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Network Connect

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Gitting Started

Many stations air network spots as part of a contractual agreement with networks to pay for programming aired by the station or other services provided by networks. Network spots aired by stations can number into the hundreds each week.

Without Network Connect, getting these spots to the program log and then reconciling them back to the network can be a tedious manual process that can take hours upon hours of valuable time.

With the cooperation of the major networks, Marketron has developed Network Connect. This electronic service eliminates the manual labor of entering network spots into the traffic system as well as reporting spot times back to the networks. Network Connect has the capability of automating the traffic process from beginning to end.





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How Network Connect Works

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'Network Orders

Each week, rather than logging into network websites to manually retrieve network schedules, the networks send spot schedules to stations subscribed to Network Connect. The schedules import into the traffic system via Marketron Exchange. The network orders are created and delivered as follows:

● 1 network

● 1 program/service

● 1 station

● 1 week

● 1 spot per line

Stations contractually obligated to carry spots for several different network programs or services could potentially receive several network orders each week.

If you choose not to automatically import network orders into the traffic system, Network Connect will download the orders into the “Network Order Importer”. This allows the user to view and then manually import. The “Network Order Importer” is located on the RadioTraffic dashboard and accessed by clicking the Marketron icon:





Once the order is imported into the traffic system, either manually or automatically, Network Connect creates the network order. The order consists of one spot per line. The import process also creates the network copy record, assigns the station(s) to the copy and assigns cart numbers.



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Network Affidavits

The task of reporting spot times back to the network is also automated. When a network order is created by Network Connect, a network affidavit is simultaneously created.

After the network spots for the week have aired and logs have been reconciled and committed, the affidavits can be electronically delivered to the network. One affidavit is created for each network order for the week. The affidavit contains the spot data required by the network to reconcile. “Network Affidavits” is on the RadioTraffic dashboard and accessed by clicking the Marketron icon:





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RadioTraffic Setup

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Automatic Cart Assignment

Cart numbers are automatically assigned to network orders when the copy is created. In Settings> Group>General:

• Enable Automatic Cart assignment, if not already activated. This will auto assign cart numbers to all new network copy. This will also assign cart numbers to all other new copy. These numbers can be changed manually.

• Expand the Minimum/Maximum cart number range, if needed, to ensure there are enough cart numbers available for network copy.

• For stations with narrow Minimum/Maximum cart number ranges it may be necessary to reduce the number of days to recycle cart numbers.





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Categories

Some automation systems require a copy category. For example, COM. In these cases, all copy must have a category assigned before logs can be exported to the automation system. A station level Network Connect default category can be set. The default category option is in Settings/Stations/General tab of the selected station. This will auto-populate the Category field for all copy created by Network Connect. RadioTraffic requires a Category on all copy when the following automation systems are used.



Sample Default Category Setting Screen:





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Avail Types

A special Avail Type for network spots should be considered. Create “Network” as an Avail Type if the desired result is not to have network spots scheduled to “Commercial” avails. This is not a requirement but could help better control the placement of Network Spots. Go to Settings>Avail Types to create a “Network” Avail Type. If a “Network” Avail Type is going to be used it must be added to the log.





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Cancel Existing Network Orders

The typical operating procedure for stations manually handling network content is to enter one or more annual master contract(s) in RadioTraffic, which is used to schedule the total number of required network spots to air each week. This practice is often used to minimize the order entry for network spots and to better track inventory. The workflow changes with Network Connect. Prior to implementing the Network Connect service, any master network orders must be canceled using the appropriate end date. Failing to cancel the existing contracts will result in double the number of network spots scheduled to the log. Each week Network Connect creates a new traffic contract for every program/service sent by the network and schedule spots for only one week at a time.



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Customers

In preparation for Network Connect, all networks from which orders are received must be entered as Customers. Go to Settings>Customers and create a customer account for all required networks.

Scheduling Tab

In the Customer Scheduling tab, use the following settings for the network customer:

• Agency – Set this option to None.

• Owner - Set this option to None.

• Placement – Select the placement level best suited for how network spots should schedule.

• Avail Type – Select the Avail Type to which network spots should schedule.

• Primary and Secondary Conflict – Network spots do not contain conflict codes; these options should be set to None.

• Customer separation/Type – Set this option to None.

• Confirmation – Leave this option unchecked.

• Activate “Complex Rotations” override – This option should be checked to allow per line rotations.

Billing Tab

Networks require an affidavit to show proof of performance. Network Connect automates the affidavits process. As a result, it is not necessary to invoice network spots.



• Billing Cycle – Assigning a Billing Cycle may be required if there are possibility spot rates needed to be added to contracts created by Network Connect. If the network does not need spot rates, this option can be set to “None”.



• Revenue Source – Assigning a Revenue Source to the network advertiser could be useful when running reports.

• Revenue Type – Assigning a Revenue Type to a network advertiser could also be helpful when running reports.



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Set Up Network Connect

Log into RadioTraffic to set up Network Connect. Click on the Marketron icon>Network Connect>Network Order Importer.





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Settings

Go to the Settings menu in the Network Order Importer to begin the setup process.

General Settings Tab

• Poll Settings – Set how often the system should check for new network orders. This field defaults to 300 seconds.

• Notification Email – Enter the email address of the person or people to be notified in the event an error or warning at the Exchange occurs that would prevent network orders from downloading from the Exchange. Such an email might be sent if a network order is Pending Download from a network that has not yet been set up in Network Connect.

Sample General Settings Tab

Source Settings Tab

Networks are added, edited and deleted in Source Settings. Right-click in the Source Settings screen to view the options.

Sample Source Settings Tab



When adding a new network, right-click in the Source Settings screen then click New. In the Source dropdown, select the network to be added.

Sample Source Settings Screen



After selecting the network, fill in the required order delivery options for the network.

● Setting Name - Enter the name of the network.

● Auto Import New – Select this option to automatically import new network orders into the traffic system. This means the network order will require no manual action.

● Auto Import Revisions – Select this option to automatically import revisions to network orders into the traffic system. This means revised network orders require no manual action. You CANNOT import revisions without also importing new network orders.

● Email Addresses – Enter the email address of the person or people to be emailed as orders from the network are downloaded or imported into the system based on the options provided.

● Notify on New – An email notification will be sent when a new order is delivered for the network.

● Notify on Revisions – An email notification will be sent when an order revision is delivered for the network.

● Notify on Warning – An email notification will be sent when there is a warning on a new or revised order delivered for the network.

● Notify on Error – An email notification will be sent when there is an error on a new or revised order delivered for the network.

Station Source Settings

Tab Station Source Settings is used to assign networks to stations. If a network is not assigned to the station on which network spots are to air, the orders will not download from the Exchange to import into traffic for the station.

1. Highlight the station, right click and select Assign Setting.

Sample Station Source Settings Screen




2. Check each network that runs spots on the station.



3. Click OK to save the settings.

4. Network Connect setup is now complete.



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Data Mapping

This is where the name of the network advertiser, as it is set up in traffic, is associated with the network name in the Exchange. For example, “ZZ-Premiere Network” in traffic must be mapped to “Premiere” in Exchange.



To map, or associate the network advertiser name in traffic to the network name in Exchange, complete the following instructions:

1. On the Data Mapping screen, click Add or right click on the screen, then click Add.



2. External Name - Type in the network name EXACTLY as it is set up in the Exchange. You can find the Exchange Network name in the Source dropdown in the Mapping Entry Edit screen.

3. Traffic Name – Find the network name, as it is set up in Traffic, in the dropdown.

4. Source – Select the network, as it is set up in the Exchange, then click Save.





Return to Settings> Station Source Settings to complete the setup of Network Connect.





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Network Connect Setup Checklist

• 1. In Settings>Group make sure cart number assignment is set to Automatic and, if needed, expand the range of cart numbers.

• 2. If required by automation, set the Network Connect Default Category.

• 3. In Settings>Avail Types create a Network Avail Type. This step is recommended but not required.

• 4. Edit Logs to add Network as an Avail Type if needed. This is step is recommended to better track inventory but is not required.

• 5. In Settings>Customers add a new customer for each network.
  • a. Set the customer defaults

• 6. Go to Services> Network Order Importer to set up Network Connect.
  • a. Complete General Settings
  • b. Complete Source Settings
  • c. Complete Data Mapping
  • d. Complete Station Source Settings

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Network Order Importer

Once Traffic and Network Connect setup is complete, network orders can be imported. Network orders are downloaded from the Exchange to the Network Order Importer at which time they can be imported into traffic.



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Current Tab

Orders from networks not set to auto-import are downloaded from the Exchange and delivered to the Current tab in the Network Order Importer. The user must manually choose to import the orders by right-clicking and choosing the option to Import.

Doubling clicking on the select order in the list will open a screen that shows detailed order information.

Orders in the Current tab will have a status of Pending Import or Pending Correction.

The order list can be filtered by Station, Status and Source.

Sample Network Order Import Screen



Actions can be taken on the highlighted order, by right-clicking and selecting the action.

• Import – This option imports the order into the traffic system. Importing the order creates a traffic order, the copy record, assigns the appropriate station and assigns the next available network cart number. Once imported, the network order moves to the Historical tab with a status of Imported. The Exchange order can be viewed from the Historical tab.

• Reject – This option moves the order from the Current tab to the Historical tab and will not be imported. It is possible to reactivate an order that has been rejected.

• View Exchange Order - This option opens the order in an HTML format that can be viewed and printed. This version of the order can be viewed in both the Current and Historical tabs.

• Refresh – This option refreshes the screen.

• View – Use this action to view the Legend, which explains the icons displayed in the Current tab.

• Notes – This area of the Current tab displays any warnings or errors that keep the order from importing into the traffic system.

Column Headers

• Station – This column lists the station on which the order will run. • Status – This column lists the status of the order: Pending Import or Pending Correction.



● Source - The Source column displays the name of the network.

● Order Number – This shows the network’s order number.

● Rev – This column shows the order revision number. The revision number of the original order is 0 (zero). Each revised order will increment the revision number by one. The system processes revisions and updates the original order accordingly.

● Start Date – This displays the start date of the order. All network orders are one week in length, Monday – Sunday.

● End Date – This is the end date of the order.

● Program – This column lists the program or service for the order.

● #Spots – This column displays the total number of spots/lines for the order.





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Historical Tab

Imported and rejected orders will move to and display in the Historical tab of the Network Order Importer.

The historical orders list can be filtered by Station, Status, Source and the number of weeks back based on the start date of the order.

Doubling clicking the selected order in the list will open a screen that shows detailed order information.

Sample Network Order Importer Historical Tab



Limited actions can be taken on the highlighted order in the Historical tab, by right-clicking and selecting the action.

• Reactivate – This option will reactivate rejected orders which moves them to the Current tab for actions, such as importing the order to traffic.

• View Exchange Order - This option opens the order in an HTML format that can be viewed and printed. This version of the order can be viewed in both the Current and Historical tabs.

• Refresh – This option refreshes the screen.

• View – Use this action to view the Legend, which explains the icons displayed in the Historical tab.

Sample Reactivate Menu



Doubling clicking the selected order in the list opens a screen that shows detailed order information. A print option and order audit information are available

Sample Local Order Viewer Screen





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Exchange Tab

All electronically delivered network orders can be viewed in the Exchange tab. The Exchange network order list can be filtered by Status: Complete or Needs Attention. Orders can also be filtered by when the orders were received by the Exchange server.

Sample Exchange Tab Screen





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Affidavits

Network affidavits are electronically delivered back to the network.

The network affidavit is created as soon as the order is imported into traffic and has a status of In Progress. The affidavit will not be considered Ready to Send until the logs on which the network spots scheduled have been reconciled and committed.

The Current tab of the Network Affidavit screen lists all affidavits that are In Progress or Ready to Send to the network. Each line displays the Total Spots for the order, the number of spots completed (on reconciled and committed logs) and the remaining spots (spots on current logs). After all logs for the week have been reconciled and committed, the Remaining spots column will show (0) and the affidavit status changes to Ready to Send.

Sample Network Affidavits Current Tab



Actions can be taken on affidavits in the Current tab. Right click on the selected order or go to the Actions menu.

● View Affidavit – This option allows the user to view and print the Affidavit. The detail of the affidavit shows the date and time the spot aired. Any spots remaining on the Bump list of the log will show as "Missed" in the Time Aired Column. The affidavit shows the Spot ID, ISCI Code and Copy Title of network spots.

● Do Not Send - This action gives the user the option not to send an affidavit to the network. The user must supply a signature to decline the affidavit at which point the declined affidavit goes to the Historical tab. It is possible to send the affidavit from the Historical tab in the event it was accidentally declined.

● Send New Affidavit - Selecting this option opens the affidavit to be sent to the network. A signature is required. Once the affidavit is sent, it moves to the Historical tab. If the order is In Progress, the Send button is disabled, and the affidavit cannot be sent. The user has the option to resend the affidavit from the Historical tab in the event it was not received by the network.

● Refresh – This option refreshes the screen.

● View – Legend shows Status Legend.

Sample Network Affidavit Screen







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Standard Workflow

1. The network module polls the exchange for any new network orders.

2. New Network orders are downloaded into the Network Order Importer.

3. Network Orders are imported into the traffic system (automatically or manually).

4. Email notification is sent from the exchange (letting the station know of import or problems).

5. The network order is converted to a traffic order. Each order is for: 1 network, 1 program, 1 wee, 1 station and 1 spot per line.

6. A copy record for each spot is created. The end date is extended for any pre-existing copy records that are being reused from previous weeks.

7. The station(s) is/are assigned to the copy record.

8. The Cart number(s) is/are assigned automatically.

9. Copy Attachment report is printed and handed off to production to dub or extend network copy.

10. An affidavit is created with the status of In-Progress.

11. Logs are reconciled and committed at the end of the week.

12. Affidavit status changes to Ready to Send.

13. The user chooses to send the affidavit, applies a signature and sends the affidavit to the network.