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XMPie Version 4.5
XMPie has just released version 4.5, an updated software version to their suite of desktop and server-based VDP products. What's interesting about this new version is that among the various product enhancements, there are some significant new features that facilitate rapid deployment of cross-media campaigns. I've picked out the key feature highlights of XMPie uDirect and PersonalEffect version 4.5, which are summarised below.
U2
Previewed at drupa in May, U2 refers to XMPie's 'gossiping technology' that provides enhanced performance when running multiple instances of InDesign Server. In this unique composition approach, each server instance talks or "gossips" to other server instances during composition. So if a large job is split to run across several server instances, each instance will be aware of records processed by other instances. As a result, common assets are only generated and included once for the final print output. U2 is currently only supported for Xerox VIPP ouput. It will be interesting to see if XMPie decide to support other VI languages in the future.
XLIM Enhancements
I've never paid too much attention of XLIM, until recently. XLIM refers to a alternate template format used by XMPie uProduce for document composition. Like other XMPie templates, XLIM templates are created in InDesign, but instead of saved as InDesign templates, they are exported as XLIM templates and can then be composed by a separate XLIM engine. I recently discovered that XLIM files are actually XSL-FO templates; a markup language developed by W3C for XML document formatting of textual layout.
Due to it's relative simplistic file structure, XLIM documents can be generated at a rate of several thousand records a minute by a XLIM engine, without the requirement for InDesign Server. While XLIM (and XSL-FO) doesn't provide the same level of rich typograpical and object control as InDesign, the format is well suited for light documents, for example statements, letters, etc.
New enhancements to XLIM in version 4.5 include the support for bullets and numbering, personalised charts and graphs and all InDesign page objects (shapes, text on a path, etc).
Specialty Imaging
XMPie uDirect and PersonalEffect now supports Flourescent Marks and MicroText Specialty Imaging features in Xerox VIPP.
2D Barcodes
Barcode support has been expanded to include 2D barcodes, for generating QR Codes and other matrix-based barcodes.
RURL Wizard
This has to be the most significant new feature in XMPie's release history. One of the problems that has plagued XMPie since they changed their personalised URL architecture to ICP is that web pages reside outside of uProduce on an IIS web server. As a result, it is a manual and often awkward process to create the virtual directory, put the required dependencies in the web directory (i.e. DreamweaverCtrls.dll), add the required rewrites for the Response URLs to work—and that's before you start creating your web pages!
The RURL (Response URL) Wizard changes all that. Installed on the same IIS web server hosting the personalised web campaigns, the RURL Wizard provides an interface for quickly creating and deploying personalised web and email campaigns. By stepping through a series of options, you can create and deploy a working personalised website in minutes. The RURL Wizard automates the manual IT administration tasks required in previous versions. The wizard automatically creates the virtual directory, copies the required files and resources to the directory, creates the URL rewrite, and when you reach the 'Summary' page, your website template is already deployed and working. The generated site can then be customised as required using uCreate and Dreamweaver.
The different RURL campaign workflows are illustrated at www.RURLWizard.com/RURLTemplates. While the current Wizard doesn't include sets of designed web templates, it is understood that templates will shortly be available for purchase from XMPie Marketplace. In addition, a number of free templates will be included with future releases of the RURL Wizard.
SECURL
SECURL refers to a set of security-based features built for web campaigns. Features include CAPCHA phrases to block automated robots crawling websites, support for HTTPS through SSL certificate, and password security where the password is an XMPie content object (ADOR object).
Acquisition and Refer-a-Friend
A long awaited feature from XMPie, this feature refers to the ability to insert records into the database, rather than update existing records. A unqique URL is created at the time of record insertion. As a result, you can use a generic website (e.g. www.campaign.com) to capture website visitors and insert campaign data through ICP, or create a referal form on an existing personalised website.
Summary
In summary, it's good to see a set of new, strong and long awaited features to XMPie's product suite. XMPie are clearly continuing to push the VDP boundaries and are obviously responding to customer and market demand. I was a little surprised to learn that these new features don't work with the current version of InDesign (CS4), released in September. However it is understood that XMPie are waiting for the availablity of InDesign Server CS4 before releasing a compatible version of their desktop and server products.
Posted on Wednesday, 17 December 2008 at 2:50 PM | TrackBack: http://www.veedeepee.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/193
Comments
Very exciting stuff! I believe the release will also include some improved integration with marketing console and exact target.
Posted by Gregg Nurre on Thursday, 18 December 2008 at 6:36 AM
Gregg, I agree this is a nice feature. This integration provides the ability to track email events from a campaign (Sent, Bounced, Opened, Unsubscribed) directly within Marketing Console, providing you are using ExactTarget as your email marketing provider.
Posted by Eliot on Thursday, 18 December 2008 at 9:30 AM
Some long overdue enhancements. Better RURL.setup and the new XLIM bits look interesting.... Thanks XMPie.
Posted by Kevin Trye on Friday, 2 January 2009 at 11:15 AM
XMpie has really enhanced their product...but I personally feel they are slightly behind on with their product. There are already other server based applications that provide users with the ability to edit data templates, track, include built in bar codes, and are equipped with dynamic trigger events. I recently discovered L2's business profile page on facebook. Check out what they are about and click on their website. Their test drive link at the bottom of the home page really gives you the feel of efficient pURL generation.
Posted by Will V on Tuesday, 6 January 2009 at 4:57 AM
William, I find it rather odd that you have only "recently discovered" L2, particularly as you currently work for the company: http://www.linkedin.com/in/willvuong
Posted by Eliot on Tuesday, 6 January 2009 at 10:15 AM
Eliot, I know this blog is only supposed to be professional banter, but I have to say, I had a good chuckle at the above....Will, you cheeky little monkey
Posted by Grant on Thursday, 8 January 2009 at 1:27 PM