Q: We're already using email and/or FTP. Why is this better?
While email and FTP may be electronic and instantaneous, they are not project management tools and are not inherently collaborative. In many ways, they are as inefficient as couriers and faxes. A collaboration tool is much more than file transfer. A collaboration tool needs to support the concepts of organization, workflow, and security. Without these, any collaboration tool you use will be inefficient. Neither FTP nor email truly supports the unique needs of a team collaborating on marketing projects and iterative creative work. Inefficiency is costly to everyone. Inefficiency leads to problems with quality, and ultimately impacts client satisfaction. The result – problems with retention, higher sales and account management costs, and agency turmoil.
Q: We're already using Acrobat and the PDF annotation tools for proofing and collaboration. Why is CreativeX better than the Acrobat PDF proofing solution?
Annotating with Acrobat PDF files is really a first generation proofing tool. While Acrobat's annotation capability is fine for individuals, it was not designed as a team proofing and annotating solution. Acrobat does not incorporate a robust system for workflow, notification, approval, and project management. Like MS Office products, Acrobat annotation was designed as a single user, shrink wrap product. CreativeX's approach to proofing is team based. CreativeX's proofing solution is built around the concepts of project management and job management. Annotations aren't simply graphical mark ups, but task items in an overall project management solution that gives you the best of both worlds - annotations in graphical context and annotations in manageable and actionable lists.
To use Acrobat PDF for annotations, you must also buy one of the for-fee Acrobat products. Acrobat PDF viewer does not support adding annotations, simply viewing them. So, every member of the team that wants to proof and or collaborate must buy an Acrobat license. With CreativeX's proofing tool, you do not need an Acrobat license. There are also some significant things that Acrobat isn't really designed for. For instance, proofing web sites and multimedia. You cannot effectively use Acrobat's annotation tool to annotate a web site. It was designed for annotating static documents, like brochures and print ads.
Q: Face-to-face meetings are critical to my relationship with my clients. Are you suggesting we eliminate meetings?
Meetings are critical, and by no means are we suggesting you eliminate meetings. There is a time and place for everything, and in today’s busy world, clients don’t always have time to meet. They want to know that you have a project management tool that can keep them abreast of critical milestones and dates. And, by enabling clients to provide feedback and communications on-line and on their schedules, you minimize unproductive, un-billable fire drills and ad hoc interruptions. So, when you do meet, you can focus on what’s really important, like building relationships.
Q: Is CreativeX Safe?
There is a great myth about safety on the Internet. Today, billions and billions of dollars of commerce are safely transacted over the Internet. Sure there is theft, just like there is in traditional businesses. But, Internet technologies have matured, and for organizations that understand how to use them, the Internet is extremely safe, in fact, exponentially safer than phone, fax, and email.
So, when agencies start thinking about using CreativeX, some wonder how safe it is. Some wonder if an “in-house” extranet solution is the best way to protect your information. But, a home grown extranet is likely the worst thing you can do. In the digital world, many things are black and white, and security is one. You either do it absolutely right, or it is wrong. Did you know that FBI statistics show that internal hacking is the most prevalent kind of security breach? How well will your extranet be secured?
The cost of the technology and expertise needed to properly protect your extranet is huge. You’re a marketing services agency. Can you do it right or afford to do it right? It’s our job to do it right for you. We have invested in world-class facilities, security, and people to ensure your hosted CreativeX Client Communication System is up and running all the time. Feel free to contact your CreativeX account representative to learn more about how we protect your critical business information.
Q: We have web developers. Wouldn’t it be faster and cheaper to build an extranet as you call it?
No. In fact, it will cost you a lot more to build an extranet. Ask your CreativeX representative for information that will help you make the “build vs. buy” decision. In a nutshell, your home grown solution could easily cost you tens times as much as the CreativeX solution. And, the worst part about it is that your extranet will have SIGNIFICANTLY less functionality as CreativeX. That puts you at a competitive disadvantage. Less functionality at a higher cost means unhappy clients and less bottom line profits.
Q: Can I change the interface to make my CreativeX account consistent with my corporate identity?
Yes. CreativeX is configurable so you can match your account to your web site and style guidelines, including your login page.
Q: We’re a Mac shop. How well will CreativeX work?Perfectly. Remember, our extranet applications are specifically written for the marketing services industry, so Mac support is central to what we do.
Q: How much education is needed?
End users typically need nothing more than a short introduction. Administrators need an hour or two to become fully productive with your extranet.
Q: Can I integrate the applications with other agency systems, like billing and traffic systems?
No. Not at this time.
Q: How secure is my data?
Our hosting environment is among the most robust and secure we have seen anywhere.
Redundant connectivity: Three separate intenet backbone carriers each with a separate physical entry point into the facility. Additional bandwidth on demand up to 10Gb/s) for clients with the need.
Redundant power: Two live feeds to each cabinet, with separate battery backups that will keep everything running in the event city services are lost. Backing up the batteries are two 1500KW diesel generators with two weeks of fuel on premises. Beta tested by real creative companies for over two years, we're proud to say everything works as advertised. no nasty surprises at the eleventh hour.
Redundant HVAC: It takes more than power to keep computers happy. In the event of loss of city services there is water on site to keep the AC humming so everybody can keep cool.
Redundant servers: Every time any change is made to your Xtranet, the data is replicated to another server, not just another drive on the same server. As a result, even in the worst case scenario your Xtranet will never be down for more than the scant seconds it takes to redirect traffic to your new box.
Redundant back-ups: In addition to a mirrored box, data is backed-up and archived nightly to an entirely separate system.
