1. Overview

AdConn connects advertising systems with layout applications like QuarkXPress™ and Adobe® InDesign®. It is possible to easily switch to the layout appliction, create or edit an advertising document and switch back to the advertising system.

2. The workflow in detail

AdConn is realized as a plug-in for QuarkXPress or Adobe InDesign and controls most details of the workflow. It get's its data from the advertising system and creates or opens a document for editing. Geometry and colors are provided as specified by the system. The plug-in monitors the user and take control on saving and closing the document. It checks geometry and used colors, shows warning or error messages, if necessary and creates an eps or pdf file for postprocessing or production purposes. Finally it switches back to the advertising system, the user don't have to deal with any details of the workflow and can concentrate on designing the ad.

3. Additional functions:

The plug-in can also be controlled by some other application brought into the workflow. So more complex workflows can be realized or it is possible to connect advertising systems with individual interfaces, which would be difficult or expensive to change. One realized workflow is the concept of a job ticket. All necessary files for the ad are compressed in one zip-file, which is downloaded by a internet browser passing that information to another application. This decompressed the zip file and gives control to the plug-in for opening and editing the document. After returning control all changed files are compressed and sent back to the advertising system via FTP.

4. System requirements:

• MacOS X 10.4/10.5/10.6
• Windows XP/7
   
• QuarkXPress 6.5/7/8
• Adobe InDesign CS 2/3/4