What other services does Ad Server Solutions provide?
Ad Server Solutions provides software applications, asp hosted solutions, dedicated server hosting, branding packages, custom programming, source code purchase and software reseller plans. If you want a feature or customized look please send us your requirements and we will provide you with a time frame and cost for the programming. Or purchase the software application source code and customize/modify the software for your own needs. We can work with you on any budget, time frame and possibly partnership opportunities.

Instructions on how to use Ad Server Solutions

Accounts

• To start you will need to create at least one account.
• All accounts have a Name, Username, Password and Email.
• An Account can either be Active or On-Hold at any time.
• Active means that your account is enabled and working.
• On hold means, NONE of the account’s settings such as campaigns and banners will be active. (An alternative to delete the account)

What are Accounts?
Accounts are very useful for dividing up your ads and organizing ads for different clients. It is recommended that you create an account for each of your clients so that they can login to view their own reports and statistics.

All ads which are shown using this software must belong to a campaign. A Campaign is a method of assigning rules to one/group of ads. These rules are such as, when and where the ads are displayed. How the ads are called up (Based on keywords, regions and other targeting functions), and how long to display one or several ads.


Creating A New Account
To create a new account, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Accounts link at the top of the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your accounts, assuming that you have already created some accounts.

• Click on the Add New Account link to create a new account.
• You should now see a form that will allow you to enter all of the information you will need to supply to create your new account. If you have a question about what any of the options do, simply click on the Help link associated with that option.
• When you are done, press the Add New Account button at the bottom of the page to create your new account.
  
  

Editing An Account
To edit an existing account, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Accounts link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your accounts, assuming that you have already created some accounts.

• Click on the View/Modify link next to the account you want to edit.
• You should now see a form that looks very similar to the one that lets you create a new account.
• Make your desired changes and then press the Update Account button to save your changes.
  

Deleting An Account
To delete an existing account, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Accounts link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your accounts, assuming that you have already created some accounts.

• Click on the Delete this Account link next to the account you want to delete.
• You will then be asked if you are sure you want to delete this account. If you are sure, press the Yes button to delete this account.
• If you delete this account, all the banners and campaigns related to this account would be deleted too! (Please note you have the option of "deactivating" the account from Account Details section, rather than deleting the whole account!)

What are Campaigns?
A contracted agreement between an advertiser or advertising agency and either a publisher or a representative of a publisher. The campaign is specific to the creative to be published and the issue, or duration of the publication. Online advertising campaigns are defined by a number of variables, including the digital creative, the duration or flight dates, the pricing program, the publishers to be used and any user targeting applied.


What are default Campaigns?
Once an account is created in the system, a Default Campaign will also be created for each account. This default campaign can not be deleted from the system. When a new banner is added to the system, it will be placed under the account’s default campaign, and is placed in the On-Hold mode.
You must Activate each ad placed into the system. The first ad uploaded into a new campaign will be the default ad. So, you will need to upload another ad with a new campaign name to go forward.

Deault ad campaigns will be displayed when all of the ads in your campaigns have expired their impressions, click thrus, time and date stop settings, or other targeting settings which were set. The default ad campaigns will also be displayed if you have no ads assigned to a region that is being displayed on any of your web pages.

Creating A New Campaign
To create a new campaign, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Campaigns link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your campaigns, assuming that you have already created some campaigns.

When adding a new campaign you first need an account. So first make sure you already have at least one account in your database. You also need at least one ad already added to your account, which is called the default campaign. If you click on Campaigns Option in the top menu, you will find a list of your account with their associate campaigns. You will find a link underneath each account’s table, called "Add new campaign to this account". Now you will have a list showing ALL ads referenced under your account. You can select each ad by clicking on the check box on the top right hand corner of the banners’ table. After selecting your banners, click on "Add Selected Banners to the new campaign". The new page, will consist of several field that would make up the rules of displaying your selected set of banners.

• Click on the Add new campaign to this account link to create a new campaign.
• You should now see a form that will allow you to enter all of the information you will need to supply to create your new banner.
• When you are done, press the Create New Banner button at the bottom of the page to create your new ad.
  
  

Editing A Campaign
To edit an existing ad, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Campaigns link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your campaigns, assuming that you have already created some campaigns.

• Click on the Edit link next to the campaign you want to edit.
• You should now see a form that looks very similar to the one that lets you create a new campaign.
• Choose the ad you would like to edit and then press the Edit link. Make your desired changes and then press the Add New Banner button to save your changes.
  

Deleting A Campaign
To delete an existing ad, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Campaigns link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your campaigns, assuming that you have already created some campaigns.

• Click on the Edit link next to the campaign you want to edit.
• You should now see a form that looks very similar to the one that lets you create a new campaign.
• Choose the ad you would like to delete and then press the Update Banner Details Button to save your changes.
  
  

What are Regions?
Regions are very useful for organizing your zones. The number of regions you can define is unlimited, so you have the freedom to create as few or as many regions as you want. Most people like to create regions for all of the different web sites they advertise on so that they can easily see what web sites each zone they have is used on. You can even use regions to create a region for different categories or sections of your web site.

A Region can be one single webpage or a group of pages. It can also be used to define a section or category of your web site, which has one thing in common. For example, a news section, sports sections, or registration page. Example: "Front Page - Example region".

Creating A New Region
To create a new region, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Regions link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your regions, assuming that you have already created some regions.

• You should now see a form that will allow you to enter all of the information you will need to supply to create your new region. If you have a question about what any of the options do, simply click on the Help link associated with that option.
• When you are done, press the Add New Region button at the bottom of the page to create your new region.
  

Editing A Region
To edit an existing region, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Regions link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your regions, assuming that you have already created some regions.

• Click on the Edit link next to the region you want to edit.
• You should now see a form that looks very similar to the one that lets you create a new region.
• Make your desired changes and then press the Update Region button to save your changes

Deleting A Region
To delete an existing region, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Regions link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your regions, assuming that you have already created some regions.

• Click on the Delete link next to the region you want to delete.
• You will then be asked if you are sure you want to delete this region. If you are sure, press the Yes button to delete this region.
• All information related to this region will be deleted if you click Yes.
  
  

What are Zones?
A Zone is a name for a collection of ads that you want to rotate together. The number of zones you can define is unlimited, so you have the freedom to create as few or as many zones as you want.

Most people like to create zones for each of their different ad sizes that they display on their web sites. You can even go so far as to create a different zone for each of your different ad sizes and every single one of your web pages. It's really depends on how much control you want to have when it comes to deciding exactly where you want your ads to be displayed.

Zones are basically different places on your web pages. For example if you need to show a banner in the Top Header of all the, you need to set a zone called Top Header. Zones have their own sizes, for example, your top header may have 468x60 as its size.

All Ads must be set to have at least one zone. This is done through the banner add/edit page. Ads will only be shown in its assigned zone. A particular zone can set to be used on only ONE particular page or it can be used on group of pages, or all places in your site, for example, Top Header. Zones are referenced by a number, which you do not have to remember since the HTML Code Generator program will take care of adding necessary codes/parameters.

Another advantage of having zones are showing multiply banners in different places in one page! Example:  "Top Header - 468x60".

Creating A New Zone
To create a new zone, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Zones link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your zones, assuming that you have already created some zones.

• You should now see a form that will allow you to enter all of the information you will need to supply to create your new zone. If you have a question about what any of the options do, simply click on the Help link associated with that option.
• When you are done, press the Add New Zone button at the bottom of the page to create your new zone.
  

Editing A Zone
To edit an existing zone, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Zones link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your regions, assuming that you have already created some zones.

• Click on the Edit link next to the zone you want to edit.
• You should now see a form that looks very similar to the one that lets you create a new zone.
• Make your desired changes and then press the Update Zone button to save your changes

Deleting A Zone
To delete an existing zone, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Zones link in the Main Menu. You will then see a list of all of your regions, assuming that you have already created some zones.

• Click on the Delete link next to the zone you want to delete.
• You will then be asked if you are sure you want to delete this zone. If you are sure, press the Yes button to delete this zone.
• All information related to this zone will be deleted if you click Yes.
  

What are Statistics?
Detailed Data about the use of a web site or the effectiveness of an ad campaign.

Viewing Stats
To view your statistics reports, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Statistics link in the Main Menu. This will show the Statistics menu and allow you to choose several options. Use the pull down menus for the specific data you would like to see.

You will then be able to choose the date range you want the report to cover as well as specific accounts and summaries of your campaign ads. When you are ready to view your statistics report, press the View button at the top right of the page to create your report. Below are some of the stats you will see.

• Impressions
• Click Thrus
• Unique Visitors
• CTR
• Summary by Accounts
• Summary by Campaign
• Summary by Campaign, Banner Ad
• Summary by Campaign, Text Ad
• Summary by Campaign, Pop Ad
• Summary by Campaign, Region
• Summary by Banner Ad
• Summary by Text Ad
• Summary by Pop Ad
• Summary by Region 
• Summary by Zone
• Summary by Date 
• Summary by Browser
• Summary by Operating System
• Summary by Account, Unique  
• Summary by Campaign, Unique
• Summary by Campaign, Banner Ad, Unique
• Summary by Campaign, Text Ad, Unique
• Summary by Campaign, Pop Ad, Unique
• Summary by Campaign, Region, Unique
• Summary by Banner Ad, Unique
• Summary by Text Ad, Unique
• Summary by Pop Ad, Unique
• Summary by Region, Unique
• Summary by Zone, Unique
• Summary by Date, Unique
• Summary by Browser, Unique
• Summary by Operating System, Unique

Emailing Stat Reports
Ad Server Solutions allows you to email statistics reports. To email statistics reports to your Account Owners, go to your Administration Interface and click on the Campaign link in the Main Menu. This will expand the Campaign menu and allow you to choose several options. Click on the Edit link. This brings you into the campaign area. Located at the bottom of the page you will see Email Reports. Here you will choose when you would like to receive statistics reports.

System Config
Here you can change the parameters which you set up for the software. Passwords, settings, database names and some directory addresses. Be careful with these parameters. The parameters allow you to configure and setup options for the Administration Program. You can also make a backup of your data base from this page. The backup is dump of Ad Server Solutions necessary database tables.


Database Backup
The Database Backup option allows you to backup your current Ad Server Solutions database. Your database will automatically be backed up when you run this, so there are no options for you to choose. When the backup has successfully completed, it will allow you to download the backup file to store for added security.

The backup files contain pure SQL that can be used to restore your database using the Restore Database option. This is very useful if you are moving to another server and need to preserve all of the data in your database.

Database Restore
The Database Restore option allows you to restore your Ad Server Solutions database from a backup file. You will need to choose the backup file that you want to restore the database from. All of the current data in your database will be lost as this will create a clean database that contains an exact replica of the supplied file. Please use extreme caution when using this option.

The same form, as topic 1.2 will be shown to the admin, so the details of the account can be edited. This time only account password, and email can be edited. In this page, admin will also be able to "Active/On Hold" the account.

If the admin decides a user needs to be put off the program, for example payments issues, he/she can simply activate/de-activate the account. On-Hold is an alternative to deleting the account. But admin feels that a specific account is not going to be used in the future, deleting an account is preferred rather than deactivating it! Because it will reduce the number of records that are kept in the database, (the change may not be noticeable) in speed, only if the account has a large number of records in the database, such as different banners, or even the account logs.

1.3. View/Modify Acc. Banners

This is where you will be able to add banners to your account. And view ALL the banners, which are referenced under your account. If you have a new banner that you would like to add to your account and later on use on any campaign, you need to start from this page.

4.3. Add new Campaign

You need to enter the following details:

4.7. HTML CODE

One of the advantages of this program is that you just need to tell the program where you are in the site (regions/zones) and it automatically works out which advert must be display in that place.

You will need to call up the program some how to tell it I want a banner to be displayed in that certain place. You probably call using SSI, Normal IMG HREF tag, or an advanced JavaScript code. In any of the method you choose to use, you can send additional parameters to the program so you will tell the program your location in the website using those parameters. Because it is hard to remember all the parameters and reference codes to each location, you can use the code generator to make up the necessary codes to put in your webpage, in the specified location. Because any campaign is also have been set to be displayed in any particular regions and its banners are set, to be displayed in any specific zones; to make sure that campaign is displayed, it is the best to have a code made with enough parameters to assure that campaign is going to be used. That’s why we have a HTML CODE link next to any campaign. It is important to remember that when you click on the HTML CODE link of any campaign, the codes that are produced are not specific to that campaign, they just carry necessary parameters in order to fit the description of that campaign so we know that the campaign is going to be displayed. The codes only tell the program:

- Where the code is, in terms of region/zone. (Where it is calling the program from)

- If we want to display only the campaigns that have the same keywords.

It is also important for us to somehow prevent the same code being displayed twice, if the page is not reloaded, so basically to prevent the browsers caching the banners.

There are 3 different codes produced by the HTML CODE Generator:

Highlight the code generated in the text box and copy and paste it to the page with the specified parameters (region/zone).

6. Banners

- Banner must be assigned with a zone

- Banners by themselves do not have any functionality. They must be placed in a campaign (Default or non-default campaign) in order to be used.

- Each banner will carry a weight by itself, regardless of its campaign. The banner weight will affect the probability of the banner to be display out of the other random banners that are returned in the same region and zone.

- Banners can either be raw HTML CODE or URL or an image in any server!

- The IMAGE banner is required for any type of banner, because if the request for a banner is called from a place that does not support SSI (or any method of displaying raw HTML CODE like IFRAME), the image of the banner will be displayed instead.

- Raw HTML CODE only works if the display mode is set to HTML.

- Raw HTML CODE can be used to display almost anything. But this is up to the administrator to allow what type of things to be used in the html code.

- Only IF Raw HTML CODE method is used, tracking the click-thrus of the banner is only done by passing ALL LINKS OF ANY KIND (Form actions, HREF etc) to our link gateway program then if a user clicks on that link, the link’s URL will be passed to a program in the server that this program is installed, and then after the program recorded the click-thru it will redirect the user to its destination URL.

If you are planning to display rich-media ads like java or flash ads using this banner, you need to:

o For Flash Banners:
Use FS Command so you can get the link from the JavaScript, which you also need to include into your raw html code. And in your JavaScript you need to have a LINK URL variable with your targeted URL.

o For Java Banners:
Same goes for java banners, the link needs to be captured from outside of the compiled file, in html. You can have a param in order to pass the link to the java banner file.

If you need any random number placed in your Raw HTML CODE dynamically, you can insert this [RANDOMNUMBER] anywhere inyour html code, and the tag will be replaced with a random number.

PLEASE NOTE THAT A NORMAL JPG/GIF IMAGE BANNER IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TYPE OF BANNERS!

- For Third party Banners

Third party Banners are also treated as the Raw HTML CODE banners, which you need to add the necessary tags in front of any type of link. PLEASE NOTE because of the dynamic nature of most third-party ad tags, it is typically not possible to track the click throughs. This is particularly the case when using third party code which utilizes the IFRAME or JAVASCRIPT SRC function. The reason this is not possible is because the IFRAME is simply a floating window in which they dynamically insert their banner code. The only way to track the clicks is if you limit their code to a simple IMG SRC/HREF tag. By doing so you would limit yourself to only serving Image ads through the third party and you would not be able to serve any third party Rich Media ads.

Additional info can be found here:

FAQ Page: Frequently Asked Questions

Resources Page: Recommended Resources

Ad Terms: Advertising Terms and Definitions

Online Demo: Try the online demos