your Outdoor Inventory, Simple.

Foundations of Ad Manager

Ad Manager has 5 main objects, Sites, Faces, Contracts, Subcontracts, and Designs.

Sites track the physical location, permits, conditions/restrictions, leases, and advertising opportunities (Faces).

Faces track the media type, area, line of sight, inactivity, circulation, and scheduling.

Contracts track the client, agency, sales person, contract status, dates, billing, and scheduling opportunities (Subcontracts).

Subcontracts track the market, media type, subcontract type, dates, costs, scheduling criteria, scheduled Faces, production status, and designs.

Designs track storage locations, takedown and destroy dates, received/destroyed activity, inventory levels, and locations scheduled.

Handful of Highlights

ONE common interface - Microsoft Outlook style

Security levels control/limit access to different areas/features of the software

Create dynamic filters that can be saved for future reference

Save different items together in baskets

Customizable views allow each user to select only the columns they want to see

Dropdown lists to avoid duplicate entry

Ability to make changes easily and efficiently

Open multiple windows at one time - switch back and forth between different items

Tickler system for expiring contracts, leases, and more via Outlook® add-in

Supports multilingual interface, Ad Manager can be translated into most languages

System Specifications

For a detailed list of minimum and recommended requirements for installing Ad Manager, please click here. For more information on these products, select them from the list below:

AD MANAGER SUITE

Inventory Management

Advanced Mapping

Multimedia

Maintenance

Financial

e-Ad Manager

Digital Media

Ad Manager Add-Ins

SAMI

THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS

MapInfo

MAS 90 & MAS 200

adSails

Demographic Data

HARDWARE

Firefly

Lighting Control

SAMI

Delivering yesterday's proof of performance today. Dot2Dot Communications' Satellite Automated Media Information (SAMI) is an innovative solution for mobile media measurement. SAMI delivers, online, to your clients (advertisers and agencies) an unrivalled response time for Proof of Performance and DEC. GPS units are placed on vehicles where data points are collected throughout the day and sent to SAMI each night. This data is processed and made available to clients the next day via the web at http://sami.d2dcm.com.

Using a secure User ID and Password, clients have access 24/7 to review the status of their campaigns.

Campaign details include:

Daily Effective Circulation (DEC)

Average DEC per vehicle

Cost Per Thousand (CPM) impressions

Maps showing market circulation

Gross impressions over a user-defined period

Demographic data related to circulation

Proof of posting with digital imagery

Market maps outlining market coverage

Included in your monthly subscription to SAMI is a full installation of Dot2Dot Communications' industry leading inventory management software, Ad Manager. You now have the same tools as traditional outdoor to help you maximize the use of your inventory, reduce operating costs and standardize business practices.

An innovative combination, SAMI & Ad Manager, lets you efficiently manage and track your mobile media to deliver yesterday's proof of performance today! For more information on mobile measurement and SAMI contact us.

Success Stories

Read how our clients are using Ad Manager. The success story section on our website is dedicated to you, our clients, and how Ad Manager has helped to improve the way you do business. If you would like to share your success story with us, send us an email or give us a call. To view our current success stories, visit our site at: http://www.dot2dotcommunications.com/Success/Index.htm

System Specs

Minimum System Specifications

Listed below are the minimum and recommended requirements for installing Windows Ad Manager.

Server w Intel® Pentium III 850 megahertz (MHz) processor, or higher w Microsoft NT® 4.0 with Service Pack 6, Windows Server 2000 Service Pack 4 or ® Windows Server2003® w Minimum of 512 MB RAM, recommend 1 GB (dependent on the number of clients connecting to Ad Manager and other applications or services) w Minimum 150 MB of available hard disk space (dependent on size of database and install) w Keyboard and mouse w CD ROM drive w Microsoft SQL Server® 7.0. or SQL Server 2000 - SQL Server 2000 is the minimum requirement for Financial and Billing Module w pcANYWHERE® for Windows® with minimum of 28,800 bps Fax/Modem (for technical support) w Internet and e-mail access for additional technical support w Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer® 5.5 SP2 or later w MDAC ver 2.7

Work Station w Intel® Pentium II 450 megahertz (MHz) processor, recommended 850 MHz or higher w Microsoft Windows 98® , recommend Microsoft Windows NT 4. 0® with Service Pack 6, Windows 2000® Professional Service Pack 3, or Windows XP® (Microsoft does not endorse Windows ME® as a business solution) w Minimum of 256 MB RAM (predicated on operating system) Recommended 512 MB RAM w 100 MB of available hard disk space (dependent on size of install) w Minimum Resolution of 800x600, preferably 1024x768, minimum 256 colors w Keyboard and mouse w CD ROM drive w Internet and e-mail access for additional technical support w Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer® 5.5 SP2 or later w MDAC ver 2.7 Dot2Dot Communications Corporate Headquarters

3015 Kennedy Road , Unit 2 Toronto Ontario M1V 1E7 Tel: 416 391-7555 Fax: 416 391-7579 Toll Free Canada and USA 1 800 685 6472 (6472) E-mail: sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

Stand Alone – Small Operator w Intel® Pentium III 850 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor w Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6, Windows 2000 Professional® Service Pack 3, or Windows XP ® Professional w Minimum of 512 MB RAM w 150 MB of available hard disk space (dependent on size of database and install) w Resolution of 800x600, preferably 1024x768, minimum 256 colors w Keyboard and mouse w CD ROM drive w Microsoft SQL Desktop Edition (MSDE), Microsoft SQL Server® 7.0. or SQL Server 2000 - SQL Server 2000 is the minimum requirement for Financial and Billing Module w pcANYWHERE® for Windows® with minimum of 28,800 bps Fax/Modem (for technical support) w Internet and e-mail access for additional technical support w Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer® 5.5 SP2 or later w Dot2Dot Communications Corporate Headquarters

3015 Kennedy Road , Unit 2 Toronto Ontario M1V 1E7 Tel: 416 391-7555 Fax: 416 391-7579 Toll Free Canada and USA 1 800 685 6472 (6472) E-mail: sales@dot2dotcommunications.com

MDAC 2.7

Trademarks and Copyrights

Ad Manager® is copyrighted by Dot2Dot Communications. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

User Group Meeting (UGM)

Each year Dot2Dot Communications holds its User Group Meeting. The UGM is a great opportunity to come together with your peers; learn new ways to use Ad Manager, share ideas, ask questions, and have some fun. To learn more about this event, visit the UGM section on our website. To learn more about our upcoming UGM, visit the Events section on our website. http://www.dot2dotcommunications.com/news/

Webinars

Maximizing your investment We invite you to take part in Dot2Dot Communications' Ad Manager Webinars. A series of interactive presentations delivered via the Internet using WebEx (a web conferencing tool) and toll free audio. Hosted by experienced, knowledgeable trainers, these one-hour online sessions cover a number of topics to help you get the most out of Ad Manager.

Core Topics

Inventory Management Digital Creating Your Own Reports Basic Mapping Advanced Mapping Operations Financial - Billing Financial - Leasing Maintenance Sales & Marketing Management Contact us today to learn more about Dot2Dot Communications' Webinars, or to set-up a custom Webinar.