Specle launches low-cost web-based ad delivery service

Specle has today launched an automated web-based digital ad delivery service, Specle Send, that is integrated within its eponymous free online ad spec database.

The low-cost service, which uses Callas pdfToolbox for preflighting and delivery, charges the sender just £3 per successful file upload and has been designed with ease of use in mind.

Specle chief executive Simon Murray said: "We have more than 10,000 visitors per month now visiting the site and searching for specs and now they have the ability to send their file from the same place.

"It's a pay-as-you-go service, there's no need for any credits, we send you the bill at the end of each month. It's very, very user-friendly. You type in the publication name, that takes you to the ad spec page where you can click a link to upload a full page ad.

"The back-end is powered by Callas so there are more than 500 checks performed per file and it's uploaded against the profile supplied by each publication."

If there is a problem with a file the user will be given a comprehensive error report, detailing why it failed, and will then have the option to correct themselves or use the Callas autofix feature at a cost of £2 per file.

"The Callas engine has the ability to autofix – it will give you a full report so you can choose to either discard and start again or autofix," said Murray. "If there's too much wrong it will say. You don't get charged for that you get charged for the successful delivery of the file."

The service is currently available for all Associated Newspapers titles, with other national newspaper publishers expected to follow in the near future.

Specle has been working closely with Telegraph Media Group, Guardian News and Media, Trinity Mirror Group and News International and the company said most of those would be live by the end of the month.

The launch of Specle Send marks the latest expansion of Specle's online ad spec platform, following the launch of its one-click pre-press service in partnership with Loveurope, Specle Full Repro.

It is part of the company's continuing strategy to simplify the ad delivery workflow by reducing the number of human interactions required.